"I liked stopping with aunt at Ellton," said the little fellow to
himself, sadly, "and I should like to go again; but I should like
to be fetched home next time, for old David is so cross every time
I move, and----"

"Look here, young fellow," growled the man, half turning in his
saddle; "if you don't sit still I'll get one of the pack ropes and
tie you on, like a sack. I never see such a fidgety young elver in
my----Oh, look at that!"

The man gave a tug at his horse's rein; but it was not needed, for
the stout cob had cocked its ears forward and stopped short, just
as the mules in front whisked themselves round, and the men who
drove them began to huddle together in a group.

For all at once the way was barred by about a dozen men in rough
weather-stained green jerkins, each with a long bow and a sheaf of
arrows at his back, and a long quarter-staff in his hand.

David, confidential servant and head man to Aunt Hester, of the
cloth works at Ellton, looked sharply round at the half-dozen
heavily-laden mules behind him; and beyond them he saw another
dozen or so of men, and more were coming from among the trees to
right and left.

"Hoi! all of you," cried David to his men. "Swords out! We must
fight for the mistress's cloth."

As he spoke, he seized the hilt of his sword and began to tug at
it; but it would not leave its sheath, and all the while he was