Only here the expressions were more forcible, and accompanied with threatening gestures.

In front of the town gates, where there was a rocky hill, Thomas had watched two carpenters nailing crossbeams to long stakes.

He asked what they were doing, and was told that criminals were impaled on the festival.

Questioning them more closely, he learned that they were desert robbers.
"Desert robbers ?" said a passer-by.

"What are desert robbers?
There are desert robbers every year.