WithhiswhiphebegantotraceaplanoftheScottishbattleuponthedust，andNigelwithknittedbrowswastryinghardtomusterhissmallstockofbrainsandtoprofitbythelecture，whentheirconversationwasinterruptedbyastrangenewarrival。
Itwasaverystoutlittleman，wheezyandpurplewithhaste，whoscuddeddowntherampartasifhewereblownbythewind，hisgrizzledhairflyingandhislongblackgownfloatingbehindhim。
Hewascladinthedressofarespectablecitizen，ablackjerkintrimmedwithsable，ablack-velvetbeaverhatandawhitefeather。
AtthesightofChandoshegaveacryofjoyandquickenedhispacesothatwhenhedidatlastreachhimhecouldonlystandgaspingandwavinghishands。
“Giveyourselftime，goodMasterWintersole，giveyourselftime！”
saidChandosinasoothingvoice。
“Thepapers！”gaspedthelittleman。”Oh，myLordChandos，thepapers-“
“Whatofthepapers，myworthysir？”
“IswearbyourgoodpatronSaintLeonard，itisnofaultofmine！
Ihadlockedtheminmycoffer。Butthelockwasforcedandthecofferrifled。”
Ashadowofangerpassedoverthesoldier’skeenface。
“Hownow，MasterMayor？，Pullyourwitstogetheranddonotstandtherebabblinglikeathree-yearchild。Doyousaythatsomeonehathtakenthepapers？”
“Itissooth，fairsir！，ThriceIhavebeenMayorofthetown，andfifteenyearsburgessandjurat，butneveroncehasanypublicmattergoneawrythroughme。OnlylastmonththerecameanorderfromWindsoronaTuesdayforaFridaybanquet，athousandsoles，fourthousandplaice，twothousandmackerel，fivehundredcrabs，athousandlobsters，fivethousandwhiting-“
“Idoubtnot，MasterMayor，thatyouareanexcellentfishmonger;
butthematterconcernsthepapersIgaveintoyourkeeping。
Wherearethey？”
“Taken，fairsir-gone！”
“Andwhohathdaredtotakethem？”
“Alas！，Iknownot。ItwasbutforaslongasyouwouldsayanangelusthatIleftthechamber，andwhenIcamebacktherewasthecoffer，brokenandempty，uponmytable。”
“Doyoususpectnoone？”
“Therewasavarletwhohathcomewiththelastfewdaysintomyemploy。Heisnottobefound，andIhavesenthorsemenalongboththeUdimoreroadandthattoRye，thattheymayseizehim。
BythehelpofSaintLeonardtheycanscarcemisshim，foronecantellhimabow-shotoffbyhishair。”
“Isitred？”askedChandoseagerly。”Isitfox-red，andthemanasmallmanpockedwithsun-spots，andveryquickinhismovements？”
“Itisthemanhimself。”
Chandosshookhisclenchedhandwithannoyance，andthensetoffswiftlydownthestreet。
“ItisPetertheRedFerretoncemore！”saidhe。”IknewhimofoldinFrance，wherehehasdoneusmoreharmthanacompanyofmen-at-arms。HespeaksEnglishashespeaksFrench，andheisofsuchdaringandcunningthatnothingissecretfromhim。InallFrancethereisnomoredangerousman，forthoughheisagentlemanofbloodandcoat-armorhetakesthepartofaspy，becauseithaththemoredangerandthereforethemorehonor。”
“But，myfairlord，“criedtheMayor，ashehurriedalong，keepingpacewiththelongstridesofthesoldier，“Iknewthatyouwarnedmetotakeallcareofthepapers;butsurelytherewasnomatterofgreatimportinit？，ItwasbuttosaywhatstoresweretobesentafteryoutoCalais？”
“Isthatnoteverything？”criedChandosimpatiently。”Canyounotsee，ohfoolishMasterWintersole，thattheFrenchsuspectweareabouttomakesomeattemptandthattheyhavesentPetertheRedFerret，astheyhavesenthimmanytimesbefore，togettidingsofwhitherwearebound？，NowthatheknowsthatthestoresareforCalais，thentheFrenchnearCalaiswilltakehiswarning，andsotheKing’swholeplancometonothing。”
“Thenhewillflybywater。Wecanstophimyet。Hehasnotanhour’sstart。”
“ItmaybethataboatawaitshimatRyeorHythe;butitismorelikethathehasallreadytodepartfromhere。Ah，seeyonder！
I’llwarrantthattheRedFerretisonboard！”
Chandoshadhaltedinfrontofhisinn，andnowhepointeddowntotheouterharbor，whichlaytwomilesoffacrossthegreenplain。
Itwasconnectedbyalongwindingcanalwiththeinnerdockatthebaseofthehill，uponwhichthetownwasbuilt。Betweenthetwohornsformedbytheshortcurvingpiersasmallschoonerwasrunningouttosea，dippingandrisingbeforeasharpsoutherlybreeze。
“ItisnoWinchelseaboat，“saidtheMayor。”Sheislongerandbroaderinthebeamthanours。”
“Horses！，bringhorses！”criedChandos。”Come，Nigel，letusgofurtherintothematter。”
Abusycrowdofvarlets，archers，andmen-at-armsswarmedroundthegatewayofthe“SignoftheBroomPod，“singing，shouting，andjostlinginroughgood-fellowship。ThesightofthetallthinfigureofChandosbroughtorderamongstthem，andafewminuteslaterthehorseswerereadyandsaddled。Abreakneckridedownasteepdeclivity，andthenagallopoftwomilesoverthesedgyplaincarriedthemtotheouterharbor。Adozenvesselswerelyingthere，readytostartforBordeauxorRochelle，andthequaywasthickwithsailors，laborersandtownsmenandheapedwithwine-barrelsandwool-packs。
“Whoiswardenhere？”askedChandos，springingfromhishorse。
“Badding！，WhereisCockBadding？，Baddingiswarden！”shoutedthecrowd。
Amomentlaterashortswarthyman，bull-neckedanddeep-chested，pushedthroughthepeople。Hewascladinroughrussetwoolwithascarletclothtiedroundhisblackcurlyhead。Hissleeveswererolleduptohisshoulders，andhisbrownarms，allstainedwithgreaseandtar，wereliketwothickgnarledbranchesfromanoakenstump。Hissavagebrownfacewasfierceandfrowning，andwassplitfromchintotemplewiththelongwhitewaleofanill-healedwound。
“Hownow，gentles，willyouneverwaityourturn？”herumbledinadeepangryvoice。”CanyounotseethatwearewarpingtheRoseofGuienneintomidstreamfortheebb-tide？，Isthisatimetobreakinuponus？，Yourgoodswillgoaboardindueseason，I
promiseyou;soridebackintothetownandfindsuchpleasureasyoumay，whileIandmymatesdoourworkwithoutletorhindrance。”
“ItisthegentleChandos！”criedsomeoneinthecrowd。”ItisthegoodSirJohn。”
Theroughharbor-masterchangedhisgruffnesstosmilesinaninstant。”Nay，SirJohn，whatwouldyou？，IprayyoutoholdmeexcusedifIwasshortofspeech，butweport-wardensaresoreplaguedwithfoolishyounglordlings，whogetbetwixtusandourworkandblameusbecausewedonotturnanebb-tideintoaflood，orasouthwindintoanorth。IprayyoutotellmehowIcanserveyou。”
“Thatboat！”saidChandos，pointingtothealreadydistantsailrisingandfallingonthewaves。”Whatisit？”
CockBaddingshadedhiskeeneyeswithhisstrongbrowshand。
“Shehasbutjustgoneout，“saidhe。”SheisLaPucelle，asmallwine-sloopfromGascony，home-boundandladenwithbarrel-staves。”
“Iprayyoudidanymanjoinherattheverylast？”
“Nay，Iknownot。Isawnoone。”
“ButIknow，“criedaseamaninthecrowd。”Iwasstandingatthewharf-sideandwasnighknockedintothewaterbyalittleredheadedfellow，whobreathedasthoughhehadrunfromthetown。
EreIhadtimetogivehimacuffhehadjumpedaboard，theropeswerecastoff，andhernosewasseaward。”
InafewwordsChandosmadeallcleartoBadding，thecrowdpressingeagerlyround。
“Aye，aye！”criedaseaman，“thegoodSirJohnisright。Seehowshepoints。ItisPicardyandnotGasconythatshewillfetchthisjourneyinspiteofherwine-staves。”
“Thenwemustlayheraboard！”criedCockBadding。”Come，lads，hereismyownMarieRosereadytocastoff。Who’sforatripwithafightattheendofit？”
