Victory was on his side.
The king was again on his throne, and he was again in possession of
the family estate. He was rebuilding the hall, and somehow or another
it appeared to him that Patience was standing by his side, as he gave
directions to the artificers, when his revery was suddenly disturbed
by Holdfast barking and springing forward in advance.
Edward, who had by this time got over more than half his journey,
looked up, and perceived himself confronted by a powerful man,
apparently about forty years of age, and dressed as a verderer of the
forest. He thought at the time that he had seldom seen a person with a
more sinister and forbidding countenance.
"How now, young fellow, what are you doing here?" said the man,
walking up to him and cocking the gun which he held in hand as he
advanced.
Edward quietly cocked his own gun, which was loaded, when he perceived
that hostile preparation on the part of the other person, and then
replied, "I am walking across the forest, as you may perceive."
"Yes, I perceive you are walking, and you are walking with a dog and a
gun: you will now be pleased to walk with me. Deer-stealers are not
any longer permitted to range this forest."
"I am no deer-stealer," replied Edward.
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