"'And so they are,' said another man, with indignation. 'The brutes, to use an old white-headed woman like that. Where were they taking you, good mother?'"
"'I do not know,' I answered. 'They said to a safe asylum—to some cell or convent, I suppose—but I promised not to tell,' I added. 'Please do not heed my words, I am something dazed.'"
"The men glanced at each other and whispered together. Then the man who seemed to be the leader asked me where I wished to go."
"'I know not,' I answered. 'I have not, a friend on earth.'"
"'Tis a piteous case,' said the outlaw. Then, after a little more conference, two of the men took me between them and led me into the thicket, where I was made to sit down and eat. At night, the man in charge of me made me a kind of bed of leaves, and bade me lie down and sleep without fear."
"Curiously enough, I was not at all afraid, and did as I was bid as calmly as if I had been in the convent. In the first gray of the morning, I was again blindfolded and led for some distance without a word being said on either side. Finally I was bade to sit down."
"'You must remain here without uncovering your eyes till you hear the church clock strike five,' said my conductor. 'You will find yourself not far from a house, where they will, no doubt, feed and shelter you. Obey and no harm will befall you, if you keep your own counsel.'"
"'I would I had something wherewith to reward your kindness,' said I."
"'Nay, we want no reward from such as you,' answered the man. 'You are not our game. Farewell, good mother, and good luck to you.'"
"I heard the outlaws' retreating steps, and then all was still, save for the singing of the birds and the other woodland noises. I waited patiently till I heard a distant clock strike five. Then I unbound my eyes and looked about me."