The Huguenot Bartholomew Dupuy and his descendants

116 BARTHOLOMEW DUPUY IN HISTORY.
Chap. I. "I stop you from committing the act of a mad-
Two Jnan," said Dupiiy, with a suppressed shudder.
Pistol "The report of that pistol will send you to the Shots,
gallows,
with all you love!"
Fontaine uncocked the weapon, murmuring, "The
sword, then!"
"No leave their ; punishment to Heaven. In due
time, God will strike them."
"Who goes there?" cried one of the troopers,
staggering to his feet, and leveling his pistol at the
horsemen. The challenge was followed by the dis-
charge of the pistol, to which Fontaine's replied
like an echo, and the trooper fell forward mortally
wounded.
"Come !" said Dupuy, "there is not a moment to
be lost. In ten minutes we shall be intercepted !"
"Good !" said Fontaine. "At least one devil less
soils the earth."
And the two horsemen put spurs to their animals,
and disappeared like shadows, just as the country
side began to be alive with shouts and galloping
dragoons.
^o^
VII.—The Wounded Wolf.
The Half an hour before daylight, on the same night,
munded^jjg gateway of Dupuy's chateau was cautiously
opened, and Fontaine rode in, accompanied by
three females.
The two who rode the spare
horse were Anne
Boursiquot, the betrothed of Fontaine, and her sister,
Elizabeth Boursiquot. Before him, upon the
pommel of his saddle, Fontaine bore his little niece,
Jeannette Forestier.
The women were received in the outstretched
arms of Dupuy and the Countess, and the foaming
horses were led away to the stable.
"Welcome! welcome!" said Dupuy. "Thanks
be to Heaven that you have safely passed the patrol
and sentinels. Did you meet any?"
"Yes," said Fontaine; "and at one moment I
thought I should have to send the women on, and