So east of the heights, which, to the
east of Lincoln, extend in a southeasterly direction, they rode,
picking their way as they might, and hopeful that now all enemies were
thrown off their track.
"It is a weariness to be pursued so many days," said Hugo. "I would
fain breathe easily once more."
"Ay, lad," returned Humphrey. "But that is what cannot be done in this
world. When thou art forty years old, as I am, thou wilt see that every
man hath his enemies and every bird and beast also, as we may perchance
see in this wild fen country. It is good, therefore, to breathe as
easily as one can and think no more about it. Knowest thou what these
fens be like?"
"Nay; but mine uncle hath told me that they be vast, and that here and
there half-wild people live in huts along the reedy shores; and that
south lieth the goodly town of Peterborough, as well as the abbey of
Crowland."
"Doth the ring avail at Peterborough?"
"Yea, if I have need; but there will be none." And he glanced with a
smile at the heavily loaded horses they rode, and bethought himself of
his plentiful supply of gold pieces.
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