Scholars indeed! a parcel of lewd, blood-thirsty, poaching scoundrels, with no more conscience than a London apprentice.

Come, away with them to the city." At this a gay young stripling rode up.
"Father," he said, "is our day's sport to be spoiled for a brace of rogues like these?
Surely they will keep an hour or two, while we have our chase.

Let some one guard them in the ranger's house, and we can take them up with us as we return at evening." His young companions seconded his request.

So the Mayor, who would have enjoyed more to clap us in the pillory than to win half the antlers in Shotover woods, consented, and bade three of his men conduct us to the ranger's lodge hard by, and keep us there till the party returned.
I saw my comrade's eye light up at this, but he said nothing; and looking very crestfallen and abashed we followed our guard, with hands tied, and heard the huntsmen's horns tantivy merrily away for their day's sport.
The ranger's lodge was a hut of but a single room, into which our keepers thrust us with little ceremony, and made to the door.

They were stout men, all of them, and carried cross bows, besides the daggers at their girdles.