AlasforallthewisewordsofthegoodChandos！，AlasforallthelessonsinorderanddisciplinelearnedfromthewaryKnolles。Inaninstant，forgetfulofallthingsbutthisnoblechallenge，Nigelwasrunningatthetopofhisspeedfortheburninggate。
CloseathisheelswastheFrenchman，blowingandgasping，asherushedalonginhisbrazenarmor。Behindcameastreamofhowlingarchersandmen-at-arms，likeafloodwhichhasbrokenitsdam。
Downtheyslippedintotheditch，rushedacrossit，andclamberedoneachother’sbacksuptheoppositeside。Nigel，Raoulandtwoarchersgainedafootholdinfrontoftheburninggateatthesamemoment。Withblowsandkickstheyburstittopieces，anddashedwithayelloftriumphthroughthedarkarchwaybeyond。Foramomenttheythoughtwithmadrapturethatthecastlewascarried。
Adarktunnellaybeforethem，downwhichtheyrushed。Butalas！
atthefartherenditwasblockedbyasecondgatewayasstrongasthatwhichhadbeenburned。Invaintheybeatuponitwiththeirswordsandaxes。Oneachsidethetunnelwaspiercedwithslits，andthecrossbowboltsdischargedatonlyafewyards’distancecrashedthrougharmorasifitwereclothandlaidmanaftermanuponthestones。Theyragedandleapedbeforethegreatiron-clampedbarrier，butthe;wallitselfwasaseasytoteardown。
Itwasbittertodrawback;butitwasmadnesstoremain。Nigellookedroundandsawthathalfhismenweredown。AtthesamemomentRaoulsankwithagaspathisfeet，aboltdriventoitssocketthroughthelinksofthecamailwhichguardedhisneck。
Someofthearchers，seeingthatcertaindeathawaitedthem，werealreadyrunningbacktoescapefromthefatalpassage。
“BySaintPaul！”criedNigelhotly。”Wouldyouleaveourwoundedwherethisbutchermaylayhishandsuponthem？，Letthearchersshootinwardsandholdthembackfromtheslits。Nowleteachmanraiseoneofourcomrades，lestweleaveourhonorinthegateofthiscastle。”
WithamightyefforthehadraisedRaouluponhisshouldersandstaggeredwithhimtotheedgeoftheditch。Severalmenwerewaitingbelowwherethesteepbankshieldthemfromthearrows，andtothemNigelhandeddownhiswoundedfriend，andeacharcherinturndidthesame。AgainandagainNigelwentbackuntilnoonelayinthetunnelsavesevenwhohaddiedthere。Thirteenwoundedwerelaidintheshelteroftheditch，andtheretheymustremainuntilnightcametocoverthem。Meanwhilethebowmenonthefarthersideprotectedthemfromattack，andalsopreventedtheenemyfromallattemptstobuilduptheoutergate。Thegapingsmoke-blackenedarchwasallthattheycouldshowforalossofthirtymen，butthatatleastKnolleswasdeterminedtokeep。
Burnedandbruised，butunconsciousofeitherpainorfatiguefortheturmoilofhisspiritwithinhim，NigelkneltbytheFrenchmanandloosenedhishelmet。ThegirlishfaceoftheyoungSquirewaswhiteaschalk，andthehazeofdeathwasgatheringoverhisvioleteyes，butafaintsmileplayedroundhislipsashelookedupathisEnglishcomrade。
“IshallneverseeBeatriceagain，“hewhispered。”Iprayyou，Nigel，thatwhenthereisatruceyouwilljourneyasfarasmyfather’schateauandtellhimhowhissondied。YoungGastonwillrejoice，fortohimcomethelandandthecoat，thewar-cryandtheprofit。Seethem，Nigel，andtellthemthatIwasasforwardastheothers。”
“IndeedRaoul，nomancouldhavecarriedhimselfwithmorehonororwonmoreworshipthanyouhavedonethisday。Iwilldoyourbehestwhenthetimecomes。”
“Surelyyouarehappy，Nigel，“thedyingSquiremurmured，“forthisdayhasgivenyouonemoredeedwhichyoumaylayatthefeetofyourlady-love。”
“Itmighthavebeensohadwecarriedthegate，“Nigelansweredsadly;“butbySaintPaul！，IcannotcountitadeedwhereIhavecomebackwithmypurposeunfulfilled。Butthisisnotime，Raoul，totalkofmysmallaffairs。IfwetakethecastleandI
bearagoodpartinit，thenperchanceallthismayindeedavail。”
TheFrenchmansatupwiththatstrangeenergywhichcomesoftenastheharbingerofdeath。”YouwillwinyourLadyMary，Nigel，andyourgreatdeedswillbenotthreebutascore，sothatinallChristendomthereshallbenomanofbloodandcoat-armorwhohasnotheardyournameandyourfame。ThisItellyou-I，RaouldelaRochePierredeBras，dyinguponthefieldofhonor。Andnowkissme，sweetfriend，andlaymeback，forthemistscloseroundmeandIamgone！”
WithtenderhandstheSquireloweredhiscomrade’shead，butevenashedidsotherecameachokingrushofblood，andthesoulhadpassed。SodiedagallantcavalierofFrance，andNigelashekneltintheditchbesidehimprayedthathisownendmightbeasnobleandasdebonair。
XXI。HOWTHESECONDMESSENGERWENTTOCOSFORD
Undercoverofnightthewoundedmenwereliftedfromtheditchandcarriedback，whilstpicketsofarcherswereadvancedtotheverygatesothatnoneshouldrebuildit。Nigel，sickatheartoverhisownfailure，thedeathofhisprisonerandhisfearsforAylward，creptbackintothecamp，buthiscupwasnotyetfull，forKnolleswaswaitingforhimwithatonguewhichcutlikeawhip-lash。Whowashe，arawsquire，thatheshouldleadanattackwithoutorders？，Seewhathiscrazyknighterrantryhadbroughtabout。Twentymenhadbeendestroyedbyitandnothinggained。Theirbloodwasonhishead。Chandosshouldhearofhisconduct。HeshouldbesentbacktoEnglandwhenthecastlehadfallen。
SuchwerethebitterwordsofKnolles，themorebitterbecauseNigelfeltinhisheartthathehadindeeddonewrong，andthatChandoswouldhavesaidthesamethough，perchance，inkinderwords。Helistenedinsilentrespect，ashisdutywas，andthenhavingsalutedhisleaderhewithdrewapart，threwhimselfdownamongstthebushes，andweptthehottesttearsofhislife，sobbingbitterlywithhisfacebetweenhishands。Hehadstrivenhard，andyeteverythinghadgonewrongwithhim。Hewasbruised，burnedandachingfromheadtofoot。Yetsohighisthespiritabovethebodythatallwasnothingcomparedtothesorrowandshamewhichrackedhissoul。
Butalittlethingchangedthecurrentofhisthoughtsandbroughtsomepeacetohismind。Hehadslippedoffhismailgauntlets，andashedidsohisfingerslighteduponthetinybanglewhichMaryhadfastenedtherewhentheystoodtogetheruponSt。
Catharine’sHillontheGuildfordRoad。Herememberedthemottocuriouslyworkedinfiligreeofgold。Itran：“Faiscequedois，adviegnequepourra-c’estcommandeauchevalier。”
Thewordsranginhiswearybrain。Hehaddonewhatseemedright，comewhatmight。Ithadgoneawry，itistrue;butallthingshumanmaydothat。Ifhehadcarriedthecastle，hefeltthatKnolleswouldhaveforgivenandforgottenallelse。Ifhehadnotcarriedit，itwasnofaultofhis。Nomancouldhavedonemore。
IfMarycouldseeshewouldsurelyhaveapproved。Droppingintosleep，hesawherdarkface，shiningwithprideandwithpity，stoopingoverhimashelay。Shestretchedoutherhandinhisdreamandtouchedhimontheshoulder。Hesprangupandrubbedhiseyes，forfacthadwovenitselfintodreaminthestrangewaythatitdoes，andsomeonewasindeedleaningoverhiminthegloom，andshakinghimfromhisslumbers。ButthegentlevoiceandsofttouchoftheLadyMaryhadchangedsuddenlytotheharshaccentsandroughgripofBlackSimon，thefierceNorfolkman-at-arms。
