Part 24 (2/2)

Reaching this, the whole party urged their horses at full speed, and for at least three miles they were able to maintain this rapid progress. At the end of that distance, the trail once more entered the woods, and the pace dwindled to a walk. But that three-mile run cheered the spirits of all.

”How many miles have we come, I wonder?” asked Claude.

”About six,” said the priest.

”How many miles is it to the schooner?”

”About forty.”

Claude drew a long breath.

”It must be nearly three o'clock in the morning now,” said he. ”I dare say they are finding it out now.”

”Well, we needn't stop to listen,” said the priest.

”No; we'll hear them soon enough.”

”At any rate, the dawn is coming,” said the priest. ”The day will soon be here, and then we can go on as fast as we wish.”

CHAPTER XXIII.

PURSUIT.

As they hurried on, it grew gradually lighter, so that they were able to advance more rapidly. The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed. The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so. With every step the dawn advanced, until at last the sun rose, and all the forest grew bright in the beams of day. A feeling of hope and joy succeeded to the late despondency which had been creeping over them; but this only stimulated them to redoubled exertions, so that they might not, after all, find themselves at last cheated out of these bright hopes.

That they were now pursued they all felt confident. At three o'clock the absence of the sentry must have been discovered, and, of course, the flight of Claude. Thereupon the alarm would at once be given.

Cazeneau would probably be aroused, and would proceed to take action immediately. Even under what might be the most favorable circ.u.mstances to them, it was not likely that there would be a delay of more than an hour.

Besides, the pursuer had an advantage over them. They had a start of three hours; but those three hours were spent in darkness, when they were able to go over but little ground. All that they had toiled so long in order to traverse, their pursuers could pa.s.s over in one quarter the time, and one quarter the labor. They were virtually not more than one hour in advance of the enemy, who would have fresher horses, with which to lessen even this small advantage. And by the most favorable calculation, there remained yet before them at least thirty miles, over a rough and toilsome country. Could they hope to escape?

Such were the thoughts that came to Claude's mind, and such the question that came to him. That question he did not care to discuss with himself. He could only resolve to keep up the flight till the last moment, and then resist to the bitter end.

But now there arose a new danger, which brought fresh difficulties with it, and filled Claude with new despondency. This danger arose from a quarter in which he was most a.s.sailable to fear and anxiety--from Mimi.

He had never ceased, since they first left, to watch over his bride with the most anxious solicitude, sometimes riding by her side and holding her hand, when the path admitted it, at other times riding behind her, so as to keep her in view, and all the time never ceasing to address to her words of comfort and good cheer. To all his questions Mimi had never failed to respond in a voice which was full of cheerfulness and sprightliness, and no misgivings on her account entered his mind until the light grew bright enough for him to see her face. Then he was struck by her appearance. She seemed so feeble, so worn, so fatigued, that a great fear came over him.

”O, Mimi, darling!” he cried, ”this is too much for you.”

”O, no,” she replied, in the same tone; ”I can keep up as long as you wish me to.”

”But you look so completely worn out!”

”O, that's because I've been fretting about you--you bad boy; it's not this ride at all.”

”Are you sure that you can keep up?”

”Why, of course I am; and I must, for there's nothing else to be done.”

<script>