The men-at-arms had, therefore, all three
remained with him, and were as eager as he on the chase. They were
pushing on now to the vale to camp for the night, because they could
find there both grass and water. And, in the same spot where Walter
Skinner had slept before, they came upon a figure reclining in full
sight in the moonlight.
"There lieth one of them," said a man-at-arms, "but I see not the
other."
"Thou mayest be sure the other is not far off," observed the second.
"Thou shalt see how quickly I will awake him out of sleep," cried the
third, as he spurred his horse toward him and pricked him sharply with
the point of his lance.
"Ugh!" grunted the half-drunken Walter Skinner. "But I have had enough
of hedgehogs for one night." And he sat up sleepily.
"And is it thou, Walter Skinner?" exclaimed Richard Wood.
"Why, who should it be?" answered Walter Skinner, peevishly.
"Thou art a brave pursuer!" said Richard Wood. "Where be thy men-at-arms?
and where is thy horse?"
"My men-at-arms are returned to their master," replied Walter Skinner,
while those of Richard Wood drew near to learn the whereabouts of their
companions.
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