Three of the men had dismounted; two of them were examining the hoof of one of the horses, which had apparently cast a shoe or trodden upon a stone.

Ralph had warned his party to make no sound when they came upon the fugitives.

The sound of the horses' hoofs was deadened by the turf, and they were within a hundred yards of the marauders before they were perceived; then Ralph uttered a shout and brandishing their swords the party rode down at a headlong gallop.
The dismounted men leaped to their saddles and galloped off at full speed, but their pursuers were now close upon them.

Ralph and two of his companions, who were mounted upon Walter's best horses, gained upon them at every stride.

Two of them were overtaken and run through.
The man who bore Walter before him, finding himself being rapidly overtaken, threw his burden on to the ground just as the leader of the party had checked his horse and was about to deliver a sweeping blow at the insensible body.
With a curse at his follower for ridding himself of it, he again galloped on.