" So saying, he broke the arrows and flung them away, cut the
bow-string in pieces, and flung the bow far from him into the water.
"Had these been in a steady hand," he said, "it might now be ill with
us. Perchance the spy doth not now cry out, 'Aha, Fortune! thou art
with me.' And now let us back to our couch of rushes, there to wait
till the moon rise, which will be some three hours. And rest we in
darkness. We may not have more fire to make us targets, perchance, for
the other spy."
In silence the two lay down on the rushes, Hugo full of excitement and
nervously listening for the whistle of another arrow. And, much to the
boy's astonishment, in five minutes the faithful Humphrey was sound
asleep.
He continued to sleep until the beams of the rising moon struck him
full in the face, when he awoke. "Hast slept, lad?" he asked.
"Nay," replied Hugo.
"Thou shouldst have done so. Perchance the time cometh shortly when we
dare not sleep; for I did dream of being taken by the constable, which
signifieth want of wit, and so I know not what to do. But we may not
bide here. On we must go, and make the best of what wit we have.
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