g and two strange boys,
proceeded to mob Stephen and Spring, whereupon the shy boy stood forth
and declared that the Warden of Saint Elizabeth's had brought them in
for an hour's sport.

Of course, in such close quarters, the rival Warden was esteemed a
natural enemy, and went by the name of "Old Bess," so that his
recommendation went for worse than nothing, and a dash at Spring was
made by the inhospitable young savages. Stephen stood to the defence in
act to box, and the shy lad stood by him, calling for fair play and one
at a time. Of course a fight ensued, Stephen and his champion on the
one side, and two assailants on the other, till after a fall on either
side, Ambrose's friend interfered with a voice as thundering as the
manly crack would permit, peace was restored, Stephen found himself free
of the meads, and Spring was caressed instead of being tormented.

Stephen was examined on his past present, and future, envied for his
Forest home, and beguiled into magnificent accounts, not only of the
deer that had fallen to his bow and the boars that had fallen to his
father's spear, but of the honours to which his uncle in the
Archbishop's household would prefer him--for he viewed it as an absolute
certainty that his kinsman was captain among the men-at-arms, whom he
endowed on the spot with scarlet coats faced with black velvet, and
silver medals and chains.

Whereat one of the other boys was not behind in telling how his father
was pursuivant to my Lord Duke of Norfolk, and never went abroad save
with silver lions broidered on back and breast, and trumpets going
before; and another dwelt on the splendours of the mayor and aldermen of
Southampton with their chains and cups of gold. Stephen felt bound to
surpass this with the last report that my Lord of York's men rode
Flemish steeds in crimson velvet housings, passmented with gold and
gems, and of course his uncle had the leading of them.

"Who be thine uncle?" demanded a thin, squeaky voice. "I have brothers
likewise in my Lord of York's meine."

"Mine uncle is Captain Harry Randall, of Shirley," quoth Stephen
magnificently, scornfully surveying the small proportions of the
speaker. "What is thy brother?"

"Head turnspit," said a rude voice, provoking a general shout of
laughter; but the boy stood his ground, and said hotly: "He is page to
the comptroller of my lord's household, and waits at the second table,
and I know every one of the captains."

"He'