Thesandyroadwoundthroughgrovesoffir，wherethebreezecamesoftandfragrantwithresinousgums，oroverheatherydowns，whichrolledawaytonorthandtosouth，vastanduntenanted，forontheuplandsthesoilwaspoorandwaterscarce。OverCrooksburyCommonhepassed，andthenacrossthegreatHeathofPuttenham，followingasandypathwhichwoundamidthebrackenandtheheather，forhemeanttostrikethePilgrims’WaywhereitturnedeastwardfromFarnhamandfromSeale。Asherodehecontinuallyfelthissaddle-bagwithhishand，forinit，securelystrapped，hehadplacedtheprecioustreasuresoftheLadyErmyntrude。Ashesawthegrandtawnynecktossingbeforehim，andfelttheeasyheaveofthegreathorseandheardthemuffleddrummingofhishoofs，hecouldhavesungandshoutedwiththejoyofliving。
Behindhim，uponthelittlebrownponywhichhadbeenNigel’sformermount，rodeSamkinAylwardthebowman，whohadtakenuponhimselfthedutiesofpersonalattendantandbody-guard。Hisgreatshouldersandbreadthofframeseemeddangerouslytop-heavyuponthetinysteed，butheambledalong，whistlingamerryliltandaslightheartedashismaster。Therewasnocountrymanwhohadnotanodandnowomanwhohadnotasmileforthejovialbowman，whorodeforthemostpartwithhisfaceoverhisshoulder，staringatthelastpetticoatwhichhadpassedhim。
Onceonlyhemetwithaharshergreeting。Itwasfromatall，white-headed，red-facedmanwhomtheymetuponthemoor。
“Good-morrow，dearfather！”criedAylward。”HowisitwithyouatCrooksbury？，AndhowarethenewblackcowandtheewesfromAltonandMarythedairymaidandallyourgear？”
“Itillbecomesyoutoask，youne’er-do-weel，“saidtheoldman。
“YouhaveangeredthemonksofWaverley，whosetenantIam，andtheywoulddrivemeoutofmyfarm。Yettherearethreemoreyearstorun，anddowhattheymayIwillbidetillthen。ButlittledidIthinkthatIshouldlosemyhomesteadthroughyou，Samkin，andbigasyouareIwouldknockthedustoutofthatgreenjerkin。withagoodhazelswitchifIhadyouatCrooksbury。”
“Thenyoushalldoitto-morrowmorning，goodfather，forIwillcomeandseeyouthen。ButindeedIdidnotdomoreatWaverleythanyouwouldhavedoneyourself。Lookmeintheeye，oldhothead，andtellmeifyouwouldhavestoodbywhilethelastLoring-lookathimasherideswithhisheadintheairandhissoulintheclouds-wasshotdownbeforeyourveryeyesatthebiddingofthatfatmonk！，Ifyouwould，thenIdisownyouasmyfather。”
“Nay，Samkin，ifitwaslikethat，thenperhapswhatyoudidwasnotsofaramiss。Butitishardtolosetheoldfarmwhenmyheartisburieddeepinthegoodbrownsoil。”
“Tut，man！，therearethreeyearstorun，andwhatmaynothappeninthreeyears？，BeforethattimeIshallhavegonetothewars，andwhenIhaveopenedaFrenchstrongboxortwoyoucanbuythegoodbrownsoilandsnapyourfingersatAbbotJohnandhisbailiffs。AmInotasproperamanasTomWithstaffofChurt？
AndyethecamebackaftersixmonthswithhispocketsfullofrosenoblesandaFrenchwenchoneitherarm。”
“Godpreserveusfromthewenches，Samkin！，ButindeedIthinkthatifthereismoneytobegatheredyouareaslikelytogetyourfistfullasanymanwhogoestothewar。Buthasten，lad，hasten！，Alreadyyouryoungmasterisoverthebrow。”
Thusadmonished，thearcherwavedhisgauntletedhandtohisfather，anddigginghisheelsintothesidesofhislittleponysoondrewupwiththeSquire。Nigelglancedoverhisshoulderandslackenedspeeduntilthepony’sheadwasuptohissaddle。
“HaveInotheard，archer，“saidhe，“thatanoutlawhasbeenlooseintheseparts？”
“Itistrue，fairsir。HewasvillaintoSirPeterMandeville，buthebrokehisbondsandfledintotheforests。Mencallhimthe`WildManofPuttenham。’“
“Howcomesitthathehasnotbeenhunteddown？，Ifthemanbeadraw-latchandarobberitwouldbeanhonorabledeedtoclearthecountryofsuchanevil。”
“Twicethesergeants-at-armsfromGuildfordhavecomeoutagainsthim，butthefoxhasmanyearths，anditwouldpuzzleyoutogethimoutofthem。”
“BySaintPaul！，weremyerrandnotapressingoneIwouldbetemptedtoturnasideandseekhim。Whereliveshe，then？”
“ThereisagreatmorassbeyondPuttenham，andacrossittherearecavesinwhichheandhispeoplelurk。”
“Hispeople？，Hehathaband？”
“Thereareseveralwithhim。”
“Itsoundsamosthonorableenterprise，“saidNigel。”WhentheKinghathcomeandgonewewillspareadayfortheoutlawsofPuttenham。Ifearthereislittlechanceforustoseethemonthisjourney。”
“TheypreyuponthepilgrimswhopassalongtheWinchesterRoad，andtheyarewelllovedbythefolkintheseparts，fortheyrobnoneofthemandhaveanopenhandforallwhowillhelpthem。”
“Itisrighteasytohaveanopenhandwiththemoneythatyouhavestolen，“saidNigel;“butIfearthattheywillnottrytorobtwomenwithswordsattheirgirdleslikeyouandme，soweshallhavenoprofitfromthem。”
TheyhadpassedoverthewildmoorsandhadcomedownnowintothemainroadbywhichthepilgrimsfromthewestofEnglandmadetheirwaytothenationalshrineatCanterbury。ItpassedfromWinchester，andupthebeautifulvalleyoftheItchenuntilitreachedFarnham，whereitforkedintotwobranches，oneofwhichranalongtheHog’sBack，whilethesecondwoundtothesouthandcameoutatSaintCatherine’sHillwherestandsthePilgrimshrine，agrayoldruinnow，butoncesoaugust，socrowdedandsoaffluent。ItwasthissecondbranchuponwhichNigelandAylwardfoundthemselvesastheyrodetoGuildford。
Noone，asitchanced，wasgoingthesamewayasthemselves，buttheymetonelargedroveofpilgrimsreturningfromtheirjourneywithpicturesofSaintThomasandsnails’shellsorlittleleadenampullaeintheirhatsandbundlesofpurchasesovertheirshoulders。Theywereagrimy，ragged，travel-stainedcrew，themenwalking，thewomenborneonasses。Manandbeast，theylimpedalongasifitwouldbeagladdaywhentheysawtheirhomesoncemore。Theseandafewbeggarsorminstrels，whocrouchedamongtheheatheroneithersideofthetrackinthehopeofreceivinganoccasionalfarthingfromthepasser-by，weretheonlyfolktheymetuntiltheyhadreachedthevillageofPuttenham。Alreadythere，wasahotsunandjustbreezeenoughtosendthedustflyingdowntheroad，sotheyweregladtocleartheirthroatswithaglassofbeerattheale-stakeinthevillage，wherethefairalewifegaveNigelacoldfarewellbecausehehadnoattentionsforher，andAylwardaboxontheearbecausehehadtoomany。
OnthefarthersideofPuttenhamtheroadrunsthroughthickwoodsofoakandbeech，withatangledundergrowthoffernandbramble。
Heretheymetapatrolofsergeants-at-arms，tallfellows，well-mounted，cladinstudded-leathercapsandtunics，withlancesandswords。Theywalkedtheirhorsesslowlyontheshadysideoftheroad，andstoppedasthetravelerscameup，toaskiftheyhadbeenmolestedontheway。
“Haveacare，“theyadded，“forthe`WildMan’andhiswifeareout。Onlyyesterdaytheyslewamerchantfromthewestandtookahundredcrowns。”
“Hiswife，yousay？”
“Yes，sheiseverathisside，andhassavedhimmanyatime，forifhehasthestrengthitisshewhohasthewit。Ihopetoseetheirheadstogetheruponthegreengrassoneofthesemornings。”
