"The sun is now set, and we go no farther
to-night. In this stretch robbers abound, and I have no mind to face
three dangers when two be enough."
Hugo looked at him inquiringly.
"Yea, by St. Swithin!" went on the angry serving-man. "King's men and
partridge feathers be enough without robbers." And giving Hugo's horse,
which he had now headed toward the thicket, a slight cut on the flank
with his whip, he drove Hugo before him, much to the boy's indignation.
"Thou hast been drinking!" he cried, turning in his saddle. "Strike not
my horse again."
They were barely screened from sight when Humphrey, his head turned
over his shoulder, held up his hand warningly. A horse was coming on
the gallop. A second elapsed, and then Walter Skinner went by. He had
discovered Humphrey's flight a half-hour after Eric had led him out of
the city, but the grooms had successfully delayed him half an hour
longer. Then he had started in pursuit, and had gone thundering along
at such a pace that he could hear nothing nor see anything that was not
in full view. This new sight of danger at once pacified both Hugo and
Humphrey.
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