ot strike you, sir knight, that it might enter my mind that
it would be very advisable for me to free myself from one who stands
towards me in that relation?"

"Certainly it did," the knight replied; "but as I happen to be able to
make it for your interest to serve me, that matter did not trouble me.
I knew better than to bring money into this swamp of yours, when I
might be attacked by half a dozen ruffians like yourself; and I took
the precaution of informing Peter, the captain of my men-at-arms, of the
spot to which I was going, bidding him, in case I came not back, to set
a hue and cry on foot and hunt down all who might be found here, with
the especial description of your worthy self."

Walter could hear no more; he had taken off his shoes and followed them
at a distance, and their voices still acted as a guide to him through
the swamp. But he feared to keep too close, as, although the darkness
would conceal his figure, he might at any moment tread in a pool or
ditch, and so betray his presence. Putting his foot each time to the
ground with the greatest caution, he moved quietly after them. They
spoke little more, but their heavy footsteps on the swampy ground were a
sufficient guidance for him. At last these ceased suddenly. A few words
were spoken, and then he heard returning steps. He drew aside a few
feet and crouched down, saw a dim figure pass through the mist, and then
resumed his way. The ground was firmer now, and, replacing his shoes, he
walked briskly on. As he neared the higher ground along which the road
ran he heard two horsemen galloping away in the distance. He now turned
his face east, and after an hour's walking he reached the armourer's.

"Why, Walter, you are late," the smith said. "The men are in bed this
hour or more, and I myself can scarce keep awake. Where hast thou been,
my boy?"

"I have been in the swamps and lost my way," Walter replied.

"It is a bad neighbourhood, lad, and worse are the people who live
there. If I had my way the whole posse should be called out, and the
marshes searched from end to end, and all found there should be knocked
on head and thrown into their own ditches. There would be no fear of any
honest man coming to his end thereby; but now to bed, lad. You can tell
me all about it tomorrow; but we have a rare day's work before us, and
the fire must be alight at daybreak."

On his way back Walter had debated with himself whether to inform
his master of what had