Presently Gros Vibart returned, but on entering the open door his ruddy face blanched as he realized that the tables were turned. Yet he was not devoid of courage, for, hurling the water-pot full at the English man-at-arms, he drew his sword and rushed straight at his antagonists.
With uplifted arm Gripwell parried the missile. The next instant steel crossed—the heavy double-edged blade of the Norman and the slender dagger of the Englishman.
With an agility that belied his corpulent frame Gros Vibart got in a lightning thrust that required all Gripwell's skill to parry, but the Norman's blade, slipping down the steel of his foeman, caught in a deadly notch in the Englishman's guard. A powerful turn of Arnold's wrist sent his antagonist's weapon hurtling across the barn; and, so quickly that the lads could scarce follow its thrust, the dagger was plunged to the hilt in the Frenchman's bull throat.
"Now to work," exclaimed Gripwell breathlessly. "Strip yon carrion while I serve this one the like. Geoffrey, thou art tall for thine age. That rogue's garments will suit thee most passably. I will make shift with this one's clothes, e'en though they be over full for my lean frame."
"And what of Oswald?"
"He must needs go as he is. Thou and I are to be of De Chargné's following. Master Oswald is to be our prisoner, and we are bound for Amiens, where De Chargné is now resting. If that will not serve we are undone."
It did not take long to complete their preparations. Geoffrey and Arnold donned the clothes of the slain Normans, whose bodies were forthwith hidden in the long grass. The horses were led for a considerable distance; then, finding they were useless, the Englishmen turned them adrift.
By making a wide détour the adventurers succeeded in giving the slip to the troops in the village of St. Barre, and in high spirits the three comrades in misfortune set off on the road to Amiens.