He was quite prepared to make short work of farmer and men alike if there should be any futile attempt at rescue.  The man knew his trade, and long habit had made him utterly reckless of human life.  But the words he heard exchanged between the child and the farmer held him spellbound, too.

“I was playing with the prince,” cried Paul, loud enough for all to hear.  “He bid me take his collar and cap and be prince in fantasy, whilst he was my esquire.  Afterwards, when he was weary, he lay down to rest, and these fellows caught me and carried me off, thinking I was prince indeed.  I would not tell them what they had done, lest they should return and capture him.  But bid them loose me now, good Gaffer, and give them all the money in your pouch as my ransom, and I warrant my father will repay you double.

“It is the heir of the House of Lancaster you want, gentlemen, not a poor knight’s youngest son, a lad of no account.  This good man will pay you some broad gold pieces if you will let me go; but if you are resolved to take my life as the price of my deceit, why, take it now.  I am not afraid to die in a good cause, and this worthy man will perchance take home my body to my mother, that it may lie in time beside hers.”

“Nay, lad, we will all die ere they shall touch a hair of thy bonny head,” cried the honest farmer, signing to his men to come and be ready.  “If there’s a man in this troop dastard enough to lay a hand upon thee, he shall settle accounts with Gaffer Hood ere he leaves the place.  A farmer can fight, ay, and give good strong blows, too.

“Now, gentlemen, which of you will lay hands on that gallant child? for he will have to do it across my dead body first.”

“Tush, man, put up thy sword,” cried the leader of the band, who, being a man prompt both in action and thought, had taken in the bearings of the situation with great rapidity, and upon whom the simple heroism of the child had not been thrown away.

Rough and self-seeking and cruel as lawless times had made such men, they were not devoid of all better feelings; and although, had there been no interposition on his behalf, Paul might have been a victim to their irritation at being thus duped, as it was his life was now safe enough.

“We war not with babes and children.  The boy has borne himself gallantly, and we will take the gold pieces and let him go free.  Our chance may come another time, and we want not the cumbrance of children on our march.  He would not be hostage worth having, so ransom him and begone.  We have the prince’s jewels if we have not the lad himself.

“Go your way, boy; you will make a soldier in time.  You have the right grit in you.  Farewell! one day we may meet again.”

And thinking, perhaps, that he and his band had better not linger longer, the captain gave the word to mount; and as soon as Paul’s thongs were cut and the ransom paid over, the troopers set spurs to their horses’ sides and vanished away in the darkness.