But on the fifth day the sun shone out brilliantly, and the brigands and their wives were all busy with shovels digging ways from place to place; and when at last the prison-hall was reached it was through a cutting ten feet deep, the snow being drifted right up to the top of the lofty door.
The scene was dazzling; the ruins piled-up with the white snow, the mountains completely transformed as they glittered in the sun, and above all the sky seemed to be of the purest blue.
The cold was intense, but it was a healthy inspiriting cold, and the disappointment and confinement of the past days were forgotten as the glorious sunshine sent hope and life into every heart.
In the course of the day the chief came, bringing with him piled on the shoulders of a lad more rugs and fur coats for his prisoners; and a long conversation ensued, in which he told them through Yussuf that he expected his messengers would have been back before now, but they had probably been stopped by the snow, and they must wait patiently now for their return.
A further conversation took place at the door between the chief and Yussuf, and then the former departed.
“Well, Yussuf,” said Mr Preston anxiously; “what does he say? Not execution yet from his manner?”
“No, excellency; it is as I feared.”
“Feared?” cried Mrs Chumley excitedly; “are we to be kept closer prisoners?”
“No, madam; you are to have greater freedom now.”
“Freedom?” all chorused.