Unmolested they passed the flank of the French advanced posts, then gaining confidence in the fact that the English outposts were but a bow-shot off, they increased their pace.
The trunk of a tree larger than its fellows barred their path. Geoffrey recognized the tree as having been the means of causing him to stumble over one of its exposed roots on their outward journey. This time he leapt lightly over the obstacle, to find himself thrown violently in contact with a human being.
The impact hurled both to the ground, while Gripwell, unaware of what was amiss, narrowly escaped tripping over the two struggling forms.
Noiselessly the squire and the unknown wrestled on the ground. Geoffrey was unable to draw his poniard, nor was his antagonist able to use a weapon; but the English lad, even in the midst of the desperate struggle, could not help wondering why his foeman did not shout for assistance. On his own part he knew that one cry would doubtless bring the French outposts to the spot, and the night's work would be undone.
Whoever the stranger was, he had no lack of strength and courage, for not until Gripwell had contrived to distinguish the combatants in the darkness and had wound his cloak tightly round the fellow's head was the issue decided.
"Stand by while I plunge my knife into his body," hissed the old man-at-arms.
"Not so," whispered Geoffrey in reply. "'Tis but a short distance to the camp, and this rascal may be of service. Help me carry him thither."
With this the stranger began to writhe and struggle again, mumbling incoherently from the suffocating folds of Arnold's cloak. There was no help for it; a sharp blow on the temples from the man-at-arms' powerful fist reduced the captive to a state of semi-insensibility.
Thereupon Gripwell bound the man's arms with his own belt, secured his feet with the folds of his cloak, and effectually gagged him by means of a fir-cone held in position by Geoffrey's scarf. This done, the squire raised the helpless prisoner by the shoulders, and the man-at-arms took hold of his feet, and with their heavy burden the two comrades resumed their way till they were greeted by the welcome sounds of the English outposts.
"Whom hast thou there?" asked Sir Thomas Carberry, who had been anxiously awaiting the return of his squire.