20
KING JAMES AND THE ROBBERS,
the stranger.) The wood was not far distant, the boy was famous for his swiftness of foot, and they could see that his pursuers were falling fast behind. To their dismay, however, they perceived, at length, that there was a powerful dog among the number, who continued the chase after all his human competitors had abandoned it in despair. He gained fast upon the boy. 'He is lost,' said Edith, piteously; 'that villanous dog will tear him to pieces.' But the event belied the maiden's fear. Just as the ferocious animal seemed about to seize him, the boy was seen to turn upon his pursuer, the dog gave a loud howl, and fell to the ground, and the stranger could perceive his own dagger gleaming in the stripling's hand, as he waved it in triumph over his head ere he disappeared among the trees.
'I could stake an earldom,' said the stranger exultingly, 'on that boy's proving a noble soldier. By the soul of Bruce, he can both fight and flee.'
Walter's terror, as he listened to these words, fairly mastered the assumed composure which he had hitherto affected. He took off his bonnet, and, bending lowly to the stranger, said, in a voice tremulous with fear,
'In God's name, say, oh! say, sir, are you not the king!'
'Even so, good Walter, James of Scotland stands before you. Are you sorry to see me? By Saint Andrew, I had hoped I should be welcome to every honest house, aye, and every honest heart in my dominions.'
Walter had dropped on his knee as the truth, which he had for some time suspected, was confirmed to him; and, looking up to his royal guest, while tears stood in his eyes, 'Welcome, my noble prince; what is it of Walter Colville's, from the bodle in his purse to the last drop of his heart's blood, that the king is not welcome to? I and mine, my liege, have fought, and bled, and died for the royal house. But to see your grace here in peril, surrounded by so many villains, and this old arm alone left to assist you. Oh! for the six braw fellows that I have seen prancing on yonder lea; they would have cleared a way for your highness through them all.'
'Never fear for me, Walter Colville; I am not doomed to fall by a brawl of this kind, or in nine own land. So runs the rede.'
The king now turned round, and perceived Arthur and Edith, who had retired to a little distance. When they saw they were observed, they advanced, and would have kneeled; but the prince prevented this; he took them both by the hand, and imprinted on the lips of Edith a kiss, savouring as much of warm affection as of kingly courtesy.
Their attention was now directed to the operations of the
