spurs into his horse's
flanks, and cutting down a French soldier, who attempted to stop him,
was in another instant by the side of the young lieutenant. Gerardin
saw him coming with uplifted sword. He raised his own weapon to defend
himself, while he still held Edda with his left arm. He knew that
Ronald would not dare to fire; he doubted whether he would even venture
to strike, for fear of injuring Miss Armytage. Ronald's eye was
practised, his nerves were well strung.

"Release her, villain!--madman!" he shouted again. He saw what Alfonse,
who had to turn his head to look at him, did not see, Truefitt and Doull
springing across the road. Bob seized the horse's head; the animal
reared. Gerardin, in attempting to seize the rein, loosened his hold of
Edda, and she would have fallen to the ground had not Truefitt caught
her. The enemy were gathering thickly around. Bob, seeing what had
happened, let go the rein to defend his own head, as well as his
shipmate's, from the blows showered on them. Morton, too, was attacked
on all sides. He did not seek for revenge. Gerardin's horse sprang
forward and saved his rider from the only blow aimed at him by Morton.
All these events had passed within a few seconds of time. At that
instant the Frenchmen uttered a cry of "Retreat!--retreat! _Sauve qui
peut_!" They had good reason for so doing; for the cliffs on either
side appeared covered with guerillas, who began firing down upon them,
while a strong band was seen advancing at full speed along the road.

"Ronald Morton, I hate you!" exclaimed Gerardin, turning round in his
saddle, and shaking his clenched fist at the English lieutenant. "You
have foiled me again and again. I know you, and who you are; you stand
between me and my birthright; you shall not foil me again. I have
before sought your life; the next time we meet we will not separate till
one or the other dies."

These last words were uttered as, surrounded by the survivors of his
band, he was galloping off. The advantage of having sent the Spaniards
to crown the height was now apparent. They drove the French riflemen
down to the main body, and the enemy, not being able to ascertain the
number opposed to them, gave way before a very inferior and
undisciplined force. Ronald did not attempt to follow them till he had
placed Edda in safety by the side of her mother, whom he found half
fainting in the carriage. Then telling her that he would go in search