etter when unencumbered. Mostly people who pretend to help fail to understand what is in one's mind, and as a consequence generally bungle things grievously. I did not want this matter bungled.

yself on riding the best horse in the county, and Chestnut was certainly second to none. In spite of my unusual weight he carried me easily, he would run until he dropped, and possessed tremendous staying power. Added to this, I had seen him foaled, had fed him with my own hands, and when Jenkins, the famous horse-breaker, declared to me his inability to "break him in," I had undertaken the task myself, and had succeeded. I did it by a new method, too, for I never struck him a blow. I do not attribute this to any special power I possess over horses generally, for Jenkins would in nine cases out of ten succeed where I failed. The truth was, Chestnu

then, sur, makin' so bold?

see me. As you know, I have given you full part

Roger," said the serving-man tremu

nd had served our family all his life,

, and I baint no good 'ere when you be gone.

y. Everywhere new life was appearing. Everywhere, too, the spirit of rest seemed to reign. In those days I did not think much about the beauties of early spring, but I could not help being impressed by the scene around Tresillian. The little arm of the river enclosed by wooded hills was indeed fair to l

died out. Colman Killigrew was the descendant of one Benet Killigrew, who, although he did not, like some of his relations, become a courtier, was sufficiently fortunate to marry a Mistress Scobell Rosecarrick, of Endellion, in which Endellion Castle was situated. Through her this branch of the Ki

ging, and was now telling a story before taking his departure. There is no need that I should repeat the tale here; at the same time I mention the incident because I was impressed by the wondrous way he had of making us all look at him. One could have heard a pin drop when he was speaking. I was fascinated by him too, partly, I expect, because I did not understand him. As all the county knows, a tale-teller, or a wandering singer, who is usually called "a droll," is no unusual thing. Many of them had visited Trevanion, and I had always given them food and a bed. Mostly they came when the house was full of visitors, and regaled the company with song and story. But they were mostly of the lower orders of life, and spo

ive me one glance, and when he had fi

said the innkeeper, "do 'ee now. A

ve promised to be twelve miles awa

e you go, Uncle," p

tell 'ee," r

to the droll, and then shoulde

," said the innkeeper, turning

. "He does not seem

ou ca'ant git nothin' from un. Everybody es glad to zee un. He's a clain off zinge

thward,"

r,

m Tr

riner. I cud zee you ded'n belong

or I did[Pg 43] not feel like taking th

rts, 'ee es for sure. And 'ee d' knaw a lot to

y questions, but I learnt nothing about the Killigrews more than I had hitherto discovered; then

ral good-sized vessels lay at the riverside. But I had naught to do with them, so stopping only to take a glance at the river as it broadened out t

yself. I dared not tell them that I was a Trevanion, for my people were well known. We were well known to the Killigrews who had lived at Pendennis Castle,[Pg 44] also to those who possessed a place a few miles from Truro. Moreover, all the Trevanions were stout Protestants, and as Colman Killigrew and his sons we

spitality made this easy. No house of importance would close its doors to a traveller, be he rich or poor. I determined, therefore, to pretend that I was a member of an obscure branch of the Penryn family, who were well known to be Catholics; that I was the owner

my wits. I determined to keep a cool head and open eyes. If the worst came to

, while all around the country was bare, as far as trees were concerned. I rode t

ire Killigrew lives, m

revealing fine white tee

ur. End

s it not?" I said, po

is. Endellion es dree miles fro

ve there, you say?

em. Who

ut I want t

hough she were afraid, the

'ee kn

I re

ey kna

N

, sur. They be terble, sur. They taake no

was near, for I had not entered the villa

I believe you would not tell a lie.

. People miles round 'ave bin rubbed, and murdered, and people do zay tes they. But we ca'ant tell. And everybody es feared to tackle 'e

I mu

be very big and strong, sur; and do

ful. Is that

s oall

road?" I said, po

r, that'

whereupon she blushed finely, but curtsied

e right. The left road do laid to Rosecarrick.

se. "I'll remember," I said;

sur," and she curtsie

felt sure I could easily cover the three miles before dark. I had not gone a mile, when I saw a man tramping along t

d the innkeeper use, for the term "uncle" is one o

old man. "How do I know ef you d

Colman Killigrew's at

'll git in?" laug

are of an old Cornish family, they

! a purty traveller. But doan't 'ee

ou th

he re

can get shelt

Nobody'll zay no to ould Ant'ny. I zing, an' t

llow-travellers, bot

. "You come from a long way off, yo

r Pen

slowly, and looked at me again. "Iss, we'll be

could. The innkeeper at Wadebridge had told me that every house was open to Uncle Anth

aid; "get on my horse, and r

I had dismounted he prepa

n the back of a 'oss like this,

on," I replied, "if I was not h

sharply, but seeming to think better of i

ry it," I

plied sharply; "the devil wud git into u

slowly by Chestnut's head, who seemed to resent his change of rider, but a word from me

n?" I aske

ace where the Killigre

a rough hand was laid on my arm, and I saw that we were surrounded by several men. It was now nearly dark, and I cou

e knaw me, Clement Killigrew; doan't

voice. "Uncle Anthony on h

Benet; a supper and a

le Anthony," was the reply, "but for this ja

l brook such words. "You carry swords, come on then

drawn. Instead they

s horse

t

cle Anthony rid

y affair,

to whom

an Killigrew's house, and I thought you might be Killigrews. But they b

ally, and then one of them spok

f Penryn, come to Endellion, and welcome. We may know your business

footpads, who attack a

beg to tender our apologies for discourteous treatment. We think all the better of you for drawing your sword. But put it up, man, we will conduct

, for I had become cool again, and I knew I had a difficult

ng, well-built men. They carried themselves well, too

ne of a large castellated building. Here and there lights twinkled, but

ews who had not hitherto spoken. "We be a rough branch of the

ill whistle and a s

at it is well curry-combed a

to take the maid called Nancy Molesworth. My blood tingled at the thought of wild adventure; all the sam