ThepatrolpasseddownwardtowardFarnham，andso，asitproved，awayfromtherobbers，whohaddoubtlesswatchedthemcloselyfromthedensebrushwoodwhichskirtedtheroad。Comingroundacurve，NigelandAylwardwereawareofatallandgracefulwomanwhosat，wringingherhandsandweepingbitterly，uponthebankbythesideofthetrack。AtsuchasightofbeautyindistressNigelprickedPommerswiththespurandinthreeboundswasatthesideoftheunhappylady。
“Whatailsyou，fairdame？”heasked。”IsthereanysmallmatterinwhichImaystandyourfriend，orisitpossiblethatanyonehathsohardaheartastodoyouaninjury。”
Sheroseandturneduponhimafacefullofhopeandentreaty。
“Oh，savemypoor，poorfather！”shecried。”Haveyouperchanceseentheway-wardens？，Theypassedus，andIfeartheyarebeyondreach。”
“Yes，theyhaveriddenonward，butwemayserveaswell。”
“Thenhasten，hasten，Iprayyou！，Evennowtheymaybedoinghimtodeath。TheyhavedraggedhimintoyondergroveandIhaveheardhisvoicegrowingeverweakerinthedistance。Hasten，I
imploreyou！”
NigelsprangfromhishorseandtossedthereintoAylward。
“Nay，letusgotogether。Howmanyrobberswerethere，lady？”
“Twostoutfellows。”
“ThenIcomealso。”
“Nay，itisnotpossible，“saidNigel。”Thewoodistoothickforhorses，andwecannotleavethemintheroad。”
“Iwillguardthem，“criedthelady。
“Pommersisnotsoeasilyheld。Doyoubidehere，Aylward，untilyouhearfromme。Stirnot，Icommandyou！”Sosaying，Nigel，withthelight，ofadventuregleaminginhisjoyouseyes，drewhisswordandplungedswiftlyintotheforest。
Farandfastheran，fromgladetoglade，breakingthroughthebushes，springingoverthebrambles，lightasayoungdeer，peeringthiswayandthat，straininghisearsforasound，andcatchingonlythecryofthewood-pigeons。Stillonhewent，withtheconstantthoughtoftheweepingwomanbehindandofthecapturedmaninfront。Itwasnotuntilhewasfootsoreandoutofbreaththathestoppedwithhishandtohisside，andconsideredthathisownbusinesshadstilltobedone，andthatitwastimeoncemorethatheshouldseektheroadtoGuildford。
MeantimeAylwardhadfoundhisownroughmeansofconsolingthewomanintheroad，whostoodsobbingwithherfaceagainstthesideofPommers’saddle。
“Nay，weepnot，myprettyone，“saidhe。”Itbringsthetearstomyowneyestoseethemstreamfromthine。”
“Alas！goodarcher，hewasthebestoffathers，sogentleandsokind！，Hadyoubutknownhim，youmusthavelovedhim。”
“Tut，tut！，hewillsuffernoscathe。SquireNigelwillbringhimbacktoyouanon。”
“No，no，Ishallneverseehimmore。Holdme，archer，orIfall！”
Aylwardpressedhisreadyarmroundthesupplewaist。Thefaintingwomanleanedwithherhanduponhisshoulder。Herpalefacelookedpasthim，anditwassomenewlightinhereyes，aflashofexpectancy，oftriumph，ofwickedjoy，whichgavehimsuddenwarningofhisdanger。
Heshookheroffandsprangtooneside，butonlyjustintimetoavoidacrashingblowfromagreatclubinthehandsofamaneventallerandstrongerthanhimself。Hehadonequickvisionofgreatwhiteteethclenchedingrimferocity，awildflyingbeardandblazingwild-beasteyes。Thenextinstanthehadclosed，duckinghisheadbeneathanotherswingofthatmurderouscudgel。
Withhisarmsroundtherobber’sburlybodyandhisfaceburiedinhisbushybeard，Aylwardgaspedandstrainedandheaved。Backandforwardinthedustyroadthetwomenstampedandstaggered，agrimwrestling-match，withlifefortheprize。TwicethegreatstrengthoftheoutlawhadAylwardnearlydown，andtwicewithhisgreateryouthandskillthearcherrestoredhisgripandhisbalance。Thenatlasthisturncame。Heslippedhislegbehindtheother’sknee，and，givingamightywrench，torehimacrossit。
WithahoarseshouttheoutlawtoppledbackwardandhadhardlyreachedthegroundbeforeAylwardhadhiskneeuponhischestandhisshortsworddeepinhisbeardandpointedtohisthroat。
“Bythesetenfinger-bones！”hegasped，“onemorestruggleanditisyourlast！”
Themanlaystillenough，forhewashalf-stunnedbythecrashingfall。Aylwardlookedroundhim，butthewomanhaddisappeared。
Atthefirstblowstruckshehadvanishedintotheforest。Hebegantohavefearsforhismaster，thinkingthatheperhapshadbeenluredintosomedeathtrap;buthisforebodingsweresoonatrest，forNigelhimselfcamehasteningdowntheroad，whichhehadstrucksomedistancefromthespotwhereheleftit。
“BySaintPaul！”hecried，“whoisthismanonwhomyouareperched，andwhereistheladywhohashonoredussofarastocraveourhelp？，Alas，thatIhavebeenunabletofindherfather！”
“Aswellforyou，fairsir，“saidAylward，“forIamofopinionthatherfatherwastheDevil。Thiswomanis，asIbelieve，thewifeofthe`WildManofPuttenham，’andthisisthe`WildMan’
himselfwhosetuponmeandtriedtobrainmewithhisclub。”
Theoutlaw，whohadopenedhiseyes，lookedwithascowlfromhiscaptortothenew-comer。”Youareinluck，archer，“saidhe，“forIhavecometogripswithmanyaman，butIcannotcalltomindanywhohavehadthebetterofme。”
“Youhaveindeedthegripofabear，“saidAylward;“butitwasacowarddeedthatyourwifeshouldholdmewhileyoudashedoutmybrainswithastick。Itisalsoamostvillainousthingtolayasnareforwayfarersbyaskingfortheirpityandassistance，sothatitwasourownsoftheartswhichbroughtusintosuchdanger。
Thenextwhohathrealneedofourhelpmaysufferforyoursins。”
“Whenthehandofthewholeworldisagainstyou，“saidtheoutlawinasurlyvoice，“youmustfightasbestyoucan。”
“Youwelldeservetobehanged，ifonlybecauseyouhavebroughtthiswoman，whoisfairandgentle-spoken，tosuchalife，“saidNigel。”Letustiehimbythewristtomystirrupleather，Aylward，andwewillleadhimintoGuildford。”
Thearcherdrewasparebowstringfromhiscaseandhadboundtheprisonerasdirected，whenNigelgaveasuddenstartandcryofalarm。
“HolyMary！”hecried。”Whereisthesaddle-bag？”
Ithadbeencutawaybyasharpknife。Onlythetwoendsofstrapremained。AylwardandNigelstaredateachotherinblankdismay。
ThentheyoungSquireshookhisclenchedhandsandpulledathisyellowcurlsinhisdespair。
“TheLadyErmyntrude’sbracelet！，Mygrandfather’scup！”hecried。
“IwouldhavediedereIlostthem！，WhatcanIsaytoher？，I
darenotreturnuntilIhavefoundthem。Oh，Aylward，Aylward！
howcameyoutoletthembetaken？”
Thehonestarcherhadpushedbackhissteelcapandwasscratchinghistangledhead。”Nay，Iknownothingofit。Youneversaidthattherewasaughtofpriceinthebag，elsehadIkeptabettereyeuponit。Certes！itwasnotthisfellowwhotookit，sinceI
haveneverhadmyhandsfromhim。Itcanonlybethewomanwhofledwithitwhilewefought。”
Nigelstampedabouttheroadinhisperplexity。”Iwouldfollowhertotheworld’sendifIknewwhereIcouldfindher，buttosearchthesewoodsforheristolookforamouseinawheat-field。GoodSaintGeorge，thouwhodidstovercometheDragon，Iprayyoubythatmosthonorableandknightlyachievementthatyouwillbewithmenow！，Andyoualso，greatSaintJulian，patronofallwayfarersindistress！，TwocandlesshallburnbeforeyourshrineatGodalming，ifyouwillbutbringmebackmysaddle-bag。WhatwouldInotgivetohaveitback？”
“Willyougivememylife？”askedtheoutlaw。”PromisethatIgofree，andyoushallhaveitback，ifitbeindeedtruethatmywifehastakenit。”
