Down sank Richard upon a heap of hay, but his bow and arrows were with him as well as his pennoned lance.
How long he slumbered he knew not, but he was feverish, restive, and his ears were not so dull in sleep that they did not catch a faint clang of steel. He woke, but he stirred not, and he lay listening.
"Put thou thy dagger deeply in below the lad's ear!" he heard one say. "He must die without speech. Curse on that hostel keeper! I fear me he hath betrayed us. We found not the king's messenger in the house. I think he is somewhere here away. Search well, but be silent."
Only dim was the lanthorn they carried, but Richard could see three men, and one of them wore mail, without a headpiece. He it was that spoke, and his sword was in his hand. The other twain were in buff coats, and of one of these his long, two-edged, dagger knife was already drawn. They saw not yet the young bowman in the hay, but he was fitting an arrow to the string.
"Ten yards! I must not miss. I will even smite him through the face," thought Richard.
Loudly twanged the bow, and out of the belt came a second arrow to the string.
"Through his buff coat," said Richard aloud, and he sent the shaft strongly, but he at the moment turned toward the stable, looking not behind him. He heard a cry and a gasp, however, and hoarse groaning, and a voice that exclaimed:
"God 'a' mercy, my Lord Bellamont is slain! So is the seneschal! Woe is me! I will summon the two warders."
Uncertainly he lingered a brief space to examine well the fallen men, and Richard made what haste he could.
"I can not run," he thought. "I hardly may climb to the saddle."
Nevertheless he did so, after leading out the goodly beast he was to ride. Nothing was lacking in her appointments, and she knew the way to the road-gate. Out spurred Richard, as loud shouts began to arise behind him. He gained the highway, and he could discern beyond him only one man on foot, in full armor.
"Halt, thou!" he shouted. "Stand, on thy life! I would have speech with thee!"
"In the king's name," shouted back Richard, "out of my way!"
"That will I not!" roared the knight. "Thou cub of Wartmont, draw rein!"
"Take that!" said Richard, spurring hard and striking with his lance.