"Steer towards the bank, Gaston," exclaimed Geoffrey. "Perchance we can be of some slight service to those in the right."
"Certes! I care not which be in the right or wrong," added Gripwell, for the old war-dog had scented the battle from afar. "Give me room for sword-play on the weaker side, and that will suffice. How say you, Master Roche?"
"I and my fellow merchants are men of peace," replied Roche sturdily. "But if we can be of service we'll follow thee."
So saying, the Southampton man dived into the cabin, reappearing with a sheaf of swords, which he distributed amongst his companions.
By this time the boat was nearing the bank, and above the clash of arms and the oaths and exclamations of pain and anger rose the shrill shriek of a woman.
"Fall on, comrades!" shouted Gripwell, as the bows of the craft slid gently against the rush-lined bank, and with an agility that was surprising for his years the man-at-arms leapt ashore brandishing a long two-handed sword.
Geoffrey, Oswald, and Ratclyffe hastened after him, the four merchants and the three archers vieing with each other in their haste to follow him to the scene of the encounter.
The fog had cleared sufficiently for Geoffrey and his comrades to discern a confused throng of combatants at a little distance from the bank, where a road ran parallel with the river.
It did not take long for the Englishmen to grasp the situation. Standing shoulder to shoulder, with brandished spear and sword, were six or seven men. Sheltering behind them was a woman, but whether young or old the newcomers could not tell, since she was in a huddled posture, with her head covered by her coif.
Surrounding the little band swarmed a score or more of repulsive-looking ruffians, armed similarly to their opponents. Men had fallen on both sides, while two horses, one dead, the other hamstrung, added to the carnage. At a distance of twenty paces along the road two of the villainous rogues were holding an elderly woman, and it was she who was giving vent to the piercing cries that the Englishmen had heard as they sped towards the shore.