y thing before him was ten times more misshapen than himself; and
at any other time this flattering consideration would have restored him
to comparative good-humour.

He was not in the mood now to receive comfort from any source. He felt
sore and mightily disquieted. Limping aside, he angrily exclaimed--

"Be'st thou the de'il, or the de'il's footman, sir blackamoor? I'd have
thee tell thy master to admit his guests in a more convenient fashion.
Hang me, if my bones will not ache for a twelvemonth. My back is almost
broke, for certain."

Here the other bellowed out into a loud laugh, pointing to Gregory's
back, then surveying himself, and evidently with congratulation at his
own more imaginary prepossessing appearance.

"Sir knight," said the black dwarf, "what errand comes to our mighty
prince?"

"Tut! if it be his infernal kingship ye mean, I bear not messages to one
of his quality."

"Thee brings writing in thy fist. Go to!"

"From a woman, fallen in love wi' thee, belike. Well, quit me o' woman's
favours, say I, if this be of 'em."

"Well-a-day, sir page," cried the grinning Ethiop, whose teeth looked
like a double row of pearls set in a border of carnelian, "my mistress
be a queen: I do rub the dust on thy ugly nose if that red tongue wag
more, for make bad speech of her. Go to, clown!"

"Ill betide thee for a blackamoor ape," said Gregory, his courage waxing
apace when his fears of the supernatural began to subside; "and
wherefore? Look thee, Mahound, though my mistress sent me to such a
lady-bird as thou art, Master Oliver shall know on't. Thou hast won her
with spells and foul necromancie; but I've commandment from him to catch
all that be poaching on his lands. Thou art i' the mine, too, as I do
verily guess; therefore I arrest thee i' the king's name, as a lifter of
his treasure, and a spoiler of our good venison."

Gregory, being stout-limbed, and of a more than ordinary strength for
his size, proceeded forthwith to execute his threat; but the dwarf, with
a short shrill scream, gave him a sudden trip, which again laid the
officious dispenser of justice prostrate, without either loosing the
torch from his hand, or seeming to use more exertion than would have
thrown a child.

"Ah, ah, there be quits. Lie still; go to; lick thy paws. Know, dog, I'm
body to the queen!"

"Body o' me, I think thee be'st liker fist and crupper. I would I had
thee in a cart at holiday-time, and a rope to thy muzzle," s