"Here was I," added he, "making for M'sieu' Voban, that he might come
and bleed a sick soldier, when who should come running but our English
captain! Come forth, aho!"

"No, Gabord," said I, "I'm bound for freedom." I stepped forth. His
sword was poised against me. I was intent to make a desperate fight.

"March on," returned he gruffly, and I could feel the iron in his voice.

"But not with you, Gabord. My way lies towards Virginia."

I did not care to strike the first blow, and I made to go past him. His
lantern came down, and he made a catch at my shoulder. I swung back,
threw off my cloak and up my weapon.

Then we fought. My knapsack troubled me, for it was loose, and kept
shifting. Gabord made stroke after stroke, watchful, heavy, offensive,
muttering to himself as he struck and parried. There was no hatred in
his eyes, but he had the lust of fighting on him, and he was breathing
easily, and could have kept this up for hours. As we fought I could hear
a clock strike one in a house near. Then a cock crowed. I had received
two slight wounds, and I had not touched my enemy. But I was swifter,
and I came at him suddenly with a rush, and struck for his left shoulder
when I saw my chance. I felt the steel strike the bone. As I did so, he
caught my wrist and lunged most fiercely at me, dragging me to him. The
blow struck straight at my side, but it went through the knapsack, which
had swung loose, and so saved my life; for another instant and I had
tripped him down, and he lay bleeding badly.

"Aho! 'twas a fair fight," said he. "Now get you gone. I call for help."

"I can not leave you so, Gabord," said I. I stooped and lifted up his
head.

"Then you shall go to citadel," said he, feeling for his small trumpet.

"No, no," I answered; "I'll go fetch Voban."

"To bleed me more!" quoth he whimsically; and I knew well he was pleased
that I did not leave him. "Nay, kick against yon door. It is Captain
Lancy's."

At that moment a window opened, and Lancy's voice was heard. Without a
word I seized the soldier's lantern and my cloak, and made away as hard
as I could go.

"I'll have a wing of you for lantern there!" roared Gabord, swearing
roundly as I ran off with it.

With all my might I hurried, and was soon outside the town, and coming
fast to the farmhouse about two miles beyond. Nearing it, I hid the
lantern beneath my cloak and made for an outhouse. The door was not
locked, and I passed in. There was a l