“SurelyyouaretheSquireLoring，“hesaid，peeringclosetohisfaceinthedarkness。
“Iamhe。Whatthen？”
“Ihavesearchedthroughthecampforyou，butwhenIsawthegreathorsetetherednearthesebushes，Ithoughtyouwouldbefoundhardby。Iwouldhaveawordwithyou。”
“Speakon。”
“ThismanAylwardthebowmanwasmyfriend，anditisthenaturethatGodhasgivenmetolovemyfriendsevenasIhatemyfoes。
Heisalsothyservant，andithasseemedtomethatyoulovehimalso。”
“Ihavegoodcausesotodo。”
“ThenyouandI，SquireLoring，havemorereasontostriveonhisbehalfthananyoftheseothers，whothinkmoreoftakingthecastlethanofsavingthosewhoarecaptiveswithin。Doyounotseethatsuchamanasthisrobberlordwould，whenallelsehadfailedhim，mostsurelycutthethroatsofhisprisonersatthelastinstantbeforethecastlefell，knowingwellthatcomewhatmighthewouldhaveshortshrifthimself？，Isthatnotcertain？”
“BySaintPaul！，Ihadnotthoughtofit。”
“Iwaswithyou，hammeringattheinnergate，“saidSimon，“andyetoncewhenIthoughtthatitwasgivingwayIsaidinmyheart：
`Good-by，Samkin！，Ishallneverseeyoumore。’，ThisBaronhasgallinhissoul，evenasIhavemyself，anddoyouthinkthatI
wouldgiveupmyprisonersalive，ifIwereconstrainedsotodo？
No，no;hadwewonourwaythisdayitwouldhavebeenthedeath-strokeforthemall。”
“Itmaybethatyouareright，Simon，“saidNigel，“andthethoughtofitshouldassuageourgrief。Butifwecannotsavethembytakingthecastle，thensurelytheyarelostindeed。”
“Itmaybeso，oritmaynot，“Simonansweredslowly。”Itisinmymindthatifthecastleweretakenverysuddenly，andinsuchafashionthattheycouldnotforeseeit，thenperchancewemightgettheprisonersbeforetheycoulddothemscathe。”
Nigelbentforwardeagerly，hishandonthesoldier’sarm。
“Youhavesomeplaninyourmind，Simon。Tellmewhatitis。”
“IhadwishedtotellSirRobert，butheispreparingtheassaultforto-morrowandwillnotbeturnedfromhispurpose。Ihaveindeedaplan，butwhetheritbegoodornotIcannotsayuntilI
havetriedit。ButfirstIwilltellyouwhatputitintomythoughts。KnowthenthatthismorningwhenIwasinyonderditchImarkedoneoftheirmenuponthewall。Hewasabigmanwithawhiteface，redhairandatouchofSaintAnthony’sfireuponthecheek。”
“ButwhathasthistodowithAylward？”
“Iwillshowyou。ThiseveningaftertheassaultIchancedtowalkwithsomeofmyfellows，roundyondersmallfortupontheknolltoseeifwecouldspyaweakspotinit。Someofthemcametothewalltocurseus，andamongthemwhomshouldIseebutabigmanwithawhiteface，redhairandatouchofAnthony’sfireuponhischeek？，Whatmakeyouofthat，SquireNigel？”
“Thatthismanhadcrossedfromthecastletothefort。”
“Ingoodsooth，itmustindeedbeso。Therearenottwosuchken-speckledmenintheworld。Butifhecrossedfromthecastletothefort，itwasnotabovetheground，forourownpeoplewerebetween。”
“BySaintPaul！，Iseeyourmeaning！”criedNigel。”Itisinyourmindthatthereisapassageundertheearthfromonetotheother。”
“Iamwellsureofit。”
“Thenifweshouldtakethesmallfortwemaypassdownthistunnel，andsocarrythegreatcastlealso。”
“Suchathingmighthappen，“saidSimon，“andyetitisdangerousalso，forsurelythoseinthecastlewouldhearourassaultuponthefortandsobewarnedtobarthepassageagainstus，andtoslaytheprisonersbeforewecouldcome。”
“Whatthenisyourrede？”
“Couldwefindwherethetunnellay，SquireNigel，Iknownotwhatistopreventusfromdiggingdownuponitandbreakingintoitsothatbothfortandcastleareatourmercybeforeeitherknowsthatwearethere。”
Nigelclappedhishandswithjoy。”’ForeGod！”hecried。”Itisamostnobleplan！，Butalas！，Simon，Iseenothowwecantellthecourseofthispassageorwhereweshoulddig。”
“Ihavepeasantsyonderwithspades，“saidSimon。”Therearetwoofmyfriends，HardingofBarnstableandWest-countryJohnwhoarewaitingforuswiththeirgear。Ifyouwillcometoleadus，SquireNigel，wearereadytoventureourbodiesintheattempt。”
WhatwouldKnollessayincasetheyfailed？，ThethoughtflashedthroughNigel’smind，butanothercameswiftlybehindit。Hewouldnotventurefurtherunlesshefoundhopesofsuccess。Andifhedidventurefurtherhewouldputhislifeuponit。Givingthat，hemadeamendsforallerrors。Andifontheotherhandsuccesscrownedtheirefforts，thenKnolleswouldforgivehisfailureatthegateway。Aminutelater，everydoubtbanishedfromhismind，hewasmakinghiswaythroughthedarknessundertheguidanceofBlackSimon。
Outsidethecampthetwoothermen-at-armswerewaitingforthem，andthefouradvancedtogether。Presentlyalittlegroupoffiguresloomedupinthedarkness。Itwasacloudynight，andathinrainwasfallingwhichobscuredboththecastleandthefort;
butastonehadbeenplacedbySimoninthedaytimewhichassuredthattheywerebetweenthetwo。
“IsblindAndreasthere？”askedSimon。
“Yes，kindsir，Iamhere，“saidavoice。
“Thisman，“saidSimon，“wasoncerichandofgoodrepute，buthewasbeggaredbythisrobberlord，whoafterwardsputouthiseyessothathehaslivedformanyyearsindarknessatthecharityofothers。”
“Howcanhehelpusinourenterpriseifhebeindeedblind？”
askedNigel。
“Itisforthatveryreason，fairlord，thathecanbeofgreaterservicethananyotherman，“Simonanswered;“foritoftenhappensthatwhenamanhaslostasensethegoodGodwillstrengthenthosethatremain。HenceitisthatAndreashassuchearsthathecanhearthesapinthetreesorthecheepofthemouseinitsburrow。Hehascometohelpustofindthetunnel。”
“AndIhavefoundit，“saidtheblindmanproudly。”HereIhaveplacedmystaffuponthelineofit。TwiceasIlaytherewithmyeartothegroundIhaveheardfootstepspassbeneathme。”
“Itrustyoumakenomistake，oldman，“saidNigel。
Foranswertheblindmanraisedhisstaffandsmotetwiceupontheground，oncetotherightandoncetotheleft。Theonegaveadullthud，theotherahollowboom。
“Canyounothearthat？”heasked。”WillyouaskmenowifImakeamistake？”
“Indeed，wearemuchbeholdentoyou！”criedNigel。”Letthepeasantsdigthen，andassilentlyastheymay。Doyoukeepyourearupontheground，Andreas，sothatifanyonepassbeneathusweshallbewarned。”
So，amidthedrivingrain，thelittlegrouptoiledinthedarkness。Theblindmanlaysilent，flatuponhisface，andtwicetheyheardhiswarninghissandstoppedtheirwork，whilstsomeonepassedbeneath。Inanhourtheyhaddugdowntoastonearchwhichwasclearlytheoutersideofthetunnelroof。Herewasasadobstacle，foritmighttakelongtoloosenastone，andiftheirworkwasnotdonebythebreakofdaythentheirenterprisewasindeedhopeless。Theyloosenedthemortarwithadagger，andatlastdislodgedonesmallstonewhichenabledthemtogetattheothers。Presentlyadarkholeblackerthanthenightaroundthemyawnedattheirfeet，andtheirswordscouldtouchnobottomtoit。Theyhadopenedthetunnel。
