A Boy's Ride

vine, and every now and then sorely struck in the face by the underbrush through which he pushed his way. But, although he was once very near the

once more reached the oak in which Hugo and Humphrey had stayed

after setting Walter

d a hollow in one o

a hedgehog may lodge th

f hedg

ned Hugo, in

he greatest interest: "I will tell thee, then, that hedgehogs have many ways. I warrant thee this king's man knoweth naught of them, any more than he knoweth the wood. Had he been some men, we had been caught ere now. I fear

forth. But first he must reach the ground. And this he will do by rolling into a ball and dropping on the ends of his spines. If the ground is beneath him, no ha

ng's man be beneath h

Humphrey, "and if the king's man should stand under at such time

ings might come to pass, if th

lities. "Why, I believe thou art right," he answered. "Were I to make the plans, some that are now at the top would be at t

all day is fit to make an old man of a boy," said Humph

said

r the spy, his pompous manner quite gone, had stopped to rest a little. And now a rustling in the branches above was heard. Eagerly the spy looked up and strain

on the branch, rustling the leaves as he did so. In the darkness the face of the spy was still turned upwa

ted. "Come down, I sa

elf into a ball and came down plu

here?" sputtered th

where the hungry animals gave them a warm welcome, and where they thoroughly enjoyed the first meal t

ught," objected

to-night. If he heareth aught, he will think another hed

was right. So far as Walter Skinner was concerned they had no more to fear that night. His face was lacerated; and by the time Hugo and Humphrey started from th

th me," observed Humphrey, when they had returned safely to the t

. His courage came back, and he felt that let the j

orrowed men-at-arms into his confidence concerning the king's plans in order to make it appear that he stood high in counsel; neither had he revealed the name of the lad they sought. The men-at-arms had, therefore, all three remained with him, and were as eag

," said a man-at-arms, "

he other is not far of

eep," cried the third, as he spurred his horse toward

inner. "But I have had enough of hedgehog

lter Skinner?" excl

be?" answered Walter

Richard Wood. "Where be thy men

r, while those of Richard Wood drew near to learn the whereabouts of

men-at-arms play thee f

o

voice more cracked than usual. "Ask me not so many qu

oonstruck," he said at length. "When ever heard an

rning. "Thou askest me questions. If I answer thee false, I lie. If I answer thee t

d Richard Wood. "How ca

his forest hath paid me h

"Answer me truly. It behooveth me to know the truth

ldithely, and they fell off from me as I had been myself a murderer. Bade me uphold the

n to De Aldithely. Wherefore we also leave ye, and if ye say why, your lives shall answer for it. We have no mind to be marks for the king's vengeance. He that would crush the Archdeacon of Norwich w

red and contempt is to serve this King Jo

. I would I had a troop of mercenaries to rent out. It were easier than such scouring of the country as this. Moreover we do exceed our office. The king said not to me, 'Walter Skinner, scour the country.' Nay, the king said naught to me on the matter. 'Twas his favorite, Sir Thomas De Lany

thou but held thy tongue, we had had with us to-night six men-at-arms, and had, erelong, run down the game. In the morning I go to Hubert le Falconer and hire from him six more-three for thee, and three for me. Then do tho

that I will speak no word, if it seemeth to me best to speak. It is not every one in the king's employ. Not ev

ine an honor. To skulk, to spy, to trap another to his destruction, why, that is what mos

er, stubbornly. "It is an honor to serve the king. Ay, even though he be a bad

callest them, they can mayhap endure. But when thou pratest of thy hono

d a man as thou, and not a bear in leading. When I will to sp

hire three men-at-arms from Hubert le Falconer for myself. Pursue

ert le Falconer, and only Walter Skinner was left horseless and breakfastless in the vale. He had no mind to remain there in that condition, and so betook h

rming his morning tasks with such a particularly cheerful air

, in triumph. "I say no

with me,' and then go

did dream of bees and o

it. And therefore go we

aster down this Broc

at the beginning. It may be that the other hath neither lost his horse nor met a hedgehog to discourage him. And, moreover, what is to hinder him from having

r do we go?

he east of the river Don. There will be room therein for us to

asked

lf in such a boggy place? Nay. Moreover, I fell in with this one that hath so lately foll

began

ream of bees and of following them. We go str

on not to oppose Humphrey except through necessity, he closed it again. Seeing which, Humphrey

ath no knack at dreams to help him on, the best thing for him is the power to shut his mouth. An open mouth maketh naught but trouble. Thou didst wis