第30章

Derba and BarbaraMeantime the wanderers were hospitably entertained by the old woman and her grandchild and they were all very comfortable and happy together.Little Barbara sat upon Curdie's knee, and he told her stories about the mines and his adventures in them.But he never mentioned the king or the princess, for all that story was hard to believe.And he told her about his mother and father, and how good they were.And Derba sat and listened.At last little Barbara fell asleep in Curdie's arms, and her grandmother carried her to bed.

It was a poor little house, and Derba gave up her own room to Curdie because he was honest and talked wisely.Curdie saw how it was, and begged her to allow him to lie on the floor, but she would not hear of it.

In the night he was waked by Lina pulling at him.As soon as he spoke to her she ceased, and Curdie, listening, thought he heard someone trying to get in.He rose, took his mattock, and went about the house, listening and watching; but although he heard noises now at one place now at another, he could not think what they meant for no one appeared.Certainly, considering how she had frightened them all in the day, it was not likely any one would attack Lina at night.By and by the noises ceased, and Curdie went back to his bed, and slept undisturbed.

In the morning, however, Derba came to him in great agitation, and said they had fastened up the door, so that she could not get out.

Curdie rose immediately and went with her: they found that not only the door, but every window in the house was so secured on the outside that it was impossible to open one of them without using great force.Poor Derba looked anxiously in Curdie's face.He broke out laughing.

'They are much mistaken,' he said, 'if they fancy they could keep Lina and a miner in any house in Gwyntystorm - even if they built up doors and windows.'

With that he shouldered his mattock.But Derba begged him not to make a hole in her house just yet.She had plenty for breakfast, she said, and before it was time for dinner they would know what the people meant by it.

And indeed they did.For within an hour appeared one of the chief magistrates of the city, accompanied by a score of soldiers with drawn swords, and followed by a great multitude of people, requiring the miner and his brute to yield themselves, the one that he might be tried for the disturbance he had occasioned and the injury he had committed, the other that she might be roasted alive for her part in killing two valuable and harmless animals belonging to worthy citizens.The summons was preceded and followed by flourish of trumpet, and was read with every formality by the city marshal himself.

The moment he ended, Lina ran into the little passage, and stood opposite the door.

'I surrender,' cried Curdie.

'Then tie up your brute, and give her here.'

'No, no,' cried Curdie through the door.'I surrender; but I'm not going to do your hangman's work.If you want MY dog, you must take her.'

'Then we shall set the house on fire, and burn witch and all.'

'It will go hard with us but we shall kill a few dozen of you first,' cried Curdie.'We're not the least afraid of you.' With that Curdie turned to Derba, and said:

'Don't be frightened.I have a strong feeling that all will be well.Surely no trouble will come to you for being good to strangers.'

'But the poor dog!' said Derba.