something in Martin that awed him, even as the keeper, who calls
himself the lion king, tames the lion.

"We shall see," he said, and left the cell.

"My lord, do not harm him," said the man. "If a hand be laid upon
him the men-at-arms will rebel. They fear that it will bring a
curse upon them."

"The fools, what is a friar but flesh and blood like others?"

"I would sooner hang or fry a hundred wretched burghers, or behead
a score of knights, than touch this friar."

"I see how it is. I must contrive to starve or poison him," thought
the base lord of the castle.

As he ascended the stairs he heard the sound of a trumpet, or
rather a horn. Loud cries of surprise and alarm greeted his ears.

He went out on the watch tower. The woods were alive with men: they
issued out on all sides--the "merrie men" of the woods.

Drogo saw at once that they had come to seek Martin. He took hold
of a white flag, and advanced to the tower above the central
gateway--to parley--for he feared the arrows of the marksmen of the
woods.

"Whom seek ye?"