"Without bridles or stirrup leathers, they can scarce make a start; and it will take them some minutes to patch them up.

We will ride hard for a bit.

That will put us far enough ahead to be able to take any byroad, and throw them off our traces.

I have no fear of their catching us by straight riding.

The masters' horses may be as good as ours, but those of the men can hardly be so.