“You know I like you as a brother; but I don’t like those silly yarns about your impossible achievements. Hark! What’s that?”
This last remark was caused by the sound of horses’ feet behind them; and our travelers looked back with eager interest to ascertain what was approaching. It was a body of cavalry, which had just swept round a bend of the road, and was now in plain sight of them.
“That won’t do,” said De Banyan with energy. “We must conceal ourselves.”
“I think they have seen us, and we may as well make the best of it. If we hide, they will certainly suspect us.”
“They have not seen us yet. They are half a mile off,” replied the captain, as he retired to the field by the side of the road.
Somers followed him, though he did not fully approve the policy of his friend. They walked a short distance till they came to a covert of bushes, in which they concealed themselves.
“I think we have made a mistake. The dog always bites when you attempt to run away from him,” said Somers.
“I don’t think they saw us,” persisted De Banyan. “If they did, we can tell as good a story here as we could in the road.”
“I always believe in facing the music. I have found that impudence will carry a man a great deal farther and a great deal faster than his legs can.”
“Perhaps you are right, Somers. When I was in Italy——”