See, this is an end." He rose up, staggering a little, and cast the golden sickle from him into the pool with a light eddying splash, as if it skimmed the surface ere it sank, but I did not look at it, and that was well for me.

I saw his hand fly to his breast, as the hands of his men had gone for their weapons when they first saw us, and I knew what was coming.
Hardly had the golden toy touched the water when out flashed a long dagger from his robes, and he flew on me, thinking, no doubt, that I must needs turn my head to watch the fall of his sickle, and I was ready for him.

He was no warrior, and his hand was too high, but he was a priest, and on him I would not use my weapon.

I swung aside from him, striking up his arm, and his blind rush carried him against the menhir, so that the blow which was meant for me fell thereon, scoring the stone deeply; and lo! his own hand ended with that blow what I had begun, marking the cross-beam I had yet to make, so that the holy sign was complete.
And I saw that in a flash, even as he reeled back from the menhir and staggered.

His foot splashed into the ooze of the bank and went down; and with that he lost his footing altogether and fell headlong into the pool, swaying as he went, across the front of the menhir.
Now there was a shout and the sound of hurrying footsteps behind me, but it was Howel's voice, and I did not turn.