ruins of the highwaymen's palace.

And the tears flow from their eyes, as they see their haunt thus
destroyed.

All twelve had reached the burnt dwelling.

"See what the robbers have made of it," said Kandur to his comrades.
"They have stolen all we had collected, the riches we were to take with
us to another land, and then they have set the dwelling on fire. They
came here in a boat: they found out the way to our palace. We shall now
return the visit. Are you all here?"

"Yes," muttered the comrades. "We are all here."

"Dismount. Now for the punts."

The robbers dismounted.

"No need to tether the horses, they cannot get away anywhere. One man
may remain here to guard them. Who wishes to stay?"

All were silent.

"Some one must guard the horses, lest the wolves attack them while we
are away."

To which an old robber answered:

"Then you should have brought a herd-boy with you, for we didn't come
here to guard horses."

"Very well, mate, I only wished to know whether anyone of us would like
to remain behind. Whether anyone's 'sandal-strap was unloosed.' Does
each one know his own business? Come up one by one, and let me tell each
one his duty once more. Kanyo and Foszto."[77]

[Footnote 77: Pilferer.]

Two of the men stepped forward.

"You two will guard the two doors of the servants' quarter when we
arrive. Death to him who tries to escape by door or window."

"We know."

"Csutor[78] and Disznos.[79] you will be in ambush before the
hunting-box, and anyone who attempts to come out to the rescue, must be
killed."

[Footnote 78: Nightshade.]

[Footnote 79: Swinish.]

"Very well."

"Bogracs![80] You will occupy the street-door, and if any peasant dares
to approach you must shoot him: you alone are sufficient to keep
peasants off."

[Footnote 80: Kettle.]

"Quite sufficient!" said the robber with great self-reliance.

"Korve[81] and Pofok.[81] You must take your stand opposite the first
verandah, near the well, and if anyone wishes to escape by the first
door, fire at him. But don't waste powder.--You others, Vasgyuro,[82]
Hentes,[83] Piocza,[84] Agyaras,[85] will come with me through the
garden, and will stay behind in the bushes until I give the sign. If I
whistle once, that's for you. If I can get in quietly, by craft, without
being obliged to fire a shot, that will be the best. I have planned the
way. I think it will succeed. So three will come with me, one will
remain in the doorwa