"At that rate, why not stun him before he wakes?" and Gerard fidgeted
where he sat.
Denys opened his eyes with humorous surprise. "For one who sets up for
a milksop you have the readiest hand. Why should two stun one? tush! he
wakes: note now what he says at waking, and tell me."
These last words were hardly whispered when the watcher opened his eyes.
At sight of the fire made up, and two strangers eyeing him keenly, he
stared, and there was a severe and pretty successful effort to be calm;
still a perceptible tremor ran all over him. Soon he manned himself,
and said gruffly. "Good morrow. But at the very moment of saying it he
missed his axe, and saw how Gerard was sitting upon it, with his own
laid ready to his hand. He lost countenance again directly. Denys smiled
grimly at this bit of byplay.
"Good morrow!" said Gerard quietly, keeping his eye on him.
The watcher was now too ill at ease to be silent. "You make free with
my fire," said he; but he added in a somewhat faltering voice, "you are
welcome."
Denys whispered Gerard. The watcher eyed them askant.
"My comrade says, sith we share your fire, you shall share his meat."
"So be it," said the man warmly. "I have half a kid hanging on a bush
hard by, I'll go fetch it;" and he arose with a cheerful and obliging
countenance, and was retiring.
Denys caught up his crossbow, and levelled it at his head.
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