For close by Feversham I met a parcel of knaves who laid hold of me and rifled me of all I had, save one noble that I had hid in my hat.

And because I showed fight, and ran two of them through, they wanted to hang me at the roadside and so end my travelling days for ay.

But as they must needs find a tall tree, which was not to be had at the roadside, they hauled me away to the wood to make an end of me there.

And since I walked meekly with my head hung down, they slackened their guard of me, so that presently I was able to make a dash away from them, and hide myself in the forest.
I escaped them, but it cost me a whole afternoon.

For I lost myself among the trees; and daring not to show myself, must needs lie low while the hue and cry lasted, and afterwards find my road under shelter of night as best I could.
You may guess if I chafed not under this delay; specially as the way from there to Canterbury was too hard to be walked in the dark.