I dared not look to see how he fared, though
fearing that in the unknown cavalier he had met his equal, if not his
master.

Thrust and parry--thrust and parry; now a lunge in front, now a
half-turn to the right, till my arm ached, and my eyes became dazzled
with watching the movements of the flashing steel. A laugh of triumph
from the leader of our foes warned me that some misfortune had happened
to my comrade, but whatever the mishap the gallant fellow continued to
keep his adversary fully employed.

"Ride him down!" cried the leader, and once more the two ruffians
attacked me furiously. One of them paid the penalty of his recklessness.
With a rapid lunge I got beneath his guard, and my sword passed between
his ribs. He fell forward on his horse's neck, groaning, and I cried
exultingly, "Courage, Jacques! Two to two!"

But disaster followed swiftly on the heels of my triumph. A
half-suppressed cry of pain came from my comrade, and I saw his horse
roll over. Warding off a blow from my opponent, I turned and attacked
the cavalier so hotly that he was forced back several paces, and Jacques
disengaged himself from the fallen animal.

"Look to yourself, monsieur," he said, "I still count."

I had only a momentary glimpse of him as he staggered to his feet, but
the sight was not encouraging. His face was covered with blood, his left
arm hung limply at his side, and he had received a wound in the
shoulder. But in spite of his injuries he faced his opponent boldly,
using his horse's body as some sort of protection.

"Yield!" cried the cavalier, "and I will spare your lives. You are brave
fellows."

"Fight on, monsieur," said Jacques stolidly.

"As you will," exclaimed the other, and once more the clash of steel
broke on the air.

How would it end? The contest was going steadily against us. I could
easily hold my opponent in check, but Jacques was seriously wounded; he
was on foot, and must inevitably be beaten. I thought once of riding off
in the hope of drawing the others after me, but they might stop to kill
my comrade, and that I dared not risk.

He still fought with his accustomed skill, but he was becoming weaker
every minute; he could no longer attack, and had much ado to defend
himself. Our sole chance lay in disabling my opponent before Jacques was
over-powered. I rode at him recklessly, but he was a wary knave, and,
judging how matters were likely to go, he remained on the defensive.

We were still batt