Tudor Jenks

“ It is more like a boy to stand staring at the roadside, or to come toward us," was Hugh's reply. "Boys like hunting, and they are full of curiosity, longing to know what is going on. Possibly, however, he saw some wild creature in the woods, and ran after it—a fox, or some bird." ”

“ Edgar drew it from the ground, and at once saw the scroll. It took but a glance to read it, and then we dashed at full speed for the castle. We had gone but a few rods when we saw the Ferrers men on the crest of a little knoll, and they must have seen us at the same moment for we heard the beating of their horses' hoofs. Suddenly, for some unknown reason, the foremost pursuers turned again, and raced back to the others——"
"Yes, my lady," said Hugh, smiling, "that was when I made a rear attack. Nothing like an unexpected enemy at your back to take the heart out of a charge. ”

“ Why should we risk our lives for nothing? Luke the Lurdane must have young Mortimer and the wench by now. Let us make our way homeward. As well go over the fields as by the road. We are not knights, man, to spill good red blood without reason. Come!"
So saying, he turned his horse from the traveled path and rode away over the stubbly field on his right. The other was reluctant to go, but he saw no answer to his comrade's argument, and therefore, after a last look at sturdy Hugh and his long bow, followed into the field, leaving the road clear. ”

“ The Count de Ferrers is a man of some ability, and a skilled soldier, it is said. But Luke is a sly knave who does not love buffeting or cold steel, and ever tries to gain his ends by sly trickery. No doubt the attempt to take us by suprise was of his hatching. The Count would be more likely to march up to the castle with banners afloat, and trumpets all sounding. Against fair fighting we are well prepared, but against the plots of that sneaking scoundrel Luke, we should be helpless if we had not the help of such a brain as yours, Hugh. ”

“ Hugh said no more, but the incident gave him more uneasiness than he had confessed, and left him vigilant. While Edgar and Amabel rode on, keeping a lookout for some quarry at which to fly their hawks, Hugh rode at a distance behind them, taking advantage of every bit of higher ground to survey the surrounding country. His experience as a soldier had taught him the value of studying the features of every possible battleground, and had also given him some little skill in map-making. He had taken with him from the castle that morning a sheet of parchment, an ink-horn and a quill-pen ”

“ Amabel laughed to see the little fellow go scampering in such haste through the woods; but Hugh inquired whether they knew him.
"It is not near enough for me to be certain," Edgar replied, "but I think he is not one of the village folk. I do not remember any little fellow of just that age. But Amabel should know better than I, for she is forever pottering among the village folk. She seems to have a natural taste for the peasantry—a taste that I do not share."
"That is because you do not know them. They are a brave, kindly people," said the young girl ”

“ Hugh knew that Edgar and the falconer were unarmed, except for their hunting-knives and Edgar's light hunting-spear, and would be entirely unable to offer any resistance if attacked. He could see Edgar and Amabel on the road not far ahead of the horsemen, and yet for a moment he could think of no way of giving them warning. But the old soldier was not long in perplexity. Drawing his knife he cut a strip of parchment from the edge of the chart, and then wrote on it these words:
"Ferrers' men on road south of you, armed. ”

“ When Hugh could look about him, he was glad that he had taken the trouble to climb the little eminence, for it gave him a wide view in all directions. He could see Mortimer Castle to the north, the castle of de Ferrers to the south, the windings of the river for many miles, and the roads, except where they were concealed by heavy wood growth. ”

“ After to-day, as the harvesting is about completed, we shall see that the garrison is on the alert as if we were indeed at war. With so strong and unscrupulous an enemy, we must leave nothing undone for our security. ”