ear, my little maid," I said, "I will take you away. You shall
not be carried off by any priests to a convent. There, go now." And I
held her to me more closely.

But I let her go at length with many warning words and many expressions
of my love. It was like pulling my heart out to see her walk away from
me, but I comforted myself that I would take her away when the next
night came. Then I climbed the wall again, and made my way toward the
inn, strangely glad, yet with many misgivings, for I was sore afraid
lest I had acted foolishly in not taking her with me even then.

As I passed the front of the Manor House I caught a glimpse of a frocked
priest, and from the look on his face I fancied he suspected me of
something. But I paid little heed to him. I went back to the inn to
make my plans for rescuing Naomi. I did not know then that Naomi and I
had been watched all the time we had been together by a wily priest.

CHAPTER XX

HOW I FELLED A HORSE WITH MY FIST, AND CARRIED NAOMI SOUTHWARD

When I got back to the inn I found Eli anxiously awaiting me.

"Jasper better?" he said, looking at me questioningly.

"Yes, better, Eli."

"Jasper 'eard 'bout the purty maid?"

"Yes, Eli."

He chuckled joyously, and then gave several expressive grunts. After
this he asked me some questions, which showed me that he understood more
than I had thought, and had formed correct reasons why my love had been
taken away.

"Neck Trezidder's awful deep; all the Trezidders be," he grunted. "Made
et up with the priests--go shares. I zee, I zee!"

"Eli," I said, "we must take her away to-night; take her to a place of
safety."

"Iss, iss," he chuckled. "Where?"

"I must decide that after we have got her away from yon prison," I said.

"Can Jasper trust little Eli?" he asked.

"Yes, Eli, what do you want me to do?"

"Will 'ee tell little Eli what the purty maid tould 'ee--'bout 'erzelf?"
he added.

So I told him all that I cared to tell him--everything I knew, in fact,
save the story of our love.

He sat very still for some time, save that he contorted his face more
than usual, and rolled his cross eyes around like one demented.

"And what be yer plans, Maaster Jasper?"

"We must get horses, Eli," I said; "from where I do not know yet, but we
must get them by to-night. One must have a lady's saddle--for her."

"Is Maaster Jasper going to git 'em?"

"Yes. I shall have plenty of time through the day, and nothing can