At the same moment the order to fire was given in a sonorous voice, there was a rattle of musketry, and several dragoons near M.de Broglie fell.
"Forward!" cried Captain Poul, "forward!" and putting his horse at a part of the ravine where the sides were less steep, he was soon struggling up the opposite side, followed by a few dragoons.
"Death to the son of Belial!" cried the same voice which had given the order to fire.

At that moment a single shot rang out, Captain Poul threw up his hands, letting his sabre go, and fell from his horse, which instead of running away, touched his master with its smoking nostrils, then lifting its head, neighed long and low.

The dragoons retreated.
"So perish all the persecutors of Israel!" cried the leader, brandishing his carbine.

He then dashed down into the ravine, picked up Captain Poul's sabre and jumped upon his horse.

The animal, faithful to its old master, showed some signs of resistance, but soon felt by the pressure of its rider's knees that it had to do with one whom it could not readily unseat.