"I have come to my resolution, Astbury," he said. "I cannot go with you." And, even as he spoke, he realized what a very fool he had been to let this fellow gull him with his talk of a pot of gold! The gleam of disappointed greed that shone in Astbury's eyes told what he might have guessed already, that it was no old affection or fidelity that had drawn the man to him, but merely the hope of making money. And that hope the fellow was not likely to relinquish in a hurry. But in vain did Astbury implore and wheedle, swear and protest Dick was firm, till at last the rascal began to realize that his prize was slipping from him, and changed his tone and grumbling out-- "It wasn't like a gentleman to go back on his word after as good as promising a poor fellow his passage-money." "Nay, I made no promise," returned Richard; "and I am a poor man myself. But, for the sake of old times, I will give thee twenty shillings to help thee on thy road to Bristol." Astbury clutched the money, and then an evil grin came over his face. "Fair and easy, Master Dick! Twenty shillings in hand is all very well, but you give me to expect more, and I do expect more." "Then you will get no more, my man," returned Dick, sharply; "so good day to you. There lies your way, and here lies mine." He was turning as he said, when Astbury, with an oath, sprang forward, flourishing his cudgel; but he had forgotten that the young officer was no novice at sword-play, and a turn of Dick's wrist sent the ruffian's stick flying over the hedge. Astbury, nothing disconcerted, rushed in and closed with him, and so heavy was the onslaught of the burly fellow that it staggered Richard, and he was put to it to hold his own. But, after a few blows had been exchanged, Dick's rising temper supplied the strength that had been lessened by hardship, while Astbury, unwieldy and out of condition, soon lost his breath, and, hitting out wildly, gave Dick an opening for a good straight left-hander, that sent his opponent crashing on the ground. Once down, he seemed in no hurry to get up, and Dick, having satisfied himself that the fellow was more frightened than hurt, left him sprawling in the mud with his twenty shillings scattered round him, and, as Bunyan would have put it, "went joyfully on his way, and was troubled no more by him at that time." CHAPTER V. HIDDEN WORTH. "Here all things in their place remain, As all were ordered ages since, Come, care and pleasure, hope and pain, And bring the fated fairy prince." TENNYSON, _The Day Dream._ Through the winter weather Richard Harrison wandered eastward.