"There's a Barbary horse might suit you," said he. "Ye shall try his paces. I bought him last Michaelmas, but he is scarce up to my weight, I believe. He should please you: a fiery, impatient brute." He linked arms with Nicholas, and made his brother curb his hasty steps to match his own. "Gently, lad! What's your hurry?" "None. What hawks do you keep now? What sport?" "Fair, fair. I was out with my neighbour Selby last Thursday. I let fly my tassel-gentle at a pheasant, discovered in a brake. A rare bird that! I had her from Stanbury when he was here over Twelfth Night; ye shall see her anon. Selby found a mallard, whistled off his falcon. Down she came, twice missed, but recovered it at a long flight...." They talked of hawking, and of venery, and of the management of the estate. When they came slowly back to the house the sun was sinking behind it in a red glow. Master Dawson met them with a warning of supper. Sir Nicholas' baggage had arrived, and was safely bestowed in his chamber. Sir Nicholas went up the wide stairs two at a time, and found Joshua laying out a doublet and hose of slashed mochado, with netherstocks of carnation silk, and a clean stiff ruff. A great bed with a canopy of carved wood supported at all four corners by pillars in the form of caryatides, stood out into the room. It had hangings of worked damask, and a Venice-valance. A bow-fronted chest of walnut inlaid with cherrywood stood at the foot of it; there was an armoire in one corner, a second chest bearing upon it a basin and ewer of pewter ware, painted cloths upon the walls, and a thrown-chair by the window. Sir Nicholas flung himself down in this, and stretched his legs out before him. "Off with my boots, Joshua. Where's the casket I bade ye cherish?" "Safe, master; I will bring it on the instant." Joshua knelt, and tugged at the muddied boots. "All goeth merrily at home, sir, as we see. 'What now,' quoth Master Dawson--he grows somewhat fat on good living, mark you--'What now, do ye stay in England, Master Dimmock?' This is to pry into our affairs, master. I made him a short answer, never fear me. 'It's not for me,' quoth I, 'to divulge what plans Sir Nicholas hath in mind.' He stood abashed." "I warrant me!" Sir Nicholas said mockingly. "A rare, politic answer, my Joshua. Pray, what are my plans?" Joshua arose with the second boot in his hand. "Nay, sir, ye have not favoured me with them yet," he said with unabated cheerfulness. "But it was not fit that I should say as much to that fat steward. A swag-bellied, pompous ass, I make bold to say. Yet, master, and I do not speak without reflection, it might suit us well to remain snug at home now." Sir Nicholas stood up, his fingers busy with the untying of his points. "Further, rogue, it might suit us better to be gone again just so soon as the _Venture_ is ready to put to sea." Joshua's face fell. "Is it so indeed, master?"