Noon
My two men rode first , I came last by myself . Our way lay down the valley of the Gers , under poplars and by long rows of willows , and presently the sun came out and warmed us . Unfortunately the rain of the day before had swollen the brooks which crossed our path , and we more than once had a difficulty in fording them . Noon found us little more than half way to Lectoure , and I was growing each minute more impatient when our road , which had for a little while left the river bank , dropped down to it again , and I saw before us another crossing , half ford half slough . My men tried it gingerly and gave back and tried it again in another place ; and finally , just as Mademoiselle and her brother came up to them , floundered through and sprang slantwise up the farther bank . The delay had been long enough to bring me , with no good will of my own , close upon the Cocheforets . Mademoiselle 's horse made a little business of the place , and in the result we entered the water almost together ; and I crossed close on her heels .