 in appearance from any
beings whom Quentin had yet seen, that he was on the point of concluding them to
be a party of Saracens, of those heathen hounds, who were the opponents of
gentle knights and Christian monarchs, in all the romances which he had heard or
read, and was about to withdraw himself from a neighbourhood so perilous, when a
galloping of horse was heard, and the supposed Saracens, who had raised by this
time the body of their comrade upon their shoulders, were at once charged by a
party of French soldiers.
    This sudden apparition changed the measured wailing of the mourners into
irregular shrieks of terror. The body was thrown to the ground in an instant,
and those who were around it showed the utmost and most dexterous activity in
escaping, under the bellies as it were of the horses, from the point of the
lances which were levelled at them, with exclamations of »Down with the accursed
heathen thieves - take and kill - bind them like beasts - spear them like
wolves!«
    These cries were accompanied with corresponding acts of violence; but such
was the alertness of the fugitives, the ground being rendered unfavourable to
the horsemen by thickets and bushes, that only two were struck down and made
prisoners, one of whom was the young fellow with the sword, who had previously
offered some resistance. Quentin, whom fortune seemed at this period to have
chosen for the butt of her shafts, was at the same time seized by the soldiers,
and his arms, in spite of his remonstrances, bound down with a cord; those who
apprehended him showing a readiness and despatch in the operation, which proved
them to be no novices in matters of police.
    Looking anxiously to the leader of the horsemen, from whom he hoped to
obtain liberty, Quentin knew not exactly whether to be pleased or alarmed upon
recognising in him the down-looking and silent companion of Maitre Pierre. True,
whatever crime these strangers might be accused of, this officer might know,
from the history of the morning, that he, Durward, had no connection with them
whatever; but it was a more difficult question, whether this sullen man would be
either a favourable judge or a willing. witness in his behalf, and he felt
doubtful whether he would mend his condition by making any direct application to
him.
    But there was little leisure for hesitation. »Trois-Eschelles and
Petit-André,« said the down-looking officer to two of his band, »these same
trees stand here quite convenient. I will teach these misbelieving, thieving
sorcerers, to interfere with the King