“Iwouldfainenteritfirst，“saidNigel。”Iprayyoutolowermedown。”，Theyheldhimtothefulllengthoftheirarmsandthenlettinghimdroptheyheardhimlandsafelybeneaththem。Aninstantlatertheblindmanstartedupwithalowcryofalarm。
“Ihearstepscoming，“saidhe。”Theyarefaroff，buttheydrawnearer。”
Simonthrusthisheadandneckdownthehole。”SquireNigel，“hewhispered，“canyouhearme？”
“Icanhearyou，Simon。”
“Andreassaysthatsomeonecomes。”
“Thencoveroverthehole，“cametheanswer。”Quick，Iprayyou，coveritover！”
Amantlewasstretchedacrossit，sothatnoglimmeroflightshouldwarnthenew-comer。Thefearwasthathemighthaveheard，thesoundofNigel’sdescent。Butsoonitwasclearthathehadnotdoneso，forAndreasannouncedthathewasstilladvancing。
PresentlyNigelcouldhearthedistantthudofhisfeet。Ifheborealanternallwaslost。Butnogleamoflightappearedintheblacktunnel，andstillthefootstepsdrewnearer。
Nigelbreathedaprayerofthankstoallhisguardiansaintsashecrouchedclosetotheslimywallandwaitedbreathless，hisdaggerinhishand。Neareryetandnearercamethesteps。Hecouldhearthestranger’scoarsebreathinginthedarkness。ThenashebrushedpastNigelboundeduponhimwithatigerspring。Therewasonegaspofastonishment，andnotasoundmore，fortheSquire’sgripwasontheman’sthroatandhisbodywaspinnedmotionlessagainstthewall。
“Simon！，Simon！”criedNigelloudly。
Themantlewasmovedfromthehole。
“Haveyouacord？，Oryourbeltslinkedtogethermayserve。”
Oneofthepeasantshadarope，andNigelsoonfeltitdanglingagainsthishand。Helistenedandtherewasnosoundinthepassage。Foraninstanthereleasedhiscaptive’sthroat。A
torrentofprayersandentreatiescameforth。Themanwasshakinglikealeafinthewind。Nigelpressedthepointofhisdaggeragainsthisfaceanddaredhimtoopenhislips。Thenheslippedtheropebeneathhisarmsandtiedit。
“Pullhimup！”hewhispered，andforaninstantthegrayglimmerabovehimwasobscured。
“Wehavehim，fairsir，“saidSimon。
“Thendropmetheropeandholditfast。”
AmomentlaterNigelstoodamongthegroupofmenwhohadgatheredroundtheircaptive。Itwastoodarktoseehim，andtheydarenotstrikeflintandsteel。
Simonpassedhishandroughlyoverhimandfeltafatclean-shavenface，andaclothgabardinewhichhungtotheankles。”Whoareyou？”hewhispered。”peakthetruthandspeakitlow，ifyouwouldeverspeakagain。”
Theman’steethchatteredinhisheadwithcoldandfright。”I
speaknoEnglish，“hemurmured。
“French，then，“saidNigel。
“IamaholypriestofGod。YoucourtthebanofholyChurchwhenyoulayhandsuponme。Iprayyouletmegouponmyway，fortherearethosewhomIwouldshriveandhousel。Iftheyshoulddieinsin，theirdamnationisuponyou。”
“Howareyoucalledthen？”
“IamDomPeterdeCervolles。”
“DeCervolles，thearch-priest，hewhoheatedthebrazierwhentheyburnedoutmyeyes，“criedoldAndreas。”Ofallthedevilsinhellthereisnonefoulerthanthisone。Friends，friends，ifIhavedoneaughtforyouthisnight，Iaskbutonereward，thatyeletmehavemywillofthisman。”
ButNigelpushedtheoldmanback。”Thereisnotimeforthis，“
hesaid。”Nowharkyou，priest-ifpriestindeedyoube-yourgownandtonsurewillnotsaveyouifyouplayusfalse，forwearehereofasetpurposeandwewillgoforwardwithit，comewhatmay。Answermeandanswermetrulyoritwillbeanillnightforyou。InwhatpartoftheCastledoesthistunnelenter？”
“Inthelowercellar。”
“Whatisattheend？”
“Anoakendoor。”
“Isitbarred？”
“Yes，itisbarred。”
“Howwouldyouhaveentered？”
“Iwouldhavegiventhepassword。”
“Whothenwouldhaveopened？”
“Thereisaguardwithin。”
“Andbeyondhim？”
“Beyondhimaretheprisoncellsandthejailers。”
“Whoelsewouldbeafoot？”
“Noonesaveaguardatthegateandanotheronthebattlement。”
“Whatthenisthepassword？”
Themanwassilent。
“Thepassword，fellow！”
Thecoldpointsoftwodaggersprickedhisthroat;butstillhewouldnotspeak。
“Whereistheblindman？”askedNigel。”Here，Andreas，youcanhavehimanddowhatyouwillwithhim。”
“Nay，nay，“thepriestwhimpered。”Keephimoffme。SavemefromblindAndreas！，Iwilltellyoueverything。”
“Thepasswordthen，thisinstant？”
“Itis`Benedicite！’“
“Wehavethepassword，Simon，“criedNigel。”Comethen，letusontothefartherend。Thesepeasantswillguardthepriest，andtheywillremainherelestwewishtosendamessage。”
“Nay，fairsir，itisinmymindthatwecandobetter，“saidSimon。”Letustakethepriestwithus，sothathewhoiswithinmayknowhisvoice。”
“Itiswellthoughtof，“saidNigel，“andfirstletuspraytogether，forindeedthisnightmaywellbeourlast。”
Heandthethreemen-at-armskneltintherainandsentuptheirsimpleorisons，Simonstillclutchingtighttohisprisoner’swrist。
Thepriestfumbledinhisbreastanddrewsomethingforth。”ItistheheartoftheblessedconfessorSaintEnogat，“saidhe。”Itmaybethatitwilleaseandassoilyoursoulsifyouwouldwishtohandleit。”
ThefourEnglishmenpassedtheflatsilvercasefromhandtohand，eachpressinghislipsdevoutlyuponit。Thentheyrosetotheirfeet。Nigelwasthefirsttolowerhimselfdownthehole;thenSimon;thenthepriest，whowasinstantlyseizedbytheothertwo。
Themen-at-armsfollowedthem。TheyhadscarcelymovedawayfromtheholewhenNigelstopped。
“Surelysomeoneelsecameafterus，“saidhe。
Theylistened，butnowhisperorrustlecamefrombehindthem。
Foraminutetheypausedandthenresumedtheirjourneythroughthedark。Itseemedalong，longway，thoughintruthitwasbutafewhundredyardsbeforetheycametoadoorwithaglimmerofyellowlightaroundit，whichbarredtheirpassage。Nigelstruckuponitwithhishand。
Therewastheraspingofaboltandthenaloudvoice“Isthatyou，priest？”
“Yes，itisI，“saidtheprisonerinaquaveringvoice。”Open，Arnold！”
Thevoicewasenough。Therewasnoquestionofpasswords。Thedoorswunginward，andinaninstantthejanitorwascutdownbyNigelandSimon。Sosuddenandsofiercewastheattackthatsaveforthethudofhisbodynosoundwasheard。Afloodoflightburstoutwardintothepassage，andtheEnglishmenstoodwithblinkingeyesinitsglare。
Infrontofthemlayastone-flaggedcorridor，acrosswhichlaythedeadbodyofthejanitor。Ithaddoorsoneithersideofit，andanothergrateddooratthefartherend。Astrangehubbub，akindoflowdroningandwhiningfilledtheair。Thefourmenwerestandinglistening，fullofwonderastowhatthismightmean，whenasharpcrycamefrombehindthem。Thepriestlayinashapelessheapupontheground，andthebloodwasrushingfromhisgapingthroat。Downthepassage，ablackshadowintheyellowlight，therefledacrouchingman，whoclatteredwithastickashewent。
“ItisAndreas，“criedWest-countryWill。”Hehasslainhim。”
“ThenitwashethatIheardbehindus，“saidNigel。”Doubtlesshewasatourveryheelsinthedarkness。Ifearthatthepriest’scryhasbeenheard。”
