These stood, indeed, much in the position in which landlords stand to their tenants, payment being made, for the most part, in produce.

At the edge of the wood the trees grew comparatively far apart, but as Cuthbert proceeded further into its recesses, the trees in the virgin forest stood thick and close together.

Here and there open glades ran across each other, and in these his sharp eye, accustomed to the forest, could often see the stags starting away at the sound of his footsteps.
It was a full hour's journey before Cuthbert reached the point for which he was bound.

Here, in an open space, probably cleared by a storm ages before, and overshadowed by giant trees, was a group of men of all ages and appearances.

Some were occupied in stripping the skin off a buck which hung from the bough of one of the trees.