e are you in, sirrah?" said I, wrathfully. "It matters
little to you what comrade is laid by the heels, so that you get your
platter full, morning and evening."

"But our good master and mistress--" he began.

But I waited not for him and went quickly home.

That night my master called me as I was going to my bed, and said,
"Humphrey, there is like to be sad trouble here on your account. A
warrant, I am told, is out to seize you, you know best for what; but, if
it be true, you struck a gentleman of the Queen's household--"

"I struck a dog who affronted a defenceless maiden," said I, "and I put
him in the pond, to boot, and I care not if I go to the cage for it."

"But I care. If I harbour you here I am like to receive the punishment
which belongs to you. And if I give you up I lose a good 'prentice. I
can say thus much for you."

"Then," said I, not heeding his flattery, "I had better go away myself."

I never guessed he would take to this; but, to my surprise, he did.

"I and your mistress think so, too, Humphrey. Whilst the hue and cry
lasts you are better anywhere than here. When it has ceased, you may
safely return. Meanwhile, as fortune will have it, I can employ you
still in my service."

Then he told me how he desired to send a letter to a friend of his at
Oxford, which, being of the gravest importance, he wished delivered by a
trusty messenger--as he took me to be. Therefore, if I was ready to
forward him in the matter, I might avoid my pursuers, and do him a
service to boot.

I hailed the offer with joy and thankfulness. I longed for a change
somewhere, I cared not where, and, if skulk I must, an errand like this
would please me vastly more than hiding for a week in my master's
cellar.

"Be secret," said he (meaning, I suppose, Stoupe). "To-morrow early be
ready to start to Kingston, where you may get a horse. Meanwhile your
mistress is herself making you a cloak which shall be proof against all
weathers. So good-night, Humphrey, and see you rouse yourself betimes
in the morning."

CHAPTER THREE.

HOW I RODE POST-HASTE TO OXFORD.

The summer sun had not been up long before I too was out of bed. Early
as the hour was, my master and mistress were both astir, and bade me
make a hearty meal in view of my journey.

While I ate, my master said:

"As the tide runs now, Humphrey, you may make a good part of your
journey by water, and 'twill do you no harm to be your own waterman."