owner of the public house again in a firm, even tone that underscored his frustration, John said, 'Now, sir, I 'ave muney enuf, may I 'ave sumething to eat?'
'Aye, 'ave a seat,' said the owner and brought John a plate of potatoes.
After eating John asked where he could purchase a horse. 'You can nay purchase a 'orse in Aveley,' replied the owner. 'Which way are you going?'
'I am 'eading north, toward Stamford,' replied John.
'Aye, those are dangerous parts. They 'ave war in those parts.'
'I am aware,' replied John. 'Where may I buy a 'orse?'
'You may find a 'orse in Rain'am, boot nay in Aveley,' stated the owner.
''ow far to Rain'am then?' asked John.
'Aboot 4 miles. Follow the London Road to the wood and 'ead north through the wood. You will find Rain'am just north of the wood.'
John rose from the table, thanked the owner and retrieved his cloak and boots. The articles were layered with drying mud. He beat the cloak against the side of the public house to loosen as much mud as he could. His britches were in the same condition. He didn't want to put the cloak on, but it still provided some protection from the chill.
He was about to start for the London Road, when a patron of the public house walked out the door and said, 'I 'eard you say that you need a 'orse.'
'Aye, that is true,' replied John. The stranger was not dressed in the garb of a peasant, in fact he was fairly well dressed. He also wore a fine cloak and hat. John noticed that he had a long knife at his side, but then so did most men of his apparent station.
'I 'ave a 'orse that I am willing to sell. Times are a lit'le 'ard and I culd use the extra muney.'
'And where is this 'orse?' asked John as he surveyed the road, not seeing a horse near the public house.
'Aye, me 'orse is tied in the back of the public 'ouse. Follow me.'
John followed the stranger to the back of the public house. There was a horse there. It wasn't a great horse as John was accustomed, but John expected that it would suffice.
''ow much?' asked John.
'Three pounds,' replied the stranger
'That is a lit'le dear,' replied John. 'The most I will give you is two pounds five shillings.'
'Two pounds ten shillings, or nuthing,' replied the stranger.
'Dune,' said John and he removed his pouch from his belt.
John hadn't noticed a second stranger standing around the corner of the public house when they walked up to the horse. As soon as John had removed his pouch, the second stranger sprang forward, grabbed the pouch and jumped onto the horse and rode quickly away. It happened so fast that John didn't even get a good look at the second stranger. The man who had the horse yelled at the second stranger and watched as he rode away.
John was upset at the loss of all his money and he grabbed the first stranger and accused him of working in concert with the thief.
'You thief,' shouted John. 'I will 'ave your 'ead for this.' Suddenly, John felt a knife pressing against his side and he released the stranger and stepped backward.
'I 'ave been robbed also, sir,' shouted the stranger. 'Me 'orse is gone!'
'Surely the thief is your friend and you both 'ave arranged this,' John said as he pulled his own knife from beneath his cloak and held it in front of himself.
'I assure you sir that we did nuthing of the sort. I 'ave never seen that man before. Boot, if you wish for me to prove me words with me knife, then so be it,' and he stepped forward toward John.
John squared his shoulders and planted his feet firmly. He unclasped his cloak with his left hand and cast it aside as the stranger circled to the right. The stranger made a half lunge at John and then jumped backward. John lunged forward and as he did, the stranger turned and ran toward the nearby woods. As he neared the woods, the supposed horse thief emerged from the woods on horseback and galloped toward him. The stranger swung himself up onto the back of the horse and the two rode away.
''ow culd I 'ave been so daft?' John shouted as he stomped around in the mud, all the while yelling at the world. He threw his knife into the side of the public house and kicked the mud.