With little difficulty Oswald obtained a secure perch on one of the massive limbs of the oak, and having, after one or two ineffectual attempts, succeeded in placing the saddle in his companion's hands, Geoffrey made haste to follow. Here, fairly well sheltered from the wind and rain, the two squires waited and watched the vivid flashes of lightning, to the accompaniment of deafening peals of thunder.
For over half an hour the storm lasted, but just as its fury was beginning to abate Oswald called Geoffrey's attention to a horseman approaching their place of refuge. He was completely cloaked, while his broad-brimmed hat was drawn well over his eyes; but since he rode cautiously and without undue haste 'twas apparent that his object was not to shelter from the storm.
"Say not a word to him," cautioned Geoffrey. "Methinks the tree is a trysting-place."
As the stranger came within the protection of the wide-spreading branches he halted at the edge of the newly-formed pool, secured his steed, and looked long and steadily in the direction of the tree-clad valley towards Winchester. As he did so the squires saw that the lower part of his face was that of a young man and far from prepossessing. A perpetual sneer seemed to linger round his slit-like mouth as he impatiently gnawed his nether lip.
Thrice he made a wide circuit of the tree-trunk, then, stamping his foot with ill-concealed impatience, resumed his vigil.
Presently he was joined by two other horsemen, one apparently a person of quality, and the other a thick-limbed, low-browed retainer.
"Greeting, Sir Thomas Grey," exclaimed the former of the twain who had just ridden up. "Didst think that I had played thee false?"
"Nay, but I must confess 'twas in my mind that if my Lord Scrope was daunted by a thunderstorm, his words are more weighty than his actions."
"Let that pass," replied the knight addressed as Lord Scrope, with an attempt at sternness. "'Tis no time for sorry jest. Hast seen aught of Cambridge?"
"The Earl hath kept within doors at his lodging at Winton," replied Grey. "Nor would he trust himself in writing. Yet according to his promise made when last we met, 'tis certain he will abide by our proposals."