en scoured again and
again, and even some of his rogues have been caught and hung."

"A valuable animal that you speak of," observed Master Pearson coolly.
"I dare say his master is as proud of him as I am of my poor beast, who,
though he has no great speed, is a trusty friend on the road, and has
carried me many a long mile. `Slow and sure' is his motto."

"I do not fancy that you always ride at a slow pace though, Master
Pearson," observed Jack, laughing carelessly. "Your legs cling too
tightly to your horse's sides, and you have too easy a seat in your
saddle to care much for a slow beast, sure as he may be."

"I was bred in Yorkshire, Master Jack Deane," answered Pearson with a
peculiar glance at Jack. "Every boy there knows how to bestride a horse
as soon as he can run; though, to be sure, I won't deny that I have
taken a gallop now and then in my day. And now I think we understand
each other. You remember our meeting down by the river-side: I took a
fancy to you on that night, and I told you I had something to talk to
you about. Are you willing to hear it now? But I have no fancy that
any passer should hear the chance words we may let drop: so speak low
when you reply my ears are sharp enough; and you will give me your word
of honour that you will not repeat what you hear of me, unless I give
you leave."

Jack, whose curiosity had been aroused by what Master Pearson had said,
gave the required promise, and without further circumlocution his
companion proposed to him a scheme which Jack would have been the wiser
had he at the first refused to listen to.

Master Pearson showed himself to be an able diplomatist, and Mr Harwood
would have been thoroughly satisfied had he heard the way in which his
wishes were carried out.

"Think of what I have been saying, my lad," he continued. "You have got
the right qualities in you, depend upon that, and it's your own fault if
you don't rise in the world in the way I have pointed out. And now,
farewell; we shall meet again before long, I doubt not; but I have some
business to settle a short distance off the road, and I must get free of
this crowd."

Saying this, Pearson shook Jack by the hand, and trotted past him at a
quick rate. A wide ditch and hedge divided the road from a large field,
along which the way was free and open. A few drovers only were in
sight, urging on their cattle. Jack, who had kept his eye on his late
companion, was somewhat surprised to