"God help me," cried Barat, "it seems to me that he is about to fall."
Then because of their fear the two thieves fled from that place, without leisure to eat, or to bear away, the bacon they had stolen.
When Travers marked their flight he tarried no longer in the oak, but taking his bacon, returned straightway to his house, with none to give him nay. His wife praised him to his face, saying—
"Husband, you are welcome home, for you have proven your worth. Never did there live a braver man than you."
"Sister," said he, "take wood from the cellar, and make a fire. Certainly we must eat our bacon, if we would call it our own."
Dame Maria lighted a fire with fagots upon the hearth; she put water in the cauldron, and hung it on the hook above the fire. Travers for his part carefully cut the bacon for which he had suffered so great trouble, and put it in the pot till all was full. When this was done—
"Fair sister," said he, "watch by the fire, if you can keep awake. I have not slept this night, and will rest a little on the bed. But I will not take off my clothes, because I still am troubled of these thieves."
"Husband," answered she, "ill luck go with them. Sleep soundly and in peace, for there is none to do you wrong."
So Dame Maria kept vigil whilst Travers slept, for very greatly had he need of rest.