AfriendlySquireatNigel’selbowwhisperedthenamesofthefamouswarriorsbeneath。”YouareyoungLoringofTilford，theSquireofChandos，areyounot？”saidhe。”MynameisDelves，andIcomefromDoddingtoninCheshire。IamtheSquireofSirJamesAudley，yonderround-backedmanwiththedarkfaceandclose-
croppedbeard，whohaththeSaracenheadasacrestabovehim。”
“Ihaveheardofhimasamanofgreatvalor，“saidNigel，gazingathimwithinterest。
“Indeed，youmaywellsayso，MasterLoring。HeisthebravestknightinEngland，andinChristendomalso，asIbelieve。Nomanhathdonesuchdeedsofvalor。”
Nigellookedathisnewacquaintancewithhopeinhiseyes。”Youspeakasitbecomesyoutospeakwhenyouupholdyourownmaster，“
saidhe。”Forthesamereason，MasterDelves，andinnospiritofill-willtoyou，itbehoovesmetotellyouthatheisnottobecomparedinnameorfamewiththenobleknightonwhomIwait。
Shouldyouholdotherwise，thensurelywecandebatethematterinwhateverwayortimemaypleaseyoubest。”
Delvessmiledgood-humoredly。”Nay，benotsohot，“saidhe。
“Hadyouupheldanyotherknight，saveperhapsSirWalterManny，I
hadtakenyouatyourword，andyourmasterorminewouldhavehadplaceforanewSquire。ButindeeditisonlytruththatnoknightissecondtoChandos，norwouldIdrawmyswordtolowerhisprideofplace。Ha，SirJames’cupislow！，Imustseetoit！”Hedartedoff，aflagonofGasconyinhishand。”TheKinghathhadgoodnewsto-night，“hecontinuedwhenhereturned。”I
havenotseenhiminsomerryamindsincethenightwhenwetooktheFrenchmenandhelaidhispearlchapletupontheheadofdeRibeaumont。Seehowhelaughs，andthePrincealso。Thatlaughbodessomeonelittlegood，orIamthemoremistaken。Haveacare！，SirJohn’splateisempty。”
ItwasNigel’sturntodartaway;buteverintheintervalshereturnedtothecornerwhencehecouldlookdownthehallandlistentothewordsoftheolderSquire。Delveswasashort，thick-setmanpastmiddleage，weather-beatenandscarred，witharoughmannerandbearingwhichshowedthathewasmoreathiseaseinatentthanahall。Buttenyearsofservicehadtaughthimmuch，andNigellistenedeagerlytohistalk。
“IndeedtheKinghathsomegoodtidings，“hecontinued。”Seenow，hehaswhisperedittoChandosandtoManny。MannyspreadsitontoSirReginaldCobham，andhetoRobertKnolles，eachsmilingliketheDeviloverafriar。”
“WhichisSirRobertKnolles？”askedNigelwithinterest。”Ihaveheardmuchofhimandhisdeeds。”
“Heisthetallhard-facedmaninyellowsilk，hewiththehairlesscheeksandthesplitlip。Heislittleolderthanyourself，andhisfatherwasacobblerinChester，yethehasalreadywonthegoldenspurs。Seehowhedabshisgreathandinthedishandhandsforththegobbets。Heismoreusedtoacamp-kettlethanasilverplate。ThebigmanwiththeblackbeardisSirBartholomewBerghersh，whosebrotheristheAbbotofBeaulieu。Haste，haste！fortheboar’sheadiscomeandtheplate’stobecleaned。”
Thetablemannersofourancestorsatthisperiodwouldhavefurnishedtothemoderneyethestrangestmixtureofluxuryandofbarbarism。Forkswerestillunknown，andthecourtesyfingers，theindexandthemiddleofthelefthand，tooktheirplace。Touseanyotherswasaccountedtheworstofmanners。Acrowdofdogslayamongtherushesgrowlingateachotherandquarrelingoverthegnawedboneswhichwerethrowntothembythefeasters。
Asliceofcoarsebreadservedusuallyasaplate，buttheKing’sownhightablewasprovidedwithsilverplatters，whichwerewipedbytheSquireorpageaftereachcourse。Ontheotherhandthetable-linenwascostly，andthecourses，servedwithapompanddignitynowunknown，comprisedsuchavarietyofdishesandsuchcomplexmarvelsofcookeryasnomodernbanquetcouldshow。
Besidesallourdomesticanimalsandeverykindofgame，suchstrangedelicaciesashedgehogs，bustards，porpoises，squirrels，bitternsandcraneslentvarietytothefeast。
Eachnewcourse，heraldedbyaflourishofsilvertrumpets，wasborneinbyliveriedservantswalkingtwoandtwo，withrubicundmarshalsstruttinginfrontandbehind，bearingwhitewandsintheirhands，notonlyasbadgesoftheiroffice，butalsoasweaponswithwhichtorepelanyimpertinentinroaduponthedishesinthejourneyfromthekitchentothehall。Boar’sheads，enarmedandendoredwithgilttusksandflamingmouths，werefollowedbywondrouspastiesmoldedtotheshapeofships，castlesandotherdeviceswithsugarseamenorsoldierswholosttheirownbodiesintheirfruitlessdefenseagainstthehungryattack。
Finallycamethegreatnef，asilvervesseluponwheelsladenwithfruitandsweetmeatswhichrolledwithitslusciouscargodownthelineofguests。FlagonsofGascony，ofRhinewine，ofCanaryandofRochellewereheldinreadinessbytheattendants;buttheage，thoughluxurious，wasnotdrunken，andthesoberhabitsoftheNormanhadhappilyprevailedoverthelicenseofthoseSaxonbanquetswherenoguestmightwalkfromthetablewithoutasluruponhishost。Honorandhardihoodgoillwithashakinghandorablurredeye。
Whilstwine，fruitandspiceswerehandedroundthehightablesthesquireshadbeenservedinturnatthefartherendofthehall。MeanwhileroundtheKingtherehadgatheredagroupofstatesmenandsoldiers，talkingeagerlyamongthemselves。TheEarlofStafford，theEarlofWarwick，theEarlofArundel，LordBeauchampandLordNevillewereassembledatthebackofhischair，withLordPercyandLordMowbrayateitherside。Thelittlegroupblazedwithgoldenchainsandjeweledchaplets，flamecoloredpaltocksandpurpletunics。
OfasuddentheKingsaidsomethingoverhisshouldertoSirWilliamdePakyngtontheherald，whoadvancedandstoodbytheroyalchair。Hewasatallandnoble-featuredman，withlonggrizzledbeardwhichrippleddowntothegold-linkedbeltgirdlinghismany-coloredtabard。Onhisheadhehadplacedtheheraldicbarret-capwhichbespokehisdignity，andheslowlyraisedhiswhitewandhighintheair，whileagreathushfelluponthehall。
“MylordsofEngland，“saidhe，“knightbannerets，knights，squires，andallothersherepresentofgentlebirthandcoat-armor，knowthatyourdreadandsovereignlord，Edward，KingofEnglandandofFrance，bidsmegiveyougreetingandcommandsyoutocomehitherthathemayhavespeechwithyou。”
InaninstantthetablesweredesertedandthewholecompanyhadclusteredinfrontoftheKing’schair。Thosewhohadsatoneithersideofhimcrowdedinwardsothathistalldarkfigureupreareditselfamidthedensecircleofhisguests。
Withaflushuponhisolivecheeksandwithpridesmolderinginhisdarkeyes，helookedroundhimattheeagerfacesofthemenwhohadbeenhiscomradesfromSluysandCadsandtoCrecyandCalais。Theycaughtfirefromthatwarlikegleaminhismasterfulgaze，andasuddenwild，fierceshoutpealeduptothevaultedceiling，asoldierlythanksforwhatwaspassedandapromiseforwhatwastocome。TheKing’steethgleamedinaquicksmile，andhislargewhitehandplayedwiththejeweleddaggerinhisbelt。
“BythesplendorofGod！”saidheinaloudclearvoice，“Ihavelittledoubtthatyouwillrejoicewithmethisnight，forsuchtidingshavecometomyearsasmaywellbringjoytoeveryoneofyou。YouknowwellthatourshipshavesufferedgreatscathefromtheSpaniards，whoformanyyearshaveslainwithoutgraceorruthallofmypeoplewhohavefallenintotheircruelhands。OflatetheyhavesenttheirshipsintoFlanders，andthirtygreatcogsandgalleyslienowatSluyswell-filledwitharchersandmen-at-armsandreadyinallwaysforbattle。Ihaveitto-dayfromasurehandthat，havingtakentheirmerchandiseaboard，theseshipswillsailuponthenextSundayandwillmaketheirwaythroughourNarrowSea。Wehaveforagreattimebeenlong-sufferingtothesepeople，forwhichtheyhavedoneusmanycontrariesanddespites，growingevermorearrogantaswegrowmorepatient。Itisinmymindthereforethatwehieusto-morrowtoWinchelsea，wherewehavetwentyships，andmakereadytosallyoutuponthemastheypass。MayGodandSaintGeorgedefendtheright！”
