beginning of the twelfth month), and I had no boots, being snatched
away from home on a sudden, which made me not care to ride very
fast. And my guard, who was a tradesman in Thame, having confidence
in me that I would not give him the slip, jogged on without heeding
how I followed him.

When I was gone about a mile on the way I overtook my father's man,
who, without my knowledge, had followed me at a distance to Weston,
and waited there abroad in the stables till he understood by some of
the servants that I was to go to Oxford; and then ran before,
resolving not to leave me till he saw what they would do with me.

I would have had him return home, but he desired me not to send him
back, but let him run on until I came to Oxford. I considered that
it was a token of the fellow's affectionate kindness to me, and that
possibly I might send my horse home by him; and thereupon stopping
my horse I bid him, if he would go on, get up behind me. He
modestly refused, telling me he could run as fast as I rode. But
when I told him if he would not ride he should not go forward, he,
rather than leave me, leaped up behind me, and on we went.

But he was not willing I should have gone at all. He had a great
cudgel in his hand, and a strong arm to use it; and being a stout
fellow, he had a great mind to fight the trooper, and rescue me.
Wherefore he desired me to turn my horse and ride off, and if the
trooper offered to pursue, leave him to deal with him.

I checked him sharply for that, and charged him to be quiet, and not
think hardly of the poor trooper, who could do no other nor less
than he did; and who, though he had an ill journey in going with me,