He was not an animal of any value, and had already seen his best days, but he would carry Cuthbert soberly and safely to London town; and as the lad was still somewhat weak from his father's savage treatment, he was not sorry to be spared the long tramp over the deep mud of winter roads.
"I would not have you travel far tonight," said Philip, as he paced beside the sure-footed beast, who leisurely picked his way along the familiar road.

"The moon will be up, to be sure, ere long; but it is ill travelling in the night.

It is well to get clear of this neighbourhood in the dark, for fear your father might chance to espy you and make your going difficult.

Yet I would have you ask shelter for your steed and yourself tonight at the little hostelry you will find just this side Hammerton Heath.

The heath is an ill place for travellers, as you doubtless know.