“Nay，“saidSimon，“therearesomanycriesthatonemoremaywellpass。Letustakethislampfromthewallandseewhatsortofdevil’sdenwehavearoundus。”
Theyopenedthedoorupontheright，andsohorribleasmellissuedfromitthattheyweredrivenbackfromit。ThelampwhichSimonheldforwardshowedamonkeylikecreaturemowingandgrimacinginthecorner，manorwomannonecouldtell，butdrivencrazybylonelinessandhorror。Intheothercellwasagraybeardedmanfetteredtothewall，lookingblanklybeforehim，abodywithoutasoul，yetwithlifestillinhim，forhisdulleyesturnedslowlyintheirdirection。Butitwasfrombehindthecentraldoorattheendofthepassagethatthechorusofsadcriescamewhichfilledtheair。
“Simon，“saidNigel，“beforewegofartherwewilltakethisouterdoorfromitshinges。Withitwewillblockthispassagesothatattheworstwemayholdourgroundhereuntilhelpcomes。Doyoubacktothecampasfastasyourfeetcanbearyou。Thepeasantswilldrawyouupwardthroughthehole。GivemygreetingstoSirRobertandtellhimthatthecastleistakenwithoutfailifhecomesthiswaywithfiftymen。Saythatwehavemadealodgmentwithinthewalls。Andtellhimalso，Simon，thatIwouldcounselhimtomakeastirbeforethegatewaysothattheguardmaybeheldtherewhilstwemakegoodourfootingbehindthem。Go，goodSimon，andlosenotamoment！”
Buttheman-at-armsshookhishead。”ItisIwhohavebroughtyouhere，fairsir，andhereIbidethroughfairandfoul。Butyouspeakwiselyandwell，forSirRobertshouldindeedbetoldwhatisgoingforwardnowthatwehavegonesofar。Harding，doyougowithallspeedandbearthegentleNigel’smessage。”
Reluctantlytheman-at-armsspeduponhiserrand。Theycouldheartheracingofhisfeetandthelowjingleofhisharnessuntiltheydiedawayinthetunnel。Thenthethreecompanionsapproachedthedoorattheend。Itwastheirintentiontowaitwheretheywereuntilhelpshouldcome，butsuddenlyamidthebabelofcrieswithintherebrokeforthanEnglishvoice，shoutingintorment。
“MyGod！”itcried，“Iprayyou，comrades，foracupofwater，asyouhopeforChrist’smercy！”
Ashoutoflaughterandthethudofaheavyblowfollowedtheappeal。
AllthehotbloodrushedtoNigel’sheadatthesound，buzzinginhisearsandthrobbinginhistemples。Therearetimeswhenthefieryheartofamanmustoverbearthecoldbrainofasoldier。
Withoneboundhewasatthedoor，withanotherhewasthroughit，themen-at-armsathisheels。Sostrangewasthescenebeforethemthatforaninstantallthreestoodmotionlesswithhorrorandsurprise。
Itwasagreatvaultedchamber，brightlylitbymanytorches。Atthefartherendroaredagreatfire。Infrontofitthreenakedmenwerechainedtopostsinsuchawaythatflinchastheymighttheycouldnevergetbeyondtherangeofitsscorchingheat。Yettheyweresofarfromitthatnoactualburnwouldbeinflictediftheycouldbutkeepturningandshiftingsoascontinuallytopresentsomefreshportionoftheirfleshtotheflames。Hencetheydancedandwhirledinfrontofthefire，tossingceaselesslythiswayandthatwithinthecompassoftheirchains，weariedtodeath，theirprotrudingtonguescrackedandblackenedwiththirst，butunableforoneinstanttorestfromtheirwrithingsandcontortions。
Evenstrangerwasthesightateachsideoftheroom，whencecamethatchorusofgroanswhichhadfirststruckupontheearsofNigelandhiscompanions。Alineofgreathogsheadswereplacedalongsidethewalls，andwithineachsataman，hisheadprotrudingfromthetop。Astheymovedwithintherewasaconstantsplashingandwashingofwater。Thewhitewanfacesallturnedtogetherasthedoorflewopen，andacryofamazementandofhopetooktheplaceofthoselong-drawnmoansofdespair。
Atthesameinstanttwofellowscladinblack，whohadbeenseatedwithaflagonofwinebetweenthematatablenearthefire，sprangwildlytotheirfeet，staringwithblankamazementatthissuddeninrush。Thatinstantofdelaydeprivedthemoftheirlastchanceofsafety。Midwaydowntheroomwasaflightofstonestepswhichledtothemaindoor。
SwiftasawildcatNigelboundedtowarditandgainedthestepsastrideortwobeforethejailers。Theyturnedandmadefortheotherwhichledtothepassage，butSimonandhiscomradeswerenearertoitthanthey。Twosweepingblows，twodaggerthrustsintowrithingfigures，andtheruffianswhoworkedthewilloftheButcherlaydeadupontheflooroftheirslaughter-house。
Oh，thebuzzofjoyandofprayerfromallthosewhitelips！，Oh，thelightofreturninghopeinallthosesunkenwearyeyes！，OnewildshoutwouldhavegoneuphadnotNigel’soutstretchedhandsandwarningvoicehushedthemtosilence。
Heopenedthedoorbehindhim。Acurvingnewelstaircasewoundupwardintothedarkness。Helistened，butnosoundcamedown。
Therewasakeyintheouterlockoftheirondoor。Hewhippeditoutandturneditontheinnerside。Thegroundthattheyhadgainedwassafe。Nowtheycouldturntothereliefofthesepoorfellowsbesidethem。Afewstrongblowsstruckofftheironsandfreedthethreedancersbeforethefire。Withahuskycroakofjoy，theyrushedacrosstotheircomrades’water-barrels，plungedtheirheadsinlikehorses，anddrankanddrankanddrank。Theninturnthepoorshiveringwretchesweretakenoutofthebarrels，theirskinsbleachedandwrinkledwithlongsoaking。Theirbondsweretornfromthem;but，crampedandfixed，theirlimbsrefusedtoact，andtheytumbledandtwisteduponthefloorintheireffortstoreachNigelandtokisshishand。
InacornerlayAylward，drippingfromhisbarrelandexhaustedwithcoldandhunger。Nigelrantohissideandraisedhishead。
Thejugofwinefromwhichthetwojailershaddrunkstillstoodupontheirtable。TheSquireplacedittothearcher’slipsandhetookaheartypullatit。
“Howisitwithyounow，Aylward？”
“Better，Squire，better，butmayInevertouchwateragainaslongasIlive！，Alas！，poorDiconhasgone，andStephenalso-thelifechilledoutofthem。Thecoldisintheverymarrowofmybones。Iprayyou，letmeleanuponyourarmasfarasthefire，thatImaywarmthefrozenbloodandsetitrunninginmyveinsoncemore。”
Astrangesightitwastoseethesetwentynakedmencrouchinginahalf-circleroundthefirewiththeirtremblinghandsextendedtotheblaze。Soontheirtonguesatleastwerethawed，andtheypouredoutthestoryoftheirtroubleswithmanyaprayerandejaculationtothesaintsfortheirsafedelivery。Nofoodhadcrossedtheirlipssincetheyhadbeentaken。TheButcherhadcommandedthemtojoinhisgarrisonandtoshootupontheircomradesfromthewall。Whentheyrefusedhehadsetasidethreeofthemforexecution。
Theothershadbeendraggedtothecellar，whithertheleeringtyranthadfollowedthem。Onlyonequestionhehadaskedthem，whethertheywereofahot-bloodednatureorofacold。Blowswereshowereduponthemuntiltheyanswered。Threehadsaidcold，andhadbeencondemnedtothetormentofthefire。Therestwhohadsaidhotweredelivereduptothetortureofthewater-cask。
