Little heeded they the creaking pole with its horrible burden, as it rocked and swung in the winter wind above them! While we waited the snow began to fall and drove the tipplers further into the shelter of the guard-room, where was a merry fire.

Now was our chance.

Ludar led me round to where, over some tumbled stones, we were able to scramble on to the wall, and thence back towards the gate.

So thick fell the snow that, as we crawled along, we were as white as the ramparts we passed over, and not a soul could have heard or seen us had any been there.

It was easy to get from the wall on to the gate, and all might have gone well had not a wolf-hound, imprisoned in the tower, or left there to do the watching which the sentinel neglected, sprung out to meet us as we stepped on to the battlement with a mighty howl.
So sudden was his leap that he had Ludar by the throat before we knew what had happened; and ere I had drawn my sword and saved my master from so savage a death there was a noise, with shouting and lights, in the road below.
"Quick!" cried Ludar, springing to his feet and running to the pole.
In a minute he had scaled it and robbed it of its fearful burden.
Already I could tell by the shouts below that we were pursued, but Ludar, as he stood there, panting, with his precious burden held to his breast, heeded nothing.
"Come," said I; "we are followed." He laughed bitterly.
"Humphrey," said he, "as you love me, cut me this hound's head off and put it there, where my brother's head stood.