“Ride on a short distance to the south and wait for me there,” he said to his brother; “I will then turn back and see if the people are likely to treat us hospitably. I will tell them that we want a place of rest, as we know of none in the neighbourhood, and that if they will find some oats or beans or other provender for our horses, and provide us with some food, we will be thankful and pay them whatever they may demand.” Near the cottage was a boat-house, which appeared to be high enough to serve as a stable, and they hoped that their horses might be sheltered in it during the night. Accordingly, after proceeding a little distance beyond the cottage, Stephen turned back and rode up to the door, and gave a couple of knocks with the hilt of his sword. The next instant it was opened, and a grey-headed old man in a fisherman’s dress appeared.
“What do you want here, master?” he asked.
Stephen, after surveying the old man, answered as he had intended.
“Food for a horse I don’t keep in store, and for a man I have little enough, though I might give you some bread and cheese,” said the old fisherman.
“We will pay you for whatever you can supply us with and be thankful,” said Stephen.
“Two men and horses; why, you will eat me out of house and home,” said the old man, peering forth at Andrew, whom he could see in the distance. “My son, however, will be in anon from fishing; if he has got a good haul there will be food enough, and as for the horses, why, now I come to think on’t, I have a couple of sacks of damaged oats, got out of a vessel not far off; if your animals are hungry, as you say, they will manage to eat them.”
“By all means, my friend,” said Stephen. “And I suppose you can put our horses up in your boat-house?”
“As to that, as the boat’s away, and it is summer weather, there is room for them.”
“Well, then, I will call my brother, and we will take advantage of your hospitality,” said Stephen, and he rode back and called Andrew.
“Bring us the oats without delay, my friend,” said Stephen; “our poor beasts want food as much as we do.”