Then
he (comming to succour and ayd his wife) beganne to speake in this
sort: Alas masters, what mean you to trouble us poore labouring men so
cruelly? What meane you to revenge your selves upon us, that doe you no
harme? What thinke you to gaine by us? You dwell not in Caves or Dennes:
you are no people barbarous, that you should delight in effusion of
humane blood. At these words the tempest of stones did cease, and the
storme of the Dogges vanished away. Then one (standing on the toppe of
a great Cypresse tree) spake unto us saying: Thinke you not masters that
we doe this to the intent to rifle or take away any of your goods, but
for the safeguard of our selves and family: now a Gods name you may
depart away. So we went forward, some wounded with stones, some bitten
with Dogs, but generally there was none which escaped free.

THE THIRTY-FOURTH CHAPTER

How the shepheards determined to abide in a certaine wood to cure their
wounds.

When we had gone a good part of our way, we came to a certaine wood
invironed with great trees and compassed about with pleasant meddowes,
whereas the Shepheards appointed to continue a certaine space to cure
their wounds and sores; then they sate downe on the ground to refresh
their wearie minds, and afterwards they sought for medicines, to heale
their bodies: some washed away their blood with the water of the running
River: some stopped their wounds with Spunges and cloutes, in this
manner every one provided for his owne safety. In the meane season wee
perceived an old man, who seemed to be a Shepheard, by reason of the
Goates and Sheep that fed round about him. Then one of our company
demanded whether he had any milke, butter, or cheese to sell. To whom he
made answere saying: Doe you looke for any meate or drinke, or any other
refection here? Know you not in what place you be?

And therewithall he tooke his sheepe and drave them away as fast as he
might possible. This answere made our shepheards greatly to feare, that
they thought of nothing else, but to enquire what Country they were
in: Howbeit they saw no manner of person of whom they might demand. At
length as they were thus in doubt, they perceived another old man with a
staffe in his hand very weary with travell, who approaching nigh to our
company, began to weepe and complaine saying: Alas masters I pray you
succour me miserable caitife, and restore my nephew to me againe, that
by following a sparrow that flew before