butter and fresh eggs had come to be known in Bristol, and besides,
Stead and Rusha used to find plovers' eggs on the common, for which
the merchants' ladies would pay them, or later for wild strawberries
and for whortleberries. Stead could also make rush baskets and mats,
and they were very glad of such earnings, some of which they spent on
clothes, and on making their hut more comfortable, while some was
stored up in case of need in the winter.

For another year things went on much in the same manner, Bristol was
still kept by the King's troops; but when Steadfast went into the
place there was less cheerfulness among the loyal folk, and the
Puritans began to talk of victories of their cause, while in the
Cathedral the canon's voice trembled and grew choked in the prayer
for the King, and the sermons were generally about being true and
faithful to King and church whatever might betide. The Prince of
Wales had long since moved away, indeed there were reports that the
plague was in some of the low, crowded streets near the water, and
Patience begged her brother to take care of himself.

There had been no Christmas feast at the Deanery, it was understood
that the Dean thought it better not to bring so many people together.

Then as harvest time was coming on more soldiers came into the place.
They looked much shabbier than the troops of a year ago, their coats
were worn and soiled, and their feathers almost stumps, but they made
up for their poverty by swagger and noise, and Steadfast was thankful
that it was unlikely that any of them should find the way to his
little valley with what they called requisitions for the King's
service, but which meant what he knew too well. Some of the
villagers formed into bands, and agreed to meet at the sound of a