Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/289

 CHAPTER LI. OSBERNE IS BEGUILED BY FELONS.

OW he took up his abode there; and presently took to going day after day along a certain path, which was just well within the borders of the Wood. And there he would walk well-nigh all day, sometimes going further, sometimes stopping short and going to and fro, and this became known to all men; and such times he was unarmed, save that he was girt with Board-cleaver under his gown. Now on the thirteenth day of his sojourn he walked this path, and had gone somewhat further than usual, and was beginning to think of turning back, when there came a man toward him from the Wood and hailed him, and he took his greeting. The man was clad in black, and had a buckler at his back and sword and dagger by his side, a white sallet on his head: a long-nosed, dark-haired man, beardless and thin-lipped, whose eyes came somewhat too near to each other each side of his head. He looked as if he might be some chapman's servant. Osberne looked for him to pass by him, and stood a little aside; but the man stopped and said: O famous warrior, might a carle of no worth speak with thee a few words this noon? Why not? said Osberne smiling, for never might he bring himself to the fashion of great men to be rough and short with common