“But we cannot take them to the place to starve.”
“Who’s going to, sir?”
“What do you mean?”
“Only that I crept out o’ the tent hour and a half ago, ran down to the Manor—easy enough in the dark—and told ’em what to do as soon as it was light in the morning, and then ran back.”
“But the rope?”
“Here it is, sir; wound round me like a belt. Come along, and let’s go.”
“But the horse—how are we to get Sir Godfrey there?”
“I dunno, sir, only that we’ve got to try. Come on; we can only make a mess of it.”
Fred hesitated no longer; but taking his sword and cloak, he stepped out into the dark night, joined his man, and then stole with him cautiously along the tents to where the horses were tethered. Samson untied the halters which kept them prisoners, and led them silently away over the soft glass.
The task proved more easy than they had expected, for there were no watchers near. Strict ward and watch were kept, but only by those on duty. Those who were off devoted the time to rest and sleep.