On the farther side of Puttenham the road runs through thick woods
of oak and beech, with a tangled undergrowth of fern and bramble.
Here they met a patrol of sergeants-at-arms, tall fellows,
well-mounted, clad in studded-leather caps and tunics, with lances
and swords. They walked their horses slowly on the shady side of
the road, and stopped as the travelers came up, to ask if they had
been molested on the way.
"Have a care," they added, "for the `Wild Man' and his wife are
out. Only yesterday they slew a merchant from the west and took a
hundred crowns."
"His wife, you say?"
"Yes, she is ever at his side, and has saved him many a time, for
if he has the strength it is she who has the wit. I hope to see
their heads together upon the green grass one of these mornings."
The patrol passed downward toward Farnham, and so, as it proved,
away from the robbers, who had doubtless watched them closely from
the dense brushwood which skirted the road. Coming round a curve,
Nigel and Aylward were aware of a tall and graceful woman who sat,
wringing her hands and weeping bitterly, upon the bank by the side
of the track. At such a sight of beauty in distress Nigel pricked
Pommers with the spur and in three bounds was at the side of the
unhappy lady.
"What ails you, fair dame?" he asked. "Is there any small matter
in which I may stand your friend, or is it possible that anyone
hath so hard a heart as to do you an injury.
Pages:
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118