affectionately on his friend's shoulder. "I know not why thou lovest me
so."

"Why, for one thing, this matter," answered his friend; "because
methinks thou art the best fighter and the bravest one of all of us
squires."

Myles laughed. Nevertheless Gascoyne's words were a soothing balm for
much that had happened that day. "I will fight me no more just now,"
said he; and then he told his friend all that Sir James had advised
about biding his time.

Gascoyne blew a long whistle. "Beshrew me!" quoth he, "but methinks old
Bruin is on thy side of the quarrel, Myles. An that be so, I am with
thee also, and others that I can name as well."

"So be it," said Myles. "Then am I content to abide the time when we may
become strong enough to stand against them."



CHAPTER 10

Perhaps there is nothing more delightful in the romance of boyhood than
the finding of some secret hiding-place whither a body may creep away
from the bustle of the world's life, to nestle in quietness for an hour
or two. More especially is such delightful if it happen that, by
peeping from out it, one may look down upon the bustling matters of
busy every-day life, while one lies snugly hidden away unseen by any, as
though one were in some strange invisible world of one's own.