"Thou great rogue,"—before, however, Nicholas could say more he was gagged, his arms bound with cords, and taken by the soldiers to his own room, amid the shoutings of the rebels, who now seemed to be entering the city from all sides.
But why had they not killed him at once? for what reason had they brought him there?
He was not left long in suspense, for no sooner had Kin secured the entrance of his brother rebels into the city than he entered the room, and first examining the cords that bound the boy's arms, to see that there was no possibility of his getting free, he ordered the soldiers from the room, and said, merrily, "The young war tiger is brave, but he is no match for the fire-eater Kin."
"Let the dog without a heart unbind the arms of his prisoner, and he shall discover," was the fierce reply.
"What shall thy servant discover, O brave youth?"
"His villain body hurled out of the window."
"Knows not the youth that I can slay him as if he were a venomous rat?"
"Do this, and I will thank thee for not letting me outlive such hateful treason, thou villain."
"But the youth is young, brave, and should live in honor and high promotion."
"He would be more honored in dying for his Emperor."