while from above, the grain, needed for the wants of the great city was
floated down in barges from the west.

Passing the Temple, the boys rowed along by the green banks and fields as
far as Westminster, which at that time was almost a rival of the city, for
here were the abbey and great monastery; here were the king's palace and
court, and the houses of many of his nobles. Then they went along by the
low shores of Millbank, keeping a sharp lookout for boats going down with
the stream. It was already getting dark, for Walter had not allowed for the
strength of the stream, and he was full of anxiety lest he should arrive
too late.



CHAPTER III: A THWARTED PLOT


A boat was rowing rapidly down the stream. It had passed the village of
Chelsea, and the men were doing their best to reach their destination at
Westminster before nightfall. Two men were rowing; in the stern sat a lady
with a girl about eleven years old. A woman, evidently a servant, sat
beside the lady, while behind, steering the boat, was an elderly retainer.



"It is getting dark," the lady said; "I would that my cousin James had not
detained us so long at Richmond, and then after all he was unable to
accompany us. I like not being out on the river so late."

"No, indeed, my lady," the woman replied; "I have heard tell lately much of