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ck upon Douai。 The prince was said to be in person at Bethune。
The enemy's army extended from Cassel to Courtray； and as there was no species of violence or pillage it did not mit； the poor people on the frontier quitted their isolated dwellings and fled for refuge into the strong cities which held out a shelter to them。 Arras was encumbered with fugitives。 An approaching battle was much spoken of； the prince having manoeuvred； until that movement； only in order to await a reinforcement that had just reached him。
The young men congratulated themselves on having arrived so opportunely。 The evening was employed in discussing the war； the grooms polished their arms； the young men loaded the pistols in case of a skirmish； and they awoke in despair； having both dreamed that they had arrived too late to participate in the battle。 In the morning it was rumored that Prince de Conde had evacuated Bethune and fallen back on Carvin； leaving； however； a strong garrison in the former city。
But as there was nothing positively certain in this report； the young warriors decided to continue their way toward Bethune； free on the road to diverge to the right and march to Carvin if necessary。
The count's tutor was well acquainted with the country； he consequently proposed to take a crossroad； which lay between that of Lens and that of Bethune。 They obtained information at Ablain； and a statement of their route was left for Grimaud。 About seven o'clock in the morning they set out。 De Guiche； who was young and impulsive； said to Raoul； 〃Here we are； three masters and three servants。 Our valets are well armed and yours seems to be tough enough。〃
〃I have never seen him put to the test；〃 replied Raoul； 〃but he is a Breton； which promises something。〃
〃Yes； yes；〃 resumed De Guiche； 〃I am sure he can fire a musket when required。 On my side I have two sure men； who have been in action with my father。 We therefore represent six fighting men； if we should meet a little troop of enemies； equal or even superior in number to our own； shall we charge them； Raoul？〃
〃Certainly； sir；〃 replied the viscount。
〃Holloa！ young people stop there！〃 said the tutor； joining in the conversation。 〃Zounds！ how you manoeuvre my instructions； count！ You seem to forget the orders I received to conduct you safe and sound to his highness the prince！ Once with the army you may be killed at your good pleasure； but until that time； I warn you that in my capacity of general of the army I shall order a retreat and turn my back on the first red coat we e across。〃 De Guiche and Raoul glanced at each other； smiling。
They arrived at Ablain without accident。 There they inquired and learned that the prince had in reality quitted Bethune and stationed himself between Cambria and La Venthie。 Therefore； leaving directions at every place for Grimaud； they took a crossroad which conducted the little troop by the bank of a small stream flowing into the Lys。 The country was beautiful； intersected by valleys as green as the emerald。 Here and there they passed little copses crossing the path which they were following。 In anticipation of some ambuscade in each of these little woods the tutor placed his two servants at the head of the band； thus forming the advance guard。 Himself and the two young men represented the body of the army； whilst Olivain； with his rifle upon his knee and his eyes upon the watch； protected the rear。
They had observed for some time before them； on the horizon； a rather thick wood； and when they had arrived at a distance of a hundred steps from it； Monsieur d'Arminges took his usual precautions and sent on in advance the count's two grooms。 The servants had just disappeared under the trees； followed by the tutor； and the young men were laughing and talking about a hundred yards off。 Olivain was at the same distance in the rear； when suddenly there resounded five or six musket…shots。 The tutor cried halt； the young men obeyed； pulling up their steeds； and at the same moment the two valets were seen returning at a gallop。
The young men； impatient to learn the cause of the firing； spurred on toward the servants。 The tutor followed them。
〃Were you stopped？〃 eagerly inquired the two youths。
〃No；〃 replied the servants； 〃it is even probable that we have not been seen； the shots were fired about a hundred paces in advance of us； in the thickest part of the wood； and we returned to ask your advice。〃
〃My advice is this；〃 said Monsieur d'Arminges； 〃and if needs be； my will； that we beat a retreat。 There may be an ambuscade concealed in this wood。〃
〃Did you see nothing there？〃 asked the count。
〃I thought I saw；〃 said one of the servants； 〃horsemen dressed in yellow； creeping along the bed of the stream。
〃That's it；〃 said the tutor。 〃We have fallen in with a party of Spaniards。 e back； sirs； back。〃
The two youths looked at each other； and at this moment a pistol…shot and cries for help were heard。 Another glance between the young men convinced them both that neither had any wish to go back； and as the tutor had already turned his horse's head； they both spurred forward； Raoul crying： 〃Follow me； Olivain！〃 and the Count de Guiche： 〃Follow； Urban and Planchet！〃 And before the tutor could recover from his surprise they had both disappeared into the forest。 Whilst they spurred their steeds they held their pistols ready also。 In five minutes they arrived at the spot whence the noise had proceeded； and then restraining their horses； they advanced cautiously。
〃Hush；〃 whispered De Guiche； 〃these are cavaliers。〃
〃Yes； three on horseback and three who have dismounted。〃
〃Can you see what they are doing？〃
〃Yes； they appear to be searching a wounded or dead man。〃
〃It is some cowardly assassination；〃 said De Guiche。
〃They are soldiers； though；〃 resumed De Bragelonne。
〃Yes； skirmishers； that is to say； highway robbers。〃
〃At them！〃 cried Raoul。 〃At them！〃 echoed De Guiche。
〃Oh！ gentlemen！ gentlemen！ in the name of Heaven！〃 cried the poor tutor。
But he was not listened to； and his cries only served to arouse the attention of the Spaniards。
The men on horseback at once rushed at the two youths； leaving the three others to plete the plunder of the dead or wounded travelers； for on approaching nearer； instead of one extended figure； the young men discovered two。 De Guiche fired the first shot at ten paces and missed his man； and the Spaniard； who had advanced to meet Raoul； aimed in his turn； and Raoul felt a pain in the left arm； similar to that of a blow from a whip。 He let off his fire at but four paces。 Struck in the breast and extending his arms； the Spaniard fell back on the crupper； and the terrified horse； turning around； carried him off。
Raoul at this moment perceived the muzzle of a gun pointed at him； and remembering the remendation of Athos； he； with the rapidity of lightning； made his horse rear as the shot was fired。 His horse bounded to one side； losing its footing； and fell； entangling Raoul's leg under its body。 The Spaniard sprang forward and seized the gun by its muzzle； in order to strike Raoul on the head with the butt。 In the position in which