INTRODUCTION
Theyear1400openedwithmorethanusualpeacefulnessinEngland。Onlyafewmonthsbefore，RichardII——weak，wicked，andtreacherous——hadbeendethroned，andHenryIVdeclaredKinginhisstead。Butitwasonlyaseemingpeacefulness，lastingbutforalittlewhile；forthoughKingHenryprovedhimselfajustandamercifulman——asjusticeandmercywentwiththemenofironofthosedays——andthoughhedidnotcaretoshedbloodneedlessly，thereweremanynoblefamilieswhohadbeenbenefitedbyKingRichardduringhisreign，andwhohadlostsomewhatoftheirpowerandprestigefromthecominginofthenewKing。
Amongthesewereanumberofgreatlords——theDukesofAlbemarle，Surrey，andExeter，theMarquisofDorset，theEarlofGloucester，andothers——whohadbeendegradedtotheirformertitlesandestates，fromwhichKingRichardhadliftedthem。
TheseandothersbrewedasecretplottotakeKingHenry’slife，whichplotmighthavesucceededhadnotoneoftheirownnumberbetrayedthem。
TheirplanhadbeentofallupontheKingandhisadherents，andtomassacrethemduringagreattournament，tobeheldatOxford。
ButHenrydidnotappearatthelists；whereupon，knowingthathehadbeenlodgingatWindsorwithonlyafewattendants，theconspiratorsmarchedthitheragainsthim。InthemeantimetheKinghadbeenwarnedoftheplot，sothat，insteadoffindinghimintheroyalcastle，theydiscoveredthroughtheirscoutsthathehadhurriedtoLondon，whencehewaseventhenmarchingagainstthemattheheadofaconsiderablearmy。Sonothingwasleftthembutflight。Somebetookthemselvesoneway，someanother；somesoughtsanctuaryhere，somethere；butoneandanother，theywereallofthemcaughtandkilled。
TheEarlofKent——onetimeDukeofSurrey——andtheEarlofSalisburywerebeheadedinthemarket—placeatCirencester；LordLeDespencer——oncetheEarlofGloucester——andLordLumleymetthesamefateatBristol；theEarlofHuntingdonwastakenintheEssexfens，carriedtothecastleoftheDukeofGloucester，whomhehadbetrayedtohisdeathinKingRichard’stime，andwastherekilledbythecastlepeople。Thosefewwhofoundfriendsfaithfulandboldenoughtoaffordthemshelter，draggedthosefriendsdownintheirownruin。
Justsuchacasewasthatofthefatheroftheboyheroofthisstory，theblindLordGilbertReginaldFalworth，BaronofFalworthandEasterbridge，who，thoughhavingnopartintheplot，sufferedthroughitruin，utterandcomplete。
HehadbeenafaithfulcounsellorandadvisertoKingRichard，andperhapsitwasthis，asmuchandmorethanhisroundaboutconnectionwiththeplot，thatbroughtuponhimthepunishmenthesuffered。
CHAPTERI
MylesFalworthwasbuteightyearsofageatthattime，anditwasonlyafterwards，andwhenhegrewoldenoughtoknowmoreoftheinsandoutsofthematter，thathecouldrememberbybitsandpiecesthethingsthatafterwardshappened；howoneeveningaknightcameclatteringintothecourt—yarduponahorse，red—nostrilledandsmearedwiththesweatandfoamofadesperateride——SirJohnDale，adearfriendoftheblindLord。
Eventhoughsoyoung，MylesknewthatsomethingveryserioushadhappenedtomakeSirJohnsopaleandhaggard，andhedimlyrememberedleaningagainsttheknight’siron—coveredknees，lookingupintohisgloomyface，andaskinghimifhewassicktolooksostrange。Thereuponthosewhohadbeentootroubledbeforetonoticehim，bethoughtthemselvesofhim，andsenthimtobed，rebelliousathavingtogosoearly。
Herememberedhowthenextmorning，lookingoutofawindowhighupundertheeaves，hesawagreattroopofhorsemencomeridingintothecourtyardbeneath，whereapowderingofsnowhadwhitenedeverything，andofhowtheleader，aknightcladinblackarmor，dismountedandenteredthegreathalldoor—waybelow，followedbyseveraloftheband。
Herememberedhowsomeofthecastlewomenwerestandinginafrightenedgroupuponthelandingofthestairs，talkingtogetherinlowvoicesaboutamatterhedidnotunderstand，exceptingthatthearmedmenwhohadriddenintothecourtyardhadcomeforSirJohnDale。Noneofthewomenpaidanyattentiontohim；so，shunningtheirnotice，heranoffdownthewindingstairs，expectingeverymomenttobecalledbackagainbysomeoneofthem。
Acrowdofcastlepeople，allveryseriousandquiet，weregatheredinthehall，whereanumberofstrangemen—at—armsloungeduponthebenches，whiletwobillmeninsteelcapsandleathernjacksstoodguardingthegreatdoor，thebuttsoftheirweaponsrestingupontheground，andthestavescrossed，barringthedoor—way。
IntheanteroomwastheknightinblackarmorwhomMyleshadseenfromthewindow。Hewassittingatthetable，hisgreathelmetlyinguponthebenchbesidehim，andaquartbeakerofspicedwineathiselbow。Aclerksatattheotherendofthesametable，withinkhorninonehandandpenintheother，andaparchmentspreadinfrontofhim。
MasterRobert，thecastlesteward，stoodbeforetheknight，whoeverynowandthenputtohimaquestion，whichtheotherwouldanswer，andtheclerkwritetheanswerdownupontheparchment。
Hisfatherstoodwithhisbacktothefireplace，lookingdownuponthefloorwithhisblindeyes，hisbrowsdrawnmoodilytogether，andthescarofthegreatwoundthathehadreceivedatthetournamentatYork——thewoundthathadmadehimblind——showingredacrosshisforehead，asitalwaysdidwhenhewasangeredortroubled。
TherewassomethingaboutitallthatfrightenedMyles，whocrepttohisfather’sside，andslidhislittlehandintothepalmthathunglimpandinert。Inanswertothetouch，hisfathergraspedthehandtightly，butdidnotseemotherwisetonoticethathewasthere。Neitherdidtheblackknightpayanyattentiontohim，butcontinuedputtinghisquestionstoMasterRobert。
Then，suddenly，therewasacommotioninthehallwithout，loudvoices，andahurryinghereandthere。Theblackknighthalfarose，graspingaheavyironmacethatlayuponthebenchbesidehim，andthenextmomentSirJohnDalehimself，aspaleasdeath，walkedintotheantechamber。Hestoppedintheverymiddleoftheroom。\"IyieldmetomyLord’sgraceandmercy，\"saidhetotheblackknight，andtheywerethelastwordsheeverutteredinthisworld。
Theblackknightshoutedoutsomewordsofcommand，andswinginguptheironmaceinhishand，strodeforwardclankingtowardsSirJohn，whoraisedhisarmasthoughtoshieldhimselffromtheblow。Twoorthreeofthosewhostoodinthehallwithoutcamerunningintotheroomwithdrawnswordsandbills，andlittleMyles，cryingoutwithterror，hidhisfaceinhisfather’slonggown。
