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342 . He took a long string from his pouch and fastened one end to an arrow.

'All ready, Samkin?'

'Ready, camarade.'

'Close to your hand then.' With an easy pull he sent the shaft flickering gently up, falling upon the stonework within a foot of where Aylward was standing. The other end was secured to the rope, so that in a minute a good strong cord was dangling from the only sound side of the blazing and shattered tower. The Lady Tiphaine was lowered with a noose drawn fast under the arms, and the other five slid swiftly down amid the cheers and joyous outcry of their rescuers.

 

' is Sir Claude Latour?' asked Sir Nigel, as his feet touched ground.

'He is in camp, near Montpezat, two hours' march from here, my fair lord,' said Johnston, the grizzled bowman who commanded the archers. 'Then we shall march thither, for I would fain have you all back at Dax in time to be in the prince's vanguard.'

'My lord,' cried Alleyne, joyfully, 'here are our chargers in the field, and I see your harness amid the plunder which these rogues have left behind them.'

'By Saint Ives! you speak sooth, young squire,' said Du Guesclin. 'There is my horse and my lady's jennet. The knaves led them from the stables, but fled without them. Now, Nigel, it is great joy to me to have seen one of whom I have often heard. Yet we must leave you now, for I must be with the King of Spain ere your army crosses the mountains.'

'I had thought that you were in Spain with the valiant Henry of Trastamare.' 