A Boy's Ride

was some eighteen miles long from north to south, and some five miles wide from east to west. On its north side was the wide mouth of the Ouse; the river Idle was south of it, and west of it

right in thinking the place comparatively safe from pursuit. Especially so as the pursuers would naturally think that

show ourselves further to draw pursuit. This is now the fourth day since we set out, and my lady and Josceline must be well along in their journey. I would I knew the doings of William Lorimer at the cas

ng about how things were going at the ca

draw rein and hold up my hand, do thou stop instantly. There be many robbers in this wood, and

day they turned and wound through the forest, going fast where they dared, and at other times creeping silently along. To Hugo it seemed they must be l

t what we choose, while Fleetfoot may hunt for himself. We stir not till the moon rise, a

his strange, silent place, not daring to stir in the darkness lest he splash into some pool, or mire in a bog; with his eyes atte

and the shine of the water on whose bank they grew. The breeze rose and sighed and whistled through rush and re

before, Hugo?" h

red the boy,

se and led the way carefully; for, however much Humphrey imagined he depended on dreams, he generally exercised as good judgment and care as he was able. To-night weary Hugo had forgotten that Humphrey was his servant, and, as such, b

a little later he dismounted and stamped his feet with satisfaction. "Here be solid grou

"No fire to-night. Thy cloak must be thy protection from the damp," he said. "But the

and then, in silence, lay down. He was beginning to find l

see that he seemed no stranger to my lady neither. My lord will make him his page, no doubt, if he getteth safely over to Fran

nd the first thing the boy's eyes rested upon was a little fire made of bits of punky

nd we will to breakfast presently. What sayest tho

ch fringed a pool; to the right, thick sedge that fringed another; and they seemed to be on a sort of tiny, grassy isle, though the water which divided them from the next bit of solid earth c

go looked about h

thout having his eyes looking on all sides for an enemy," said Humphrey, with sa

nly," answered

n the priory, I warrant thee. But here thou shalt see the peewit at home.

bers, and the two-boy and serving-man-now sat

the pigeon?" a

repli

is the size

d guess," r

call it the lapwing

ior, is of the nu

or everything. It cometh, no doubt, from kn

gone a complete change. And, though he was but a Saxon serving-man, the heart of the

hought a pigeon, since he shineth on the back like a peacock in all colors blue and green can make when mixed together. But when he standeth on his somewhat long legs, and thou seest that

u of going?" asked

her men, but when I am right weary I dream not. Which I take as an omen not to stir till

repli

Fleetfoot sleek and satisfied. I did but turn him loose two hours ago, and I warrant thee he hath had a fine meal. I will make him fast once more

fy roof under which to lie. From the fringe of neighboring rushes the two cut enough to strew their resting-place thickly, and so protect their bodies from the damp ground. Then Humphrey dug a shallow fire-pit at the north, and, after their mid-day meal, set diligently about collecting a store of fuel. Little was to be found sol

ooze was soft the bird did not sink into it. There he stood, his wide-webbed toes supporting him on the surface of the ooze, and it seemed a long way from his feet up his blue legs to his black-and-white body. But the oddest thing about him was his long, curved, and elastic bill turning up at the end. The bird had not observed them, and presently set to work scooping through the mud after worms. Then he waded out a little way into the shall

ent Humphrey, blazed brightly and shed a grateful warmth upon their sheltered resting-place under the three scrub trees. And, lying at ease upon the ru

ed the Green Dragon lay Walter Skinner. He was newly equipped with a horse. "I need no men-at-arms," he said to himself, "

of Galtus, Lady De Aldithely and her pa

is return journey to the castle, looked often at th

satisfied. For, while the moat at the great gate held only its usual allowance of water, by me

ness. Once more Hugo's waking eyes beheld two peewits spitted over the coals and a meal cake baking in the embers.

onded Hugo,

have met with difficulties, and what were they but the king's men? They be now behind us, an