“Some men do; but they be no friends of mine.”
“That I warrant; but death is at thy heels; an thou get not from here he will be quickly at thy throat.”
“What is toward?” asked Wulf, making ready to step forth.
“Nay, that I know not, save that ’tis harm to thee. Yonder I lay where ye left me, when there came two skulkers in the bushes, and one told the other how he had followed one whom, from their talk, I deemed to be thee, and how thou hadst come on to the smithy here. Yet, though they were twain, durst they not come for thee, but went their way to get help at the Swartzburg; whereupon I came away hither, by such snail’s pace as I might; but sore I feared lest they might be here before me. Now get thou away, and quickly!”
“I thank thee, friend,” said Wulf, “and straight will I.”
Bell-Hutten made a quick gesture.
“Alas!” he groaned. “’Tis too late. They be upon thee now!”
Sure enough; all too plainly, through the trees, could be heard the sound of horsemen coming up rapidly, albeit with some caution.
“Canst not hide?” gasped Bell-Hutten.
