Grasping the rope with both hands, he kept the knot from growing tighter; then sliding through the noose with the slipperiness of an eel, he dropped to the ground.  But unluckily he caught his foot in the noose, and although he immediately twisted it free, he fell sprawling to the ground.  In that position he afforded a splendid mark to the enemy, who got two good shots at him before he could move.