CHAPTER XXIX.
STILL IN FLIGHT.
There was therefore, no escort awaiting the King at Pont-de-Somme-Vesles when he arrived there.
But if there was no escort, there were likewise no peasants. The road was clear; the King therefore changed horses without an obstacle, and started for St. Menehould.
At St. Menehould, M. Dandoins awaited the King’s arrival with as much impatience as M. de Choiseul and M. Goguelot had; and about mid-day he set out with his lieutenant on the road to Châlons, in the hopes of seeing some sign of his arrival.
This road is one long descent from St. Menehould to Châlons. They cast their eyes for a length of two leagues on a straight line, traced, as it were, by a pencil, between two rows of trees, with uncultivated green patches of country around them.
Nothing was visible on the road.
M. Dandoins and his lieutenant returned to St. Menehould.
Two hours afterward they again strolled along that same road.
To get to the barracks situated at the bottom of the Faubourg Fleurion, it was necessary to pass right through the town.
They returned, as on the former occasion, without having seen anything.