"No, Maaster Jasper, no," he grunted. "You mus' stay 'ere oal day and watch. You mus' eed out ov sight, but you mus' watch. Cos they be oal deep. They knaw, they knaw!"
I understood his meaning, and saw that he was right; at the same time, I felt I would have to risk being away, else how could I get the horses without attracting attention?
"Little Eli 'll git the hosses," he grunted; "little Eli that everybody do laugh at. But 'ee'll 'elp Maaster Jasper, 'ee will."
"But if you are caught stealing horses you'll be hanged," I said.
He laughed gleefully.
"Who'll catch little Eli?" he chuckled, "priest or knave? No, no! Is little Eli a vool? Ef 'ee es, then mawther es too. But es she? es she?"
"But where will you get the horses?" I asked, anxiously. "Anything will do for me or you; but she must have one easy to ride, for she is weak and ill."
"I knaw, I knaw," he laughed. "Maaster Jasper 'appy again, Maaster Jasper git his own. But he must watch, watch.
"Priests all shaved,
Clothed in black,