I will hold them at bay!"

"No, no; we will stand by each other."

"Nonsense!" he cried, "remember the packet!" and, having no answer to
that, I pushed forward, though with reluctance.

It was a wild scramble, now swimming, now wading, stumbling, and
floundering along with the yells of the pursuers in our ears. I reached
the opposite bank, and while my gallant animal clambered up, Jacques
turned to face the enemy. Almost immediately there came the clash of
swords, and, looking back, I saw him engaged in desperate conflict with
the foremost of the pursuers.

The contest was short. With a howl of pain the fellow dropped his sword,
and the water reddened with his blood.

"Spread out!" cried the cavalier angrily, "'tis the boy we want!" and at
that, Jacques being powerless to prevent them from slipping past, rode
after me.

"Only three to two now!" he exclaimed joyfully; "shall we stop? It will
be a good fight."

"No, no, we may get away; we are the better mounted."

"I do not think so, monsieur; their horses are the fresher."

Once again Jacques proved correct. The three men, the cavalier leading,
hung stubbornly on our track, and began steadily to ride us down.