Asecondshout，farlouderandfiercerthanthefirst，camelikeathunderclapaftertheKing’swords。Itwasthebayofafiercepacktotheirtrustedhuntsman。
Edwardlaughedagainashelookedroundatthegleamingeyes，thewavingarmsandtheflushedjoyfulfacesofhisliegemen。”WhohathfoughtagainsttheseSpaniards？”heasked。”Isthereanyoneherewhocantelluswhatmannerofmentheybe？”
Adozenhandswentupintotheair;buttheKingturnedtotheEarlofSuffolkathiselbow。
“Youhavefoughtthem，Thomas？”saidhe。
“Yes，sire，Iwasinthegreatsea-fighteightyearsagoattheIslandofGuernsey，whenLordLewisofSpainheldtheseaagainsttheEarlofPembroke。”
“Howfoundyouthem，Thomas？”
“Veryexcellentpeople，sire，andnomancouldaskforbetter。OneveryshiptheyhaveahundredcrossbowmenofGenoa，thebestintheworld，andtheirspearmenalsoareveryhardymen。Theywouldthrowgreatcantlesofironfromthetopsofthemasts，andmanyofourpeoplemettheirdeaththroughit。IfwecanbartheirwayintheNarrowSea，thentherewillbemuchhopeofhonorforallofus。”
“Yourwordsareverywelcome，Thomas，“saidtheKing，“andImakenodoubtthattheywillshowthemselvestobeveryworthyofwhatweprepareforthem。ToyouIgiveaship，thatyoumayhavethehandlingofit。Youalso，mydearson，shallhaveaship，thatevermorehonormaybethine。”
“Ithankyou，myfairandsweetfather，“saidthePrince，withjoyflushinghishandsomeboyishface。
“Theleadingshipshallbemine。Butyoushallhaveone，WalterManny，andyou，Stafford，andyou，Arundel，andyou，Audley，andyou，SirThomasHolland，andyou，Brocas，andyou，Berkeley，andyou，Reginald。TherestshallbeawardedatWinchelsea，whitherwesailto-morrow。Nay，John，whydoyouplucksoatmysleeve？”
Chandoswasleaningforward，withananxiousface。”Surely，myhonoredlord，Ihavenotservedyousolongandsofaithfullythatyoushouldforgetmenow。Istherethennoshipforme？”
TheKingsmiled，butshookhishead。”Nay，John，haveInotgivenyoutwohundredarchersandahundredmen-at-armstotakewithyouintoBrittany？，ItrustthatyourshipswillbelyinginSaintMaloBayeretheSpaniardsareabreastofWinchelsea。Whatmorewouldyouhave，oldwar-dog？，Wouldstbeintwobattlesatonce？”
“Iwouldbeatyourside，myliege，whenthelionbannerisinthewindoncemore。Ihaveeverbeenthere。Whyshouldyoucastmenow？，Iasklittle，dearlord-agalley，abalinger，evenapinnace，sothatImayonlybethere。”
“Nay，John，youshallcome。Icannotfinditinmyhearttosayyounay。Iwillfindyouplaceinmyownship，thatyoumayindeedbebymyside。”
ChandosstoopedandkissedtheKing’shand。”MySquire？”heasked。
TheKing’sbrowsknottedintoafrown。”Nay，lethimgotoBrittanywiththeothers，“saidheharshly。”Iwonder，John，thatyoushouldbringbacktomymemorythisyouthwhosepertnessistoofreshthatIshouldforgetit。ButsomeonemustgotoBrittanyinyourstead，forthematterpressesandourpeoplearehardputtoittoholdtheirown。”，Hecasthiseyesovertheassembly，andtheyresteduponthesternfeaturesofSirRobertKnolles。
“SirRobert，“hesaid，“thoughyouareyounginyearsyouarealreadyoldinwar，andIhaveheardthatyouareasprudentincouncilasyouarevaliantinthefield。ToyouIcommitthechargeofthisventuretoBrittanyinplaceofSirJohnChandos，whowillfollowthitherwhenourworkhasbeendoneuponthewaters。ThreeshipslieinCalaisportandthreehundredmenarereadytoyourhand。SirJohnwilltellyouwhatourmindisinthematter。Andnow，myfriendsandgoodcomrades，youwillhasteyoueachtohisownquarters，andyouwillmakeswiftlysuchpreparationsasareneedful，for，asGodismyaid，IwillsailwithyoutoWinchelseato-morrow！”
BeckoningtoChandos，Mannyandafewofhischosenleaders，theKingledthemawaytoaninnerchamber，wheretheymightdiscusstheplansforthefuture。Atthesametimetheassemblybrokeup，theknightsinsilenceanddignity，thesquiresinmirthandnoise，butalljoyfulatheartforthethoughtofthegreatdayswhichlaybeforethem。
XVII。THESPANIARDSONTHESEA
DayhadnotyetdawnedwhenNigelwasinthechamberofChandospreparinghimforhisdepartureandlisteningtothelastcheerywordsofadviceanddirectionfromhisnoblemaster。Thatsamemorning，beforethesunwashalf-wayuptheheaven，theKing’sgreatnefPhilippa，bearingwithinitthemostofthosepresentathisbanquetthenightbefore，setitshugesail，adornedwiththelionsandthelilies，andturneditsbrazenbeakforEngland。
Behinditwentfivesmallercogscrammedwithsquires，archersandmen-at-arms。
Nigelandhiscompanionslinedtherampartsofthecastleandwavedtheircapsasthebluff，burlyvessels，withdrumsbeatingandtrumpetsclanging，ahundredknightlypennonsstreamingfromtheirdecksandtheredcrossofEnglandoverall，rolledslowlyouttotheopensea。Thenwhentheyhadwatchedthemuntiltheywerehulldowntheyturned，withheartsheavyatbeingleftbehind，tomakereadyfortheirownmoredistantventure。
Ittookthemfourdaysofhardworkeretheirpreparationswerecomplete，formanyweretheneedsofasmallforcesailingtoastrangecountry。Threeshipshadbeenlefttothem，thecogThomasofRomney，theGraceDieuofHythe，andtheBasiliskofSouthampton，intoeachofwhichonehundredmenwerestowed，besidesthethirtyseamenwhoformedthecrew。Intheholdwerefortyhorses，amongstthemPommers，muchweariedbyhislongidleness，andhomesickfortheslopesofSurreywherehisgreatlimbsmightfindtheworkhecraved。Thenthefoodandthewater，thebow-stavesandthesheavesofarrows，thehorseshoes，thenails，thehammers，theknives，theaxes，theropes，thevatsofhay，thegreenfodderandascoreofotherthingswerepackedaboard。AlwaysbythesideoftheshipsstoodthesternyoungknightSirRobert，checking，testing，watchingandcontrolling，sayinglittle，forhewasamanoffewwords，butwithhiseyes，hishands，andifneedbehisheavy，dog-whip，wherevertheywerewanted。
TheseamenoftheBasilisk，beingfromafreeport，hadtheoldfeudagainstthemenoftheCinquePorts，whowerelookeduponbytheothermarinersofEnglandasbeingundulyfavoredbytheKing。
AshipoftheWestCountrycouldscarcemeetwithonefromtheNarrowSeaswithoutbloodflowing。Hencesprangsuddenbroilsonthequayside，whenwithyellandblowtheThomasesandGraceDieus，SaintLeonardontheirlipsandmurderintheirhearts，wouldfallupontheBasilisks。Thenamidthewhirlofcudgelsandtheclashofkniveswouldspringthetigerfigureoftheyoungleader，lashingmercilesslytorightandleftlikeatameramonghiswolves，untilhehadbeatenthemhowlingbacktotheirwork。
Uponthemorningofthefourthdayallwasready，andtheropesbeingcastoffthethreelittleshipswerewarpeddowntheharborbytheirownpinnacesuntiltheywereswallowedupintheswirlingfoldsofaChannelmist。
Thoughsmallinnumbers，itwasnomeanforcewhichEdwardhaddispatchedtosuccorthehard-pressedEnglishgarrisonsinBrittany。Therewasscarceamanamongthemwhowasnotanoldsoldier，andtheirleadersweremenofnoteincouncilandinwar。
KnollesflewhisflagoftheblackravenaboardtheBasilisk。
WithhimwereNigelandhisownSquireJohnHawthorn。Ofhishundredmen，fortywereYorkshireDalesmenandfortyweremenofLincoln，allnotedarchers，witholdWatofCarlisle，agrizzledveteranofborderwarfare，toleadthem。
AlreadyAylwardbyhisskillandstrengthhadwonhiswaytoanunder-officershipamongstthem，andsharedwithLongNedWiddington，ahugeNorthCountryman，thereputationofcomingnexttofamousWatCarlisleinallthatmakesanarcher。Themen-
at-armstoowerewar-hardenedsoldiers，withBlackSimonofNorwich，thesamewhohadsailedfromWinchelsea，toleadthem。
