Mine Gott! he come pack vid his mens all right--slash, shoot--his horse rear up; that vas the last I see already." "The lad got away, with three others, sir," broke in a new voice at my back.

"They wheeled and rode through us, across the water.

We thought the horse guard would get them over there, but I guess they didn't; anyhow there was no firing.

The fellows must have turned in under the bank, and rode like hell." Satisfied as to this incident, and not altogether regretful that the boy had thus escaped, I held a short consultation with Duval, seeking explanation as to why the command had been so unceremoniously thrust upon me.

A few words only were required to make the situation clear.