cruel that they put every man in fear, in such sort that they would invade and set upon such which passed by like thieves, and devour both them and their beasts. Moreover, we were advertised that there lay in the way where we should pass, many dead bodies eaten and torn with wolves. Wherefore we were willed to stay there all night, and on the next morning, to go close and round together, whereby we might pass and escape all dangers. But (notwithstanding this good counsel) our caitiff drivers were so covetous to go forward, and so fearful of pursuit, that they never stayed till the morning: But being well-nigh midnight, they made us trudge in our way apace. Then I fearing the great danger which might happen, ran amongst the middle of the other horses, to the end I might defend and save my poor buttocks from the wolves, whereat every man much marvelled to see, that I scoured away swifter than the other horses. But such was my agility, not to get me any praise, but rather for fear: at that time I remembered with myself, that the valiant horse Pegasus did fly in the air more to avoid the danger of dreadful Chimera, than for anything else. The shepherds which drave us before them were well armed like warriors: one had a spear, another had a sheephook, some had darts, some clubs, some gathered up great stones, some held up their sharp javelins, and some feared away the wolves with light firebrands. Finally we lacked nothing to make up an army, but only drums and trumpets. But when we had passed these dangers, not without small fear, we fortuned to fall into worse, for the wolves came not upon us, either because of the great multitude of our company, or else because [of] our firebrands, or peradventure they were gone to some other place, for we could see none, but the inhabitants of the next villages (supposing that we were thieves by reason of the great multitude) for the defence of their own substance, and for the fear that they were in, set great and mighty mastiffs upon us, which they had kept and nourished for the safety of their houses, who compassing us round about leaped on every side, tearing us with their teeth, in such sort that they pulled many of us to the ground: verily it was a pitiful sight to see so many dogs, some following such as flied, some invading such as stood still, some tearing those which lay prostrate, but generally there were none which escaped clear: behold upon this another danger ensued, the inhabitants of the town stood in their garrets and windows, throwing great stones upon our heads, that we could not tell whether it were best for us to avoid the gaping mouths of the dogs at hand or the peril of the stones afar, amongst whom there was one that hurled a great flint upon a woman, which sat upon my back, who cried out piteously, desiring her husband to help her. Then he (coming to succor and aid his wife) began to speak in this sort: Alas masters, what mean you to trouble us poor labouring men so cruelly? What mean you to revenge yourselves upon us, that do you no harm? What think you to gain by us? You dwell not in caves or dens: you are no people barbarous, that you should delight in effusion of human blood. At these words the tempest of stones did cease, and the storm of the dogs vanished away. Then one (standing on the top of a great cypress tree) spake unto us saying: Think you not masters that we do this to the intent to rifle or take away any of your goods, but for the safeguard of ourselves and family: now a God’s name you may depart away. So we went forward, some wounded with stones, some bitten with dogs, but generally there was none which escaped free.
When we had gone a good part of our way, we came to a certain wood environed with great trees and compassed about with pleasant meadows, whereas the shepherds appointed to continue a certain space to cure their wounds and sores; then they sat down on the ground to refresh their weary minds, and afterwards they sought for medicines, to heal their bodies: some washed away their blood with the water of the running river: some stopped their wounds with sponges and cloths, in this manner everyone provided for his own safety. In the mean season we perceived an old man, who seemed to be a shepherd, by reason of the goats and sheep that fed round about him. Then one of our company demanded whether he had any milk, butter, or cheese to sell. To whom he made answer saying: Do you look for any meat or drink, or any other refection here? Know you not in what place you be?
And therewithal he took his sheep and drave them away as fast as he might possible. This answer made our shepherds greatly to fear, that they thought of nothing else, but to inquire what country they were in: howbeit they saw no manner of person of whom they might demand. At length as they were thus in doubt, they perceived another old man with a staff in his hand very weary with travel, who approaching nigh to our company, began to weep and complain saying: Alas masters I pray you succor me miserable caitiff, and restore my nephew to me again, that by following a sparrow that flew before him, is fallen into a ditch hereby, and verily I think he is in danger of death. As for me, I am not able to help him out by reason of mine old age, but you that are so valiant and
