thou mayst be. Yet have I tidings for thee."

"Yea, and what be they?" said Christopher.

Simon grinned: "Even these," said he, "that Dr. Knowall was
no man's cousin while he lived, and that he died last week."

Therewith he swung himself into his saddle, and Christopher
laughed merrily at his poor gibe and mounted in like wise.

Wherewithal they rode their ways through the thorpe, and at
the southern end thereof Simon drew rein, and looked on
Christopher as if he would ask him something, but asked not.
Then said Christopher: "Whither go we now?"

Said Simon: "It is partly for thee to say: hearken, I am
bidden first to ride the Redwater Wood with thee: knowest
thou that?"

"Yea," said the lad, "full well: but which way shall we
ride it? Wilt thou come out of it at Redwater Head, or Herne
Moss, or the Long Pools?"

Said Simon: "We shall make for the Long Pools, if thou
canst bring me there."

Christopher laughed: "Aha!" said he, "then am I some
faraway cousin of Dr. Knowall when the whole tale is told:
forsooth I can lead thee thither; but tell me, what shall I
do of valiant deeds at the Long Pools? for there is no