He thought first he would unseat the end of the plank, but it was too far below him and then again he would be exposed to their volleys of stones, and if he was hurt he might not get back on his craft.

Tod, who had resigned command in favor of his henchman after Archie's masterly defence in the last fight, stood behind him.

Thermopylae was a narrow place, and so was the famous Bridge of Horatius.

He and his faithful Tod would now make the fight of their lives.

Both of these close shaves for immortality were closed books to Tod, but Archie knew every line of their records, Doctor John having spent many an hour reading to him, the boy curled up in his lap while Jane listened.
Sandy, emboldened by the discovery of the plank, made the first rush up and was immediately knocked from his perch by Tod, whose pole swung around his head like a flail.