"Ay, that do I!" he exclaimed. "Shouts and it may be the clang of steel."
"I thought so," cried the jongleur triumphantly. "Come, Hugh, there is mischief under way along the road."
A great joy sprang up in their hearts as they spurred eagerly forward betwixt thick walls of greenery, the thudding of the horses' hoofs deadening all other sounds.
"Hast banished gloom?" shouted Hugh above the thunder of the hoofs.
Matteo flung his spear in air and caught it again.
"I shall burn a candle to Our Lady of Tortosa for this," he answered. "My bones have been aching for a fight—and I care not for odds. The greater——"
The road curled around a projecting bank, and without warning they burst from the wood onto the edge of a cleared space, where another road crossed the one by which they were travelling. Midway of this space in front of a wayside shrine, a group of ragged knaves swirled about a knot of serving men, who fell rapidly before the clubs and long knives of the attackers. Beside the shrine a second group of robbers guarded a man and woman on horseback.
"Forest runners," said Matteo.
"St. James, but we are in luck!" exulted Hugh. "There are more than a score of the rogues. Ralph, do you stand by to cover our charge. We shall surprise them right merrily."
Ralph dismounted, nimbly notched his string and knocked an arrow.