"Grace au ciel!" I heard one of the young ladies saying. "It is
D'ri--dear old fellow!"

Then they all hurried out of the coach and kissed him.

"The captain--is he not here?" said one of them in French. But
D'ri did not understand them, and made no answer.

"Out wi' the lights, an' be still," said D'ri, quickly, and the
lights were out as soon as the words. "Jones, you tie up a front
leg o' one o' them hosses. Git back in the brush, ladies. Five on
'em, boys. Now up with the pike wall!"

From far back in the road had come again the clang of the cow-bell.
I remember hearing five strokes and then a loud rattle. In a
twinkling I was off the seat and beside the ladies.

"Take hold of my dress," I whispered quickly, "and follow me."

I led them off in the brush, and stopped. We could hear the move
and rattle of cavalry in the near road. Then presently the swish
of steel, the leap and tumble of horses, the shouting of men. My
companions were of the right stuff; they stood shivering, but held
their peace. Out by the road lights were flashing, and now we
heard pistols and the sound of a mighty scuffle. I could stay
there in the dark no longer.

"Wait here, and be silent," I said, and ran "like a madwoman," as
they told me long after, for the flickering lights.