"Do you know where the ford is situated?" I asked.

"I have a fairly good notion. Ah, what is that?" and he reined up
sharply.

From our position we could just catch a glimpse of several horsemen
riding swiftly along the bank of the river. They were out of sight in a
few minutes, and we proceeded in a somewhat uncomfortable frame of mind.

"They can have nothing to do with us, Jacques," I said cheerily.

"No, monsieur, nothing," he replied.

"How much farther do we go before descending?"

"About a quarter of a mile."

"Once across the river we shall be in no danger at all."

"None at all, monsieur."

"A plague on you, Jacques!" I cried, "can't you make some sensible
remark?"

"I was but agreeing with monsieur."

We had gone about four hundred yards when the track began to descend in
winding fashion toward the water. My companion was still in front, and I
noticed he had loosened his sword. I had done the same, and in addition
had seen that my pistols were in order. Somehow, a strange sense of