Thenextinstantcamethesoundofaheavyblowandofagroan，thenanotherblowandthesoundofonefallingupontheground。
Thentheclashingofsteel，andinthemidstLordFalworthcrying，inadreadfulvoice，\"Thoutraitor！thoucoward！thoumurderer！\"
MasterRobertsnatchedMylesawayfromhisfather，andborehimoutoftheroominspiteofhisscreamsandstruggles，andherememberedjustoneinstant’ssightofSirJohnlyingstillandsilentuponhisface，andoftheblackknightstandingabovehim，withtheterriblemaceinhishandstainedadreadfulred。
ItwasthenextdaythatLordandLadyFalworthandlittleMyles，togetherwiththreeofthemorefaithfuloftheirpeople，leftthecastle。
HismemoryofpastthingsheldapictureforMylesofoldDicconBowmanstandingoverhiminthesilenceofmidnightwithalightedlampinhishand，andwithitarecollectionofbeingbiddentohushwhenhewouldhavespoken，andofbeingdressedbyDicconandoneofthewomen，bewilderedwithsleep，shudderingandchatteringwithcold。
Herememberedbeingwrappedinthesheepskinthatlayatthefootofhisbed，andofbeingcarriedinDicconBowman’sarmsdownthesilentdarknessofthewindingstair—way，withthegreatblackgiantshadowsswayingandflickeringuponthestonewallasthedullflameofthelampswayedandflickeredinthecoldbreathingofthenightair。
Belowwerehisfatherandmotherandtwoorthreeothers。A
strangerstoodwarminghishandsatanewly—madefire，andlittleMyles，ashepeepedfromoutthewarmsheepskin，sawthathewasinriding—bootsandwascoveredwithmud。HedidnotknowtilllongyearsafterwardsthatthestrangerwasamessengersentbyafriendattheKing’scourt，biddinghisfatherflyforsafety。
Theywhostoodtherebytheredblazeofthefirewereallverystill，talkinginwhispersandwalkingontiptoes，andMyles’smotherhuggedhiminherarms，sheepskinandall，kissinghim，withthetearsstreamingdownhercheeks，andwhisperingtohim，asthoughhecouldunderstandtheirtrouble，thattheywereabouttoleavetheirhomeforever。
ThenDicconBowmancarriedhimoutintothestrangenessofthewintermidnight。
Outside，beyondthefrozenmoat，wheretheosiers，stoodstarkandstiffintheirwinternakedness，wasagroupofdarkfigureswaitingforthemwithhorses。InthepallidmoonlightMylesrecognizedthewell—knownfaceofFatherEdward，thePriorofSt。
Mary’s。
Afterthatcamealongridethroughthatsilentnightuponthesaddle—bowinfrontofDicconBowman；thenadeep，heavysleep，thatfelluponhiminspiteofthegallopingofthehorses。
Whennexthewokethesunwasshining，andhishomeandhiswholelifewerechanged。
CHAPTER2
FromthetimethefamilyescapedfromFalworthCastlethatmidwinternighttothetimeMyleswassixteenyearsoldheknewnothingofthegreatworldbeyondCrosbey—Dale。Afairwasheldtwiceinatwelvemonthatthemarket—townofWisebey，andthreetimesinthesevenyearsoldDicconBowmantooktheladtoseethesightsatthatplace。BeyondthesethreeglimpsesoftheouterworldhelivedalmostassecludedalifeasoneoftheneighboringmonksofSt。Mary’sPriory。
Crosbey—Holt，theirnewhome，wasdifferentenoughfromFalworthorEasterbridgeCastle，theformerbaronialseatsofLordFalworth。Itwasalong，low，straw—thatchedfarm—house，once，whenthechurchlandsweredividedintotwoholdings，oneofthebailiff’shouses。Allaroundwerethefruitfulfarmsofthepriory，tilledbywell—to—dotenantholders，andrichwithfieldsofwavinggrain，andmeadow—landswheresheepandcattlegrazedinflocksandherds；forinthosedaysthechurchlandswereunderchurchrule，andweregovernedbychurchlaws，andthere，whenwarandfamineandwasteandslothblightedtheoutsideworld，harvestsflourishedandweregathered，andsheepwereshearedandcowsweremilkedinpeaceandquietness。
ThePriorofSt。Mary’sowedmuchifnotallofthechurch’sprosperitytotheblindLordFalworth，andnowhewaspayingitbackwithahavenofrefugefromtheruinthathisformerpatronhadbroughtuponhimselfbygivingsheltertoSirJohnDale。
Ifancythatmostboysdonotlovethegrindingofschoollife——thelessonstobeconned，thecloseapplicationduringstudyhours。Itisnotoftenpleasanttobrisk，livelyladstobesocoopedup。Iwonderwhattheboysofto—daywouldhavethoughtofMyles’straining。Withhimthattrainingwasnotonlyofthemind，butofthebodyaswell，andforsevenyearsitwasalmostunremitting。\"Thouhastthineownwaytomakeintheworld，sirrah，\"hisfathersaidmorethanoncewhentheboycomplainedofthegrindinghardnessofhislife，andtomakeone’swayinthosedaysmeantathousandtimesmorethanitdoesnow；itmeantnotonlyahearttofeelandabraintothink，butahandquickandstrongtostrikeinbattle，andabodytoughtoendurethewoundsandblowsinreturn。AndsoitwasthatMyles’sbodyaswellashismindhadtobetrainedtomeettheneedsofthedarkageinwhichhelived。
Everymorning，winterorsummer，rainorshinehetrampedawaysixlongmilestotheprioryschool，andintheeveningshismothertaughthimFrench。
Myles，beingprejudicedintheschoolofthoughtofhisday，rebellednotalittleatthatlastbranchofhisstudies。\"WhymustIlearnthatviletongue？\"saidhe。
\"Callitnotvile，\"saidtheblindoldLord，grimly；\"belike，whenthouartgrownaman，thou’lthavetoseekthyfortuneinFranceland，forEnglandishaplynoplaceforsuchasbeofFalworthblood。\"Andinafter—years，truetohisfather’sprediction，the\"viletongue\"servedhimwell。
Asforhisphysicaltraining，thatprettywellfilledupthehoursbetweenhismorningstudiesatthemonasteryandhiseveningstudiesathome。ThenitwasthatoldDicconBowmantookhiminhand，thanwhomnonecouldbebetterfittedtoshapehisyoungbodytostrengthandhishandstoskillinarms。TheoldbowmanhadservedwithLordFalworth’sfatherundertheBlackPrincebothinFranceandSpain，andinlongyearsofwarhadgainedapracticalknowledgeofarmsthatfewcouldsurpass。
Besidestheuseofthebroadsword，theshortsword，thequarter—staff，andthecudgel，hetaughtMylestoshootsoskilfullywiththelong—bowandthecross—bowthatnotaladinthecountry—sidewashismatchatthevillagebutts。Attackanddefencewiththelance，andthrowingtheknifeanddaggerwerealsopartofhistraining。