WithhisheartfilledwithhatredfortheFrenchwhohadslainallwhoweredeartohim，hefollowedlikeabloodhoundoverlandandseatoanyspotwherehemightgluthisvengeance。Suchalsowerethemenwhosailedintheotherships，CheshiremenfromtheWelshbordersinthecogThomas，andCumberlandmen，usedtoScottishwarfare，intheGraceDieu。
SirJamesAstleyhunghisshieldofcinquefoilermineoverthequarteroftheThomas。LordThomasPercy，acadetofAlnwick，famousalreadyforthehighspiritofthathousewhichforageswasthebaruponthelandwardgateofEngland，showedhisbluelionrampantasleaderoftheGraceDieu。SuchwasthegoodlycompanySaint-Malobound，whowarpedfromCalaisHarbortoplungeintothethickreekofaChannelmist。
Aslightbreezeblewfromtheeastward，andthehighended，round-bodiedcraftrolledslowlydowntheChannel。Themistrosealittleattimes，sothattheyhadsightofeachotherdippingandrisinguponasleek，oilysea，butagainitwouldsinkdown，settlingoverthetop，shroudingthegreatyard，andfinallyfrothingoverthedeckuntileventhewateralongsidehadvanishedfromtheirviewandtheywereafloatonalittleraftinanoceanofvapor。Athincoldrainwasfalling，andthearcherswerecrowdedundertheshelteroftheoverhangingpoopandforecastle，wheresomespentthehoursatdice，someinsleep，andmanyintrimmingtheirarrowsorpolishingtheirweapons。
Atthefartherend，seatedonabarrelasathroneofhonor，withtraysandboxesoffeathersaroundhim，wasBartholomewthebowyerandFletcher，afat，bald-headedman，whosetaskitwastoseethateveryman’stacklewasasitshouldbe，andwhohadtheprivilegeofsellingsuchextrasastheymightneed。Agroupofarcherswiththeirstavesandquiversfiledbeforehimwithcomplaintsorrequests，whilehalfadozenoftheseniorsgatheredathisbackandlistenedwithgrinningfacestohiscommentsandrebukes。
“Canstnotstringit？”hewassayingtoayoungbowman。”Thensurelythestringisovershortorthestaveoverlong。Itcouldnotbychancebethefaultofthyownbabyarmsmorefittodrawonthyhosenthantodressawarbow。Thoulazylurdan，thusisitstrung！”Heseizedthestavebythecenterinhisrighthand，leanedtheendontheinsideofhisrightfoot，andthen，pullingtheuppernockdownwiththelefthand，slidtheeyeofthestringeasilyintoplace。”NowIpraytheetounstringitagain，“
handingittothebowman。
Theyouthwithaneffortdidso，buthewastooslowindisengaginghisfingers，andthestringslidingdownwithasnapfromtheuppernockcaughtandpinchedthemsorelyagainstthestave。Aroaroflaughter，liketheclapofawave，sweptdownthedeckasthelucklessbowmandancedandwrunghishand。
“Servetheewellright，thouredelessfool！”growledtheoldbowyer。”Sofineabowiswastedinsuchhands。Hownow，Samkin？
Icanteachyoulittleofyourtrade，Itrow。Hereisabowdressedasitshouldbe;butitwould，asyousay，bethebetterforawhitebandtomarkthetruenockingpointinthecenterofthisredwrappingofsilk。LeaveitandIwilltendtoitanon。
Andyou，Wat？，Afreshheadonyonderstele？，Lord，thatamanshouldcarryfourtradesunderonehat，andbebowyer，fletcher，stringerandheadmaker！，Fourmen’sworkforoldBartholomewandoneman’spay！”
“Nay，saynomoreaboutthat，“growledanoldwizenedbowman，withabrown-parchmentskinandlittlebeadyeyes。”Itisbetterinthesedaystomendabowthantobendone。YouwhoneverlookedaFrenchmaninthefaceareprickedoffforninepenceaday，andI，whohavefoughtfivestrickenfields，canearnbutfourpence。”
“Itisinmymind，JohnofTuxford，thatyouhavelookedinthefacemorepotsofmeadthanFrenchmen，“saidtheoldbowyer。”I
amswinkingfromdawntonight，whileyouareguzzlinginanalestake。Hownow，youngster？，Overbowed？，Putyourbowinthetiller。Itdrawsatsixtypounds-notapennyweighttoomuchforamanofyourinches。Laymorebodytoit，lad，anditwillcometoyou。Ifyourbowbenotstiff，howcanyouhopeforatwenty-
scoreflight。Feathers？，Aye，plentyandofthebest。Here，peacockatagroateach。Surelyadandyarcherlikeyou，TomBeverley，withgoldearringsinyourears，wouldhavenofeatheringbutpeacocks？”
“Sotheshaftflystraight，Icarenotofthefeather，“saidthebowman，atallyoungYorkshireman，countingoutpenniesonthepalmofhishornyhand。
“Graygoose-feathersarebutafarthing。Theseontheleftareahalfpenny，fortheyareofthewildgoose，andthesecondfeatherofafennygooseisworthmorethanthepinionofatameone。
Theseinthebrasstrayaredroppedfeathers，andadroppedfeatherisbetterthanapluckedone。Buyascoreofthese，lad，andcutthemsaddle-backedorswine-backed，theoneforadeadshaftandtheotherforasmoothflyer，andnomaninthecompanywillswingabetter-fletchedquiveroverhisshoulder。”
ItchancedthattheopinionofthebowyeronthisandotherpointsdifferedfromthatofLongNedofWiddington，asurlystraw-beardedYorkshireman，whohadlistenedwithasneeringfacetohiscounsel。Nowhebrokeinsuddenlyuponthebowyer’stalk。
“Youwoulddobettertosellbowsthantotrytoteachothershowtousethem，“saidhe;“forindeed，Bartholomew，thatheadofthinehasnomoresensewithinitthanithashairswithout。IfyouhaddrawnstringforasmanymonthsasIhaveyearsyouwouldknowthatastraight-cutfeatherfliessmootherthanaswine-
backed，andpityitisthattheseyoungbowmenhavenonetoteachthembetter！”
Thisattackuponhisprofessionalknowledgetouchedtheoldbowyerontheraw。Hisfatfacebecamesuffusedwithbloodandhiseyesglaredwithfuryasheturneduponthearcher。”Youseven-footbarreloflies！”hecried。”All-hallowsbemyaid，andIwillteachyoutoopenyourslabbingmouthagainstme！，Pluckforthyourswordandstandoutonyonderdeck，thatwemayseewhoisthemanofustwain。MayInevertwirlashaftovermythumbnailifIdonotputBartholomew’smarkuponyourthickhead！”
Ascoreofroughvoicesjoinedatonceinthequarrel，someupholdingthebowyerandotherstakingthepartoftheNorthCountryman。Ared-headedDalesmansnatchedupasword，butwasfelledbyablowfromthefistofhisneighbor。Instantly，withabuzzlikeaswarmofangryhornets，thebowmenwereoutonthedeck;butereablowwasstruckKnolleswasamongstthemwithgranitefaceandeyesoffire。
“Standapart，Isay！，IwillwarrantyouenoughfightingtocoolyourbloodereyouseeEnglandoncemore。Loring，Hawthorn，cutanymandownwhoraiseshishand。Haveyouaughttosay，youfox-hairedrascal？”Hethrusthisfacewithintwoinchesofthatoftheredmanwhohadfirstseizedhissword。Thefellowshrankback，cowed，fromhisfierceeyes。”Nowstintyournoise，allofyou，andstretchyourlongears。Trumpeter，blowoncemore！”
Abuglecallhadbeensoundedeveryquarterofanhoursoastokeepintouchwiththeothertwovesselswhowereinvisibleinthefog。Nowthehighclearnoterangoutoncemore，thecallofafiercesea-creaturetoitsmates，butnoanswercamebackfromthethickwallwhichpentthemin。Againandagaintheycalled，andagainandagainwithbatedbreaththeywaitedforananswer。
“WhereistheShipman？”askedKnolles。”Whatisyourname，fellow？，Doyoudarecallyourselfmaster-mariner？”
“MynameisNatDennis，fairsir，“saidthegray-beardedoldseaman。”ItisthirtyyearssincefirstIshowedmycartelandblewtrumpetforacrewatthewater-gateofSouthampton。Ifanymanmaycallhimselfmaster-mariner，itissurelyI。”
“Whereareourtwoships？”
“Nay，sir，whocansayinthisfog？”
“Fellow，itwasyourplacetoholdthemtogether。”
“IhavebuttheeyesGodgaveme，fairsir，andtheycannotseethroughacloud。”
“Haditbeenfair，I，whoamasoldier，couldhavekeptthemincompany。Sinceitwasfoul，welookedtoyou，whoarecalledamariner，todoso。Youhavenotdoneit。Youhavelosttwoofmyshipseretheventureisbegun。”
“Nay，fairsir，Iprayyoutoconsider-“
“Enoughwords！”saidKnollessternly。”Wordswillnotgivemebackmytwohundredmen。UnlessIfindthembeforeIcometoSaint-Malo，IswearbySaintWilfridofRiponthatitwillbeanevildayforyou！，Enough！，Goforthanddowhatyoumay！”
