In vain Walter Skinner tried to restrain them. They clattered off down
the valley whence they had come, and were soon out of sight on their
way to Doncaster.
The sound carried well here; the voices of the men were loud; and Hugo
and Humphrey, whose ears were keen, heard with consternation all that
passed. "I fear it meaneth death to thee also if thou be caught," said
Humphrey. "For it is a serious thing to dupe a man of the king's rage.
This calleth for dreams, and that right speedily, if we are not to fall
into his hands."
The disappointed Walter Skinner made no attempt to depart. "Here will I
stay a while," he said, "and berate the folly that did tell them the
purpose of the king and the name of the young lord. I did think to
raise myself in authority over them by showing that I did know the
king's counsel, and, in so doing, I did forget that for murdering of
Arthur all men hate him, and few will help him to his will upon
others." Moodily he threw himself upon the grass, having staked his
horse, and soon left off berating himself by falling into a sound
sleep. The sun reached the meridian, and he still slept.
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