It was some
eighteen miles long from north to south, and some five miles wide from
east to west. On its north side was the wide mouth of the Ouse; the
river Idle was south of it, and west of it was the Don. In the time of
the Romans there had been a forest here which they had cut down, and
the low, level land afterward became a marsh. At this time few trees
were to be found there. But there were thickets of underbrush and
patches of rank grass, as well as pools and boggy places; and Humphrey
was right in thinking the place comparatively safe from pursuit.
Especially so as the pursuers would naturally think that the young lord
Josceline would push on as rapidly as possible, that he might get
across to France to join his father.
"I go no more where the crowd goeth," declared Humphrey, when they were
on their way. "How many, thinkest thou, of all that be abroad in these
parts pass through Doncaster? Why, near all. We need not to show
ourselves further to draw pursuit. This is now the fourth day since we
set out, and my lady and Josceline must be well along in their journey.
I would I knew the doings of William Lorimer at the castle.
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