One or two figures lay stretched on the ground; the driver lay back, a huddled mass, on his seat; a man held high a torch with one hand, while with the other he was striving to recharge a pistol.

Four other men with swords were attacking a gentleman who, with his back to the coach, was defending himself calmly and valiantly.
As he rode up Rupert unbuttoned his riding cloak, and threw it off as he reined up his horse and dismounted.

An execration broke from the assailants at seeing this new arrival, but perceiving that he was alone, one of the four men advanced to attack him.
Just as Rupert leapt from his horse, the man holding the torch completed the loading of his pistol, and levelling it at him, fired.

The ball knocked off his hat just as he touched the ground, and the man shouted: "Kill him, Gervais.

Spit him like a lark; he is only a boy." Rupert drew his sword as the highwayman advanced upon him, and was in a moment hotly engaged.