"But have no fear," he continued, "your life is safe, and you and your men can go back to Lewes to tell them how you have been outwitted by Sussex rustics.
"Yet it does not suit our purposes that your return should be too quickly made, so we shall tie you to these trees by the roadside and relieve you of your horses. Before nightfall there will, doubtless, be passers-by who will release you from your bondage, and then you may trudge homeward."
Then, ere the enraged Pursuivant could find words for a reply, Ralph turned to his men and said—
"Quick, men, with the ropes; tie our prisoners securely to the trees by the roadside, beginning with the officer."
In a few minutes his orders were carried out. Then Ralph bowed with mock ceremony to the Pursuivant.
"Good-day, sir," he said; "I wish you a speedy release and a pleasant walk to Lewes!"
And at a signal from their leader the whole gang dived into the forest, driving the horses in front of them.
Ralph made his way to the hut where his horse had been stabled, and was soon trotting quietly homewards, his stalwarts following his example on foot by the well-known bypath of the forest.
No sooner had the gang disappeared than the bound men began to struggle desperately in a vain endeavour to escape from their bonds, soon to find all their efforts useless.
Then the Pursuivant spoke.