After that no further word was spoken, for we fell to again, and each of us fought like grim death. And now Benet fought not so much for the joy of fighting, as for the sake of claiming the maid who had held his hand, and for revenge on me. I too fought in deadly earnest, for now that the maid had rendered me such signal service I felt more than ever desirous of ridding her from the power of the Killigrews, and perhaps I desired to show her even at that moment that I was a better man than my opponent. Besides, I knew that Otho Killigrew and his brothers might be upon me at any moment, so that whatever was done must be done quickly. With this in my mind I became less cautious, being anxious to finish the business, and Benet, noting this, thought, I expect, that my guard was becoming weak; whereupon, imagining I was yielding ground, he rushed on me with so little care that he spitted himself on my sword, while his weapon fell from his hand. Precious though every moment was, I undid his doublet and examined the wound I had made. The blood came freely, but I did not think it was mortal. For this I was glad, because I wished not to have his life resting on me. "You have got the maid, Trevanion," he gasped, "but I shall not die. Some time we shall fight again," and with that he fell into a swoon. "We are followed!" It was the maid Nancy who spoke, and instantly I heard the sound of horses. "Mount!" I cried quickly, and then I saw that the serving-maid had not alighted from her horse. Whistling to Chestnut that he might come to me, I turned to help Mistress Nancy to get on her horse; but she would have nought to do with me. Instead she led her steed to a high stone, and without my aid sat in her saddle. I jumped on Chestnut's back, therefore, and galloped southward, with the two women close to me. Both of them rode well. The maid Nancy sat her horse gracefully, as every well-born woman should, while Amelia Lanteglos rode carelessly and easily, as is common among country wenches who make a practice of riding horses barebacked. For a couple of miles neither spoke; we rode hard as was natural, but at the end of that time I drew my rein for a moment. I was anxious to listen whether we were followed. The women, however, rode forward. "Stop!" I said. "For why?" It was Mistress Nancy who spoke. "I wish to listen whether the Killigrews are riding behind us, or whether they have stopped with Benet." Upon this they obeyed my behest, I thought unwillingly. I listened for a few moments, but no sound reached me. "They must be staying awhile with Benet," I said aloud. "Yes, but they will follow us. Let us forward!" "Whither?" I asked, for her tones nettled me. She spoke as though I were a servant. "There is but one place," she replied sharply. "Your promise was to take me to Polperro." "And when you get there?" I asked. "Your work will be done then, sir." "But the Killigrews will follow you to Polperro."