Part 36 (1/2)
”Walter, beware! beware!” cried Hazel
But it was too late I had stepped too far forward, and thus pering blow uponshriek from Hazel, that lived in h by distance,--and I clattered to the floor, unconscious
Mine oblivion could not have lasted for ained consciousness Michael still crashed against the separating oak, and there was Hazel standing behind her feeble barricade and holding in her ser that I had placed there
”Stand back, thou traitorous, deceiving hypocrite! Advance towards ht blade shall be dyed red with mine own heart's blood!”
Ah! my children, had ye but seen her then, as she stood there, as pale as abreast, her dainty tapering fingers of the right hand grasping, with all her little flower-like strength, brittle yet easily snapped, the little weapon, ye would have cheered in unrestrained admiration of the dear, brave, little ht, which even his villainous heart could not help but adht nobly done!” he cried ”Thy courage in thus resisting doth but arouse withinpassion for thee Like a boy, I ever love the apple that doth hang from the limb most difficult to reach Thehand thespeech, false knight, cowardly assassin, 'tis I that commandeth thee! I, thine ancient foe, that even now defies thee!” and I struggled, tottering to my knees, and shook my clenched fist in defiance at him
”Come on, Michael! break down the door, and we yet can drive thispack before us, as doth the wind dry leaves!”
”Oi'm comin', yer honour; do but hould out a little,” and the fury of his attack upon the door was redoubled
Catesby n with his hand, and instantly four men left the room in haste
”Beware, Michael! they ered to my feet and tried to rush upon mine enemy I was securely held back, however, by two of the pack, who forced me to my knees and held me there
Catesby merely smiled his hellish smile, and said:--”Bind him hard and fast to yon pillar, and strip him of his hel apple,” and he nodded in Hazel's direction
With cords they bound me until I could not move a muscle Helmless and helpless I then stood before er and advanced upon me
”Stop! stop, thou wretch!” shrieked Hazel ”For the welfare of your soul slay not a helpless man Nay, nay, do but wait, I pray thee! I will do that which thou dost ask! I will go with thee! anything thou wilt, if thou wilt but spare him!”
”Hazel, in God's name hold thy peace! If thou dost love me do as I have said! I fear hier ere thou dost permit this villain to lay on thee a hand!”
”Oh, yes, yes, Walter; but I cannot bear to see thee die before my very eyes! Oh, merciful Mary, it is too awful!” she cried, as Catesby seized er clipped off a sh oaken door did still resist the efforts of the giant; but it was plain that it could not long endure
”Be brave, mine own true little love, Michael shall soon be here!” I called out above the din
”So, madam, will I cut him into small pieces here before thee, unless thou dost surrender Thou canst save hi from behind that table Bethink thee of his fate in case thou art obdurate,” said the accursed knave, as he seized er
The door was now cracked almost from top to bottom, and Michael still stormed his blows upon it
”Uh! ye cursed cowards! Oi'll crack yer damned skulls fer ye in a minute! Uh! ye blood-suckin' divils, Oi'll rip ye all to paces and cram ye down yer own bloody throats!”
Louder cracked the door
”Coiveth way”