Forfivehourswithalightbreezebehindthemtheylurchedthroughtheheavyfog，thecoldrainstillmattingtheirbeardsandshiningontheirfaces。Sometimestheycouldseeacircleoftossingwaterforabowshotorsoineachdirection，andthenthewreathswouldcrawlinuponthemoncemoreandbankthemthicklyround。Theyhadlongceasedtoblowthetrumpetfortheirmissingcomrades，buthadhopeswhenclearweathercametofindthemstillinsight。Bytheshipman’sreckoningtheywerenowaboutmidwaybetweenthetwoshores。
Nigelwasleaningagainstthebulwarks，histhoughtsawayinthedingleatCosfordandoutontheheather-cladslopesofHindhead，whensomethingstruckhisear。Itwasathinclearclangofmetal，pealingouthighabovethedullmurmurofthesea，thecreakoftheboomandtheflapofthesail。Helistened，andagainitwasbornetohisear。
“Hark，mylord！”saidhetoSirRobert。”Istherenotasoundinthefog？，“
Theybothlistenedtogetherwithsidelongheads。Thenitrangclearlyforthoncemore，butthistimeinanotherdirection。Ithadbeenonthebow;nowitwasonthequarter。Againitsounded，andagain。Nowithadmovedtotheotherbow;nowbacktothequarteragain;nowitwasnear;andnowsofarthatitwasbutafainttinkleontheear。Bythistimeeverymanonboard，seamen，archersandmen-at-arms，werecrowdingthesidesofthevessel。
Allroundthemtherewerenoisesinthedarkness，andyetthewalloffoglaywetagainsttheirveryfaces。Andthenoisesweresuchaswerestrangetotheirears，alwaysthesamehighmusicalclashing。
Theoldshipmanshookhisheadandcrossedhimself。
“InthirtyyearsuponthewatersIhaveneverheardthelike，“
saidhe。”TheDeviliseverlooseinafog。WellishenamedthePrinceofDarkness。”
Awaveofpanicpassedoverthevessel，andtheseroughandhardymenwhofearednomortalfoeshookwithterrorattheshadowsoftheirownminds。Theystaredintothecloudwithblanchedfacesandfixedeyes，asthougheachinstantsomefearsomeshapemightbreakinuponthem。Andastheystaredtherecameagustofwind。
Foramomentthefog-bankroseandacircleofoceanlaybeforethem。
Itwascoveredwithvessels。Onallsidestheylaythickuponitssurface。Theywerehugecaracks，high-endedandportly，withredsidesandbulwarkscarvedandcrustedwithgold。EachhadonegreatsailsetandwasdrivingdownchannelonthesamecourseattheBasilisk。Theirdeckswerethickwithmen，andfromtheirhighpoopscametheweirdclashingwhichfilledtheair。Foronemomenttheylaythere，thiswondrousfleet，surgingslowlyforward，framedingrayvapor。Thenextthecloudsclosedinandtheyhadvanishedfromview。Therewasalonghush，andthenabuzzofexcitedvoices。
“TheSpaniards！”criedadozenbowmenandsailors。
“Ishouldhaveknownit，“saidtheshipman。”IcalltomindontheBiscayCoasthowtheywouldclashtheircymbalsafterthefashionoftheheathenMoorwithwhomtheyfight;butwhatwouldyouhavemedo，fairsir？，Ifthefogriseswearealldeadmen。”
“Therewerethirtyshipsattheleast，“saidKnolles，withamoodybrow。”IfwehaveseenthemItrowthattheyhavealsoseenus。
Theywilllayusaboard。”
“Nay，fairsir，itisinmymindthatour，shipislighterandfasterthantheirs。Ifthefogholdanotherhourweshouldbethroughthem。”
“Standtoyourarms！”yelledKnolles。”Standtoyourarms-！
Theyareonus！”
TheBasiliskhadindeedbeenspiedfromtheSpanishAdmiral’sshipbeforethefogcloseddown。Withsolightabreeze，andsuchafog，hecouldnothopetofindherundersail。ButbyanevilchancenotabowshotfromthegreatSpanishcarackwasalowgalley，thinandswift，withoarswhichcouldspeedheragainstwindortide。ShealsohadseentheBasiliskanditwastoherthattheSpanishleadershoutedhisorders。Forafewminutesshehuntedthroughthefog，andthensprangoutofitlikealeanandstealthybeastuponitsprey。ItwasthesightofthelongdarkshadowglidingafterthemwhichhadbroughtthatwildshoutofalarmfromthelipsoftheEnglishknight。Inanotherinstantthestarboardoarsofthegalleyhadbeenshipped，thesidesofthetwovesselsgratedtogether，andastreamofswarthy，red-cappedSpaniardswereswarmingupthesidesoftheBasiliskanddroppedwithyellsoftriumphuponherdeck。
Foramomentitseemedasifthevesselwascapturedwithoutablowbeingstruck，forthemenoftheEnglishshiphadrunwildlyinalldirectionstolookfortheirarms。Scoresofarchersmightbeseenundertheshadowoftheforecastleandthepoopbendingtheirbowstavestostringthemwiththecordsfromtheirwaterproofcases。Otherswerescramblingoversaddles，barrelsandcasesinwildsearchoftheirquivers。Eachashecameuponhisarrowspulledoutafewtolendtohislessfortunatecomrades。Inmadhastethemen-at-armsalsowerefeelingandgraspinginthedarkcorners，pickingupsteelcapswhichwouldnotfitthem，hurlingthemdownonthedeck，andsnatchingeagerlyatanyswordsorspearsthatcametheirway。
ThecenteroftheshipwasheldbytheSpaniards;andhavingslainallwhostoodbeforethem，theywerepressinguptoeitherendbeforetheyweremadetounderstandthatitwasnofatsheepbutamostfierceoldwolfwhichtheyhadtakenbytheears。
Ifthelessonwaslate，itwasthemorethorough。Attackedonbothsidesandhopelesslyoutnumbered，theSpaniards，whohadneverdoubtedthatthislittlecraftwasamerchant-ship，werecutofftothelastman。Itwasnofight，butabutchery。Invainthesurvivorsranscreamingprayerstothesaintsandthrewthemselvesdownintothegalleyalongside。ItalsohadbeenriddledwitharrowsfromthepoopoftheBasilisk，andboththecrewonthedeckandthegalley-slavesintheoutriggersateithersidelaydeadinrowsundertheoverwhelmingshowerfromabove。
>Fromstemtoruddereveryfootofherwasfurredwitharrows。Itwasbutafloatingcoffinpiledwithdeadanddyingmen，whichwallowedinthewavesbehindthemastheBasilisklurchedonwardandleftherinthefog。
IntheirfirstrushontotheBasilisk，theSpaniardshadseizedsixofthecrewandfourunarmedarchers。Theirthroatshadbeencutandtheirbodiestossedoverboard。NowtheSpaniardswholitteredthedeck，woundedanddead，werethrustoverthesideinthesamefashion。Onerandownintotheholdandhadtobehuntedandkilledsquealingundertheblowslikearatinthedarkness。
Withinhalfanhournosignwasleftofthisgrimmeetinginthefogsaveforthecrimsonsplashesuponbulwarksanddeck。Thearchers，flushedandmerry，wereunstringingtheirbowsoncemore，forinspiteofthewatergluethedampairtookthestrengthfromthecords。Somewerehuntingaboutforarrowswhichmighthavestuckinboard，andsometyingupsmallinjuriesreceivedinthescuffle。ButananxiousshadowstilllingereduponthefaceofSirRobert，andhepeeredfixedlyabouthimthroughthefog。
“Goamongthearchers，Hawthorne，“saidhetohisSquire。”Chargethemontheirlivestomakenosound！，Youalso，Loring。Gototheafterguardandsaythesametothem。Wearelostifoneofthesegreatshipsshouldspyus。”
Foranhourwithbatedbreaththeystolethroughthefleet，stillhearingthecymbalsclashingallroundthem，forinthiswaytheSpaniardsheldthemselvestogether。Oncethewildmusiccamefromabovetheirveryprow，andsowarnedthemtochangetheircourse。
Oncealsoahugevesselloomedforaninstantupontheirquarter，buttheyturnedtwopointsawayfromher，andsheblurredandvanished。Soonthecymbalswerebutadistanttinkling，andatlasttheydiedgraduallyaway。
“Itisnonetoosoon，“saidtheoldshipman，pointingtoayellowishtintinthehazeabovethem。”Seeyonder！，Itisthesunwhichwinsthrough。Itwillbehereanon。Ah！，saidInotso？”
Asicklysun，nolargerandfardimmerthanthemoon，hadindeedshownitsface，withcloud-wreathssmokingacrossit。Astheylookedupitwaxedlargerandbrighterbeforetheireyes-ayellowhalospreadroundit，oneraybrokethrough，andthenafunnelofgoldenlightpoureddownuponthem，wideningswiftlyatthebase。Aminutelatertheyweresailingonaclearblueseawithanazurecloud-fleckedskyabovetheirheads，andsuchascenebeneathitaseachofthemwouldcarryinhismemorywhilememoryremained。
