these, as great men will forget little men's
service, truly I shall hold me well repaid in having done that which is right.
And it is now well-nigh the fitting time to summon the brethren to breakfast in
the refectory - Ah! I doubt they obey that call more cheerily than the bells for
primes and matins.«
    So the Prior of Saint Botolph's hobbled back again into the refectory, to
preside over the stock-fish and ale, which was just serving out for the friars'
breakfast. Pursy and important, he sat him down at the table, and many a dark
word he threw out, of benefits to be expected to the convent, and high deeds of
service done by himself, which, at another season, would have attracted
observation. But as the stock-fish was highly salted, and the ale reasonably
powerful, the jaws of the brethren were too anxiously employed to admit of their
making much use of their ears; nor do we read of any of the fraternity who was
tempted to speculate upon the mysterious hints of their Superior, except Father
Diggory, who was severely afflicted by the toothache, so that he could only eat
on one side of his jaws.
    In the meantime, the Black Champion and his guide were pacing at their
leisure through the recesses of the forest; the good Knight whiles humming to
himself the lay of some enamoured troubadour, sometimes encouraging by questions
the prating disposition of his attendant, so that their dialogue formed a
whimsical mixture of song and jest, of which we would fain give our readers some
idea. You are then to imagine this Knight, such as we have already described
him, strong of person, tall, broad-shouldered, and large of bone, mounted on his
mighty black charger, which seemed made on purpose to bear his weight, so easily
he paced forward under it, having the visor of his helmet raised, in order to
admit freedom of breath, yet keeping the beaver, or under part, closed, so that
his features could be but imperfectly distinguished. But his ruddy embrowned
cheek-bones could be plainly seen, and the large and bright blue eyes, that
flashed from under the dark shade of the raised visor; and the whole gesture and
look of the champion expressed careless gaiety and fearless confidence - a mind
which was unapt to apprehend danger, and prompt to defy it when most imminent -
yet with whom danger was a familiar thought, as with one whose trade was war and
adventure.
    The Jester wore his usual fantastic habit, but late accidents had led him to