These dogs, whose duty it is to point out the game, were now rather a hindrance than a help to us, for it was hard to know how to pass them.

The huntsman felt the difficulty as much as I, for he rode behind them, and could make no progress towards the fox.

He was a swift rider, but wanting in enterprise.

For my part, I felt that it would be unworthy of the Hussars of Conflans if I could not overcome such a difficulty as this.
Was Etienne Gerard to be stopped by a herd of fox-dogs?
It was absurd.
I gave a shout and spurred my horse.
"Hold hard, sir! Hold hard!" cried the huntsman.
He was uneasy for me, this good old man, but I reassured him by a wave and a smile.

The dogs opened in front of me.