Therewasarushfortheboat;butthestoutlittleseamanpickedhismen。”Goback，Jerry！，Yourheartisgood，butyouareoverfatforthework。You，Luke，andyou，Thomas，andthetwoDeedes，andWilliamofSandgate。Youwillworktheboat。Andnowweneedafewmenoftheirhands。Doyoucome，littlesir？”
“Iprayyou，mydearlord，toletmego！”criedNigel。
“Yes，Nigel，youcango，andIwillbringyourgearovertoCalaisthisnight。”
“Iwilljoinyouthere，fairsir，andwiththehelpofSaintPaulIwillbringthisRedFerretwithme。”
“Aboard，aboard！，Timepasses！”criedBaddingimpatiently，whilealreadyhisseamenwerehaulingonthelineandraisingthemainsail。”Nowthen，sirrah！，whoareyou？，Itwas，Aylward，whohadfollowedNigelandwaspushinghiswayaboard。
“WheremymastergoesIgoalso，“criedAylward，“sostandclear，master-shipman，oryoumaycomebyahurt。”
“BySaintLeonard！，archer，“saidCockBadding，“hadImoretimeI
wouldgiveyoualessonereIleaveland。Standbackandgiveplacetoothers！”
“Nay，standbackandgiveplacetome！”criedAylward，andseizingBaddingroundthewaistheslunghimintothedock。
Therewasacryofangerfromthecrowd，forBaddingwastheheroofalltheCinquePortsandhadneveryetmethismatchinmanhood。Theepitaphstilllingersinwhichitwassaidthathe“couldneverrestuntilhehadfoughtenhisfill。”，When，therefore，swimminglikeaduck，hereachedaropeandpulledhimselfhandoverhanduptothequay，allstoodaghasttoseewhatfellfatewouldbefallthisboldstranger。ButBaddinglaughedloudly，dashingthesaltwaterfromhiseyesandhair。
“Youhavefairlywonyourplace，archer，“saidhe。”Youaretheverymanforourwork。WhereisBlackSimonofNorwich？”
Atalldarkyoungmanwithalong，stern，leanfacecameforward。
“Iamwithyou，Cock，“saidhe，“andIthankyouformyplace。”
“Youcancome，HughBaddlesmere，andyou，HalMasters，andyou，DiconofRye。Thatisenough。Nowoff，inGod’sname，oritwillbenighterewecancomeupwiththem！”
Alreadythehead-sailsandthemain-sailhadbeenraised，whileahundredwillinghandspoledherofffromthewharf。Nowthewindcaughther;heelingover，andquiveringwitheagernesslikeanunleashedhoundsheflewthroughtheopeningandoutintotheChannel。Shewasafamouslittleschooner，theMarieRoseofWinchelsea，andunderherdaringownerCockBadding，halftraderandhalfpirate，hadbroughtbackintoportmanyarichcargotakeninmid-Channel，andpaidforinbloodratherthanmoney。
Smallasshewas，hergreatspeedandthefiercecharacterofhermasterhadmadeheranameofterroralongtheFrenchcoast，andmanyabulkyEastlanderorFlemingashepassedthenarrowseashadscannedthedistantKentishshore，fearinglestthatill-omenedpurplesailwithagoldChristopheruponitshouldshootoutsuddenlyfromthedimgraycliffs。Nowshewasclearoftheland，withthewindonherlarboardquarter，everyinchofcanvasset，andherhighsharpbowssmotheredinfoam，asshedugthroughthewaves。
CockBaddingtrodthedeckwithheaderectandjauntybearing，glancingupattheswellingsailsandthenaheadatthelittletiltedwhitetriangle，whichstoodoutclearandhardagainstthebrightbluesky。BehindwasthelowlandoftheCambermarshes，withthebluffsofRyeandWinchelsea，andthelineofcliffsbehindthem。OnthelarboardbowrosethegreatwhitewallsofFolkestoneandofDover，andfaronthedistantsky-linethegrayshimmerofthoseFrenchcliffsforwhichthefugitivesweremaking。
“BySaintPaul！”criedNigel，lookingwitheagereyesoverthetossingwaters，“itseemstome，MasterBadding，thatalreadywedrawinuponthem。”
Themastermeasuredthedistancewithhiskeensteadygaze，andthenlookedupatthesinkingsun。”Wehavestillfourhoursofdaylight，“saidhe;“butifwedonotlayheraboarderedarknessfallsshewillsaveherself，forthenightsareasblackasawolf’smouth，andifshealterhercourseIknownothowwemayfollowher。”
“Unless，indeed，youmightguesstowhichportshewasboundandreachitbeforeher。”
“Wellthoughtof，littlemaster！”criedBadding。”IfthenewsbefortheFrenchoutsideCalais，thenAmbleteusewouldbenearesttoSaintOmer。Butmysweetingsailsthreepacestothatlubber’stwo，andifthewindholdsweshallhavetimeandtospare。Hownow，archer？，Youdonotseemsoeageraswhenyoumadeyourwayaboardthisboatbyslingingmeintothesea。”
Aylwardsatontheupturnedkeelofaskiffwhichlayuponthedeck。Hegroanedsadlyandheldhis，greenfacebetweenhistwohands。”Iwouldgladlyslingyouintotheseaoncemore，mastershipman，“saidhe，“ifbysodoingIcouldgetoffthismostaccursedvesselofthine。Orifyouwouldwishtohaveyourturn，thenIwouldthankyouifyouwouldlendmeahandovertheside，forindeedIambutauselessweightuponyourdeck。LittledidI
thinkthatSamkinAylwardcouldbeturnedintoaweaklingbyanhourofsaltwater。AlasthedaythatevermyfootwanderedfromthegoodredheatherofCrooksbury！”
CockBaddinglaughedloudandlong。”Nay，takeitnottoheart，archer，“hecried;“forbettermenthanyouorIhavegroaneduponthisdeck。ThePrincehimselfwithtenofhischosenknightscrossedwithmeonce，andelevensadderfacesIneversaw。YetwithinamonththeyhadshownatCrecythattheywerenoweaklings，asyouwilldoalso，Idareswear，whenthetimecomes。
Keepthatthickheadofthinedownupontheplanks，andallwillbewellanon。Butweraiseher，weraiseherwitheveryblastofthewind！”
Itwasindeedevident，eventotheinexperiencedeyesofNigel，thattheMarieRosewasclosinginswiftlyuponthestranger。Shewasaheavy，bluff-bowed，broad-sternedvesselwhichlaboredclumsilythroughtheseas。Theswift，fiercelittleWinchelseaboatswoopingandhissingthroughthewatersbehindherwaslikesomekeenhawkwhizzingdownwindatthebackofaflappingheavy-bodiedduck。HalfanhourbeforeLaPucellehadbeenadistantpatchofcanvas。Nowtheycouldseetheblackhull，andsoonthecutofhersailsandthelinesofherbulwarks。Therewereatleastadozenmenuponherdeck，andthetwinkleofweaponsfromamongstthemshowedthattheywerepreparingtoresist。CockBaddingbegantomusterhisownforces。
Hehadacrewofsevenrough，hardymariners，whohadbeenathisbackinmanyaskirmish。Theywerearmedwithshortswords，butCockBaddingcarriedaweaponpeculiartohimself，atwenty-poundblacksmith’shammer，thememoryofwhich，as“Badding’scracker，“
stilllingersintheCinquePorts。ThenthereweretheeagerNigel，themelancholyAylward，BlackSimonwhowasatriedswordsman，andthreearchers，Baddlesmere，MastersandDiconofRye，allveteransoftheFrenchWar。Thenumbersinthetwovesselsmightbeaboutequal;butBaddingasheglancedattheboldharshfaceswhichlookedtohimforordershadlittlefearfortheresult。
Glancinground，however，hesawsomethingwhichwasmoredangeroustohisplansthantheresistanceoftheenemy。Thewind，whichhadbecomemorefitfulandfeebler，nowfellsuddenlyaway，untilthesailshunglimpandstraightabovethem。Abeltofcalmlayalongthehorizon，andthewavesaroundhadsmootheddownintoalongoilyswellonwhichthetwolittlevesselsroseandfell。
ThegreatboomoftheMarieRoserattledandjarredwitheverylurch，andthehighthinprowpointedskywardoneinstantandseawardthenextinawaythatdrewfreshgroansfromtheunhappyAylward。InvainCockBaddingpulledonhissheetsandtriedhardtohusbandeverylittlewanderinggustwhichruffledforaninstantthesleekrollers。TheFrenchmasterwasasadroitasailor，andhisboomswungroundalsoaseachbreathofwindcameupfromastern。
