第8章
Onceaquarrelbrokeoutandtheclamorwaslikeacagefulofwildbeastsatfeeding-time。Thenahealthwasdrunkandtherewasmuchstampingandcheering。
Onlyoncewasthelongvigilbroken。Awomancameforthfromthehouseandwalkedupanddown，withherfacesunkuponherbreast。
Shewastallandslender，butherfeaturescouldnotbeseenforawimpleoverherhead。Wearysadnesscouldbereadinherbowedbackanddraggingsteps。OnceonlytheysawherthrowhertwohandsuptoHeavenasonewhoisbeyondhumanaid。Thenshepassedslowlyintothehouseagain。Amomentlaterthedoorofthehallwasflungopen，andashoutingstumblingthrongcamecrowdingforth，withwhoopandyell，intothesilentnight。
Linkingarmsandstrikingupachorus，theymarchedpastthepeat-cutting，theirvoicesdwindlingslowlyawayastheymadefortheirhomes。
“Now，Samkin，now！”criedSimon，andjumpingoutfromthehiding-placehemadeforthedoor。Ithadnotyetbeenfastened。
Thetwocomradesspranginside。ThenSimondrewtheboltssothatnonemightinterruptthem。
Alongtablelitteredwithflagonsandbeakerslaybeforethem。
Itwaslitupbyalineoftorches，whichflickeredandsmokedintheirironsconces。Atthefartherendasolitarymanwasseated。
Hisheadresteduponhistwohands，asifhewerebefuddledwithwine，butattheharshsoundofthesnappingboltsheraisedhisfaceandlookedangrilyaroundhim。Itwasastrangepowerfulhead，tawnyandshaggylikealion’s，withatangledbeardandalargeharshface，bloatedandblotchedwithvice。Helaughedasthenewcomersentered，thinkingthattwoofhisbooncompanionshadreturnedtofinishaflagon。Thenhestaredhardandhepassedhishandoverhiseyeslikeonewhothinkshemaybedreaming。
“MonDieu！”hecried。”Whoareyouandwhencecomeyouatthishourofthenight？，Isthisthewaytobreakintoourroyalpresence？”
SimonapproacheduponesideofthetableandAylwarduptheother。WhentheywereclosetotheKing，theman-at-armspluckedatorchfromitssocketandheldittohisownface。TheKingstaggeredbackwithacry，ashegazedatthatgrimvisage。
“Lediablenoir！”hecried。”Simon，theEnglishman！，Whatmakeyouhere？”
Simonputhishanduponhisshoulder。”Sithere！”saidhe，andheforcedtheKingintohisseat。”Doyousitonthefarthersideofhim，Aylward。Wemakeamerrygroup，dowenot？，OftenhaveI
servedatthistable，butneverdidIhopetodrinkatit。Fillyourcup，Samkin，andpasstheflagon。”
TheKinglookedfromonetotheotherwithterrorinhisbloodshoteyes。”Whatwouldyoudo？”heasked。”Areyoumad，thatyoushouldcomehere。Oneshoutandyouareatmymercy。”
“Nay，myfriend，Ihavelivedtoolonginyourhousenottoknowthewaysofit。Noman-servanteversleptbeneathyourroof，foryoufearedlestyourthroatwouldbecutinthenight-time。Youmayshoutandshout，ifitsopleaseyou。ItchancedthatIwaspassingonmywayfromEnglandinthoseshipswhichlieoffLaBrechou，andIthoughtIwouldcomeinandhavespeechwithyou。”
“Indeed，Simon，Iamrightgladtoseeyou，“saidtheKing，cringingawayfromthefierceeyesofthesoldier。”Weweregoodfriendsinthepast，werewenot，andIcannotcalltomindthatI
haveeverdoneyouinjury。WhenyoumadeyourwaytoEnglandbyswimmingtotheLevantinetherewasnonemoregladinheartthan！”
“IfIcaredtodoffmydoubletIcouldshowyouthemarksofwhatyourfriendshiphasdoneformeinthepast，“saidSimon。”Itisprintedonmybackasclearlyasonmymemory。Why，youfouldog，therearetheveryringsuponthewalltowhichmyhandswerefastened，andtherethestainsupontheboardsonwhichmybloodhasdripped！，Isitnotso，youkingofbutchers？”
Thepiratechiefturnedwhiterstill。”Itmaybethatlifeherewassomewhatrough，Simon，butifIhavewrongedyouinanyway，I
willsurelymakeamends。Whatdoyouask？”
“Iaskonlyonething，andIhavecomehitherthatImaygetit。
Itisthatyoupaymeforfeitforthatyouhavelostyourwager。”
“Mywager，Simon！，Icalltomindnowager。”
“ButIwillcallittoyourmind，andthenIwilltakemypayment。
Oftenhaveyouswornthatyouwouldbreakmycourage。`Bymyhead！’youhavecriedtome。`Youwillcrawlatmyfeet！’andagain：`IwillwagermyheadthatIwilltameyou！’，Yes，yes，ascoreoftimesyouhavesaidso。Inmyheart，asIlistened，I
havetakenupyourgage。Andnow，dog，youhavelostandIamheretoclaimtheforfeit。”
Hislongheavyswordflewfromitssheath。TheKing，withahowlofdespair，flunghisarmsroundhim，andtheyrolledtogetherunderthetable。Aylwardsatwithaghastlyface，andhistoescurledwithhorroratthesight，forhewasstillnewtoscenesofstrifeandhisbloodwastoocoldforsuchadeed。WhenSimonrosehetossedsomethingintohisbagandsheathedhisbloodysword。
“Come，Samkin，ourworkiswelldone，“saidhe。
“Bymyhilt，ifIhadknownwhatitwasIwouldhavebeenlessreadytocomewithyou，“saidthearcher。”Couldyounothaveclappedaswordinhisfistandlethimtakehischanceinthehall？”
“Nay，Samkin，ifyouhadsuchmemoriesasI，youwouldhavewishedthatheshoulddielikeasheepandnotlikeaman。Whatchancedidhegivemewhenhehadthepower？，AndwhyshouldItreathimbetter？，But，HolyVirgin，whathavewehere？”
Atthefartherendofthetableawomanwasstanding。Anopendoorbehindhershowedthatshehadcomefromtheinnerroomofthehouse。Byhertallfigurethecomradesknewthatshewasthesamethattheyhadalreadyseen。Herfacehadoncebeenfair，butnowwaswhiteandhaggardwithwilddarkeyesfullofahopelessterroranddespair。Slowlyshepaceduptheroom，hergazefixednotuponthecomrades，butuponthedreadfulthingbeneaththetable。Thenasshestoopedandwassuresheburstintoloudlaughterandclappedherhands。
“WhoshallsaythereisnoGod？”shecried。”Whoshallsaythatprayerisunavailing？，Greatsir，bravesir，letmekissthatconqueringhand！”
“Nay，nay，dame，standback！，Well，ifyoumustneedshaveoneofthem，takethiswhichisthecleanone。”
“ItistheotherIcrave-thatwhichisredwithhisblood！，Oh！
joyfulnightwhenmylipshavebeenwetwithit！，NowIcandieinpeace！”
“Wemustgo，Aylward，“saidSimon。”Inanotherhourthedawnwillhavebroken。Indaytimearatcouldnotcrossthisislandandpassunseen。Come，man，andatonce！”
ButAylwardwasatthewoman’sside。”Comewithus，fairdame，“
saidhe。”Surelywecan，atleast，takeyoufromthisisland，andnosuchchangecanbefortheworse。”
“Nay，“saidshe，thesaintsinHeavencannothelpmenowuntiltheytakemetomyrest。Thereisnoplaceformeintheworldbeyond，andallmyfriendswereslainonthedayIwastaken。
Leaveme，bravemen，andletmecareformyself。Alreadyitlightensintheeast，andblackwillbeyourfateifyouaretaken。Go，andmaytheblessingofonewhowasonceaholynungowithyouandguardyoufromdanger！”
SirRobertKnolleswaspacingthedeckintheearlymorning，whenheheardthesoundofoars，andtherewerehistwonight-birdsclimbinguptheside。
“So，fellow，“saidhe，“haveyouhadspeechwiththeKingofSark？”
“Fairsir，Ihaveseenhim。”
“Andhehaspaidhisforfeit？”
