against the miller's. Aleyn made the preparations, threw the sack of
corn on the horse, took his sword and buckler, and the two set off
together. John knew the way and presently they arrived at the mill.

Aleyn began: "Good-day to you, Symond How are your wife and pretty
daughter?" "Ah! Aleyn," said the miller, "I'm pleased to see you, and
John too. What is your business?" "Symond," answered John, "necessity
is a hard master. A manless man must needs be his own servant. Our
bursar is so ill, that I hear he will die, so Aleyn and I have come
to get the corn ground and take it home again." "Right," said
Simpkin, "I will do it. But how will you spend the time till it is
ready?" "As for me," answered John, "I have never seen corn ground in
my life. I will stand by the hopper and watch how the corn goes in."
"And I," Aleyn took up, "know as little of milling as John does, so I
will stand down below and watch the meal run into the trough."

The miller knew well enough what they were thinking of, but he said
nothing, meaning to get the better of them later. When the two
scholars were all intent on watching the corn, the miller chose his
time aid crept out softly. He found their horse standing tied under a
bush and untied his bridle. Away ran the horse to the fen, tossing
his head and whinnying, and splashing through mud and water. The
miller returned without a word, but when the meal was put in the
sack and they were ready to be gone, John discovered the loss.
"Aleyn," he cried, "look, our horse is gone!" "Which way? Which
way?" cried Aleyn. "Come, hurry and see what a dreadful thing has
happened!" The corn was forgotten "Oh, where can he have gone to?"
they asked. Up came the miller's wife. "Your horse is gone to the
fen," she said, "running as fast as he can." "Throw down your sword,
Aleyn," cried John, "and let's off after him. Between us we should