“Well, our work is done, and as the country is not over safe so near the lion’s den—”
(“Wolf’s den, you mean,” interrupted Ralph—)
“And we have come unattended, the sooner we retire the better.”
“Too late!” said a stern voice: and Drogo stood before them.
“My Lord of Walderne, this is ill pleasantry,” said Ralph.
“‘Pleasantry,’ you call it, well. So it is for those who win.”
He whistled shrill, And quick was answered from the hill;
That whistle garrisoned the glen,
With twice a hundred armed men.
In short, the three travellers were surrounded on all sides. Their errand had been betrayed by one of Drogo’s outlying scouts.
“What is thy purpose, Drogo?” said Martin.
“Do ye yield yourselves prisoners?”