dropping into a walk. As they proceeded they met several little parties of
men hurrying along, armed with pikes, clubs, or farming implements. These
passed without speaking, and seemed to be much more fearful that they
might be interfered with than desirous of interfering with others.

"They are miserable-looking varlets," Dame De Courcy said, disdainfully.
"Our two men-at-arms would be a match for a score of them."

"I doubt not that they would," Albert agreed, "though methinks that a blow
with one of those flails would make a head ring even under a steel
casque."

"I doubt whether they would think of anything but running away, Albert,"
Edgar said. "I am sorry for the poor fellows; they have great grievances,
but I fear they are not setting about the righting of them the best way. I
hope that no great ill may befall them."

"But surely these people have not your sympathy, Master Ormskirk?" Lady De
Courcy said, in some surprise.

"I have seen enough of them to be sorry for them," Edgar said. "Their life
is of the hardest. They live mostly on black bread, and are thankful
enough when they can get enough of it. To heavily tax men such as these is
to drive them to despair, and that without producing the gain expected,
for it is in most cases simply impossible for them to pay the taxes
demanded. It seems to me that a poll-tax is, of all others, the worst,
since it takes into no account the differences of station and wealth--to
the rich the impost is trifling, to the poor it is crushing. It seems to
me too that it is not only wrong, but stupid, to maintain serfdom. The men
and their families must be fed, and a small money payment would not add