"What hast thou in all these bags
and packs, Humphrey?" he asked.
"Why, the answer to that question is not so simple," was the reply. "I
did but buy somewhat of all I saw, and did bestow it the best I could,
so as to leave room for our legs on the sides of the horses. Should the
spy pursue us, he would soon come up with us, for flee we could not, so
loaded down. But I look not for him. No doubt he still lodgeth in the
Isle of Axholme, and the other spy we have not of late heard from. If
we but keep clear of beaten paths, we be safe enough. I will hope to
have a dream to-night."
Hugo did not reply; he was looking about him in much enjoyment. The day
chanced to be clear, and as far as he could see lay the level of the
fen-lands. Here were trees, some straight, others leaning over the
water; there were islands of reeds, and yonder the water shimmering on
its shallow, winding way, so sluggish as to be almost stagnant. The
whole region was alive with sound,--the cries of water-fowl, the songs
of birds, and the croak of frogs. And when he rode along the water's
brink, an occasional fin flashed out.
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