Ere they could draw, I had darted like a hare between them and out into the street.

The sergeant, cursing them with horrid volubility, followed closely upon my heels.
Leaping as far into the roadway as I could, I turned to meet the fellow's onslaught.

Using the stool as a buckler, I caught his thrust upon it.

So violently was it delivered that the point buried itself in the wood and the blade snapped, leaving him a hilt and a stump of steel.
I wasted no time in thought.

Charging him wildly, I knocked him over just as the two unhurt dragoons came stumbling out of the tavern.
I gained my horse and vaulted into the saddle.