“Nay，Icannotdothat，“saidNigel。”Myhonorwouldsurelybeconcerned，sincemylossisaprivateone;butitwouldbetothepublicscathethatyoushouldgofree。BySaintPaul！itwouldbeanungentledeedifinordertosavemyownIletyoulooseuponthegearofahundredothers。”
“Iwillnotaskyoutoletmeloose，“saidthe“WildMan。”，“IfyouwillpromisethatmylifebesparedIwillrestoreyourbag。”
“Icannotgivesuchapromise，foritwillliewiththeSheriffandreevesofGuildford。”
“ShallIhaveyourwordinmyfavor？”
“ThatIcouldpromiseyou，ifyouwillgivebackthebag，thoughI
knownothowfarmywordmayavail。Butyourwordsarevain，foryoucannotthinkthatwewillbesofondastoletyougointhehopethatyoureturn？”
“Iwouldnotaskit，“saidthe“WildMan，““forIcangetyourbagandyetneverstirfromthespotwhereIstand。HaveIyourpromiseuponyourhonorandallthatyouholddearthatyouwillaskforgrace？”
“Youhave。”
“Andthatmywifeshallbeunharmed？”
“Ipromiseit。”
Theoutlawlaidbackhisheadandutteredalongshrillcrylikethehowlofawolf。Therewasasilentpause，andthen，clearandshrill，thererosethesamecrynogreatdistanceawayintheforest。Againthe“WildMan“called，andagainhismatereplied。
Athirdtimehesummoned，asthedeerbellstothedoeinthegreenwood。Thenwitharustleofbrushwoodandsnappingoftwigsthewomanwasbeforethemoncemore，tall，pale，graceful，wonderful。SheglancedneitheratAylwardnorNigel，butrantothesideofherhusband。
“Dearandsweetlord，“shecried，“Itrusttheyhavedoneyounohurt。Iwaitedbytheoldash，andmyheartsankwhenyoucamenot。”
“Ihavebeentakenatlast，wife。”
“Oh，cursed，cursedday！，Lethimgo，kind，gentlesirs;donottakehimfromme！”
“TheywillspeakformeatGuildford，“saidthe“WildMan。”“Theyhaveswornit。Buthandthemfirstthebagthatyouhavetaken。”
Shedrewitoutfromunderherloosecloak。”Hereitis，gentlesir。Indeeditwenttomyhearttotakeit，foryouhadmercyuponmeinmytrouble。ButnowIam，asyousee，inrealandverysoredistress。Willyounothavemercynow？，Takeruthonus，fairsir！，OnmykneesIbegitofyou，mostgentleandkindlySquire！”
Nigelhadclutchedhisbag，andrightgladhewastofeelthatthetreasureswereallsafewithinit。”Myprofferisgiven，“saidhe。”IwillsaywhatIcan;buttheissuerestswithothers。I
prayyoutostandup，forindeedIcannotpromisemore。”
“ThenImustbecontent，“saidshe，rising，withacomposedface。
“Ihaveprayedyoutotakeruth，andindeedIcandonomore;butereIgobacktotheforestIwouldredeyoutobeonyourguardlestyouloseyourbagoncemore。WotyouhowItookit，archer？
Nay，itwassimpleenough，andmayhappenagain，soImakeitcleartoyou。Ihadthisknifeinmysleeve，andthoughitissmallitisverysharp。Islippeditdownlikethis。ThenwhenI
seemedtoweepwithmyfaceagainstthesaddle，Icutdownlikethis-“
Inaninstantshehadshornthroughthestirrupleatherwhichboundherman，andhe，divingunderthebellyofthehorse，hadslippedlikeasnakeintothebrushwood。InpassinghehadstruckPommersfrombeneath，andthegreathorse，enragedandinsulted，wasrearinghigh，withtwomenhangingtohisbridle。Whenatlasthehadcalmedtherewasnosignleftofthe“WildMan，orofhiswife。InvaindidAylward，anarrowonhisstring，runhereandthereamongthegreattreesandpeerdowntheshadowyglades。
Whenhereturnedheandhismastercastashamefacedglanceateachother。
“Itrustthatwearebettersoldiersthanjailers，“saidAylward，asheclimbedonhispony。
ButNigel’sfrownrelaxedintoasmile。”Atleastwehavegainedbackwhatwelost，“saidhe。”HereIplaceitonthepommelofmysaddle，andIshallnottakemyeyesfromituntilwearesafeinGuildfordtown。”
SotheyjoggedontogetheruntilpassingSaintCatherine’sshrinetheycrossedthewindingWeyoncemore，andsofoundthemselvesinthesteephighstreetwithitsheavy-cavedgabledhouses，itsmonkishhospitiumupontheleft，wheregoodalemaystillbequaffed，anditsgreatsquare-keepedcastleupontheright，nograyandgrimskeletonofruin，butveryquickandalert，withblazonedbannerflyingfree，andsteelcapstwinklingfromthebattlement。Arowofboothsextendedfromthecastlegatetothehighstreet，andtwodoorsfromtheChurchoftheTrinitywasthatofThoroldthegoldsmith，arichburgessandMayorofthetown。
Helookedlongandlovinglyattherichrubiesandatthefineworkuponthegoblet。Thenhestrokedhisflowinggraybeardasheponderedwhetherheshouldofferfiftynoblesorsixty，forheknewwellthathecouldsellthemagainfortwohundred。Ifheofferedtoomuchhisprofitwouldbereduced。IfheofferedtoolittletheyouthmightgoasfarasLondonwiththem，fortheywererareandofgreatworth。Theyoungmanwasill-clad，andhiseyeswereanxious。Perchancehewashardpressedandwasignorantofthevalueofwhathebore。Hewouldsoundhim。
“Thesethingsareoldandoutoffashion，fairsir，“saidhe。”OfthestonesIcanscarcesayiftheyareofgoodqualityornot，buttheyaredullandrough。Yet，ifyourpricebelowImayaddthemtomystock，thoughindeedthisboothwasmadetosellandnottobuy。Whatdoyouask？”
Nigelbenthisbrowsinperplexity。Herewasagameinwhichneitherhisboldheartnorhisactivelimbscouldhelphim。Itwasthenewforcemasteringtheold：themanofcommerceconqueringthemanofwar-wearinghimdownandweakeninghimthroughthecenturiesuntilhehadhimashisbond-servantandhisthrall。
“knownotwhattoask，goodsir，“saidNigel。”Itisnotforme，norforanymanwhobearsmyname，tochafferandtohaggle。
Youknowtheworthofthesethings，foritisyourtradetodoso。
TheLadyErmyntrudelacksmoney，andwemusthaveitagainsttheKing’scoming，sogivemethatwhichisrightandjust，andwewillsaynomore。”
Thegoldsmithsmiled。Thebusinesswasgrowingmoresimpleandmoreprofitable。Hehadintendedtoofferfifty，butsurelyitwouldbesinfulwastetogivemorethantwenty-five。
“IshallscarceknowwhattodowiththemwhenIhavethem，“saidhe。”YetIshouldnotgrudgetwentynoblesifitisamatterinwhichtheKingisconcerned。”
Nigel’sheartturnedtolead。Thissumwouldnotbuyone-halfwhatwasneedful。ItwasclearthattheLadyErmyntrudehadovervaluedhertreasures。Yethecouldnotreturnempty-handed，soiftwentynobleswastherealworth，asthisgoodoldmanassuredhim，thenhemustbethankfulandtakeit。
“Iamconcernedbywhatyousay，“saidhe。”YouknowmoreofthesethingsthanIcando。However，Iwilltake-“
“Ahundredandfifty，“whisperedAylward’svoiceinhisear。
“Ahundredandfifty，“saidNigel，onlytoorelievedtohavefoundthehumblestguideupontheseunwontedpaths。
Thegoldsmithstarted。Thisyouthwasnotthesimplesoldierthathehadseemed。Thatfrankface，thoseblueeyes，weretrapsfortheunwary。Neverhadhebeenmoretakenabackinabargain。
“Thisisfondtalkandcanleadtonothing，fairsir，“saidhe，turningawayandfiddlingwiththekeysofhisstrongboxes。”YetIhavenowishtobehardonyou。Takemyoutsideprice，whichisfiftynobles。”
“Andahundred，“whisperedAylward。
“Andahundred，“saidNigel，blushingathisowngreed。
“Well，well，takeahundred！”criedthemerchant。”Fleeceme，skinme，leavemealoser，andtakeforyourwaresthefullhundred！”
“IshouldbeshamedforeverifIweretotreatyousobadly，“saidNigel。”Youhavespokenmefair，andIwouldnotgrindyoudown。
Therefore，Iwillgladlytakeonehundred-“