Theywereinmid-channel。ThewhiteandgreencoastsofPicardyandofKentlayclearuponeithersideofthem。Thewidechannelstretchedinfront，deepeningfromthelightbluebeneaththeirprowtopurpleonthefarsky-line。Behindthemwasthatthickbankofcloudfromwhichtheyhadjustburst。Itlaylikeagraywallfromeasttowest，andthroughitwerebreakingthehighshadowyformsoftheshipsofSpain。Fourofthemhadalreadyemerged，theirredbodies，gildedsidesandpaintedsailsshininggloriouslyintheeveningsun。Everyinstantafreshgoldenspotgrewoutofthefog，whichblazedlikeastarforaninstant，andthensurgedforwardtoshowitselfasthebrazenbeakofthegreatredvesselwhichboreit。Lookingback，thewholebankofcloudwasbrokenbythewidespreadlineofnobleshipswhichwereburstingthroughit。TheBasilisklayamileormoreinfrontofthemandtwomilesclearoftheirwing。Fivemilesfartheroff，inthedirectionoftheFrenchcoast，twoothersmallshipswererunningdownChannel。AcryofjoyfromRobertKnollesandaheartyprayerofgratitudetothesaintsfromtheoldshipmanhailedthemastheirmissingcomrades，thecogThomasandtheGraceDieu。
Butfairaswastheviewoftheirlostfriends，andwondroustheappearanceoftheSpanishships，itwasnotonthosethattheeyesofthemenoftheBasiliskwerechieflybent。Agreatersightlaybeforethem-asightwhichbroughtthemclusteringtotheforecastlewitheagereyesandpointingfingers。TheEnglishfleetwascomingforthfromtheWinchelseaCoast。AlreadybeforethefogliftedafastgalleasshadbroughtthenewsdownChannelthattheSpanishwereonthesea，andtheKing’sfleetwasunderway。Nowtheirlongarrayofsails，gaywiththecoatsandcolorsofthetownswhichhadfurnishedthem，laybrightagainsttheKentishcoastfromDungenessPointtoRye。NineandtwentyshipsweretherefromSouthampton，Shoreham，Winchelsea，Hastings，Rye，Hythe，Romney，Folkestone，Deal，DoverandSandwich。Withtheirgreatsailssluedroundtocatchthewindtheyranout，whilsttheSpanish，likethegallantfoesthattheyhaveeverbeen，turnedtheirheadslandwardtomeetthem。Withflauntingbannersandpaintedsails，blaringtrumpetsandclashingcymbals，thetwoglitteringfleets，dippingandrisingonthelongChannelswell，drewslowlytogether。
KingEdwardhadbeenlyingalldayinhisgreatshipthePhilippa，amileoutfromtheCamberSands，waitingforthecomingoftheSpaniards。AbovethehugesailwhichboretheroyalarmsflewtheredcrossofEngland。Alongthebulwarkswereshowntheshieldsoffortyknights，theflowerofEnglishchivalry，andasmanypennonsfloatedfromthedeck。Thehighendsoftheshipglitteredwiththeweaponsofthemen-at-arms，andthewaistwascrammedwiththearchers。Fromtimetotimeacrashofnakersandblareoftrumpetsburstfromtheroyalship，andwasansweredbyhergreatneighbors，theLiononwhichtheBlackPrinceflewhisflag，theChristopherwiththeEarlofSuffolk，theSalleduRoiofRobertofNamur，andtheGraceMarieofSirThomasHolland。
FartherofflaytheWhiteSwan，bearingthearmsofMowbray，thePalmerofDeal，flyingtheBlackHeadofAudley，andtheKentishmanundertheLordBeauchamp。Therestlay，anchoredbutready，atthemouthofWinchelseaCreek。
TheKingsatuponakegintheforepartofhisship，withlittleJohnofRichmond，whowasnomorethanaschoolboy，percheduponhisknee。Edwardwascladintheblackvelvetjacketwhichwashisfavoritegarb，andworeasmallbrown-beaverhatwithawhiteplumeattheside。Arichcloakoffurturnedupwithminiverdroopedfromhisshoulders。Behindhimwereascoreofhisknights，brilliantinsilksandsarcenets，someseatedonanupturnedboatandsomeswingingtheirlegsfromthebulwark。
InfrontstoodJohnChandosinaparty-coloredjupon，onefootraisedupontheanchor-stock，pickingatthestringsofhisguitarandsingingasongwhichhehadlearnedatMarienburgwhenlasthehelpedtheTeutonicknightsagainsttheheathen。TheKing，hisknights，andeventhearchersinthewaistbelowthem，laughedatthemerryliltandjoinedlustilyinthechorus，whilethemenoftheneighboringshipsleanedoverthesidetohearkentothedeepchantrollingoverthewaters。
Buttherecameasuddeninterruptiontothesong。Asharp，harshshoutcamedownfromthelookoutstationedinthecirculartopattheendofthemast。”Ispyasail-twosails！”hecried。
JohnBuncetheKing’sshipmanshadedhiseyesandstaredatthelongfog-bankwhichshroudedthenorthernchannel。Chandos，withhisfingersoverthestringsofhisguitar，theKing，theknights，allgazedinthesamedirection。Twosmalldarkshapeshadburstforth，andthenaftersomeminutesathird。
“SurelytheyaretheSpaniards？”saidtheKing。
“Nay，sire，“theseamananswered，“theSpaniardsaregreatershipsandarepaintedred。Iknownotwhatthesemaybe。”
“ButIcouldhazardaguess！”criedChandos。”SurelytheyarethethreeshipswithmyownmenontheirwaytoBrittany。”
“Youhavehitit，John，“saidtheKing。”Butlook，Iprayyou！
WhatinthenameoftheVirginisthat？”
Fourbrilliantstarsofflashinglighthadshoneoutfromdifferentpointsofthecloud-bank。Theneatinstantasmanytallshipshadswoopedforthintothesunshine。AfierceshoutrangfromtheKing’sship，andwastakenupalldowntheline，untilthewholecoastfromDungenesstoWinchelseaechoedthewarlikegreeting。TheKingsprangupwithajoyousface。
“Thegameisafoot，myfriends！”saidhe。”Dress，John！，Dress，Walter！，Quickallofyou！，Squires，bringtheharness！，Leteachtendtohimself，forthetimeisshort。”
Astrangesightitwastoseethesefortynoblestearingofftheirclothesandlitteringthedeckwithvelvetsandsatins，whilstthesquireofeach，asbusyasanostlerbeforearace，stoopedandpulledandstrainedandriveted，fasteningthebassinets，thelegpieces，thefrontandthebackplates，untilthesilkencourtierhadbecomethemanofsteel。Whentheirworkwasfinished，therestoodasterngroupofwarriorswherethelightdandieshadsungandjestedroundSirJohn’sguitar。Belowinorderlysilencethearchersweremusteringundertheirofficersandtakingtheirallottedstations。Adozenhadswarmeduptotheirhazardouspostinthelittletowerinthetops。
“Bringwine，Nicholas！”criedtheKing。”Gentlemen，ereyoucloseyourvisorsIprayyoutotakealastrousewithme。Youwillbedryenough，Ipromiseyou，beforeyourlipsarefreeoncemore。
Towhatshallwedrink，John？”
“TothemenofSpain，“saidChandos，hissharpfacepeeringlikeagauntbirdthroughthegapinhishelmet。”Maytheirheartsbestoutandtheirspiritshighthisday！”
“Wellsaid，John！”criedtheKing，andtheknightslaughedjoyouslyastheydrank。”Now，fairsirs，leteachtohispost！，I
amwardenhereontheforecastle。Doyou，John，takechargeoftheafterguard。Walter，James，William，Fitzallan，Goldesborough，Reginald-youwillstaywithme！，John，youmaypickwhomyouwillandtheotherswillbidewiththearchers。Nowbearstraightatthecenter，master-shipman。Ereyondersunsetswewillbringaredshipbackasagifttoourladies，orneverlookuponalady’sfaceagain。”
Theartofsailingintoawindhadnotyetbeeninvented，norwasthereanyfore-and-aftcanvas，saveforsmallheadsailswithwhichavesselcouldbeturned。HencetheEnglishfleethadtotakealongslantdownchanneltomeettheirenemies;butastheSpaniardscomingbeforethewindwereequallyanxioustoengagetherewasthelessdelay。Withstatelypompanddignity，thetwogreatfleetsapproached。
Itchancedthatonefinecarackhadoutstrippeditsconsortsandcamesweepingalong，allredandgold，withafringeoftwinklingsteel，agoodhalf-milebeforethefleet。Edwardlookedatherwithakindlingeye，forindeedshewasanoblesightwiththebluewatercreamingunderhergildedprow。
