Part 104 (1/2)
”Yes,” said Fred, stepping to the tent opening; ”it was I, sergeant. I thought I heard some one call.”
”No, sir; all's well. Good night, sir.”
”Good night.”
”You nearly did it that time, Master Fred,” whispered Samson. ”What made you holloa like that?”
”You, sir. How came you here?”
”Slit a hole in the guard tent, and crept out; that's all, sir. Tent walls are soft enough. Now, then, are you ready?”
”Ready? Yes--no--what can we do?”
”What you said, sir.”
”But we cannot take them to the place to starve.”
”Who's going to, sir?”
”What do you mean?”
”Only that I crept out o' the tent hour and a half ago, ran down to the Manor--easy enough in the dark--and told 'em what to do as soon as it was light in the morning, and then ran back.”
”But the rope?”
”Here it is, sir; wound round me like a belt. Come along, and let's go.”
”But the horse--how are we to get Sir G.o.dfrey there?”
”I dunno, sir, only that we've got to try. Come on; we can only make a mess of it.”
Fred hesitated no longer; but taking his sword and cloak, he stepped out into the dark night, joined his man, and then stole with him cautiously along the tents to where the horses were tethered. Samson untied the halters which kept them prisoners, and led them silently away over the soft gla.s.s.
The task proved more easy than they had expected, for there were no watchers near. Strict ward and watch were kept, but only by those on duty. Those who were off devoted the time to rest and sleep.
All round the camp there was every precaution taken against surprise; but in the interior of the tented s.p.a.ce there seemed to be none to interrupt.
”Bridles, saddles?” whispered Fred.
”If we can't do what we want without them, sir, we shan't do it at all,”
said Samson. ”Tie your halter to his head, and leave the horses alone.
The two beasts 'll follow us like dogs, and it's all right so long as they don't whinny.”
Samson was correct. The two horses followed them like dogs, their hoof tramp being almost inaudible, and they went on through the darkness at a pace which seemed terrible to Fred in its sluggishness, nearly down to the lake, and then round its western end, and in front of the ruined Hall.
”We shall never get them there.”
”Oh yes, we shall, if we can get them through the lines, and it's so dark that I don't feel no fear of that. Now, sir, we'll tether them to these two trees, and then get to work.”