Those outside were even less able to see than we and perhaps they thought we had withdrawn, or been driven back, for they crept forward with assurance.
While I had lived in the gardener’s lodge at Wilberforce Castle, I had got to be quite an axe-man. I brought down the heavy weapon on the first head, striking with just enough force to kill and yet leave me able to recover myself without delay, and when three heads had been knocked that way in rapid succession with no more damage to me than a trifling spear cut on the ankle, the battle stopped for a moment. I laughed.
“Come on, you dogs!� I shouted, “I can play at that game until you are more tired of it than I.�
I spoke without thought, however, for those outside the opening drew back the bodies by their legs and thus cleared the entrance. I judged that the outer cave, which was large and spacious, was now filled with men. They were shouting and gesticulating in great excitement. But none made any effort to enter. Finally, I heard a human voice speaking English. It was Pimball.
“Master Hampdon?� he cried.
“Speak not to me, murdering villain,� I answered.
“Now this is madness,� he shouted. “You are trapped like rats; we have only to wall up the entrance or build a fire in front of it an’ you will both die.�
“It is a thousand times better to die so,� I answered shortly, “than to live with craven men like you.�
“You are a fool,� he exclaimed.
He dropped down on his knees as he spoke and I could see his face in the opening but too far away for me to swing my axe. If it were my last effort I was determined that I would get him, and so I waited.