VICTORY OR VALHALLA! A minute later I heard a rustle as of branches being moved by people thrusting their way through them.

A choked voice commanded, "Take him living or dead." Armed men appeared about us, four of them, and one cried "Yield!" I sprang up and drew the Wanderer's sword.
"Who orders the General Michael to yield in his own command ?" I asked.
"I do," answered the man.

"Yield or die!" Now, thinking that these were robbers or murderers hired by some enemy, I sprang at him, nor was that battle long, for at my first stroke he fell dead.

Then the other three set on me.

But I wore mail beneath my doublet, as Irene had bade me do, and their swords glanced.