fire-drake nor effit, nay, nor no giant, nor guileful dwarf,
nought save mallard and coot, heron and bittern; yea, and
ague-shivers to boot."

Simon looked sourly on him and said: "Thou are bidden to go
with me, young man, or gainsay the Marshal. Art thou mighty
enough thereto? For the rest, fear not but that the deed
shall come to thee one day."

"Nay," said Christopher, "it is all one to me, for I am at
home in these woods and wastes, I and my shafts. Tell me of
the deeds when thou wilt." But indeed he longed to know the
deed, and fretted him because of Simon's surliness and
closeness. Then he said: "Well, Squire Simon, let us to
the road; for thou shalt know that to-night we must needs
house us under the naked heaven; in nowise can we come to
the Long Pools before to-morrow morning."

"Yea, and why not?" said the squire; "I have lain in worse
places."

"Wilt thou tell me thereof?" said Christopher.

"Mayhappen," said Simon, "if to-morrow comes and goes for
both of us twain."

So they rode their ways through the wood, and baited at
midday with what Simon bare in his saddle-bags, and then
went on till night fell on them; then asked Simon how long
they were from the Long Pools, and Christopher told him that