risbrook Castle. There are many rumours
and talks, but no one knows what is true and what is false; but depend
upon it, this cannot last long, and the king will have his rights yet."

Edward remained very grave for some time.

"I trust in heaven we all shall have our rights yet, Jacob," said he at
last. "I wish I was a man!"

Here the conversation ended, and they went to bed.

This was now a busy time at the cottage. The manure had to be got out
of the stable and pigsties, and carried out to the potato-ground and
garden; the crops had to be put in; and the cart was now found valuable.
After the manure had been carried out and spread, Edward and Humphrey
helped Jacob to dig the ground, and then to put in the seed. The
cabbage-plants of last year were then put out, and the turnips and
carrots sown. Before the month was over the garden and potato-field
were cropped, and Humphrey took upon himself to weed and keep it clean.
Little Edith had also employment now; for the hens began to lay eggs,
and as soon as she heard them cackling, she ran for the eggs and brought
them in; and before the month was over Jacob had set four hens upon
eggs. Billy, the pony, was now turned out to graze in the forest; he
came home every night of his own accord.

"I'll tell you what we want," said Humphrey, who took the command
altogether over the farm; "we want a cow."

"Oh yes, a cow," cried Alice; "I have plenty of time to milk her."

"Whose cows are those which I see in the forest sometimes?" said
Humphrey to Jacob.

"If they belong to anybody, they belong to the king," replied Jacob;
"but they are cattle which have strayed and found their way to the
forest, and have remained here ever since. They are rather wild and
savage, and you must be careful how you go too near them, as the bulls
will run at you. They increase very fast: there were but six a few
years ago, and now there are at least fifty in the herd."

"Well, I'll try and get one, if I can," said Humphrey.

"You will be puzzled to do that, boy," replied Jacob, "and as I said
before, beware of the bulls."

"I don't want a bull," replied Humphrey; "but a cow would give us milk,
and then we should have more manure for the garden. My garden will then
grow more potatoes."

"Well, Humphrey, if you can catch a cow, no one will interfere; but I
think you will not find it very easy, and you may find it very
dangerous."

"I'll look-out for one," replied Humphrey, "anyhow