“Andfifty，“whisperedAylward。
“Andfifty，“saidNigel。
“BySaintJohnofBeverley！”criedthemerchant。”IcamehitherfromtheNorthCountry，andtheyaresaidtobeshrewdatadealinthoseparts;butIhadratherbargainwithasynagoguefullofJewsthanwithyou，forallyourgentleways。Willyouindeedtakenolessthanahundredandfifty？，Alas！youpluckfrommemyprofitsofamonth。Itisafellmorning’sworkforme。IwouldIhadneverseenyou！”Withgroansandlamentationshepaidthegoldpiecesacrossthecounter，andNigel，hardlyabletocredithisowngoodfortune，gatheredthemintotheleathersaddle-bag。
AmomentlaterwithflushedfacehewasinthestreetandpouringouthisthankstoAylward。
“Alas，myfairlord！themanhasrobbedusnow，“saidthearcher。
“Wecouldhavehadanothertwentyhadwestoodfast。”
“Howknowyouthat，goodAylward？”
“Byhiseyes，SquireLoring。IwotIhavelittlestoreofreadingwheretheparchmentofabookorthepinchingofablazonisconcerned，butIcanreadmen’seyes，andIneverdoubtedthathewouldgivewhathehasgiven。”
Thetwotravelershaddinneratthemonk’shospitium，NigelatthehightableandAylwardamongthecommonalty。Thenagaintheyroamedthehighstreetonbusinessintent。Nigelboughttaffetaforhangings，wine，preserves，fruit，damasktablelinenandmanyotherarticlesofneed。Atlasthehaltedbeforethearmorer’sshopatthecastle-yard，staringatthefinesuitsofplate，theengravedpectorals，theplumedhelmets，thecunninglyjointedgorgets，asachildatasweet-shop。
“Well，SquireLoring，“saidWatthearmorer，lookingsidewisefromthefurnacewherehewastemperingaswordblade，“whatcanIsellyouthismorning？，IsweartoyoubyTubalCain，thefatherofallworkersinmetal，thatyoumightgofromendtoendofCheapsideandneverseeabettersuitthanthatwhichhangsfromyonderhook！”
“Andtheprice，armorer？”
“Toanyoneelse，twohundredandfiftyrosenobles。Toyoutwohundred。”
“Andwhycheapertome，goodfellow？”
“BecauseIfittedyourfatheralsoforthewars，andafinersuitneverwentoutofmyshop。Iwarrantthatitturnedmanyanedgebeforehelaiditaside。Weworkedinmailinthosedays，andI
hadassoonhaveawell-madethick-meshedmailasanyplates;butayoungknightwillbeinthefashionlikeanydameofthecourt，andsoitmustbeplatenow，eventhoughthepricebetrebled。”
“Yourredeisthatthemailisasgood？”
“Iamwellsureofit。”
“Hearkenthen，armorer！，Icannotatthismomentbuyasuitofplate，andyetIsorelyneedsteelharnessonaccountofasmalldeedwhichitisinmymindtodo。NowIhaveatmyhomeatTilfordthatverysuitofmailofwhichyouspeak，withwhichmyfatherfirstrodetothewars。Couldyounotsoalteritthatitshouldguardmylimbsalso？”
ThearmorerlookedatNigel’ssmalluprightfigureandburstoutlaughing。”Youjest，SquireLoring！，Thesuitwasmadeforonewhowasfarabovethecommonstatureofman。”
“Nay，Ijestnot。Ifitwillbutcarrymethroughonespear-
runningitwillhaveserveditspurpose。”
ThearmorerleanedbackonhisanvilandponderedwhileNigelstaredanxiouslyathissootyface。
“RightgladlywouldIlendyouasuitofplateforthisoneventure，SquireLoring，butIknowwellthatifyoushouldbeoverthrownyourharnessbecomesprizetothevictor。Iamapoormanwithmanychildren，andIdarenotriskthelossofit。Butastowhatyousayoftheoldsuitofmail，isitindeedingoodcondition？”
“Mostexcellent，saveonlyattheneck，whichismuchfrayed。”
“Toshortenthelimbsiseasy。Itisbuttocutoutalengthofthemailandthenloopupthelinks。Buttoshortenthebody-nay，thatisbeyondthearmorer’sart。”
“Itwasmylasthope。Nay，goodarmorer，ifyouhaveindeedservedandlovedmygallantfather，thenIbegyoubyhismemorythatyouwillhelpmenow。”
Thearmorerthrewdownhisheavyhammerwithacrashuponthefloor。”ItisnotonlythatIlovedyourfather，SquireLoring，butitisthatIhaveseenyou，halfarmedasyouwere，rideagainstthebestofthemattheCastletiltyard。LastMartinmasmyheartbledforyouwhenIsawhowsorrywasyourharness，andyetyouheldyourownagainstthestoutSirOliverwithhisMilansuit：WhengoyoutoTilford？”
“Evennow。”
“Heh，Jenkin，fetchoutthecob！”criedtheworthyWat。”MaymyrighthandloseitscunningifIdonotsendyouintobattleinyourfather’ssuit！，To-morrowImustbebackinmybooth，buttodayIgivetoyouwithoutfeeandforthesakeofthegood-willwhichIbeartoyourhouse。IwillridewithyoutoTilford，andbeforenightyoushallseewhatWatcando。”
SoitcameaboutthattherewasabusyeveningattheoldTilfordManor-house，wheretheLadyErmyntrudeplannedandcutandhungthecurtainsforthehall，andstockedhercupboardswiththegoodthingswhichNigelhadbroughtfromGuildford。
MeanwhiletheSquireandthearmorersatwiththeirheadstouchingandtheoldsuitofmailwithitsgorgetofoverlappingplateslaidoutacrosstheirknees。AgainandagainoldWatshruggedhisshoulders，asonewhohasbeenaskedtodomorethancanbedemandedfrommortalman。Atlast，atasuggestionfromtheSquire，heleanedbackinhischairandlaughedlongandloudlyinhisbushybeard，whiletheLadyErmyntrudeglaredherblackdispleasureatsuchplebeianmerriment。Thentakinghisfinechiselandhishammerfromhispouchoftools，thearmorer，stillchucklingathisownthoughts，begantodriveaholethroughthecenterofthesteeltunic。
VIII。HOWTHEKINGHAWKEDONCROOKSBURYHEATH
TheKingandhisattendantshadshakenoffthecrowdwhohadfollowedthemfromGuildfordalongthePilgrims’Wayandnow，themountedarchershavingbeatenoffthemorepersistentofthespectators，theyrodeattheireaseinalong，straggling，glitteringtrainoverthedarkundulatingplainofheather。
InthevanwastheKinghimself，forhishawkswerewithhimandhehadsomehopeofsport。Edwardatthattimewasawell-grown，vigorousmanintheveryprimeofhisyears，akeensportsman，anardentgallantandachivalroussoldier。Hewasascholartoo，speakingLatin，French，German，Spanish，andevenalittleEnglish。
Somuchhadlongbeenpatenttotheworld，butonlyofrecentyearshadheshownotherandmoreformidablecharacteristics：arestlessambitionwhichcovetedhisneighbor’sthrone，andawiseforesightinmattersofcommerce，whichengagedhimnowintransplantingFlemishweaversandsowingtheseedsofwhatformanyyearswasthestapletradeofEngland。Eachofthesevariedqualitiesmighthavebeenreaduponhisface。Thebrow，shadedbyacrimsoncapofmaintenance，wasbroadandlofty。Thelargebrowneyeswereardentandbold。Hischinwasclean-shaven，andtheclose-croppeddarkmustachedidnotconcealthestrongmouth，firm，proudandkindly，butcapableofsettingtightinmercilessferocity。Hiscomplexionwastannedtocopperbyalifespentinfieldsportsorinwar，andherodehismagnificentblackhorsecarelesslyandeasily，asonewhohasgrownupinthesaddle。Hisowncolorwasblackalso，forhisactive;sinewyfigurewassetoffbyclose-fittingvelvetofthathue，brokenonlybyabeltofgold，andbyagoldenborderofopenpodsofthebroom-plant。
Withhishighandnoblebearing，hissimpleyetrichattireandhissplendidmount，helookedeveryinchaKing。
ThepictureofgallantmanongallanthorsewascompletedbythenobleFalconoftheIsleswhichflutteredalongsometwelvefeetabovehishead，“waitingon，“asitwastermed，foranyquarrywhichmightarise。ThesecondbirdofthecastwasborneuponthegauntletedwristofRaoulthechieffalconerintherear。
