Although Cedric considered the sudden and romantic appearance of his son in the lists at Ashby to be a deaths blow to his hopes, he still ordered his servant Oswald to keep an eye upon Wilfred and to carry him to Ashby in secret as soon as the crowd had dispersed. Oswald, however, came too late to do this. The crowd dispersed, indeed, but the knight was nowhere to be seen.
Instead Oswald found Gurth who was looking for his young master and forgot to hide his face. Oswald decided that it was his duty to hold Gurth and brought him to Cedric. The only thing that Oswald learned about the fate of the young knight was that the knight had been raised with care by some servants, and placed in a litter belonging to a lady among the spectators, which had immediately transported him out of the crowd. Oswald decided to return to his master for new instructions.
The Saxon worried for his son, but as soon as he was informed that Ivanhoe was in friendly hands, he again started to think about Ivanhoes disobedience. When Cedric saw the deserter Gurth, he ordered to tie him. Gurth did not protest, he only said, This is how you reward loving your flesh and blood better than my own.
Cedric, Athelstane and Rowena went back to Rotherwood. Wamba and Gurth rode side by side for some time, during which Gurth maintained a moody silence.
* * *The travellers had now reached the wooded country which was considered dangerous at that time because of the number of robbers. There they heard repeated cries for assistance. When they came closer, they saw a litter left on the ground, an old Jew and a young woman. It was Isaac of York with his daughter. They had hired six guards at Ashby, together with mules for carrying the litter of a sick friend. This party had promised to escort them. They had come to this place in safety, but when their guards heard from a wood-cutter that there was a strong band of robbers in the woods before them, Isaacs mercenaries had ran away and had taken with them the horses which bore the litter.
If you allow us to come with you, added Isaac, in a tone of deep humiliation, we will be very grateful.
Athelstane remembered the Jew from Ashby and didnt want to take him, but Cedric said, We should leave them two of our servants and two horses to bring them back to the next village.
At this moment Rebecca suddenly ran to Rowenas horse, knelt down, and kissed Rowenas dress. Then she begged her in the great name of the God whom they both worshipped, that she would have compassion upon them, and let them go forward under their protection. It is not for myself that I ask this, said Rebecca, but for the sake of our sick friend.
The man is old and weak, said Rowena to her guardian, the maiden young and beautiful, their friend sickeven though they are Jews, we cannot as Christians leave them here. We should give them two mules to transport the litter and two horses for themselves. Cedric agreed to this.
This was the reason Gurth had to get down from his horse, and when Wamba untied him for that reason, he ran into the forest and disappeared.
The road now became very narrow, so that only two riders could ride together, and crossed a small river with swampy banks. Cedric and Athelstane, who were at the head of their party, saw the risk of being attacked at this place and they decided to cross the river quickly. They had just crossed it with a part of their followers, when they were attacked from all sides at once so quickly that they could not defend themselves. Both Saxon nobles were made prisoners at the same moment. The servants, the Lady Rowena, and the Jew and his daughter in the rear all fell into the hands of the attackers.
Nobody escaped except for Wamba, who showed in that situation much more courage than those who pretended to be wise. He took a sword from one of the servants, drove back several who approached him, and made a brave though ineffectual attempt to rescue his master. When he saw that he couldnt do it, he jumped from his horse and ran into the forest.
I have heard men talk about the blessings of freedom, he said to himself, but I wish any wise man would teach me how to use it now when I have it.
He pronounced these words aloud, and a voice very near him called out in a low and cautious tone, Wamba!
Gurth! answered Wamba, with the same caution, and the swineherd immediately stood before him.
What is the matter? said he, what do these cries mean?
They are prisoners to green cloaks and black masks, said Wamba.
At this moment a third person suddenly appeared and commanded them both to stop. Wamba recognised Locksley the yeoman, who had been victorious in the contest for the prize of archery.
Who attacks travellers in this forest? said he.
You can go and check whether they are your men or not, said Wamba, because they look exactly like you.
I will check it right now, answered Locksley; and you must not move from this place until I return. Obey me, and it will be better for you and your masters. He returned in a few minutes.
