ould
favour them should they find a road by which they might turn off and
gain the city by another entrance.

"How far have we got to go?" inquired Desmond, shouting to Tom.

"That is more than I can tell; I know we came a good long way," answered
Tom; "but our horses will carry us if we stick on their backs. Keep a
good hand on your reins. Whatever you do, don't let them tumble down."

Though Tom encouraged his companions, he did not feel very sure that
they would escape. He could distinguish flags and spears, as well as
the sword blades. The horsemen behind them were becoming every instant
more distinct. Much depended on the strength of their pursuers' horses.
If these had already come a good way that morning they might be tired
and soon knock up, but if they were fresh they might ere long overtake
the midshipmen.

"If they overtake us, we must stand and make a fight for it," cried Tom.

"No doubt about that," answered Desmond. "It will never do to be cut
down like sheep, running away."

"But as long as we can run we will," cried Tom. "If they do come up
with us, my idea is that we should leap our horses over the ditch or
fence, as may be most suitable, on our left, then wheel round and charge
them if they attempt to follow us."

Roy and the rest agreed to Tom's proposal. "I don't think the cavalry
have carbines, so that they cannot shoot us down at a distance, and our
pistol bullets will reach farther than their lance points."

Tom had taken command of the party by tacit consent, and no one was
disposed to dispute his authority. There was no time, however, for
saying much. As they went along Tom had the satisfaction of observing
that the enemy did not appear to be much, if at all, gaining upon them.
This raised his hopes. They had already made good several miles, when
Charley Roy proposed a halt, to breathe their horses and ascertain
whether they were still pursued. Scarcely, however, had they stopped,
than the clattering of their pursuers' horses' hoofs sounded in their
ears, mingled with the shouts of the riders.

"We must push on, whether our nags like it or not," cried Tom; "if we
can once distance them, the enemy are very likely to give up the chase,
as they know they will run a risk of being cut off should they get too
near the town."

Again the party galloped forward. Even their short halt enabled the
Tae-pings to gain on them, and the rebels' voices sounded considerably
louder.

"Al