Then a flint-pointed spear was given to me and spears were given also to the two captives who accompanied me, and it was made clear to me by signs that I must fight with them, it being their part to leap upon the stone and mine to defend it.

Now I thought that if I could kill these two poor creatures, perhaps I myself should be allowed to go free, and so to save my life I prepared to take theirs if I could.

Presently the head priest gave a signal commanding the two men to attack me, but they were so lost in fear that they did not even stir.

Then the priests began to flog them with leather girdles till at length crying out with pain, they ran at me.

One reached the stone and leapt upon it a little before the other, and I struck the spear through his arm.