Читать «Айвенго / Ivanhoe» онлайн - страница 27

“And what if you guess right, good yeoman?” replied the knight.

“I will in that case think,” replied the yeoman, “that you are a friend to the weaker side.”

“Such is the duty of any true knight,” replied the Black Champion.

“A band of villains,” said the woodsman, “in the disguise of better men than themselves, have captured a noble Englishman, called Cedric the Saxon together with the Lady Rowena and his friend Athelstane of Coningsburgh and have transported them to a castle in this forest, called Torquilstone. I ask you as a good knight, will you help us rescue them?”

“I will,” replied the knight.

* * *

When the party which captured Cedric and Rowena stood before the gates of the castle, De Bracy blew his horn three times, and the archers let them in. Cedric and Athelstane were led to a large room apart from their followers.

The Lady Rowena was next separated from her servants, and conducted politely to a distant apartment. The same happened to Rebecca. Her father was dragged off in a different direction. The servants were put in another part of the castle.

Cedric paced the apartment in which the Saxon chiefs were confined, while the apathy of his companion served, instead of patience and philosophy, to defend him against everything except for insufficient food.

“Who would have thought,” said Cedric, “that you, noble Athelstane—that you, descended of Harold’s blood, and that I, whose father was not the worst defender of the Saxon crown, should be prisoners to a Norman, in the castle in which our ancestors held their festivals?”

“It is sad enough,” replied Athelstane; “but I believe they will accept a moderate ransom from us.”

The door of their prison opened, and some servants brought in a table covered with dishes.

“Tell your master,” said Cedric, “that we know no reason he can have for making us his prisoners, except for getting money. Let him name the ransom, and it will be paid.” The chief servant bowed his head.

“And tell Sir Reginald Front-de-Boeuf,” said Athelstane, “that I challenge him to fight with me, on foot or on horse, at any secure place, within eight days after our liberation.”

“I will deliver to the knight your challenge,” answered the servant, “meanwhile I leave you to your food.”

The captives had not long enjoyed their refreshment, however, before they were disturbed even from this most serious occupation by the sound of a horn blown before the gate. The Saxons jumped from the table, and ran to the window, but their curiosity was disappointed – they could only see the court of the castle.

* * *

Isaac of York had been thrown into a cold and wet dungeon. The only light came through a very high and small window. Rusty chains hung from the walls of the prison.

The life of Jews was dangerous and it was not the first time that Isaac was placed in such circumstances. He was prepared for passive resistance. The poor Jew had to wait for three hours before the door of the dungeon opened, and Reginald Front-de-Boeuf, followed by the two Saracen slaves of the Templar, entered the prison.