Now Diabolus being very observing, though at this time as
yet he was put to the worst, perceiving that a halt was made among
the men that were the pursuers, what does he but, taking it for
granted that the captains were either wounded or dead, he therefore
makes at first a stand, then faces about, and so comes up upon the
Prince's army with as much of his fury as hell could help him to;
and his hap was to fall in just among the three captains, Captain
Credence, Captain Good-Hope, and Captain Experience, and did cut,
wound, and pierce them so dreadfully, that what through
discouragement, what through disorder, and what through the wounds
that they had received, and also the loss of much blood, they
scarce were able, though they had for their power the three best
hands in Mansoul, to get safe into the hold again.
Now, when the body of the Prince's army saw how these three
captains were put to the worst, they thought it their wisdom to
make as safe and good a retreat as they could, and so returned by
the sally-port again; and so there was an end of this present
action. But Diabolus was so flushed with this night's work, that
he promised himself, in few days, an easy and complete conquest
over the town of Mansoul; wherefore, on the day following, he comes
up to the sides thereof with great boldness, and demands entrance,
and that forthwith they deliver themselves up to his government.
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