Everyfewhoursthismanorfiendhadcomedowntoexultovertheirsufferingsandtoaskthemwhethertheywerereadyyettoenterhisservice。Threehadconsentedandweregone。Buttheothershadallofthemstoodfirm，twoofthemeventotheirdeath。
SuchwasthetaletowhichNigelandhiscomradeslistenedwhilsttheywaitedimpatientlyforthecomingofKnollesandhismen。
Manyananxiouslookdidtheycastdowntheblacktunnel，butnoglimmeroflightandnoclashofsteelcamefromitsdepths。
Suddenly，however，aloudandmeasuredsoundbrokeupontheirears。Itwasadullmetallicclang，ponderousandslow，growinglouderandeverlouder-thetreadofanarmoredman。Thepoorwretchesroundthefire，allunnervedbyhungerandsuffering，huddledtogetherwithwan，scaredfaces，theireyesfixedinterroronthedoor。
“Itishe！”theywhispered。”ItistheButcherhimself！”
Nigelhaddartedtothedoorandlistenedintently。Therewerenofootfallssavethoseofoneman。Oncesureofthat，hesoftlyturnedthekeyinthelock。Atthesameinstanttherecameabull’sbellowfromwithout。
“Ives！，Bertrand！”criedthevoice。”Canyounothearmecoming，youdrunkenvarlets？，Youshallcoolyourownheadsinthewater-casks，youlazyrascals！，What，notevennow！，Open，youdogs。Open，Isay！”
Hehadthrustdownthelatch，andwithakickheflungthedoorwideandrushedinward。Foraninstanthestoodmotionless，astatueofdullyellowmetal，hiseyesfixedupontheemptycasksandthehuddleofnakedmen。Thenwiththeroarofatrappedlion，heturned，butthedoorhadslammedbehindhim，andBlackSimon，withgrimfigureandsardonicface，stoodbetween。
TheButcherlookedroundhimhelplessly，forhewasunarmedsaveforhisdagger。ThenhiseyesfelluponNigel’sroses。
“Youareagentlemanofcoat-armor，“hecried。”Isurrendermyselftoyou。”
“Iwillnottakeyoursurrender，youblackvillain，“saidNigel。
“Drawanddefendyourself。Simon，givehimyoursword。”
“Nay，thisismadness，“saidthebluntman-at-arms。”WhyshouldI
givethewaspasting？”
“Giveithim，Isay。Icannotkillhimincoldblood。”
“ButIcan！”yelledAylward，whohadcreptupfromthefire。
“Come，comrades！，Bythesetenfinger-bones！hashenottaughtushowcoldbloodshouldbewarmed？”
Likeapackofwolvestheywereonhim，andheclangeduponthefloorwithadozenfrenziednakedfiguresclutchingandclingingabovehim。InvainNigeltriedtopullthemoff。Theyweremadwithrage，thesetorturedstarvingmen，theireyesfixedandglaring，theirhaironend，theirteethgnashingwithfury，whiletheytoreatthehowling，writhingman。Thenwitharattleandclattertheypulledhimacrosstheroombyhistwoanklesanddraggedhimintothefire。
Nigelshudderedandturnedawayhiseyesashesawthebrazenfigurerolloutandstaggertohisknees，onlytobehurledoncemoreintotheheartoftheblaze。Hisprisonersscreamedwithjoyandclappedtheirhandsastheypushedhimbackwiththeirfeetuntilthearmorwastoohotforthemtotouch。Thenatlasthelaystillandgloweddarklyred，whilstthenakedmendancedinawildhalf-circleroundthefire。
Butnowatlastthesupportshadcome。Lightsflashedandarmorgleameddownthetunnel。Thecellarfilledwitharmedmen，whilefromabovecamethecriesandturmoilofthefeignedassaultuponthegate。LedbyKnollesandNigel，thestormingpartyrushedupwardandseizedthecourtyard。Theguardofthegatetakenintherearthrewdowntheirweaponsandcriedformercy。Thegatewasthrownopenandtheassailantsrushedin，withhundredsoffuriouspeasantsattheirheels。Someoftherobbersdiedinhotblood，manyincold;butalldied，forKnolleshadvowedtogivenoquarter。Daywasjustbreakingwhenthelastfugitivehadbeenhuntedoutandslain。Fromallsidescametheyellsandwhoopsofthesoldierswiththerendingandrivingofdoorsastheyburstintothestore-roomsandtreasure-chambers。Therewasajoyousscrambleamongstthem，fortheplunderofelevenyears，goldandjewels，satinsandvelvets，richplateandnoblehangingswerealltobehadforthetaking。
Therescuedprisoners，theirhungerappeasedandtheirclothesrestored，ledthesearchforbooty。Nigel，leaningonhisswordbythegateway，sawAylwardtotterpast，ahugebundleundereacharm，anotherslungoverhisbackandasmallerpackethangingfromhismouth。Hedroppeditforamomentashepassedhisyoungmaster。
“Bythesetenfinger-bones！，IamrightgladthatIcametothewar，andnomancouldaskforamoregoodlylife，“saidhe。”I
haveapresenthereforeverygirlinTilford，andmyfatherneedneverfearthefrownofthesacristofWaverleyagain。Buthowofyou，SquireLoring？，Itstandethnotarightthatweshouldgathertheharvestwhilstyou，whosowedit，goforthempty-handed。
Come，gentlesir，takethesethingsthatIhavegathered，andI
willgobackandfindmore。”
ButNigelsmiledandshookhishead。”Youhavegainedwhatyourheartdesired，andperchanceIhavedonesoalso，“saidhe。
AninstantlaterKnollesstrodeuptohimwithoutstretchedhand。
“Iaskyourpardon，Nigel，“saidhe。”Ihavespokentoohotlyinmywrath。”
“Nay，fairsir，Iwasatfault。”
“Ifwestandherenowwithinthiscastle，itistoyouthatIoweit。TheKingshallknowofit，andChandosalso。CanIdoaughtelse，Nigel，toprovetoyouthehighesteeminwhichIholdyou？”
TheSquireflushedwithpleasure。”DoyousendamessengerhometoEngland，fairsir，withnewsofthesedoings？”
“Surely，Imustdoso。Butdonottellme，Nigel，thatyouwouldbethatmessenger。Askmesomeotherfavor，forindeedIcannotletyougo。”
“NowGodforbid！”criedNigel。”BySaintPaul！，Iwouldnotbesocaitiffandsothrallastoleaveyou，whensomesmalldeedmightstillbedone。ButIwouldfainsendamessagebyyourmessenger。”
“Towhom？”
“ItistotheLadyMary，daughterofoldSirJohnButtesthornwhodwellsnearGuildford。”
“Butyouwillwritethemessage，Nigel。Suchgreetingsasacavaliersendstohislady-loveshouldbeunderseal。”
“Nay，hecancarrymymessagebywordofmouth。”
“ThenIshalltellhimforhegoesthismorning。Whatmessage，then，shallhesaytothelady？”
“Hewillgivehermyveryhumblegreeting，andhewillsaytoherthatforthesecondtimeSaintCatharinehasbeenourfriend。”
XXII。HOWROBERTOFBEAUMANOIRCAMETOPLOERMEL
SirRobertKnollesandhismenpassedonwardthatday，lookingbackmanyatimetoseethetwodarkcolumnsofsmoke，onethickerandonemoreslender，whicharosefromthecastleandfromthefortofLaBrohiniere。Therewasnotanarchernoraman-at-armswhodidnotbearagreatbundleofspoiluponhisback，andKnollesfrowneddarklyashelookeduponthem。Gladlywouldhehovethrownitalldownbytheroadside，buthehadtriedsuchmattersbefore，andheknewthatitwasassafetotearahalf-gnawedbonefromabearastheirblood-wonplunderfromsuchmenasthese。Inanycaseitwasbuttwodays’marchtoPloermel，wherehehopedtobringhisjourneytoanend。