Then，inadditiontothismoreregularpartofhisphysicaltraining，Myleswastaughtinanotherbranchnotsooftenincludedinthemilitaryeducationoftheday——theartofwrestling。IthappenedthatafellowlivedinCrosbeyvillage，bynameRalph—the—Smith，whowasthegreatestwrestlerinthecountry—side，andhadwornthechampionbeltforthreeyears。
EverySundayafternoon，infairweather，hecametoteachMylestheart，andbeingwonderfullyadeptinbodilyfeats，hesoongrewsoquickandactiveandfirm—footedthathecouldcastanyladundertwentyyearsofagelivingwithinarangeoffivemiles。
\"Itismainungentlearmscraftthathelearneth，\"saidLordFalworthonedaytoPriorEdward。\"Savingonlythebroadsword，thedagger，andthelance，thereisbutlittlethatagentlemanofhisstrainmayuse。Neth’less，hegainethquicknessandsuppleness，andifhehathtruebloodinhisveinshewillacquireknightlyartsshrewdlyquickwhenthetimecomethtolearnthem。\"
ButhardandgrindingasMyles’slifewas，itwasnotentirelywithoutpleasures。ThereweremanyboyslivinginCrosbey—Daleandthevillage；yeomen’sandfarmers’sons，tobesure，but，nevertheless，ladsofhisownage，andthat，afterall，isthemainrequirementforfriendshipinboyhood’sworld。Thentherewastherivertobathein；therewerethehillsandvalleystoroamover，andthewoldandwoodland，withtheirwealthofnutsandbirds’—nestsandwhatnotofboyhood’streasures。
Oncehegainedatriumphthatformanyadaywasverysweetunderthetongueofhismemory。Aswassaidbefore，hehadbeenthreetimestothemarket—townatfair—time，anduponthelastoftheseoccasionshehadfoughtaboutofquarterstaffwithayoungfellowoftwenty，andhadbeentheconqueror。Hewasthenonlyalittleoverfourteenyearsold。
OldDiccon，whohadgonewithhimtothefair，hadmetsomecroniesofhisown，withwhomhehadsatgossipingintheale—booth，leavingMylesforthenoncetoshiftforhimself。
By—and—bytheoldmanhadnoticedacrowdgatheredatonepartofthefair—ground，and，snuffingafight，hadgonerunning，ale—potinhand。Then，peeringovertheshouldersofthecrowd，hehadseenhisyoungmaster，strippedtothewaist，fightinglikeagladiatorwithafellowaheadtallerthanhimself。Dicconwasabouttoforcehiswaythroughthecrowdanddragthemasunder，butasecondlookhadshowedhispractisedeyethatMyleswasnotonlyholdinghisown，butwasinthewayofwinningthevictory。
Sohehadstoodwiththeotherslookingon，withholdinghimselffromanyinterferenceandwhateverupbraidingmightbenecessaryuntilthefighthadbeenbroughttoatriumphantclose。LordFalworthneverhearddirectlyoftheredoubtableaffair，butoldDicconwasnotsosilentwiththecommonfolkofCrosbey—Dale，andsonodoubtthefatherhadsomeinklingofwhathadhappened。
ItwasshortlyafterthisnotableeventthatMyleswasformallyinitiatedintosquirehood。Hisfatherandmother，aswasthecustom，stoodsponsorsforhim。Bythem，eachbearingalightedtaper，hewasescortedtothealtar。ItwasatSt。Mary’sPriory，andPriorEdwardblessedtheswordandgirdedittothelad’sside。Noonewaspresentbutthefour，andwhenthegoodPriorhadgiventhebenedictionandhadsignedthecrossuponhisforehead，Myles’smotherstoopedandkissedhisbrowjustwherethepriest’sfingerhaddrawntheholysign。Hereyesbrimmedbrightwithtearsasshedidso。Poorlady！perhapssheonlythenandforthefirsttimerealizedhowbigherfledglingwasgrowingforhisnest。HenceforthMyleshadtherighttowearasword。
Myleshadendedhisfifteenthyear。Hewasabonnylad，withbrownface，curlinghair，asquare，strongchin，andapairofmerrylaughingblueeyes；hisshoulderswerebroad；hischestwasthickofgirth；hismusclesandthewswereastoughasoak。
Thedayuponwhichhewassixteenyearsold，ashecamewhistlinghomefromthemonasteryschoolhewasmetbyDicconBowman。
\"MasterMyles，\"saidtheoldman，withasnuffleinhisvoice——\"MasterMyles，thyfatherwouldseetheeinhischamber，andbademesendtheetohimassoonasthoudidstcomehome。Oh，MasterMyles，Ifearmethatbelikethouartgoingtoleavehometo—morrowday。\"
Mylesstoppedshort。\"Toleavehome！\"hecried。
\"Aye，\"saidoldDiccon，\"belikethougoesttosomegrandcastletolivethere，andbeapagethereandwhatnot，andthen，haply，agentleman—at—armsinsomegreatlord’spay。\"
\"Whatcoilisthisaboutcastlesandlordsandgentlemen—at—arms？\"saidMyles。\"Whattalkestthouof，Diccon？
Artthoujesting？\"
\"Nay，\"saidDiccon，\"Iamnotjesting。Butgotothyfather，andthenthouwiltpresentlyknowall。OnlythisIdosay，thatitislikethouleavestusto—morrowday。\"
AndsoitwasasDicconhadsaid；Myleswastoleavehometheverynextmorning。HefoundhisfatherandmotherandPriorEdwardtogether，waitingforhiscoming。
\"Wethreehavebeentalkingitoverthismorning，\"saidhisfather，\"andsothinkeachonethatthetimehathcomefortheetoquitthispoorhomeofours。Anthoustayheretenyearslonger，thou’ltbenomorefittogothenthannow。To—morrowI
willgivetheealettertomykinsman，theEarlofMackworth。HehasthriveninthesedaysandIhavefallenaway，buttimewasthatheandIweretruesworncompanions，andplightedtogetherinfriendshipnevertobesundered。Methinks，asIrememberhim，hewillabidebyhisplightedtroth，andwillgivetheehisaidtoriseintheworld。So，asIsaid，to—morrowmorningthoushaltsetforthwithDicconBowman，andshallgotoCastleDevlen，andtheredeliverthisletterwhichprayethhimtogivetheeaplaceinhishousehold。Thoumaysthavethisafternoontothyselftomakereadsuchthingsasthoushalttakewiththee。AndbidmeDiccontotakethegrayhorsetothevillageandhaveitshod。\"
PriorEdwardhadbeenstandinglookingoutofthewindow。AsLordFalworthendedheturned。
\"And，Myles，\"saidhe，\"thouwiltneedsomemoney，soIwillgivetheeasaloanfortyshillings，whichsomedaythoumaystreturntomeanthouwilt。Forthisknow，Myles，amancannotdointheworldwithoutmoney。Thyfatherhathitreadyfortheeinthechest，andwillgiveittheeto—morrowerethougoest。\"
