Fresnoy and Matthew supported me on either side, and asked me how I found myself; while the other three men, their forms black against the stormy evening sky, sat their horses a few paces in front of me.

I was too much dazed at first to see more, and this only in a mechanical fashion; but gradually, my brain grew clearer, and I advanced from wondering who the strangers round me were to recognising them, and finally to remembering what had happened to me.
'Is the horse hurt ?' I muttered as soon as I could speak.
'Not a whit,' Fresnoy answered, chuckling, or I was much mistaken.

'I am afraid you came off the worse of the two, captain.' He exchanged a look with the men on horseback as he spoke, and in a dull fashion I fancied I saw them smile.

One even laughed, and another turned in his saddle as if to hide his face.

I had a vague general sense that there was some joke on foot in which I had no part.