My two men rode first, I came last by myself.
Our way lay down the valley of the Gers, under poplars and by
long rows of willows, and presently the sun came out and warmed
us. Unfortunately the rain of the day before had swollen the
brooks which crossed our path, and we more than once had a
difficulty in fording them. Noon found us little more than half
way to Lectoure, and I was growing each minute more impatient
when our road, which had for a little while left the river bank,
dropped down to it again, and I saw before us another crossing,
half ford half slough. My men tried it gingerly and gave back
and tried it again in another place; and finally, just as
Mademoiselle and her brother came up to them, floundered through
and sprang slantwise up the farther bank.
The delay had been long enough to bring me, with no good will of
my own, close upon the Cocheforets. Mademoiselle's horse made a
little business of the place, and in the result we entered the
water almost together; and I crossed close on her heels. The
bank on either side was steep; while crossing we could see
neither before nor behind.
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