Attherightsideofthemonarchandalittlebehindhimrodeayouthsometwentyyearsofage，tall，slimanddark，withnobleaquilinefeaturesandkeenpenetratingeyeswhichsparkledwithvivacityandaffectionasheansweredtheremarksoftheKing。Hewascladindeepcrimsondiaperedwithgold，andthetrappingsofhiswhitepalfreywereofamagnificencewhichproclaimedtherankofitsrider。Onhisface，stillfreefrommustacheorbeard，theresatacertaingravityandmajestyofexpressionwhichshowedthatyoungashewasgreataffairshadbeeninhiskeepingandthathisthoughtsandinterestswerethoseofthestatesmanandthewarrior。Thatgreatdaywhen，littlemorethanaschool-boy，hehadledthevanofthevictoriousarmywhichhadcrushedthepowerofFranceandCrecy，hadleftthisstampuponhisfeatures;
butsternastheyweretheyhadnotassumedthattingeoffiercenesswhichinafteryearswastomake“TheBlackPrince“anameofterroronthemarchesofFrance。Notyethadthefirstshadowoffelldiseasecometopoisonhisnatureereitstruckathislife，asherodethatspringday，lightanddebonair，upontheheathofCrooksbury。
OntheleftoftheKing，andsoneartohimthatgreatintimacywasimplied，rodeamanabouthisownage，withthebroadface，theprojectingjawandtheflattishnosewhichareoftentheoutwardindicationsofapugnaciousnature。
Hiscomplexionwascrimson，hislargeblueeyessomewhatprominent，andhiswholeappearancefull-bloodedandcholeric。Hewasshort，butmassivelybuilt，andevidentlypossessedofimmensestrength。Hisvoice，however，whenhespokewasgentleandlisping，whilehismannerwasquietandcourteous。UnliketheKingorthePrince，hewascladinlightarmorandcarriedaswordbyhissideandamaceathissaddle-bow，forhewasactingasCaptainoftheKing’sGuard，andadozenotherknightsinsteelfollowedintheescort。NohardiersoldiercouldEdwardhaveathisside，if，aswasalwayspossibleinthoselawlesstimes，suddendangerwastothreaten，forthiswasthefamousknightofHainault，nownaturalizedasanEnglishman，SirWalterManny，whoboreashighareputationforchivalrousvalorandforgallanttemerityasChandoshimself。
Behindtheknights，whowereforbiddentoscatterandmustalwaysfollowtheKing’sperson，therewasabodyoftwentyorthirtyhobblersormountedbowmen，togetherwithseveralsquires，unarmedthemselvesbutleadingsparehorsesuponwhichtheheavierpartoftheirknights’equipmentwascarried。Astragglingtailoffalconers，harbingers，varlets，body-servantsandhuntsmenholdinghoundsinleashcompletedthelongandmany-coloredtrainwhichroseanddippedonthelowundulationsofthemoor。
ManyweightythingswereonthemindofEdwardtheKing。TherewastruceforthemomentwithFrance，butitwasatrucebrokenbymanysmalldeedsofarms，raids，surprisesandambushesuponeitherside，anditwascertainthatitwouldsoondissolveagainintoopenwar。Moneymustberaised，anditwasnolightmattertoraiseit，nowthattheCommonshadoncealreadyvotedthetenthlambandthetenthsheaf。Besides，theBlackDeathhadruinedthecountry，thearablelandwasallturnedtopasture，thelaborer，laughingatstatutes，wouldnotworkunderfourpenceaday，andallsocietywaschaos。Inaddition，theScotchweregrowlingovertheborder，therewastheperennialtroubleinhalf-conqueredIreland，andhisalliesabroadinFlandersandinBrabantwereclamoringforthearrearsoftheirsubsidies。
Allthiswasenoughtomakeevenavictoriousmonarchfullofcare;butnowEdwardhadthrownitalltothewindsandwasaslight-heartedasaboyuponaholiday。NothoughthadheforthedunningofFlorentinebankersorthevexatiousconditionsofthosebusybodiesatWestminster。Hewasoutwithhishawks，andhisthoughtsandhistalkshouldbeofnothingelse。Thevarletsbeattheheatherandbushesastheypassed，andwhoopedloudlyasthebirdsflewout。
“Amagpie！，Amagpie！”criedthefalconer。
“Nay，nay，itisnotworthyofyourtalons，mybrown-eyedqueen，“
saidtheKing，lookingupatthegreatbirdwhichflappedfromsidetosideabovehishead，waitingforthewhistlewhichshouldgiveherthesignal。”Thetercels，falconer-acastoftercels！
Quick，man，quick！，Ha！，therascalmakesforwood！，Heputsin！
Wellflown，braveperegrine！，Hemakeshispoint。Drivehimouttothycomrade。Servehim，varlets！，Beatthebushes！，Hebreaks！
Hebreaks！，Nay，comeawaythen！，YouwillseeMasterMagpienomore。”
Thebirdhadindeed，withthecunningofitsrace，flappeditswaythroughbrushwoodandbushestothethickerwoodsbeyond，sothatneitherthehawkamidthecovernoritspartnerabovenortheclamorousbeaterscouldharmit。TheKinglaughedatthemischanceandrodeon。Continuallybirdsofvarioussortswereflushed，andeachwaspursuedbytheappropriatehawk，thesnipebythetercel，thepartridgebythegoshawk，eventhelarkbythelittlemerlin。ButtheKingsoontiredofthispettysportandwentslowlyonhisway，stillwiththemagnificentsilentattendantflappingabovehishead。
“Isshenotanoblebird，fairson？”heasked，glancingupashershadowfelluponhim。
“Sheisindeed，sire。Surelynofinerevercamefromtheislesofthenorth。”
“Perhapsnot，andyetIhavehadahawkfromBarbaryasgoodafooterandaswifterflyer。AnEasternbirdinyarakhasnopeer。”
“IhadoneoncefromtheHolyLand，“saiddeManny。”ItwasfierceandkeenandswiftastheSaracensthemselves。TheysayofoldSaladinthatinhisdayhisbreedofbirds，ofhoundsandofhorseshadnoequalonearth。”
“Itrust，dearfather，thatthedaymaycomewhenweshalllayourhandsonallthree，“saidthePrince，lookingwithshiningeyesupontheKing。”IstheHolyLandtolieforeverinthegraspoftheseunbelievingsavages，ortheHolyTempletobedefiledbytheirfoulpresence？，Ah！，mydearandmostsweetlord，givetomeathousandlanceswithtenthousandbowmenlikethoseIledatCrecy，andIsweartoyoubyGod’ssoulthatwithinayearIwillhavedonehomagetoyoufortheKingdomofJerusalem！”
TheKinglaughedasheturnedtoWalterManny。”Boyswillstillbeboys，“saidhe。
“TheFrenchdonotcountmesuch！”criedtheyoungPrince，flushingwithanger。
“Nay，fairson，thereisnoonesetsyouatahigherratethanyourfather。Butyouhavethenimblemindandquickfancyofyouth，turningoverfromthethingthatishalfdonetoafurthertaskbeyond。HowwouldwefareinBrittanyandNormandywhilemyyoungpaladinwithhislancesandhisbowmenwasbesiegingAscalonorbatteringatJerusalem？”
“HeavenwouldhelpinHeaven’swork。”
“FromwhatIhaveheardofthepast，“saidtheKingdryly，“I
cannotseethatHeavenhascountedformuchasanallyinthesewarsoftheEast。Ispeakwithreverence，andyetitisbutsoothtosaythatRichardoftheLionHeartorLouisofFrancemighthavefoundthesmallestearthlyprincipalityofgreaterservicetohimthanallthecelestialhosts。Howsayyoutothat，myLordBishop？”
AstoutchurchmanwhohadriddenbehindtheKingonasolidbaycob，well-suitedtohisweightanddignity，joggeduptothemonarch’selbow。”Howsayyou，sire？，Iwaswatchingthegoshawkonthepartridgeandheardyounot。”
“HadIsaidthatIwouldaddtwomanorstotheSeeofChichester，Iwarrantthatyouwouldhaveheardme，myLordBishop。”
