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。