She never
drooped the livelong night, nor, when she perceived what vigour her
music lent to our rowing, did she weary of chanting to us. Keeping
close under the marshy southern bank to escape the current, we slowly
made our way, till we came at length within sight of the Bridge.

Then ensued a toil beside which the labours of the night were as
nothing; for the angry tide swirled fiercely through the narrow way,
threatening, when we approached it, to drive us back up stream. Yet, by
dint of much effort and clinging to the piles, and, more than all,
Ludar's notable exploits with the oars, we won through at last.

The first sound that met our ears was a cheery "Yeo-ho!" somewhere near,
and looking up, I saw the Frenchman, with the Queen's flag at his mast-
head, making ready, so soon as the tide turned, to weigh anchor and drop
seaward.

He looked over at us doubtfully, as we hailed him and came alongside;
but when he saw me and heard what was in the wind, he lowered his ladder
and had us up into the ship.

He was a poor man, he said, and his ship ill-fitted for so brave a
company; yet if we misliked not his price, and the ladies would put up
with the rest, why, then, he would take us.

Then the maiden told him to make himself easy about the price. She had
wherewithal to satisfy him on that score. Whereupon the Frenchman grew
monstrous civil and bade her consider the ship as her own; while as for
Ludar and the serving man and me, what we lacked in money, said he, he
would take out of us in work. This suited us well, and the business was
settled.

As it wanted two hours yet to the turn of the tide, I begged my new
captain's leave, while we waited, to take the boat in which we had come
to where it would be restored to its rightful owner. The Frenchman
agreed, not without difficulty; "For," said he, "so soon as the tide
gives, I must weigh anchor, with you, or without you. Nevertheless, if
you must go, go."

Ludar, too, dissuaded me from venturing. But the maiden said: "Why
hinder him, Sir Knight? Humphrey is no child that he cannot be trusted;
and to prove it, my friend," said she, drawing forth her purse, "as you
return, pray buy me a large warm cloak for my good old nurse, who is ill
used to the sea and is shivering already. Spend what you need, and
bring me back the rest."

The purse was a heavy one, and I wondered at her freak in trusting it
all to me, when one piece from it would have sufficed. How