relief when Sir Lancelot said 'Enough, good Simon! Forget his
nobility for the present while he goes with thee to Derwentside as
herd boy to Halbert Halstead here; only thou must forget both their
names, and know them only as Hal and Hob.'

With a gesture of obedience, Simon listened to the further
directions, and how he was to explain that these south country folks
had been sent up in charge of an especial flock of my lady's which
she wished to have on the comparatively sheltered valley of the
Derwent. Perhaps further directions as to the training of the young
Baron were added later, but Hal did not hear them. He was glad to be
dismissed to find Piers and gather the sheep together in preparation
for the journey to their new quarters. Yet he did not fail to hear
the sigh with which his stepfather noted that his parting salutation
was far too much in the character of the herd boy.




CHAPTER VII. ON DERWENT BANKS



When under cloud of fear he lay
A shepherd clad in homely grey.--WORDSWORTH.


Simon Bunce came himself to conduct his new tenants to their abode.
It was a pleasant spot, a ravine, down which the clear stream rushed
on its course to mingle its waters with those of the ocean. The