I'll wager a horse to a horseshoe that you will find a body somewhere." He was obeyed, and presently a cry from one of the searchers announced a discovery.

It was succeeded by another exclamation.
"Sacre nom!" swore the trooper.

"It is the Citizen-deputy!" In an instant Garin had leapt to the ground and with the others crowding about him, their bridles over their arms and their horses in a bunch behind them, he was bending under the dripping hedge to examine the body that lay supine in the sodden road.

A vigorous oath escaped him when he assured himself that it was indeed La Boulaye.
"Is he dead ?" cried the men in chorus.
"No--not dead" grumbled the corporal.

"But there is a lump on his brow the size of an egg, and God knows how long he has been lying here in this bed of mud." They had no restoratives, and the only thing was to convey him to the nearest habitation and demand shelter.