“Thisisamostworthyanddebonairvessel，MasterBunce，“saidhetotheshipmanbesidehim。”Iwouldfainhaveatiltwithher。I
prayyoutoholdusstraightthatwemaybearherdown。”
“IfIholdherstraight，thenoneorothermustsink，anditmaybeboth，“theseamananswered。
“IdoubtnotthatwiththehelpofourLadyweshalldoourpart，“
saidtheKing。”Holdherstraight，master-shipman，asIhavetoldyou。”
Nowthetwovesselswerewithinarrowflight，andtheboltsfromthecrossbowmenpatteredupontheEnglishship。Theseshortthickdevil’sdartswereeverywherehumminglikegreatwaspsthroughtheair，crashingagainstthebulwarks，beatinguponthedeck，ringingloudly。onthearmoroftheknights，orwithasoftmuffledthudsinkingtothesocketinavictim。
ThebowmenalongeithersideofthePhilippahadstoodmotionlesswaitingfortheirorders，butnowtherewasasharpshoutfromtheirleader，andeverystringtwangedtogether。Theairwasfulloftheirharping，togetherwiththeswishofthearrows，thelong-drawnkeeningofthebowmenandtheshortdeepbarkoftheunder-officers。”Steady，steady！，Loosesteady！，Shootwhollytogether！，Twelvescorepaces！，Tenscore！，Noweight！，Shootwhollytogether！”Theirgruffshoutsbrokethroughthehighshrillcrylikethedeeproarofawavethroughthehowlofthewind。
AsthetwogreatshipshurtledtogethertheSpaniardturnedawayafewpointssothattheblowshouldbeaglancingone。Nonethelessitwasterrific。AdozenmeninthetopsofthecarackwerebalancingahugestonewiththeintentionofdroppingitoverontheEnglishdeck。Withascreamofhorrortheysawthemastcrackingbeneaththem。Overitwent，slowlyatfirst，thenfaster，untilwithacrashitcamedownonitsside，sendingthemflyinglikestonesfromaslingfaroutintothesea。Aswathofcrushedbodieslayacrossthedeckwherethemasthadfallen。ButtheEnglishshiphadnotescapedunscathed。Hermastheld，itistrue，butthemightyshocknotonlystretchedeverymanflatuponthedeck，buthadshakenascoreofthosewholinedhersidesintothesea。Onebowmanwashurledfromthetop，andhisbodyfellwithadreadfulcrashattheverysideoftheprostrateKingupontheforecastle。Manywerethrowndownwithbrokenarmsandlegsfromthehighcastlesateitherendintothewaistoftheship。
Worstofall，theseamshadbeenopenedbythecrashandthewaterwasgushinginatadozenplaces。
Buttheseweremenofexperienceandofdiscipline，menwhohadalreadyfoughttogetherbyseaandbyland，sothateachknewhisplaceandhisduty。Thosewhocouldstaggeredtotheirfeetandhelpedupascoreormoreofknightswhowererollingandclashinginthescuppersunabletorisefortheweightoftheirarmor。Thebowmenformedupasbefore。Theseamenrantothegapingseamswithoakumandwithtar。IntenminutesorderhadbeenrestoredandthePhilippa，thoughshakenandweakened，wasreadyforbattleoncemore。TheKingwasglaringroundhimlikeawoundedboar。
“Grapplemyshipwiththat，“hecried，pointingtothecrippledSpaniard，“forIwouldhavepossessionofher！”
Butalreadythebreezehadcarriedthempastit，andadozenSpanishshipswerebearingdownfulluponthem。
“Wecannotwinbacktoher，lestweshowourflanktotheseothers，“saidtheshipman。
“Lethergo，herway！”criedtheknights。”Youshallhavebetterthanher。”
“BySaintGeorge！youspeakthetruth，“saidtheKing，forsheisourswhenwehavetimetotakeher。Thesealsoseemveryworthyshipswhicharedrawinguptous，andIprayyou，master-shipman，thatyouwillhaveatiltwiththenearest。”
Agreatcarackwaswithinabowshotofthemandcrossingtheirbows。Buncelookedupathismast，andhesawthatalreadyitwasshakenanddrooping。Anotherblowanditwouldbeoverthesideandhisshipahelplessloguponthewater。Hejammedhishelmroundtherefore，andranhisshipalongsidetheSpaniard，throwingouthishooksandironchainsashedidso。
They，nolesseager，grappledthePhilippabothforeandaft，andthetwovessels，linkedtightlytogether，surgedslowlyoverthelongbluerollers。Overtheirbulwarkshungacloudofmenlockedtogetherinadesperatestruggle，sometimessurgingforwardontothedeckoftheSpaniard，sometimesrecoilingbackontotheKing’sship，reelingthiswayandthat，withtheswordsflickeringlikesilverflamesabovethem，whilethelong-drawncryofrageandagonyswelleduplikeawolf’showltothecalmblueheavenabovethem。
ButnowshipaftershipoftheEnglishhadcomeup，eachthrowingitsironoverthenearestSpaniardandstrivingtoboardherhighredsides。TwentyshipsweredriftinginfurioussinglecombatafterthemannerofthePhilippa，untilthewholesurfaceoftheseawascoveredwithasuccessionofthesedesperateduels。Thedismastedcarack，whichtheKing’sshiphadleftbehindit，hadbeencarriedbytheEarlofSuffolk’sChristopher，andthewaterwasdottedwiththeheadsofhercrew。AnEnglishshiphadbeensunkbyahugestonedischargedfromanengine，andhermenalsowerestrugglinginthewaves，nonehavingleisuretolendthemahand。AsecondEnglishshipwascaughtbetweentwooftheSpanishvesselsandoverwhelmedbyarushofboarderssothatnotamanofherwasleftalive。Ontheotherhand，MowbrayandAudleyhadeachtakenthecarackswhichwereopposedtothem，andthebattleinthecenter，afterswayingthiswayandthat，wasturningnowinfavoroftheIslanders。
TheBlackPrince，withtheLion，theGraceMarieandfourothershipshadsweptroundtoturntheSpanishflank;butthemovementwasseen，andtheSpaniardshadtenshipswithwhichtomeetit，oneofthemtheirgreatcaracktheSt。IagodiCompostella。TothisshipthePrincehadattachedhislittlecogandstrovedesperatelytoboardher，buthersidewassohighandthedefensesodesperatethathismencouldnevergetbeyondherbulwarksbutwerehurleddownagainandagainwithaclangandclashtothedeckbeneath。Hersidebristledwithcrossbowmen，whoshotstraightdownontothepackedwaistoftheLion，sothatthedeadlaythereinheaps。Butthemostdangerousofallwasaswarthyblack-beardedgiantinthetops，whocrouchedsothatnonecouldseehim，butrising-everynowandthenwithahugelumpofironbetweenhishands，hurleditdownwithsuchforcethatnothingwouldstopit。Againandagaintheseponderousboltscrashedthroughthedeckandhurtleddownintothebottomoftheship，startingtheplanksandshatteringallthatcameintheirway。
ThePrince，cladinthatdarkarmorwhichgavehimhisname，wasdirectingtheattackfromthepoopwhentheshipmanrushedwildlyuptohimwithfearonhisface。
“Sire！”hecried。”Theshipmaynotstandagainsttheseblows。A
fewmorewillsinkher！，Alreadythewaterfloodsinboard。”
ThePrincelookedup，andashedidsotheshaggybeardshowedoncemoreandtwobrawnyarmssweptdownward。Agreatslug，whizzingdown，beatagapingholeinthedeck，andfellrendingandrivingintotheholdbelow。Themaster-marinertorehisgrizzledhair。
“Anotherleak！”hecried。”IpraytoSaintLeonardtobearusupthisday！，Twentyofmyshipmenarebailingwithbuckets，butthewaterrisesonthemfast。Thevesselmaynotfloatanotherhour。”
ThePrincehadsnatchedacrossbowfromoneofhisattendantsandleveleditattheSpaniard’stops。Attheveryinstantwhentheseamanstooderectwithafreshbarinhishands，thebolttookhimfullintheface，andhisbodyfellforwardovertheparapet，hangingthereheaddownward。AhowlofexultationburstfromtheEnglishatthesight，answeredbyawildroarofangerfromtheSpaniards。AseamanhadrunfromtheLion’sholdandwhisperedintheearoftheshipman。HeturnedanashenfaceuponthePrince。
“ItisevenasIsay，sire。Theshipissinkingbeneathourfeet！”hecried。
“Themoreneedthatweshouldgainanother，“saidhe。”SirHenryStokes，SirThomasStourton，William，JohnofClifton，here。liesourroad！，Advancemybanner，ThomasdeMohun！，On，andthedayisours！”
