"Thou wilt hardly reach it or him to-day. Stand, I say, or we must take thee by force."
"No man shall make me go with him against my will," cried Osric, and drew his sword.
Thorold laughed and clapped his hands. Quick as thought five or six men dashed from the covers which had hidden them in all directions. Osric drew his sword, but before he could wield it against a foe who met him face to face, another mastered his arms from behind, and he was a prisoner.
"Do him no harm; he is his father's son. We only constrain him for his good. Bring him along."
They led, or rather bore, him through the woods for a long distance, until they came to a tangled swamp, situated amidst bog and quagmire, wherein any other men save those acquainted with the path might easily have sunk up to the neck, or even lost their lives; but in the centre was a spot of firm ground, and there, beneath the shade of a large tree, was a fire, before which roasted a haunch of venison, and to the right and left were sleeping hutches, of the most primitive construction.
"Canst thou eat?"
"I will not eat with thee."
"Thy father's son should not disdain thy father's friend. Listen; if we have made thee a prisoner, it is to save thee from thyself. The son of a true Englishman should not shed the blood of his countrymen, nor herd with his oppressors. Has not thy grandfather taught thee as much?"
"He has indeed; and no longer will I do so, I promise thee."
"Then wilt thou go a little farther, and help us to deliver thy country?"