They have ways with them that can be of vast use in moments of peril, and will brook no strange riders on their backs.

See to the mare, Tom, and do well by her; for it may be that thy very life may hang one day upon her speed and strength!" Tom felt the blood tingling in his veins.
"I will not forget your charge, my lord." "And now, what will you do, Tom?
Will you sleep one night at Holywell?
For I would not have you adventure yourself alone in the forest at dark; and you must needs pass through a part of it to reach your destination." "No, my lord, nor I either, after what I experienced there before.
But hard by here is the house of a friend.

I would gladly turn in thither; and tomorrow he will certainly ride with me through the forest and homewards.

Doubtless, too, when you have to pass that way, the Duke will give you escort till you near our friendly village." So the matter was thus arranged to the satisfaction of Tom; and almost immediately the two companions parted company, the country here being safe and fairly populated.

Before long Tom found himself knocking at the gate of an old friend of his, who gave him hearty and boisterous welcome.
It was with strange feelings next day that he found himself riding along the familiar track which led straight to the village of Gablethorpe! It was only three months since he had left the place, but he felt as though full as many years had passed over his head.
He was not very finely dressed; but there was a style about his London-made riding suit which his country clothes had lacked, and the peruke upon his head gave him the air of a fine gentleman.