On seeing the rope, they entered the cave, and found that their prey had really escaped.
Malchus and his companion had not moved after the alarm was given.
"We had better be going, my lord," the Arab said as he saw the men with torches retracing their steps along the brow.

"They will soon be after us." "I think not, Nessus.

Their chance of finding us among these boulders in the dark would be small, and they would offer such good marks to our arrows that they would hardly enter upon it.

No, I think they will wait till daybreak, planting a strong force at the mouth of the ravine, and along both sides of the end, wherever an ascent could be made.

Hark, the men on the heights there are calling to others along the brow." "Very well, my lord," Nessus said, seating himself on a rock, "then we will sell our lives as dearly as possible." "I hope it has not come to that, Nessus.