vast
magazine; whilst, from the cautious and fearful glances he from time to
time cast through the door, it would appear that he had been detected in
his expeditions, and in all probability punished for the offence. He was
evidently in search of some object from amidst the various heaps of
lumber he overthrew; an inarticulate mutter, accompanying every fresh
attack, indicated impatience and disappointment. Suddenly he exclaimed,
drawing forth a large roll, with ludicrous expressions of delight--

"I have thee, now! The buck's horns shall soon butt this great Welsh
goat from his pen."

He opened the banner. It was the pennon of the Bradshaigh, thrown aside
to rot in dust and decay.

"Don't tell Dan, nuncle, and thou shall see rare sport."

He said this with his usual familiarity of tone; but suddenly putting
his mouth to the stranger's ear, he whispered. The words were inaudible,
save to him for whom they were meant; and in an instant he darted from
the spot, concealing the spoil amidst the folds of his apparel. Shortly
afterwards Dan made his appearance. With wonder and dismay did he
behold the ravages committed in his treasure-house--"confusion worse
confounded."

"Beshrew me, but thou art a restless tenant. I did not tell thee to
tumble my wardrobe into haycocks."

"I was long a-watching," said the pilgrim; "and, in good troth, I became
over curious to know the capacity of thy sty. What tidings from my
lady's chamber?"

"A plague on her husband's humours! Maude says it were as much as a
Jew's thumb were worth to get thee privily to an audience, but she hath
urged my lady to distribute the alms herself to-day; so betake thee to
the kitchen; Maude will contrive thou shalt have some token of approach.
St Anthony! but thou hast bestirred thee bravely; such another guest,
and I might as well set fire to the whole budget. If thou be'st bent on
such another rummage in the kitchen, the cook will whack thy pate with
the spit, holy and hooded though it be."

Dan led the way to this arena of gigantic gastronomy. It was a vast and
smoky den, such as could only exist in those days of feudal
magnificence. An immense furnace was fed by huge blocks of wood, which
the ravening flame seized and in a moment enveloped in its embrace.
Forms, grisly and indistinct, flitted past this devouring blaze, by the
sputtering and crackling of which, mingled with the hissing delicacies
before it, and the shrill scream of the presiding fur