human
Once, however, I came warily behind him while he stood watching the deer as they swept along a glade in Fullbrook; and heard him repeating words which rivetted me to the spot, nay almost took from me the power of accosting him. Not, however, to be outworded by a boy, I pounced upon him.
gpt
Go to! said the other laughing,
human
You shall hear, returned the ranger.
gpt
At first I felt too much respect to rebuke him. There was something in his look I could not away with. He seemed somewhat angered too at being molested and caught by surprise; and there was that in his eye which could look down a lion, methought. After awhile, however, I gave him some of my mind, threatened to report his trespass to the knight our master, and to give him a taste of the stocks, or the cage.
human
Good, said his fellow, laughing.
gpt
You said well!
human
Nay, 'twas not so good either, as it turned out,
gpt
How so?
human
Why, he took my rebuke mildly at first, merely saying he sought not to molest the game, but only to enjoy the liberty, freedom, and leisure of the wild woods.
gpt
Well, interrupted the other,
human
So I told him; and that I should not be so easy the next time I caught him straying in our woods. Nay, that I would then, indeed, cudgel him like a dog.
gpt
Ha! ha! and how took he that threat?
human
Mass! I would you could have seen how he took it, said the irate ranger,
gpt
Go to! said the other;
human
At first I felt awed; but, when he dared me but to raise a finger in the way of assault, and stirred my wrath so, that I laid hands on him, he struck me to the earth; when I rose, and again attacked him, despite my skill at quarter-staff, he cudgelled me to his heart's content.
gpt
What, yonder lad?
human
Ay, yonder boy! His strength and skill were so great that, had I not cried _peccavi_, I had died under his blows.
gpt
And for this you are resolved to shoot him!
human
I am! I cannot forget the disgrace of his quarter-staff. My very bones ache now at the bare remembrance.
gpt
Aye, but thou must forget it, comrade, said the other;
human
Well, be it so! said his fellow.
gpt
I agree. He hath had the best of me, for once in his life. But, at least, will I be revenged:--blow for blow.
human
Hath he good friends, said ye?
gpt
None of note.
human
What then is his father?
gpt
The wool-comber who dwells in Henley Street.
human
Enough! Now let us but catch him, and by 'r lady, we'll beat him so that he shall scarce disport his curiosity amongst our woods again.
gpt
Nay, but if we kill him?
human
Then must our master bear us out; we are hired to keep off all lurking knaves. By fair means or foul, it must be done. An we kill him, we'll e'en knock over a buck, and lay it to's charge. Swear we caught him red-handed in the fact, and there an end.