Page:Tudor Jenks--The defense of the castle.djvu/49

 less than three days after the arrangement of the ambush, Edgar and Amabel rode out early one morning attended by a falconer and by old Hugh. It was not usual for Hugh to go with them, and it was only by chance that he went with them this time. Amabel, who had taken a strong liking to the veteran had asked him to make one of their party, and to be umpire in the trial of their hawks. He would not have accepted the invitation except that it offered him an opportunity to become better acquainted with the surrounding country, and he felt that this knowledge might become of great value to him. He refused a spirited horse that was offered him, and chose a quieter riding-horse—one Lady Mortimer used—a white mare capable of some speed when necessary, but fonder of a good road-gait.

It happened that their route led them toward the woods where the little boy hired by Luke was posted; and as they approached they saw him scurrying away in the distance. Amabel laughed 25