will accept the
loan of one from me, and I will send your nag to meet old Will as he
comes west. In a couple of hours we will stop to breakfast at the house
of an old friend of mine, and I have no doubt that we shall find a steed
in his stables just suited for you."

At the time Master Pearson specified, they drew up before a farm-house a
little off the high-road. A sign, however, swinging over the door
showed that occasional entertainment was afforded there also to man and
beast. The landlord, who had very few of the characteristics of a
Boniface, being a tall, thin, hard-featured man, received Pearson as an
old acquaintance, and, the horses being sent to the stables, ushered
them into a small oak parlour, intended for the accommodation of his
private guests.

"We may here rest without the risk of being observed," said Pearson to
Deane, as he threw himself into a chair. "A wise man will not make more
confidants than are necessary, and will not let the rest of the world
know what he is about or where he is going. We will have some
refreshment, and then I will go and search for a better steed than
yours, which shall be returned in due course to your employer."

Pearson having intimated to the host that refreshment would be required,
it was quickly placed on the table; and, like a man who knew not when he
might have another opportunity of feeding, he applied himself to the
viands, advising his companion to do the same. This Jack did with right
good will; and the meal being despatched, Pearson advised him to amuse
himself as best he could in the room, while he went out to look for a
horse fit, as he said, for Jack to ride.

Deane could not help feeling puzzled at times at the caution his
companion considered necessary to use. Still, so little accustomed was
he to the world, that it did not occur to him that he was otherwise than
a respectable character, with whom he was perfectly safe in consorting.
He paced the room without finding any thing to amuse himself with. Not
a book on a shelf, nor a picture on the wall. A sanded floor, a dark
oak table, several benches, a chair of large proportions, used probably
for the president at clubs of convivial meetings; with a few of smaller
size, completed the furniture of the oak-wainscoted room. He was not,
however, kept very long before Pearson returned, telling him that he had
procured a horse on which his saddle was to be placed; and Jack, going
out into the stable-