LordFalworthhadthegrimstrengthofmanhood’shardsensetoupbearhiminsendinghissonintotheworld，butthepoorladymotherhadnothingofthattoupholdher。Nodoubtitwasashardthenasitisnowforthemothertoseethenestlingthrustfromthenesttoshiftforitself。Whattearswereshed，whatwordsoflovewerespokentotheonlyman—child，nonebutthemotherandthesoneverknew。
ThenextmorningMylesandtheoldbowmanrodeaway，andnodoubttotheboyhimselfthedarkshadowsofleave—takingwerelostinthegoldenlightofhopeasherodeoutintothegreatworldtoseekhisfortune。
CHAPTER3
WHATMYLESrememberedofFalworthloomedgreatandgrandandbig，asthingsdointhememoryofchildhood，butevenmemorycouldnotmakeFalworththeequalofDevlenCastle，when，asheandDicconBowmanrodeoutofDevlentownacrossthegreat，rudestonebridgethatspannedtheriver，hefirstsaw，risingabovethecrownsofthetrees，thosehugehoarywalls，andthesteeproofsandchimneysclusteredthicklytogether，liketheroofsandchimneysofatown。
Thecastlewasbuiltuponaplateau—likeriseofground，whichwasenclosedbytheouterwall。Itwassurroundedonthreesidesbyaloop—likebendoftheriver，andonthefourthwasprotectedbyadeep，broad，artificialmoat，almostaswideasthestreamfromwhichitwasfed。Theroadfromthetownwoundforalittledistancealongbytheedgeofthismoat。AsMylesandtheoldbowmangallopedby，withtheansweringechooftheirhorses’
hoof—beatsrattlingbackfromthesmoothstonefaceofthewalls，theladlookedup，wonderingattheheightandstrengthofthegreatancientfortress。Inhisair—castlebuildingMyleshadpicturedtheEarlreceivinghimasthesonofhisone—timecomradeinarms——receivinghim，perhaps，withsomewhatoftherusticwarmththatheknewatCrosbey—Dale；butnow，ashestaredatthosemassivewallsfrombelow，andrealizedhisowninsignificanceandthegreatnessofthisgreatEarl，hefeltthefirstkeen，helplessacheofhomesicknessshootthroughhisbreast，andhisheartyearnedforCrosbey—Holtagain。
Thentheythunderedacrossthebridgethatspannedthemoat，andthroughthedarkshadowsofthegreatgapinggate—way，andDiccon，biddinghimstayforamoment，rodeforwardtobespeakthegate—keeper。
Thegate—keepergavethetwoinchargeofoneofthemen—at—armswhowerelounginguponabenchinthearchway，whointurngavethemintothecareofoneofthehouse—servantsintheoutercourt—yard。So，havingbeenpassedfromonetoanother，andhavingansweredmanyquestions，Mylesinduetimefoundhimselfintheouterwaiting—roomsittingbesideDicconBowmanuponawoodenbenchthatstoodalongthewallunderthegreatarchofaglazedwindow。
Forawhilethepoorcountryladsatstupidlybewildered。Hewasawareofpeoplecomingandgoing；hewasawareoftalkandlaughtersoundingaroundhim；buthethoughtofnothingbuthisachinghomesicknessandtheoppressionofhisutterlittlenessinthebusylifeofthisgreatcastle。
MeantimeoldDicconBowmanwasstaringabouthimwithhugeinterest，everynowandthennudginghisyoungmaster，callinghisattentionnowtothisandnowtothat，untilatlasttheladbegantoawakensomewhatfromhisdespondencytothethingsaround。Besidesthoseservantsandotherswhocameandwent，andaknotofsixoreightmen—at—armswithbillsandpole—axes，whostoodatthefartherdoor—waytalkingtogetherinlowtones，nowandthenbrokenbyastifledlaugh，wasagroupoffouryoungsquires，wholoungeduponabenchbesideadoor—wayhiddenbyanarras，anduponthemMyles’seyeslitwithasuddeninterest。
Threeofthefourwereabouthisownage，onewasayearortwoolder，andallfourweredressedintheblack—and—yellowuniformofthehouseofBeaumont。
Mylespluckedthebowmanbythesleeve。\"Betheysquires，Diccon？\"saidhe，noddingtowardsthedoor。
\"Eh？\"saidDiccon。\"Aye；theybesquires。\"
\"Andwillmystationbewiththem？\"askedtheboy。
\"Aye；antheEarltaketheetoservice，thou’lthaplybetakenassquire。\"
Mylesstaredatthem，andthenofasuddenwasawarethattheyoungmenweretalkingofhim。Heknewitbythewaytheyeyedhimaskance，andspokenowandtheninoneanother’sears。Oneofthefour，agayyoungfellow，withlongriding—bootslacedwithgreenlaces，saidafewwords，theothersgavealaugh，andpoorMyles，knowinghowungainlyhemustseemtothem，feltthebloodrushtohischeeks，andshylyturnedhishead。
Suddenly，asthoughstirredbyanimpulse，thesameladwhohadjustcreatedthelaugharosefromthebench，andcamedirectlyacrosstheroomtowhereMylesandthebowmansat。
\"Givetheegood—den，\"saidhe。\"Whatbe’stthynameandwhencecomestthou，anImaymakeboldsotoask？\"
\"MynameisMylesFalworth，\"saidMyles；\"andIcomefromCrosbey—DalebearingalettertomyLord。\"
\"NeverdidIhearofCrosbey—Dale，\"saidthesquire。\"Butwhatseekesthere，ifsobeImayaskthatmuch？\"
\"Icomeseekingservice，\"saidMyles，\"andwouldenterasanesquiresuchasyebeinmyLord’shousehold。\"
Myles’snewacquaintancegrinned。\"Thou’ltmakeadrollsquiretowaitinaLord’shousehold，\"saidhe。\"Hasteverbeeninsuchservice？\"
\"Nay，\"saidMyles，\"Ihaveonlybeenatschool，andlearnedLatinandFrenchandwhatnot。ButDicconBowmanherehathtaughtmeuseofarms。
Theyoungsquirelaughedoutright。\"By’rLady，thytalkdothtickleme，friendMyles，\"saidhe。\"Think’stthousuchmatterswillgaintheefootinghere？Butstay！ThoudidstsayanonthatthouhadstalettertomyLord。Fromwhomisit？\"
\"Itisfrommyfather，\"saidMyles。\"Heisofnobleblood，butfalleninestate。HeisakinsmanofmyLord’s，andonetimehiscomradeinarms。\"
\"Saystso？\"saidtheother。\"Thenmayhapthychancesarenotsoill，afterall。\"Then，afteramoment，headded：\"MynameisFrancisGascoyne，andIwillstandthyfriendinthismatter。Getthyletterready，formyLordandhisGraceofYorkarewithinandcomeforthanon。TheArchbishopisonhiswaytoDalworth，andmyLordescortshimsofarasUppingham。Iandthoseothersaretogoalong。DostthouknowmyLordbysight？\"
\"Nay，\"saidMyles，\"Iknowhimnot。\"
\"ThenIwilltelltheewhenhecometh。Listen！\"saidhe，asaconfusedclatteringsoundedinthecourt—yardwithout。\"Yonderarethehorsesnow。Theycomepresently。Busktheewiththyletter，friendMyles。\"
