ored to its former solitude and quiet.

CHAPTER III.

This loller here wol prechen us somwhat.
"Nay by my father's soule, that shal be nat,"
Sayde the Shipman, "here shal be nat preche;
He shal no gospel glosen here ne teche:
We leven all in the gret God, quod he.
He wolde sowen som difficultee,
Or springen cockle in our clene come."--_Chaucer_.

As soon as the last echo of the retreating footsteps had died away,
Bertram raised himself up from his couch; and playing the part of one
just in the act of awaking, he yawned and asked for something to eat
and drink. The old woman grumbled, and fetched him the remains of a jug
of whiskey with some biscuit and fish--never troubling herself to
inquire about the palateableness of these viands. Bertram ate and drank
with as little scrupulousness as belonged to his situation; and then,
finding his spirits somewhat restored, he began to question his hostess
afresh:--

"Good mother, I know not whether I was dreaming or half awake; but it
seemed to me that there were fishermen or some such people in the
house; and that the refreshment I have just taken came from their
table."

"Aye," said the old woman drily, "_they_ can find time to dream that do
little with their hands."

"But what would you have me do, my good hostess? Have _you_ any work
for me?"

The old woman shook her head.

"Well then, give me the means of going where I _have_ something to do."

"And where is that?"

"The coast of Wales, for which I was bound when I met with my
misfortune."

"The coast of Wales? Never trouble it: they've rogues enough already."
Then, fixing her eyes steadily on Bertram, she looked thoughtfully; and
shook her head: "Were you ever in Wales before?"

"Never."

"Look well to yourself then."

"And why?"

"The gallows is high, my bonny lad; and they don't stand much upon
ceremony."

"What is it then you take me for? Am I like a thief or a robber?"

"I know not: but you've a wicked look of one that I know well; and he's
doomed to the gallows, if there's a gallows in England."

The old woman now relapsed into her moody silence, or answered only by
peevish monosyllables: and, despairing of gaining any further
information from her, Bertram contented himself with requesting that
she would acquaint him with the first opportunity which might offer for
quitting his present abode; upon which his hos