"How long Allan, is it since you left them?" he asked.

"This is our third day," was the boy's reply.

"How did you escape the besiegers?" Arthur, who with the rest was
listening now inquired.

"It was done at night, sire. We two climbed over the wall. Two yeomen
helped us over. One of King Mark's men saw us and at first mistook us
for men from his own camp. Him, Breunor le Noire, gave little time
for outcry. We gagged and bound him and then Walker and Gouvernail
climbed back for a long rope and lifted him over on the castle side.
For we had no wish to have King Mark's men find him and suspect that
some of those within had gone for aid."

Now the meal was over. Within another hour King Cadoris had gathered
five hundred of his men. King Mark and his men would never have
stomach for affray. When the afternoon's sun was in the low western
sky, the rescuing party was well on its way.




CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

In King Mark's Castle


So we return to the doughty few who are behind the walls of the great
castle.