But bid them loose me now, good Gaffer, and give them all the money in your pouch as my ransom, and I warrant my father will repay you double.
"It is the heir of the House of Lancaster you want, gentlemen, not a poor knight's youngest son, a lad of no account.

This good man will pay you some broad gold pieces if you will let me go; but if you are resolved to take my life as the price of my deceit, why, take it now.

I am not afraid to die in a good cause, and this worthy man will perchance take home my body to my mother, that it may lie in time beside hers." "Nay, lad, we will all die ere they shall touch a hair of thy bonny head," cried the honest farmer, signing to his men to come and be ready.

"If there's a man in this troop dastard enough to lay a hand upon thee, he shall settle accounts with Gaffer Hood ere he leaves the place.

A farmer can fight, ay, and give good strong blows, too.
"Now, gentlemen, which of you will lay hands on that gallant child?
for he will have to do it across my dead body first." "Tush, man, put up thy sword," cried the leader of the band, who, being a man prompt both in action and thought, had taken in the bearings of the situation with great rapidity, and upon whom the simple heroism of the child had not been thrown away.
Rough and self-seeking and cruel as lawless times had made such men, they were not devoid of all better feelings; and although, had there been no interposition on his behalf, Paul might have been a victim to their irritation at being thus duped, as it was his life was now safe enough.
"We war not with babes and children.