49

CHAPTER VIII.
EASTWARD.

r was July, as [ have intimated, when the ship

‘Hilda,’ which carried Walter Espec and Guy
Muschamp, left the shores of England; and, soon after
having lost sight of land, both began to experience
a little of that vague fear of ‘the blue above and the
blue below,’ which, in the thirteenth century, made
some of the boldest feudal warriors, when they em-
barked, invoke the protection of the saints in
Paradise.

‘On my faith, good Walter,’ remarked Guy, with
less than his wonted gaiety, for the ship was beginning
to toss, and he was beginning to feel rather sea sick,
‘fT cannot but think that the man is a great fool, who,
having wronged any of his neighbours, or having
any mortal sin on his conscience, puts himself in such
peril as this; for, when he goes to sleep at night, he
knows not if in the morning he may not find him-
self under the waves.’

‘May the saints preserve us from such a fate,’
replied Walter, thoughtfully; ‘yet I own I feel so
uneasy that [can hardly believe myself a descendant
of the kings of the north who made the ocean their