returned Appleyard , `` y ' are a wise man to go to war , Master Bennet . Birds are a good sentry ; in forest places they be the first line of battle . Look you , now , if we lay here in camp , there might be archers skulking down to get the wind of us ; and here would you be , none the wiser ! '' `` Why , old shrew , '' said Hatch , `` there be no men nearer us than Sir Daniel 's , at Kettley ; y ' are as safe as in London Tower ; and ye raise scares upon a man for a few chaffinches and sparrows ! '' `` Hear him ! '' grinned Appleyard . `` How many a rogue would give his two crop ears to have a shoot at either of us ? Saint Michael , man ! they hate us like two polecats ! '' `` Well , sooth it is , they hate Sir Daniel , '' answered Hatch , a little sobered . `` Ay , they hate Sir Daniel , and they hate every man that serves with him , '' said Appleyard ; `` and in the first order of hating , they hate Bennet Hatch and old Nicholas the bowman . See ye here : if there was a stout fellow yonder in the wood-edge , and you and I stood fair for him -- as , by Saint George , we stand ! -- which , think ye , would he choose ? '' `` You , for a good wager , '' answered Hatch . `` My surcoat to a leather belt , it would be you ! '' cried the old archer . `` Ye burned Grimstone , Bennet -- they 'll ne'er forgive you that , my master . And as for me , I 'll soon be in a good place , God grant , and out of bow-shoot -- ay , and cannon-shoot -- of all their malices . I am an old man , and draw fast to homeward , where the bed is ready . But for you , Bennet , y ' are to remain behind here at your own peril , and if ye come to my years unhanged , the old true-blue English spirit will be dead . ''
`` Y ' are the shrewishest old dolt in Tunstall Forest , '' XXXXX Hatch , visibly ruffled by these threats .
Hear Look choose come draw lay returned said serves unhanged