"And please you farther, ye were best make all speed to Risingham; for on the way hither we encountered one riding furiously with letters, and by his report, my Lord of Risingham was sore bested, and lacked exceedingly your presence." "How say you?
Sore bested ?" returned the knight.

"Nay, then, we will make speed sitting down, good Richard.

As the world goes in this poor realm of England, he that rides softliest rides surest.

Delay, they say, begetteth peril; but it is rather this itch of doing that undoes men; mark it, Dick.

But let me see, first, what cattle ye have brought.
Selden, a link here at the door!" And Sir Daniel strode forth into the village street, and, by the red glow of a torch, inspected his new troops.