In the middle of the
thick was a little cleared grassy place where, crowded closely
together, all might find room, and here Humphrey announced that they
would take their midday rest and meal.
Hugo still said nothing, but he looked very determined, as Humphrey
could see. "But I go not to Selby," thought the stubborn serving-man.
"I run not my head into the king's noose so near home."
It was an early nooning they had taken, for it was barely half-past
twelve when Humphrey broke the silence. He rose, tied each horse
securely, and then turning to Hugo said: "Bid the dog stay here. We
will go and have a look over the country."
Hugo rose, laid down his bow and arrows, and, bidding the dog watch
them, followed Humphrey out of the thicket.
The serving-man, who was well acquainted with this part of the country,
now made a little detour into a path which he followed a short distance
till he came out a quarter of a mile away from the thicket into a
grassy glade in the centre of which towered one of those enormous oaks
of which there were many in England at this time. "We will climb up,"
said Humphrey, "and have a look.
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