That much, however, he would do, and like him whose resources are reduced, and yet who desires to spend the little that he has to best advantage, he levelled the weapon boldly at the advancing Marquis, and pulled the trigger.

But Bellecour was an old campaigner, and by an old campaigner's trick he saved himself at the last moment.

At sight of that levelled barrel he pulled his horse suddenly on to its haunches, and received the charge in the animal's belly.

With a shriek of pain the horse sought to recover its feet, then tumbled forward hurling the Marquis from the saddle.

La Boulaye had an inspiration to fling himself upon the old roue and seek with his hands to kill him before they made an end of himself.