All in a garden fair; the simple story of three boys ... - University Library

6o ALL L\ A GARDEN FAIR.
houses to be passed at Loughton, but beyond
the houses is Higli l^eech, and beyond High
Beech stretches another forest outside the
range of tramp and rowdy, and as wild ahuost
asHainault; beyond this comes the road, and
beyond the road Copped Hall Green, an out-
lying bit of wild wood ; and then three miles
of road and then an ancient town. There is
nothing in the town except the bridge over
the Lea and the old Abbey Church. The
Abbey buildings have long since been pulled
down ;
the east end and chancel of the church
are gone, yet what remains is stately ; and it
is surrounded by a churchyard in which stands
an old, old tree, bound about with iron bands
and ])rovided with a bench on which should be
sitting none but old men, contemplating with
foith and resignation the place where tiiey soon
must lie. To one of these boys, if he went
there alone and sat ong enough, there presently
came a vision. lie saw a fierce battle, with
men in armour, and armed with cross-bow,
long-bow, pike, lance, and heavy sword. There