“Hehaspaidit，sir！”
KnolleslookedwithcuriosityatthebagwhichSimonbore。”Whatcarryyouthere？”heasked。
“Thestakethathehaslost。”
“Whatwasitthen？，Agoblet？，Asilverplate？”
ForanswerSimonopenedhisbagandshookitonthedeck。
SirRobertturnedawaywithawhistle。”’ForeGod！”saidhe，“itisinmymindthatIcarrysomehardmenwithmetoBrittany。”
XIX。HOWASQUIREOFENGLANDMETASQUIREOFFRANCE
SirRobertKnolleswithhislittlefleethadsightedtheBretoncoastnearCancale;theyhadroundedthePointduGrouin，andfinallyhadsailedpasttheportofSt。MaloanddownthelongnarrowestuaryoftheRanceuntiltheywereclosetotheoldwalledcityofDinan，whichwasheldbythatMontfortfactionwhosecausetheEnglishhadespoused。Herethehorseshadbeendisembarked，thestoreswereunloaded，andthewholeforceencampedoutsidethecity，whilsttheleaderswaitedfornewsastothepresentstateofaffairs，andwheretherewasmosthopeofhonorandprofit。
ThewholeofFrancewasfeelingtheeffectsofthatwarwithEnglandwhichhadalreadylastedsometenyears，butnoProvincewasinsodreadfulaconditionasthisunhappylandofBrittany。
InNormandyorPicardytheinroadsoftheEnglishwereperiodicalwithintervalsofrestbetween;butBrittanywastornasunderbyconstantcivilwarapartfromthegrappleofthetwogreatcombatants，sothattherewasnosurceaseofhersufferings。Thestrugglehadbegunin1341throughtherivalclaimsofMontfortandofBloistothevacantdukedom。EnglandhadtakenthepartofMontfort，FrancethatofBlois。Neitherfactionwasstrongenoughtodestroytheother，andsoaftertenyearsofcontinualfighting，historyrecordedalongineffectuallistofsurprisesandambushes，ofraidsandskirmishes，oftownstakenandretaken，ofalternatevictoryanddefeat，inwhichneitherpartycouldclaimasupremacy。ItmatterednothingthatMontfortandBloishadbothdisappearedfromthescene，theonedeadandtheothertakenbytheEnglish。Theirwivescaughtuptheswordswhichhaddroppedfromthehandsoftheirlords，andthelongstrugglewentonevenmoresavagelythanbefore。
InthesouthandeasttheBloisfactionheldthecountry，andNantesthecapitalwasgarrisonedandoccupiedbyastrongFrencharmy。InthenorthandwesttheMontfortpartyprevailed，fortheislandkingdomwasattheirbackandalwaysfreshsailsbrokethenorthernsky-linebearingadventurersfromoverthechannel。
Betweenthesetwotherelayabroadzonecomprisingallthecenterofthecountrywhichwasalandofbloodandviolence，wherenolawprevailedsavethatofthesword。Fromendtoenditwasdottedwithcastles，someheldforoneside，somefortheother，andmanymererobberstrongholds，thescenesofgrossandmonstrousdeeds，whosebruteowners，knowingthattheycouldneverbecalledtoaccount，madewaruponallmankind，andwrungwithrackandwithflamethelastshillingfromallwhofellintotheirsavagehands。Thefieldshadlongbeenuntilled。Commercewasdead。FromRennesintheeasttoHenneboninthewest，andfromDinaninthenorthtoNantesinthesouth，therewasnospotwhereaman’slifeorawoman’shonorwassafe。Suchwastheland，fullofdarknessandblood，thesaddest，blackestspotinChristendom，intowhichKnollesandhismenwerenowadvancing。
ButtherewasnosadnessintheyoungheartofNigel，asherodebythesideofKnollesattheheadofaclumpofspears，nordiditseemtohimthatFatehadledhimintoanundulyarduouspath。
Onthecontrary，heblessedthegoodfortunewhichhadsenthimintosodelightfulacountry，anditseemedtohimashelistenedtodreadfulstoriesofrobberbarons，andlookedroundattheblackscarsofwarwhichlaybrandeduponthefairfacesofthehills，thatnoheroofromancesortrouveurhadeverjourneyedthroughsuchalandofpromise，withsofairachanceofknightlyventureandhonorableadvancement。
TheRedFerretwasonedeedtowardhisvow。Surelyasecond，andperhapsabetter，wastobefoundsomewhereuponthisgloriouscountryside。Hehadbornehimselfastheothershadinthesea-fight，andcouldnotcountittohiscreditwherehehaddonenomorethanmereduty。SomethingbeyondthiswasneededforsuchadeedascouldbelaidatthefeetoftheLadyMary。Butsurelyitwastobefoundhereinfermentingwar-distractedBrittany。
Thenwithtwodoneitwouldbestrangeifhecouldnotfindoccasionforthatthirdone，whichwouldcompletehisserviceandsethimfreetolookherinthefaceoncemore。Withthegreatyellowhorsecurvetingbeneathhim，hisGuildfordarmorgleaminginthesun，hisswordclankingagainsthisstirrup-iron，andhisfather’stoughash-spearinhishand，herodewithalightheartandasmilingface，lookingeagerlytorightandtoleftforanychancewhichhisgoodFatemightsend。
TheroadfromDinantoCaulnes，alongwhichthesmallarmywasmoving，roseanddippedoverundulatingground，withabaremarshyplainupontheleftwheretheriverRancerandowntothesea，whileupontherightlayawoodedcountrywithafewwretchedvillages，sopoorandsordidthattheyhadnothingwithwhichtotemptthespoiler。Thepeasantshadleftthematthefirsttwinkleofasteelcap，andlurkedattheedgesofthewoods，readyinaninstanttodiveintothosesecretrecessesknownonlytothemselves。Thesecreaturessufferedsorelyatthehandsofbothparties，butwhenthechancecametheyrevengedtheirwrongsoneitherinasavagewaywhichbroughtfreshbrutalitiesupontheirheads。
Thenew-comerssoonhadachanceofseeingtowhatlengthstheywouldgo，forintheroadwayneartoCaulnestheycameuponanEnglishman-at-armswhohadbeenwaylaidandslainbythem。Howtheyhadovercomehimcouldnotbetold，buthowtheyhadslainhimwithinhisarmorwashorriblyapparent，fortheyhadcarriedsucharockaseightmencouldlift，andhaddroppedituponhimashelay，sothathewasspreadoutinhisshatteredcaselikeacrabbeneathastone。Manyafistwasshakenatthedistantwoodsandmanyacursehurledatthosewhohauntedthem，asthecolumnofscowlingsoldierspassedthemurderedman，whosebadgeoftheMolenecrossshowedhimtohavebeenafollowerofthatHouseofBentley，whosehead，SirWalter，wasatthattimeleaderoftheBritishforcesinthecountry。
SirRobertKnolleshadservedinBrittanybefore，andhemarshaledhismenonthemarchwiththeskillandcautionoftheveteransoldier，themanwholeavesaslittleaspossibletochance，havingtoosteadfastamindtoheedthefoolwhomaythinkhimovercautious。Hehadrecruitedanumberofbowmenandmen-at-armsatDinan;sothathisfollowingwasnowcloseuponfivehundredmen。Infrontunderhisownleadershipwerefiftymountedlancers，fullyarmedandreadyforanysuddenattack。Behindthemonfootcamethearchers，andasecondbodyofmountedmencloseduptherear。Outuponeitherflankmovedsmallbodiesofcavalry，andadozenscouts，spreadfanwise，probedeverygorgeanddingleinfrontofthecolumn。SoforthreedayshemovedslowlydowntheSouthernRoad。
