Five of these
belonged--or had belonged--to the Chevalier, whilst the others were three
of those that had brought the troop from Paris, and which I, in the teeth
of all protestations, had adjudged sufficiently recovered for the return
journey.
The embarkation was safely effected, M. de Canaples and Mademoiselle in one
boat with Montr?sor, Mathurin, and myself; the sergeant took the oars;
Montr?sor and I kept watch over our prisoner. In the other boat came the
four troopers, who were to accompany us, and one other who was to take the
boats, and Montr?sor in them, back to Canaples. For the lieutenant was
returning, so that he might, with the remainder of the troop, follow us to
Paris so soon as the condition of the horses would permit it.
The beasts we took with us were swimming the stream, guided and upheld by
the men in the other boat.
Just as the moon began to show her face our bow grated on the shore at the
very point where I had intended that we should land. I sprang out and
turned to assist Mademoiselle.
But, disdaining my proffered hand, she stepped ashore unaided.
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