and then for aught I knew they were still following, resolved to
hound me down by the aid of such information as they might cull
upon their way.

I was come by then to the Garonne. I drew rein beside the swiftly
flowing stream, winding itself like a flood of glittering silver
between the black shadows of its banks. A little while I sat there
listening, and surveying the stately, turreted chateau that loomed,
a grey, noble pile, beyond the water. I speculated what demesne
this might be, and I realized that it was probably Lavedan.

I pondered what I had best do, and in the end I took the resolve to
swim the river and knock at the gates. If it were indeed Lavedan,
I had but to announce myself, and to one of my name surely its
hospitalities would be spread. If it were some other household,
even then the name of Marcel de Bardelys should suffice to ensure
me a welcome.

By spurring and coaxing, I lured my steed into the river. There is
a proverb having it that though you may lead a horse to the water
you cannot make him drink. It would have now applied to my case,
for although I had brought mine to the water I could not make him
swim; or, at least, I could not make him breast the rush of the
stream. Vainly did I urge him and try to hold him; he plunged
frantically, snorted, coughed, and struggled gamely, but the current
was bearing us swiftly away, and his efforts brought us no nearer
to the opposite shore. At last I slipped from his back, and set
myself to swim beside him, leading him by the bridle. But even
thus he proved unequal to the task of resisting the current, so that
in the end I let him go, and swam ashore alone, hoping that he would