SirThomasPercyandSirJamesAstleyhadriddentotheheadofthecolumn，andKnollesconferredwiththemastheymarchedconcerningtheplanoftheircampaign。PercyandAstleywereyoungandhot-headedwithwildvisionsofdashingdeedsandknighterrantry，butKnolleswithcold，clearbrainandpurposeofironheldeverhisobjectinview。
“BytheholyDunstanandallthesaintsofLindisfarne！”criedthefieryBorderer，“itgoestomyhearttorideforwardwhentherearesuchhonorablechancesoneithersideofus。HaveInotheardthattheFrenchareatEvranbeyondtheriver，andisitnotsooththatyondercastle，thetowersofwhichIseeabovethewoods，isinthehandsofatraitor，whoisfalsetohisliegelordofMontford？，Thereislittleprofittobegaineduponthisroad，forthefolkseemtohavenoheartforwar。HadweventuredasfaroverthemarchesofScotlandaswenowareinBrittany，weshouldnothavelackedsomehonorableventureorchanceofwinningworship。”
“Yousaytruth，Thomas，“criedAstley，ared-facedandcholericyoungman。”ItiswellcertainthattheFrenchwillnotcometous，andsurelyitisthemoreneedfulthatwegotothem。Insooth，anysoldierwhoseesuswouldsmilethatweshouldcreepforthreedaysalongthisroadasthoughathousanddangerslaybeforeus，whenwehavebutpoorbrokenpeasantstodealwith。”
ButRobertKnollesshookhishead。”Weknownotwhatareinthesewoods，orbehindthesehills，“saidhe，“andwhenIknownothingitismywonttopreparefortheworstwhichmaybefall。Itisbutprudencesotodo。”
“Yourenemiesmightfindsomeharshernameforit，“saidAstleywithasneer。”Nay，youneednotthinktoscaremebyglaringatme，SirRobert，norwillyourill-pleasurechangemythoughts。I
havefacedfiercereyesthanthine，andIhavenotfeared。”
“Yourspeech，SirJames，isneithercourteousnorgood，“saidKnolles，“andifIwereafreemanIwouldcramyourwordsdownyourthroatwiththepointofmydagger。ButIamheretoleadthesemeninprofitandhonor，nottoquarrelwitheveryfoolwhohasnotthewittounderstandhowsoldiersshouldbeled。CanyounotseethatifImakeattemptshereandthere，asyouwouldhavemedo，IshallhaveweakenedmystrengthbeforeIcometothatpartwhereitcanbestbespent？”
“Andwhereisthat？”askedPercy。”’ForeGod，Astley，itisinmymindthatweridewithonewhoknowsmoreofwarthanyouorI，andthatwewouldbewisetobeguidedbyhisrede。Tellusthenwhatisinyourmind。”
“Thirtymilesfromhere，“saidKnolles，“thereis，asIamtold，afortalicenamedPloermel，andwithinitisoneBambro’，anEnglishman，withagoodgarrison。NogreatdistancefromhimistheCastleofJosselinwheredwellsRobertofBeaumanoirwithagreatfollowingofBretons。ItismyintentionthatweshouldjoinBambro’，andsobeinsuchstrengththatwemaythrowourselvesuponJosselin，andbytakingitbecomethemastersofallmid-Brittany，andabletomakeheadagainsttheFrenchmeninthesouth。”
“IndeedIthinkthatyoucandonobetter，“saidPercyheartily，“andIsweartoyouonjeopardyofmysoulthatIwillstandbyyouinthematter！，Idoubtnotthatwhenwecomedeepintotheirlandtheywilldrawtogetheranddowhattheymaytomakeheadagainstus;butuptonowIswearbyallthesaintsofLindisfarnethatIshouldhaveseenmorewarinasummer’sdayinLiddesdaleorattheForestofJedburghthananythatBrittanyhasshownus。
Batsee，yonderhorsemenareridingin。Theyareourownhobblers，aretheynot？，Andwhoarethesewhoarelashedtotheirstirrups？”
Asmalltroopofmountedbowmenhadriddenoutofanoakgroveupontheleftoftheroad。Theytrotteduptowherethethreeknightshadhalted。Twowretchedpeasantswhosewristshadbeentiedtotheirleatherscameleapingandstrainingbesidethehorsesintheireffortnottobedraggedofftheirfeet。Onewasatall，gaunt，yellow-hairedman，theothershortandswarthy，butbothsocrustedwithdirt，somattedandtangledandragged，thattheyweremorelikebeastsofthewoodthanhumanbeings。
“Whatisthis？”askedKnolles。”HaveInotorderedyoutoleavethecountryfolkatpeace？”
Theleaderofthearchers，oldWatofCarlisle，heldupasword，agirdleandadagger。”Ifitpleaseyou，fairsir，“saidhe，“I
sawtheglintofthese，andIthoughtthemnofittoolsforhandswhichweremadeforthespadeandtheplow。Butwhenwehadriddenthemdownandtakenthem，therewastheBentleycrossuponeach，andweknewthattheyhadbelongedtoyonderdeadEnglishmanupontheroad。Surelythen，thesearetwoofthevillainswhohaveslainhim，anditisrightthatwedojusticeuponthem。”
Sureenough，uponsword，girdleanddaggershonethesilverMolenecrosswhichhadgleamedonthedeadman’sarmor。Knolleslookedatthemandthenattheprisonerswithafaceofstone。Atthesightofthosefelleyestheyhaddroppedwithinarticulatehowlsupontheirknees，screamingouttheirprotestsinatonguewhichnonecouldunderstand。
“WemusthavetheroadssafeforwanderingEnglishmen，“saidKnolles。”Thesemenmustsurelydie。Hangthemtoyondertree。”
Hepointedtoalive-oakbytheroadside，androdeonwarduponhiswayinconversewithhisfellow-knights。Buttheoldbowmanhadriddenafterhim。
“Ifitpleaseyou，SirRobert，thebowmenwouldfainputthesementodeathintheirownfashion，“saidhe。
“Sothattheydie，Icarenothow，“Knollesansweredcarelessly，andlookedbacknomore。
Humanlifewascheapinthosesterndayswhenthefootmenofastrickenarmyorthecrewofacapturedshipwereslainwithoutanyquestionorthoughtofmercybythevictors。Warwasarudegamewithdeathforthestake，andtheforfeitwasalwaysclaimedontheonesideandpaidontheotherwithoutdoubtorhesitation。
Onlytheknightmightbespared，sincehisransommadehimworthmorealivethandead。Tomentrainedinsuchaschool，withdeathforeverhangingovertheirownheads，itmaybewellbelievedthattheslayingoftwopeasantmurdererswasasmallmatter。
Andyettherewasspecialreasonwhyuponthisoccasionthebowmenwishedtokeepthedeedintheirownhands。EversincetheirdisputeaboardtheBasilisk，therehadbeenill-feelingbetwixtBartholomewtheoldbald-headedbowyer，andlongNedWiddingtontheDalesman，whichhadendedinaconflictatDinan，inwhichnotonlythey，butadozenoftheirfriendshadbeenlaiduponthecobble-stones。Thedisputeragedroundtheirrespectiveknowledgeandskillwiththebow，andnowsomequickwitamongstthesoldiershadsuggestedagrimfashioninwhichitshouldbeputtotheproof，onceforall，whichcoulddrawthesurershaft。
Athickwoodlaytwohundredpacesfromtheroaduponwhichthearchersstood。Astretchofsmoothgrassyswardlaybetween。Thetwopeasantswereledoutfiftyyardsfromtheroad，withtheirfacestowardthewood。Theretheystood，heldonaleash，andcastingmanyawonderingfrightenedglanceovertheirshouldersatthepreparationswhichwerebeingmadebehindthem。
OldBartholomewandthebigYorkshiremanhadsteppedoutoftheranksandstoodsidebysideeachwithhisstrungbowinhislefthandandasinglearrowinhisright。Withcaretheyhaddrawnonandgreasedtheirshooting-glovesandfastenedtheirbracers。
