We may suppose then, it rarely happened that travellers chose that hour for passing through the wood of Mantes, and that those who did so were seldom of the best description. But on the night I speak of, two horsemen wound slowly along the road towards the cottage of the Woodman, with a sort of sauntering, idle pace, as if thoughtless of danger, and entirely occupied in their own conversation. They were totally unattended also, although their dress bespoke a high station in society, and by its richness might have tempted a robber to inquire farther into their circumstances. Both were well armed with pistol, sword, and dagger, and appeared as stout cavaliers as ever mounted horse, having, withal, that air of easy confidence, which is generally the result of long familiarity with urgent and perilous circumstances. Having come near the _abreuvoir_, one of the two gave his horse to drink without dismounting, while the other alighted, and taking out the bit, let his beast satisfy its thirst at liberty. As he did so, his eye naturally glanced over the ground at the foot of the tree. Something caught his attention; and stooping down to examine more closely, "Here is blood, Chavigni!" he exclaimed; "surely, they have never been stupid enough to do it here, within sight of this cottage." "I hope they have not done it at all, Lafemas," replied the other. "I only told them to tie him, and search him thoroughly; but not to give him a scratch, if they could avoid it." "Methinks, thou hast grown mighty ceremonious of late, and somewhat merciful, Master Chavigni," replied his companion; "I remember the time, when you were not so scrupulous. Would it not have been the wiser way, to have quieted this young plotter at once, when your men had him in their hands?" "Thou wert born in the Fauxbourg St. Antoine, I would swear, and served apprenticeship to a butcher," replied Chavigni. "Why, thou art as fond of blood, Lafemas, as if thou hadst sucked it in thy cradle! Tell me, when thou wert an infant Hercules, didst thou not stick sheep, instead of strangling serpents?" "Not more than yourself, lying villain!" answered the other in a quick deep voice, making his hand sound upon the hilt of his sword. "Chavigni, you have taunted me all along the road; you have cast in my teeth things that you yourself caused me to do. Beware of yourself! Urge me not too far, lest you leave your bones in the forest!"