ids?

'Twas a dark evening when at last we swam the river and rode to the gate
of Turlogh's house. Well I remembered the place!

Lights were moving in the courtyard. There was a noise of horses
standing, and of men calling to one another. Even the sentry at the
gate was not at his post to challenge us, and we rode in almost
unobserved.

"Where is your Captain?" demanded I, dismounting, and addressing a
fellow who stood busily harnessing his horse.

He looked round, and, seeing a stranger, dropped his saddle and shouted:

"Here they be at last! Tell the Captain."

Presently, as I waited, scarcely knowing what to make of it, Captain
Merriman himself came up. And at sight of him 'twas all I could do to
hold my hand from my sword.

He ordered lights to be fetched, and when they came said:

"So you are here at last, sirrah? By my soul, I know not what Tom Price
calls nimble men; but I could have walked as far on foot in the time.
Come, who is your leader? Let me see your papers."

I stood forth and handed him Tom's letter, whereby the Captain was to
know we were the good men and true he was in need of. He eyed me
keenly, and said:

"Had you come an hour later, you would have had a longer ride still, for
we are even now setting out westward. Nevertheless, laggards as you be,
you are come in good time. Harkee, you," said he, beckoning me aside,
"a word in your ear."

I was ready to make an end of the villain then and there; for I smelt
falsehood and devilry in every word he spoke. But I waited to let him
say his say out first. There was little fear in the dark night, and the
unsteady flare of the torches, of his guessing to whom he spoke.

"I require you and your men to stay here," said he, "to guard this
place. Tom Price tells me you are a trusty fellow, that understands his
business and asks no questions, which is well. In this house are two
fair maidens, who, when we leave, will have no other protector but you
and your men. Now then, I bid you, guard them close. Let no one in to
them, and see they go not out. They are my captives, and but for this
cursed war I should not be leaving the charge of them thus to a
stranger. Hold no talk with them, and, if they be riotous, lock them
fast in their chambers. So soon as I have shown myself to the Deputy
Lord I shall return; or I may send you word to bring the maids to me.
Remember, hands-off; and if you serve me well in this, I may,
perchance--for