"Take the river! never flinch it!" was my cry to my companions, as I turned my head and saw a French dragoon, followed by two others, gaining rapidly upon us.

As I spoke, Mike dashed in, followed by Hampden, and the same moment the sharp ring of a carbine whizzed past me.

To take off the pursuit from the others, I now wheeled my horse suddenly round, as if I feared to take the stream, and dashed along by the river's bank.
[Illustration: A FLYING SHOT.] Beneath me in the foaming current the two horsemen labored,--now stemming the rush of water, now reeling almost beneath.

A sharp cry burst from Mike as I looked, and I saw the poor fellow bend nearly to his saddle.

I could see no more, for the chase was now hot upon myself.