Theypluckedandcastupafewbladesofgrasstomeasurethewind，examinedeverysmallpointoftheirtackle，turnedtheirsidestothemark，andWidenedtheirfeetinafirmerstance。
>Fromallsidescamechaffandcounselfromtheircomrades。
“Athree-quarterwind，bowyer！”criedone。”Aimabody’sbreadthtotheright！”
“Butnotthybody’sbreadth，bowyer，“laughedanother。”Elsemayyoubeoverwide。”
“Nay，thiswindwillscarceturnawell-drawnshaft，“saidathird。”Shootdeaduponhimandyouwillbeclapintheclout。”
“Steady，Ned，forthegoodnameoftheDales，“criedaYorkshireman。”Looseeasyandplucknot，orIamfivecrownsthepoorerman。”
“Aweek’spayonBartholomew！”shoutedanother。”Now，oldfat-pate，failmenot！”
“Enough，enough！，Stintyourtalk！”criedtheoldbowman，WatofCarlisle。”Wereyourshaftsasquickasyourtonguestherewouldbenofacingyou。Doyoushootuponthelittleone，Bartholomew，andyou，Ned，upontheother。GivethemlawuntilIcrytheword，thenlooseinyourownfashionandatyourowntime。Areyouready！，Hola，there，Hayward，Beddington，letthemrun！”
Theleashesweretornaway，andthetwomen，stoopingtheirheads，ranmadlyfortheshelterofthewoodamidsuchahowlfromthearchersasbeatersmaygivewhentheharestartsfromitsform。
Thetwobowmen，eachwithhisarrowdrawntothepile，stoodlikerussetstatues，menacing，motionless，theireagereyesfixeduponthefugitives，theirbow-stavesrisingslowlyasthedistancebetweenthemlengthened。TheBretonswerehalf-waytothewood，andstillOldWatwassilent。Itmayhavebeenmercyoritmayhavebeenmischief，butatleastthechaseshouldhaveafairchanceoflife。Atsixscorepacesheturnedhisgrizzledheadatlast。
“Loose！”hecried。
AtthewordtheYorkshireman’sbow-stringtwanged。ItwasnotfornothingthathehadearnedthenameofbeingoneofthedeadliestarchersoftheNorthandhadtwiceborneawaythesilverarrowofSelby。Swiftandtrueflewthefatalshaftandburieditselftothefeatherinthecurvedbackofthelongyellow-hairedpeasant。
Withoutasoundhefelluponhisfaceandlaystone-deaduponthegrass，theoneshortwhiteplumebetweenhisdarkshoulderstomarkwhereDeathhadsmotehim。
TheYorkshiremanthrewhisbowstaveintotheairanddancedintriumph，whilsthiscomradesroaredtheirfiercedelightinashoutofapplause，whichchangedsuddenlyintoatempestofhootingandoflaughter。
Thesmallerpeasant，morecunning，thanhiscomrade，hadrunmoreslowly，butwithmanyabackwardglance。Hehadmarkedhiscompanion’sfateandhadwaitedwithkeeneyesuntilhesawthebowyerloosehisstring。Atthemomenthehadthrownhimselfflatuponthegrassandhadheardthearrowscreamabovehim，-andseenitquiverintheturfbeyond。Instantlyhehadsprungtohisfeetagainandamidwildwhoopsandhalloosfromthebowmenhadmadefortheshelterofthewood。Nowhehadreachedit，andtenscoregoodpacesseparatedhimfromthenearestofhispersecutors。
Surelytheycouldnotreachhimhere。Withthetangledbrushwoodbehindhimhewasassafeasarabbitatthemouthofhisburrow。
Inthejoyofhishearthemustneedsdanceinderisionandsnaphisfingersatthefoolishmenwhohadlethimslip。Hethrewbackhishead，howlingatthemlikeadog，andattheinstantanarrowstruckhimfullinthethroatandlaidhimdeadamongthebracken。Therewasahushofsurprisedsilenceandthenaloudcheerburstfromthearchers。
“BytheroodofBeverley！”criedoldWat，“Ihavenotseenafinerrovingshaftthismanyayear。InmyownbestdayIcouldnothavebetteredit。Whichofyouloosedit？”
“ItwasAylwardofTilford-SamkinAylward，“criedascoreofvoices，andthebowman，flushedathisownfame，waspushedtothefront。
“IndeedIwouldthatithadbeenatanoblermark，“saidhe。”Hemighthavegonefreeforme，butIcouldnotkeepmyfingersfromthestringwhenheturnedtojeeratus。”
“Iseewellthatyouareindeedamaster-bowman，“saidoldWat，“anditiscomforttomysoultothinkthatifIfallIleavesuchamanbehindmetoholdhighthecreditofourcraft。Nowgatheryourshaftsandon，forSirRobertawaitsusonthebrowofthehill。”
AlldayKnollesandhismenmarchedthroughthesamewildanddesertedcountry，inhabitedonlybythesefurtivecreatures，harestothestrongandwolvestotheweak，whohoveredintheshadowsofthewood。Everandanonuponthetopsofthehillstheycaughtaglimpseofhorsemenwhowatchedthemfromadistanceandvanishedwhenapproached。Sometimesbellsranganalarmfromvillagesamongstthehills，andtwicetheypassedcastleswhichdrewuptheirdrawbridgesattheirapproachandlinedtheirwallswithhootingsoldiersastheypassed。TheEnglishmengatheredafewoxenandsheepfromthepasturesofeach，butKnolleshadnomindtobreakhisstrengthuponstonewalls，andsohewentuponhisway。
OnceatSt。Meentheypassedagreatnunnery，girtwithahighgraylichenedwall，anoasisofpeaceinthisdesertofwar，theblack-robednunsbaskinginthesunorworkinginthegardens，withthestronggentlehandofHolyChurchshieldingthemeverfromevil。Thearchersdoffedcapstothemastheypassed，fortheboldestandroughestdarednotcrossthatlineguardedbythedirebanandblightwhichwastheoneonlyforceinthewholesteel-riddenearthwhichcouldstandbetwixttheweaklingandthespoiler。
ThelittlearmyhaltedatSt。Meenandcookeditsmiddaymeal。Ithadgatheredintoitsranksagainandwasabouttostart，whenKnollesdrewNigeltooneside。
“Nigel，“saidhe，“itseemstomethatIhaveseldomseteyesuponahorsewhichhathmorepowerandpromiseofspeedthanthisgreatbeastofthine。”
“Itisindeedanoblesteed，fairsir，“saidNigel。BetwixthimandhisyoungleadertherehadsprungupgreataffectionandrespectsincethedaythattheysetfootintheBasilisk。
“Itwillbethebetterifyoustretchhislimbs，forhegrowsoverheavy，“saidtheknight。”Nowmarkme，Nigel！，Yonderbetwixttheash-treeandtheredrockwhatdoyouseeonthesideofthefarhill？”
“Thereisawhitedotuponit。Surelyitisahorse。”
“Ihavemarkeditallmorning，Nigel。Thishorsemanhaskepteveruponourflank，spyinguponusorwaitingtomakesomeattemptuponus。NowIshouldberightgladtohaveaprisoner，foritismywishtoknowsomethingofthiscountry-side，andthesepeasantscanspeakneitherFrenchnorEnglish。Iwouldhaveyoulingerhereinhidingwhenwegoforward。Thismanwillstillfollowus。
Whenhedoesso，yonderwoodwillliebetwixtyouandhim。Doyouriderounditandcomeuponhimfrombehind。Thereisbroadplainuponhisleft，andwewillcuthimoffupontheright。Ifyourhorsebeindeedtheswifter，thenyoucannotfailtotakehim。”
NigelhadalreadysprungdownandwastighteningPommers’girth。
“Nay，thereisnoneedofhaste，foryoucannotstartuntilwearetwomilesuponourway。AndaboveallIprayyou，Nigel，noneofyourknight-errantways。ItisthisroanthatIwant，himandthenewsthathecanbringme。Thinklittleofyourownadvancementandmuchoftheneedsofthearmy。Whenyougethim，ridewestwardsuponthesun，andyoucannotfailtofindtheroad。”