Atlasteventhesefitfulpuffsdiedfinallyaway，andacloudlessskyoverhungaglassysea。ThesunwasalmostuponthehorizonbehindDungenessPoint，andthewholewesternheavenwasbrightwiththegloryofthesunset，whichblendedseaandskyinoneblazeofruddylight。Likerollersofmoltengold，thelongswellheavedupChannelfromthegreatoceanbeyond。Inthemidstoftheimmensebeautyandpeaceofnaturethetwolittledarkspeckswiththewhitesailandthepurpleroseandfell，sosmalluponthevastshiningbosomofthewaters，andyetsochargedwithalltheunrestandthepassionoflife……
Theexperiencedeyeoftheseamantoldhimthatitwashopelesstoexpectabreezebeforenightfall。HelookedacrossattheFrenchman，whichlaylessthanaquarterofamileahead，andshookhisgnarledlistatthelineofheadswhichcouldbeseenlookingbackoverherstern。Oneofthemwavedawhitekerchiefinderision，andCockBaddingsworeabitteroathatthesight。
“BySaintLeonardofWinchelsea，“hecried，“Iwillrubmysideupagainstheryet！，Outwiththeskiff，lads，andtwoofyoutotheoars。Makefastthelinetothemast，Will。Doyougointheboat，Hugh，andI’llmakethesecond。Nowifwebendourbackstoitwemayhavethemyeterenightcoverthem。”
Thelittleskiffwasswiftlyloweredoverthesideandtheslackendofthecablefastenedtotheafterthwart。CockBaddingandhiscomradespulledasiftheywouldsnaptheiroars，andthelittlevesselbeganslowlytolurchforwardovertherollers。ButthenextmomentalargerskiffhadsplashedoverthesideoftheFrenchman，andnolessthanfourseamenwerehardatworkunderherbows。IftheMarieRoseadvancedayardtheFrenchmanwasgoingtwo。AgainCockBaddingravedandshookhisfist。Heclamberedaboard，hisfacewetwithsweatanddarkwithanger。
“Cursethem！，theyhavehadthebestofus！”hecried。”Icandonomore。SirJohnhaslosthispapers，forindeednowthatnightisathandIcanseenowayinwhichwecangainthem。”
Nigelhadleanedagainstthebulwarkduringtheseevents，watchingwithkeenattentionthedoingsofthesailors，andprayingalternatelytoSaintPaul，SaintGeorge，andSaintThomasforaslantofwindwhichwouldputthemalongsidetheirenemy。Hewassilent;buthishotheartwassimmeringwithinhim。Hisspirithadrisenevenabovethediscomfortofthesea，andhismindwastooabsorbedinhismissiontohaveathoughtforthatwhichhadlaidAylwardflatuponthedeck。HehadneverdoubtedthatCockBaddinginonewayoranotherwouldaccomplishhisend，butwhenheheardhisspeechofdespairheboundedoffthebulwarkandstoodbeforetheseamanwithhisfaceflushedandallhissoulafire。
“BySaintPaul！，master-shipman，“hecried，“weshouldneverholdupourheadsinhonorifwedidnotgofurtherintothematter！
Letusdosomesmalldeedthisnightuponthewater，orletusneverseelandagain，forindeedwecouldnotwishfairerprospectofwinninghonorableadvancement。”
“Withyourleave，littlemaster，youspeaklikeafool，“saidthegruffseaman。”Youandallyourkindareaschildrenwhenoncethebluewaterisbeneathyou。Canyounotseethatthereisnowind，andthattheFrenchmancanwarpherasswiftlyaswe？，Whatthenwouldyoudo？”
Nigelpointedtotheboatwhichtowedastern。”Letusventureforthinher，“saidhe，“andletustakethisshipordieworshipfulintheattempt。”
Hisboldandfierywordsfoundtheirechointhebraveroughheartsaroundhim。Therewasadeep-chestedshoutfrombotharchersandseamen。EvenAylwardsatup，withawansmileuponhisgreenface。
ButCockBaddingshookhishead。”IhavenevermetthemanwhocouldleadwhereIwouldnotfollow，“saidhe;“butbySaintLeonard！，thisisamadbusiness，andIshouldbeafoolifIweretoriskmymenandmyship。Bethinkyou，littlemaster，thattheskiffcanholdonlyfive，thoughyouloadhertothewater’sedge。
Ifthereisamanyonder，therearefourteen，andyouhavetoclimbtheirsidefromtheboat。Whatchancewouldyouhave？，Yourboatstoveandyouinthewater-thereistheendofit。Nomanofminegoesonsuchafool’serrand，andsoIswear！”
“Then，MasterBadding，Imustcravetheloanofyourskiff，forbySaintPaul！，thegoodLordChandos’papersarenottobesolightlylost。Ifnooneelsewillcome，thenIwillgoalone。”
Theshipmansmiledatthewords;butthesmilediedawayfromhislipswhenNigel，withfeaturessetlikeivoryandeyesashardassteel，pulledontheropesoastobringtheskiffunderthecounter。Itwasveryclearthathewoulddoevenashesaid。AtthesametimeAylwardraisedhisbulkyformfromthedeck，leanedforamomentagainstthebulwarks，andthentotteredafttohismaster’sside。
“Hereisonethatwillgowithyou，“saidhe，“orhewouldneverdareshowhisfacetothegirlsofTilfordagain。Come，archers，letusleavethesesaltherringsintheirpickletubandtryourluckoutonthewater。”
Thethreearchersatoncerangedthemselvesonthesamesideastheircomrade。Theywerebronzed，beardedmen，shortinstature，asweremostEnglishmenofthatday，buthardy，strongandskilledwiththeirweapons。Eachdrewhisstringfromitswaterproofcaseandbentthehugearcofhiswar-bowashefitteditintothenocks。
“Now，master，weareatyourback，“saidtheyastheypulledandtightenedtheirsword-belts。
ButalreadyCockBaddinghadbeencarriedawaybythehotlustofbattleandhadthrownasideeveryfearanddoubtwhichhadcloudedhim。Toseeafightandnottobeinitwasmorethanhecouldbear。
“Nay，haveityourownway！”hecried，“andmaySaintLeonardhelpus，foramadderventureIhaveneverseen！，Andyetitmaybeworththetrial。Butifitbedoneletmehavethehandlingofit，littlemaster，foryouknownomoreofaboatthanIdoofawar-horse。Theskiffcanbearfiveandnotamanmore。Now，whowillcome？”
Theyhadallcaughtfire，andtherewasnotonewhowouldbeleftout。
Baddingpickeduphishammer。”Iwillcomemyself，“saidhe，“andyoualso，littlemaster，sinceitisyourhotheadthathasplannedit。ThenthereisBlackSimon，thebestswordoftheCinquePorts。Twoarcherscanpullontheoars，anditmaybethattheycanpickofftwoorthreeoftheseFrenchmenbeforeweclosewiththem。HughBaddlesmere，andyou，DiconofRye-intotheboatwithyou！”
“What？，“criedAylward。”AmItobeleftbehind？，I，whoamtheSquire’sownman？，Illfarethebowmanwhocomesbetwixtmeandyonderboat！”
“Nay，Aylward，“saidhismaster，“Iorderthatyoustay，forindeedyouareasickman。”
“ButnowthatthewaveshavesunkIammyselfagain。Nay，fairsir，Ipraythatyouwillnotleavemebehind。”
“Youmustneedstakethespaceofabetterman;forwhatdoyouknowofthehandlingofaboat？”saidBaddingshortly。”Nomorefool’stalk，Iprayyou，forthenightwillsoonfall。Standaside！”
AylwardlookedhardattheFrenchboat。”IcouldswimtentimesupanddownFrenshampond，“saidhe，“anditwillbestrangeifI
cannotgoasfarasthat。Bythesefinger-bones，SamkinAylwardmaybethereassoonasyou！”
Thelittleboatwithitsfiveoccupantspushedofffromthesideoftheschooner，anddippingandrising，madeitsslowwaytowardtheFrenchman。Baddingandonearcherhadsingleoars，thesecondarcherwasintheprow，whileBlackSimonandNigelhuddledintothesternwiththewaterlappingandhissingattheirveryelbows。
AshoutofdefiancerosefromtheFrenchmen，andtheystoodinalinealongthesideoftheirvesselshakingtheirfistsandwavingtheirweapons。AlreadythesunwaslevelwithDungeness，andthegrayofeveningwasblurringskyandwaterintoonedimhaze。A
