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One by one they glided from the stream into the thick woods beyond. We waited until we knew that they were were deep in the forest, then crept from the willows and went our way. "They were Youghtenunds," I said, in the low tones we used when we spoke at all, "and they went to the southward." "We may thank our stars that they missed our trail," Diccon answered.
"Now then, Cis, bravely done! Show how she treats her ladies " "Who will be her lady? Thou must, Humfrey!" "No, no, I'll never be a lady," said Humfrey gruffly. "Thou then, Diccon." "No, no," and the little fellow shrank back, "thou wilt hurt me, Cis." "Come then, do thou, Tony! I'll not strike too hard!" "As if a wench could strike too hard."
From the long, communal houses poured forth men, women, and children; fires sprang up, dispersing the mist, and a commotion arose through the length and breadth of the place. The women made haste with their cooking, and bore maize cakes and broiled fish to the warriors who sat on the ground in front of the royal lodge. Diccon and I were loosed, brought without, and allotted our share of the food.
"This woman was not nearly so old as Tibbott," said Cis, "nor did she walk with a staff, nor had she those grizzled black brows that were wont to frighten me." "But was she tall?" asked Susan. "Oh yes, mother. She was very tall she came after Diccon and me with long strides yet it could never have been Tibbott!"
Meantime old Diccon Bowman was staring about him with huge interest, every now and then nudging his young master, calling his attention now to this and now to that, until at last the lad began to awaken somewhat from his despondency to the things around.
The pirates' shout of triumph was echoed by a cry from her decks and the defiant roar of her few remaining guns. I drew my sword. The minister and Diccon moved nearer to me, and the King's ward, still and white and braver than a man, stood beside me. From the pirates that we faced came one deep breath, like the first sigh of the wind before the blast strikes.
"Aye, but it ain't mine yet, Cap'n, so mum it but I've a plan." "Belay, Job!" exclaimed Diccon. "Easy all. Yonder she cometh." Sure enough, I saw Joanna descend the ladder from the poop and come mincing across the deck towards us. "Hola, Belvedere, mon Capitan!" said she, glancing about her quick-eyed. "You keep your ship very foul, yes. Dirt to dirt! ah?
All at once, out from her main broke the golden banner of Spain, whereupon rose fierce outcries from our rogues; then above the clamour rose the voice of Diccon: "Shout, lads shout for Roger, give tongue to Jolly Roger!" and looking where he pointed with glittering cutlass, I beheld that hideous flag that is hated by all honest mariners.
"Nay, but is it so?" asked Diccon with startled eyes. "Hush! you have yet to learn statecraft," returned his friend. His father's monitory hand only just saved the boy from bursting out with something that would have rather astonished Westminster Hall, and caused him to be taken out by the ushers. It is not wonderful that no report of the priest's speech has been preserved.
I rode in front, with Mistress Percy upon a pillion behind me, and Diccon on the brown mare brought up the rear. The negress and the mails I had sent by boat. Now, a ride through the green wood with a noble horse beneath you, and around you the freshness of the morn, is pleasant enough. Each twig had its row of diamonds, and the wet leaves that we pushed aside spilled gems upon us.
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