Ivanhoe

"What mummery is this?" said Cedric; "think you that we are ignorant

whose prisoners we are, when we are in the castle of your master?

Tell him," he continued, willing to use this opportunity to open

a negotiation for his freedom,--"Tell your master, Reginald

Front-de-Boeuf, that we know no reason he can have for withholding our

liberty, excepting his unlawful desire to enrich himself at our expense.

Tell him that we yield to his rapacity, as in similar circumstances we

should do to that of a literal robber. Let him name the ransom at which

he rates our liberty, and it shall be paid, providing the exaction is

suited to our means." The sewer made no answer, but bowed his head.

"And tell Sir Reginald Front-de-Boeuf," said Athelstane, "that I send

him my mortal defiance, and challenge him to combat with me, on foot or

horseback, at any secure place, within eight days after our liberation;

which, if he be a true knight, he will not, under these circumstances,

venture to refuse or to delay."

"I shall deliver to the knight your defiance," answered the sewer;

"meanwhile I leave you to your food."

The challenge of Athelstane was delivered with no good grace; for a

large mouthful, which required the exercise of both jaws at once, added

to a natural hesitation, considerably damped the effect of the bold

defiance it contained. Still, however, his speech was hailed by Cedric

as an incontestible token of reviving spirit in his companion, whose

previous indifference had begun, notwithstanding his respect for

Athelstane's descent, to wear out his patience. But he now cordially

shook hands with him in token of his approbation, and was somewhat

grieved when Athelstane observed, "that he would fight a dozen such men

as Front-de-Boeuf, if, by so doing, he could hasten his departure from

a dungeon where they put so much garlic into their pottage."

Notwithstanding this intimation of a relapse into the apathy of

sensuality, Cedric placed himself opposite to Athelstane, and soon

showed, that if the distresses of his country could banish the

recollection of food while the table was uncovered, yet no sooner were

the victuals put there, than he proved that the appetite of his Saxon

ancestors had descended to him along with their other qualities.

The captives had not long enjoyed their refreshment, however, ere their

attention was disturbed even from this most serious occupation by the

blast of a horn winded before the gate. It was repeated three times,

with as much violence as if it had been blown before an enchanted castle

by the destined knight, at whose summons halls and towers, barbican and

battlement, were to roll off like a morning vapour. The Saxons started

from the table, and hastened to the window. But their curiosity was

disappointed; for these outlets only looked upon the court of the

castle, and the sound came from beyond its precincts. The summons,

however, seemed of importance, for a considerable degree of bustle

instantly took place in the castle.