“It is not a great stone building standing alone in the middle of a town,” said the cobbler raising his head, and looking his interrogator full in the face.
“Thou hast more wit than good humour, knave,” said our Cavalier.
“And thou words than good breeding,” retorted the sturdy artisan.
“I see the stocks of this place are little used, or you should try how they fitted. You have not much fear, methinks, of the wooden collar. Didst ever see a pillory?”
“I have, and a godly man in it; and I shall not soon forget the sight. Are you answered, my court bird?”
“You are a prick-eared knave; and, if I were not tired and hungry, you should smart for your saucy answers.”
By this time a neighbour or two stood forth from the adjoining houses; and the horseman, turning to the nearest, said, “Prithee, friend, canst thou tell me the way to the Boar’s Head, which is next to the church, as I think?”
“It is so, true enough,” answered the man, “and well placed, to my thought; for thou wilt be sure to find the parson on the bench of it, or it may be in the skittle yard wrangling with cheating Bob, and staggering at his own cast:—ride straight on—you can’t miss it.”
“A pretty nest of godly rogues I have got into,” said the traveller: “there will be an iron gag for your foul mouths soon.” With this he struck spurs into his steed: the beast broke into a smart canter,—that of Cuthbert started in like manner; and they were instantly carried beyond the jeers and the loud laughter of the humorous old cobbler and his neighbours. Of this little scene Cuthbert had been the silent spectator; indeed the dialogue was so short, and so rapidly spoken, that there was no room for any question or remark of his;—and his companion having observed a silver crest upon the holsters of Cuthbert, did not doubt that he was a church and king man,—especially as there had not dropped from him a single expression which savoured of the Puritan.
Mine host of the Boar’s Head, a big and portly personage with bloated cheeks, received our weary guests with a cheerful welcome; and led the way to a large travellers’ parlour, where, in an ample fire-place, huge logs were blazing on the hearth. The seats on either side were already occupied by guests, before whom, on small three-legged tables, their repasts were smoking.