He chose instead a genial patience for his tower, and within it keen wits to keep watch.

With his horse he was taken by the fierce, bedizened dozen up a gorge to so complete and secure a robber hold that Nature, when she made it, must have been in robber mood.

Here were found yet others of the band, with a bedecked and mustached chief.

He was aware that property, not life, answered to their desires.

His horse, his fine cloak, his weapons, the small mail and its contents, with any article of his actual wearing they might fancy, and the little, little, little money within his purse--all would be taken.