greatsilencehungoverthebroadexpanseofnature，andnosoundbrokeitsavethedipandsplashoftheoarsandtheslowdeepsurgeoftheboatupontheswell。BehindthemtheircomradesoftheMarieRosestoodmotionlessandsilent，watchingtheirprogresswitheagereyes。
TheywerenearenoughnowtohaveagoodlookattheFrenchmen。
Onewasabigswarthymanwithalongblackbeard。Hehadaredcapandanaxoverhisshoulder。Thereweretenotherhardy-lookingfellows，allofthemwellarmed，andtherewerethreewhoseemedtobeboys。
“Shallwetryashaftuponthem？”askedHughBaddlesmere。”Theyarewellwithinourbowshot。”
“Onlyoneofyoucanshootatatime，foryouhavenofooting，“
saidBadding。”Withonefootintheprowandoneoverthethwartyouwillgetyourstance。Dowhatyoumay，andthenwewillcloseinuponthem。”
Thearcherbalancedhimselfintherollingboatwiththedeftnessofamanwhohasbeentraineduponthesea，forhewasbornandbredintheCinquePorts。Carefullyhenockedhisarrow，stronglyhedrewit，steadilyheloosedit，buttheboatswoopedattheinstant，anditburieditselfinthewaves。Thesecondpassedoverthelittleship，andthethirdstruckinherblackside。
Theninquicksuccessionsoquickthattwoshaftswereoftenintheairatthesameinstant-hedischargedadozenarrows，mostofwhichjustclearedthebulwarksanddroppeduponthedeck。
TherewasacryontheFrenchman，andtheheadsvanishedfromtheside。
“Enough！”criedBadding。”Oneisdown，anditmaybetwo。Closein，closein，inGod’sname，beforetheyrally！”
Heandtheotherbenttotheiroars;butatthesameinstanttherewasasharpzipintheairandahardclearsoundlikeastonestrikingawall。Baddlesmereclappedhishandtohishead，groanedandfellforwardoutoftheboat，leavingaswirlofblooduponthesurface。Amomentlaterthesamefiercehissendedinaloudwoodencrash，andashort，thickcrossbow-boltwasburieddeepinthesideoftheirboat。
“Closein，closein！”roaredBadding，tuggingathisoar。”SaintGeorgeforEngland！，SaintLeonardforWinchelsea！，Closein！”
Butagainthatfatalcrossbowtwanged。DiconofRyefellbackwithashaftthroughhisshoulder。”Godhelpme，Icannomore！”
saidhe。
Baddingseizedtheoarfromhishand;butitwasonlytosweeptheboat’sheadroundandpullherbacktotheMarieRose。Theattackhadfailed。
“Whatnow，master-shipman？”criedNigel。”Whathasbefallentostopus？，Surelythematterdoesnotendhere？”
“Twodownoutoffive，“saidBadding，“andtwelveattheleastagainstus。Theoddsaretoolong，littlemaster。Letusatleastgoback，filluponcemore，andraiseamanteletagainstthebolts，fortheyhaveanarbalistwhichshootsbothstraightandhard。Butwhatwedowemustdoquickly，forthedarknessfallsapace。”
TheirrepulsehadbeenhailedbywildyellsofdelightfromtheFrenchmen，whodancedwithjoyandwavedtheirweaponsmadlyovertheirheads。ButbeforetheirrejoicingshadfinishedtheysawthelittleboatcreepingoutoncemorefromtheshadowoftheMarieRose，agreatwoodenscreeninherbowstoprotectherfromthearrows。Withoutapauseshecamestraightandfastforherenemy。Thewoundedarcherhadbeenputonboard，andAylwardwouldhavehadhisplacehadNigelbeenabletoseehimuponthedeck。Thethirdarcher，HalMasters，hadsprungin，andoneoftheseamen，WatFinnisofHythe。Withtheirheartshardenedtoconquerortodie，thefiveranalongsidetheFrenchmanandspranguponherdeck。Atthesameinstantagreatironweightcrashedthroughthebottomoftheirskiff，andtheirfeethadhardlyleftherbeforeshewasgone。Therewasnohopeandnoescapesavevictory。
Thecrossbowmanstoodunderthemast，histerribleweaponathisshoulder，thesteelstringstretchedtaut，theheavyboltshininguponthenut。Onelifeatleasthewouldclaimoutofthislittleband。Justforoneinstanttoolongdidhedwelluponhisaim，shiftingfromtheseamantoCockBadding，whoseformidableappearanceshowedhimtobethebetterprize。InthatsecondoftimeHalMasters’stringtwangedandhislongarrowspedthroughthearbalister’sthroat。Hedroppedonthedeck，withbloodandcursespouringfromhismouth。
AmomentlaterNigel’sswordandBadding’shammerhadeachclaimedavictimanddrivenbacktherushofassailants。Thefiveweresafeuponthedeck，butitwashardforthemtokeepafootingthere。TheFrenchseamen，BretonsandNormans，werestout，powerfulfellows，armedwithaxesandswords，fiercefightersandbravemen。Theyswarmedroundthelittleband，attackingthemfromallsides。BlackSimonfelledtheblack-beardedFrenchCaptain，andatthesameinstantwascutovertheheadandlaywithhisscalpopenuponthedeck。TheseamanWatofHythewaskilledbyacrashingblowfromanax。Nigelwasstruckdown，butwasupagainlikeaflash，anddrovehisswordthroughthemanwhohadfelledhim。
ButBadding，Mastersthearcherandhehadbeenhustledbacktothebulwarkandwerebarelyholdingtheirownfromminutetominuteagainstthefiercecrowdwhoassailedthem，whenanarrowcomingapparentlyfromtheseastrucktheforemostFrenchmantotheheart。AmomentlateraboatdashedupalongsideandfourmoremenfromtheMarieRosescrambledontotheblood-staineddeck。WithonefiercerushtheremainingFrenchmenwerestruckdownorwereseizedbytheirassailants。Nineprostratemenuponthedeckshowedhowfiercehadbeentheattack，howdesperatetheresistance。
Baddingleanedpantinguponhisblood-clottedhammer。”BySaintLeonard！”hecried，“Ithoughtthatthislittlemasterhadbeenthedeathofusall。Godwotyouwerebutjustintime，andhowyoucameIknownot。Thisarcherhashadahandinit，bythelookofhim。”
Aylward，stillpalefromhisseasicknessanddrippingfromheadtofootwithwater，hadbeenthefirstmanintherescueparty。
Nigellookedathiminamazement。”Isoughtyouaboardtheship，Aylward，butIcouldnotlayeyesonyou，“saidhe。
“ItwasbecauseIwasinthewater，fairsir，andbymyhilt！，itsuitsmystomachbetterthanbeingonit，“heanswered。”WhenyoufirstsetforthIswambehindyou，forIsawthattheFrenchman’sboathungbyarope，andIthoughtthatwhileyoukepthiminplayImightgainit。Ihadreacheditwhenyouweredrivenback，soI
hidbehinditinthewaterandsaidmyprayersasIhavenotsaidthemformanyaday。Thenyoucameagain，andnoonehadaneyeforme，soIclamberedintoit，cuttherope，tooktheoarswhichIfoundthereandbroughtherbackformoremen。”
“BySaintPaul！，youhaveactedverywiselyandwell，“saidNigel，“andIthinkthatofallofusitisyouwhohavewonmosthonorthisday。ButofallthesemendeadandaliveIseenonewhoresemblesthatRedFerretwhommyLordChandoshasdescribedandwhohasworkedsuchdespiteuponusinthepast：ItwouldindeedbeanevilchanceifhehasinspiteofallourpainsmadehiswaytoFranceinsomeotherboat。”
“Thatweshallsoonfindout，“saidBadding。”Comewithmeandwewillsearchtheshipfromtrucktokeelereheescapesus。”
Therewasascuttleatthebaseofthemastwhichleddownintothebodyofthevessel，andtheEnglishmenwereapproachingthiswhenastrangesightbroughtthemtoastand。Aroundbrazenheadhadappearedinthesquaredarkopening。Aninstantafterwardapairofshiningshouldersfollowed。Thenslowlythewholefigureofamanincompleteplate-armoremergedonthedeck。Inhisgauntletedhandhecarriedaheavysteelmace。Withthisupliftedhemovedtowardhisenemies，silentsavefortheponderousclankofhisfootfall。Itwasaninhuman，machine-likefigure，menacingandterrible，devoidofallexpression，slow-moving，inexorableandawesome。
