The thought came to her that possibly a part of her torture was this intolerable loneliness. What might it not mean to her if it continued many days and nights? CHAPTER XIX SPOILING THE EGYPTIANS William Tyndale was so weak and ill when Engel had carried him as far as the cavern, and set him down there, that they wondered whether they had brought him from the dungeon only to see him die. Kneeling at his side, the forester watched him seriously, and then it struck him that what Tyndale wanted was food. "Stay here, Herman, and you, Roye, and keep watch, while I go to my hut for food," he said, looking up at the others, who were gazing down at the over-wrought prisoner. Herman was alert in an instant. "'Tis a long way, Otto, and the shortest time before you could return would be more than an hour and a half," he protested; but Engel responded almost impatiently: "I know that. But if I stay here he will die; and how to get him hence unless he can put a foot forward for his own helping, which is not possible, I do not know." "Let me go back into the castle and look for some food!" Herman exclaimed. The forester was aghast at the proposal. "Then we shall have two dead men on our hands, or at all events one helpless, like this poor one," pointing to Tyndale, "and a dead one, which will be yourself," he cried. "I think not," said Herman sturdily, looking to his belt to see that he had a weapon handy. "I will go cautiously, and I know my way about by this time. There was some food on the tables in the banqueting-hall--a meal, doubtless for the retainers, all ready, but the men had not come to it because of that summons to the river." The forester demurred. The proposed errand was too full of danger for his assent to be given with readinesss. "I mean to go," said Herman, in such a tone of quiet determination that the other felt that it would be useless to attempt to hinder him. "Very well, then. I admire your boldness, but I think it next door to madness!" exclaimed Engel. "Take the lantern with you." "No, I won't do that. I can grope my way along the passage, and when I am once on the other side of that door I shall be safer without a light. While I am away, why not see whether it is possible to break away those fetters from Master Tyndale's limbs? Stay here, Roye, and help Engel in doing what can be done for the dear man's comfort." "That's easily done," said the forester, smiling, and he brought out a file which he had hidden away somewhere. "Sprenkel told me it was just possible that Master Tyndale would be fettered, since it was Schouts' custom to put all his prisoners into irons. That's why I came prepared. Go on your errand quickly, and God speed you. I will start on these irons at once."