Thesandyroadwoundthroughgrovesoffir，wherethebreezecamesoftandfragrantwithresinousgums，oroverheatherydowns，whichrolledawaytonorthandtosouth，vastanduntenanted，forontheuplandsthesoilwaspoorandwaterscarce。OverCrooksburyCommonhepassed，andthenacrossthegreatHeathofPuttenham，followingasandypathwhichwoundamidthebrackenandtheheather，forhemeanttostrikethePilgrims’WaywhereitturnedeastwardfromFarnhamandfromSeale。Asherodehecontinuallyfelthissaddle-bagwithhishand，forinit，securelystrapped，hehadplacedtheprecioustreasuresoftheLadyErmyntrude。Ashesawthegrandtawnynecktossingbeforehim，andfelttheeasyheaveofthegreathorseandheardthemuffleddrummingofhishoofs，hecouldhavesungandshoutedwiththejoyofliving。
Behindhim，uponthelittlebrownponywhichhadbeenNigel’sformermount，rodeSamkinAylwardthebowman，whohadtakenuponhimselfthedutiesofpersonalattendantandbody-guard。Hisgreatshouldersandbreadthofframeseemeddangerouslytop-heavyuponthetinysteed，butheambledalong，whistlingamerryliltandaslightheartedashismaster。Therewasnocountrymanwhohadnotanodandnowomanwhohadnotasmileforthejovialbowman，whorodeforthemostpartwithhisfaceoverhisshoulder，staringatthelastpetticoatwhichhadpassedhim。
Onceonlyhemetwithaharshergreeting。Itwasfromatall，white-headed，red-facedmanwhomtheymetuponthemoor。
“Good-morrow，dearfather！”criedAylward。”HowisitwithyouatCrooksbury？，AndhowarethenewblackcowandtheewesfromAltonandMarythedairymaidandallyourgear？”
“Itillbecomesyoutoask，youne’er-do-weel，“saidtheoldman。