Unfortunately, the assistants were afraid of my proximity, and the détour which they were making to avoid me, outside the paddock, would delay them.
Lerne had boldly taken a short cut, climbed over the wire, and was hurrying to the middle of the enclosure, with his coat torn by the artificial thorns.
Alas! he was old and slow! They would arrive—all of them, too late!
I dashed at the frail barrier, broke it down, and smashed and crashed through it, in spite of the little chevaux de frise which lacerated my skin.
I was over the wall of greenery in a moment, at a jump. The sun, through the vault of leaves, was dappling the underwood with its rays, and there, on the edge of the forest road I saw Emma lying—the Minotaur gloating over her.
I had no leisure for a longer look. In a moment, all my maddened blood was in my head, and goaded by an indomitable wrath I dashed ahead with my horns down.
I struck something which fell. I trod it under my four hoofs, and with my back to my victim, I kicked, and kicked, and kicked!
Suddenly the voice of my uncle, gasped:
“Hallo! hallo! hallo! you are killing yourself!”
My madness vanished—the stars went out, and everything reappeared.