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'We're being followed'

'Aye, boyo, I've seen theed 'We'll have to wait and see'

'They could be outlaws'

'Then we'll give 'em a bit of a surprise'

Gareth seemed oddly relaxed Was it bravado or stupidity? Robin wondered how good he was The boy could shoot an arrow and bring down a pigeon at eighty paces but that didn't ht He lowered his voice

'Do you remember what to do if we're attacked?'

'Don't worry,' Gareth tapped his bow 'I've not forgotten'

The path entered open woodland and began a slow clih the trees There were two of them and they were on foot He wondered if they were travellers like themselves That didn't seem likely He looked around For the moment they were safe Robbers weren't renowned for heroics They preferred to attack out of cover and there wasn't any

The path reached the top of the ridge and the woodland gave way to briars and thornbushes Muddy footprints told a chilling tale The h the wet grass shohere one had entered the bushes Wind disturbed the branches and he saw a figure with a dra

'They're laying an ambush'

'Why do you say that, boyo?'

'I've seen theet in a quick shot'

'No!' Gareth pushed the boay 'I knoho they are'

He shouted in Welsh The bushes parted and a man appeared He had the barrel chest of an archer and walked like one Gareth jumped down from his horse and erowth They spoke for a while in their native language then spoke to Robin in English

They said they feared he and Gareth were robbers: that hy they were hiding Robin didn't believe a word of it but didn't argue They agreed to act as guides and des a day That was an exorbitant price but better than being set upon Robinthat Master Baret was a friend of Sir Guy Gascoigne and could put in a good word for theeant

They stopped before Salisbury Cathedral and dismounted John Baret waited for his escort to disperse He didn't want to be seen with theiven trouble It was nor them inside A pond was provided for that purpose Owners could wash their mounts or pay a boy to do it Everyone cooperated except the two Welsh ruffians They argued with the bailiffs and a queue of indignant travellers forh, dirty and without a proper search