Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/314

286 "We hold only the keep," Hugh answered, "but it is uninjured, and yet defies the Count. Luke the Lurdane is captured, and we can give a good account of all members of the garrison who remain. The Count has captured some of them—about thirty. But let us go onward."

Lighting a torch that he had used during their journey through the passage, Hugh led the way, and soon all were again in the great hall, where Lady Mortimer thankfully greeted them.

As no alarm had been given during their absence, they sat down around the wide fireplace, and after a hasty account of the progress of the siege—of which the pretense of her capture greatly interested Lady Amabel—the young girl in turn told something of her own adventures. She told first of her walk along the bank of the river, of her reception in the farmhouse, and of her journey on the farm- wagon to the next market-town, where the farmer left her at the inn.

"I had a little money in my pocket, besides the remaining gold pieces in my belt," she said, "and so was able to take a ride now and then with such of the country people as I encountered upon my way. Fortunately, it was a busy road, and so I made good progress. The carters seemed to think me a nice boy," Amabel smiled, "and several of them refused the money I offered them, saying