"I will scour the forest to-morrow," he muttered, "and hang every knave
I find within it who cannot give a good account of himself."
"Ho! ho! ho! "laughed a voice, which seemed to proceed from the
branches of the tree. Henry looked up, but no one was visible.
"God's death--derided! " he roared. "Man or devil, thou shalt feel my
wrath."
"Ho! ho! ho!" again laughed the voice.
Stamping with rage, Henry swore a great oath, and smote the trunk of
the tree with his sword.
"Your majesty will search in vain," said Suffolk; "it is clearly the fiend
with whom you have to deal, and the aid of holy priests must be
obtained to drive him from the forest."
"Ho! ho! ho!" again laughed the voice.
A party of horsemen now appeared in view. They proved to be the royal
attendants, who had ridden forward in search of the king, and were
instantly hailed by Henry and Suffolk. They were headed by Captain
Bouchier, who at a sign from the king instantly dismounted.
"Give me your horse, Bouchier," said Henry, "and do you and half-a-
dozen of your men remain on guard at this tree till I send a troop of
arquebusiers to relieve you. When they arrive, station them near it, and
let them remain here till I return in the morning.
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