And he threw off
hood, cloak, and robe while Humphrey looked from the captain to the boy
and back again. But without a word to the faithful serving-man, the
captain gave the command to the troop, and immediately all were in
swift motion.
A mile was left behind them,--two miles,--and now Humphrey looked at
Hugo amazed. Among these men-at-arms who treated him with a respect
which was like an elixir to him, the boy sat transformed. He held
himself proudly, and seemed, as he sat, a part of his horse. His
handsome eyes shone, and a genial smile parted his lips.
"Who art thou, dear lad?" thought Humphrey. "And though that I cannot
tell, yet this I know, thou art the equal of any De Aldithely." And
then Hugo's eyes fell upon him, and they filled with a most kindly
light.
Meanwhile the motley crowd that had started in pursuit from the White
Horse had become appreciably thinned upon the road. For one was no
rider, and was promptly pitched over his horse's head. Another, in his
haste, had but imperfectly saddled his horse, so that he was speedily
at the side of the road with his horse gone.
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