approaching peril, for which I could not account, hung about me.

"There is the ford," said Jacques, drawing rein, and pointing straight
ahead of him. "That is where we must cross."

"Yes," I said.

"But I cannot see the horsemen, and they should be visible from here. It
is very absurd, of course, but still, I would advise monsieur to look to
his pistols."

"I am ready, Jacques."

"Come, then, and if I say 'Gallop!' stretch your horse to his utmost."

He advanced carefully, I following, and watching him intently.
Presently, without turning round, he said: "It is as I thought; the
horsemen are there; we cannot get through without a fight."

"Then we must fight, Jacques; it is impossible to turn back. They will
not expect a rush, and we may catch them off their guard. But it will be
amusing if they turn out to be simply peaceful travellers."

"Amusing and satisfactory, monsieur. Are you ready? We will ride abreast
at the bottom; it will give us greater strength."

Jacques was a splendid horseman, and he had taught me to ride almost
from the first day I could sit a horse's back. From him, too, as well as
from my father, I had learned how to use a sword, though my weapon had
never yet been drawn in actual conflict, and even now I hoped against