as the nature of the ground would allow, and avoiding all villages
and hamlets, though they hoped that the news of their defeat would not
have preceded them in the direction they were going.

The evening of that fatal day was drawing on when they saw before them a
lone cottage by the seaside. Both their horses were knocked up, and
they themselves were much fatigued and desperately hungry. Still
Stephen was unwilling to approach the cottage without first ascertaining
the character of the inmates.

"Ride on a short distance to the south and wait for me there," he said
to his brother; "I will then turn back and see if the people are likely
to treat us hospitably. I will tell them that we want a place of rest,
as we know of none in the neighbourhood, and that if they will find some
oats or beans or other provender for our horses, and provide us with
some food, we will be thankful and pay them whatever they may demand."
Near the cottage was a boat-house, which appeared to be high enough to
serve as a stable, and they hoped that their horses might be sheltered
in it during the night. Accordingly, after proceeding a little distance
beyond the cottage, Stephen turned back and rode up to the door, and
gave a couple of knocks with the hilt of his sword. The next instant it
was opened, and a grey-headed old man in a fisherman's dress appeared.

"What do you want here, master?" he asked.

Stephen, after surveying the old man, answered as he had intended.

"Food for a horse I don't keep in store, and for a man I have little
enough, though I might give you some bread and cheese," said the old
fisherman.

"We will pay you for whatever you can supply us with and be thankful,"
said Stephen.

"Two men and horses; why, you will eat me out of house and home," said
the old man, peering forth at Andrew, whom he could see in the distance.
"My son, however, will be in anon from fishing; if he has got a good
haul there will be food enough, and as for the horses, why, now I come
to think on't, I have a couple of sacks of damaged oats, got out of a
vessel not far off; if your animals are hungry, as you say, they will
manage to eat them."

"By all means, my friend," said Stephen. "And I suppose you can put our
horses up in your boat-house?"

"As to that, as the boat's away, and it is summer weather, there is room
for them."

"Well, then, I will call my brother, and we will take advantage of your
hospitality," said Stephen, and h