ewoman to the lady. How fares she?"

"Sadly, I hope, since she and I are parted," said he. "For, to tell you
the truth, Master Dexter, she is the sweetest wench and hath looked
kindly on me. Indeed, 'twas for this reason I think my master sent me
off here on this business to get him more men. For he is apt to amuse
himself, while he waits for the mistress, with the maid; and I doubt
when I return I shall find the little witch hath clean forgotten how to
smile on me."

I hope I may be forgiven the words I uttered when I heard this. I flew
at honest Tom Price like a wolf and cried: "Why, what mean you, hound?
What does he dare to do?"

Tom shook me off roughly, and pulled out his sword.

"Look 'ee here, Master Humphrey, if that be the way you ask your
questions, your ribs shall know the way I answer them."

"I ask your pardon," said I, panting hard. "But for God's mercy say
what all this means?"

"It means," said he, "that you are mightily concerned with this same
little waiting lass."

"She is my sweetheart," said I, "and is to be my wife."

It was his turn to look blank now, and catch his breath. He whistled,
and stared at me from head to foot, and whistled again. Then he found
words, and held out his hand.

"If she be thy sweetheart, she is none of mine. I go halves with no
man."

"And this Merriman?" I asked, scarce heeding what he said.

"This Merriman!" said he; "why, take a shame on yourself that you stand
skulking here, and leave the defence of those two fair maids to a crack-
brained poet and a swashbuckling soldier. I tell you, Humphrey Dexter,
those two fellows, little as I love them, are your friends and your
master's; and, if the maids be still safe, they owe it to them, and not
to your idle whimpering here."

"Heaven bless them!" said I. "But, Tom Price, how can I, who have
scarce shoes to stand in, or food for one day, go to them?"

"This way," said he; "I am here to engage men for my master's troop--
join us."

"What!" I exclaimed; "serve that villain? I had as soon serve the
devil himself."

"May be you can serve both at one time," said he, with a laugh; "but
join us you must."

"He would hang me at the nearest tree, so soon as he saw me."

"He would never know you. I scarce did."

We stood eyeing one another a minute. Then I held out my hand.

"When do you start?"

"In two days, if I can find the men by then. Meanwhile, come with me
and put your big carcase in