It did not seem that he had wished me to be slain, from the first, if it could be helped.

Maybe the others had forced him to waylay me.

A leader of outlaws has little hold on his men.
"Let him swear to say nought of us, and let him go then," one of the other leaders said in a surly way.
Then the chief got up and laughed at them all.
"There are six of us slain and a dozen with wounds, and we will make him pay for that and for Morgan as well before we have done with him.

Now we must not bide here, or we shall have his men back on us, seeking him.

Let us get away, and I will think of somewhat as we go.