their fallen
comrades, Hector and his companion stood erect with their second pistols
in their right hands and their axes ready for action in their left.

Hector's second shot took effect on the landlord, Paolo's apparently
missed, for the other four rushed forward. Hector dashed the table
aside, and he and Paolo, poising their heavy axes, rushed forward to
meet their assailants.

"Mind the beams," Hector shouted, as with a sweeping side blow he clove
in the head of one opponent. But the warning came too late. Paolo struck
a downward blow, the axe caught the low beams of the ceiling, and it
flew from his hand. His opponent sprang upon him. Paolo caught the man's
right wrist as he struck at him with his knife, and drew his own from
his girdle. His assailant threw his other arm round him, and, grappling,
they fell on to the ground. Hector could do nothing to assist him, for
the other two men were trying to circle round him, keeping beyond the
swing of his axe but watching for an opportunity to spring upon him.
Keeping his back against the wall he made feints against them. Presently
one of the men passed between him and the two antagonists struggling on
the ground. Suddenly they rolled over and over, coming in contact with
him from behind and almost throwing him over. Before he could recover
from the shock Hector's axe struck him below the ear.

The other man would have turned and made for the door, but Hector knew
that it was important that he should not escape and carry the news to
others of his party, who might be in the forest. He therefore sprang
after him, and before the wretch could open the door struck him between
the shoulders with his long knife. As he did so Paolo sprung up with a
shout.

"Thank God that you are alive, Paolo! I was afraid that he might have
killed you."

"No, no, master. I had him by the wrist too firmly for that, and my
knife did its work almost directly. But with those two fellows hovering
round I should have been at their mercy had I tried to get on my feet.
So I kept on struggling until I saw my opportunity, and then as that
fellow's back was turned I rolled over against him, and so gave you
the chance that you were waiting for. Well, master, it has been a sharp
business."

"It has indeed. Now the first thing is to see if there is anyone else
in the house, and the next to look about for some clothes for you to put
on, for those you wear are covered with blood. Then we must be off, an