However, we persuaded them to bring us water to wash in.

It came, and with it a polished piece of metal, such as the Abati use for a looking-glass, in which we saw our faces, the terrible, wasted faces of those who have gone within a hair's breadth of death by starvation in the dark.
Yet although our gaolers would say nothing, something in their aspect told us that we were in sore peril of our lives.

They looked at us hungrily, as a terrier looks at rats in a wire cage of which the door will presently be opened.

Moreover, Roderick, who, as I think I have said, has very quick ears, overheard one of the attendants whisper to another: "When does our service on these hounds of Gentiles come to an end ?" to which his fellow answered, "The Council has not yet decided, but I think to-morrow or the next day, if they are strong enough.

It will be a great show." Also that evening, about sunset, we heard a mob shouting outside the barrack in which we were imprisoned, for that was its real use, "Give us the Gentiles! Give us the Gentiles! We are tired of waiting," until at length some soldiers drove them away.
Well, we talked the thing over, only to conclude that there was nothing to be done.