The gipsy-man made a sign to the women, and Plantagenet was lifted by them off his pony, before he could be aware of their purpose; the children led the pony away, and the gipsy-man conducted Plantagenet to the fire, where an old woman sat, presiding over the mysteries of an enormous flesh-pot.  Immediately his fellows, who had originally been clustered around it, re-appeared; fresh blocks and branches were thrown on, the flames crackled and rose, the men seated themselves around, and Plantagenet, excited by the adventure, rubbed his hands before the fire, and determined to fear nothing.

A savoury steam exuded from the flesh-pot.

‘That smells well,’ said Plantagenet.

’Tis a dimber cove,’[A] whispered one of the younger men to a companion.

[Footnote A:  ’Tis a lively lad.]

‘Our supper has but rough seasoning for such as you,’ said the man who had first saluted him, and who was apparently the leader; ’but the welcome is hearty.’

The woman and girls now came with wooden bowls and platters, and, after serving the men, seated themselves in an exterior circle, the children playing round them.

‘Come, old mort,’ said the leader, in a very different tone to the one in which he addressed his young guest, ’tout the cobble-colter; are we to have darkmans upon us?  And, Beruna, flick the panam.’[A]

[Footnote A:  Come, old woman, took after the turkey.  Are we to wait till night!  And, Beruna, cut the bread.]

Upon this, that beautiful girl, who had at first attracted the notice of Cadurcis, called out in a sweet lively voice, ‘Ay! ay!  Morgana!’ and in a moment handed over the heads of the women a pannier of bread, which the leader took, and offered its contents to our fugitive.  Cadurcis helped himself, with a bold but gracious air.  The pannier was then passed round, and the old woman, opening the pot, drew out, with a huge iron fork, a fine turkey, which she tossed into a large wooden platter, and cut up with great quickness.  First she helped Morgana, but only gained a reproof for her pains, who immediately yielded his portion to Plantagenet.  Each man was provided with his knife, but the guest had none.  Morgana immediately gave up his own.

‘Beruna!’ he shouted, ’gibel a chiv for the gentry cove.’[A]

[Footnote A:  Bring a knife for the gentleman.]

‘Ay! ay!  Morgana!’ said the girl; and she brought the knife to Plantagenet himself, saying at the same time, with sparkling eyes, ’Yam, yam, gentry cove.’[A]

[Footnote A:  Eat, eat, gentleman.]