Then suddenly a confusion arose, of which it was impossible to distinguish the cause, and next instant Margaret and Peter, still gripping each other, saw the man who had been seated on the ass being dragged rapidly down the steps of the quay, at the foot of which lay the boat of the _Margaret_.
The mate at the helm saw also, for he blew his whistle, a sign at which the anchor was slipped--there was no time to lift it--and men who were waiting on the yards loosed the lashings of certain sails, so that almost immediately the ship began to move.
Now they were fighting on the quay.

The heretic was in the boat, and most of the sailors; but others held back the crowd of priests and armed familiars who strove to get at him.

One, a priest with a sword in his hand, slipped past them and tumbled into the boat also.

At last all were in save a single man, who was attacked by three adversaries--John Smith, the captain.

The oars were out, but his mates waited for him.