as they still called him. Paul
himself was eager again to visit those familiar haunts, and see if
any of those who had befriended the homeless wanderer were living
still, and would recognize the bronzed and prosperous knight of
today.

And now they were entering a familiar tract; and the father told
his boys to keep their eyes well open, for the village of Much
Waltham could not be far off and every pathway in this part of the
forest had been traversed by him and the prince in the days that
had gone by.

"I hear the sound of hammering," cried the younger Paul in great
excitement soon. "O father, we must be getting very near! It is
like a smith's forge. I am sure it must be Will Ives or his father.
Oh, do let us ride on quickly and see!"

The riders pressed onward through the widening forest path, and,
sure enough, found themselves quickly in the little clearing which
surrounded the village of Much Waltham. How well the elder Paul
remembered it all! the village church, the smithy, and the low
thatched cottages, the small gardens, now brighter than he had seen
them in the dreary winter months; the whole place wearing an air of
increased comfort and prosperity.

The flame within the forge burned cheerily, and revealed an active
figure within, hard at work over some glowing metal, which emitted
showers of brilliant sparks. Sir Paul rode forward and paused at
the door with a smile of recognition on his face. The smith came
forward to see if the traveller required any service of him, but
was somewhat taken aback by the greeting he received.

"Well, worthy Will Ives, time has dealt more kindly with you than
with me, I trow. You are scarce a whit changed from the day,
seventeen years back come November, when I first stopped in sorry
plight at this forge, with your pretty wife as my companion, to get
your assistance as far as Figeon's Farm. Why, and here is Mistress
Joan herself; and I warrant that that fine lad is the son of both
of you.

"Good Even to you, fair mistress!--Last time we met we scarce
thought that so many years would roll by before I should pay these
parts a visit. But fortune's wheel has many strange turns, and I
have been dwelling in regions far remote from here. But these lads
of mine have given me no peace until I should bring them on a visit
to Much Waltham and Figeon's Farm. I trust that I shall find all
the dwellers there hale and hearty as of yore, and that death has
passed this peaceful place