to suppose I had the
cart from you, Edward; they do not know Humphrey, and he will be off
again in the morning before they are up."

"Very true," replied Edward.

"And it is time for us to set off," replied Oswald. "Will Mistress
Alice oblige me with something for my men to eat? For they have fasted
the whole day."

"Yes," replied Alice, "I will have it ready before the pony is in the
cart. Edith, dear, come with me."

Humphrey then went out to harness the pony, and when all was ready, he
and Oswald set off again.

When they arrived at the pit-fall they found Corbould lying between the
two other verderers, who were sitting by his side. Corbould was much
recovered since his wound had been bound up, and he was raised up and
put on the fodder which Humphrey had put into the cart, and they
proceeded on their journey to the other side of the forest, the
verderers eating what Humphrey had brought for them as they walked
along. It was a tedious and painful journey for the wounded man, who
shrieked out when the cart was jolted by the wheel getting into a rut or
hole; but there was no help for it, and he was very much exhausted when
they arrived, which was not till past midnight. Corbould was then taken
to his cottage and put on the bed, and another verderer sent for a
surgeon: those who had been with Oswald were glad to go to bed, for it
had been a fatiguing day. Humphrey remained with Oswald for three
hours, and then again returned with Billy, who, although he had crossed
the forest three times in the twenty-four hours, appeared quite fresh
and ready to go back again.

"I will let you know how he gets on, Humphrey, and what account he gives
of his falling into the pit; but you must not expect me for a fortnight
at least."

Humphrey wished Oswald good-bye; and Billy was so anxious to get back to
his stable that Humphrey could not keep him at a quiet pace. "Horses,
and all animals indeed, know that there is no place like home; it is a
pity that men, who consider themselves much wiser, have not the same
consideration," thought Humphrey as the pony trotted along. Humphrey
thought a good deal about the danger that Edward had been subjected to,
and said to himself, "I really think that I should be more comfortable
if Edward was away. I am always in a fidget about him. I wish the new
king, who is now in France, would raise an army and come over. It is
better that Edward should be fighting in the field than remain