From Nathaniel's throat there came a fierce cry and in a single leap he had cleared the distance to the guard and had driven his fist against the officer's head with the sickening force of a sledge-hammer.

The man fell without a groan.

In another flash he had drawn his knife and severed the thongs that held the man at the stake.

For a moment his face was very near the girl's and he saw her lips form the glad cry which he did not wait to hear.
He turned like an enraged beast toward the circle of dumfounded spectators and launched himself at the second guard.

From behind him there sounded a shout and he caught the gleam of naked shoulders as the man who had been at the stake rushed to his side.