At any rate, the prince must decide as to their fate." He now bade the men round him take off Oswald's armour.

As soon as this was done, the latter knelt down by Roger's side, and removed his helmet.
An arrow, shot from behind, had struck Roger just above the back piece--which, being short for him, did not reach to his helmet--and had gone through the fleshy part of his neck; while, at the same moment, a blow with an axe had cleft the helmet in sunder, and inflicted a deep gash on the back of the head.
At a word from their leader, the men at once aided Oswald, who drew out the arrow.

The wound bled but slightly, and one of the Welshmen, tearing off a portion of his garment, bandaged it up.

Water was fetched from the stream below, and a pad of wet cloth laid on the wound at the back of the head, and kept in its place by bandages.

As this was done Roger gave a faint groan and, a minute after, opened his eyes.
"Do not try to move, Roger," Oswald said.