"The Jew leaving Rotherwood," said he, raising himself on his elbow, and looking superciliously at him without quitting his pallet, "and travelling in company with the Palmer to boot--" "I should as soon have dreamt," said Wamba, who entered the apartment at the instant, "of his stealing away with a gammon of bacon." "Nevertheless," said Gurth, again laying down his head on the wooden log which served him for a pillow, "both Jew and Gentile must be content to abide the opening of the great gate--we suffer no visitors to depart by stealth at these unseasonable hours." "Nevertheless," said the Pilgrim, in a commanding tone, "you will not, I think, refuse me that favour." So saying, he stooped over the bed of the recumbent swineherd, and whispered something in his ear in Saxon.

Gurth started up as if electrified.

The Pilgrim, raising his finger in an attitude as if to express caution, added, "Gurth, beware--thou are wont to be prudent.

I say, undo the postern--thou shalt know more anon." With hasty alacrity Gurth obeyed him, while Wamba and the Jew followed, both wondering at the sudden change in the swineherd's demeanour.

"My mule, my mule!" said the Jew, as soon as they stood without the postern.
"Fetch him his mule," said the Pilgrim; "and, hearest thou,--let me have another, that I may bear him company till he is beyond these parts--I will return it safely to some of Cedric's train at Ashby.