“Nay，fairlord，testthematterbysayingso，“criedthejovialBishop。
TheKinglaughedaloud。”Afaircounter，yourreverence。Bytherood！，youbrokeyourlancethatpassage。ButthequestionI
debatedwasthis：HowisitthatsincetheCrusadeshavemanifestlybeenfoughtinGod’squarrel，weChristianshavehadsolittlecomfortorsupportinfightingthem。Afteralloureffortsandthelossofmorementhancouldbecounted，weareatlastdrivenfromthecountry，andeventhemilitaryorderswhichwereformedonlyforthatonepurposecanscarceholdafootingintheislandsoftheGreeksea。ThereisnotoneseaportnoronefortressinPalestineoverwhichtheflagoftheCrossstillwaves。Wherethenwasourally？”
“Nay，sire，youopenagreatdebatewhichextendsfarbeyondthisquestionoftheHolyLand，thoughthatmayindeedbechosenasafairexample。Itisthequestionofallsin，ofallsuffering，ofallinjustice-whyitshouldpasswithouttherainoffireandthelightningsofSinai。ThewisdomofGodisbeyondourunderstanding。”
TheKingshruggedhisshoulders。”Thisisaneasyanswer，myLordBishop。YouareaprinceoftheChurch。Itwouldfareillwithanearthlyprincewhocouldgivenobetteranswertotheaffairswhichconcernedhisrealm。”
“Thereareotherconsiderationswhichmightbeurged，mostgracioussire。ItistruethattheCrusadeswereaholyenterprisewhichmightwellexpecttheimmediateblessingofGod;
buttheCrusaders-isitcertainthattheydeservedsuchablessing？，HaveInotheardthattheircampwasthemostdissoluteeverseen？”
“Campsarecampsalltheworldover，andyoucannotinamomentchangeabowmanintoasaint。ButtheholyLouiswasacrusaderafteryourownheart。YethismenperishedatMansurahandhehimselfatTunis。”
“Bethinkyoualsothatthisworldisbuttheantechamberofthenext，“saidtheprelate。”Bysufferingandtribulationthesouliscleansed，andthetruevictormaybehewhobythepatientenduranceofmisfortunemeritsthehappinesstocome。”
“IfthatbethetruemeaningoftheChurch’sblessing，thenIhopethatitwillbelongbeforeitrestsuponourbannersinFrance，“
saidtheKing。”Butmethinksthatwhenoneisoutwithabravehorseandagoodhawkonemightfindsomeothersubjectthantheology。Backtothebirds，Bishop，orRaoulthefalconerwillcometointerrupttheeinthycathedral。”
Straightwaytheconversationcamebacktothemysteryofthewoodsandthemysteryoftherivers，tothedark-eyedhawksandtheyellow-eyed，tohawksofthelureandhawksofthefist。TheBishopwasassteepedintheloreoffalconryastheKing，andtheotherssmiledasthetwowrangledhardoverdisputedandtechnicalquestions：ifaneyastrainedinthemewscaneveremulatethepassagehawktakenwild，orhowlongtheyounghawksshouldbeplacedathack，andhowlongweatheredbeforetheyarefullyreclaimed。
Monarchandprelatewerestilldeepinthislearneddiscussion，theBishopspeakingwithafreedomandassurancewhichhewouldneverhavedaredtouseinaffairsofChurchandState，forinallagesthereisnosuchlevelerassport。Suddenly，however，thePrince，whosekeeneyeshadsweptfromtimetotimeoverthegreatblueheaven，utteredapeculiarcallandreineduphispalfrey，pointingatthesametimeintotheair。
“Aheron！”hecried。”Aherononpassage！”
Togainthefullsportofhawkingaheronmustnotbeputupfromitsfeeding-ground，whereitisheavywithitsmeal，andhasnotimetogetitspaceonbeforeitispounceduponbythemoreactivehawk，butitmustbealoft，travelingfrompointtopoint，probablyfromthefish-streamtotheheronry。Thustocatchthebirdonpassagewasthepreludeofallgoodsport。TheobjecttowhichthePrincehadpointedwasbutablackdotinthesouthernsky，buthisstrainedeyeshadnotdeceivedhim，andbothBishopandKingagreedthatitwasindeedaheron，whichgrewlargereveryinstantasitflewintheirdirection。
“Whistlehimoff，sire！，Whistleoffthegerfalcon！”criedtheBishop。
“Nay，nay，heisoverfar。Shewouldflyatcheck。”
“Now，sire，now！”criedthePrince，asthegreatbirdwiththebreezebehindhimcamesweepingdownthesky。
TheKinggavetheshrillwhistle，andthewell-trainedhawkrakedouttotherightandtothelefttomakesurewhichquarryshewastofollow。Then，spyingtheheron，sheshotupinaswiftascendingcurvetomeethim。
“Wellflown，Margot！，Goodbird！”criedtheKing，clappinghishandstoencouragethehawk，whilethefalconersbrokeintotheshrillwhooppeculiartothesport。
Goingonhercurve，thehawkwouldsoonhavecrossedthepathoftheheron;butthelatter，seeingthedangerinhisfrontandconfidentinhisowngreatstrengthofwingandlightnessofbody，proceededtomounthigherintheair，flyinginsuchsmallringsthattothespectatorsitalmostseemedasifthebirdwasgoingperpendicularlyupward。
“Hetakestheair！”criedtheKing。”Butstrongasheflies，hecannotoutflyMargot。Bishop，Ilayyoutengoldpiecestoonethattheheronismine。”
“Icoveryourwager，sire，“saidtheBishop。”Imaynottakegoldsowon，andyetIwarrantthatthereisanaltar-clothsomewhereinneedofrepairs。”
“Youhavegoodstoreofaltar-cloths，Bishop，ifallthegoldI
haveseenyouwinattablesgoestothemendingofthem，“saidtheKing。”Ah！bytherood，rascal，rascal！，Seehowshefliesatcheck！”
ThequickeyesoftheBishophadperceivedadriftofrookswhenontheireveningflighttotherookerywerepassingalongtheverylinewhichdividedthehawkfromtheheron。Arookisahardtemptationforahawktoresist。Inaninstanttheinconstantbirdhadforgottenallaboutthegreatheronaboveherandwascirclingovertherooks，flyingwestwardwiththemasshesingledouttheplumpestforherstoop。
“Thereisyettime，sire！，ShallIcastoffhermate？”criedthefalconer。
“OrshallIshowyou，sire，howaperegrinemaywinwhereagerfalconfails？”saidtheBishop。”Tengoldenpiecestooneuponmybird。”
“Donewithyou，Bishop！”criedtheKing，hisbrowdarkwithvexation。”Bytherood！ifyouwereaslearnedinthefathersasyouareinhawksyouwouldwintothethroneofSaintPeter！，Castoffyourperegrineandmakeyourboastinggood。”
Smallerthantheroyalgerfalcon，theBishop’sbirdwasnonethelessaswiftandbeautifulcreature。Fromherperchuponhiswristshehadwatchedwithfierce，keeneyesthebirdsintheheaven，mantlingherselffromtimetotimeinhereagerness。Nowwhenthebuttonwasundoneandtheleashuncasttheperegrinedashedoffwithawhirofhersharp-pointedwings，whizzingroundinagreatascendingcirclewhichmountedswiftlyupward，growingeversmallerassheapproachedthatloftypointwhere，amerespeckinthesky，theheronsoughtescapefromitsenemies。Stillhigherandhigherthetwobirdsmounted，whilethehorsemen，theirfacesupturned，strainedtheireyesintheireffortstofollowthem。
“Sherings！，Shestillrings！”criedtheBishop。”Sheisabovehim！，Shehasgainedherpitch。”
“Nay，nay，sheisfarbelow，“saidtheKing。
“Bymysoul，myLordBishopisright！”criedthePrince。”I
believesheisabove。See！，See！，Sheswoops！”
“Shebinds！，Shebinds！”criedadozenvoicesasthetwodotsblendedsuddenlyintoone。
Therecouldbenodoubtthattheywerefallingrapidly，Alreadytheygrewlargertotheeye。Presentlytheherondisengagedhimselfandflappedheavilyaway，theworsefor，thatdeadlyembrace，whiletheperegrine，shakingher，plumage，ringedoncemoresoastogethighabovethequarryanddealitasecondandmorefatalblow。TheBishopsmiled，fornothing，asitseemed，couldhinderhisvictory。
