It was complete.
Already as I rode clear the Prussians were within two hundred
yards of us. I made a gesture of terror and despair with my
hands, and I sprang my horse over the bank which lined the road.
It was enough. A yell of exultation and of furious hatred broke
from the Prussians.
It was the howl of starving wolves who scent their prey. I
spurred my horse over the meadow-land and looked back under my
arm as I rode. Oh, the glorious moment when one after the other
I saw eight horsemen come over the bank at my heels! Only one
had stayed behind, and I heard shouting and the sounds of a
struggle. I remembered my old sergeant of Chasseurs, and I was
sure that number nine would trouble us no more. The road was
clear and the Emperor free to continue his journey.
But now I had to think of myself. If I were overtaken the
Prussians would certainly make short work of me in their
disappointment. If it were so--if I lost my life--I should still
have sold it at a glorious price. But I had hopes that I might
shake them off.
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