"This won't do!" cried the governor, as he brought his hand down on the table with a mighty bang. "This won't do, I say! Here are the woods swarming with wolves, and one good hunt would drive the whole pack off, and yet you, Talabor, would have us look idly on while the brutes are carrying off the master's sheep and lambs regularly day after day." "Not idly, sir, I did not say idly; but they have the shepherd and his boys to look after them, and they are good shots, especially the shepherd, and then he has four dogs, each as big as a buffalo," Talabor rejoined, rather absently. "Buffalo!" "Calf, I mean, of course; but it would certainly not be wise to take the garrison out hunting just now." "And why not? You are afraid of the Tartars, I suppose, like the rest!" "No, sir! but if they do come, I should prefer their being afraid of us! Besides, there is no good in denying it--the wind never blows without cause, and there has been more than one report that the Tartars have actually invaded us." "Always the Tartars! How in the world should they find their way through such woods as these unless you or I led them here?" "If once the filthy creatures flood the country, it seems to me from all that ever I have heard, that not a corner will be safe from them. They'll go even where they have no intention of going, just because of their numbers, because those behind will press them forward in any and every direction." "Well, it's true, certainly, that the last time I was with the master in Pest, I heard they had done I don't know what not in Russia and Wallachia. People said that wherever they forced their way they were like--excuse me--like bugs, and not to be so easily got rid of, even with boiling water! And they are foul, disgusting folk, too! they poison the very air; and they eat up everything, to the very hog-wash!" "So, Governor, you agree with me then! It's the man who keeps his eyes open who controls the market! Who knows whether we mayn't have a struggle with them ourselves to-day or to-morrow!" "Ha, ha, ha!" laughed the governor. "Our walls are strong, and, if only there are not very many of them----" "Eh, sir, but numbers will make no difference! We are so enclosed here that the closer they are packed the more of them our arrows will hit." "True! true!" said the governor, with more animation now that there was a question of fighting, "but they shoot too, blast them!" "Let them!" said Talabor confidently, "we are behind our walls, and can see every man of them without being seen ourselves." "Clerk!" cried the governor, quite annoyed, "I declare you talk as if the Tartars were at the very gate!" "Heaven forbid! but----" At that instant the door flew open, and the gate-keeper, one of the most vigilant fellows of the castle, rushed in. "Get on with you, you ass!" shouted the governor, "what's the news? What do you mean by leaving the gate and bolting in here as if the wolves were at your heels?"