"I told him to go his own way; I would not be a source of peril to him.

I bid him adieu and sent him away." It suddenly occurred to Paul that if, even for an hour, he could personate the prince, and so draw off pursuit from him, his point might be gained.

He had not forgotten the episode of the first adventure they had shared as children; and as we all know, history repeats itself in more ways than one.
The man who appeared the leader of the band, and whose face was not unkindly, doffed his hat respectfully at these words, and said, "It is true, then, that I am addressing the Prince of Wales ?" Paul said nothing, but bent his head as if in assent, and the man continued speaking, still respectfully.
"It is my duty then, sire, to take your sacred person under my protection.

You are in peril from many sources in these lone woods, and I have been sent out on purpose to bring you into a place of safety.

My followers will provide you with a good horse, and you will soon be in safe shelter, where you can obtain the food and rest your condition requires, and you will receive nothing but courteous treatment at our hands." To resist were fruitless indeed.