'We are about three miles from Salisbury town.' 'It is a noble spire,' said he, glancing at the great stone spire in front of us.

'The men of old would seem to have spent all their days in piling stones upon stones.

And yet we read of tough battles and shrewd blows struck, showing that they had some time for soldierly relaxation, and were not always at this mason work.' 'The Church was rich in those days,' I answered, shaking my bridle, for Covenant was beginning to show signs of laziness.

'But here comes one who might perhaps tell us something of the war.' A horseman who bore traces of having ridden long and hard was rapidly approaching us.

Both rider and steed were grey with dust and splashed with mire, yet he galloped with loosened rein and bent body, as one to whom every extra stride is of value.
'What ho, friend!' cried Saxon, reining his mare across the road so as to bar the man's passage.