But while he was brandishing his weapon in the face of those who stood before him, his arms were seized by the two rangers who had kept their station on each side of him; not, however, without his having inflicted a deep wound on one of their shoulders. The two stag-hounds, each, at the same instant, sprang forward and attacked the rangers; but not with equal success. The largest and strongest reared up, and missing his hold on the keeper's throat, succeeded in planting his sharp teeth in the cheek and jaw, and bearing the forester at once to the earth. The man wrestled with his antagonist, with all the courage of Hercules; and grasped the hound, in his turn, by the throat, with such force, as caused the eyes of the noble animal to project frightfully from their sockets, both man and dog rolled over several times, each alternately being uppermost. At length the forester succeeded in what is called, in modern canine warfare, "hanging him off;" and then planting his knuckles deeper in the animal's throat-in spite of the imprecations of the Saxon-held him down, until the brave hound ceased to breathe, and lay dead beside the noble hart, which he had but a few moments before, borne to the earth. Meantime, the lesser stag-hound had also succeeded in tearing down a ranger; and having, at the first spring, grasped him firmly by the throat, still retained the same hold, while the man lay struggling and almost breathless, on the ground. Neither could his companions render him any assistance, as two of them were, by this time, severely wounded; and the others barely managed, with the greatest difficulty, to hold the enraged Saxon, who seemed more bent upon rescuing his hounds than in making his own escape. With eyes that seemed to flash fire, and feet planted upon the fallen forester's breast, the savage hound swayed his shaggy head to and fro, while his jaws were besmeared with blood, as he still tugged at the wretched victim's throat. Nor would he obey the voice of his master, although Hereward had several times exclaimed, "Off Wolf! down dog! loose thee!" and many such expressions as had never before failed in bringing the animal to obedience. A deep internal ferocious growling accompanied the savage action of the hound, as he kept his fiery eyes fixed upon his dead com panion; nor could he be made to forego his firm hold, until several seconds after the unfortunate ranger had ceased to breathe his last. "Saxon, thou wilt answer for this bloody and murderous work!" said one of the rangers, eyeing the dead body of his comrade; "inasmuch as thou hast resisted us in fulfilling the king's orders, wounded and killed our companion, and slaughtered the royal hart; which last act alone is death by the law." "Thou speakest to one, slave," replied Hereward, "who only prizes life according to its value, and would sooner meet death in its most terrific form, than live, and be base enough to procure his bread by enforcing such laws as I am now accused of breaking. Unhand me, dogs! or, by the soul of my father, I will hereafter let loose those among ye, who shall spare neither life nor limb!" "You might, perhaps, have escaped us," said another forester, "had "had you shown yourself in civil bearing at first, and accompanied us to some Scot-ale, and covered the drinking-pegs a few times. But we sell not the blood of our comrades at so cheap a rate. You must, with us, to the palace." And he took off his large leathern belt, and, by the aid of the other keepers, secured the arms of Hereward. "Dishonest descendants of a race of robbers!" exclaimed the Saxon; "I would that I had the single arm of my One-handed countryman by my side, were it but to show you how a Saxon can strike. And I might take ye to the Scot-ale, forsooth!" continued he, "and see ye guzzle like swine, until you could not number the pegs in your tankard, and then I might have freedom to send a shaft after any deer in Sherwood, faithful keepers that ye are! But when," added he, "did ever the Norman keep faith himself, or any that belonged to him show aught, save falsehood, cowardice, and tyranny? And my brave dogs!"-He needed his hand at that moment to dash away a gathering tear, but they were both secured; and the remaining hound, after it had been driven from the dead body, had hurried homeward, to all appearance mad. The keepers, well aware that if they chanced to meet with any of the Saxon's followers, a struggle would ensue for his liberty, led him by an unfrequented path to the palace. Two of them bore their lifeless companion on their |