thirst
within six hours at the least."

There was an attempt at a cheer, broken by the murmur, "We have
heard enough of that! It is always six hours and six hours."

"And the Saracen hounds outside would at least give us a draught of
water ere they made away with us," said another.

"Saracens, forsooth!" said Sigbert. "You shall leave the Saracens
far behind you. A few words first with my lord, and you shall hear.
Meanwhile, you, John Cook, take all the beef remaining; make it in
small fardels, such as a man may easily carry."

"That's soon done," muttered the cook. "The entire weight would
scarce bow a lad's shoulders."

"The rest of you put together what you would save from the enemy,
and is not too heavy to carry." One man made some attempt at
growling at a mere lad being consulted, while the stout warriors
were kept in ignorance; but the spirit of discipline and confidence
had returned with Sigbert, and no one heeded the murmur. Meantime,
Sigbert followed the young Lord Walter up the rough winding stairs
to the chamber where Mabel lay on her cushions. "What! what!"
demanded the boy, pausing to enter. Sigbert, by way of answer,
quietly produced from some hidden pouch two figs. Walter snatched
at one with a cry of joy. Mabel held out her hand, then, with a
gasp, drew it back. "Has Roger had one?"

Sigbert signed in the affirmative, and Mabel took a bite of the
luscious fruit with a gasp of pleasure, yet paused once more to hold
the remainder to her nurse.

"The Saints bless you, my sweet lamb!" exclaimed the old woman;
"finish it yourself. I could not."

"If you don't want it, give it to me," put in Walter.

"For shame, my lord," Sigbert did not scruple to say, nor could the
thirsty girl help finishing the refreshing morsel, while Walter,
with some scanty murmur of excuse, demanded where it came from, and
what Sigbert had meant by promises of safety.

"Sir," said Sigbert, "you may remember how some time back your
honoured father threw one of the fellaheen into the dungeon for
maiming old Leo."

"The villain! I remember. I thought he was hanged."

"No, sir. He escaped. I went to take him food, and he was gone! I
then found an opening in the vault, of which I spoke to none, save
your father, for fear of mischief; but I built it up with stones.
Now, in our extremity, I bethought me of it, and resolved to try
whether the prisoner had truly escaped, for where he went, we might
go. Long a