see that thou hast kept to thy intention, and taken up the honest
calling of a drover. Better than cutting weasands any day for the sake
of keeping a Dutch usurper on the throne," he added in a lower tone.

Jack looked at the speaker once or twice, unable to recognise him. At
length it occurred to him that he was the very man who had joined him on
their poaching expedition.

"I think I know you," he said, looking at him again.

"You ought to do so, for we have met before; and it was not my fault
that we did not meet again," answered the stranger.

"What! Master Pearson?" said Jack, examining his countenance more
narrowly, and looking down on the somewhat clumsy, ill-groomed horse
which the speaker bestrode.

The animal was, however, he saw at a second glance, not destitute of
bone and muscle; while the rider's expression of countenance and general
appearance made it difficult to believe that he was of the pacific
character his words would imply. A pair of substantial saddle-bags hung
across the saddle, and Jack observed that the butts of two pistols
projected from the holsters on either side.

"Why, Master Pearson, you have made good despatch with your business in
the north," said Jack; "for I think I am not wrong in calling you by
that name. I hope that it has been successful."

"As things generally go with me," answered Pearson carelessly. "I am
now on my way south again to Cambridge and other places; for I also have
some interest in the wool trade, and hope to be at Stourbridge Fair:
that beats every other mart in the world, in my opinion."

"I have heard that it was far above our Goose Fair," said Jack, "though
we are not ashamed of that either."

"That is a right curious name you give your fair, Master Deane,"
observed Pearson. "There must be a great sight of geese sold there, I'm
thinking."

"Not exactly," answered Jack. "I do not know that more geese are sold
then than at any other time."

"Then come, tell me why it is called Goose Fair: there must be a reason
for it," said Pearson. "If you know it, out with the truth, lad."

"The reason why our Nottingham Fair is called Goose Fair? Well, if you
needs must know the story, I'll out with it," said Jack, thus pressed by
his companion. "Of course, having been born and bred in Nottingham, I
believe all about it. You must know that some time, since bold Robin
Hood ranged through Sherwood Forest, at all events between his days and
ours, there