They guided their horses with rein and knee at the same time, and turned to the left; the viscount's mount, skilfully handled, leaped the ditch, but Pompée's heavier beast took off too late, the ground gave way under his feet, and he fell, carrying his rider down with him. The squire emitted a shriek of despair. The viscount, who was already fifty paces away, heard his cry of distress, and although sadly frightened himself, turned and rode back to his companion. "Mercy!" howled Pompée. "Ransom! I surrender; I belong to the house of Cambes!" A loud shout of laughter was the only response to this pitiful appeal; and the viscount, riding up at that moment, saw Pompée embracing the stirrup of the conqueror, who, in a voice choking with laughter, was trying to reassure him. "Monsieur le Baron de Canolles!" exclaimed the viscount. "_Sarpejeu!_ yes. Go to, viscount, it isn't fair to lead people who are looking for you such a race as this." "Monsieur le Baron de Canolles!" echoed Pompée, still doubting his good luck; "Monsieur le Baron de Canolles and Monsieur Castorin!" "Why, yes, Monsieur Pompée," said Castorin, rising in his stirrups to look over his master's shoulder, as he bent forward, laughing, over his saddle-bow; "what are you doing in that ditch?" "You see!" said Pompée. "My horse fell just as I was about to intrench myself, taking you for enemies, in order to make a vigorous defence! Monsieur le Vicomte," he continued, rising and shaking himself, "it's Monsieur de Canolles." "You here, monsieur!" murmured the viscount, with something very like joy, which was reflected in his tone in spite of himself. "'Faith, yes, it's myself," replied Canolles, gazing at the viscount with a degree of pertinacity which his finding of the glove sufficiently explained. "I was bored to death in that inn. Richon left me after winning my money. I learned that you had taken the Paris road. Luckily I had business in the same direction, so I set out to overtake you; I didn't suspect that I should have to run such a race to do it! _Peste!_ my young gentleman, what a horseman you are!" The viscount smiled, and stammered a few words. "Castorin," continued Canolles, "assist Monsieur Pompée to mount. You see that he can't quite manage it, notwithstanding his skill." Castorin dismounted and lent a hand to Pompée, who finally regained his seat. "Now," said the viscount, "we will ride on, by your leave." "One moment," said Pompée, much embarrassed; "one moment, Monsieur le Vicomte; it seems to me that I miss something." "I should say as much," said the viscount; "you miss the valise." "Oh! _mon Dieu!_" ejaculated Pompée, feigning profound astonishment. "Wretch!" cried the viscount, "can you have lost it?" "It can't be far away, monsieur," Pompée replied. "Isn't this it?" inquired Castorin, picking up the object in question, which he found some difficulty in lifting. "It is," said the viscount. "It is," echoed Pompée.