Henry, who
was a few yards in advance of his companion, paused at a short
distance from the free, and being somewhat over-heated, took off his
cap to wipe his brow, laughingly observing -
"In good truth, Suffolk, we must henceforth be rated as miserable
faineants, to be scared from our path by a silly wench's tale of
deerstealers and wild huntsmen. I am sorry I yielded to her entreaties.
If Herne be still extant, he must be more than a century and a half old,
for unless the legend is false, he flourished in the time of my
predecessor, Richard the Second. I would I could see him!"
"Behold him, then!" cried a harsh voice from behind.
Turning at the sound, Henry perceived a tall dark figure of hideous
physiognomy and strange attire, helmed with a huge pair of antlers,
standing between him and the oak-tree. So sudden was the
appearance of the figure, that in spite of himself the king slightly
started.
" What art thou--ha?" he demanded.
"What I have said," replied the demon. "I am Herne the Hunter.
Welcome to my domain, Harry of England. You are lord of the castle,
but I am lord of the forest. Ha! ha!"
"I am lord both of the forest and the castle--yea, of all this broad land,
false fiend!" cried the king, "and none shall dispute it with me.
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