ThatnighttheycampedatMauron，whereasmallEnglishandBretongarrisonheldthecastle。Rightgladwerethebowmentoseesomeoftheirowncountrymenoncemore，andtheyspentthenightoverwineanddice，acrowdofBretongirlsassisting，sothatnextmorningtheirbundlesweremuchlighter，andmostoftheplunderofLaBrohinierewasleftwiththemenandwomenofMauron。Nextdaytheirmarchlaywithafairsluggishriverupontheirright，andagreatrollingforestupontheirleftwhichcoveredthewholecountry。AtlasttowardeveningthetowersofPloermelrosebeforethemandtheysawagainstadarkeningskytheRedCrossofEnglandwavinginthewind。SobluewastheriverDucwhichskirtedtheroad，andsogreenitsbanks，thattheymightindeedhavebeenbackbesidetheirownhomelystreams，theOxfordThamesortheMidlandTrent，buteverasthedarknessdeepenedtherecameinwildguststhehowlingofwolvesfromtheforesttoremindthemthattheywereinalandofwar。Sobusyhadmenbeenformanyyearsinhuntingoneanotherthatthebeastsofthechasehadgrowntoamonstrousdegree，untilthestreetsofthetownswerenolongersafefromthewildinroadsofthefiercecreatures，thewolvesandthebears，whoswarmedaroundthem。
ItwasnightfallwhenthelittlearmyenteredtheoutergateoftheCastleofPloermelandencampedinthebroadBaileyyard。
PloermelwasatthattimethecenterofBritishpowerinMid-
Brittany，asHennebonwasintheWest，anditwasheldbyagarrisonoffivehundredmenunderanoldsoldier，RichardofBambro’’，aruggedNorthumbrian，trainedinthatgreatschoolofwarriors，theborderwars。HewhohadriddenthemarchesofthemosttroubledfrontierinEurope，andservedhistimeagainsttheLiddlesdaleandNithsdaleraiderswashardenedforalifeinthefield。
Oflate，however，Bambro’hadbeenunabletoundertakeanyenterprise，forhisreinforcementshadfailedhim，andamidhisfollowinghehadbutthreeEnglishknightsandseventymen。TherestwereamixedcrewofBretons，HainaultersandafewGermanmercenarysoldiers，bravemenindividually，asthoseofthatstockhaveeverbeen，butlackinginterestinthecause，andboundtogetherbynocommontieofbloodortradition。
Ontheotherhand，thesurroundingcastles，andespeciallythatofJosselin，wereheldbystrongforcesofenthusiasticBretons，inflamedbyacommonpatriotism，andfullofwarlikeardor。
RobertofBeaumanoir，thefierceseneschalofthehouseofRohan，pushedconstantforaysandexcursionsagainstPloermelsothattownandcastlewerebothindailydreadofbeingsurroundedandbesieged。SeveralsmallpartiesoftheEnglishfactionhadbeencutoffandslaintoaman，andsostraitenedweretheothersthatitwasdifficultforthemtogatherprovisionsfromthecountryround。
SuchwasthestateofBambro’sgarrisonwhenonthatMarcheveningKnollesandhismenstreamedintothebailey-yardofhisCastle。
IntheglareofthetorchesattheinnergateBambro’waswaitingtoreceivethem，adry，hard，wizenedman，smallandfierce，withbeadyblackeyesandquickfurtiveways。
Besidehim，astrangecontrast，stoodhisSquire，Croquart，aGerman，whosenameandfameasaman-at-armswerewidespread，thoughlikeRobertKnolleshimselfhehadbegunasahumblepage。
Hewasaverytallman，withanenormousspreadofshoulders，andapairofhugehandswithwhichhecouldcrackahorse-shoe。Hewasslowandlethargic，saveinmomentsofexcitement，andhiscalmblondface，hisdreamyblueeyesandhislongfairhairgavehimsogentleanappearancethatnonesavethosewhohadseenhiminhisberserkmood，raging，anirongiant，intheforefrontofthebattle，couldeverguesshowterribleawarriorhemightbe。
Littleknightandhugesquirestoodtogetherunderthearchofthedonjonandgavewelcometothenewcomers，whilstaswarmofsoldierscrowdedroundtoembracetheircomradesandtoleadthemoffwheretheymightfeedandmakemerrytogether。
SupperhadbeensetinthehallofPloermelwhereintheknightsandsquiresassembled。Bambro’andCroquartweretherewithSirHughCalverly，anoldfriendofKnollesandafellow-townsman，forbothweremenofChester。SirHughwasamiddle-sizedflaxenman，withhardgrayeyesandfiercelarge-nosedfaceslicedacrosswiththescarofasword-cut。TheretoowereGeoffreyD’Ardaine，ayoungBretonseigneur，SirThomasBelford，aburlythick-setMidlandEnglishman，SirThomasWalton，whosesurcoatofscarletmartletsshowedthathewasoftheSurreyWaltons，JamesMarshallandJohnRussell，youngEnglishsquires，andthetwobrothers，RichardandHughLeGalliard，whowereofGasconblood。Besidesthesewereseveralsquires，unknowntofame，andofthenew-comers，SirRobertKnolles，SirThomasPercy，NigelLoringandtwoothersquires，AllingtonandParsons。Thesewerethecompanywhogatheredinthetorch-lightroundthetableoftheSeneschalofPloermel，andkepthighrevelwithjoyousheartsbecausetheythoughtthatmuchhonorandnobledeedslaybeforethem。
Butonesadfacetherewasattheboard，andthatbelongedtohimattheheadofit。SirRobertBambro’satwithhischinleaninguponhishandandhiseyesdowncastuponthecloth，whilstallroundhimrosethemerryclatterofvoices，everyoneplanningsomefreshenterprisewhichmightnowbeattempted。SirRobertKnolleswasforanimmediateadvanceuponJosselin。CalverlythoughtthataraidmightbemadeintotheSouthwherethemainFrenchpowerlay。OthersspokeofanattackuponVannes。
ToalltheseeageropinionsBambro’’listenedinamoodysilence，whichhebrokeatlastbyafierceexecrationwhichdrewahushedattentionfromthecompany。”Saynomore，fairsirs，“hecried;
“forindeedyourwordsarelikesomanystabsinmyheart。Allthisandmorewemightindeedhavedone。Butofatruthyouaretoolate。”
“Toolate？’“criedKnolles。”Whatmeanyou，Richard？”
“Alas;thatIshouldhavetosayit，butyouandallthesefairsoldiersmightbebackinEnglandoncemoreforalltheprofitthatIamliketohavefromyourcoming。SawyouarideronawhitehorseereyoureachedtheCastle？”
“Nay，Isawhimnot？”
“HecamebythewesternroadfromHennebon。Wouldthathehadbrokenhisneckerehecamehere。NotanhouragohelefthismessageandnowhathriddenontowarnthegarrisonofMalestroit。
AtrucehasbeenproclaimedforayearbetwixttheFrenchKingandtheEnglish，andhewhobreaksitforfeitslifeandestate。”
“Atruce！”Herewasanendtoalltheirfinedreams。Theylookedblanklyateachotherallroundthetable，whilstCroquartbroughthisgreatfistdownupontheboarduntiltheglassesrattledagain。Knollessatwithclenchedhandsasifhewereafigureofstone，whileNigel’sheartturnedcoldandheavywithinhim。A
truce！，Wherethenwashisthirddeed，andhowmighthereturnwithoutit？
Evenastheysatinmoodysilencetherewasthecallofabuglefromsomewhereoutinthedarkness。
SirRichardlookedupwithsurprise。”Wearenotwonttobesummonedafteroncetheportcullisisup，“saidhe。”Truceornotruce，wemustletnomanwithinourwallsuntilwehaveprovedhim。Croquart，seetoit！”
ThehugeGermanlefttheroom。Thecompanywerestillseatedindespondentsilencewhenhereturned。
“SirRichard，“saidhe，“thebraveknightRobertofBeaumanoirandhisSquireWilliamdeMontaubonarewithoutthegate，andwouldfainhavespeechwithyou。”
