By St.Paul! I have little doubt that this fellow hath some very good cause to hold you in hatred." "Indeed, my fair sir, you speak sooth," quoth he with the club, while the other seated himself once more by the wayside.

"For this man is Peter Peterson, a very noted rieve, draw-latch, and murtherer, who has wrought much evil for many years in the parts about Winchester.

It was but the other day, upon the feasts of the blessed Simon and Jude, that he slew my younger brother William in Bere Forest--for which, by the black thorn of Glastonbury! I shall have his heart's blood, though I walk behind him to the further end of earth." "But if this be indeed so," asked Sir Nigel, "why is it that you have come with him so far through the forest ?" "Because I am an honest Englishman, and will take no more than the law allows.

For when the deed was done this foul and base wretch fled to sanctuary at St.Cross, and I, as you may think, after him with all the posse.

The prior, however, hath so ordered that while he holds this cross no man may lay hand upon him without the ban of church, which heaven forfend from me or mine.