The force of the sudden blow, however, hurled Walter to the ground.

With a loud cry Ralph rushed forward.

The man instantly fled.

Ralph pursued him but a short distance and then hastened back to Walter.
"Are you hurt, Sir Walter ?" he exclaimed.
"In no way, Ralph, thanks to my shirt of mail.

Well, indeed, was it for me that I was wearing it, or I should assuredly have been a dead man.