"Did any of you ever join the sports on Dover's Hill?" cried Charles.
"Why dost ask?" cried Mickleton.
"Because I would challenge one and all of you to run, leap, wrestle, or use the quarter-staff," rejoined Charles.
"There be no more Cotswold Games now—more's the pity!" cried Mickleton. "But I be ready and willing to try a bowt with thee at quarter-staff."
"No, no, Will Jones," interposed Jane. "Pass on thy way. Thou wilt get into a brawl with these men."
"Thy groom be a saucy knave, and shall give an account of himself to the town bailiff," said Naunton.
"Keep thy hands off my bridle, or I will lay my whip on thy shoulders," cried Charles, sharply.
"Contain yourself, or we shall have a quarrel," whispered Jane, beginning to feel alarmed at the menacing looks thrown at the king. "Let me go, I beg of you," she added aloud to the others. "I have a pass for myself and my servant."
"Show it to the bailiff," rejoined Naunton. "We'll take you to him."
Chipping-Campden consisted of a single street of some length, in the centre of which stood the Court-house and the Market-house. Owing to the fair the little town was very full, and the concourse collected in the market-place stared hard at the strange cavalcade as it approached, the general impression being that a fugitive Cavalier had been captured.