Byadesperatescrambleadozenmen，thePrinceattheirbead，gainedafootingontheedgeoftheSpaniard’sdeck。Someslashedfuriouslytoclearaspace，othershungover，clutchingtherailwithonehandandpullinguptheircomradesfrombelow。Everyinstantthattheycouldholdtheirowntheirstrengthincreased，tilltwentyhadbecomethirtyandthirtyforty，whenofasuddenthenewcomers，stillreachingforthtotheircomradesbelow，sawthedeckbeneaththemreelandvanishinaswirlingsheetoffoam。
ThePrince’sshiphadfoundered。
AyellwentupfromtheSpaniardsastheyturnedfuriouslyuponthesmallbandwhohadreachedtheirdeck。AlreadythePrinceandhismenhadcarriedthepoop，andfromthathighstationtheybeatbacktheirswarmingenemies。Butcrossbowdartspeltedandthuddedamongtheirrankstillathirdoftheirnumberwerestretchedupontheplanks。Linedacrossthedecktheycouldhardlykeepanunbrokenfronttotheleaping，surgingcrowdwhopresseduponthem。Anotherrush，oranotherafterthat，mustassuredlybreakthem，forthesedarkmenofSpain，hardenedbyanendlessstrugglewiththeMoors，werefierceandstubbornfighters。Butharktothissuddenroaruponthefarthersideofthem，“SaintGeorge！，SaintGeorge！，AKnollestotherescue！”AsmallcrafthadrunalongsideandsixtymenhadswarmedonthedeckoftheSt。Iago。Caughtbetweentwofires，theSpaniardswaveredandbroke。Thefightbecameamassacre。DownfromthepoopsprangthePrince’smen。Upfromthewaistrushedthenew-corners。
Therewerefivedreadfulminutesofblowsandscreamsandprayerswithstrugglingfiguresclingingtothebulwarksandsullensplashesintothewaterbelow。Thenitwasover，andacrowdofweary，overstrainedmenleanedpantingupontheirweapons，orlaybreathlessandexhausteduponthedeckofthecapturedcarack。
ThePrincehadpulleduphisvisorandloweredhisbeaver。Hesmiledproudlyashegazedaroundhimandwipedhisstreamingface。”Whereistheshipman？，heasked。”Lethimleadusagainstanothership。”
“Nay，sire，theshipmanandallhismenhavestinkintheLion，“
saidThomasdeMohun，ayoungknightoftheWestCountry，whocarriedthestandard。”Wehavelostourshipandthehalfofourfollowing。Ifearthatwecanfightnomore。”
“Itmattersthelesssincethedayisalreadyours，“saidthePrince，lookingoverthesea。”Mynoblefather’sroyalbannerfliesuponyonderSpaniard。Mowbray，Audley，Suffolk，Beauchamp，Namur，Tracey，Stafford，Arundel，eachhashisflagoverascarletcarack，evenasminefloatsoverthis。See，yondersquadronisalreadyfarbeyondourreach。Butsurelyweowethankstoyouwhocameatsoperilousamomenttoouraid。YourfaceIhaveseen，andyourcoat-armoralso，youngsir，thoughIcannotlaymytonguetoyourname。LetmeknowthatImaythankyou。”
HehadturnedtoNigel，whostoodflushedandjoyousattheheadoftheboardersfromtheBasilisk。
“IambutaSquire，sire，andcanclaimnothanks，forthereisnothingthatIhavedone。Hereisourleader。”
ThePrince’seyesfellupontheshieldchargedwiththeBlackRavenandthesternyoungfaceofhimwhoboreit。”SirRobertKnolles，“saidhe，“IhadthoughtyouwereonyourwaytoBrittany。”
“Iwasso，sire，whenIhadthefortunetoseethisbattleasI
passed。”
ThePrincelaughed。”Itwouldindeedbetoasktoomuch，Robert，thatyoushouldkeeponyourcoursewhenmuchhonorwastobegatheredsoclosetoyou。ButnowIprayyouthatyouwillcomebackwithustoWinchelsea，forwellIknowthatmyfatherwouldfainthankyouforwhatyouhavedonethisday。”
ButRobertKnollesshookhishead。”Ihaveyourfather’scommand，sire，andwithouthisorderImaynotgoagainstit。Ourpeoplearehard-pressedinBrittany，anditisnotformetolingerontheway。Iprayyou，sire，ifyoumustneedsmentionmetotheKing，tocravehispardonthatIshouldhavebrokenmyjourneythus。”
“Youareright，Robert。God-speedyouonyourway！，AndIwouldthatIweresailingunderyourbanner，forIseeclearlythatyouwilltakeyourpeoplewheretheymayworshipfullywinworship。
PerchanceIalsomaybeinBrittanybeforetheyearispast。”
ThePrinceturnedtothetaskofgatheringhiswearypeopletogether，andtheBasiliskspassedoverthesideoncemoreanddroppeddownontotheirownlittleship。TheypoledherofffromthecapturedSpaniardandsettheirsailwiththeirprowforthesouth。Faraheadofthemweretheirtwoconsorts，beatingtowardstheminthehopeofgivinghelp，whiledownChannelwereascoreofSpanishshipswithafewoftheEnglishvesselshangingupontheirskirts。Thesunlaylowonthewater，anditslevelbeamsgloweduponthescarletandgoldoffourteengreatcaracks，eachflyingthecrossofSaintGeorge，andtoweringhighabovetheclusterofEnglishshipswhich，withbravewavingofflagsandblaringofmusic，weremovingslowlytowardstheKentishcoast。
XVIII。HOWBLACKSIMONCLAIMEDFORFEITFROMTHEKINGOFSARK
Foradayandahalfthesmallfleetmadegoodprogress，butonthesecondmorning，aftersightingCapedelaHague，therecameabrisklandwindwhichblewthemouttosea。Itgrewintoasquallwithrainandfogsothattheyweretwomoredaysbeatingback。
Nextmorningtheyfoundthemselvesinadangerousrockstuddedseawithasmallislandupontheirstarboardquarter。Itwasgirdledwithhighgranitecliffsofareddishhue，andslopesofbrightgreengrasslandlayabovethem。Asecondsmallerislandlaybesideit。Dennistheshipmanshookhisheadashelooked。
“ThatisBrechou，“saidhe，“andthelargeroneistheIslandofSark。IfeverIbecastaway，IpraythesaintsthatImaynotbeuponyondercoast！”
Knollesgazedacrossatit。”Yousaywell，master-shipman，“saidhe。”Itdoesappeartobearockyandperilousspot。”
“Nay，itistherockyheartsofthosewhodwelluponitthatIhadinmymind，“theoldsailoranswered。”Wearewellsafeinthreegoodlyvessels，buthadwebeenhereinasmallcraftImakenodoubtthattheywouldhavealreadyhadtheirboatsoutagainstus。”
“Whothenarethesepeople，andhowdotheyliveuponsosmallandwindsweptanisland？”askedthesoldier。
“Theydonotlivefromtheisland，fairsir，butfromwhattheycangatherupontheseaaroundit。Theyarebrokenfolkfromallcountries，justice-fliers，prison-breakers，reavers，escapedbondsmen，murderersandstaff-strikerswhohavemadetheirwaytothisoutlandplaceandholditagainstallcomers。Thereisoneherewhocouldtellyouofthemandoftheirways，forhewaslongtimeprisoneramongstthem。”，TheseamanpointedtoBlackSimon，thedarkmanfromNorwich，whowasleaningagainstthesidelostinmoodythoughtandstaringwithabroodingeyeatthedistantshore。
“Hownow，fellow？”askedKnolles。”WhatisthisIhear？，Isitindeedsooththatyouhavebeenacaptiveuponthisisland？”
“Itistrue，fairsir。ForeightmonthsIhavebeenservanttothemanwhomtheycalltheirKing。HisnameisLaMuette，andhecomesfromJerseynoristhereunderGod’sskyamanwhomIhavemoredesiretosee。”
“Hashethenmishandledyou？”
BlackSimongaveawrysmileandpulledoffhisjerkin。Hisleansinewybackwaswaledandpuckeredwithwhitescars。”Hehaslefthissignofhanduponme，“saidhe。”Hesworethathewouldbreakmetohiswill，andthushetriedtodoit。ButmostIdesiretoseehimbecausehehathlostawagertomeandIwouldfainbepaid。”
“Thisisastrangesaying，“saidKnolles。”Whatisthiswager，andwhyshouldhepayyou？”
“Itisbutasmallmatter，“Simonanswered;“butIamapoormanandthepaymentwouldbewelcome。ShouldithavechancedthatwestoppedatthisislandIshouldhavecravedyourleavethatIgoashoreandaskforthatwhichIhavefairlywon。”
SirRobertKnolleslaughed。”Thisbusinessticklethmyfancy，“
saidhe。”Astostoppingattheisland，thisshipmantellsmethatwemustneedswaitadayandanight，forthatwehavestrainedourplanks。Butifyoushouldgoashore，howwillyoubesurethatyouwillbefreetodepart，orthatyouwillseethisKingofwhomyouspeak？”
BlackSimon’sdarkfacewasshiningwithafiercejoy。”Fairsir，Iwilleverbeyourdebtorifyouwillletmego。Concerningwhatyouask，IknowthisislandevenasIknowthestreetsofNorwich，asyoumaywellbelieveseeingthatitisbutasmallplaceandI
