As the army fell back, we obtained permission to go in search of him.

For two days all was fruitless; the peasantry fled at our approach; and although we captured some of our stolen property--among other things, the contents of this basket--yet we never came upon the track of our comrade till this evening.

A good-hearted shepherd had taken him to his hut, and treated him with every kindness, but no sooner did he hear the gallop of our horses and the clank of our equipments, than, fearing himself to be made a prisoner, he fled up the mountains, leaving our friend behind him; _voila notre histoire_.

Here we are, three in all, one of us with a deep sabre-cut in his shoulder.

If you are the stronger party, we are, I suppose, your prisoners; if not--" What was to have followed I know not, for at this moment his companion, who had finally lost all patience, came suddenly to the spot.
"A prisoner," cried he, placing a heavy hand upon my shoulder, while with the other he held his drawn sword pointed towards my breast.
To draw a pistol from my bosom was the work of a second; and while gently turning the point of his weapon away, I coolly said,-- "Not so fast, my friend, not so fast! The game is in my hands, not yours.