Bambro’startedinhischair。WhatcouldthefierceleaderoftheBretons，amanwhowasredtotheelbowwithEnglishblood，havetosaytothem？，OnwhaterrandhadhelefthiscastleofJosselintopaythisvisittohisdeadlyenemies？
“Aretheyarmed？”heasked。
“Theyareunarmed。”
“Thenadmitthemandbringthemhither，butdoubletheguardsandtakeallheedagainstsurprise。”
Placesweresetatthefartherendofthetableforthesemostunexpectedguests。Presentlythedoorwasswungopen，andCroquartwithallformandcourtesyannouncedthetwoBretons，whoenteredwiththeproudandloftyairofgallantwarriorsandhigh-bredgentlemen。
Beaumanoirwasatalldarkmanwithravenhairandlongswarthybeard。Hewasstrongandstraightasayoungoak，withfieryblackeyes，andnoflawinhiscomelyfeaturessavethathisfrontteethhadbeendashedfromtheirsockets。HisSquire，WilliamofMontaubon，wasalsotall，withathinhatchetface，andtwosmallgrayeyessetverycloseuponeithersideofalongfiercenose。
InBeaumanoir’sexpressiononereadonlygallantryandfrankness;
inMontaubon’stherewasgallantryalso，butitwasmixedwiththecrueltyandcunningofthewolf。Theybowedastheyentered，andthelittleEnglishseneschaladvancedwithoutstretchedhandtomeetthem。
“Welcome，Robert，solongasyouarebeneaththisroof，“saidhe。
“Perhapsthetimemaycomeinanotherplacewhenwemayspeaktoeachotherinanotherfashion。”
“SoIhope，Richard，“saidBeaumanoir;“butindeedweofJosselinbearyouinhighesteemandaremuchbeholdentoyouandtoyourmenforallthatyouhavedoneforus。Wecouldnotwishbetterneighborsnoranyfromwhommorehonoristobegained。IlearnthatSirRobertKnollesandothershavejoinedyou，andweareheavy-heartedtothinkthattheordersofourKingsshoulddebarusfromattemptingaventure。”，Heandhissquiresatdownattheplacessetforthem，andfillingtheirglassesdranktothecompany。
“Whatyousayistrue，Robert，“saidBambro’，“andbeforeyoucamewewerediscussingthematteramongourselvesandgrievingthatitshouldbeso。Whenheardyouofthetruce？”
“Yester-eveningamessengerrodefromNantes。”
“Ournewscameto-nightfromHennebon。TheKing’sownsealwasontheorder。SoIfearthatforayearatleastyouwillbideatJosselinandweatPloermel，andkilltimeaswemay。Perchancewemayhuntthewolftogetherinthegreatforest，orflyourhawksonthebanksoftheDuc。”
“Doubtlessweshalldoallthis，Richard，“saidBeaumanoir;“butbySaintCadocitisinmymindthatwithgood-willuponbothsideswemaypleaseourselvesandyetstandexcusedbeforeourKings。”
Knightsandsquiresleanedforwardintheirchairs，theireagereyes，fixeduponhim。Hebrokeintoagap-toothedsmileashelookedroundatthecircle，thewizenedseneschal，theblondgiant，Nigel’sfreshyoungface，thegrimfeaturesofKnolles，andtheyellowhawk-likeCalverly，allburningwiththesamedesire。
“IseethatIneednotdoubtthegood-will，“saidhe，“andofthatIwasverycertainbeforeIcameuponthiserrand。Bethinkyouthenthatthisorderappliestowarbutnottochallenges，spear-runnings，knightlyexchangesorthelike。KingEdwardistoogoodaknight，andsoisKingJohn，thateitherofthemshouldstandinthewayofagentlemanwhodesirestoadvancehimselfortoventurehisbodyfortheexaltationofhislady。Isthisnotso？”
Amurmurofeagerassentrosefromthetable。
“IfyouasthegarrisonofPloermelmarchuponthegarrisonofJosselin，thenitisveryplainthatwehavebrokenthetruceanduponourheadsbeit。Butiftherebeaprivatebickeringbetwixtme，forexample，andthisyoungsquirewhoseeyesshowthatheisveryeagerforhonor，andifthereafterothersoneachsidejoininandfightuponthequarrel，itisinnosensewar，butratherourownprivatebusinesswhichnokingcanalter。”
“Indeed，Robert，“saidBambro’，“allthatyousayisverygoodandfair。”
BeaumanoirleanedforwardtowardNigel，hisbrimmingglassinhishand。”Yourname，squire？”saidhe。
“MynameisNigelLoring。”
“Iseethatyouareyoungandeager，soIchooseyouasIwouldfainhavebeenchosenwhenIwasofyourage。”
“Ithankyou，fairsir，“saidNigel。”Itisgreathonorthatonesofamousasyourselfshouldcondescendtodosomesmalldeeduponme。”
“Butwemusthavecauseforquarrel，Nigel。NowhereIdrinktotheladiesofBrittany，whoofallladiesuponthiseartharethemostfairandthemostvirtuous，sothattheleastworthy-amongstthemisfarabovethebestofEngland。Whatsayyoutothat，youngsir？”
NigeldippedhisfingerinhisglassandleaningoverheplaceditswetimpressontheBreton’shand。”Thisinyourface！”saidhe。
Beaumanoirsweptoffthereddropofmoistureandsmiledhisapproval。”Itcouldnothavebeenbetterdone，“saidhe。”Whyspoilmyvelvetpaltockasmanyahot-headedfoolwouldhavedone。
Itisinmymind，youngsir，thatyouwillgofar。Andnow，whofollowsupthisquarrel？”
Agrowlranroundthetable。
Beaumanoirranhiseyeroundandshookhishead。”Alas！”saidhe，“therearebuttwentyofyouhere，andIhavethirtyatJosselinwhoaresoeagertoadvancethemselvesthatifIreturnwithouthopeforallofthemtherewillbesoreheartsamongstthem。I
prayyou，Richard，sincewehavebeenatthesepainstoarrangematters，thatyouinturnwilldowhatyoumay。Canyounotfindtenmoremen？”
“Butnotofgentleblood。”
“Nay，itmattersnot，iftheywillonlyfight。”
“Ofthattherecanbenodoubt，forthecastleisfullofarchersandmen-at-armswhowouldgladlyplayapartinthematter。”
“Thenchooseten，“saidBeaumanoir。
Butforthefirsttimethewolf-likesquireopenedhisthinlips。
“Surely，mylord，youwillnotallowarchers，“saidhe。
“Ifearnotanyman。”
“Nay，fairsir，considerthatthisisatrialofweaponsbetwixtuswheremanfacesman。YouhaveseentheseEnglisharchers，andyouknowhowfastandbowstrongaretheirshafts。Bethinkyouthatiftenofthemwereagainstusitislikelythathalfofuswouldbedownbeforeeverwecametohandstrokes。”
“BySaintCadoc，William，Ithinkthatyouareright，“criedtheBreton。”Ifwearetohavesuchafightaswillremaininthememoriesofmen，youwillbringnoarchersandwenocrossbows。
Letitbesteeluponsteel。Howsayyouthen？”
“Surelywecanbringtenmen-at-armstomakeupthethirtythatyoudesire，Robert。ItisagreedthenthatwefightonnoquarrelofEnglandandFrance，butoverthismatteroftheladiesinwhichyouandSquireLoringhavefallenout。Andnowthetime？”
“Atonce。”
“Surelyatonce，orperchanceasecondmessengermaycomeandthisalsobeforbidden。Wewillbereadywithto-morrow’ssunrise。”
“Nay，adaylater，“criedtheBretonSquire。”Bethinkyou，mylord，thatthethreelancesofRadenacwouldtaketimetocomeover。”
“Theyarenotofourgarrison，andtheyshallnothaveaplace。”
“But，fairsir，ofallthelancesofBrittany-“
“Nay，William，Iwillnothaveitanhourlater。Tomorrowitshallbe，Richard。”
“Andwhere？”
