"Why, Julie, they are closing upon us," Annette exclaimed, as she turned to look at the pursuers. "Their ponies are fresh, and our horses cannot keep up a long run, I fear. Spur on, Julie," and the girls put their horses at the top of their speed.
"There, we are holding our distance now Julie; and I think gaining a little," she added after a few moments. "See, some of their ponies are falling out of the chase," and a glance revealed four savages now several hundred yards in advance of the main body which were evidently unwilling to join further in the pursuit.
"These four Julie, must in the end overtake us. Note their lithe, large ponies, and what a buoyant spring they have."
"How soon, mademoiselle, will they catch us? and what will we do then?"
"You must not ask two questions at once, Julie. I mean, you must not get frightened. As to the first question,"—the sentences were now and again broken by the swift galloping—"they will catch us probably in half an hour."
"Oh, goodness," Julie said.
"As to the second, we must fight them."
"Mon Dieu, they will kill us mademoiselle."
"Perhaps; but they will have to try hard. See yon valley with the tangles of bush?"
"Oui, mademoiselle."