But they did not melt away or fly before the spells that Harek hurled at them.
"These be mortal men," he said at last, "else had they fled ere now."
By this time they had left me, helpless as a log, and were standing round us in a sort of ring, talking together of slaying us, as I thought. I mind that the flint-tipped spears seemed cruel weapons. At last one of them said somewhat that pleased the rest, for they broke into a great laugh and clapped their hands.
"Here is a word I can understand," said Harek, "and that is 'pixies.'"
But I was looking to see where our swords were, and I saw a man take them beyond the fire and set them on what seemed a bank, some yards from it. Then they went to the scald and began to loosen his bonds, laughing the while.
"Have a care, Harek," I cried. "Ma