Theattendantswhopassedthroughtheanteroomnowcameandwentmorehurriedly，andMylesknewthattheEarlmustbeabouttocomeforth。Hehadhardlytimetountiehispouch，takeouttheletter，andtiethestringsagainwhenthearrasatthedoor—waywasthrustsuddenlyaside，andatallthinsquireofabouttwentycameforth，saidsomewordstotheyoungmenuponthebench，andthenwithdrewagain。Instantlythesquiresaroseandtooktheirstationbesidethedoor—way。Asuddenhushfelluponallintheroom，andthemen—at—armsstoodinalineagainstthewall，stiffanderectasthoughallatoncetransformedtofiguresofiron。
Oncemorethearraswasdrawnback，andinthehushMylesheardvoicesintheotherroom。
\"MyLordcometh，\"whisperedGascoyneinhisear，andMylesfelthisheartleapinanswer。
Thenextmomenttwonoblemencameintotheanteroomfollowedbyacrowdofgentlemen，squires，andpages。OneofthetwowasadignitaryoftheChurch；theotherMylesinstantlysingledoutastheEarlofMackworth。
CHAPTER4
Hewasatallman，tallereventhanMyles’sfather。Hehadathinface，deep—setbushyeyebrows，andahawknose。Hisupperlipwascleanshaven，butfromhischinaflowingbeardofiron—grayhungnearlytohiswaist。Hewascladinariding—gownofblackvelvetthathungalittlelowerthantheknee，trimmedwithotterfurandembroideredwithsilvergoshawks——thecrestofthefamilyofBeaumont。
Alightshirtoflinkmailshowedbeneaththegownashewalked，andapairofsoftundressedleatherriding—bootswerelacedashighastheknee，protectinghisscarlethosefrommudanddirt。
Overhisshouldersheworeacollarofenamelledgold，fromwhichhungamagnificentjewelledpendant，anduponhisfisthecarriedabeautifulIcelandfalcon。
AsMylesstoodstaring，hesuddenlyheardGascoyne’svoicewhisperinhisear，\"YonismyLord；goforwardandgivehimthyletter。\"
Scarcelyknowingwhathedid，hewalkedtowardstheEarllikeamachine，hisheartpoundingwithinhimandagreathumminginhisears。Ashedrewnear，thenoblemanstoppedforamomentandstaredathim，andMyles，asinadream，kneeled，andpresentedtheletter。TheEarltookitinhishand，turneditthiswayandthat，lookedfirstatthebearer，thenatthepacket，andthenatthebeareragain。
\"Whoartthou？\"saidhe；\"andwhatisthematterthouwouldsthaveofme？\"
\"IamMylesFalworth，\"saidthelad，inalowvoice；\"andIcomeseekingservicewithyou。\"
TheEarldrewhisthickeyebrowsquicklytogether，andshotakeenlookatthelad。\"Falworth？\"saidhe，sharply——\"Falworth？I
knownoFalworth！\"
\"Theletterwilltellyou，\"saidMyles。\"Itisfromoneoncedeartoyou。\"
TheEarltooktheletter，andhandingittoagentlemanwhostoodnear，badehimbreaktheseal。\"Thoumayststand，\"saidhetoMyles；\"needstnotkneelthereforever。\"Then，takingtheopenedparchmentagain，heglancedfirstatthefaceandthenattheback，and，seeingitslength，lookedvexed。Thenhereadforanearnestmomentortwo，skippingfromlinetoline。Presentlyhefoldedtheletterandthrustitintothepouchathisside。\"Soitis，yourGrace，\"saidhetothelordlyprelate，\"thatwewhohavelucktoriseintheworldmusteversufferbybeingplaguedatalltimesandseasons。HereisoneIchancedtoknowadozenyearsago，whothinkshehathaclaimuponme，andsaddlesmewithhisson。Imuste’entakethelad，too，forthesakeofpeaceandquietness。\"Heglancedaround，andseeingGascoyne，whohaddrawnnear，beckonedtohim。\"Takemethisfellow，\"saidhe，\"tothebuttery，andseehimfed；andthentoSirJamesLee，andhavehisnameenteredinthecastlebooks。Andstay，sirrah，\"headded；\"bidmeSirJames，ifitmaybesodone，toenterhimasasquire—at—arms。Methinkshewillbebetterservingsothaninthehousehold，forheappearethasoothlyroughcubforapage。\"
Mylesdidlookrusticenough，standingcladinfriezeinthemidstofthatgaycompany，andamurmuroflaughtersoundedaround，thoughhewastoobewilderedtofullyunderstandthathewasthecauseofthemerriment。Thensomehanddrewhimback——itwasGascoyne’s——therewasabustleofpeoplepassing，andthenextminutetheyweregone，andMylesandoldDicconBowmanandtheyoungsquirewereleftaloneintheanteroom。
Gascoynelookedverysourandputout。\"Murrainuponit！\"saidhe；\"hereisgoodsportspoiledformetoseetheefed。Iwishnoilltothee，friend，butIwouldthouhadstcomethisafternoonorto—morrow。\"
\"MethinksIbringtroubleanddoletoeveryone，\"saidMyles，somewhatbitterly。\"ItwouldhavebeenbetterhadInevercometothisplace，methinks。\"
HiswordsandtonesoftenedGascoynealittle。\"Ne’ermind，\"saidthesquire；\"itwasnotthyfault，andispastmendingnow。Socomeandfillthystomach，inHeaven’sname。\"
PerhapsnottheleasthardpartofthewholetryingdayforMyleswashispartingwithDiccon。Gascoyneandhehadaccompaniedtheoldretainertotheoutergate，inthearchwayofwhichtheynowstood；forwithoutapermittheycouldgonofarther。Theoldbowmanledbythebridle—reinthehorseuponwhichMyleshadriddenthatmorning。Hisownnag，aviciousbrute，wasrestivetobegone，butDicconheldhiminwithtightrein。Hereacheddown，andtookMyles’ssturdybrownhandinhiscrooked，knottedgrasp。
\"Farewell，youngmaster，\"hecroaked，tremulously，withawateryglimmerinhispaleeyes。\"ThouwiltnotforgetmewhenIamgone？\"
\"Nay，\"saidMyles；\"Iwillnotforgetthee。\"
\"Aye，aye，\"saidtheoldman，lookingdownathim，andshakinghisheadslowlyfromsidetoside；\"thouartagreattallsturdyfellownow，yethaveIheldtheeonmykneemanyandmany’sthetime，anddandledtheewhenthouwertonlyalittleweenybabe。
Bestill，thoudevil’slimb！\"hesuddenlybrokeoff，reiningbackhisrestiveraw—bonedsteed，whichbeganagaintocaperandprance。Myleswasnotsorryfortheinterruption；hefeltawkwardandabashedattheparting，andattheoldman’sreminiscences，knowingthatGascoyne’seyeswererestingamusedlyuponthescene，andthatthemen—at—armswerelookingon。CertainlyoldDiccondidlookdrollashestruggledvainlywithhisvicioushigh—neckednag。\"Nay，amurrainonthee！an’thouwiltgo，go！\"
criedheatlast，withasavagedigofhisheelsintotheanimal’sribs，andawaytheyclattered，theled—horsekickingupitsheelsasafinalparting，settingGascoynefairlyalaughing。
Atthebendoftheroadtheoldmanturnedandnoddedhishead；
thenextmomenthehaddisappearedaroundtheangleofthewall，anditseemedtoMyles，ashestoodlookingafterhim，asthoughthelastthreadthatboundhimtohisoldlifehadsnappedandbroken。AsheturnedhesawthatGascoynewaslookingathim。
