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Updated: June 18, 2025
As Pearson had done, he visited the stables several times to see that the horses were well cared for, evidently considering it as important as did his friend, that they should be in a fit condition for a hard gallop. They travelled, indeed, a couple of days before Jack discovered the name of his companion. He at length heard him spoken to as Master Burdale.
The stranger also treated her with considerable respect; and though he spoke in a rough way to Jack and Burdale, whenever he deigned to address them, his manner was greatly softened as he turned to the dame or the young girl. He observed, when she brought it out, that the tall stranger looked at it askance.
The tall stranger took his seat at it with the same self-confident air with which he had entered the room. At that moment Ned Burdale came in, and was about to take his seat at the board, when, seeing the stranger, he stopped short. "I beg your pardon, sir! I did not know "
"As to that, I don't know," answered Burdale; "but do you follow the old people's example, and let them alone, and they will let you alone, depend upon that!" Some loud groans were heard above Jack's head as he spoke, and he could not help starting, so melancholy and deep sounding were they.
Jack all the time was longing to have some private conversation with Alethea; but the other guests showed no inclination to take their departure; and he felt that he could not remain much longer, as his companion, Burdale, would naturally be becoming impatient. He himself could not agree with the priest's remarks, plausible as they were.
"Have no fear," said Burdale; "he is of the right sort, and no risk of his peaching, even if he did find out any thing he should not know." With this assurance, as soon as Jack dismounted, the old man took his horse, and accompanied Burdale round the tower to the stables. The dame, meantime, beckoned to Jack to follow her.
There is an old proverb they have got `A willow will buy a horse before an oak will buy a saddle." Burdale, indeed, seemed to have a good deal of information to give about the fens; and Jack could not help thinking that he must belong to the country, or, at all events, have lived a considerable time in it.
"He made old Will pay pretty dear for his protection." "Then were you the horseman I met, who advised me to offer payment?" "Ay, my lad, that I was," was the answer. "I wonder you did not know me again when I came to you as a guide to conduct you to Pearson's farm in the fens." "I thought it was you, and I was right." "Yes; but I had good reason for not telling you so," said Burdale.
Burdale heard his voice at length, and hurried back to his assistance. Jack had already got off his horse into the mud, hoping in that way to relieve the poor animal, but it did but little good, and he himself was also sticking fast! "Here, catch hold of the end of this rope!" exclaimed Burdale, as he threw one which was secured to his saddlebow.
He soon returned with a flagon of wine, which his guests pronounced to be excellent. Burdale drank freely himself, and pressed Jack to imitate his example. Being generally temperate, Jack found at length that he had taken more wine than was his wont, and began to feel an unusual drowsiness stealing over him.
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