Then, leaning over the rampart, he called aloud:
“Ho! there without. Who art thou who makest such a din; and what is thy business?”
Then Arthur made answer:
“I am the king,”
Whereupon the men were overcome with fear, and casting aside their weapons, they opened the gate, and surrendered the castle to King Arthur. The king ordered all the captives to be set at liberty, and this was immediately done, the long procession of unfortunate victims of the cruelty of Sir Terrible passing before the king, each one blessing him for having wrought their deliverance.
Last of all came the maiden whose rescue had been the immediate cause of the king’s visit to Longdendale. She was wondrously beautiful, and as she stood before him, Arthur was so struck by her good looks that he could not refrain from passing knightly compliments.
“Such beauty as thine,” said he, “would best befit a court. ’Tis wasted in these wilds. Thou shalt have a place among the maidens who wait upon the Queen.”
But the maiden answered:
“If it please thee, sire, I would stay in fair Longdendale. I am but a country maiden. I love the free life of these hills and valleys; and at thy court I should be but as a wild bird in a cage.”
Whereupon the king, noticing her earnest look of supplication, smilingly bent his head, and suffered her to depart.