would have rejoined their comrades, but as they seemed always just on the point of overtaking him, they kept on without realizing that they were putting a long distance between themselves and their friends though getting no nearer to him.
When Hugh considered that he had led them too for away for them to be of use to the rest, he suddenly pulled up in the road, wheeled his horse about, dismounted, and set an arrow upon the string, while he held another in his bow-hand. Seeing him turn at bay, Ferrers' men also reined in their horses, coming to a halt; for there was something in the coolness of the bowman that warned them not to be rash. As they halted, Hugh lowered his bow, and addressed them:
"I shall fly no farther," he cried. "If you men value your lives you will keep your distance. After your villainous and cowardly attempt to seize my young master and mistress, you deserve no mercy at my hands. I pretended to run from you only to draw you away, but now that you can do no harm, I am glad to tell you you are a pair of cowardly curs without the courage to attack any, save peaceful hunters. Two twangs of this string, and you would both be spitted from breast to back, like piglings ready for roasting, before either could draw a sword. Now, you see the broad field to the right of you:—out of my road!
