CHAPTER XII.


An hour after the conversation with Odile, Sperver and I were riding
hard, and leaving Nideck rapidly behind us.

The huntsman, bending forward over his horse's neck, encouraged him with
voice and action.

He rode so fast that his tall Mecklemburger, her mane flying, tail
outstretched, and legs extended wide, seemed almost motionless, so
swiftly did she cleave the air. As for my little Ardenne pony, I think he
was running right away with his rider. Lieverlé accompanied us, flying
alongside of us like an arrow from the bow. A whirlwind seemed to sweep
us in our headlong way.

The towers of Nideck were far away, and Sperver was keeping ahead as
usual when I shouted--

"Halloo, comrade, pull up! Halt! Before we go any farther let us know
what we are about."

He faced round.

"Only just tell me, Fritz, is it right or is it left?"

"No; that won't do. It is of the first importance that you should know
the object of our journey. In short, we are going to catch the hag."