only discover a single rider, who was, however, well mounted, and came after them at a speed which left them no chance of escaping, even had the lady's strength permitted her to ride as fast as her palfrey might have been able to gallop.

<< There may be fair play betwixt us sure, » thought Wayland, «where there is but one man on each side, and yonder fellow sits on his horse more like a monkey than a cavalier. Pshaw! if it come to the worst, it will be easy unhorsing him. Nay, 'snails! I think his horse will take the matter in his own hand, for he has the bridle betwixt his teeth. Oons, what care I for him? » said he, as the pursuer drew yet nearer; « it is but the little animal of a mercer from Abingdon, when all is over. »

Even so it was, as the experienced eye of Wayland had descried at a distance. For the valiant mercer's horse, which was a beast of mettle, feeling himself put to his speed, and discerning a couple of horses riding fast, at some hundred yards distance before him, betook himself to the road with such alacrity, as totally deranged the seat of his rider, who not only came up with, but passed, at full gallop, those whom he had been pursuing, pulling the reins with all his might, and ejaculating, « Stop! stop!» an interjection which seemed rather to regard his own palfrey, than what seamen call « the chase. » With the same involuntary speed, he shot a-head, (to use another nautical phrase)

about a furlong, ere he was able to stop and turn his horse, and then rode back towards our travellers, adjusting, as well as he could, his disordered dress, resettling himself in the saddle, and endeavouring to substitute a bold and martial frown, for the confusion and dismay which sate upon his visage during his involuntary career.

Wayland had just time to caution the lady not to be alarmed, adding, « this fellow is a gull, and I will use him as such. »

When the mercer had recovered breath and audacity enough to confront them, he ordered Wayland, in a menacing tone, to deliver up his palfrey.

<«< How » said the smith, in King Cambyses' vein, «< are we commanded to stand and deliver on the King's high-way? Then out, Excalibar, and tell this knight of prowess, that dire blows must decide between us. >>

« Haro and help, and hue and cry, every true man! said the mercer, « I am withstood in seeking to recover mine own. »

<< Thou swearest thy Gods in vain, foul paynim,» said Wayland, » for I will through with my purpose, were death at the end on't. Nevertheless, know, thou false man of frail cambric and ferrateen, that I am he, even the pedlar, whom thou didst boast to meet on Maidencastle-moor, and despoil of his pack; wherefore betake thee to thy weapons presently. »

I spoke but in jest, man » said Goldthred;

« I am an honest shopkeeper and citizen, who scorn to leap forth on any man from behind a hedge.

<< Then, by my faith, most puissant mercer, I am sorry for my vow, which was, that wherever I met thee, I would despoil thee of thy palfrey, and bestow it upon my leman, unless thou couldst defend it by blows of force. But the vow is passed and registred—and all I can do for thee, is to leave the horse at Donnington, in the nearest hostelrie. >>

<< But I tell thee friend,» said the mercer, «it is the very horse on which I was this day to carry Jane Thackham, of Shottesbrok, as far as the parish-church yonder, to become Dame Goldthred. She hath jumped out of the shotwindow of old Gaffer Thackham's grange; and lo ye, yonder she stands, at the place where she should have met the palfrey, with her camlet riding-cloak, and ivory-handled whip, like a picture of Lot's wife. I pray you, in good terms, let me have back the palfrey.»

<< Grieved am I,» said Wayland, «< as much for the fair damsel, as for thee, most noble imp of muslin. But vows must have their course - thou wilt find the palfrey at the Angel yonder at Donnington. It is all I may do for thee, with a safe conscience. »

<< To the devil with thy conscience! » said the dismayed mercer « Would'st thou have a bride walk to church on foot? »

« Thou may'st take her on thy crupper, Sir

Goldthred,» answered Wayland; « it will take down thy steed's mettle. »>

And how if

you if you forget to leave my horse, as you propose?» said Goldthred, not without hesitation, for his soul was afraid within him.

"

My pack shall be pledged for it yonder it lies with Giles Gosling, in his chamber with the damask'd leathern hangings, stuffed full with velvet, single, double, treble-piled—rashtaffeta, and parapa-shag, damask, and mockado, plush, and grogram »

nay,

Hold! hold!» exclaimed the mercer; if there be, in truth and sincerity, but the half of these wares but if ever I trust bumpkin with bonny Bayard again!

>>

« As you list for that, good Master Goldthred, and so good morrow to you - and well parted,» he added, riding on cheerfully with the lady, while the discountenanced mercer rode back much slower than he came, pondering what excuse he should make to the disappointed bri de, who stood waiting for her gallant groom in the midst of the king's high-way.

<< Methought,» said the lady,

said the lady, «as they rode on, yonder fool stared at me, as if he had some remembrance of me; yet I kept my muffler as high as I might. »

«If I thought so, » said Wayland, « I would ride back, and cut him over the pate- there would be no fear of harming his brains, for he never had so much as would make pap to a

sucking gosling. We must now push on, however, and at Donnington we will leave the oaf's horse, that he may have no farther temptation to pursue us, and endeavour to assume such a change of shape as may baffle his pursuit, if he should persevere in it. >>

The travellers reached Donnington without farther alarm, where it became matter of necessity that the Countess should enjoy two or three hours repose, during which Wayland disposed himself, with equal address and alacrity, to carry through those measures on which the safety of their future journey seemed to depend.

Exchanging his pedlar's gaberdine for a smockfrock, he carried the palfrey of Goldthred to the Angel Inn, which was at the other end of the village from that where our travellers had taken up their quarters. In the progress of the morning, as he travelled about his other business, he saw the steed brought forth, and delivered to the cutting mercer himself, who, at the head of a valorous poss of the Hue and Cry, came to rescue by force of arms what was delivered to him without any other ransom than the price of a huge quantity of ale, drunk out by his assistants, thirsty, it would seem, with their walk, and concerning the price of which Master Goldthred had a fierce dispute with the Headborough, whom he had summoned to aid him in raising the country.

Having made this act of prudent, as well as just restitution, Wayland procured such change