cast appealing
glances at those around him, as his trembling legs seemed about to give
way under him. His hour had come--the poor, old horse! and he was dying
in harness like a brave beast, as he was. At last he could no more,
and falling heavily to the ground gave one feeble kick as he stretched
himself out on his side, and yielded up the ghost. Frightened by the
sudden shock, the women shrieked loudly, and the men, running to their
assistance, helped them to clamber out of the chariot. Mme. Leonarde and
Serafina were none the worse for the fright, but Isabelle had fainted
quite away, and de Sigognac, lifting her light weight easily, carried
her in his arms to the bank at the side of the road, followed by the
duenna, while Scapin bent down over the prostrate horse and carefully
examined his ears.

"He is stone dead," said he in despairing tones; "his ears are cold, and
there is no pulsation in the auricular artery."

"Then I suppose we shall have to harness ourselves to the chariot in his
place," broke in Leander dolefully, almost weeping. "Oh! cursed be the
mad folly that led me to choose an actor's career."

"Is this a time to groan and bewail yourself?" roared the tyrant
savagely, entirely out of patience with Leander's everlasting jeremiads;
"for heaven's sake pluck up a little courage, and be a man! And now to
consider what is to be done; but first let us see how our good little
Isabelle is getting on; is she still unconscious? No; she opens her
eyes, and there is the colour coming back to her lips; she will do now,
thanks to the baron and Mme. Leonarde. We must divide ourselves into
two bands; one will stay with the women and the chariot, the other will
scour the country in search of aid. We cannot think of remaining here
all night, for we should be frozen stiff long before morning. Come,
Captain Fracasse, Leander, and Scapin, you three being the youngest, and
also the fleetest of foot, off with you. Run like greyhounds, and bring
us succour as speedily as may be. Blazius and I will meantime do duty as
guardians of the chariot and its contents."

The three men designated signified their readiness to obey the tyrant,
and set off across country, though not feeling at all sanguine as to the
results of their search, for the night was intensely dark; but that
very darkness had its advantages, and came to their aid in an unexpected
manner, for though it effectually concealed all surrounding objects, it
made visible