"Then good-night, my boys, and may God guard you!"
The next moment the two lads, parting from the circle round the dancing firelight, had vanished into the darkness.
As the poor lads fled once more from the approach of the old enemy, they were at first almost in despair. And no wonder; for they had believed themselves out of reach of pursuit at last. And now to see that wicked old Foxy apparently tracking them like a sleuthhound, was a dreadful thing.
But as their fear gradually subsided, they began to feel that Renard's appearance among the French gipsies was no indication what over of his knowing where they (Tad and Phil) were; and that, had he seen them sitting with their hospitable entertainers round the fire, he would probably have been to the full as much surprised as they had been to see him.
But it gave the lads a renewed sense of danger to have caught sight, even for a moment, of the man who had shown himself so treacherous a companion, so cruel a master, and it was not strange that Tad presently said despondingly:
"It's no go, Phil, we'll never be safe till we're out of France."
"Out of France? That's easier said than done," rejoined Phil. "And how are we to get out of this country?"
"I don't know, I'm sure! That's the worst of it. We seem headed off all round. But I did hear that this road leads to St. Malo, and that English vessels is always comin' in and out of there. There may p'r'aps be some chance for us, Phil, if we get to St. Malo."
"That's just what old Foxy's reckonin' upon our thinkin'," replied Phil, "and that's why he's come along this road after us, I should say. And he'll have a much better chance to nab us down at St. Malo than he's had here in the country, where there's always places to hide in. It's risky, and just think how long we might have to stay in the town before we'd a chance of crossin' over to England—if ever the chance came at all."
"Ay, I didn't think of that," answered Tad. "I wish we was back in Granville, I do; I'd like to turn in our tracks this minute and go right back there. Renard would never think of our doin' that, and would go on to St. Malo lookin' for us. At Granville, p'raps we might see Captain Jeremiah Jackson again with his schooner; he that picked me up when I was floatin' about in a open boat."