It was one of
those three-shots-and-a-gallop affrays, where each side runs away and
each claims the victory. But here we are in the streets of Salisbury.
Now leave the talking to me, or your wrong-headed truthfulness may lay
us by the heels before our time.'
Passing down the broad High Street we dismounted in front of the Blue
Boar inn, and handed our tired horses over to the ostler, to whom Saxon,
in a loud voice, and with many rough military oaths, gave strict
injunctions as to their treatment. He then clanked into the inn
parlour, and throwing himself into one chair with his feet upon another,
he summoned the landlord up before him, and explained our needs in a
tone and manner which should give him a due sense of our quality.
'Of your best, and at once,' quoth he. 'Have your largest
double-couched chamber ready with your softest lavender-scented sheets,
for we have had a weary ride and must rest. And hark ye, landlord, no
palming off your stale, musty goods as fresh, or of your washy French
wines for the true Hainault vintage. I would have you to understand
that my friend here and I are men who meet with some consideration in
the world, though we care not to speak our names to every underling.
Deserve well of us, therefore, or it may be the worse for you.
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