These men were foot-soldiers
and could not join in the chase, but I heard them whooping and
tally-hoing behind me as if I had been a fox. The peasants also
shouted and ran through the fields flourishing their sticks.
From all sides I heard cries, and everywhere were the rushing,
waving figures of my pursuers. To think of the great Emperor
being chivvied over the country-side in this fashion! It made me
long to have these rascals within the sweep of my sword.
But now I felt that I was nearing the end of my course. I had
done all that a man could be expected to do--some would say
more--but at last I had come to a point from which I could see no
escape. The horses of my pursuers were exhausted, but mine was
exhausted and wounded also. It was losing blood fast, and we
left a red trail upon the white, dusty road. Already his pace
was slackening, and sooner or later he must drop under me. I
looked back, and there were the five inevitable Prussians--Stein
a hundred yards in front, then a Lancer, and then three others
riding together.
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