And, being out, he paused to consider his course.
"Shall I go to the fen in pursuit of them, or shall I go down
Nottingham way?" he said. "I will go Nottingham way. I will be no more
planted in mire like a rush. Nay, verily. Not to find all the young
lords and Saxon serving-men in creation. I serve the king; and will go
not into bogs and fens suitable for Saxon outcasts and no others. And
if they be wise they will do the same."
Having come to this decision, he put spurs to Black Dick and was off
southwest, while slowly Hugo and Humphrey journeyed on southeast.
Presently the horse began to heave. "Why, where is thy speed of
yesterday, Black Tom?" cried Walter Skinner. "Thou didst not heave when
I clung round thy neck on the way to Lincoln town." He gave the bridle
a sharp jerk, suddenly turning the horse which now began to show the
spring-halt with which he was afflicted. "Why, what sort of a dance is
this?" cried Walter Skinner. "Thou art a strange beast. Verily, thou
art like some people--one thing yesterday and another to-day. I can say
this for thee--thou wert black yesterday, and thou art still black
to-day.
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