they were yet short of them some fifteen miles, and those
long ones, because of the marish grounds. So they tethered
their horses there and ate their supper; and lay down to
sleep in the house of the woods, by a fire-side which they
lighted.

But in the midnight Christopher, who was exceeding
fine-eared, had an inkling of someone moving afoot anigh
him, and he awoke therewith, and sprang up, his drawn
short-sword in his hand, and found himself face to face with
Simon, and he also with his sword drawn. Simon sprang
aback, but held up his sword-point, and Christopher, not yet
fully awake, cried out: "What wouldst thou? What is it?"

Simon answered, stammering and all abashed: "Didst thou not
hear then? it wakened me."

"I heard nought," said Christopher; "what was it?"

"Horses going in the wood," said Simon

"Ah, yea," said Christopher, "it will have been the wild
colts and the mares; they harbour about these marsh-land
parts. Go to sleep again, neighbour, the night is not yet
half worn; but I will watch a while."

Then Simon sheathed his sword, and turned about and stood
uneasily a little while, and then cast him down as one who
would sleep hastily; but slept not forsooth, though he
presently made semblance of it: as for Christopher, he drew