\"Dostfeeldownhearted？\"saidtheyoungsquire，curiously。
\"Nay，\"saidMyles，brusquely。Neverthelesshisthroatwastightanddry，andthewordcamehuskilyinspiteofhimself。
CHAPTER5
THEEARLofMackworth，aswascustomaryamongthegreatlordsinthosedays，maintainedasmallarmyofknights，gentlemen，men—at—arms，andretainers，whowereexpectedtoservehimuponalloccasionsofneed，andfromwhomweresuppliedhisquotaofrecruitstofillsuchleviesasmightbemadeuponhimbytheKingintimeofwar。
Theknightsandgentlemenofthislittlearmyofhorseandfootsoldierswerelargelyrecruitedfromthecompanyofsquiresandbachelors，astheyoungnovitiatesoldiersofthecastlewerecalled。
Thiscompanyofesquiresconsistedoffromeightytoninetylads，ranginginagefromeighttotwentyyears。Thoseunderfourteenyearsweretermedpages，andservedchieflytheCountessandherwaitinggentlewomen，inwhosecompanytheyacquiredthegracesandpolishofthetimes，suchastheywere。Afterreachingtheageoffourteentheladswereentitledtothenameofesquireorsquire。
InmostofthegreathousesofthetimetheesquiresweretheespecialattendantsupontheLordandLadyofthehouse，holdingsuchpositionsasbody—squires，cup—bearers，carvers，andsometimestheofficeofchamberlain。ButDevlen，likesomeotheroftheprincelycastlesofthegreatestnobles，wasmorelikeamilitarypostorafortressthananordinaryhousehold。OnlycomparativelyfewoftheesquirescouldbeusedinpersonalattendanceupontheEarl；theothersweretrainedmorestrictlyinarms，andservedratherinthecapacityofasortofbody—guardthanasordinarysquires。For，astheEarlroseinpowerandinfluence，andasitsobecamewellworthwhileforthelowernobilityandgentrytoentertheirsonsinhisfamily，thebodyofsquiresbecamealmostcumbersomelylarge。Accordingly，thatpartwhichcomprisedthesquiresproper，asseparatefromtheyoungerpages，wasdividedintothreeclasses——first，squiresofthebody，whowerethosejustpastpagehood，andwhowaitedupontheEarlinpersonalservice；second，squiresofthehousehold，who，havingregularhoursassignedforexerciseinthemanualofarms，wererelievedfrompersonalserviceexceptinguponespecialoccasions；andthirdlyandlastly，attheheadofthewholebodyoflads，aclasscalledbachelors——youngmenrangingfromeighteentotwentyyearsofage。Thisclasswassupposedtoexerciseasortofgovernmentovertheotherandyoungersquires——tokeeptheminorderasmuchaspossible，tomarshalthemuponoccasionsofimportance，toseethattheirarmsandequipmentswerekeptingoodorder，tocalltherollforchapelinthemorning，andtoseethatthosenotupondutyinthehousewerepresentatthedailyexerciseatarms。Orderstothesquiresweregenerallytransmittedthroughthebachelors，andtheheadofthatbodywasexpectedtomakeweeklyreportsofaffairsintheirquarterstothechiefcaptainofthebody。
Fromthisoverlordshipofthebachelorstherehadgraduallyrisenasystemoffagging，suchasisorwaspractisedinthegreatEnglishpublicschools——enforcedservicesexactedfromtheyoungerlads——whichatthetimeMylescametoDevlenhad，inthefiveorsixyearsithadbeeninpractice，growntobeanabsolutethoughunwrittenlawofthebody——alawsupportedbyalltheprestigeoflong—continuedusage。Atthattimethebachelorsnumberedbutthirteen，yettheyexercisedovertherestofthesixty—foursquiresandpagesaruleofiron，andweretaskmasters，hard，exacting，andoftentimescruel。
Thewholecompanyofsquiresandpageswasunderthesupremecommandofacertainone—eyedknight，bynameSirJamesLee；asoldierseasonedbythefireofadozenbattles，bearingascoreofwoundswoninfightandtourney，andwitheredbyhardshipandlabortoaleather—liketoughness。HehadfoughtupontheKing’ssideinallthelatewars，andhadatShrewsburyreceivedawoundthatunfittedhimforactiveservice，sothatnowhewasfallentothepostofCaptainofEsquiresatDevlenCastle——amandisappointedinlife，andwithatemperimbitteredbythatfailureaswellasbycankeringpain。
YetPerhapsnoonecouldhavebeenbetterfittedfortheplaceheheldthanSirJamesLee。Theladsunderhischargewerearude，rough，unrulyset，quick，liketheirelders，toquarrel，andtoquarrelfiercely，eventothedrawingofswordordagger。Buttherewasacold，ironsternnessaboutthegrimoldmanthatquelledthem，asthetrainerwithalashofsteelmightquelladenofyoungwolves。Theapartmentsinwhichhewaslodged，withhisclerk，werenextinthedormitoryofthelads，andeveninthemidstofthemostexcitedbrawlingsthedistantsoundofhisharshvoice，\"Silence，messieurs！\"wouldbringaninstanthushtotheloudestuproar。
ItwasintohisgrimpresencethatMyleswasintroducedbyGascoyne。SirJameswasinhisoffice，aroombareofornamentoradornmentorsuperfluouscomfortofanysort——withoutevensomuchasamatofrushesuponthecoldstonepavementtomakeitlesscheerless。Theoldone—eyedknightsatgnawinghisbristlingmustaches。Toanyonewhoknewhimitwouldhavebeenapparentthat，asthecastlephrasewent，\"thedevilsatastrideofhisneck，\"whichmeantthatsomeoneofhisblindwoundswasachingmoresorelythanusual。
Hisclerksatbesidehim，withaccount—booksandparchmentspreaduponthetable，andtheheadsquire，WalterBlunt，aladsomethreeorfouryearsolderthanMyles，andhalfaheadtaller，black—browed，powerfullybuilt，andwithcheekandchindarkenedbythesoftbuddingofhisadolescentbeard，stoodmakinghisreport。
SirJameslistenedingrimsilencewhileGascoynetoldhiserrand。
\"So，then，pardee，Iambidtotakeanotheroneofye，amI？\"hesnarled。\"Asthoughyecausedmenottroubleenow；andthisoneacub，lookingaveryboorincarriageandbreeding。MayhaptheEarlthinkethIamtotrainboystohisdilly—dallyhouseholdserviceaswellastouseofarms。\"
\"Sir，\"saidGascoyne，timidly，\"myLordsayethhewouldhavethisoneentereddirectasasquireofthebody，sothatheneednotserveinthehousehold。\"
