"By what miracle could you have escaped?
Are you alone ?" "I have with me only my faithful follower Ralph Smith, who is below; but, Sir Walter, for mercy's sake order that some food be placed before us, or we shall have escaped from the French only to die of hunger here.
We have tasted nought since the attack on Vannes began.

Have any beside us escaped ?" "Lord Stafford contrived, with two or three others, to cut their way out by a postern-gate, bringing with them Robert of Artois, who is grievously wounded.

None others, save you and your man-at-arms, have made their way here." In a few minutes a cold capon, several manchets of bread, and a stoop of wine were placed before Walter, while Ralph's wants were attended to below.

When he had satisfied his hunger the young esquire related his adventures to Sir Walter and several other knights and nobles, who had by this time gathered in the room.
"In faith, Master Somers, you have got well out of your scrape," Sir Walter exclaimed.

"Had I been in your place I should assuredly have perished, for I would a thousand times rather meet death sword in hand, than drop down into the deep hole of that well.