oil was one not quietly
accomplished. The robbers began to argue as to the division, and from
arguing they went on to disputing, and from disputing they came to
fighting, in the midst of which the lady and her boy took an opportunity
to escape unobserved into the thicket, and hasten as best they might
from the reach of their plunderers.

Thus they fled, robbed and penniless, exposed to the cold evening air,
famishing for lack of food, smarting under insult and wrong, and not
knowing where next to turn for shelter or safety.

The courage of the lady, hitherto so conspicuous, now fairly gave way.
She sat down on the ground, and taking her boy to her arms, abandoned
herself to a flood of tears. "My son," she cried, "better if we had
died by the sword of our enemies, than die a shameful death in these
woods! Alas! was ever woman so miserable as I?"

"But, mother," said the boy, who now in turn took upon him the office of
comforter, "the robbers left us with our lives, and we shall surely find
some food here. Cheer up, mother; did you not tell me God would take
care of us when no one else could?"

The mother's only answer was to take her boy in a closer embrace and
kiss him passionately.

Suddenly there appeared before them a man of fierce aspect, holding in
his hand a drawn sword.

Escape was impossible; robbed as they already were, they had nothing but
their lives to offer to this wild ruffian. And would he scruple to
murder where he could not rob?

The courage of the lady, in this desperate case, returned as quickly as
it had lately deserted her.

A sudden resolution gleamed in her face; then, rising majestically to
her feet, and taking by the hand her trembling boy, she advanced proud
and stately towards the robber. The man halted wonderingly. There was
something in the imperious bearing of this tall, beautiful lady--
something in the appealing looks of the gallant boy--which for a moment
cowed his lawless resolve, and made him hesitate.

Noticing this, the lady advanced close to him, and said in clear,
majestic tones,--

"Behold, my friend, I commit to your care the safety of your king's
son!"

The man started back in astonishment, the sword dropped from his hand,
and a look, half of alarm, half of perplexity, took possession of his
face.

Then he fell on one knee, and respectfully bowed almost to the earth.

"Art thou, then, our good Queen Margaret?"

"I am she."

"And this youth, is he inde