But yet, inasmuch as he was young and ardent, he hoped even whilst he feared; and talking and planning their future in glowing colours, both the lads fell asleep.
The following days were bright and busy ones at the farm.

The peddler had vanished ere the travellers were downstairs next morning; but they had bought all they required overnight, and did not trouble about that.

There was a great stirring throughout the house, and the needles of mistress and maid were flying swiftly whilst the short daylight lasted.
Edward and Paul spent the morning hours in the selection of a horse fit to carry the prince on his journey to London, and the farmer's son brought all the spare colts and lighter steeds into the straw yard for their guest to try and select for himself.

There was no horse quite so handsome or well bred as Sultan, and Paul was eager for Edward to accept his steed in place of another.

But the prince only laughed and shook his head, in the end selecting a fine chestnut colt only just broken to the wearing of the halter; and the kinsmen spent the best part of the next days in teaching the mettlesome though tractable creature how to answer to the rein and submit to saddle and rider.