\"Sayestso？\"criedSirJames，harshly。\"ThentakethoumymessagebackagaintothyLord。NotforMackworth——no，norabettermanthanhe——willImakeanychangesinmygovernment。AnIbesettoruleapackofboys，IwillrulethemasIlist，andnotaccordingtoanyman’sbidding。Tellhim，sirrah，thatIwillenternoladassquireofthebodywithoutfirsttestinganhebefitatarmstoholdthatplace。\"HesatforawhilegloweringatMylesandgnawinghismustaches，andforthetimenoonedaredtobreakthegrimsilence。\"Whatisthyname？\"saidhe，suddenly。
Andthen，almostbeforeMylescouldanswer，heaskedtheheadsquirewhetherhecouldfindaplacetolodgehim。
\"ThereisGillisWhitlock’scotempty，\"saidBlunt。\"Heisintheinfirmary，andbelikegoethhomeagainwhenhecomeththence。Thefeverhathgottenintohisbones，and——\"
\"Thatwilldo，\"saidtheknight，interruptinghimimpatiently。
\"Lethimtakethatplace，oranyotherthatthouhast。Andthou，Jerome，\"saidhetohisclerk，\"thoumaystenterhimupontheroll，thoughwhetheritbeaspageorsquireorbachelorshallbeasIplease，andnotasMackworthbiddethme。Nowgetyegone。\"
\"OldBruin’swoundsmartethhimsore，\"Gascoyneobserved，asthetwoladswalkedacrossthearmorycourt。Hehadgood—naturedlyofferedtoshowthenew—comerthemanysightsofinterestaroundthecastle，andinthehourorsooframblethatfollowed，thetwogrewfromacquaintancestofriendswithaquicknessthatboyhoodalonecanbringabout。Theyvisitedthearmory，thechapel，thestables，thegreathall，thePaintedChamber，theguard—house，themess—room，andeventhesculleryandthekitchen，withitsgreatrangeofboilersandfurnacesandovens。
LastofallMyles’snewfriendintroducedhimtothearmor—smithy。
\"MyLordhathsentapieceofMilanarmorthithertoberepaired，\"saidhe。\"Belikethouwouldliketoseeit。\"
\"Aye，\"saidMyles，eagerly，\"thatwouldI。\"
Thesmithwasagruff，good—naturedfellow，andshowedthepieceofarmortoMylesreadilyandwillinglyenough。Itwasabeautifulbascinetofinlaidworkmanship，andwasedgedwitharimofgold。Mylesscarcelydaredtouchit；hegazedatitwithanunconcealeddelightthatwarmedthesmith’shonestheart。
\"IhaveanotherpieceofMilanhere，\"saidhe。\"DidIevershowtheemydagger，MasterGascoyne？\"
\"Nay，\"saidthesquire。
Thesmithunlockedagreatoakenchestinthecorneroftheshop，liftedthelid，andbroughtthenceabeautifuldaggerwiththehandleofebonyandsilver—gilt，andasheathofSpanishleather，embossedandgilt。Thekeen，well—temperedbladewasbeautifullyengravedandinlaidwithniello—work，representingagroupoffiguresinathenpopularsubject——thedanceofDeath。Itwasaweaponatonceuniqueandbeautiful，andevenGascoyneshowedanadmirationscarcelylesskeenthanMyles’sopenly—expresseddelight。
\"Towhomdothitbelong？\"saidhe，tryingthepointuponhisthumbnail。
\"There，\"saidthesmith，\"isthejestofthewhole，foritbelongethtome。SirWilliamBeauclerkbademeordertheweaponthroughMasterGildersworthy，ofLondontown，andbythetimeitcamehither，lo！hehaddied，andsoitfelltomyhands。Nooneherepayeththepriceforthetrinket，andsoImuste’enkeepitmyself，thoughIbebutapoorman。\"
\"Howmuchdostthouholditfor？\"saidGascoyne。
\"Seventeenshillingsbuyethit，\"saidthearmorer，carelessly。
\"Aye，aye，\"saidGascoyne，withasigh；\"soitistobepoor，andnotbeabletohavesuchthingsasonelovethandwouldfainpossess。Seventeenshillingsisnighasmuchbyhalfagainasallmyyearlywage。\"
ThenasuddenthoughtcametoMyles，andasitcamehischeeksglowedashotasfire\"MasterGascoyne，\"saidhe，withgruffawkwardness，\"thouhastbeenaverygood，truefriendtomesinceIhavecometothisplace，andhastbefriendedmeinallwaysthoumightestdo，andI，aswellIknow，butapoorrusticclod。
NowIhavefortyshillingsbymewhichImayspendasIlist，andsoIdobeseechtheethatthouwilttakeyondaggerofmeasalove—gift，andhaveandholditforthyveryown。
Gascoynestaredopen—mouthedatMyles。\"Dostmeanit？\"saidhe，atlast。
\"Aye，\"saidMyles，\"Idomeanit。MasterSmith，givehimtheblade。\"
Atfirstthesmithgrinned，thinkingitallajest；buthesoonsawthatMyleswasseriousenough，andwhentheseventeenshillingswereproducedandcounteddownupontheanvil，hetookoffhiscapandmadeMylesalowbowashesweptthemintohispouch。\"Now，bymyfaithandtroth，\"quothhe，\"thatIdocallatruelordlygift。Isitnotso，MasterGascoyne？\"
\"Aye，\"saidGascoyne，withagulp，\"itis，insoothlyearnest。\"
Andthereupon，toMyles’sgreatwonderment，hesuddenlyflunghisarmsabouthisneck，and，givinghimagreathug，kissedhimuponthecheek。\"DearMyles，\"saidhe，\"ItelltheetrulyandofaverityIdidfeelwarmtowardstheefromtheveryfirsttimeI
sawtheesittinglikeapooroafuponthebenchupyonderintheanteroom，andnowofasoothIgivetheeassurancethatIdolovetheeasmyownbrother。Yea，Iwilltakethedagger，andwillstandbytheeasatruefriendfromthistimeforth。Mayhapthoumaystneedatruefriendinthisplaceerethoulivestlongwithus，forsomeofusesquiresbesoothlyrough，andknocksaremoreplentyherethanbroadpennies，sothatonenewcomeisliketohaveahardtimegainingafooting。\"
\"Ithankthee，\"saidMyles，\"forthyofferofloveandfriendship，anddotellthee，uponmypart，thatIalsoofalltheworldwouldlikebesttohavetheeformyfriend。\"
SuchwasthemannerInwhichMylesformedthefirstgreatfriendshipofhislife，afriendshipthatwasdestinedtolasthimthroughmanyyearstocome。Asthetwowalkedbackacrossthegreatquadrangle，uponwhichfrontedthemainbuildingsofthecastle，theirarmswerewoundacrossoneanother’sshoulders，afterthemanner，asacertaingreatwritersays，ofboysandlovers。
CHAPTER6
Aboy’slifeisofaveryflexiblesort。Ittakesbutalittlewhileforittoshapeitselftoanynewsurroundingsinwhichitmaybethrown，tomakeitselfnewfriends，tosettleitselftonewhabits；andsoitwasthatMylesfelldirectlyintothewaysoftheladsofDevlen。Onhisfirstmorning，ashewashedhisfaceandhandswiththeothersquiresandpagesinagreattankofwaterinthearmorycourt—yard，hepresentlyfoundhimselfsplashinganddashingwiththeothers，laughingandshoutingasloudasany，andcallingsomebytheirChristiannamesasthoughhehadknownthemforyearsinsteadofovernight。Duringchapelhewatchedwithsympatheticdelightthecovertpranksoftheyoungstersduringthehalf—hourthatFatherEmmanueldronedhisLatin，andwithhisdaggerpointhecarvedhisownnameamongthemanycutdeepintothebackofthebenchbeforehim。When，afterbreakfast，thesquirespouredlikeschool—boysintothegreatarmorytoanswertotheroll—callfordailyexercise，hecamestorminginwiththerest，beatingtheladinfrontofhimwithhiscap。
