"Shall not get away from us again!" "I wish no better," said he, with a pringling in the eyes at this hearty greeting.
"Well said, lad!" cried big John.

"We three shall to the wars together, and the devil may fly away with the Abbot of Beaulieu! But your feet and hosen are all besmudged.

Hast been in the water, or I am the more mistaken." "I have in good sooth," Alleyne answered, and then as they journeyed on their way he told them the many things that had befallen him, his meeting with the villein, his sight of the king, his coming upon his brother, with all the tale of the black welcome and of the fair damsel.
They strode on either side, each with an ear slanting towards him, but ere he had come to the end of his story the bowman had spun round upon his heel, and was hastening back the way they had come, breathing loudly through his nose.
"What then ?" asked Alleyne, trotting after him and gripping at his jerkin.
"I am back for Minstead, lad." "And why, in the name of sense ?" "To thrust a handful of steel into the Socman.

What! hale a demoiselle against her will, and then loose dogs at his own brother! Let me go!" "Nenny, nenny!" cried Alleyne, laughing.

"There was no scath done.