walking--for I had no nag to carry me this time--I arrived late
that night at Rochester, where I was glad enough to turn into the first
inn I met, and sleep.

I know not how it was. I dreamed all night that Ludar was calling to me
to turn back, while the maiden was bidding me go forward; and betwixt
them I was torn in two, and lay kicking all night, listening to the
clatter of hoofs that went past, and fancying that while I tarried
there, his Grace of Canterbury was carrying off my sweet Jeannette, I
know not whither. It must have been towards morning when at last I
shook off my nightmares and fell asleep. And thus it happened that,
instead of being far on my road, at ten of the clock I still lay
snoring, with all my day's work before me to reach Canterbury that
night.

As it fell out, I did not even do that. For close by Feversham I met a
parcel of knaves who laid hold of me and rifled me of all I had, save
one noble that I had hid in my hat. And because I showed fight, and ran
two of them through, they wanted to hang me at the roadside and so end
my travelling days for ay. But as they must needs find a tall tree,
which was not to be had at the roadside, they hauled me away to the wood
to make an end of me there. And since I walked meekly with my head hung
down, they slackened their guard of me, so that presently I was able to
make a dash away from them, and hide myself in the forest.

I escaped them, but it cost me a whole afternoon. For I lost myself
among the trees; and daring not to show myself, must needs lie low while
the hue and cry lasted, and afterwards find my road under shelter of
night as best I could.

You may guess if I chafed not under this delay; specially as the way
from there to Canterbury was too hard to be walked in the dark. Halt
where I was, I must; but I did it, feeling that I might be too late, and
that each moment lost to me was a gain to that foul Captain.

At early dawn I was afoot, and before mid-day stood in the city of
Canterbury. As in duty bound, I asked my way first of all to his
Grace's palace (which was hard by the great Church), where I longed to
have my master's business disposed of.

Alack! his Grace was not to be seen, being away on a visitation; and his
Grace's secretary had other matters to attend to, and sent word to me to
enquire again to-morrow about the same time. So I was forced to let the
business wait, much to my sorrow, and meanwhile seek to hear some n