The cold iron on her wrists touched the hand of her preserver.
He now recollected his surprise on hearing the clank of chains, when carrying her over the bridge.

"Who," inquired he, "could have done this unmanly deed ?" "The wretch from whom you rescued me--to prevent my escape from a captivity worse than death." While she spoke, he wrenched open the manacles from her wrists and ankles, and threw them over the precipice.

As she heard them dash into the torrent, an unutterable gratitude filled her heart; and again giving her hand to him to lead her forward, she said with earnestness, "O sir, if you have a wife or sister--should they ever fall into the like peril with mine; for in these terrific times, who is secure?
may Heaven reward your bravery, by sending them such a preserver!" The stranger sighed deeply: "Sweet lady," returned he, "I have no sister, no wife.

But my kindred is nevertheless very numerous, and I thank thee for thy prayer." The hero sighed profoundly again, and led her silently down the windings of the declivity.

Having proceeded with caution, they descended into a little wooded dell, and soon approached the half-standing remains of what had once been a shepherd's hut.
"This," said the knight, as they entered, "was the habitation of a good old man, who fed his flock on these mountains; but a band of Southron soldiers forced his only daughter from him, and, plundering his little abode, drove him out upon the waste.