I take your word. Walk at my side, keeping close; for the
path is narrow.' So saying the two moved onward, the robber leading
Roland's horse.
CHAPTER V.
THE ROBBERS OF MARKHAM SWAMP.
After proceeding a few paces the robber chief tied his horse to a
tree, and then bidding Roland follow, made his way through the dark
and silent masses of the wood.
Several times our hero, despite his experience of forest travel, was
tripped up by tree shores, or a tangle of underbrush; and once his
forehead struck a sturdy limb with such force that he became for
several seconds stupefied. The voice of the highwayman recalled him.
'Hallo, Master Duellist, are you trying to escape me?'
'I gave my word,' replied Roland, 'touching that matter. But I am
not experienced in such travel as this.'
'No,' sneered the robber, 'you great heroes of the city and level
field are mighty as travellers only upon the open road.'
'Your opinion as to that gives me no concern,' our hero replied.
'But I have eaten nothing since yesterday save some beech-nuts and a
few rowan-berries. Besides I have lost much blood.'
'Are you wounded?'
'Yes.
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