was like that, then perhaps what you did was not so
far amiss. But it is hard to lose the old farm when my heart is buried
deep in the good brown soil."

"Tut, man! there are three years to run, and what may not happen in
three years? Before that time I shall have gone to the wars, and when I
have opened a French strong box or two you can buy the good brown soil
and snap your fingers at Abbot John and his bailiffs. Am I not as proper
a man as Tom Withstaff of Churt? And yet he came back after six months
with his pockets full of rose nobles and a French wench on either arm."

"God preserve us from the wenches, Samkin! But indeed I think that if
there is money to be gathered you are as likely to get your fist full as
any man who goes to the war. But hasten, lad, hasten! Already your young
master is over the brow."

Thus admonished, the archer waved his gauntleted hand to his father, and
digging his heels into the sides of his little pony soon drew up with
the Squire. Nigel glanced over his shoulder and slackened speed until
the pony's head was up to his saddle.

"Have I not heard, archer," said he, "that an outlaw has been loose in
these parts?"

"It is true, fair sir. He was villain to Sir Peter Mandeville, but he
broke his bonds and fled into the forests. Men call him the 'Wild Man of
Puttenham.'"

"How comes it that he has not been hunted down? If the man be a
draw-latch and a robber it would be an honorable deed to clear the
country of such an evil."

"Twice the sergeants-at-arms from Guildford have come out against him,
but the fox has many earths, and it would puzzle you to get him out of
them."

"By Saint Paul! were my errand not a pressing one I would be tempted to
turn aside and seek him. Where lives he, then?"

"There is a great morass beyond Puttenham, and across it there are caves
in which he and his people lurk."

"His people? He hath a band?"

"There are several with him."

"It sounds a most honorable enterprise," said Nigel. "When the King hath
come and gone we will spare a day for the outlaws of Puttenham. I fear
there is little chance for us to see them on this journey."

"They prey upon the pilgrims who pass along the Winchester Road, and
they are well loved by the folk in these parts, for they rob none of
them and have an open hand for all who will help them."

"It is right easy to have an open hand with the money that you have
stolen," said Nigel; "but I fear that they will not try t