AsuddenwaveofterrorpassedovertheEnglishseamen。Oneofthemtriedtopassandgetbehindthebrazenman，buthewaspinnedagainstthesidebyaquickmovementandhisbrainsdashedoutbyasmashingblowfromtheheavymace。Wildpanicseizedtheothers，andtheyrushedbacktotheboat。Aylwardstrunganarrow，buthisbowstringwasdampandtheshaftrangloudlyupontheshiningbreast-plateandglancedoffintothesea。Mastersstruckthebrazenheadwithasword，butthebladesnappedwithoutinjuringthehelmet，andaninstantlaterthebowmanwasstretchedsenselessonthedeck。Theseamenshrankfromthisterriblesilentcreatureandhuddledinthestern，allthefightgoneoutofthem。
Againheraisedhismaceandwasadvancingonthehelplesscrowdwherethebravewereencumberedandhamperedbytheweaklings，whenNigelshookhimselfclearandboundedforwardintotheopen，hisswordinhishandandasmileofwelcomeuponhislips。
Thesunhadset，andonelongmauvegashacrossthewesternChannelwasclosingswiftlyintothedullgraysofearlynight。
Above，afewstarsbegantofaintlytwinkle;yetthetwilightwasstillbrightenoughforanobservertoseeeverydetailofthescene：theMarieRose，dippingandrisingonthelongrollersastern;thebroadFrenchboatwithitswhitedeckblotchedwithbloodandlitteredwithbodies;thegroupofmeninthestern，sometryingtoadvanceandsomeseekingtoescape-allaconfused，disorderly，strugglingrabble。
Thenbetwixtthemandthemastthetwofigures：thearmedshiningmanofmetal，withhandupraised，watchful，silent，motionless，andNigel，bareheadedandcrouching，withquickfoot，eagereyesandfearlesshappyface，movingthiswayandthat，inandout，hisswordflashinglikeagleamoflightashesoughtatallpointsforsomeopeninginthebrazenshellbeforehim。
Itwascleartothemaninarmorthatifhecouldbutpenhisantagonistinacornerhewouldbeathimdownwithoutfail。Butitwasnottobedone。Theunhamperedmanhadtheadvantageofspeed。Withafewquickstepshecouldalwaysglidetoeithersideandescapetheclumsyrush。AylwardandBaddinghadsprungouttoNigel’sassistance;butheshoutedtothemtostandback，withsuchauthorityandangerinhisvoicethattheirweaponsdroppedtotheirsides。Withstaringeyesandsetfeaturestheystoodwatchingthatunequalfight。
OnceitseemedthatallwasoverwiththeSquire，forinspringingbackfromhisenemyhetrippedoveroneofthebodieswhichstrewedthedeckandfellflatuponhisback，butwithaswiftwriggleheescapedtheheavyblowwhichthundereddownuponhim，andspringingtohisfeethebitdeeplyintotheFrenchman’shelmetwithasweepingcutinreturn。Againthemacefell，andthistimeNigelhadnotquiteclearedhimself。Hisswordwasbeatendownandtheblowfellpartlyuponhisleftshoulder。Hestaggered，andoncemoretheironclubwhirledupwardtodashhimtotheground。
Quickasaflashitpassedthroughhismindthathecouldnotleapbeyonditsreach。Buthemightgetwithinit。Inaninstanthehaddroppedhissword，andspringinginhehadseizedthebrazenmanroundthewaist。Themacewasshortenedandthehandlejobbeddownonceuponthebareflaxenhead。’Then，withasonorousclang，andayellofdelightfromthespectators，Nigelwithonemightywrenchtorehisenemyfromthedeckandhurledhimdownuponhisback。Hisownheadwaswhirlingandhefeltthathissenseswereslippingaway，butalreadyhishunting-knifewasoutandpointingthroughtheslitinthebrazenhelmet。
“Giveyourselfup，fairsir！”saidhe。
“Nevertofishermenandtoarchers！，Iamagentlemanofcoat-
armor。Killme！”
“Ialsoamagentlemanofcoat-armor。Ipromiseyouquarter。”
“Then，sir，Isurrendermyselftoyou。”
Thedaggertinkleddownuponthedeck。Seamenandarchersranforward，tofindNigelhalfsenselessuponhisface。Theydrewhimoff，andafewdeftblowsstruckoffthehelmetofhisenemy。
Ahead，sharp-featured，freckledandfoxy-red，discloseditselfbeneathit。Nigelraisedhimselfonhiselbowforaninstant。
“YouaretheRedFerret？”saidhe。
“Somyenemiescallme，“saidtheFrenchman，withasmile。”I
rejoice，sir，thatIhavefallentosovaliantandhonorableagentleman。”
“Ithankyou，fairsir，“saidNigelfeebly。”IalsorejoicethatIhaveencounteredsodebonairaperson，andIshalleverbearinmindthepleasurewhichIhavehadfromourmeeting。”
Sosaying，helaidhisbleedingheaduponhisenemy’sbrazenfrontandsankintoadeadfaint。
XV。HOWTHEREDFERRETCAMETOCOSFORD
Theoldchroniclerinhis“GestesduSieurNigel“hasbewailedhisbrokennarrative，whichrosefromthefactthatoutofthirty-oneyearsofwarfarenolessthansevenwerespentbyhisheroatonetimeoranotherintherecoveryfromhiswoundsorfromthoseillnesseswhicharosefromprivationandfatigue。Hereattheverythresholdofhiscareer，ontheeveofagreatenterprise，thisveryfatebefellhim。
Stretcheduponacouchinalow-roofedandill-furnishedchamber，whichlooksdownfromunderthemachicolatedcornerturretupontheinnercourtoftheCastleofCalais，helayhalf-unconsciousandimpotent，whilegreatdeedsweredoingunderhiswindow。
Woundedinthreeplaces，andwithhisheadsplinteredbythesharppommeloftheFerret’smace，hehoveredbetwixtlifeanddeath，hisshatteredbodydrawinghimdownward，hisyouthfulspiritpluckinghimup。
Asinsomestrangedreamhewasawareofthatdeedofarmswithinthecourtyardbelow。Dimlyitcamebacktohismemoryafterwardsthesuddenstartledshout，thecrashofmetal，theslammingofgreatgates，theroarofmanyvoices，theclang，clang，clang，asoffiftylustysmithsupontheiranvils，andthenatlastthedwindlingofthehubbub，thelowgroansandsuddenshrillcriestothesaints，themeasuredmurmurofmanyvoices，theheavyclankingofarmoredfeet。
Sometimeinthatfellstrugglehemusthavedrawnhisweakenedbodyasfarasthenarrowwindow，andhangingtotheironbarshavelookeddownonthewildscenebeneathhim。Intheredglareoftorchesheldfromwindowsandfromroofhesawtherushandswirlofmenbelow，theruddylightshiningbackfromglowingbrassandgleamingsteel。Asawildvisionitcametohimafterward，thebeautyandthesplendor，theflyinglambrequins，thejeweledcrests，theblazonryandrichnessofsurcoatandofshield，wheresableandgules，argentandvair，ineverypatternofsaltire，bendorchevron，glowedbeneathhimlikeadriftofmany-coloredblossoms，tossing，sinking，stoopingintoshadow，springingintolight。Thereglaredtheblood-redgulesofChandos，andhesawthetallfigureofhismaster，athunderboltofwar，raginginthevan。TheretoowerethethreeblackchevronsonthegoldenshieldwhichmarkedthenobleManny。ThatstrongswordsmanmustsurelybetheroyalEdwardhimself，sinceonlyheandtheblack-armoredswift-footedyouthathissideweremarkedbynosymbolofheraldry。”Manny！，Manny！，GeorgeforEngland！”rosethedeep-throatedbay，andeverthegallantcounter-cry：“AChargny！，AChargny！，SaintDenisforFrance！”
thunderedamidtheclashandthuddingofthebattle。
SuchwasthevaguewhirlingmemorystilllingeringinNigel’smindwhenatlastthemistsclearedawayfromitandhefoundhimselfweakbutclearonthelowcouchinthecornerturret。Besidehim，crushinglavenderbetwixthisroughfingersandstrewingitoverfloorandsheets，wasAylwardthearcher。Hislongbowleanedatthefootofthebed，andhissteelcapwasbalancedonthetopofit，whilehehimself，sittinginhisshirtsleeves，fannedoffthefliesandscatteredthefragrantherbsoverhishelplessmaster。