uponitfornearayear。ShouldIlandafterdark，IcouldwinmywaytotheKing’shouse，andifhebenotdeadordistraughtwithdrinkIcouldhavespeechwithhimalone，forIknowhiswaysandhishoursandhowhemaybefound。IwouldaskonlythatAylwardthearchermaygowithme，thatImayhaveonefriendatmysideifthingsshouldchancetogoawry。”
Knollesthoughtawhile。”Itismuchthatyouask，“saidhe，“forbyGod’struthIreckonthatyouandthisfriendofyoursaretwoofmymenwhomIwouldbeleastreadytolose。IhaveseenyoubothatgripswiththeSpaniardsandIknowyou。ButItrustyou，andifwemustindeedstopatthisaccursedplace，thenyoumaydoasyouwill。Ifyouhavedeceivedme，orifthisisatrickbywhichyoudesigntoleaveme，thenGodbeyourfriendwhennextwemeet，formanwillbeofsmallavail！”
ItprovedthatnotonlytheseamshadtobecalkedbutthatthecogThomaswasoutoffreshwater。TheshipsmooredthereforeneartheIsleofBrechou，wherespringsweretobefound。Therewerenopeopleuponthislittlepatch，butoveronthefartherislandmanyfigurescouldbeseenwatchingthem，andthetwinkleofsteelfromamongthemshowedthattheywerearmedmen。Oneboathadventuredforthandtakenagoodlookatthem，buthadhurriedbackwiththewarningthattheyweretoostrongtobetouched。
BlackSimonfoundAylwardseatedunderthepoopwithhisback，againstBartholomewthebowyer。Hewaswhistlingmerrilyashecarvedagirl’sfaceuponthehornofhisbow。
“Myfriend，“saidSimon，“willyoucomeashoreto-night-forI
haveneedofyourhelp？”
Aylwardcrowedlustily。”WillIcome，Simon？，Bymyhilt，Ishallberightgladtoputmyfootonthegoodbrownearthoncemore。
AllmylifeIhavetrodit，andyetIwouldneverhavelearneditsworthhadInotjourneyedinthesecursedships。Wewillgoonshoretogether，Simon，andwewillseekoutthewomen，iftherebeanythere，foritseemsalongyearsinceIheardtheirgentlevoices，andmyeyesarewearyofsuchfacesasBartholomew’sorthine。”
Simon’sgrimfeaturesrelaxedintoasmile。”Theonlyfacethatyouwillseeashore，Samkin，willbringyousmallcomfort，“saidhe，“andIwarnyouthatthisisnoeasyerrand，butonewhichmaybeneithersweetnorfair，forifthesepeopletakeusourendwillbeacruelone。”
“Bymyhilt，“saidAylward，“Iamwithyou，gossip，whereveryoumaygo！，Saynomore，therefore，forIamwearyoflivinglikeaconyinahole，andIshallberightgladtostandbyyouinyourventure。”
Thatnight，twohoursafterdark，asmallboatputforthfromtheBasilisk。ItcontainedSimon，Aylwardandtwoseamen。Thesoldierscarriedtheirswords，andBlackSimonboreabrownbiscuit-bagoverhisshoulder。Underhisdirectiontherowersskirtedthedangeroussurfwhichbeatagainstthecliffsuntiltheycametoaspotwhereanoutlyingreefformedabreakwater。
Withinwasabeltofcalmwaterandashallowcoverwithaslopingbeach。Heretheboatwasdraggedupandtheseamenwereorderedtowait，whileSimonandAylwardstartedontheirerrand。
Withtheassuredairofamanwhoknowsexactlywhereheisandwhitherheisgoing，theman-at-armsbegantoclamberupanarrowfern-linedcleftamongtherocks。Itwasnoeasyascentinthedarkness，butSimonclimbedonlikeanolddoghotuponascent，andthepantingAylwardstruggledafterasbesthemight。Atlasttheywereatthesummitandthearcherthrewhimselfdownuponthegrass。
“Nay，Simon，Ihavenotenoughbreathtoblowoutacandle，“saidhe。”Stintyourhasteforaminute，sincewehavealongnightbeforeus。Surelythismanisafriendindeed，ifyouhastensotoseehim。”
“Suchafriend，“Simonanswered，“thatIhaveoftendreamedofournextmeeting。Nowbeforethatmoonhassetitwillhavecome。”
“HaditbeenawenchIcouldhaveunderstoodit，“saidAylward。
“Bythesetenfinger-bones，ifMaryofthemillorlittleKateofComptonhadwaitedmeonthebrowofthiscliff，Ishouldhavecomeupitandneverknownitwasthere。ButsurelyIseehousesandhearvoicesoveryonderintheshadow？”
“Itistheirtown，“whisperedSimon。”Thereareahundredasbloody-mindedcutthroatsasaretobefoundinChristendombeneaththoseroofs。Harktothat！”
Afierceburstoflaughtercameoutofthedarkness，followedbyalongcryofpain。
“All-hallowsbewithus！”criedAylward。”Whatisthat？”
“Aslikeasnotsomepoordevilhasfallenintotheirclutches，evenasIdid。Comethisway，Samkin，forthereisapeat-cuttingwherewemayhide。Aye，hereitis，butdeeperandbroaderthanofold。Nowfollowmeclose，forifwekeepwithinitweshallfindourselvesastonecastofftheKing’shouse。”
Togethertheycreptalongthedarkcutting。SuddenlySimonseizedAylwardbytheshoulderandpushedhimintotheshadowofthebank。Crouchinginthedarkness，theyheardfootstepsandvoicesuponthefarthersideofthetrench。Twomensaunteredalongitandstoppedalmostattheveryspotwherethecomradeswerelying。
Aylwardcouldseetheirdarkfiguresoutlinedagainstthestarrysky。
“Whyshouldyouscold，Jacques，“saidoneofthem，speakingastrangehalf-French，half-Englishlingo。”Lediablet’emporteforagrumblingrascal。YouwonawomanandIgotnothing。Whatmorewouldyouhave？”
“Youwillhaveyourchanceoffthenextship，mongarcon，butmineispassed。Awoman，itistrue-anoldpeasantoutofthefields，withafaceasyellowasakite’sclaw。ButGaston，whothrewanineagainstmyeight，gotasfairalittleNormandylassaseveryoureyeshaveseen。Cursethedice，Isay！，Andastomywoman，IwillsellhertoyouforafirkinofGascony：’
“Ihavenowinetospare，butIwillgiveyouakegofapples，“
saidtheother。”IhaditoutofthePeterandPaul，theFalmouthboatthatstruckinCreuxBay。”
“Well，wellyourapplesmaybetheworseforkeeping，butsoisoldMarie，andwecancryquitsonthat。Comeroundanddrinkacupoverthebargain。”
Theyshuffledonwardinthedarkness。
“Heardyoueversuchvillainy？”criedAylward，breathingfierceandhard。”Didyouhearthem，Simon？，Awomanforakegofapples！，Andmyheart’srootissadfortheotherone，thegirlofNormandy。Surelywecanlandto-morrowandburnallthesewater-
ratsoutoftheirnest。”
“Nay，SirRobertwillnotwastetimeorstrengtherehereachBrittany。”
“SureIamthatifmylittlemasterSquireLoringhadthehandlingofit，everywomanonthisislandwouldbefreeereanotherdayhadpassed。”
“Idoubtitnot，“saidSimon。”Heisonewhomakesanidolofwoman，afterthemannerofthosecrazyknighterrants。ButSirRobertisatruesoldierandhathonlyhispurposeinview。”
“Simon，“saidAylward，“thelightisnotovergoodandtheplaceiscrampedforsword-play，butifyouwillstepoutintotheopenI
willteachyouwhethermymasterisatruesoldierornot。”
“Tut，man！youareasfoolishyourself，“saidSimon。”Herewearewithourworkinhand，andyetyoumustneedsfalloutwithmeonourwaytoit。Isaynothingagainstyourmastersavethathehaththewayofhisfellowswhofollowdreamsandfancies。ButKnolleslooksneithertorightnorleftandwalksforwardtohismark。Now，letuson，forthetimepasses。”
“Simon，yourwordsareneithergoodnorfair。Whenwearebackonshipboardwewillspeakfurtherofthismatter。Nowleadon，I
prayyou，andletusseesomemoreofthisten-devilisland。”
ForhalfamileSimonledthewayuntiltheycametoalargehousewhichstoodbyitself。Peeringatitfromtheedgeofthecutting，Aylwardcouldseethatitwasmadefromthewreckageofmanyvessels，forateachcorneraprowwasthrustout。Lightsblazedwithin，andtherecamethesoundofastrongvoicesingingagaysongwhichwastakenupbyadozenothersinthechorus。
“Alliswell，lad！”whisperedSimoningreatdelight。”ThatisthevoiceoftheKing。Itistheverysongheusedtosing。’LesdeuxfillesdePierre。’，’ForeGod，mybacktinglesattheverysoundofit。Herewewillwaituntilhiscompanytaketheirleave。”
Hourafterhourtheycrouchedinthepeat-cutting，listeningtothenoisysongsoftherevelerswithin，someFrench，someEnglish，andallgrowingfoulerandlessarticulateasthenightworeon。