Three hazel switches a day have
I broke across his shoulders, and he takes no more notice than
you have seen him to-day."
"Doubt not that he will come back to you both safe and
prosperous, my fair dame," quoth Sir Nigel. "Meanwhile it
grieves me that as I have already given my purse to a beggar up
the road I----"
"Nay, my lord," said Alleyne, "I still have some moneys
remaining."
"Then I pray you to give them to this very worthy woman." He
cantered on as he spoke, while Alleyne, having dispensed two more
pence, left the old dame standing by the furthest cottage of
Hordle, with her shrill voice raised in blessings instead of
revilings.
There were two cross-roads before they reached the Lymington
Ford, and at each of then Sir Nigel pulled up his horse, and
waited with many a curvet and gambade, craning his neck this way
and that to see if fortune would send him a venture. Crossroads
had, as he explained, been rare places for knightly spear-runnings,
and in his youth it was no uncommon thing for a cavalier to
abide for weeks at such a point, holding gentle debate with all
comers, to his own advancement and the great honor of his lady.
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