'I have finished my wallet, more's the pity!' said the boy, 'but
never fear! Hold out but a few steps more, and Mother Doll will give
thee bite and sup and bed.'

'Alack! Is it much further! My feet! they are so sore and weary--'

'Poor maiden, let me bear thee on!'

Hal took her up again, but they went more slowly, and were glad to
see a tall figure before them, and hear the cry, 'How now, Hal boy,
where hast been? What hast thou there?'

'A sorely weary little lady, Daddy Hob, lost from the hawking folk
from the Priory,' responded Hal, panting a little as he set his
burthen down, and Hob's stronger arms received her.

Hal next asked whether the flock had come back under charge of Piers,
and was answered that all were safely at home, and after 'telling the
tale' Hob had set out to find him. 'Thou shouldst not stray so far,'
he said.

'I heard the maid cry, and went after her,' said Hal, 'all the way to
the Blackreed Moss, and the springs, and 'twas hard getting over the
swamp.'

'Well indeed ye were not both swallowed in it,' said Hob; 'God be
praised for bringing you through! Poor wee bairn! Thou hast come
far! From whence didst say?'

'From Greystone Priory,' wearily said the girl, who had her head down