The ground was literally covered with their dark forms, crowding each other, and springing nimbly about.
Without waiting to consider the danger, Basil dashed into their midst, followed by Francois and Lucien.

It was well they were mounted, else they never would have come out of that crowd again.

All three had fired as they rode up.

They believed that this would have scattered the drove; but they found their mistake, for although each of them shot down a victim, it had no effect; and the next moment, their three horses were hopping about, plunging and pitching as badly as Jeanette.

The javalies surrounded them with shrill gruntings, driving their tusks into the horses' shanks, and leaping up almost high enough to reach the riders themselves.