“Thygoldpiecesshallbewellspent，sire，“saidhe。”WhatislosttotheChurchisgainedbytheloser。”
Butamostunlooked-forchancedeprivedtheBishop’saltarclothofitscostlymending。TheKing’sgerfalconhavingstruckdownarook，andfindingthesportbuttame，bethoughtherselfsuddenlyofthatnobleheron，whichshestillperceivedflutteringoverCrooksburyHeath。Howcouldshehavebeensoweakastoallowthesesilly，chatteringrookstoenticeherawayfromthatlordlybird？，Evennowitwasnottoolatetoatoneforhermistake。Inagreatspiralsheshotupwarduntilshewasovertheheron。Butwhatwasthis？，Everyfiberofher，fromhercresttoherdeckfeathers，quiveredwithjealousyandrageatthesightofthiscreature，amereperegrine，whohaddaredtocomebetweenaroyalgerfalconandherquarry。Withonesweepofhergreatwingssheshotupuntilshewasaboveherrival。Thenextinstant-
“Theycrab！，Theycrab！”criedtheKing，witharoaroflaughter，followingthemwithhiseyesastheybustleddownthroughtheair。
“Mendthyownaltar-cloths，Bishop。Notagroatshallyouhavefrommethisjourney。Pullthemapart，falconer，lesttheydoeachotheraninjury。Andnow，masters，letuson，forthesunsinkstowardthewest。”
Thetwohawks，whichhadcometothegroundinterlockedwithclutchingtalonsandruffledplumes，weretornapartandbroughtbackbleedingandpantingtotheirperches，whiletheheronafteritsperilousadventureflappeditswayheavilyonwardtosettlesafelyintheheronryofWaverley。Thecortege，whohadscatteredintheexcitementofthechase，cametogetheragain，andthejourneywasoncemoreresumed。
Ahorsemanwhohadbeenridingtowardthemacrossthemoornowquickenedhispaceandclosedswiftlyuponthem。Ashecamenearer，theKingandthePrincecriedoutjoyouslyandwavedtheirhandsingreeting。
“ItisgoodJohnChandos！！”criedtheKing。”Bytherood，John，I
havemissedyourmerrysongsthisweekormore！，GladIamtoseethatyouhaveyourcitoleslungtoyourback。Whencecomeyouthen？”
“IcomefromTilford，sire，inthehopethatIshouldmeetyourmajesty。”
“Itwaswellthoughtof。Come，rideherebetweenthePrinceandme，andwewillbelievethatwearebackinFrancewithourwarharnessonourbacksoncemore。Whatisyournews，MasterJohn？”
Chandos’quaintfacequiveredwithsuppressedamusementandhisoneeyetwinkledlikeastar。”Haveyouhadsport，myliege？”
“Poorsport，John。Weflewtwohawksonthesameheron。Theycrabbed，andthebirdgotfree。Butwhydoyousmileso？”
“BecauseIhopetoshowyoubettersportereyoucometoTilford。”
“Forthehawk？，Forthehound？”
“Anoblersportthaneither。”
“Isthisariddle，John？，Whatmeanyou？”
“Nay，totellallwouldbetospoilall。IsayagainthatthereisraresportbetwixthereandTilford，andIbegyou，dearlord，tomendyourpacethatwemakethemostofthedaylight。”
Thusadjured，theKingsetspurstohishorse，andthewholecavalcadecanteredovertheheathinthedirectionwhichChandosshowed。Presentlyastheycameoveraslopetheysawbeneaththemawindingriverwithanoldhigh-backedbridgeacrossit。Onthefarthersidewasavillagegreenwithafringeofcottagesandonedarkmanorhouseuponthesideofthehill。
“ThisisTilford，“saidChandos。”YonderisthehouseoftheLorings。”
TheKing’sexpectationshadbeenarousedandhisfaceshowedhisdisappointment。
“Isthisthesportthatyouhavepromisedus，SirJohn？，Howcanyoumakegoodyourwords？”
“Iwillmakethemgood，myliege。”
“Wherethenisthesport？”
“Onthehighcrownofthebridgeariderinarmorwasseated，lanceinhand，uponagreatyellowsteed。ChandostouchedtheKing’sarmandpointed。”Thatisthesport，“saidhe。
IX。HOWNIGELHELDTHEBRIDGEATTILFORD
TheKinglookedatthemotionlessfigure，atthelittlecrowdofhushedexpectantrusticsbeyondthebridge，andfinallyatthefaceofChandos，whichshonewithamusement。
“Whatisthis，John？”heasked。
“YourememberSirEustaceLoring，sire？”
“IndeedIcouldneverforgethimnorthemannerofhisdeath。”
“Hewasaknighterrantinhisday。”
“Thatindeedhewas-nonebetterhaveIknown。”
“SoishissonNigel，asfierceayoungwar-hawkaseveryearnedtousebeakandclaws;butheldfastinthemewsuptonow。Thisishistrialfight。Therehestandsatthebridge-head，aswasthewontinourfathers’time，readytomeasurehimselfagainstallcomers。”
OfallEnglishmentherewasnogreaterknighterrantthantheKinghimself，andnonesosteepedineveryquaintusageofchivalry;sothatthesituationwasafterhisownheart。
“Heisnotyetaknight？”
“No，sire，onlyaSquire。”
“Thenhemustbearhimselfbravelythisdayifheistomakegoodwhathehasdone。IsitfittingthatayounguntriedSquireshouldventuretocouchhislanceagainstthebestinEngland？”
“Hebathgivenmehiscartelandchallenge，“saidChandos，drawingapaperfromhistunic。”HaveIyourpermission，sire，toissueit？”
“Surely，John，wehavenocavaliermoreversedinthelawsofchivalrythanyourself。Youknowthisyoungman，andyouareawarehowfarheisworthyofthehighhonorwhichheasks。Letushearhisdefiance，“
Theknightsandsquiresoftheescort，mostofwhomwereveteransoftheFrenchwar，hadbeengazingwithinterestandsomesurpriseatthesteel-cladfigureinfrontofthem。NowatacallfromSirWalterMannytheyassembledroundthespotwheretheKingandChandoshadhalted。Chandosclearedhisthroatandreadfromhispaper，“`Atousseigneurs，chevaliersetescuyers，’soitisheaded，gentlemen。ItisamessagefromthegoodSquireNigelLoringofTilford，sonofSirEustaceLoring，ofhonorablememory。SquireLoringawaitsyouinarms，gentlemen，yonderuponthecrownoftheoldbridge。Thussayshe：`ForthegreatdesirethatI，amosthumbleandunworthySquire，entertain，thatImaycometotheknowledgeofthenoblegentlemenwhoridewithmyroyalmaster，I
nowwaitontheBridgeoftheWayinthehopethatsomeofthemmaycondescendtodosomesmalldeedofarmsuponme，orthatI
maydeliverthemfromanyvowwhichtheymayhavetaken。ThisI
sayoutofnoesteemformyself，butsolelythatImaywitnessthenoblebearingofthesefamouscavaliersandadmiretheirskillinthehandlingofarms。Therefore，withthehelpofSaintGeorge，I
willholdthebridgewithsharpenedlancesagainstanyorallwhomaydeigntopresentthemselveswhiledaylightlasts。”
“Whatsayyoutothis，gentlemen？”askedtheKing，lookingroundwithlaughingeyes。
“Trulyitisissuedinverygoodform，“saidthePrince。”NeitherClaricieuxnorRedDragonnoranyheraldthateverworetabardcouldbetterit。Didhedrawitofhisownhand？”
“Hehathagrimoldgrandmotherwhoisoneoftheancientbreed，“
saidChandos。”IdoubtnotthattheDameErmyntrudehathdrawnachallengeortwobeforenow。Butharkye，sire，Iwouldhaveawordinyourear-andyourstoo，mostnoblePrince。”
Leadingthemaside，Chandoswhisperedsomeexplanations，whichendedbythemallthreeburstingintoashoutoflaughter。
“Bytherood！nohonorablegentlemanshouldbereducedtosuchstraits，“saidtheKing。”Itbehoovesmetolooktoit。Buthownow，gentlemen？，Thisworthycavalierstillwaitshisanswer。”
