'And you shall have it. I am ready to go on,' answered Tom. 'First let me pay you for your trouble.'
The man took the money hurriedly, and Tom turned aside to where he had left Snow-queen, and vaulted into the saddle. He had scarcely done so before the foremost of the troop of horsemen that were clattering through the village came up with him and seized his bridle-rein.
'What do you want with me?' said Tom, trying to free himself.
In a trice two or three more rode up, and he found himself surrounded.
'Now, then,' he cried out, angrily. 'What is the meaning of this?'
'Our lady, the Ranee, would have speech with you, sir stranger,' said the first of the troop.
'Where is she; and what does she mean by stopping a peaceful traveller?'
'You are alone. She has armed men at her back,' said the horseman cynically. 'But she means you no hurt. You had better come quietly.'
'Loose my bridle-rein, then,' cried the young rajah. 'And you,' to the two or three ragged-looking figures that were crowding about him, 'fall back!'
They obeyed and he went forward slowly, with all the dignity he could command. Had he seen any chance of escape, he would have given a touch to Snow-queen, and in a few moments she would have shown them a clean pair of heels. But he was not in open ground; he was in the long straggling street of the village, with horsemen in front of him and horsemen behind, and there was no possibility of getting away. Wit, he felt, must serve him for strength, and if, as these men had said, their leader was really a woman, he did not doubt that he would be able so far to humour her as to be allowed to proceed.