The melee was at its height; the torch-bearers had either fled or were fleeing, leaving the banquet hall in almost perfect darkness. Followed by the Master of the Hounds Karadeucq threw himself under the wide and massive table which, although now broken in parts, was not upset by the combat, being, contrary to the habit of the Franks, fastened to the floor. Thus under shelter for a moment the old Vagre unfastened the chain from around the neck of the lover of the bishopess, whereupon continuing to grope their way under the table by the flickering light of the extinguishing torches on the floor, they reached the door of the banquet hall, which was free from the combatants, and rushed out. As they issued from the banquet hall the Vagres found themselves face to face with two slaves who, having fled through another issue, were running distracted with their torches in their hands. Each Vagre seized one of the slaves by the throat. "Extinguish your torch," said Karadeucq, "and lead me straight to the _ergastula_, or you die this instant." "Give me your torch," said the lover of the bishopess, "and take me straight to the hay lofts, or I stab you to death." The two slaves obeyed; the Vagres parted company; one ran towards the hay lofts and barns, the other to the _ergastula_, both guided by their conductors. CHAPTER IX. THE RESCUE. The prisoners in the _ergastula_ had drawn as close as possible to the iron railing. Little Odille, who had fallen asleep on the knees of the bishopess, awoke with a start, saying: "Ronan, are they coming to take us to the place of execution? I am ready for everything." "No, little Odille! it is barely midnight; I know not what may be happening at the burg; all the Franks who were watching us left their posts before our prison and followed one of their men who came after them; all ran towards the burg brandishing their arms." "Ronan, my brother, listen in the direction of the seigniorial mansion--it seems to me I hear an odd noise proceeding from that direction." "I hear tumultuous cries--the clash of arms." "Ronan, the Vagres must have come to our deliverance, the burg is on fire!" "The fire spreads--look--look--it is as clear as day in front of the prison." "A man is running this way--why, it is Karadeucq, our father!" "Loysik! Ronan! Oh! my sons." "You here, father?" "Ronan, Loysik, all of you within, join me to break down the iron railing." "Alas! we cannot budge--our feet are all sore--we have been put to the torture!" "To see my two sons and yet not to be able to save them--malediction! This way, Master of the Hounds! my brave fellow, this way--let us free my sons!"