rner's cottage in the hollow
below. Three of the men had dismounted; two of them were examining the
hoof of one of the horses, which had apparently cast a shoe or trodden
upon a stone. Ralph had warned his party to make no sound when they came
upon the fugitives. The sound of the horses' hoofs was deadened by the
turf, and they were within a hundred yards of the marauders before they
were perceived; then Ralph uttered a shout and brandishing their swords
the party rode down at a headlong gallop.

The dismounted men leaped to their saddles and galloped off at full
speed, but their pursuers were now close upon them. Ralph and two of his
companions, who were mounted upon Walter's best horses, gained upon them
at every stride. Two of them were overtaken and run through.

The man who bore Walter before him, finding himself being rapidly
overtaken, threw his burden on to the ground just as the leader of the
party had checked his horse and was about to deliver a sweeping blow at
the insensible body.

With a curse at his follower for ridding himself of it, he again
galloped on. The man's act was unavailing to save himself, for he was
overtaken and cut down before he had ridden many strides; then Ralph and
his party instantly reined up to examine the state of Walter, and
the two survivors of the band of murderers continued their flight
unmolested.

CHAPTER XIX: BY LAND AND SEA

Walter was raised from the ground, water was fetched from the cottage,
and the blood washed from his head by Ralph, aided by two of the
women. It had at once been seen that he was still living, and Ralph on
examining the wound joyfully declared that no great harm was done.

"Had Sir Walter been strong and well," he said, "such a clip as this
would not have knocked him from his feet, but he would have answered it
with a blow such as I have often seen him give in battle; but he was but
barely recovering and was as weak as a girl. He is unconscious from
loss of blood and weakness. I warrant me that when he opens his eyes and
hears that the lady Edith has risen from her bed and came to send me to
his rescue, joy will soon bring the blood into his cheeks again. Do one
of you run to the hut and see if they have any cordial waters; since the
plague has been raging there are few houses but have laid in a provision
in case the disease should seize them."

The man soon returned with a bottle of cordial water compounded of
rosemary, lavender, and other