Then calling loudly to his servants: "An angel to the man who catches the knave!" cried he.

"Seize him, and bring him to me." Whereat, being only one footman to a dozen horse, I gave a clean pair of heels.
I soon shook off my pursuers, who liked not the narrow alleys and winding lanes of our city, where their horses stumbled and they themselves missed their way.

One only, whether from stubbornness or the hope of the angel, kept up the hue and cry, and, being mounted on a nimble pony, followed me close.

At length it seemed shame to be running from a single man; so at the next corner I turned and waited for him.
He ran at me with his weapon, and called loudly on the watch to help him, but I pulled him from his horse and had him up against the wall before he could cry again--yet not before he had pricked me in the arm with his blade.
He was a stout little man, and a brave one; but, by no fault of his, he was powerless in my grip.

I wrenched the sword from his hand, and held him by the throat till he signalled a surrender.
"Tell me first your master's name.