teeth, whether in pain or
terror.

Just then Sir Daniel appeared upon the threshold of the hall. He had a
letter in one hand.

"Lads," he said, "we have had a shog, we have had a tumble; wherefore,
then, deny it? Rather it imputeth to get speedily again to saddle. This
old Harry the Sixt has had the undermost. Wash we, then, our hands of
him. I have a good friend that rideth next the duke, the Lord of
Wensleydale. Well, I have writ a letter to my friend, praying his good
lordship, and offering large satisfaction for the past and reasonable
surety for the future. Doubt not but he will lend a favourable ear. A
prayer without gifts is like a song without music: I surfeit him with
promises, boys--I spare not to promise. What, then, is lacking? Nay, a
great thing--wherefore should I deceive you?--a great thing and a
difficult: a messenger to bear it. The woods--y' are not ignorant of
that--lie thick with our ill-willers. Haste is most needful; but without
sleight and caution all is naught. Which, then, of this company will
take me this letter, bear me it to my Lord of Wensleydale, and bring me
the answer back?"

One man instantly arose.

"I will, an't like you," said he. "I will even risk my carcase."

"Nay, Dicky Bowyer, not so," returned the knight. "It likes me not. Y'
are sly indeed, but not speedy. Ye were a laggard ever."

"An't be so, Sir Daniel, here am I," cried another.

"The saints forfend!" said the knight. "Y' are speedy, but not sly. Ye
would blunder me headforemost into John Amend-All's camp. I thank you
both for your good courage; but, in sooth, it may not be."

Then Hatch offered himself, and he also was refused.

"I want you here, good Bennet; y' are my right hand, indeed," returned
the knight; and then several coming forward in a group, Sir Daniel at
length selected one and gave him the letter.

"Now," he said, "upon your good speed and better discretion we do all
depend. Bring me a good answer back, and before three weeks, I will have
purged my forest of these vagabonds that brave us to our faces. But mark
it well, Throgmorton: the matter is not easy. Ye must steal forth under
night, and go like a fox; and how ye are to cross Till I know not,
neither by the bridge nor ferry."

"I can swim," returned Throgmorton. "I will come soundly, fear not."

"Well, friend, get ye to the buttery," replied Sir Daniel. "Ye shall
swim first of all in nut-brown ale." And with that h