Boysareverykeentofeeltheinfluenceofaforcefulcharacter。
Aladwithastrongwillisquicktoreachhisproperlevelasagreaterorlesserleaderamongtheothers，andMyleswasofjustthemasterfulnaturetomakehisindividualityfeltamongtheDevlensquires。Hewasquickenoughtoyieldobedienceuponalloccasionstoproperauthority，butwouldneverbendaninchtotheusurpationoftyranny。IntheschoolatSt。Mary’sPrioryatCrosbey—DalehewouldsubmitwithoutamurmurorofferofresistancetochastisementbyoldFatherAmbrose，theregularteacher；butonce，whenthefatoldmonkwassick，andagreatlong—leggedstrappingyoungfriar，whohadtemporarilytakenhisplace，undertooktoadministerpunishment，Myles，withawrestlingtrip，flunghimsprawlingbackwardoverabenchintothemidstofashoalofsmallboysamidahubbubofriotousconfusion。HehadbeenfloggedsoundlyforitunderthesupervisionofPriorEdwardhimself；butsosoonashispunishmentwasover，heassuredthepriorveryseriouslythatshouldlikeoccasionagainhappenhewouldactinthesamemanner，floggingornoflogging。
Itwasthisbold，outspokenspiritthatgainedhimatoncefriendsandenemiesatDevlen，andthoughitfirstshoweditselfinwhatwasbutalittlematter，neverthelessitsetamarkuponhimthatsingledhimoutfromtherest，and，althoughhedidnotsuspectitatthetime，calledtohimtheattentionofSirJamesLeehimself，whoregardedhimasaladoffreeandfrankspirit。
Thefirstmorningaftertheroll—callinthearmory，asWalterBlunt，theheadbachelor，rolleduptheslipofparchment，andthetemporarysilenceburstforthintoredoublednoiseandconfusion，eachladarminghimselffromarowofracksthatstoodalongthewall，hebeckonedMylestohim。
\"MyLordhimselfhathspokentoSirJamesLeeconcerningthee，\"
saidhe。\"SirJamesmaintaineththathewillnotentertheeintothebodytillthouhastfirstpractisedforawhileatthepels，andshownwhatthoucanstdoatbroadsword。Hasteverfoughtatthepel？\"
\"Aye，\"answeredMyles，\"andthateverydayofmylifesinI
becameesquirefouryearsago，savingonlySundaysandholydays。\"
\"Withshieldandbroadsword？\"
\"Sometimes，\"saidMyles，\"andsometimeswiththeshortsword。\"
\"SirJameswouldhavetheecometothetilt—yardthismorn；hehimselfwilltaketheeinhandtotrywhatthoucanstdo。Thoumaysttakethearmsuponyonderrack，andusethemuntilotherwisebidden。Thouseestthatthenumberpaintedaboveitonthewallisseventeen；thatwillbethynumberforthenonce。\"
SoMylesarmedhimselffromhisrackastheothersweredoingfromtheirs。Thearmorwasrudeandheavy，usedtoaccustomthebodytotheweightoftheironplatesratherthanforanydefence。Itconsistedofacuirass，orbreastplateofiron，openingatthesidewithhinges，andcatchingwithhooksandeyes；epauliers，orshoulder—plates；arm—platesandleg—pieces；
andabascinet，oropen—facedhelmet。Agreattriangularshieldcoveredwithleatherandstuddedwithbossesofiron，andaheavybroadsword，pointedanddulledattheedges，completedtheequipment。
ThepracticeatthepelswhichMyleswasbiddentoattendcomprisedthechiefexerciseofthedaywiththeesquiresofyoungcadetsoldiersofthattime，andinittheylearnednotonlyallthestrokes，cuts，andthrustsofsword—playtheninvogue，butalsotoughness，endurance，andelasticquickness。Thepelsthemselvesconsistedofuprightpostsofashoroak，aboutfivefeetsixinchesinheight，andingirthsomewhatthickerthanaman’sthigh。Theywerefirmlyplantedintheground，anduponthemthestrokesofthebroadswordweredirected。
AtDevlenthepelsstoodjustbackoftheopenandcoveredtiltingcourtsandthearcheryranges，andthitherthoseladsnotuponhouseholddutyweremarchedeverymorningexceptingFridaysandSundays，andwerethereexercisedunderthedirectionofSirJamesLeeandtwoassistants。Thewholecompanywasdividedintotwo，sometimesintothreeparties，eachofwhichtookitsturnattheexercise，deliveringatthewordofcommandthevariousstrokes，feints，attacks，andretreatsastheinstructorsordered。
Afterfiveminutesofthismockbattletheperspirationbegantopourdownthefaces，andthebreathtocomethickandshort；butitwasnotuntiltheladscouldabsolutelyendurenomorethattheorderwasgiventorest，andtheywereallowedtoflingthemselvespantingupontheground，whileanothercompanytookitsplaceatthetriplerowofposts。
AsMylesstruckandhackedatthepelassignedtohim，SirJamesLeestoodbesidehimwatchinghimingrimsilence。Theladdidhisbesttoshowtheknightallthatheknewofuppercut，undercut，thrust，andback—handstroke，butitdidnotseemtohimthatSirJameswasverywellsatisfiedwithhisskill。
\"Thoufightestlikeaclodpole，\"saidtheoldman。\"Ha，thatstrokewasbutill—recovered。Strikemeitagain，andgetthouinguardmorequickly。\"
Mylesrepeatedthestroke。
\"Pest！\"criedSirJames。\"Thouarttooslowbyaweek。Here，strikethoutheblowatme。\"
Myleshesitated。SirJamesheldastoutstaffinhishand，butotherwisehewasunarmed。
\"Strike，Isay！\"saidSirJames。\"Whatstayestthoufor？Artafeard？\"
ItwasMyles’sanswerthatsetthesealofindividualityuponhim。\"Nay，\"saidhe，boldly，\"Iamnotafeard。Ifearnottheenoranyman！\"Sosaying，hedeliveredthestrokeatSirJameswithmightandmain。Itwasmetwithajarringblowthatmadehiswristandarmtingle，andthenextinstanthereceivedastrokeuponthebascinetthatcausedhisearstoringandthesparkstodance。andflybeforehiseyes。
\"Pardee！\"saidSirJames，grimly。\"AnIhadhadamaceinmyhand，Iwouldhaveknockedthycockerelbrainsoutthattime。
Thoumaysttakethatblowforansweringmesopertly。Andnowwearequits。Nowstrikemethestrokeagainanthouartnotafeard。\"
Myles’seyeswateredinspiteofhimself，andheshutthelidstighttowinkthedimnessaway。Neverthelesshespokeupundauntedlyasbefore。\"Aye，marry，willIstrikeitagain，\"saidhe；andthistimehewasabletorecoverguardquicklyenoughtoturnSirJames’sblowwithhisshield，insteadofreceivingituponhishead。