hope that the horsemen below were not waiting for us.

But if Jacques' view were correct, then we must fight. Because of the
trust reposed in me, I could not yield; either I must win a way through,
or leave my dead body there on the bank.

My companion's voice recalled me to action. "Fire your pistol directly
we come within range," he said, "and then lay on with the sword."

"But we must give them warning, Jacques!"

"It is needless; they have seen us, and are preparing. _Corbleu!_ it is
as I thought! See, there is the man who overtook us in the village.
Monsieur, there is no escape; it is a fight to the death!"

"I am ready!"




CHAPTER III

The Fight by the Way


They watched us furtively, as, with seeming carelessness, we descended
the slope, slowly at first, but gradually increasing the pace as the
ground became less steep. There were five of them in all, and presently
I perceived that the one a little in advance of the group was the
unknown cavalier whom we had directed to the house of Etienne Cordel.