“Bymyhilt！”hecriedwithasuddenshout，everytoothinhisheadgleamingwithjoy，“IthanktheVirginandallthesaintsforthisblessedsight！，IhadnotdaredtogobacktoTilfordhadI
lostyou。Threeweekshaveyoulainthereandbabbledlikeababe，butnowIseeinyoureyesthatyouareyourownmanagain。”
“Ihaveindeedhadsomesmallhurt，“saidNigelfeebly;“butitisshameandsorrowthatIshouldliehereifthereisworkformyhands。Whithergoyou，archer？“
“TotellthegoodSirJohnthatyouaremending。”
“Nay，bidewithmealittlelonger，Aylward。Icancalltomindallthathaspassed。Therewasabickeringofsmallboats，wastherenot，andIchanceduponamostworthypersonandexchangedhandstrokeswithhim？，Hewasmyprisoner，washenot？”
“Hewas，fairsir。”
“Andwhereishenow？”
“Belowinthecastle。”
AsmilestoleoverNigel’spaleface。”IknowwhatIwilldowithhim，“saidhe。
“Iprayyoutorest，fairsir，“saidAylwardanxiously。”TheKing’sownleechsawyouthismorning，andhesaidthatifthebandagewastornfromyourheadyouwouldsurelydie。”
“Nay，goodarcher，Iwillnotmove。Buttellmewhatbefellupontheboat？”
“Thereislittletotell，fairsir。HadthisFerretnotbeenhisownsquireandtakensolongatimetodonhisharnessitislikelythattheywouldhavehadthebetterofus。Hedidnotreachthebattletillhiscomradeswereontheirbacks。HimwetooktotheMarieRose，becausehewasyourman。Theotherswereofnoworth，sowethrewthemintothesea。”
“Thequickandthedead？”
“Everymanofthem。”
“Itwasanevildeed。”
Aylwardshruggedhisshoulders。”Itriedtosaveoneboy，“saidhe;“butCockBaddingwouldnothaveit，andhehadBlackSimonandtheothersathisback。`ItisthecustomoftheNarrowSeas，’saidthey：`Todayforthem;to-morrowforus。’-Thentheytorehimfromhisholdandcasthimscreamingovertheside。Bymyhilt！，Ihavenolovefortheseaanditscustoms，soIcarenotifIneversetfootonitagainwhenithasoncebornemebacktoEngland。”
“Nay，therearegreathappeningsuponthesea，andmanyworthypeopletobefounduponships，“saidNigel。”Inallparts，ifonegoesfarenoughuponthewater，onewouldfindthosewhomitwouldbejoytomeet。IfonecrossesovertheNarrowSea，aswehavedone，wecomeontheFrenchwhoaresoneedfultous;forhowelsewouldwewinworship？，Orifyougosouth，thenintimeonemayhopetocometothelandoftheunbelievers，wherethereisfineskirmishingandmuchhonorforhimwhowillventurehisperson。
Bethinkyou，archer，howfairalifeitmustbewhenonecanrideforthinsearchofadvancementwithsomehopeoffindingmanydebonaircavaliersuponthesamequest，andthenifonebeoverborneonehasdiedforthefaith，andthegatesofHeavenareopenbeforeyou。Soalsotheseatothenorthisahelptohimwhoseekshonor，foritleadstothecountryoftheEastlandersandtothosepartswheretheheathenstilldwellwhoturntheirfacesfromtheblessedGospel。Therealsoamanmightfindsomesmalldeedstodo，andbySaintPaul！，Aylward，iftheFrenchholdthetruceandthegoodSirJohnpermitsus，Iwouldfaingodownintothoseparts。Theseaisagoodfriendtothecavalier，forittakeshimwherehemayfulfilhisvows。”
Aylwardshookhishead，forhismemoriesweretoorecent;buthesaidnothing，becauseatthisinstantthedooropenedandChandosentered。WithjoyinhisfacehesteppedforwardtothecouchandtookNigel’shandinhis。ThenhewhisperedawordinAylward’sear，whohurriedfromtheroom。
“Pardieu！，thisisagoodsight，“saidtheknight。”Itrustthatyouwillsoonbeonyourfeetagain。”
“Icraveyourpardon，myhonoredlord，thatIhavebeenabsentfromyourside，“saidNigel。
“Intruthmyheartwassoreforyou，Nigel;foryouhavemissedsuchanightascomesseldominanyman’slife。Allwentevenaswehadplanned。Theposterngatewasopened，andapartymadetheirwayin;butweawaitedthem，andallweretakenorslain。
ButthegreaterpartoftheFrenchhadremainedwithoutupontheplainofNieullet，sowetookhorseandwentoutagainstthem。
Whenwedrewnearthemtheyweresurprised，buttheymadegoodcheeramongthemselves，callingouttoeachother：`Ifweflyweloseall。Itisbettertofighton，inthehopesthatthedaymaybeours。’，Thiswasheardbyourpeopleinthevan，whocriedouttothem：`BySaintGeorge！，youspeaktruth。Evilbefallhimwhothinksofflying！’，Sotheyheldtheirgroundlikeworthypeopleforthespaceofanhour，andthereweremanytherewhomitisalwaysgoodtomeet：SirGeoffreyhimself，andSirPepindeWerre，withSirJohndeLandas，oldBallieuloftheYellowTooth，andhisbrotherHectortheLeopard。ButaboveallSirEustacedeRibeaumontwasatgreatpainstomeetusworthily，andhewasathandstrokeswiththeKingforalongtime。Then，whenwehadslainortakenthem，alltheprisonerswerebroughttoafeastwhichwasreadyforthem，andtheknightsofEnglandwaiteduponthematthetableandmadegoodcheerwiththem。Andallthis，Nigel，weowetoyou。”
TheSquireflushedwithpleasureatthewords。”Nay，mosthonoredlord，itwasbutasmallthingwhichIhavebeenabletodo。ButIthankGodandourLadythatIhavedonesomeservice，sinceithaspleasedyoutotakemewithyoutothewars。Shoulditchance-“
ButthewordswerecutshortuponNigel’slips，andhelaybackwithamazedeyesstaringfromhispallidface。Thedoorofhislittlechamberhadopened，andwhowasthis，thetallstatelymanwiththenoblepresence，thehighforehead，thelonghandsomeface，thedark，broodingeyes-whobutthenobleEdwardofEngland？”
“Ha，mylittlecockofTilfordBridge，Istillbearyouinmind，“
saidhe。”RightgladIwastohearthatyouhadfoundyourwitsagain，andItrustthatIhavenothelpedtomakeyoutakeleaveofthemoncemore。”
Nigel’sstareofastonishmenthadbroughtasmiletotheKing’slips。NowtheSquirestammeredforthsomehaltingwordsofgratitudeatthehonordonetohim。
“Nay，notaword，“saidtheKing。”ButinsoothitisajoytomyhearttoseethesonofmyoldcomradeEustaceLoringcarryhimselfsobravely。Hadthisboatgotbeforeuswithnewsofourcoming，thenallourlaborhadbeeninvain，andnoFrenchmanventuredtoCalaisthatnight。ButaboveallIthankyouforthatyouhavedeliveredintomyhandsonewhomIhadvowedtopunishinthathehascausedusmorescathebyfoulermeansthananylivingman。TwicehaveIswornthatPetertheRedFerretshallhang，forallhisnoblebloodandcoat-armor，ifeverheshouldfallintomyhands。Nowatlasthistimehascome;butIwouldnotputhimtodeathuntilyou，whohadtakenhim，couldbetheretoseeitdone。
Nay，thankmenot，forIcoulddonoless，seeingthatitistoyouthatIowehim。”
ButitwasnotthankswhichNigelwastryingtoutter。Itwashardtoframehiswords，andyettheymustbesaid。”Sire，“hemurmured，“itillbecomesmetocrossyourroyalwill-“
ThedarkPlantagenetwrathgatheredupontheKing’shighbrowandgloomedinhisfiercedeep-seteyes。”ByGod’sdignity！，nomanhasevercrossedityetandlivedunscathed。Hownow，youngsir，whatmeansuchwords，towhichwearelittlewont？，Haveacare，forthisisnolightthingwhichyouventure。”
“Sire，“saidNigel，“inallmattersinwhichIamafreemanIameveryourfaithfulliege，butsomethingstherearewhichmaynotbedone。”
“How？”criedtheKing。”Inspiteofmywill？”
“Inspiteofyourwill，sire，“saidNigel，sittinguponhiscouch，withwhitefaceandblazingeyes。
“BytheVirgin！”theangryKingthundered，“wearecometoaprettypass！，Youhavebeenheldtoolongathome，youngman。Theoverstabledhorsewillkick。Theunweatheredhawkwillflyatcheck。Seetoit，MasterChandos！，Heisthinetobreak，andI
