the big tree on the Seigneury road--you know:
where you were robbed. There you'll find the fastest horse from your
father's stables. Then ride, my boy, ride for your life to the State of
New York!"

"And you--you?" asked Nicolas. Ferrol laughed.

"You needn't worry about me, Nic. I'll get out of this all right;
as right as rain! Are you ready? Steady now, steady. Let me hear you
cough." Nic coughed.

"No, that isn't it. Listen and watch." Ferrol coughed. "Here," he said,
taking something from his pocket, "open your mouth." He threw some
pepper down the other's throat. "Now try it."

Nic coughed almost convulsively.

"Yes, that's it, that's it! Just keep that up. Come along now. Quick-not
a moment to lose! Steady! You're all right, my boy; you've got nerve,
and that's the thing. Good-bye, Nic, good luck to you!"

They grasped hands: the door opened swiftly, and Nic stepped outside. In
an instant Ferrol was at the loophole. Raising a rifle, he fired, then
again and again. Through the loophole he could see a half-dozen men
lift a log to advance on the door as Nic passed a couple of officers,
coughing hard, and making spasmodic motions with his hand, as though
exhausted and unable to speak.

He fired again, and a soldier fell. The lust of fighting was on him now.
It was not a question of country or of race, but only a man crowding the
power of old instincts into the last moments of his life. The vigour and
valour of a reconquered youth seemed to inspire him; he felt as he did
when a mere boy fighting on the Danube. His blood rioted in his veins;
his eyes flashed. He lifted the flask of whiskey and gulped down great
mouthfuls of it, and fired again and again, laughing madly.

"Let them come on, let them come on," he cried. "By God, I'll settle
them!" The frenzy of war possessed him. He heard the timber crash
against the door--once, twice, thrice, and then give away. He swung
round and saw men's faces glowing in the light of the fire, and then
another face shot in before the others--that of Vanne Castine.

With a cry of fury he ran forward into the doorway. Castine saw him at
the same moment. With a similar instinct each sprang for the other's
throat, Castine with a knife in his hand.

A cry of astonishment went up from the officers and the men without.
They had expected to see Nic; but Nic was on his way to the horse
beneath the great elm tree, and from the elm tree to the State of New
York--and safety.

The m