As I raised it, I eluded the pinioning grip of the troopers.

I twisted in their grasp, and brought the stool down upon the head of one of them with a force that drove him to his knees.

Up went that three-legged stool again, to descend like a thunderbolt upon the head of another.

That freed me.

The sergeant was coming up behind, but another flourish of my improvised battle-axe sent the two remaining soldiers apart to look to their swords.