"Nay, thou young oaf, thou canst not escape. Dost thou not know thy own lords? Thou art a runaway thrall, and thy life is forfeited; but if thou wilt but use thy tongue, thou mayest perchance save it and escape lightly. Tell me--Who are the people who live here? Who is their leader? How many there be? Where they are now?"
The young dweller in the woods had by this time recovered his self possession. He was a mere lad, yet endued with manly courage which fitted him to endure nobly for the sake of those whom he loved.
"Thou art not my true lord, and never wast; neither will I answer thy questions, though thou slay me."
"Then thou mayst prepare for death."
"They live who may avenge me."
"We will chance that. Stand yonder, against the wall, stretch out thine arms, or they shall be stretched for thee.
"Tie him, my men, to that post--" pointing, as he spoke, to one of the uprights which supported the roof, and which was partially detached from the wooden wall--"and extend his arms to the posts on either side."
Conscious that resistance was hopeless, Eadwin submitted quietly to be bound, listening nevertheless so eagerly for sounds from without that Ralph marked his strained attention; Etienne was intent upon his designed cruelty.
"Once more, wilt thou answer me?" he said.
"No," said his victim, quietly and firmly.