"Englishmen, good and true."
The outlaws stood on the terrace.
"Follow me," said Osric.
In a few minutes they were all assembled in the heart of the stronghold in the gaoler's room, where the gaoler himself lay snoring like a hog.
"Shall we slay him?" said they, naturally looking on the brute with abhorrence.
"No," said Osric; "remember our compact—no bloodshed save in self-defence. He will sleep till this time to-morrow night, when I fear Brian will do for him what he has done for thousands."
"What is that?"
"Hang him."
"He deserves it. Let the gaoler and the hangman hang."