life and action, like bees when they swarm; the birds filled the
woods with their songs, as the glorious orb of day arose over the
eastern hills.

Breakfast was the first consideration, which was heartily yet
hastily despatched. Then in the hall, their hands bound behind
them, stood the three prisoners; the knight dejected, the mayor and
friar pale with privation and suffering. Our Martin's health was
not strong enough to enable him well to bear the horrors of a
dungeon.

"You are accused of rebellion," said the stern Edward, as he faced
them. "What is your answer?"

Few men dared to look into that face. Its frown was so awful, it is
recorded that a priest upon whom he looked once in displeasure and
anger, died of fear--yet he was never intentionally unjust.

Ralph spoke first--he felt that courageous avowal of the truth was
the only course.

"My prince," he said, "we must indeed avow that our convictions are
with the free barons of England, and that with them we must stand
or fall. If to share their sentiments is rebellion, rebels we are,
but we disclaim the word."

"And thou, Sir Mayor?"

"I am but the mouthpiece of my fellow citizens. I have no freewill
to choose."