holdyoutoitthatyoubreakhim。AndwhatisitthatEdwardofEnglandmaynotdo，MasterLoring？”
NigelfacedtheKingwithafaceasgrimashisown。”YoumaynotputtodeaththeRedFerret。”
“Pardieu！，Andwhy？”
“Becauseheisnotthinetoslay，sire。Becauseheismine。
BecauseIpromisedhimhislife，anditisnotforyou，Kingthoughyoube，toconstrainamanofgentlebloodtobreakhisplightedwordandlosehishonor。”
ChandoslaidhissoothinghanduponhisSquire’sshoulder。
“Excusehim，sire;heisweakfromhiswounds，“saidhe。”Perhapswehavestayedoverlong，fortheleechhasorderedrepose。”
ButtheangryKingwasnoteasilytobeappeased。”Iamnotwonttobesobrowbeat，“saidhehotly。”ThisisyourSquire，MasterJohn。Howcomesitthatyoucanstandthereandlistentohisperttalk，andsaynowordtochidehim？，Isthishowyouguideyourhousehold？，HaveyounottaughthimthateverypromisegivenissubjecttotheKing’sconsent，andthatwithhimonlyliethespringsoflifeanddeath？，Ifheissick，youatleastarehale。
Whystandyouthereinsilence？”
“Myliege，“saidChandosgravely，“Ihaveservedyouforoverascoreofyears，andhaveshedmybloodthroughasmanywoundsinyourcause，sothatyoushouldnottakemywordsamiss。ButindeedIshouldfeelmyselftobenotruemanifIdidnottellyouthatmySquireNigel，thoughperchancehehasspokenmorebluntlythanbecomeshim，isnonethelessrightinthismatter，andthatyouarewrong。Forbethinkyou，sire-“
“Enough！”criedtheKing，morefuriousthanever。”Likemaster，likeman，andImighthaveknownwhyitisthatthissaucySquiredarestobandywordswithhissovereignlord。Hedoesbutgiveoutwhathehathtakenin。John，John，yougrowoverbold。ButthisItellyou，andyoualso，youngman，thatasGodismyhelp，erethesunhassetthisnighttheRedFerretwillhangasawarningtoallspiesandtraitorsfromthehighesttowerofCalais，thateveryshipupontheNarrowSeas，andeverymanfortenmilesroundmayseehimasheswingsandknowhowheavyisthehandoftheEnglishKing。Doyoubearitinmind，lestyoualsomayfeelitsweight！”Withaglarelikeanangrylionhewalkedfromtheroom，andtheiron-clampeddoorclangedloudlybehindhim。
ChandosandNigellookedruefullyateachother。ThentheknightpattedhisSquireuponhisbandagedhead。
“Youhavecarriedyourselfrightwell，Nigel。Icouldnotwishforbetter。Fearnot。Allwillbewell。”
“Myfairandhonoredlord，“criedNigel，“Iamheavyatheart，forindeedIcoulddonoother，andyetIhavebroughttroubleuponyou。”
“Nay，thecloudswillsoonpass。IfhedoesindeedslaythisFrenchman，youhavedoneallthatlaywithinyourpower，andyourmindmayresteasy。”
“IpraythatitwillresteasyinParadise，“saidNigel;“foratthehourthatIhearthatIamdishonoredandmyprisonerslainI
tearthisbandagefrommyheadandsoendallthings。Iwillnotlivewhenoncemywordisbroken。”
“Nay，fairson，youtakethisthingtooheavily，“saidChandos，withagraveface。”Whenamanhasdoneallhemaythereremainsnodishonor;buttheKinghathakindheartforallhishothead，anditmaybethatifIseehimIwillprevailuponhim。Bethinkyouhowhesworetohangthesixburghersofthisverytown，andyethepardonedthem。Sokeepahighheart，fairson，andIwillcomewithgoodnewsereevening。”
Forthreehours，asthesinkingsuntracedtheshadowhigherandeverhigheruponthechamberwall，Nigeltossedfeverishlyuponhiscouch，hisearsstrainingforthefootfallofAylwardorofChandos，bringingnewsofthefateoftheprisoner。Atlastthedoorflewopen，andtherebeforehimstoodtheonemanwhomheleastexpected，andyetwouldmostgladlyhaveseen。ItwastheRedFerrethimself，freeandjoyous。
Withswiftfurtivestepshewasacrosstheroomandonhiskneesbesidethecouch，kissingthependenthand。”Youhavesavedme，mostnoblesir！”hecried。”Thegallowswasfixedandtheropeslung，whenthegoodLordChandostoldtheKingthatyouwoulddiebyyourownhandifIwereslain。`Cursethismule-headedSquire！’hecried。`InGod’snamelethimhavehisprisoner，andlethimdowhathewillwithhimsolongashetroublesmenomore！’，SohereIhavecome，fairsir，toaskyouwhatIshalldo。”
“Iprayyoutositbesidemeandbeatyourease，“saidNigel。
“InafewwordsIwilltellyouwhatIwouldhaveyoudo。YourarmorIwillkeep，thatImayhavesomeremembranceofmygoodfortuneinmeetingsovaliantagentleman。Weareofasize，andImakelittledoubtthatIcanwearit。OfransomIwouldaskathousandcrowns。”
“Nay，nay！”criedtheFerret。”Itwouldbeasadthingifamanofmypositionwasworthlessthanfivethousand。”
“Athousandwillsuffice，fairsir，topaymychargesforthewar。
Youwillnotagainplaythespy，nordousharmuntilthetruceisbroken。”
“ThatIwillswear。”
“Andlastlythereisajourneythatyoushallmake。”
TheFrenchman’sfacelengthened。”WhereyouorderImustgo，“
saidhe;“butIprayyouthatitisnottotheHolyLand。”
“Nay，“saidNigel;“butitistoalandwhichisholytome。YouwillmakeyourwaybacktoSouthampton。”
“Iknowitwell。Ihelpedtoburnitdownsomeyearsago。”
“Iredeyoutosaynothingofthatmatterwhenyougetthere。YouwillthenjourneyasthoughtoLondonuntilyoucometoafairtownnamedGuildford。”
“Ihaveheardofit。TheKinghathahuntthere。”
“Thesame。YouwillthenaskforahousenamedCosford，twoleaguesfromthetownonthesideofalonghill。”
“Iwillbearitinmind。”
“AtCosfordyouwillseeagoodknightnamedSirJohnButtesthorn，andyouwillasktohavespeechwithhisdaughter，theLadyMary。”
“Iwilldoso;andwhatshallIsaytotheLadyMary，wholivesatCosfordontheslopeofalonghilltwoleaguesfromthefairtownofGuildford？”
“SayonlythatIsentmygreeting，andthatSaintCatharinehasbeenmyfriend-onlythatandnothingmore。Andnowleaveme，I
prayyou，formyheadiswearyandIwouldfainhavesleep。”
ThusitcameaboutthatamonthlaterontheeveoftheFeastofSaintMatthew，theLadyMary，asshewalkedfrontCosfordgates，metwithastrangehorseman，richlyclad，aserving-manbehindhim，lookingshrewdlyabouthimwithquickblueeyes，whichtwinkledfromaredandfreckledface。Atsightofherhedoffedhishatandreinedhishorse。
“ThishouseshouldbeCosford，“saidhe。”AreyoubychancetheLadyMarywhodwellsthere？”
Theladybowedherprouddarkhead。
“Then，“saidhe，“SquireNigelLoringsendsyougreetingandtellsyouthatSaintCatharinehasbeenhisfriend。”，Thenturningtohisservanthecried：“Heh，Raoul，ourtaskisdone！，Yourmasterisafreemanoncemore。Come，lad，come，thenearestporttoFrance！，Hola！，Hola！，Hola！”Andsowithoutawordmorethetwo，masterandman，setspurstotheirhorsesandgallopedlikemadmendownthelongslopeofHindhead，untilasshelookedafterthemtheywerebuttwodarkdotsinthedistance，waist-highinthelingandthebracken。
Sheturnedbacktothehouse，asmileuponherface。Nigelhadsenthergreeting。AFrenchmanhadbroughtit。Hisbringingithadmadehimafreeman。AndSaintCatherinehadbeenNigel’sfriend。Itwasathershrinethathehadswornthatthreedeedsshouldbedoneereheshouldseteyesuponheragain。IntheprivacyofherroomtheLadyMarysankuponherprie-dieuandpouredforththethanksofherhearttotheVirginthatonedeedwasaccomplished;butevenasshedidsoherjoywasovercastbythethoughtofthosetwootherswhichlaybeforehim。
XVI。HOWTHEKING’SCOURTFEASTEDINCALAISCASTLE
