You might better keep your reputation, seeing the strain would not be for long." "It will stand it, I reckon.

Before to-morrow we shall be out of prison, and free to go where we will, besides." The witty officer lifted at his left ear with his thumb, made a rasping noise in his throat, and said: "Out of prison--yes--ye say true.

And free likewise to go where ye will, so ye wander not out of his grace the Devil's sultry realm." I kept my temper, and said, indifferently: "Now I suppose you really think we are going to hang within a day or two." "I thought it not many minutes ago, for so the thing was decided and proclaimed." "Ah, then you've changed your mind, is that it ?" "Even that.

I only _thought_, then; I _know_, now." I felt sarcastical, so I said: "Oh, sapient servant of the law, condescend to tell us, then, what you _know_." "That ye will all be hanged _to-day_, at mid-afternoon! Oho! that shot hit home! Lean upon me." The fact is I did need to lean upon somebody.

My knights couldn't arrive in time.