The single man held his own for a few minutes, but fell at last, borne down by superior numbers and a stab in the thigh from one of his assailants.

Then, when in dismay, the two dropped their daggers and knelt to see if he were dead or alive, my comrade gave the signal, and we sprang at one bound to our feet.

In a moment the two men were in our grip, and at our mercy, and so taken aback were they by our sudden attack, that they cried quarter, even without a struggle, and let themselves be bound with the cords of which we just now rid.
As for the third, he was wounded, though not badly, and we left him unfettered.

Then arming ourselves with a cross bow apiece (the spoils of war), and our own blades, we locked the door on our keepers, and bade them farewell.

One thing troubled me in our escape, which was this, that my nag (or rather, Master Udal's), and my cloak were both gone a- hunting with the mayor.