ItwasabrightsunshinymorningwhenNigelfoundhimselfatlastabletoleavehisturretchamberandtowalkupontherampartofthecastle。Therewasabrisknorthernwind，heavyandwetwiththesaltofthesea，andhefelt，asheturnedhisfacetoit，freshlifeandstrengthsurginginhisbloodandbracinghislimbs。HetookhishandfromAylward’ssupportingarmandstoodwithhiscapoff，leaningontherampartandbreathinginthecoolstrongair。Faroffuponthedistantsky-line，halfhiddenbytheheaveofthewaves，wasthelowwhitefringeofcliffswhichskirtedEngland。BetweenhimandthemlaythebroadblueChannel，seamedandfleckedwithflashingfoam，forasharpseawasrunningandthefewshipsinsightwerelaboringheavily。Nigel’seyestraversedthewide-spreadview，rejoicinginthechangefromthegraywallofhiscrampedchamber。Finallytheysettleduponastrangeobjectathisveryfeet。
Itwasalongtrumpet-shapedengineofleatherandironboltedintoarudewoodenstandandfittedwithwheels。Besideitlayaheapofmetalslugsandlumpsofstone。Theendofthemachinewasraisedandpointedoverthebattlement。BehinditstoodanironboxwhichNigelopened。Itwasfilledwithablackcoarsepowder，likegrittycharcoal。
“BySaintPaul！”saidhe，passinghishandsovertheengine，“I
haveheardmentalkofthesethings，butneverbeforehaveIseenone。Itisnoneotherthanoneofthosewondrousnew-madebombards。”
“Insooth，itisevenasyousay，“Aylwardanswered，lookingatitwithcontemptanddislikeinhisface。”Ihaveseenthemhereupontheramparts，andhavealsoexchangedabuffetortwowithhimwhohadchargeofthem。Hewasjack-foolenoughtothinkthatwiththisleatherpipehecouldoutshootthebestarcherinChristendom。Ilenthimacuffontheearthatlaidhimacrosshisfoolishengine。”
“Itisafearsomething，“saidNigel，whohadstoopedtoexamineit。”Weliveinstrangetimeswhensuchthingscanbemade。Itisloosedbyfire，isitnot，whichspringsfromtheblackdust？”
“Bymyhilt！，fairsir，Iknownot。AndyetIcalltomindthaterewefelloutthisfoolishbombardmandidsaysomethingofthematter。Thefire-dustiswithinandsoalsoistheball。Thenyoutakemoredustfromthisironboxandplaceitintheholeatthefartherend-so。Itisnowready。Ihaveneverseenonefired，butIwotthatthisonecouldbefirednow。”
“Itmakesastrangesound，archer，doesitnot？”saidNigelwistfully。
“SoIhaveheard，fairsir-evenasthebowtwangs，soitalsohasasoundwhenyoulooseit。”
“Thereisnoonetohear，sincewearealoneupontherampart，norcanitdoscathe，sinceitpointstosea。IprayyoutolooseitandIwilllistentothesound。”，Hebentoverthebombardwithanattentiveear，whileAylward，stoopinghisearnestbrownfaceoverthetouch-hole，scrapedawaydiligentlywithaflintandsteel。A
momentlaterbothheandNigelwereseatedsomedistanceoffuponthegroundwhileamidtheroarofthedischargeandthethickcloudofsmoketheyhadavisionofthelongblacksnakelikeengineshootingbackupontherecoil。Foraminuteormoretheywerestruckmotionlesswithastonishmentwhilethereverberationsdiedawayandthesmokewreathscurledslowlyuptotheblueheavens。
“Goodlack！”criedNigelatlast，pickinghimselfupandlookingroundhim。”Goodlack，andHeavenbemyaid！，IthanktheVirginthatallstandsasitdidbefore。Ithoughtthatthecastlehadfallen。”
“Suchabull’sbellowIhaveneverheard，“criedAylward，rubbinghisinjuredlimbs。”OnecouldhearitfromFrenshamPondtoGuildfordCastle。Iwouldnottouchoneagain-notforahideofthebestlandinPuttenham！”
“Itmayfareillwithyourownhide，archer，ifyoudo，“saidanangryvoicebehindthem。Chandoshadsteppedfromtheopendoorofthecornerturretandstoodlookingatthemwithaharshgaze。
Presently，asthematterwasmadecleartohimhisfacerelaxedintoasmile。
“Hastentothewarden，archer，andtellhimhowitbefell。Youwillhavethecastleandthetowninarms。IknownotwhattheKingmaythinkofsosuddenanalarm。Andyou，Nigel，howinthenameofthesaintscameyoutoplaythechildlikethis？”
“Iknewnotitspower，fairlord。”
“Bymysoul，Nigel，Ithinkthatnoneofusknowitspower。Icanseethedaywhenallthatwedelightin，thesplendorandgloryofwar，mayallgodownbeforethatwhichbeatsthroughtheplateofsteelaseasilyastheleathernjacket。Ihavebestrodemywarhorseinmyarmorandhavelookeddownatthesooty，smokybombardmanbesideme，andIhavethoughtthatperhapsIwasthelastoftheoldandhethefirstofthenew;thattherewouldcomeatimewhenheandhisengineswouldsweepyouandmeandtherestofusfromthefield。”
“Butnotyet，Itrust，honoredsir？”
“No，notyet，Nigel。Youarestillintimetowinyourspursevenasyourfathersdid。Howisyourstrength？”
“Iamreadyforanytask，mygoodandhonoredlord。”
“Itiswell，forworkawaitsus-goodwork，pressingwork，workofperilandofhonor。Youreyesshineandyourfaceflushes，Nigel。IlivemyownyouthoveragainasIlookatyou。KnowthenthatthoughthereistrucewiththeFrenchhere，thereisnottruceinBrittanywherethehousesofBloisandofMontfortstillstruggleforthedukedom。HalfBrittanyfightsforone，andhalffortheother。TheFrenchhavetakenupthecauseofBlois，andweofMontfort，anditissuchawarthatmanyagreatleader，suchasSirWalterManny，hasfirstearnedhisnamethere。Oflatethewarhasgoneagainstus，andthebloodyhandsoftheRohans，ofGaptoothBeaumanoir，ofOlivertheFlesherandothershavebeenheavyuponourpeople。Thelasttidingshavebeenofdisaster，andtheKing’ssoulisdarkwithwrathforthathisfriendandcomradeGillesdeSt。PolhasbeendonetodeathintheCastleofLaBrohiniere。Hewillsendsuccorstothecountry，andwegoattheirhead。Howlikeyouthat，Nigel？”
“Myhonoredlord，whatcouldIaskforbetter？”
“Thenhaveyourharnessready，forwestartwithintheweek。OurpathbylandisblockedbytheFrench，andwegobysea。ThisnighttheKinggivesabanqueterehereturnstoEngland，andyourplaceisbehindmychair。Beinmychamberthatyoumayhelpmetodress，andsowewilltothehalltogether。”
Withsatinandwithsamite，withvelvetandwithfur，thenobleChandoswasdressedfortheKing’sfeast，andNigeltoohaddonnedhisbestsilkjupon，facedwiththefivescarletroses，thathemightwaituponhim。InthegreathallofCalaisCastlethetableswereset，ahightableforthelords，asecondoneforthelessdistinguishedknights，andathirdatwhichthesquiresmightfeastwhentheirmasterswereseated。
NeverhadNigelinhissimplelifeatTilfordpicturedasceneofsuchpompandwondrousluxury。ThegrimgraywallswerecoveredfromceilingtofloorwithpricelesstapestryofArras，wherehart，houndsandhuntsmencircledthegreathallwithonelonglivingimageofthechase。Overtheprincipaltabledroopedalineofbanners，andbeneaththemrowsofemblazonedshieldsuponthewallcarriedthearmsofthehighnoblemenwhosatbeneath。
TheredlightofcressetsandoftorchesburneduponthebadgesofthegreatcaptainsofEngland。Thelionsandliliesshoneoverthehighdorseretchairinthecenter，andthesameaugustdevicemarkedwiththecadencylabelindicatedtheseatofthePrince，whileglowingtorightandtoleftwerethelonglinesofnobleinsignia，honoredinpeaceandterribleinwar。ThereshonethegoldandsableofManny，theengrailedcrossofSuffolk，theredchevronofStafford，thescarletandgoldofAudley，thebluelionrampantofthePercies，thesilverswallowsofArundel，theredroebuckoftheMontacutes，thestarofthedeVeres，thesilverscallopsofRussell，thepurplelionofdeLacy，andtheblackcrossesofClinton。