Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/243

Rh young girl insisted, giving as a reason that she must act the part she had assumed for fear lest some of the neighbors should report her presence in disguise. After the morning meal was finished, Amabel explained more fully the purpose of her expedition, and asked the farmer to advise her.

The goodman sat before his fire upon a rude settle, chin in hand, and in deep reflection. At last he spoke:

"My lady," said he, "I shall go with you. With me you may travel securely; without me, you might be suspected, and be stopped. You are not one of us. The clothes are right enough, but your talk, your ways, hands, feet—everything would betray you to a keen eye. Besides, alone you might be robbed or murdered, beggar though you seem. With me, I can take you safely to the next market-town, and then get my friends there to send you forward. Lord Mortimer has done me many a good turn, and now, in his son's need, I will do what I can to serve him, and do it gladly."

Amabel was not so foolish as to reject his offer, and not long afterward they departed together riding upon a rude wagon piled high with bags of barley. The farmer met one or two upon the road, and was careful to let them know that he was