The summons was preceded and followed by flourish of trumpet, and was read with every formality by the city marshal himself.
The moment he ended, Lina ran into the little passage, and stood opposite the door.
'I surrender,' cried Curdie.
'Then tie up your brute, and give her here.' 'No, no,' cried Curdie through the door.

'I surrender; but I'm not going to do your hangman's work.

If you want MY dog, you must take her.' 'Then we shall set the house on fire, and burn witch and all.' 'It will go hard with us but we shall kill a few dozen of you first,' cried Curdie.

'We're not the least afraid of you.' With that Curdie turned to Derba, and said: 'Don't be frightened.

I have a strong feeling that all will be well.
Surely no trouble will come to you for being good to strangers.' 'But the poor dog!' said Derba.
Now Curdie and Lina understood each other more than a little by this time, and not only had he seen that she understood the proclamation, but when she looked up at him after it was read, it was with such a grin, and such a yellow flash, that he saw also she was determined to take care of herself.
'The dog will probably give you reason to think a little more of her ere long,' he answered.