n to gather about the adventurers, who
had dismounted to shake the water from their clinging garments and make
much of their brave steeds.

"My faith!" said the King. "We are beginning our adventures indeed; but
we are in a sorry plight, and ought to change."

"Here's the boat coming, sir," cried Denis, who turned away from a man
who began questioning him eagerly as to who they were and why they had
come ashore like this.

The fellow's manner had annoyed him, for though he pretty well
understood his English he replied shortly in his native tongue. But the
man was in no wise rebuffed, and turned now to Saint Simon, with whom he
fared no better, in fact, rather worse, the result being that he
addressed the King, who shortly told him to go and mind his own affairs.

The boat, which soon reached the shore, contained the skipper, who had
thoughtfully brought on the travellers' light valises, their saddles,
and the remains of the horse-gear, ready to offer them any further
assistance, and praising their gallant swim; but warmed up by his
excitement, the King made light of it all, seeming ready to forget the
state of his garments; and eager to get away from the crowd, he joined
with his young companions in saddling up and mounting, to ride away from
the curious crowd and the hangers-on, several of whom seemed on friendly
terms with the man who had first addressed Denis, and whose curiosity
seemed in no degree abated.

"I did think of going to some inn to change and rest, and start forward
later on for Winchester," said the King; "but we will start at once and
get away from here. Do the people think we have come to make an
exhibition for them?"

"But you will want rest and refreshment, sir, and to dry your clothes,"
said Saint Simon.

"No," said the King. "Do you?"

"I am ready--we are ready," said Saint Simon, "to follow you in
everything."

"Are our valises fast in their places, and the saddles well girthed?"
said the King. "Yes? Then we ride on at once till we are clear of this
town. We shall soon dry in the hot sunshine, and be better ready to
make a breakfast, for I feel as if I could touch no food. Follow,
gentlemen," he continued, and putting spurs to his charger he cantered
away along what seemed to be the main street, at the end of which a few
inquiries put them on their right road and direct for the open country,
where, once amongst green fields and hedgerows, they dismounted, to rest
their horses