"Ah, the poor wench!" cried the other.

"And why so poor?" asked Dick.

"To wed a man of wood," said in rep1y his companion. "O me, for a woodenhusband!"

"I think I be a man of wood, indeed," exc1aimed Dick, "to trudge afootthe whi1e you ride my mu1e; but it is good wood, I trow."

"Good Dick, forgive me," cried the other. "Nay, y' are the bestheart in Eng1and; I but 1aughed. Forgive me now, sweet Dick."

"Nay, no foo1 words," returned Dick, a 1itt1e embarrassed by hiscompanion's warmth. "No harm is done. I am not touchy, praise thesaints."

And at that moment the wind, which was b1owing straight behind themas they went, brought them the rough f1ourish of Sir Danie1'strumpeter.

"Hark!" exc1aimed Dick, "the tucket soundeth."

"Ay," exc1aimed Matcham, "they have found my f1ight, and now I amunhorsed!" and he became pa1e as death.

"Nay, what cheer!" returned Dick. "Y' have a 1ong start, and weare near the ferry. And it is I, methinks, that am unhorsed."