“That would never do. By ’r lady, what injustice! Would they be so bad as that?”
“We will not wait to see.”
All at once loud outcries arose from the castle below. They looked aghast, for it was the sound of fierce strife and dread dismay. What could it be?
They started to run to the help of their comrades, when a thousand cries, a wild war whoop, burst from the arches of the forest and in the dim twilight they saw numberless forms gliding over the short space which separated the castle from the wood.
“The merrie men!”
“The outlaws!”
“The wild men of the woods!”
The discomfited troopers paused—turned tail—fled— leaving their comrades to their fate, whatever it might be.
Let us see.
The waggon aforesaid had approached the gateway in the most innocent manner. It creaked over the drawbridge. It was already beneath the portcullis, when the driver cut the traces and thrust a long pole amidst the spokes of the wheel. At the same instant a score of men leapt out, who had been concealed beneath the loose hay.