"I see no good in trying to excuse him. He has no business here
anyhow."
"Let me go away then, if you please," said Curdie.
"But we don't please--not except you give a good account of yourself."
"I don't feel quite sure whether I can trust you," said Curdie.
"We are the king's own men-at-arms," said the captain, courteously,
for
he was taken with Curdie's appearance and courage.
"Well, I will tell you all about it--if you will promise to listen to me
and not do anything rash."
"I call that cool!" said one of the party laughing. "He will tell us
what mischief he was about, if we promise to do as pleases him."
"I was about no mischief," said Curdie.
But ere he could say more he turned faint, and fell senseless on the
grass. Then first they discovered that the bolt they had shot, taking
Madhuri Noah
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