CHAPTER VII. Straining all his nerves he bow'd, As with the force of winds and waters pent He tugged, he shook, till down they came and drew MILTON'S SAMSON AGONISTES. PUDENS effected his escape without meeting with any further adventure. In his flight, indeed, he met two serfs, who eyed his Roman costume somewhat ferociously, and seemed inclined to commence an affray; but when they scanned his fine figure, and caught sight of the formidable dirk, they were content to allow him to pass on without any further expression of their hatred than an angry scowl. This, however, tended to make him more sensible of his hazardous situation, in a country where it was unsafe to appear alone in a Roman garb, and caused him more duly to appreciate the value of the spoil which he had taken from his sleeping foe. His first object was to recover his horse; but it was gone from the place where he had tethered it, and he began to think that there was some evil spell against him, connected with the temple and its precincts. On looking around him, he saw some blue smoke, rising apparently from a hut in the skirts of the forest, to which he directed his steps, and soon found himself at the entrance of a decent little cottage. On inquiring his way of a middle-aged female, who appeared to be the matron of the house, he was told that it was precisely the opposite to that which he had chosen; he was glad, therefore, of an invitation to partake of some refreshments. He was a little surprised at the cordiality of his reception, notwithstanding the almost proverbial hospitality of the inhabitants; for he had reason to be but too sensible of their prejudice to the Roman garb. But any misgivings which he felt, were dispelled in the course of conversation over meal; for his hostess informed him, to his his astonishment, that a Roman dress, notwithstanding the abhorrence in which it was held by some of her countrymen, should never want a shelter, while she had a roof; for, indeed, she said, that it was entirely owing to a young Roman that she now had a home. She then related the story of the black ram; by which it appeared that she was the widow whose cause he had espoused. His hostess having thus revealed herself, Pudens thought he could not do better than follow her example; and I will leave my readers to imagine the grateful delight of the widow, on finding that her present guest was her late defender. As she almost overwhelmed Pudens with her thanks, he told her, that she was much less indebted to him, than to the spirited conduct of her son. At the mention of her son, she shook her head, and said, 66 I pray Teut that no harm may come to my son for that; but you must know," said she, turning to Pudens, "that we have strong foes to contend against; and I am very anxious now about my poor son, for my days would be but few, even if my enemies would let me finish them peacefully, if any harm were to happen to him." “You need not alarm yourself, my good woman," added Pudens; "for I can assure you that your son is safe, having hunted with him but yesterday. He undertook to be my guide through the forest; but my horse being fleeter than his, I unfortunately left him and the rest of the company behind." "Oh, Sir," said the widow, "but he did not sleep at home last night, which I think he would have done had nothing happened, as the ' King promised that he should do so, for a few nights to guard my house; and not without good occasion," she added, "if I dare tell all; but wise people do not say all they know, and good people do not lightly speak evil of God's priests." While she was uttering this last sentence, the trampling of a horse's hoofs were heard, and on looking out at the door, who should appear but the son himself. The mother ran out to meet, and to embrace him; but he, seeing her guest, passed her by, with a slight salutation, and welcomed Pudens, with such extravagant demonstrations of joy as could be hardly accounted for. Ryno, however, (for that was his name,) soon explained his conduct. VOL. I. K "I thought," said he, "I should never We shouted and called for more see you. you, and I wandered about the forest seeking you, until it was dark; when, just as I was about giving you up for lost, this poor jaded horse, which I have ridden this morning, and which, you see, is the one you rode yesterday, trotted up to me as fast as his tired limbs could move, and then dropt down with exhaustion. Perceiving that the reins were broken, and that his shoulders were stained with blood, I thought that some evil accident had befallen you. It was, however, too dark to make further search, and I, therefore, kindled a fire in the forest, and rested, if rest it might be called, until day-break, when I continued my search until I found myself near home. But, oh! to find you both safe was more than I expected, particularly as I saw fires flaming in different directions, the sight of which, with the fury of the storm, and the howls of the wild beasts which haunt the forest, made me pass such a night as I hope never to pass again." When Ryno had finished his own story, he asked Pudens for an account of his adventures; |