They called to them to stop, hesitating, then rode forward a few paces, as though wondering whether this were not a vision.
In a moment the brethren were on them.

The soldiers lifted their lances, but ere they could thrust the sword of Godwin had caught one between neck and shoulder and sunk to his breast bone, while the sword of Wulf, used as a spear, had pierced the other through and through, so that those men fell dead by the door of the mound, never knowing who had slain them.
The brethren pulled upon their bridles and spoke to Flame and Smoke, halting them within a score of yards.

Then they wheeled round and sprang from their saddles.

One of the dead guards still held his horses's reins, and the other beast stood by snorting.
Godwin caught it before it stirred, then, holding all four of them, threw the key to Wulf and bade him unlock the door.

Soon it was done, although he staggered at the task; then he held the horses, while one by one Godwin led them in, and that without trouble, for the beasts thought that this was but a cave-hewn stable of a kind to which they were accustomed.
"What of the dead men ?" said Wulf.
"They had best keep us company," answered Godwin, and, running out, he carried in first one and then the other.
"Swift!" he said, as he threw down the second corpse.