The story revolves around the process of bringing together main characters from diverse backgrounds. Alleyne Edricson, a young man stepping out of a monastery to begin a new life, embarks on a journey to find his own path. Along the way, he encounters unique companions like Hordle John and Samkin Aylward, each with their own distinct personalities and backstories. As they come together, they build strong bonds of friendship and gradually discover their purposes and directions through various incidents and adventures. This part of the story focuses on the formation of relationships between the characters and the engaging episodes that occur during the early stages of their journey, setting the stage for what lies ahead.

Part 1

CHAPTER I. HOW THE BLACK SHEEP CAME FORTH FROM THE FOLD
CHAPTER II. HOW ALLEYNE EDRICSON CAME OUT INTO THE WORLD
CHAPTER III. HOW HORDLE JOHN COZENED THE FULLER OF LYMINGTON
CHAPTER IV. HOW THE BAILIFF OF SOUTHAMPTON SLEW THE TWO MASTERLESS MEN
CHAPTER V. HOW A STRANGE COMPANY GATHERED AT THE “PIED MERLIN.”
CHAPTER VI. HOW SAMKIN AYLWARD WAGERED HIS FEATHER-BED
CHAPTER VII. HOW THE THREE COMRADES JOURNEYED THROUGH THE WOODLANDS
CHAPTER VIII. THE THREE FRIENDS
CHAPTER IX. HOW STRANGE THINGS BEFELL IN MINSTEAD WOOD
CHAPTER X. HOW HORDLE JOHN FOUND A MAN WHOM HE MIGHT FOLLOW