"This road," he thought, "is open and undefended, while the road which the King will take to the Spes Bonorum leads through wood and vineyard. Perhaps I shall succeed in attracting the pursuers away from him."
And, in fact, he had no sooner issued from beneath the trees, and begun to ride up the hill, than he saw that the horsemen who had come from beyond Taginæ were eagerly following him.
In order to keep the pursuers away from the King, and from discovering their error, he urged his horse to its full speed.
But the animal was wounded, and the way was very steep. Nearer and nearer came the pursuers.
"Is it he?"
"Yes, it is he."
"No, it is not. He is too short," said the leader of the troop, who rode foremost.
"Would he fly alone?"
"That would be the best way to escape," observed the leader.
"It is he most surely; I see the silver swan on his helmet!"