Great Britain -- History -- Medieval period, 1066-1485 -- Juvenile fiction
All this time Richard Wood and his men were impatiently waiting. "Why
tarry ye so long?" called the spy in a loud voice, as he looked in
their direction.
"We did but talk of what 'twere best to do and a few other matters,"
replied Herebald, advancing. "And we think we may promise places to ye
all in the boat. Run, Bernulf; make speed and bring the man and his
boat."
Away went Bernulf, leaping lightly across a pool here, picking his way
skilfully over long grass and among reeds there, to the amazement of
Richard Wood, who watched. "I would my horse had but the nimbleness and
speed of the knave's legs," he said. "But our toils be almost over, and
so I complain not. I make no doubt we lay hold of the young lord and
the serving-man in Yarmouth."
At this Herebald looked sceptical.
"What meanest thou by that look?" asked Richard Wood.
"Why, nothing," returned Herebald. "Only I did call to mind that there
be many fishing-vessels in the harbor."
"And what hath that to do with it?" asked Richard Wood.
"And through the North Sea one may go to France."
"Why, thou didst say that long ago when we were toiling through the
marsh. Thinkest thou I shall forget to search the ships when I have
searched the town? I forget not so easily, I promise thee."
The fen-man seemed not to be readily persuaded to bring his boat, for
an hour elapsed before he was seen rowing toward them with Bernulf
lolling lazily in the stern.
At last he reached the little party, and Richard Wood and his men were
safely embarked. Then the two Saxons, mounting their ponies, directed
them into the stream, and they were off, the fen-man glancing curiously
every now and then at his passengers. He made no remarks, however, but
managed his boat so skilfully that Richard Wood hardly realized that he
was on the water, and, in due time, found himself set ashore with his
men on the other side.
"And yonder be Yarmouth," said Herebald, cheerfully. "We come to it
surely by set of sun."
There was no more marks of passage before them, and Richard Wood,
picking his own path, travelled more easily than he had before, and had
also to help him an enlarged appreciation of his own powers, to which
he speedily added a large increase of hope that now the end of his
troubles had come. He therefore went forward with renewed animation,
and when, at set of sun, he stopped before a little Yarmouth inn, he
was well satisfied with himself.
"Do ye also lodge here?" he asked the Saxons.
Herebald affected to be uncertain.
"Surely it were better that ye do so," urged Richard Wood, "that we may
search the town and the ships together on the morrow."
"Nay," put in Bernulf. "We lodge not here. I do know a cheaper place;
and we be not Normans that we have money to waste."
Richard Wood frowned. "Speak not against the Normans," he said. "The
king is a Norman."
"Oh, ay," answered Bernulf, indifferently. And then he added with
determination in his tone, "We lodge not here."
Herebald now drew Richard Wood aside.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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