Their terror was extreme when they observed how their master became covered with blood, in proportion to the water, with which it was impregnated, flowed towards his knees and feet; they wished to carry him.
"No, no," exclaimed the duke, "take the marquis on shore first." "Death to the Frenchman!" cried the English sullenly.
"Wretched knaves!" exclaimed the duke, drawing himself up with a haughty gesture, which sprinkled them with blood, "obey directly! M.de Wardes on shore! M.de Wardes's safety to be looked to first, or I will have you all hanged!" The boat had by this time reached them; the secretary and steward leaped into the sea, and approached the marquis, who no longer showed any sign of life.
"I commit him to your care, as you value your lives," said the duke.
"Take M.de Wardes on shore." They took him in their arms, and carried him to the dry sand, where the tide never rose so high.

A few idlers and five or six fishermen had gathered on the shore, attracted by the strange spectacle of two men fighting with the water up to their knees.
The fishermen, observing a group of men approaching carrying a wounded man, entered the sea until the water was up to their waists.

The English transferred the wounded man to them, at the very moment the latter began to open his eyes again.

The salt water and the fine sand had got into his wounds, and caused him the acutest pain.

The duke's secretary drew out a purse filled with gold from his pocket, and handed it to the one among those present who appeared of most importance, saying: "From my master, his Grace the Duke of Buckingham, in order that every possible care may be taken of the Marquis de Wardes." Then, followed by those who had accompanied him, he returned to the boat, which Buckingham had been enabled to reach with the greatest difficulty, but only after he had seen De Wardes out of danger.