ly equipped; amongst whom, as I looked round, I saw the
author of all this mischief himself. His gay cloak hid the stains of
the duck-weed, and as for his sword, he had borrowed another from one of
his men. Mounted as he was, it was not likely he should notice a common
'prentice lad like me, yet I resolved notice me he should, even if I
went to the pillory for it.

So I stood across the way, and said:

"Farewell, brave captain. The pond will be deeper next time, and
Humphrey Dexter will be there to put you in it."

He turned about, crimson in face, and cursed savagely as he saw me--for
he knew (or guessed, shrewdly enough), who I was. Then calling loudly
to his servants:

"An angel to the man who catches the knave!" cried he. "Seize him, and
bring him to me."

Whereat, being only one footman to a dozen horse, I gave a clean pair of
heels.

I soon shook off my pursuers, who liked not the narrow alleys and
winding lanes of our city, where their horses stumbled and they
themselves missed their way. One only, whether from stubbornness or the
hope of the angel, kept up the hue and cry, and, being mounted on a
nimble pony, followed me close. At length it seemed shame to be running
from a single man; so at the next corner I turned and waited for him.
He ran at me with his weapon, and called loudly on the watch to help
him, but I pulled him from his horse and had him up against the wall
before he could cry again--yet not before he had pricked me in the arm
with his blade.

He was a stout little man, and a brave one; but, by no fault of his, he
was powerless in my grip. I wrenched the sword from his hand, and held
him by the throat till he signalled a surrender.

"Tell me first your master's name. On your knees, and with an oath,
lest I find you lie," said I, in none too sweet a mood.

He had naught else he could do; so, falling on his knees, took Heaven to
witness that his master's name was David Merriman, a captain in her
Majesty's service; lodging now at the Court, but presently about to join
the Queen's forces in Ireland.

That was enough for me.

"Tell Master David Merriman I shall remember his name, and bid him
remember mine against we meet next--and so farewell."

I left him puffing for breath against the wall, and departed. But
hearing the watch raise a new hue and cry at my heels, I quickened my
steps, and so after many a tedious circuit, ran into my master's shop
just as he was about to bolt t