"
"They have had a heavy lesson," Malcolm said; "there are eleven
more dead up in the belfry, which they tried to carry by storm,
and a dozen at least crushed by stones.
"You and your three men have indeed given a good account of
yourselves," Captain Burgh exclaimed; "but while I am talking you
are fasting. Here is a bottle of wine, a cold chicken, and a manchet
of bread which I put in my wallet on starting; let us breakfast,
for though I do not pretend to have been fasting as you have, the
morning ride has given me an appetite. I see your fellows are hard
at work already on the viands which my orderly brought for them in
his havresack; but first let us move away to the tree over yonder,
for verily the scent of blood and of roasted flesh is enough to take
away one's appetite, little squeamish as these wars have taught us
to be."
Captain Burgh asked no questions until Malcolm had finished his
meal. "I have plenty more food," he said, "for we have brought three
led horses well laden; but it were better that you eat no more at
present, tis ill overloading a fasting stomach. My men will not be
back from the pursuit for a couple of hours yet, for they will not
draw rein so long as their horses can gallop, so excited are they
over the tales of the horrible cruelties which have been perpetrated
on all our men who have fallen into the hands of the peasants, so
now you can tell me in full the tale of your adventures.
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