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and then a couple of bearded faces and the muzzles of two guns looked in
at me。 They seized me by the sleeves of my coat； and they dragged me
out into the daylight。 A strange figure I must have looked as I stood
blinking and gaping in the blinding sunlight。
My body was bent like a cripple's； for I could not straighten my stiff
joints； and half my coat was as red as an English soldier's from the lees in
which I had lain。
They laughed and laughed； these dogs； and as I tried to express by my
bearing and gestures the contempt in which I held them their laughter
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grew all the louder。 But even in these hard circumstances I bore myself
like the man I am； and as I cast my eye slowly round I did not find that
any of the laughers were very ready to face it。
That one glance round was enough to tell me exactly how I was
situated。 I had been betrayed by these peasants into the hands of an
outpost of guerillas。 There were eight of them； savage…looking； hairy
creatures； with cotton handkerchiefs under their sombreros； and many…
buttoned jackets with coloured sashes round the waist。
Each had a gun and one or two pistols stuck in his girdle。
The leader； a great； bearded ruffian； held his gun against my ear while
the others searched my pockets； taking from me my overcoat； my pistol；
my glass； my sword； and； worst of all； my flint and steel and tinder。
Come what might； I was ruined； for I had no longer the means of lighting
the beacon even if I should reach it。
Eight of them； my friends； with three peasants； and I unarmed！ Was
Etienne Gerard in despair？ Did he lose his wits？ Ah； you know me too
well； but they did not know me yet； these dogs of brigands。 Never have I
made so supreme and astounding an effort as at this very instant when all
seemed lost。 Yet you might guess many times before you would hit upon
the device by which I escaped them。 Listen and I will tell you。
They had dragged me from the waggon when they searched me； and I
stood； still twisted and warped； in the midst of them。 But the stiffness
was wearing off； and already my mind was very actively looking out for
some method of breaking away。 It was a narrow pass in which the
brigands had their outpost。 It was bounded on the one hand by a steep
mountain side。 On the other the ground fell away in a very long slope；
which ended in a bushy valley many hundreds of feet below。 These
fellows； you understand； were hardy mountaineers； who could travel either
up hill or down very much quicker than I。 They wore abarcas； or shoes
of skin； tied on like sandals； which gave them a foothold everywhere。 A
less resolute man would have despaired。 But in an instant I saw and used
the strange chance which Fortune had placed in my way。 On the very
edge of the slope was one of the wine…barrels。 I moved slowly toward it；
and then with a tiger spring I dived into it feet foremost； and with a roll of
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my body I tipped it over the side of the hill。
Shall I ever forget that dreadful journeyhow I bounded and crashed
and whizzed down that terrible slope？ I had dug in my knees and elbows；
bunching my body into a compact bundle so as to steady it； but my head
projected from the end； and it was a marvel that I did not dash out my
brains。 There were long； smooth slopes； and then came steeper scarps
where the barrel ceased to roll； and sprang into the air like a goat； coming
down with a rattle and crash which jarred every bone in my body。 How
the wind whistled in my ears； and my head turned and turned until I was
sick and giddy and nearly senseless！ Then； with a swish and a great
rasping and crackling of branches； I reached the bushes which I had seen
so far below me。 Through them I broke my way； down a slope beyond；
and deep into another patch of underwood； where； striking a sapling； my
barrel flew to pieces。 From amid a heap of staves and hoops I crawled
out； my body aching in every inch of it； but my heart singing loudly with
joy and my spirit high within me； for I knew how great was the feat which
I had accomplished； and I already seemed to see the beacon blazing on the
hill。
A horrible nausea had seized me from the tossing which I had
undergone； and I felt as I did upon the ocean when first I experienced
those movements of which the English have taken so perfidious an
advantage。 I had to sit for a few moments with my head upon my hands
beside the ruins of my barrel。 But there was no time for rest。
Already I heard shouts above me which told that my pursuers were
descending the hill。 I dashed into the thickest part of the underwood； and
I ran and ran until I was utterly exhausted。 Then I lay panting and
listened with all my ears； but no sound came to them。 I had shaken off
my enemies。
When I had recovered my breath I travelled swiftly on； and waded
knee…deep through several brooks； for it came into my head that they
might follow me with dogs。
On gaining a clear place and looking round me； I found to my delight
that in spite of my adventures I had not been much out of my way。
Above me towered the peak of Merodal； with its bare and bold summit
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shooting out of the groves of dwarf oaks which shrouded its flanks。
These groves were the continuation of the cover under which I found
myself； and it seemed to me that I had nothing to fear now until I reached
the other side of the forest。 At the same time I knew that every man's
hand was against me； that I was unarmed； and that there were many people
about me。 I saw no one； but several times I heard shrill whistles； and
once the sound of a gun in the distance。
It was hard work pushing one's way through the bushes； and so I was
glad whe