Thesoldiershadallbeenbuzzingtogether;butnowWalterMannyturnedtotheKingwiththeresultoftheircounsel。
“Ifitpleaseyourmajesty，“saidhe，“weareofopinionthatthisSquirehathexceededallboundsindesiringtobreakaspearwithabeltedknighterehehasgivenhisproofs。WedohimsufficienthonorifaSquirerideagainsthim，andwithyourconsentIhavechosenmyownbody-squire，JohnWiddicombe，toclearthepathforusacrossthebridge。”
“Whatyousay，Walter，isrightandfair，“saidtheKing。”MasterChandos，youwilltellourchampionyonderwhathathbeenarranged。Youwilladvisehimalsothatitisourroyalwillthatthiscontestbenotfoughtuponthebridge，sinceitisveryclearthatitmustendinoneorbothgoingoverintotheriver，butthatheadvancetotheendofthebridgeandfightupontheplain。
Youwilltellhimalsothatabluntedlanceissufficientforsuchanencounter，butthatahand-strokeortwowithswordormacemaywellbeexchanged，ifbothridersshouldkeeptheirsaddles。A
blastuponRaoul’shornshallbethesignaltoclose。”
Suchventuresasthesewhereanaspirantforfamewouldwaitfordaysatacross-road，aford，orabridge，untilsomeworthyantagonistshouldridethatway，wereverycommonintheolddaysofadventurousknighterranty，andwerestillfamiliartothemindsofallmenbecausethestoriesoftheromancersandthesongsofthetrouvereswerefullofsuchincidents。Theiractualoccurrencehoweverhadbecomerare。Therewasthemorecuriosity，notunmixedwithamusement，inthethoughtsofthecourtiersastheywatchedChandosridedowntothebridgeandcommenteduponthesomewhatsingularfigureofthechallenger。Hisbuildwasstrange，andsoalsowashisfigure，forthelimbswereshortforsotallaman。Hisheadalsowassunkforwardasifhewerelostinthoughtorovercomewithdeepdejection。
“ThisissurelytheCavalieroftheHeavyHeart，“saidManny。
“Whattroublehashe，thatheshouldhanghishead？”
“Perchancehehathaweakneck，“saidtheKing。
“Atleasthehathnoweakvoice，“thePrinceremarked，asNigel’sanswertoChandoscametotheirears。”Byourlady，heboomslikeabittern。”
AsChandosrodebackagaintotheKing，Nigelexchangedtheoldashspearwhichhadbeenhisfather’sforoneofthebluntedtournamentlanceswhichhetookfromthehandsofastoutarcherinattendance。Hethenrodedowntotheendofthebridgewhereahundred-yardstretchofgreenswardlayinfrontofhim。AtthesamemomenttheSquireofSirWalterManny，whohadbeenhastilyarmedbyhiscomrades，spurredforwardandtookuphisposition。
TheKingraisedhishand;therewasaclangfromthefalconer’shorn，andthetworiders，withathrustoftheirheelsandashakeoftheirbridles，dashedfuriouslyateachother。Inthecenterthegreenstripofmarshymeadowland，withthewatersquirtingfromthegallopinghoofs，andthetwocrouchingmen，gleamingbrightintheeveningsun，ononesidethehalfcircleofmotionlesshorsemen，someinsteel，someinvelvet，silentandattentive，dogs，hawks，andhorsesallturnedtostone;ontheothertheoldpeakedbridge，thebluelazyriver，thegroupofopenmouthedrustics，andthedarkoldmanor-housewithonegrimfacewhichpeeredfromtheupperwindow。
AgoodmanwasJohnWiddicombe，buthehadmetabetterthatday。
Beforethatyellowwhirlwindofahorseandthatriderwhowasweldedandrivetedtohissaddlehiskneescouldnotholdtheirgrip。NigelandPommerswereoneflyingmissile，withalltheirweightandstrengthandenergycenteredonthesteadyendofthelance。HadWiddicombebeenstruckbyathunderbolthecouldnothaveflownfasterorfartherfromhissaddle。Twofullsomersaultsdidhemake，hisplatesclanginglikecymbals，erehelayproneuponhisback。
ForamomenttheKinglookedgraveatthatprodigiousfall。ThensmilingoncemoreasWiddicombestaggeredtohisfeet，heclappedhishandsloudlyinapplause。”Afaircourseandfairlyrun！”hecried。”ThefivescarletrosesbearthemselvesinpeaceevenasI
haveseentheminwar。Hownow，mygoodWalter？，HaveyouanotherSquireorwillyouclearapathforusyourself？”
Manny’scholericfacehadturneddarkerasheobservedthemischanceofhisrepresentative。Hebeckonednowtoatallknight，whosegauntandsavagefacelookedoutfromhisopenbassinetasaneaglemightfromacageofsteel。
“SirHubert，“saidhe，“IbearinmindthedaywhenyouoverboretheFrenchmanatCaen。Willyounotbeourchampionnow？”
“WhenIfoughttheFrenchman，Walter，itwaswithnakedweapons，“
saidtheknightsternly。”IamasoldierandIloveasoldier’swork，butIcarenotforthesetiltyardtrickswhichwereinventedfornothingbuttoticklethefanciesoffoolishwomen。”
“Oh，mostungallantspeech！”criedtheKing。”Hadmygood-consortheardyoushewouldhavearraignedyoutoappearataCourtofLovewithajuryofvirginstoanswerforyoursins。ButIprayyoutotakeatiltingspear，goodSirHubert！”
“Ihadassoontakeapeacock’sfeather，myfairlord;butIwilldoit，ifyouaskme。Here，page，handmeoneofthosesticks，andletmeseewhatIcando。”
ButSirHubertdeBurghwasnotdestinedtotesteitherhisskillorhisluck。Thegreatbayhorsewhichherodewasasunusedtothiswarlikeplayaswasitsmaster，andhadnoneofitsmaster’sstoutnessofheart;sothatwhenitsawtheleveledlance，thegleamingfigureandthefrenziedyellowhorserushingdownuponit，itswerved，turnedandgallopedfuriouslydowntheriver-bank。
Amidroarsoflaughterfromtherusticsontheonesideandfromthecourtiersontheother，SirHubertwasseen，tuggingvainlyathisbridle，andboundingonward，clearinggorse-bushesandheather-clumps，untilhewasbutashimmering，quiveringgleamuponthedarkhillside。Nigel，whohadpulledPommersontohisveryhaunchesattheinstantthathisopponentturned，salutedwithhislanceandtrottedbacktothebridge-head，whereheawaitedhisnextassailant。
“TheladieswouldsaythatajudgmenthathfallenuponourgoodSirHubertforhisimpiouswords，“saidtheKing。
“Letushopethathischargermaybebrokenineretheyventuretorideoutbetweentwoarmies，“remarkedthePrince。”Theymightmistakethehardnessofhishorse’smouthforasoftnessoftherider’sheart。Seewhereherides，stillclearingeverybushuponhispath。”
“Bytherood！”saidtheKing，“iftheboldHuberthasnotincreasedhisreputeasajousterhehasgainedgreathonorasahorseman。Butthebridgeisstillclosed，Walter。Howsayyounow？，IsthisyoungSquirenevertobeunhorsed，orisyourKinghimselftolaylanceinresterehiswaycanbecleared？，BytheheadofSaintThomas！，Iamintheverymoodtorunacoursewiththisgentleyouth。”
“Nay，nay，sire，toomuchhonorhathalreadybeendonehim！”saidManny，lookingangrilyatthemotionlesshorseman。”ThatthisuntriedboyshouldbeabletosaythatinoneeveninghehasunhorsedmySquire，andseenthebackofoneofthebravestknightsinEnglandissurelyenoughtoturnhisfoolishhead。
Fetchmeaspear，Robert！，IwillseewhatIcanmakeofhim。”
Thefamousknighttookthespearwhenitwasbroughttohimasamaster-workmantakesatool。Hebalancedit，shookitonceortwiceintheair，ranhiseyesdownitforaflawinthewood，andthenfinallyhavingmadesureofitspoiseandweightlaiditcarefullyinrestunderhisarm。Thengatheringuphisbridlesoastohavehishorseunderperfectcommand，andcoveringhimselfwiththeshield，whichwasslungroundhisneck，herodeouttodobattle。