At this moment the little maid and her elder companion came forward
meekly and kneeled down before Sholto.
"We are your humble prisoners," said Maud Lindesay, "and we know that
our offences against your highness are most heinous; but why should
you starve us to death? Burn us or hang us,--we will bear the extreme
penalty of the law gladly,--but torture is not for women. For dear
pity's sake, a bite of bread. We have had nothing to eat all day,
except two lace kerchiefs and a neck riband."
"Lord of Heaven," cried Sholto, swinging on his heel and darting down
towards the kitchen, "what a fool unutterable I am!"
CHAPTER XXI
THE BAILIES OF DUMFRIES
The combat of the third day was, by the will of the Earl, to be of a
peculiar kind. It was the custom at that time for the _melee_ to be
fought between an equal number of knights in open lists, each being at
liberty to carry assistance to his friends as soon as he had disposed
of his own man. On this occasion, however, the fight was to be between
three knights with their several squires on the one side, and an equal
number of knights and squires on the other.
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