Therewith he swung himself into his saddle, and Christopher laughedmerrily at his poor gibe and mounted in like wise.
Wherewithal they rode their ways through the thorpe, and at thesouthern end thereof Simon drew rein, and looked on Christopher as if hewould ask him something, but asked not. Then said Christopher:"Whither go we now?"
Said Simon: "It is partly for thee to say: hearken, I am bidden firstto ride the Redwater Wood with thee: knowest thou that?"
"Yea," said the lad, "full well: but which way shall we ride it? Wiltthou come out of it at Redwater Head, or Herne Moss, or the Long Pools?"
Said Simon: "We shall make for the Long Pools, if thou canst bringme there."
Christopher laughed: "Aha!" said he, "then am I some farawaycousin of Dr. Knowall when the whole tale is told: forsooth I can lead theethither; but tell me, what shall I do of valiant deeds at the Long Pools? forthere is no fire-drake nor effit, nay, nor no giant, nor guileful dwarf,nought save mallard and coot, heron and bittern; yea, and ague-shivers toboot."
Simon looked sourly on him and said: "Thou are bidden to go withme, young man, or gainsay the Marshal. Art thou mighty enough thereto?For the rest, fear not but that the deed shall come to thee one day."
"Nay," said Christopher, "it is all one to me, for I am at home in thesewoods and wastes, I and my shafts. Tell me of the deeds when thouwilt." But indeed he longed to know the deed, and fretted him because ofSimon's surliness and closeness. Then he said: "Well, Squire Simon,let us to the road; for thou shalt know that to-night we must needs houseus under the naked heaven; in nowise can we come to the Long Poolsbefore to-morrow morning."
"Yea, and why not?" said the squire; "I have lain in worse places."
"Wilt thou tell me thereof?" said Christopher.