He was a mere lad, yet endued with manly courage which
fitted him to endure nobly for the sake of those whom he loved.
"Thou art not my true lord, and never wast; neither will I answer
thy questions, though thou slay me."
"Then thou mayst prepare for death."
"They live who may avenge me."
"We will chance that. Stand yonder, against the wall, stretch out
thine arms, or they shall be stretched for thee.
"Tie him, my men, to that post--" pointing, as he spoke, to one of
the uprights which supported the roof, and which was partially
detached from the wooden wall--"and extend his arms to the posts on
either side."
Conscious that resistance was hopeless, Eadwin submitted quietly to
be bound, listening nevertheless so eagerly for sounds from without
that Ralph marked his strained attention; Etienne was intent upon
his designed cruelty.
"Once more, wilt thou answer me?" he said.
"No," said his victim, quietly and firmly.
"Then thou must suffer. Thou shalt die as thy St. Edmund did--fit
death it was, too, for a beggarly English saint. I ask thee for the
last time."
No reply. Etienne bade the men stand aside, and then, taking his
stand at the other end of the room, which may have been twenty feet
long, took accurate aim and shot an arrow through the muscle of the
right arm.
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