" said I. "He will deal
justly with thee. He is hard upon no man, but it might fare ill with
John Broad if Sir Thurstan knew that he had suffered you to go
unapprehended."

"Oh, if you put it in that way," he answered, and turned again, "I will
go with you. Heaven send that the good gentleman do not detain me, for I
would fain reach York to-night."

So we all moved off to the manor, and as many as could find room crowded
into the great hall where Sir Thurstan sat to deliver judgment on all
naughty and evilly-disposed persons. And presently he came and took his
seat in the justice-chair and commanded silence, and bade John Broad
state his case. Then Peter Pipe gave his testimony, and likewise
Geoffrey Scales, and then Sir Thurstan called upon the sailor to have
his say, for he made a practice of never condemning any man unheard.

After he had heard them all, my uncle considered matters for a moment
and then delivered judgment, during which everybody preserved strict
silence.

"I find, first of all," said he, "that Peter Pipe, the drawer, did serve
this man with small beer instead of good ale. For what! I watched the
man as he told his story, and he did not lie."

"I thank your honor," said the sailor.

"Wherefore I recommend Geoffrey Scales to admonish Peter at his
convenience--"

"Yea, and with a stick, your honor," said Geoffrey.

"So that he transgress not again. Nevertheless, the sailor did wrong to
maltreat Peter. There is law to be had, and no man should administer his
own justice. Wherefore I fine thee, sailor, and order thee to pay ten
groats to the court."

"As your honor wills," said the man, and handed over the money. "I have
now one left to see me all the way to Marazion. But justice is justice."

"Clear my hall, John Broad," said my uncle. This order the constable
carried out with promptitude. But when the sailor would have gone, Sir
Thurstan bade him stay, and presently he called him to his side and held
converse with him.

"Dost thou propose to walk to Marazion?" he asked.

"With God's help, sir," answered the man.

"Why not try Hull? Thou mightest find a ship there for a southern port."

"I had never thought of it, your honor. How far away may Hull be?"

"Forty miles. What means hast thou?"

"But one groat, sir. But then I have become used to hardships."

"Try Hull: thou wilt find a ship there, I doubt not. Hold, here are
twelve shillings for thee. Humphrey, have him to the kitchen an