The blow knocked over two of them; and before they could regain their feet, I had struck another a blow with my fist, which needed no second.

The fourth varlet did not wait for me, but closed on me with his knife.

Luckily the blade missed its mark, grazing only my ribs, and before he could strike again I had him by the wrist, and the blow he meant for me went home in his own neck.

After that, 'twas easy work to hold off the other two, one of whom was the drunken fool who had blabbed his secret days ago, had I only heeded it, in my sick cabin.

Finding me stubborn, and further passage barred, they sheered off with a curse and hastened forward.