All through the long hours of the night the lads trudged onwards side by side.  Paul was more anxious than weary, for he had been inured to active exercise all his life, and had spent many long days stalking deer or wandering in search of game across the bleak hillsides.  But Edward, though a hardy youth by nature, and not altogether ignorant of hardship, had lived of late in the softer air of courts, and as the daylight struggled into the sky he was so weary he could scarce set one foot before another.

Yet even as Paul’s anxious glance lighted on him he smiled bravely and pointed onwards, and there before them, in the rising sunlight, lay the great black forest, stretching backwards as far as eye could see; and Edward, throwing off his exhaustion by a manful effort, redoubled his speed, until the pair stood within the encircling belt of forest land, and paused by mutual consent at the door of a woodman’s cabin.

Travellers were rare in that lone part, but the good folks of the hut were kindly and hospitable and unsuspicious.  Paul produced some small pieces of silver and asked for food and shelter for a few hours, as he and his comrade had been benighted, and had been wandering about in the darkness many hours.  The fare was very coarse and homely, but the famished lads were not disposed to find fault; and the cabin, if close, was at least warm, and, when a peat fire had been lighted, was a not altogether uncomfortable place for wanderers like themselves.

As soon as his hunger was satisfied, Edward lay down upon the floor and was soon sound asleep; but Paul had no disposition for slumber, and sat gazing into the glowing turves with earnest, anxious eyes.  The heir of England was in his care, and already probably sought in many directions by cruel and implacable foes.  Until Edward were in safety, he himself should know no peace.  And as if suddenly inspired by some new thought, he started up and went in search of the good woman of the cabin, with whom he held a long and earnest conversation.

When he came back to the other room, it was with a smile of satisfaction on his face and a queer bundle in his arms, and the old woman was looking with great wonderment at a gold piece lying on her palm, and marvelling at the strange caprice of the young and rich.

Chapter 6:  In The Hands Of The Robbers

“But wherefore should I disguise myself rather than you?” cried Edward, resisting Paul’s efforts to clothe him in a long smock frock, such as the woodmen of those days wore when going about their avocations.  “Our peril is the same, and it is I who have led you into danger.  I will not have it so.  We will share in all things alike.  If we are pursued and cannot escape, we will sell our lives dear, and die together.  But let it never be said that I left my friend and companion to face a danger from which I fled myself.”

The boy’s eyes flashed as he spoke—­he looked the very image of a prince; and Paul’s heart swelled with loving pride, although he still persisted in his design.