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and hallooing like mad-his fearlessness made him somewhat of a favourite, the which grew to a greater liking when, as he was returning from a neighbouring fair, the old man was set upon by thieves, and as they were a rifling of him up came Harry Daring with his cudgel, and he so belaboure them that one was left for dead, and the rest, rely bruised, took themselves off with such speed of foot that they presently were gone clean out of sight. This piece of good service Stephen Shortcake never forgot, and told Sir Walter of it, and every one else he could, to the great credit of his defender; nay, when complaints were made to him of such mischief as the young rogue would oft do, he would hush it up as well as he could, that it might not come to the ears of his

master.

Once Harry Daring was a walking along the high road by himself, anxious for some sport, he cared not of what sort, he met an old woman in a red cloak a going to market, seated on the top of a high horse between two panniers full of eggs; and walking by the side of her, he very soberly entered into a discourse upon the price of butter and cheese and such things; when all of a sudden he fired a pistol close unto the horse's ear, at the which the animal set off full gallop, pitching of the old woman head foremost into a neighbouring ditch, and shaking of the panniers till the eggs were all of

a smash. After laughing heartily, he presently lifted the old dame out of the ditch, luckily in no way hurt, yet in as complete a pickle as was possible for her to be in; and, much lamenting of the accident, he caught her horse, which he brought to her to mount; but when she saw all her eggs a streaming through the panniers, and Dobbin's sides as yellow as a piece of gold, she would have none of his lamentations, and on the instant broke out into such a fury as might have been terrible for any one else to have looked upon. Of this he took no heed; but quickly began abusing of her in return, after so aggravating a fashion, that she ran at him to give him a good clouting, whereupon he dodged her round the horse till he made her legs ache again, laughing all the time, as if he had never had such excellent pastime; and when he had made sufficient sport of her, he took a quick run, and making a leap over the hedge close by which she stood, to her great astonishment vanished from her sight. However, it so happened that she found out where he lived, and she soon came in a desperate rage, and with a woeful tale, to Stephen Shortcake, who, rather than Sir Walter Raleigh should hear of it, paid her handsomely out of his own gains for the damage she had been at, which sent her away in a better humour: but he allowed not Harry to get off from this mischievous trick of his without speaking to him severely upon the very heinousness of

such doings, and shewing him how like it was to lose him Sir Walter's favour, at the which the boy expressed such great contrition, with so very innocent a face, that the old steward was charmed with him, and gave him a cup of choice old wine to warm his young heart, as he said. Nevertheless, his contrition lasted not long, for the very next day Gabriel and Roger, two of the serving men, fell into the brook, because of the plank going across

ing been sawn nearly through; and although upon close investigation it was found out nobody had done it, that it was a trick of Harry Daring's contrivance none doubted. During this time he discoursed frequently with Master Francis and others upon what he would do when he was a venturing of himself in foreign parts; for the intended adventure in search of El Dorado suited his humour to a nicety, and he spoke of the exquisite fine fun he should have in the killing of Spaniards, with a wonderful degree of pleasantness, as if all other pastimes were as nought to it.

Now that preparations for the expedition were so far advanced, there was a large party of the gentlemen adventurers and the principal officers met at Sherborne, and with them a many of Sir Walter's choicest friends, to take leave of him. For two or three days these, his guests, were kept in the constant enjoyment of such pleasures as the country afforded. There was hunting and hawk

ing for some, and others seemed to take most delight in going a fishing: the dainty walks, the delicate orchards, the flowery gardens, and the solitary groves, did invite many to a stroll, where, as the gallants with their ladies passed along, mayhap they would come to a party of country people, dressed up very famously, dancing of a morrice to the pipe and tabor, or on a sudden their ears should be ravished with a concert of concealed music from all manner of sackbuts, cornets, flutes, and the like pleasant instruments. Then, when they got into the solitary groves, they should hear voices singing of a roundelay, and none could tell whence they came, which made them all marvel exceedingly. In the evening there was dancing and singing of madrigals among the guests; and some did act in masques marvellous well devised, and others played them on the lute, the virginals, and the theorbo, to the complete enrapturing of the whole company: besides which there were some of the best musicians who could be had for money, and they were placed in different rooms, and, when desired, struck up most excellent sweet music.

Among the company there came the merry Alice and her lovers, and she being desirous of vexing them as much as possible for her own especial amusement, did dance oft and very lovingly with Master Francis, and appear wonderfully taken with him; and he, with a courteousness that was natural

to him, though his heart was not in it, at her requesting, did play the lover to her in jest, paying her such close attention as moved them all into a wondrous jealousy. Dr. Bashful sat himself in a corner, and would have speech of no one, he was so disturbed at the sight; others looked on exceeding melancholy and dejected; and Sir Narcissus Wrinkles, my Lord Wiseacre, and Master Aniseed, did get into such a rage, that after remarking unto each other the strange familiarities of the young heiress with Master Francis, it was resolved amongst them, that each should send him a challenge, not doubting that one or other should kill him, and so the survivors have the better chance. The next question was, who was to take the challenge; and whilst they were debating upon it, who should come up to them but Master Shakspeare, whom they all knew; and they instantly agreed it should be no other.

"By Tartarus!" exclaimed Sir Narcissus, to him, "you are come in the very nick of time to do us three a marvellous piece of service."

"Then have I come at the properest time I could have chosen," replied Master Shakspeare, very merrily. “What want you of me, my masters? Hast got ever a message for a pretty woman? if so, I will do my best she shall like either the message or the messenger, so that she should be well pleased to hear more by the same conveyance."

VOL. II.

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