NigelwaitedwithPommersundertheshadowofthenunnerywall，horseandmanchafingwithimpatience，whilstabovethemsixround-eyedinnocentnun-faceslookeddownonthisstrangeanddisturbingvisionfromtheouterworld。Atlastthelongcolumnwounditselfoutofsightroundacurveoftheroad，andthewhitedotwasgonefromthebaregreenflankofthehill。Nigelbowedhissteelheadtothenuns，gavehisbridleashake，andboundedoffuponhiswelcomemission。Theround-eyedsisterssawyellowhorseandtwinklingmansweeproundtheskirtofthewood，caughtalastglimmerofhimthroughthetree-trunks，andpacedslowlybacktotheirpruningandtheirplanting，theirmindsfilledwiththebeautyandtheterrorofthatouterworldbeyondthehighgraylichen-mottledwall。
EverythingfelloutevenasKnolleshadplanned。AsNigelroundedtheoakforest，thereuponthefarthersideofit，withonlygoodgreenswardbetween，wastherideruponthewhitehorse。AlreadyhewassonearthatNigelcouldseehimclearly，ayoungcavalier，proudinhisbearing，cladinpurplesilktunicwitharedcurlingfeatherinhislowblackcap。Heworenoarmor，buthisswordgleamedathisside。Herodeeasilyandcarelessly，asonewhocaresfornoman，andhiseyeswereforeverfixedupontheEnglishsoldiersontheroad。Sointentwasheuponthemthathegavenothoughttohisownsafety，anditwasonlywhenthelowthunderofthegreathorse’shoofsbrokeuponhisearsthatheturnedinhissaddle，lookedverycoollyandsteadilyatNigel，thengavehisownbridleashakeanddartedoff，swiftasahawk，towardthehillsupontheleft。
Pommershadmethismatchthatday。Thewhitehorse，twopartsArab，borethelighterweight，sinceNigelwascladinfullarmor。
Forfivemilesovertheopenneithergainedahundredyardsupontheother。Theyhadtoppedthehillandflewdownthefartherside，thestrangercontinuallyturninginhissaddletohavealookathispursuer。Therewasnopanicinhisflight，butrathertheamusedrivalrywithwhichagoodhorsemanwhoisproudofhismountcontendswithonewhohaschallengedhim。Belowthehillwasamarshyplain，studdedwithgreatDruidicstones，someprostrate，someerect，somebearingothersacrosstheirtopslikethehugedoorsofsomevanishedbuilding。Apathranthroughthemarshwithgreenrushesasadangersignaloneithersideofit。
Acrossthispathmanyofthehugestoneswerelying，butthewhitehorseclearedtheminitsstrideandPommersfollowedcloseuponhisheels。Thencameamileofsoftgroundwherethelighterweightagaindrewtothefront，butitendedinadryuplandandonceagainNigelgained。Asunkenroadcrossedit，butthewhitecleareditwithamightyspring，andagaintheyellowfollowed。
Twosmallhillslaybeforethemwithanarrowgorgeofdeepbushesbetween。Nigelsawthewhitehorseboundingchest-deepamidtheunderwood。
Nextinstantitshindlegswerehighintheair，andtheriderhadbeenshotfromitsback。Ahowloftriumphrosefromamidstthebushes，andadozenwildfiguresarmedwithclubandwithspear，rushedupontheprostrateman。
“Amoi，Anglais，amoi！”criedavoice，andNigelsawtheyoungriderstaggertohisfeet，strikeroundhimwithhissword，andthenfalloncemorebeforetherushofhisassailants。
Therewasacomradeshipamongmenofgentlebloodandbearingwhichbandedthemtogetheragainstallruffianlyorunchivalrousattack。Theserudefellowswerenosoldiers。Theirdressandarms，theiruncouthcriesandwildassault，markedthemasbanditti-suchmenashadslaintheEnglishmanupontheroad。
Waitinginnarrowgorgeswithahiddenropeacrossthepath，theywatchedforthelonelyhorsemanasafowlerwaitsbyhisbird-trap，trustingthattheycouldoverthrowthesteedandthenslaytheridererehehadrecoveredfromhisfall。
Suchwouldhavebeenthefateofthestranger，asofsomanycavaliersbeforehim，hadNigelnotchancedtobecloseuponhisheels。InaninstantPommershadburstthroughthegroupwhostruckattheprostrateman，andinanothertwooftherobbershadfallenbeforeNigel’ssword。Aspearrangonhisbreastplate，butoneblowshoreoffitshead，andasecondthatofhimwhoheldit。
Invaintheythrustatthesteel-girtman。Hisswordplayedroundthemlikelightning，andthefiercehorserampedandswoopedabovethemwithpawingiron-shodhoofsandeyesoffire。Withcriesandshriekstheyflewofftorightandleftamidstthebushes，springingoverbouldersanddartingunderbrancheswherenohorsemancouldfollowthem。Thefoulcrewhadgoneasswiftlyandsuddenlyasithadcome，andsaveforfourraggedfigureslitteredamongstthetrampledbushes，nosignremainingoftheirpassing。
NigeltetheredPommerstoathorn-bushandthenturnedhisattentiontotheinjuredman。Thewhitehorsehadregainedhisfeetandstoodwhinnyinggentlyashelookeddownonhisprostratemaster。Aheavyblow，halfbrokenbyhissword，hadbeatenhimdownandleftagreatrawbruiseuponhisforehead。Butastreamgurgledthroughthegorge，andacapfulofwaterdashedoverhisfacebroughtthesensesbacktotheinjuredman。Hewasamerestripling，withthedelicatefeaturesofawoman，andapairofgreatviolet-blueeyeswhichlookeduppresentlywithapuzzledstareintoNigel’sface。
“Whoareyou？”heasked。”Ahyes！，Icallyoutomind。YouaretheyoungEnglishmanwhochasedmeonthegreatyellowhorse。ByourLadyofRocamadourwhosevernicleisroundmyneck！，IcouldnothavebelievedthatanyhorsecouldhavekeptattheheelsofCharlemagnesolong。ButIwillwageryouahundredcrowns，Englishman，thatIleadyouoverafive-milecourse。”
“Nay，“saidNigel，“wewillwaittillyoucanbackahorseerewetalkofracingit。IamNigelofTilford，ofthefamilyofLoring，asquirebyrankandthesonofaknight。Howareyoucalled，youngsir？”
“Ialsoamasquirebyrankandthesonofaknight。IamRaouldelaRochePierredeBras，whosefatherwriteshimselfLordofGrosbois，afreevavasorofthenobleCountofToulouse，withtherightoffossaandoffurca，thehighjustice，themiddleandthelow。”，Hesatupandrubbedhiseyes。”Englishman，youhavesavedmylifeasIwouldhavesavedyours，hadIseensuchyelpingdogssetuponamanofbloodandofcoat-armor。ButnowIamyours，andwhatisyoursweetwill？”
“Whenyouarefittoride，youwillcomebackwithmetomypeople。”
“Alas！，Ifearedthatyouwouldsayso。HadItakenyou，Nigel-
thatisyourname，isitnot？-hadItakenyou，Iwouldnothaveactedthus。”
“Howthenwouldyouhaveorderedthings？”askedNigel，muchtakenwiththefrankanddebonairmannerofhiscaptive。
“Iwouldnothavetakenadvantageofsuchamischanceashasbefallenmewhichhasputmeinyourpower。Iwouldgiveyouaswordandbeatyouinfairfight，sothatImightsendyoutogivegreetingtomydearladyandshowherthedeedswhichIdoforherfairsake。”
“Indeed，yourwordsarebothgoodandfair，“saidNigel。”BySaintPaul！，IcannotcalltomindthatIhaveevermetamanwhoborehimselfbetter。ButsinceIaminmyarmorandyouwithout，Iseenothowwecandebatethematter。”
