"Pabo!" she said, and tears were oozing between every word she uttered, "It is I--I who bring you this tidings! I--I who offer you these two pebbles! I--I who send you to your death!" "Aye, my Morwen," he said, and clasped her to his heart, "it is because you love me that you do this. It is right. I return to Caio with you." CHAPTER XVII BETRAYED A congregation exceptionally large under existing circumstances assembled on Sunday morning before the church of Caio. Fear lest the Normans and English quartered in the place should find fresh occasion against the unhappy people, were they to absent themselves as on previous Sundays, led a good many to swallow their dislike of the man forced upon them as pastor, and to put in an appearance in the house of God. They stood about, waiting for the bell to sound, and looked shrinkingly at the hideous spectacle of the two men suspended by the bell, and at the vacant spaces soon to be occupied by others. At the foot of the gallows sat Sheena moaning, and swaying herself to her musical and rhythmic keening. Around the Court or Council-House stood guards. All those standing about knew that within it were Howel and three others, destined to execution during the week. They spoke to each other in low tones, and looks of discouragement clouded every face. What could these inhabitants of a lone green basin in the heart of the mountains do to rid themselves of their oppressors and lighten their miserable condition? Griffith ap Rhys, the Prince, had appeared among them for a moment, flashed on their sight, and had then disappeared. Of him they had heard no more. Some went into the church, prayed there awhile, and came out again. The new Archpriest had not put in an appearance. It was then whispered that he had left Caio during the week, and was not returned. Sarcastic comments passed: such was the pastor thrust on them who neglected his duties. But Cadell was not to blame. He had left Llawhaden, and had made a diversion to Careg Cennen by the bishop's orders. The road had been bad and his horse had fallen lame, so that he had been unable to reach his charge on Saturday afternoon. To travel by night in such troubled times was out of the question, and he did not reach Caio till the evening closed in on the Sunday. It was not, however, too dark for him to see that the frame supporting the bell presented an unusual appearance. He walked towards it, and then observed a woman leaning against one of the beams of support. "Who are you? What has been done here?" he asked. "There is my man--I am Sheena. They have hung him, and I am afraid of the night ravens. They will come and pluck out his eyes. I went to see my babe, and when I returned there was one perched on his shoulder. I drove it away with stones. There will be a moon, and I shall see them when they come." "Who are you?" "I am Sheena--that is my man." "Go home; this is no place for you."