rmor," he cried. "I surrender myself to
you."

"I will not take your surrender, you black villain," said Nigel. "Draw
and defend yourself. Simon, give him your sword."

"Nay, this is madness," said the blunt man-at-arms. "Why should I give
the wasp a sting?"

"Give it him, I say. I cannot kill him in cold blood."

"But I can!" yelled Aylward, who had crept up from the fire. "Come,
comrades! By these ten finger-bones! has he not taught us how cold blood
should be warmed?"

Like a pack of wolves they were on him, and he clanged upon the floor
with a dozen frenzied naked figures clutching and clinging above him.
In vain Nigel tried to pull them off. They were mad with rage, these
tortured starving men, their eyes fixed and glaring, their hair on end,
their teeth gnashing with fury, while they tore at the howling, writhing
man. Then with a rattle and clatter they pulled him across the room by
his two ankles and dragged him into the fire.

Nigel shuddered and turned away his eyes as he saw the brazen figure
roll out and stagger to his knees, only to be hurled once more into the
heart of the blaze. His prisoners screamed with joy and clapped their
hands as they pushed him back with their feet until the armor was too
hot for them to touch. Then at last he lay still and glowed darkly red,
whilst the naked men danced in a wild half-circle round the fire.

But now at last the supports had come. Lights flashed and armor gleamed
down the tunnel. The cellar filled with armed men, while from above
came the cries and turmoil of the feigned assault upon the gate. Led
by Knolles and Nigel, the storming party rushed upward and seized the
courtyard. The guard of the gate taken in the rear threw down their
weapons and cried for mercy. The gate was thrown open and the assailants
rushed in, with hundreds of furious peasants at their heels. Some of the
robbers died in hot blood, many in cold; but all died, for Knolles had
vowed to give no quarter. Day was just breaking when the last fugitive
had been hunted out and slain. From all sides came the yells and whoops
of the soldiers with the rending and riving of doors as they burst
into the store-rooms and treasure-chambers. There was a joyous scramble
amongst them, for the plunder of eleven years, gold and jewels, satins
and velvets, rich plate and noble hangings were all to be had for the
taking.

The rescued prisoners, their hunger appeased and their clothes restored,
led the search