As the body lurched downward another blow caught the hooded head squarely and the beginning of a second cry ended in a sickening grunt.

The force of the blow carried Philip half off his feet, and before he could recover himself two other figures had rushed upon him from out of the gloom.

Their cries as they came at him were like the cries of beasts.

Philip had no time to use his club.

From his unbalanced position he flung himself upward and at the nearest of his enemies, saving himself from the upraised javelin by clinching.