Simon grinned: “Well, lad,” said he, “I see that thou knowest Jack of the Tofts even better than I do; so why in the devil’s name thou art loth to lead me to him, I wot not.”
Christopher reddened, and held his peace awhile; then he said: “Well fellow-farer, at least I shall know something of him ere next midnight.”
“Yea,” said Simon, “and shall we not come to the Tofts before nightfall?”
“Let us essay it,” said Christopher, “and do our best, it yet lacketh three hours of noon.” Therewith he spurred on, for the greensward was hard under the hooves, and they had yet some way to go before they should come amongst the trees and thickets.
Into the said wood they came, and rode all day diligently, but night fell on them before they saw either house or man or devil; then said Simon: “Why shou
