“When I give the word you may start,” said Griscelli, “and forty minutes afterward the hounds will be laid on—Now!”
“This way! Toward the hills!” said Carmen. “Are you in good condition?”
“Never better.”
“We must make all the haste we can, before the hounds are laid on. If we can keep this up we shall reach the hills in forty minutes—perhaps less.”
“And then? These hounds will follow us for ever—no possibility of throwing them out—unless—is there a river?”
“None near enough, still—”
“You have hope, then—”
“Just a little—I have an idea—if we can go on running two hours—have you a flint and steel?”
“Yes, and a loaded pistol and a knife.”
“Good! That is better than I thought. But don’t talk. We shall want every bit of breath in our bodies before we have done. This way! By the cane-piece there!”