He dismounted slowly, and half reluctantly; but the instant his foot touched the ground, I let my horse loose, and, giving him a thrust in the ribs, sent him trotting down the road, while I seized the bridle of the other and swung into the saddle, before the man had recovered from his astonishment.
Then an exclamation from the second soldier attracted the attention of us both. There was good cause; for, on looking back, I saw that three other horse-soldiers had joined the General, who was making frantic gesticulations to the men with me.
"Ah! he sees me stopping, and wishes me to push on," I said.
"I think you had better ride back with us, if you please," said the soldier who had dismounted, and he made a sign to his companion, who was still barring my path, to stop me.
"Nonsense, he wishes me to push on."
"I can't let you proceed, sir, order or no order," he answered bluntly, and made as if to seize my horse's bridle, while he ordered his subordinate to prevent my passing.
At the same moment the men with the General fired their carbines to call our attention, and set off towards us at full gallop.
"At least you can wait till those men reach us," he said, and his tone and face showed his suspicions that something was wrong.
Thus in a moment the position had developed into one of fresh embarrassment and imminent peril for me.