“Surely，gentleNigel，youcoulddoffyourarmor。”
“ThenhaveIonlymyunderclothes。”
“Nay，thereshallbenounfairnessthere，forIalsowillverygladlystriptomyunderclothes。”
NigellookedwistfullyattheFrenchman;butheshookhishead。
“Alas！，itmaynotbe，“saidhe。”ThelastwordsthatSirRobertsaidtomewerethatIwastobringyoutohisside，forhewouldhavespeechwithyou。WouldthatIcoulddowhatyouask，forI
alsohaveafairladytowhomIwouldfainsendyou。Whatuseareyoutome，Raoul，sinceIhavegainednohonorinthetakingofyou？，Howisitwithyounow？”
TheyoungFrenchmanhadrisentohisfeet。”Donottakemysword，“hesaid。”Iamyours，rescueornorescue。IthinknowthatIcouldmountmyhorse，thoughindeedmyheadstillringslikeacrackedbell。”
Nigelhadlostalltracesofhiscomrades;butherememberedSirRobert’swordsthatheshouldrideuponthesunwiththecertaintythatsoonerorlaterhewouldstrikeupontheroad。Astheyjoggedslowlyalongoverundulatinghills，theFrenchmanshookoff，hishurtandthetwochattedmerrilytogether。
“IhadbutjustcomefromFrance，“saidhe，“andIhadhopedtowinhonorinthiscountry，forIhaveeverheardthattheEnglishareveryhardymenandexcellentpeopletofightwith。MymulesandmybaggageareatEvran;butIrodeforthtoseewhatIcouldsee，andIchanceduponyourarmymovingdowntheroad，soI
coasteditinthehopesofsomeprofitoradventure。ThenyoucameaftermeandIwouldhavegivenallthegoldgobletsuponmyfather’stableifIhadmyharnesssothatIcouldhaveturneduponyou。IhavepromisedtheCountessBeatricethatIwillsendheranEnglishmanortwotokissherhands。”
“Onemightperchancehaveaworsefate，“saidNigel。”Isthisfairdameyourbetrothed？”
“Sheismylove，“answeredtheFrenchman。”WearebutwaitingfortheCounttobeslaininthewars，andthenwemeantomarry。Andthisladyofthine，Nigel？，IwouldthatIcouldseeher。”
“Perchanceyoushall，fairsir，“saidNigel，“forallthatIhaveseenofyoufillsmewithdesiretogofurtherwithyou。Itisinmymindthatwemightturnthisthingtoprofitandtohonor，forwhenSirRoberthasspokenwithyou，IamfreetodowithyouasI
will。”
“Andwhatwillyoudo，Nigel？”
“Weshallsurelytrysomesmalldeeduponeachother，sothateitherIshallseetheLadyBeatrice，oryoutheLadyMary。Nay，thankmenot，forlikeyourself，Ihavecometothiscountryinsearchofhonor，andIknownotwhereImaybetterfinditthanattheendofyoursword-point。Mygoodlordandmaster，SirJohnChandos，hastoldmemanytimesthatneveryetdidhemeetFrenchknightnorsquirethathedidnotfindgreatpleasureandprofitfromtheircompany，andnowIveryclearlyseethathehasspokenthetruth。”
Foranhourthesetwofriendsrodetogether，theFrenchmanpouringforththepraisesofhislady，whosegloveheproducedfromonepocket，hergarterfromhisvest，andhershoefromhissaddle-bag。Shewasblond，andwhenheheardthatMarywasdark，hewouldfainstopthenandtheretofightthequestionofcolor。
HetalkedtooofhisgreatchateauatLauta，bytheheadwatersofthepleasantGaronne;ofthehundredhorsesinthestables，theseventyhoundsinthekennels，thefiftyhawksinthemews。HisEnglishfriendshouldcometherewhenthewarswereover，andwhatgoldendayswouldbetheirs！，Nigeltoo，withhisEnglishcoldnessthawingbeforethisyoungsunbeamoftheSouth，foundhimselftalkingoftheheatherslopesofSurrey，oftheforestofWoolmer，evenofthesacredchambersofCosford。
Butastheyrodeonwardtowardsthesinkingsun，theirthoughtsfarawayintheirdistanthomes，theirhorsesstridingtogether，therecamethatwhichbroughttheirmindsbackinaninstanttotheperiloushillsidesofBrittany。
Itwasthelongblastofatrumpetblownfromsomewhereonthefarthersideofaridgetowardwhichtheywereriding。Asecondlong-drawnnotefromadistanceansweredit。
“Itisyourcamp，“saidtheFrenchman。
“Nay，“saidNigel;“wehavepipeswithusandanakerortwo，butIhaveheardnotrumpet-callfromourranks。Itbehoovesustotakeheed，forweknownotwhatmaybebeforeus。Ridethisway，Iprayyou，thatwemaylookoverandyetbeourselvesunseen。”
Somescatteredboulderscrownedtheheight，andfrombehindthemthetwoyoungSquirescouldseethelongrockyvalleybeyond。
Uponaknollwasasmallsquarebuildingwithabattlementroundit。Somedistancefromittoweredagreatdarkcastle，asmassiveastherocksonwhichitstood，withonestrongkeepatthecorner，andfourlonglinesofmachicolatedwalls。Above，agreatbannerflewproudlyinthewind，withsomedevicewhichglowedredinthesettingsun。Nigelshadedhiseyesandstaredwithwrinkledbrow。
“ItisnotthearmsofEngland，noryettheliliesofFrance，norisittheermineofBrittany，“saidhe。”Hewhoholdsthiscastlefightsforhisownhand，sincehisowndevicefliesaboveit。
Surelyitisaheadgulesonanargentfield。”
“Thebloodyheadonasilvertray！”criedtheFrenchman。”WasI
notwarnedagainsthim？，Thisisnotaman，friendNigel。ItisamonsterwhowarsuponEnglish，FrenchandallChristendom。HaveyounotheardoftheButcherofLaBrohiniere？”
“Nay，Ihavenotheardofhim。”
“HisnameisaccursedinFrance。HaveInotbeentoldalsothatheputtodeaththisveryyearGillesdeSt。Pol，afriendoftheEnglishKing？”
“Yes，inverytruthitcomesbacktomymindnowthatIheardsomethingofthismatterinCalaisbeforewestarted。”
“Thentherehedwells，andGodguardyouifeveryoupassunderyonderportal，fornoprisonerhasevercomeforthalive！，Sincethesewarsbeganhehathbeenakingtohimself，andtheplunderofelevenyearsliesinyondercellars。Howcanjusticecometohim，whennomanknowswhoownstheland？，Butwhenwehavepackedyouallbacktoyourisland，bytheBlessedMotherofGod，wehaveaheavydebttopaytothemanwhodwellsinyonderpile！”
Butevenastheywatched，thetrumpet-callburstforthoncemore。
Itcamenotfromthecastlebutfromthefartherendofthevalley。Itwasansweredbyasecondcallfromthewalls。Theninalong，stragglinglinetherecameawildtroopofmaraudersstreaminghomewardfromsomeforay。Inthevan，attheheadofabodyofspearmen，rodeatallandburlyman，cladinbrazenarmor，sothatheshonelikeagoldenimageintheslantingraysofthesun。Hishelmethadbeenloosenedfromhisgorgetandwasheldbeforehimonhishorse’sneck。Agreattangledbeardflowedoverhisbreastplate，andhishairhungdownasfarbehind。Asquireathiselbowborehighthebannerofthebleedinghead。Behindthespearmenwerealineofheavilyladenmules，andoneithersideofthemadroveofpoorcountryfolk，whowerebeingherdedintothecastle。Lastlycameasecondstrongtroopofmountedspearmen，whoconductedascoreormoreofprisonerswhomarchedtogetherinasolidbody。
