An hour later, the party of horsemen were seen approaching the wood in which they were hidden.

Desmond drew up the men, all of whom were armed with pistols, as well as swords, in line among the trees.

He waited until the carriage was abreast of them, and then gave a shout, and the men at once dashed upon the escort.
Taken completely by surprise, these made but a poor fight of it.
Several were shot down at once.

The vicomte, whose head was enveloped in bandages, leapt into the saddle of a horse whose rider had been shot, and, drawing his sword, rode at Desmond, who was making for the door of the carriage.

Expecting no such attack, he would have been taken by surprise had not Mike, who saw his danger, shouted a warning, and at the same moment discharged his pistol.