"I know," said Alwin, "but all the same I have read enough of the Guide-book to believe there is some way of deliverance; do, Edred, try to recall what it was."
"I never read it," said Edred, "and to consult it now, when we are in this dire distress, seems like mocking the King who ordered it to be written."
He sighed heavily, and as I grew accustomed to the darkness, I could faintly perceive the two boys crouching down in a corner, watching the evil beast, never taking their wearied eyes from him for a moment.
Alwin seemed unable to let go his last hope, and began again imploringly, "Edred, I know it said if people got into these caverns they were to call to the King; do let us try."
"Call and wake the monster?" asked Edred, mockingly. "Besides, who could hear?"
"I shall try," whispered Alwin, "for I feel I shall soon have no strength left."
Edred made a gesture as if to reply, when the enemy roused himself suddenly, and before either of them had time to speak or move, he had sprung across the cavern. I saw the two boys disappear beneath his awful form.
A fearful cry rent the air, a cry of agony, but a cry too which seemed to expect an answer.
The fiend grappled with them both, and gave them blow after blow. Still spell-bound I watched, feeling myself turned to stone with horror.
But what did I hear? Surely above the cruel strokes which resounded on the bodies of these captive boys, surely above their cries for help, and moans of anguish, I heard another sound—a sound of rescue, coming nearer and nearer?