All day the work went on quietly and regularly, until so comparatively few remained that hope became strong that all would cross, before any of the enemy arrived.
That hope was destroyed when, suddenly, the enemy's cavalry appeared at the edge of the slope, and came galloping down.

The officers in vain tried to get the few men that remained to make a stand.

They were too dispirited to attempt to do so, and the little throng broke up and fled, some one way, some another.
Fortunately an empty boat had just returned, and into this the other officers leapt; while Jean, with his two companions, led the horses into the water.

They had already linked the reins.

Francois was unable to swim but, at Jean's order, he took hold of the tail of the horse in the middle; while Jean and Leigh swam by the heads of the two outside horses, and without difficulty the other side was gained.