The Doctor regarded them with fiery eyes; and he cried fiercely:
“You madbrained, loggerheaded crew, what do you here? May not one depart this life” (pointing to Ambrose) “without being gazed by apes? What! shall I be poisoned with your pestilent breath, ye cattle? Away! away! and hide you! Into the woods and caves, and cover you! Out of my sight!”
And, on a sudden, he fell upon them with his ivory staff, with incredible fury.
Bruised and near blinded with the thick-coming blows, those who stood within reach of them fell confusedly back, thrusting upon those behind, forcing them in upon Ambrose and the guards.... The crowd swayed back and forth.
“Away! Away!” cried the Doctor in a terrible voice; and, as one man, all fled.
Borne onward by the scurrying crew, I was half-way up the hill before ever I could recover to stand ground; whilst the last fugitives went straggling by me. Yet three others, also, did there separate themselves off from the rest. They were Ambrose and the guards. The four of us wended slowly down towards the Doctor.
“How now?” said he, when we were come to him, “How now, Ambrose, my child? Are you ready to depart, passing through the secret door?”
“I am ready,” answered Ambrose.
“So. And fain would I follow you, if seeing and hearing and understanding I might go! Make ready!” (to the guards) “Up with your muskets, and, when I give ye the word, when I give ye the word,” repeated he, “shoot him through the head!”
Thereupon they set light to their matches; and, removing a little way from Ambrose, levelled their guns upon him. His face was white like paper; but he held perfectly still and gave no sign.