Ivanhoe

"There is no more mercy in them," said another of the banditti, "than in

an unbribed sheriffs officer."

"It is, however, as I say," said Gurth.

"Strike a light instantly," said the Captain; "I will examine this said

purse; and if it be as this fellow says, the Jew's bounty is little

less miraculous than the stream which relieved his fathers in the

wilderness."

A light was procured accordingly, and the robber proceeded to examine

the purse. The others crowded around him, and even two who had hold of

Gurth relaxed their grasp while they stretched their necks to see the

issue of the search. Availing himself of their negligence, by a sudden

exertion of strength and activity, Gurth shook himself free of their

hold, and might have escaped, could he have resolved to leave his

master's property behind him. But such was no part of his intention.

He wrenched a quarter-staff from one of the fellows, struck down the

Captain, who was altogether unaware of his purpose, and had well-nigh

repossessed himself of the pouch and treasure. The thieves, however,

were too nimble for him, and again secured both the bag and the trusty

Gurth.

"Knave!" said the Captain, getting up, "thou hast broken my head;

and with other men of our sort thou wouldst fare the worse for thy

insolence. But thou shalt know thy fate instantly. First let us speak of

thy master; the knight's matters must go before the squire's, according

to the due order of chivalry. Stand thou fast in the meantime--if

thou stir again, thou shalt have that will make thee quiet for thy

life--Comrades!" he then said, addressing his gang, "this purse is

embroidered with Hebrew characters, and I well believe the yeoman's tale

is true. The errant knight, his master, must needs pass us toll-free. He

is too like ourselves for us to make booty of him, since dogs should not

worry dogs where wolves and foxes are to be found in abundance."

"Like us?" answered one of the gang; "I should like to hear how that is

made good."

"Why, thou fool," answered the Captain, "is he not poor and disinherited

as we are?--Doth he not win his substance at the sword's point as we

do?--Hath he not beaten Front-de-Boeuf and Malvoisin, even as we would

beat them if we could? Is he not the enemy to life and death of Brian

de Bois-Guilbert, whom we have so much reason to fear? And were all

this otherwise, wouldst thou have us show a worse conscience than an

unbeliever, a Hebrew Jew?"