"You make free with my fire," said he; but he added in a somewhat faltering voice, "you are welcome." Denys whispered Gerard.

The watcher eyed them askant.
"My comrade says, sith we share your fire, you shall share his meat." "So be it," said the man warmly.

"I have half a kid hanging on a bush hard by, I'll go fetch it;" and he arose with a cheerful and obliging countenance, and was retiring.
Denys caught up his crossbow, and levelled it at his head.

The man fell on his knees.
Denys lowered his weapon, and pointed him back to his place.

He rose and went back slowly and unsteadily, like one disjointed; and sick at heart as the mouse, that the cat lets go a little way, and then darts and replaces.
"Sit down, friend," said Denys grimly, in French.
The man obeyed finger and tone, though he knew not a word of French.
"Tell him the fire is not big enough for more than thee.