. Our design was to have laid an ambush for you in the morning,
but the storm and your observation of my unlucky face through the
casement made us change our purpose; and what followed you can tell
better than I can, being indeed masters of the subject."

"You are a merry knave," said the baron, "and here is a cup of wine for
you."

"Gramercy," said the squire, "and better late than never: but I lacked a
cup of this before. Had I been pot-valiant, I had held you play."

"Sir knight," said Marian, "this is the third time you have sought the
life of my lord and of me, for mine is interwoven with his. And do you
think me so spiritless as to believe that I can be yours by compulsion?
Tempt me not again, for the next time shall be the last, and the fish of
the nearest river shall commute the flesh of a recreant knight into the
fast-day dinner of an uncarnivorous friar. I spare you now, not in pity
but in scorn. Yet shall you swear to a convention never more to pursue
or molest my lord or me, and on this condition you shall live."

The knight had no alternative but to comply, and swore, on the honour of
knighthood, to keep the convention inviolate. How well he kept his oath
we shall have no opportunity of narrating: Di lui la nostra istoria piu
non parla.

CHAPTER XVI

Carry me over the water, thou fine fellowe.--Old Ballad.

The pilgrims, without experiencing further molestation, arrived at the
retreat of Sir Guy of Gamwell. They found the old knight a cup too low;
partly from being cut off from the scenes of his old hospitality and the
shouts of his Nottinghamshire vassals, who were wont to make the rafters
of his ancient hall re-echo to their revelry; but principally from being
parted from his son, who had long been the better half of his flask and
pasty. The arrival of our visitors cheered him up; and finding that
the baron was to remain with him, he testified his delight and the
cordiality of his welcome by pegging him in the ribs till he made him
roar.

Robin and Marian took an affectionate leave of the baron and the old
knight; and before they quitted the vicinity of Barnsdale, deeming
it prudent to return in a different disguise, they laid aside their
pilgrim's attire, and assumed the habits and appurtenances of wandering
minstrels.

They travelled in this character safely and pleasantly, till one evening
at a late hour they arrived by the side of a river, where Robin looking
out for a mode of