“ImarkedafittingplaceevenasIrodeherethisevening。Ifyoucrosstheriverandtakethebridle-paththroughthefieldswhichleadstoJosselinyoucomemidwayuponamightyoakstandingatthecornerofafairandlevelmeadow。Thereletusmeetatmiddayto-morrow。”
“Agreed！”criedBambro’。”ButIprayyounottorise，Robert！
Thenightisstillyoungandthespicesandhippocraswillsoonbeserved。Bidewithus，Iprayyou，forifyouwouldfainhearthelatestsongsfromEngland，thesegentlemenhavedoubtlessbroughtthem。Tosomeofusperchanceitisthelastnight，sowewouldmakeitafullone。”
ButthegallantBretonshookhishead。”Itmayindeedbethelastnightformany，“saidhe，“anditisbutrightthatmycomradesshouldknowit。Ihavenoneedofmonkorfriar，forIcannotthinkthatharmwillevercomebeyondthegravetoonewhohasbornehimselfasaknightshould，butothershaveotherthoughtsuponthesemattersandwouldfainhavetimeforprayerandpenitence。Adieu，fairsirs，andIdrinkalastglasstoahappymeetingatthemidwayoak。”
XXIII。HOWTHIRTYOFJOSSELINENCOUNTEREDTHIRTYOFPLOERMEL
AllnighttheCastleofPloermelrangwithwarlikepreparations，forthesmithswerehammeringandfilingandriveting，preparingthearmorforthechampions。Inthestableyardhostlersweretestingandgroomingthegreatwar-horses，whilstinthechapelknightsandsquireswereeasingtheirsoulsatthekneesofoldFatherBenedict。
Downinthecourtyard，meanwhile，themen-at-armshadbeenassembled，andthevolunteersweededoutuntilthebestmenhadbeenselected。BlackSimonhadobtainedaplace，andgreatwasthejoywhichshoneuponhisgrimvisage。WithhimwerechosenyoungNicholasDagsworth，agentlemanadventurerwhowasnephewtothefamousSirThomas，WaltertheGerman，Hulbitee-ahugepeasantwhosemassiveframegavepromisewhichhissluggishspiritfailedtofulfil-JohnAlcock，RobinAdeyandRaoulProvost。
Thesewiththreeothersmadeuptherequiredthirty。Greatwasthegrumblingandevilthetalkamongstthearcherswhenitwaslearnedthatnoneofthemweretobeincluded，butthebowhadbeenforbiddenoneitherside。Itistruethatmanyofthemwereexpertfightersbothwithaxandwithsword，buttheywereunusedtocarryheavyarmor，andahalf-armedmanwouldhaveshortshriftinsuchahand-to-handstruggleaslaybeforethem。
Itwastwohoursaftertierce，oronehourbeforenoon，onthefourthWednesdayofLentintheyearofChrist1351thatthemenofPloermelrodeforthfromtheircastle-gateandcrossedthebridgeoftheDue。InfrontwasBambro’withhisSquireCroquart，thelatteronagreatroanhorsebearingthebannerofPloermel，whichwasablackrampantlionholdingablueflaguponafieldofermine。BehindhimcameRobertKnollesandNigelLoring，withanattendantattheirside，whocarriedthepennonoftheblackraven。ThenrodeSirThomasPercywithhisbluelionflauntingabovehim，andSirHughCalverly，whosebannerboreasilverowl，followedbythemassiveBelfordwhocarriedahugeironclub，weighingsixtypounds，uponhissaddlebow，andSirThomasWaltontheknightofSurrey。BehindthemwerefourbraveAnglo-Bretons，PerrotdeCommelain，LeGaillart，d’Aspremontandd’Ardaine，whofoughtagainsttheirowncountrymenbecausetheywerepartisansoftheCountessofMontfort。Herengrailedsilvercrossuponabluefieldwascarriedattheirhead。IntherearwerefiveGermanorHainaultmercenaries，thetallHulbitee，andthemen-at-arms。
AltogetherofthesecombatantstwentywereofEnglishbirth，fourwereBretonandsixwereofGermanblood。
So，withglitterofarmorandflauntingofpennons，theirwarhorsestossingandpawing，thechampionsrodedowntothemidwayoak。Behindthemstreamedhundredsofarchersandmen-
at-armswhoseweaponshadbeenwiselytakenfromthemlestageneralbattleshouldensue。Withthemalsowentthetownsfolk，menandwomen，togetherwithwine-sellers，provisionsmerchants，armorers，groomsandheralds，withsurgeonstotendthewoundedandprieststoshrivethedying。Thepathwasblockedbythisthrong，butalloverthefaceofthecountryhorsemenandfootmen，gentleandsimple，menandwomen，couldbeseenspeedingtheirwaytothesceneoftheencounter。
Thejourneywasnotalongone，forpresently，astheythreadedtheirwaythroughthefields，thereappearedbeforethemagreatgrayoakwhichspreaditsgnarledleaflessbranchesoverthecornerofagreenandlevelmeadow。Thetreewasblackwiththepeasantswhohadclimbedintoit，andallrounditwasahugethrong，chatteringandcallinglikearookeryatsunset。AstormofhootingbrokeoutfromthemattheapproachoftheEnglish，forBambro’washatedinthecountrywhereheraisedmoneyfortheMontfortcausebyputtingeveryparishtoransomandmaltreatingthosewhorefusedtopay。TherewaslittleamenityinthewarlikewayswhichhadbeenlearnedupontheScottishborder。Thechampionsrodeonwardwithoutdeigningtotakenoticeofthetauntsoftherabble，butthearchersturnedthatwayandsoonbeatthemobtosilence。Thentheyresolvedthemselvesintothekeepersoftheground，andpressedthepeoplebackuntiltheyformedadenselinealongtheedgeofthefield，’leavingthewholespaceclearforthewarriors。
TheBretonchampionshadnotyetarrived，sotheEnglishtetheredtheirhorsesatonesideoftheground，andthengatheredroundtheirleader。Everymanhadhisshieldslungroundhisneck，andhadcuthisspeartothelengthoffivefeetsothatitmightbemoremanageableforfightingonfoot。Besidesthespearaswordorabattle-axhungatthesideofeach。Theywerecladfromheadtofootinarmor，withdevicesuponthecrestsandsurcoatstodistinguishthemfromtheirantagonists。Atpresenttheirvisorswerestillupandtheychattedgaylywitheachother。
“BySaintDunstan！”criedPercy，slappinghisgauntletedhandstogetherandstampinghissteelfeet。”Ishallberightgladtogettowork，formybloodischilled。”
“Iwarrantyouwillbewarmenoughereyougetthrough，“saidCalverly。
“Orcoldforever。CandleshallburnandbelltollatAlnwickChapelifIleavethisgroundalive，butcomewhatmay，fairsirs，itshouldbeafamousjoustandonewhichwillhelpusforward。
Surelyeachofuswillhaveworshipfullywonworship，ifwechancetocomethrough。”
“Yousaytruth，Thomas，“saidKnolles，bracinghisgirdle。”FormyownpartIhavenojoyinsuchencounterswhenthereiswarfaretobecarriedout，foritstandethnotarightthatamanshouldthinkofhisownpleasureandadvancementratherthanoftheKing’scauseandthewealofthearmy。ButintimesoftruceI
canthinkofnobetterwayinwhichadaymaybeprofitablyspent。
Whysosilent，Nigel？”
“Indeed，fairsir，IwaslookingtowardJosselin，whichliesasI
understandbeyondthosewoods。Iseenosignofthisdebonairgentlemanandofhisfollowing。Itwouldbeindeedgrievouspityifanycausecametoholdthemback。”
HughCalverlylaughedatthewords。”Youneedhavenofear，youngsir，“saidhe。”SuchaspiritliesinRobertdeBeaumanoirthatifhemustcomealonehewouldrideagainstusnonetheless。I
warrantthatifhewereonabedofdeathhewouldbebornehereanddieonthegreenfield。”