"Yes, and they can't fight a bit. I could parry their thrusts with a stick. But here; I can't lose my pony. Where is he?" "And I can't lose my rod and creel," cried Ralph. "There's your pony yonder ahead." "And your fish are right back there. I'll come with you to fetch them." "No, no; let them have 'em. We must retreat now. Two, four, six, eight-nine of them now; and I don't think those fellows who are down are much hurt. Come along." For Captain Purlrose was now descending the slope, and his men were approaching menacingly, spurred on by a shower of oaths, threats, and abuse from their leader. "Well, I suppose we must; but my blood's up now," said Mark, "and I hate running from such a set of curs." "So do I," said Ralph; "it's like being beaten, when we won. I say, were you hurt?" "Only where you jobbed that sword of yours into my leg. Phew! it's getting stiffer every moment. I shan't be able to walk directly. Were you?" "What, hurt? No, only where you scratched me." "It was pretty deep, then, for your sleeve's soaked. Here, let me tie my handkerchief round it." "No, no," said Ralph; "they'll overtake us. Let's make a run for it now." "Shall we?" said Mark unwillingly. "Yes, we must. I can't use my arm any more." "Well, I don't think I can run much farther." "You must," cried Ralph, sharply as he looked over his shoulder. "We're not fit to fight." He thrust his sound arm through Mark's, and they ran on pretty swiftly for a hundred yards or so, with the enemy in full pursuit, and then Mark stopped suddenly. "Can't go--any farther," he said. "My leg's awful." Ralph looked round, to find that the men had given up the pursuit, and were going back. "Can we catch your pony?" he said. "I think so. He's grazing yonder." "Would he let me catch him?" "No," said Mark. "He'd be off directly. There, I think I can hobble on now for a bit. What! are they coming again?" "No; only watching us," said Ralph rather faintly. "Would you mind tying that tightly round my arm?" For answer, Mark seized the handkerchief Ralph held out, and knotted it last round his companion's arm. "Now let me do something to your leg." "No; it doesn't bleed now," said Mark. "Let's get on. If they see us crippled, they'll come on again, and if they do I'm good for nothing. It doesn't bleed; it only feels of no use. There, let's get on. Are they watching us?" "No, I think not. It's getting so dark there. I say; I can see they're lifting one of the men to carry him." "Wish some one would carry me," groaned Mark. "I don't think I can," said Ralph. "Perhaps I could, though, if you could hold on." "Bah!" cried Mark sharply. "Likely. Come on, and I'll coax that beast of a pony. If I can only get hold of him, I'll make him carry us both." They pressed on in silence, Mark using his sword as a walking-stick with one hand, and compelled to accept his enemy's arm, till they came up to where the cob was grazing.