eir way through the
ranks of the foes and gain the town, they might be safe at least
for the moment; and that was the object of himself and his
servants. Placing the reluctant prince in the midst, so as if
possible to save at least him from steel or lead, the gallant
little band with axes and pikes commenced hewing its way through
the living wall which surrounded it. And so gallantly did the good
steeds respond to the urging of their riders, and so fierce were
the blows that rained down upon the heads of the footmen who barred
their passage, that for a moment it seemed as if they would yet win
their way back, and gain the protection of such of their comrades
as had not shared in the general rout.

But alas! though the footmen gave way before them, the mounted
soldiers, who were speeding across the field, saw at once the line
they were taking, and galloped headlong to intercept them. Paul, in
the fury of his hot young blood, dashed forward alone, and fell
upon the foremost with so fierce a blow that his axe was wedged in
the head-piece of his opponent, so that he was unable to draw it
out. The man reeled in his saddle and fell, almost dragging Paul,
who still had hold of the axe, with him; and before he could
recover himself or draw his sword, he was set upon by half a score
mounted riders.

For one moment he was aware of merciless blows raining down upon
him, battering him to the earth; he felt suffocated, crushed, more
utterly helpless and powerless than he had ever done in his life
before. Quick thrills of pain were running through him, stars
danced before his eyes; and through all this confusion and
distress he was yet aware of some terrible danger menacing the
prince--danger from which he had sworn to save him at the risk of
his own life. He struggled fiercely and blindly with the foes who
seemed to be above and about him, knocking the wind from his body,
and holding his throat in an iron clasp. Consciousness was fast
deserting him. The dancing stars had disappeared, leaving the
blackest darkness behind them. He made one frantic effort to break
the chain which seemed to be grinding his very life out of him, and
then followed a space of blankness that must surely have been like
death itself.

It might have been minutes, hours, days, or even years before
Paul opened his eyes to the light of day once more, for all
consciousness he had of the flight of time; but when he did so it
was to meet the solicitous glance