Nigelstaredatthemandthen，springingonhishorse，heurgeditalongtheshelteroftheridgesoastoreachunseenaspotwhichwasclosetothecastlegate。Hehadscarcetakenuphisnewpositionwhenthecavalcadereachedthedrawbridge，andamidyellsofwelcomefromthoseuponthewall，filedinathinlineacrossit。Nigelstaredhardoncemoreattheprisonersintherear，andsoabsorbedwashebythesightthathehadpassedtherocksandwasstandingsheeruponthesummit。
“BySaintPaul！”hecried，“itmustindeedbeso。Iseetheirrussetjackets。TheyareEnglisharchers！”
Ashespoke，thehindmostone，astronglybuilt，broad-shoulderedman，lookedroundandsawthegleamingfigureabovehimuponthehill，withopenhelmet，andthefiverosesglowinguponhisbreast。Withasweepofhishandshehadthrusthisguardiansasideandforamomentwasclearofthethrong。
“SquireLoring！，SquireLoring！”hecried。”ItisI，Aylwardthearcher！，ItisI，SamkinAylward！”Thenextminuteadozenhandshadseizedhim，hiscriesweremuffledwithagag，andhewashurled，thelastoftheband，throughtheblackandthreateningarchwayofthegate。Thenwithaclangthetwoironwingscametogether，theportcullisswungupward，andcaptivesandcaptors，robbersandbooty，wereallswallowedupwithinthegrimandsilentfortress。
XX。HOWTHEENGLISHATTEMPTEDTHECASTLEOFLABROHINIERE
ForsomeminutesNigelremainedmotionlessuponthecrestofthehill，hisheart，likeleadwithinhim，andhiseyesfixeduponthehugegraywallswhichcontainedhisunhappyhenchman。Hewasrousedbyasympathetichanduponhisshoulderandthevoiceofhisyoungprisonerinhisear。
“Peste！”saidhe。”Theyhavesomeofyourbirdsintheircage，havetheynot？，Whatthen，myfriend？，Keepyourhearthigh！，Isitnotthechanceofwar，to-daytothem，to-morrowtothee，anddeathatlastforusall？，AndyetIhadrathertheywereinanyhandsthanthoseofOlivertheButcher。”
“BySaintPaul，wecannotsufferit！”criedNigeldistractedly。
“Thismanhascomewithmefrommyownhome。Hehasstoodbetweenmeanddeathbeforenow。Itgoestomyveryheartthatheshouldcalluponmeinvain。Iprayyou，Raoul，touseyourwits，formineareallcurdledinmyhead。TellmewhatIshoulddoandhowImaybringhimhelp。”
TheFrenchmanshruggedhisshoulders。”Aseasytogetalambunscathedoutofawolves’lairasaprisonersafefromLaBrohiniere。Nay，Nigel，whitherdoyougo？，Haveyouindeedtakenleaveofyourwits？”
TheSquirehadspurredhishorsedownthehillsideandneverhalteduntilhewaswithinabowshotofthegate。TheFrenchprisonerfollowedhardbehindhim，withabuzzofreproachesandexpostulations。
“Youaremad，Nigel！”he。cried。”Whatdoyouhopetodothen？
Wouldyoucarrythecastlewithyourownhands？，Halt，man，halt，inthenameoftheVirgin！”
ButNigelhadnoplaninhisheadandonlyobeyedthefeveredimpulsetodosomethingtoeasehisthoughts。Hepacedhishorseupanddown，wavinghisspear，andshoutinginsultsandchallengestothegarrison。Overthehighwallahundredjeeringfaceslookeddownuponhim。Sorashandwildwashisactionthatitseemedtothosewithintomeansometrap，sothedrawbridgewasstillheldhighandnoneventuredforthtoseizehim。Afewlong-rangearrowspatteredontherocks，andthenwithadeepboomingsoundahugestone，hurledfromamangonel，sangovertheheadofthetwoSquiresandcrushedintosplintersamongstthebouldersbehindthem。TheFrenchmanseizedNigel’sbridleandforcedhimfartherfromthegateway。
“BythedearVirgin！”hecried，“Icarenottohavethosepebblesaboutmyears，yetIcannotgobackalone，soitisveryclear，my，crazycomrade，thatyoumustcomealso。Nowwearebeyondtheirreach！，Butsee，myfriendNigel，whoarethosewhocrowntheheight？”
Thesunhadsunkbehindthewesternridge，buttheglowingskywasfringedatitsloweredgebyascoreofruddytwinklingpoints。A
bodyofhorsemenshowedhardandblackuponthebarehill。Thentheydippeddowntheslopeintothevalley，whilstabandoffootmenfollowedbehind。
“Theyaremypeople，“criedNigeljoyously。”Come，myfriend，hasten，thatwemaytakecounselwhatweshalldo。”
SirRobertKnollesrodeabowshotinfrontofhismen，andhisbrowwasasblackasnight。Besidehim，withcrestfallenface，hishorsebleeding，hisarmordintedandsoiled，wasthehot-headedknight，SirJamesAstley。Afiercediscussionragedbetweenthem。
“IhavedonemydevoirasbestImight，“saidAstley。”AloneI
hadtenofthematmysword-point。IknownothowIhavelivedtotellit。”
“Whatisyourdevoirtome？，Wherearemythirtybowmen？”criedKnollesinbitterwrath。”Tenliedeaduponthegroundandtwentyareworsethandeadinyondercastle。Andallbecauseyoumustneedsshowallmenhowboldyouare，andrideintoabushmentsuchasachildcouldsee。AlasformyownfollythateverIshouldhavetrustedsuchaoneasyouwiththehandlingofmen！”
“ByGod，SirRobert，youshallanswertomeforthosewords！”
criedAstleywithachokingvoice。”Neverhasamandaredtospeaktomeasyouhavedonethisday。”
“AslongasIholdtheKing’sorderIshallbemaster，andbytheLordIwillhangyou，James，onaneartreeifIhavefurthercauseofoffense！，Hownow，Nigel？，Iseebyyonderwhitehorsethatyouatleasthavenotfailedme。Iwillspeakwithyouanon。
Percy，bringupyourmen，andletusgatherroundthiscastle，for，asIhopeformysoul’ssalvation，IwinnotleaveituntilI
havemyarchers，ortheheadofhimwhoholdsthem。”
ThatnighttheEnglishlaythickroundthefortressofLaBrohinieresothatnonemightcomeforthfromit。Butifnonecouldcomeforthitwashardtoseehowanycouldwintheirwayin，foritwasfullofmen，thewallswerehighandstrong，andadeepdryditchgirtitround。Butthehatredandfearwhichitsmasterhadraisedoverthewholecountry-sidecouldnowbeplainlyseen，forduringthenightthebrushwoodmenandthevillagerscameinfromallpartswithoffersofsuchhelpastheycouldgivefortheintakingofthecastle。Knollessetthemcuttingbushesandtyingthemintofagots。Whenmorningcameherodeoutbeforethewallandheheldcounselwithhisknightsandsquiresastohowheshouldenterin。
“Bynoon，“saidhe，“weshallhavesomanyfagotsthatwemaymakeourwayovertheditch。Thenwewillbeatinthegatesandsowinafooting。”
TheyoungFrenchmanhadcomewithNigeltotheconference，andnow，amidthesilencewhichfollowedtheleader’sproposal，heaskedifhemightbeheard。HewascladinthebrazenarmorwhichNigelhadtakenfromtheRedFerret。
“Itmaybethatitisnotformetojoininyourcounsel，“saidhe，“seeingthatIamaprisonerandaFrenchman。Butthismanistheenemyofall，andweofFranceowehimadebtevenasyoudo，sincemanyagoodFrenchmanhasdiedinhiscellars。ForthisreasonIcravetobeheard。”
“Wewillhearyou，“saidKnolles。
“IhavecomefromEvranyesterday，“saidhe。”SirHenrySpinnefort，SirPeterLaRoyeandmanyotherbraveknightsandsquiresliethere，withagoodcompanyofmen，allofwhomwouldverygladlyjoinwithyoutodestroythisbutcherandhiscastle，foritiswellknownamongstusthathisdeedsareneithergoodnorfair。Therearealsobombardswhichwecoulddragoverthehills，andsobeatdownthisirongate。IfyousoorderitIwillridetoEvranandbringmycompanionsbackwithme。”
