He had supported well the terrible strain for the last forty-eight hours, and as he had run through the forest he had not noticed how it had told upon him; but now that he was safe among his friends he felt as weak as a child.

For a time he lay upon the lion skin on which he had thrown himself upon entering the tent, unable to reply to his comrades' questions.

Then, as the cordial began to take effect, he roused himself and forced himself to eat more.

After that he told his friends what had happened.
"You have indeed had an escape, Malchus; but how was it you did not take to the trees at once ?" "I did not think of it," Malchus said, "nor, I suppose, did the others.
Halcon was our leader, and we did as he told us.

He thought the fires would keep them off.