“Have no misgivings on the subject,” said Richard, “but urge the matter strongly; and if you need support, I will give you all I can, for I feel we are best observing the divine mandate by making the Sabbath a day of rest, and observing it cheerfully.  And this, I apprehend, is the substance of your petition?”

“The whole sum and substance,” replied Nicholas; “and I have reason to believe his Majesty’s wishes are in accordance with it.”

“They are known to be so,” said Sherborne.

“I am glad to hear it,” cried Richard.  “God save King James, the friend of the people!”

“Ay, God save King James!” echoed Nicholas; “and if he I grant this petition he will prove himself their friend, for he will I have all the clergy against him, and will be preached against from half the pulpits in the kingdom.”

“Little harm will ensue if it should be so,” replied Richard; “for he will be cheered and protected by the prayers of a grateful and happy people.”

They then rode on for a few minutes in silence, after which; Richard inquired—­

“You had brave doings at Myerscough Lodge, I suppose, Nicholas?”

“Ay, marry had we,” answered the squire, “and the feasting must have cost Ned Tyldesley a pretty penny.  Besides the King and his own particular attendants, there were some dozen noblemen and their followers, including the Duke of Buckingham, who moves about like a king himself, and I know not how many knights and gentlemen.  Sherborne and I rode over from Dunnow, and reached the forest immediately after the King had entered it in his coach; so we took a short cut through the woods, and came up just in time to join Sir Richard Hoghton’s train as he was riding up to his Majesty.  Fancy a wide glade, down which a great gilded coach is slowly moving, drawn by eight horses, and followed by a host of noblemen and gentlemen in splendid apparel, their esquires and pages equally richly arrayed, and equally well mounted; and, after these, numerous falconers, huntsmen, prickers, foresters, and yeomen, with staghounds in leash, and hawk on fist, all ready for the sport.  Fancy all this if you can, Dick, and then conceive what a brave sight it must have been.  Well, as I said, we came up in the very nick of time, for presently the royal coach stopped, and Sir Richard Hoghton, calling all his gentlemen around him, and bidding us dismount, and we followed him, and drew up, bareheaded, before the King, while Sir Richard pointed out to his Majesty the boundaries of the royal forest, and told him he would find it as well stocked with deer as any in his kingdom.  Before putting an end to the conference, the King complimented the worthy Knight on the gallant appearance of his train, and on learning we were all gentlemen, graciously signified his pleasure that some of us should be presented to him.  Amongst others, I was brought forward by Sir Richard, and liking my looks, I suppose, the King was condescending enough