Tom Tuftons Travels | Page 9

any highwaymen who might try to stop them, or shoot them down if
they could not shake them off.
For these were days when travelling was none too safe, and the transit
of the heavy bag of golden guineas made an additional source of danger.
For there were highway robbers and footpads, who seemed to have a
seventh sense for the scenting of gold. It was probable that they had
spies and confederates in all sorts of places, and that they were warned
beforehand when travellers rode with money and valuables upon their
persons.
It was, therefore, small wonder that mother and sister looked with
somewhat sinking hearts at the handsome young fellow, in his
workman-like, if rustic, riding dress, as he sat upon his horse at the hall
door, giving a last look round him at the little crowd gathered to see
him ride away.
"You will write and tell us of your safe arrival in London; and be very
careful how you cross Epping Forest," said the mother.
And young Tom answered gaily,--"Oh, never fear for me. Wildfire and
I can ride through and ride down anything! I will send a letter from
London, but after that you must not look for anything but silence.
When men cross the seas, and live amid battles and marches, letters can
scarce be written, still less safely carried."
He stooped from his saddle, and once more kissed both mother and
sister. Then the servants and tenants crowded round, full of good
wishes for a prosperous journey and a happy return; and Tom answered
them with gay words of promise. He would come back again, covered

with fame and glory. They would hear of his doings before they saw
him again, and when he came back he would "take toll again of all his
old playmates;" and so saying, he looked laughingly round upon the
blushing girls, who had paid Tom Tufton's toll many a time, between
jest and earnest, by the lych gate.
They all admired and liked the handsome lad, even though his ways
were more wild and reckless than the elders could approve. But all
declared that it would do him all the good in the world to go out and
see life in other places. It would cool his hot blood, and teach him
wisdom; and, after all, lads always would be lads till manhood's cares
and lessons had tamed them.
So Tom rode away in high spirits, Robin following on Wildgoose, with
the saddlebags strapped in front of him. They did not take much with
them, as Tom meant to equip himself in town, and was wearing his
finest home-made suit upon the journey. He had his precious guineas
carefully secured about his person. They were heavy, it is true, but he
liked to feel the weight of them, and to know that they were safe.
For many miles he was constantly receiving hails from friends and
comrades; sometimes a band of young men would ride with him for a
few miles, and then, wishing him good luck, return home again. At
some houses which he passed, bright eyes would look out from the
windows, and kerchiefs would be waved in greeting and farewell.
Tom may perhaps be forgiven for regarding himself somewhat in the
light of a young prince riding forth to see the world. Everything in his
past life had combined to give him a good opinion of himself, and
make him fancy himself irresistible alike with men and women. For he
was undoubtedly the strongest and handsomest youth in his own small
world.
He sang and whistled as he rode along in the crisp morning air. October
had dashed the trees with vivid tints of red and gold. A crisp touch of
frost was in the air, and though the noonday sun was bright and hot,
there were indications of approaching winter plain to be seen.

They baited their horses for an hour at a little inn where Tom was
slightly known; but when he spoke of pressing on, and asked where the
next halting place was, mine host advised his remaining where he was
till morning, as he was now close to the forest boundaries, and not only
were the paths somewhat intricate, but there were always footpads, if
not worse, lurking in the recesses of the wood, ready to pounce upon
unwary travellers, especially after sundown.
"And the light goes quickly beneath the trees. For my part, I would
rather travel by the waxing light of early morn than by the fading glow
of an autumn evening."
Tom had meant to arrive at this inn full two hours before he did; for he
had allowed his friends to hinder him on his way, and had stopped all
too often to exchange a word with