Meanwhile the fire, being kept constantly supplied with fresh fagots,
and stirred by the yeomen of the guard, burnt bravely. The lower part of
the tree was already consumed, and the flames, roaring through the
hollow within with a sound like that of a furnace, promised soon to
reduce it to charcoal.
The mouth of the hole having now been widened, another keeper, who
had brought forward a couple of lurchers, sent them into it; but in a few
moments they returned, as the hound had done, howling and with
scared looks. Without heeding their enraged master, they ran off, with
their tails between their legs, towards the castle.
"I see how it is, Rufus," said Gabriel, patting his hound, who looked
wistfully and half-reproachfully at him. "Thou wert not to blame, poor
fellow! The best dog that ever was whelped cannot be expected to face
the devil."
Though long ere this it had become the general opinion that it was
useless to persevere further in the search, the king, with his
characteristic obstinacy, would not give it up. In due time the whole of
the trunk of the enormous tree was consumed, and its branches cast
into the fire. The roots were rent from the ground, and a wide and deep
trench digged around the spot.
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