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I trudged on slow and heavy through the htily down cast, heedless of gladsome morn and the fair, fresh world about me, conscious but of my own most rass by the road and, with heavy head bowed between ave myself up to black despond

But now as I sat thus, very sick and sorrowful, I heard a sound of wheels and plodding hoofs drawing slowly near, and lifting rant hay whereon the driver sprawled asleep, a great fat fellohose snores rose above the jingle of harness and creak of wheels Now hearkening to his snoring, beholding hiave place to sudden, hot anger and, as the waggon lu over the hay, raised my staff, minded to drub the fellow into wakefulness; but even then I stayed the blow, for I spied a wallet that hung to the driving-seat, a large wallet of plu it down I opened it forthwith and found therein a new-baked loaf, a roast capon delicately browned and a jar of s the hay, I fell to work (tooth and nail) and though I ate in voracious haste, never before or since have I tasted aught so delicate and savoury as that stolen fowl I was yet busied hat remained of the carcass when the fat fellow choked in his snoring, sighed, grunted, propped hi So whiles he watched open-mouthed, I finished what ree

"Ecod!" quoth he faintly "O, ecod-- my mouth full, I spake not "Ad's bobs!" says he, "A rascally, robbing thief of the roads!"

"Even so!" I nodded and took a long draught of his beer

"A-eating and a-drinking of a honestfat fists "O ecod--a hell-fire rogue--a very lousy, scurvy dog as shall be carted and whipped and set in Sir Richard's new pillory!" At this, being engaged with the bread, I reached out my foot and kicked hi thoughtful, dolefully watched ht left to eat," says I, "show it me!"

"As fine a capon as was ever plucked, by the Lord!" he groaned