At its margin, however, Cnut stood awaiting him, with one end of the rope in his hand.

In an instant he plunged in, and diving to the bottom, grasped Cuthbert by the body, and twisted the rope round him.

The two archers on the bank at once hauled upon it, and in a minute Sir Cuthbert was dragged to the bank.
By this time a crowd of men-at-arms appeared upon the battlements.

But as they did so the archers opened a storm of arrows upon them, and quickly compelled them to find shelter.

Carried by Cnut and the men with him--for he was insensible--Sir Cuthbert was quickly conveyed to the centre of the outlaws, and these at once in a compact body began their retreat to the wood.