Friend Gurth, he said, I have seen these men. We cannot attack them right now, but I think I can collect such a force that will be enough to defeat them. You are both servants and, I think, faithful servants of Cedric the Saxon, the friend of the rights of Englishmen. There will be enough English hands to help him in these circumstances. Come then with me, until I collect more force.
* * *After a long walk the servants of Cedric with their guide came to a small glade in the centre of which grew an enormous oak-tree. Beneath this tree four or five yeomen lay on the ground. Their guide was welcomed with every sign of respect.
Where is the Miller? was his first question.
On the road towards Rotherham with six men.
And where is Allan-a-Dale? said Locksley, who seemed to be the leader of these people.
Went to the big road to watch for the Prior of Jorvaulx.
That is well, replied the Captain, and where is the Friar?
In his house.
Thats where I will go, said Locksley. Go and look for your companions. Collect as many as you can. Meet me here in the morning.
The men went to do what he asked, and their leader with his two companions went to the monks hut. When they came close, they heard the sounds of music. That is well sung, said Wamba, but who would ever expect to hear such a cheerful prayer come out from a hermits house at midnight?
In fact at that moment the hermit and his guest were performing an old drinking song as loudly as they could. After some time Locksleys loud and repeated knocks disturbed them.
I swear, said the hermit, stopping his song, here come more guests. I dont want them to see what we were doing. All men have their enemies, Sir Knight.
Holy Clerk, it is true that all have their enemies, replied the knight, so I will put on my helmet.
Mad priest, said the voice from without, open to Locksley!
Alls safealls right, it is a friend, said the hermit to his companion. He opened the door, and let in Locksley with his two companions.
Why, hermit, was the yeomans first question as soon as he saw the knight, what cheerful companion do you have here?
A brother of our order, replied the Friar, we have been praying all night.
Friar, you must lay down your prayer-book, answered Locksley; and take up the staff; we will need every one of our men.
The monk took off his clothes, and put on a yeomans dress with a green cloak.
Locksley led the knight apart and said to him: Dont deny it, Sir Knightyou are the one who helped the English party win on the second day of the tournament at Ashby.
And what if you guess right, good yeoman? replied the knight.
I will in that case think, replied the yeoman, that you are a friend to the weaker side.
Such is the duty of any true knight, replied the Black Champion.
A band of villains, said the woodsman, in the disguise of better men than themselves, have captured a noble Englishman, called Cedric the Saxon together with the Lady Rowena and his friend Athelstane of Coningsburgh and have transported them to a castle in this forest, called Torquilstone. I ask you as a good knight, will you help us rescue them?
I will, replied the knight.
* * *When the party which captured Cedric and Rowena stood before the gates of the castle, De Bracy blew his horn three times, and the archers let them in. Cedric and Athelstane were led to a large room apart from their followers.
The Lady Rowena was next separated from her servants, and conducted politely to a distant apartment. The same happened to Rebecca. Her father was dragged off in a different direction. The servants were put in another part of the castle.
Cedric paced the apartment in which the Saxon chiefs were confined, while the apathy of his companion served, instead of patience and philosophy, to defend him against everything except for insufficient food.
Who would have thought, said Cedric, that you, noble Athelstanethat you, descended of Harolds blood, and that I, whose father was not the worst defender of the Saxon crown, should be prisoners to a Norman, in the castle in which our ancestors held their festivals?
It is sad enough, replied Athelstane; but I believe they will accept a moderate ransom from us.
The door of their prison opened, and some servants brought in a table covered with dishes.
Tell your master, said Cedric, that we know no reason he can have for making us his prisoners, except for getting money. Let him name the ransom, and it will be paid. The chief servant bowed his head.
And tell Sir Reginald Front-de-Boeuf, said Athelstane, that I challenge him to fight with me, on foot or on horse, at any secure place, within eight days after our liberation.
I will deliver to the knight your challenge, answered the servant, meanwhile I leave you to your food.
The captives had not long enjoyed their refreshment, however, before they were disturbed even from this most serious occupation by the sound of a horn blown before the gate. The Saxons jumped from the table, and ran to the window, but their curiosity was disappointed they could only see the court of the castle.