The Huguenot Bartholomew Dupuy and his descendants

STORY OF A HUGUENOT'S SWORD. 131
The road was a cross-cut, debouching upon the Chap. I.
main highway, which Dupuy must take to reach ^^
the frontier; and such was the furious speed of the Flight
troop that ere long thev saw the moonlight glim- *° o » ^^?
Frontier
mering in the opening forest above the high road.
Jarnilloc uttered a howl of triumph as he caught
the sound of horses at a rapid gallop. Dupuy and
the Countess came on at full speed, and Jarnilloc
rushed to meet them, discharging his pistol at his
enemy.
The ball missed Dupuy, but struck the Countess
full in the breast. The delicate form reeled in the
saddle, and fell forward on the horse's mane.
Dupuy uttered a hoarse roar, and leveled his
pistol at Jarnilloc. The ball pierced his heart, and
letting the bridle fall, the captain of dragoons
rolled beneath his horse's feet— dead.
Dupuy's sword leaped from its scabbard, and
seizing with his left hand the Countess's bridle, he
passed like a thunder-bolt through his enemies,
dealing mortal blows as he passed—and in a moment
his splendid animal had borne him beyond
danger.
"Oh, my God!" he cried, as he saw the form of
the Countess rise erect, "you are not wounded,
wife?"
"God spared me !" said the lady, taking from her
bosom her book of Psalms. "See, the ball struck
this, and I am unhurt !"
"Praise the Lord, O my soul !" cried the Huguenot,
"Blessed be His holy name! Now let us ride!"
And, followed by the dragoons uttering yells of
rage, Dupuy and the Countess drove their fine animals
to furious speed ; and at every bound increased
the distance between themselves and their pursuers.
"I would have turned and died yonder, in the
midst of my enemies," said Dupuy. "I should never
have survived you. But we are saved !"
And they continued their flight— the cries of
their pursuers becoming fainter and fainter as they
dashed on.