“Indeed，Robert，“saidPercy，“itisinmymindthatthisFrenchmanspeaksverywiselyandwell。”
“Andwhenwehavetakenthecastle-whatthen？”askedKnolles。
“Thenyoucouldgouponyourway，fairsir，andweuponours。Orifitpleaseyoubetteryoucoulddrawtogetheronyonderhillandweonthisone，sothatthevalleyliesbetweenus。Thenifanycavalierwishedtoadvancehimselfortoshedavowandexalthislady，anopeningmightbefoundforhim。Surelyitwouldbeshameifsomanybravemendrewtogetherandnosmalldeedweretocomeofit。”
Nigelclaspedhiscaptive’shandtoshowhisadmirationandesteem，butKnollesshookhishead。
“Thingsarenotorderedthus，saveinthetalesoftheminstrels，“
saidhe。”IhavenowishthatyourpeopleatEvranshouldknowournumbersorourplans。Iamnotinthislandforknighterrantry，butIamheretomakeheadagainsttheKing’senemies。
Hasnooneaughtelsetosay？”
Percypointedtothesmalloutlyingfortaliceupontheknoll，onwhichalsoflewtheflagofthebloodyhead。”Thissmallercastle，Robert，isofnogreatstrengthandcannotholdmorethanfiftymen。Itisbuilt，asIconceiveit，thatnooneshouldseizethehighgroundandshootdownintotheother。Whyshouldwenotturnallourstrengthuponit，sinceitistheweakerofthetwain？”
Butagaintheyoungleadershookhishead。”IfIshouldtakeit，“
saidhe，“Iamstillnonearertomydesire，norwillitavailmeingettingbackmybowmen。Itmaycostascoreofmen，andwhatprofitshallIhavefromit？，HadIbombards，Imightplacethemonyonderhill，buthavingnoneitisoflittleusetome。”
“Itmaybe，“saidNigel，“thattheyhavescantfoodorwater，andsomustcomeforthtofightus。”
“Ihavemadeinquiryofthepeasants，“Knollesanswered，“andtheyareofonemindthatthereisawellwithinthecastle，andgoodstoreoffood。Nay，gentlemen，thereisnowaybeforeussavetotakeitbyarms，andnospotwherewecanattemptitsavethroughthegreatgate。Soonwewillhavesomanyfagotsthatwecancastthemdownintotheditch，andsowinourwayacross。Ihaveorderedthemtocutapine-treeonthehillandshearthebranchessothatwemaybeatdownthegatewithit。Butwhatisnowamiss，andwhydotheyrunforwardtothecastle？”
Abuzzhadrisenfromthesoldiersinthecamp，andtheyallcrowdedinonedirection，rushingtowardthecastlewall。Theknightsandsquiresrodeafterthem，andwheninviewofthemaingate，thecauseofthedisturbancelaybeforethem。OnthetowerabovetheportalthreemenwerestandinginthegarbofEnglisharchers，ropesroundtheirnecksandtheirhandsboundbehindthem。Theircomradessurgedbelowthemwithcriesofrecognitionandofpity。
“ItisAmbrose！”criedone。”SurelyitisAmbroseofIngleton。”
“Yes，intruth，Iseehisyellowhair。Andtheother，himwiththebeard，itisLockwoodofSkipton。Alasforhiswifewhokeepstheboothbythebridge-headofRibble！，Iwotnotwhothethirdmaybe。”
“ItislittleJohnnyAlspaye，theyoungestmaninthecompany，“
criedoldWat，withthetearsrunningdownhischeeks，“’TwasI
whobroughthimfromhishome。Alas！，Alas！，FoulfarethedaythateverIcoaxedhimfromhismother’ssidethathemightperishinafarland。”
Therewasasuddenflourishofatrumpetandthedrawbridgefell。
Acrossitstrodeaportlymanwithafadedherald’scoat。Hehaltedwarilyuponthefarthersideandhisvoiceboomedlikeadrum。”Iwouldspeakwithyourleader。”hecried。
Knollesrodeforward。
“HaveIyourknightlywordthatImayadvanceunscathedwithallcourteousentreatyasbefitsaherald？”
Knollesnoddedhishead。
Themancameslowlyandpompouslyforward。”Iamthemessengerandliegeservant，“saidhe，“ofthehighbaron，OliverdeSt。
Yvon，LordofLaBrohiniere。Hebidsmetosaythatifyoucontinueyourjourneyandmolesthimnofurtherhewillengageuponhisparttomakenofurtherattackuponyou。Astothemenwhomheholds，hewillenrolltheminhisownhonorableservice，forhehasneedoflongbowmen，andhasheardmuchoftheirskill。
Butifyouconstrainhimorcausehimfurtherdispleasurebyremainingbeforehiscastleheherebygivesyouwarningthathewillhangthesethreemenoverhisgatewayandeverymorninganotherthreeuntilallhavebeenslain。ThishehasswornupontheroodofCalvery，andashehassaidsohewilldouponjeopardyofhissoul。”
RobertKnolleslookedgrimlyatthemessenger。”Youmaythankthesaintsthatyouhavehadmypromise，“saidhe，“elsewouldIhavestrippedthatlyingtabardfromthybackandtheskinbeneathitfromthybones，thatthymastermighthaveafittinganswertohismessage。TellhimthatIholdhimandallthatarewithinhiscastleashostageforthelivesofmymen，andthatshouldhedaretodothemscatheheandeverymanthatiswithhimshallhanguponhisbattlements。Go，andgoquickly，lessmypatiencefail。
TherewasthatinKnolles’coldgrayeyesandinhismannerofspeakingthoselastwordswhichsenttheportlyenvoybackataquickergaitthanhehadcome。Ashevanishedintothegloomyarchofthegatewaythedrawbridgeswungupwithcreakandrattlebehindhim。
Afewminuteslaterarough-beardedfellowsteppedoutovertheportalwherethecondemnedarchersstoodandseizingthefirstbytheshouldershethrusthimoverthewall。Acryburstfromtheman’slipsandadeepgroanfromthoseofhiscomradesbelowashefellwithajerkwhichsenthimhalf-wayuptotheparapetagain，andthenafterdancinglikeachild’stoyswungslowlybackwardandforwardwithlimplimbsandtwistedneck。
Thehangmanturnedandbowedinmockreverencetothespectatorsbeneathhim。HehadnotyetlearnedinalandofpunyarchershowsureandhowstrongistheEnglishbow。Halfadozenmen，oldWatamongstthem，hadrunforwardtowardthewall。Theyweretoolatetosavetheircomrades，butatleasttheirdeathswerespeedilyavenged。
Themanwasintheactofpushingoffthesecondprisonerwhenanarrowcrashedthroughhishead，andhefellstonedeadupontheparapet。Buteveninfallinghehadgiventhefatalthrustandasecondrussetfigureswungbesidethefirstagainstthedarkbackgroundofthecastlewall。
Thereonlyremainedtheyounglad，JohnnyAlspaye，whostoodshakingwithfear，anabyssbelowhim，andthevoicesofthosewhowouldhurlhimoveritbehind。Therewasalongpausebeforeanyonewouldcomeforthtodarethosedeadlyarrows。Thenafellow，crouchingdouble，ranforwardfromtheshelter，keepingtheyoungarcher’sbodyasashieldbetweenhimanddanger。
“Aside，John！，Aside！”criedhiscomradesfrombelow。
Theyouthsprangasfarastheropewouldallowhim，andslippedithalfoverhisfaceintheeffort。Threearrowsflashedpasthisside，andtwoofthemburiedthemselvesinthebodyofthemanbehind。Ahowlofdelightburstfromthespectatorsashedroppedfirstuponhiskneesandthenuponhisface。Alifeforalifewasnobadbargain。
Butitwasonlyashortrespitewhichtheskillofhiscomradeshadgiventotheyoungarcher。Overtheparapetthereappearedaballofbrass，thenapairofgreatbrazenshoulders，andlastlythefullfigureofanarmoredman。Hewalkedtotheedgeandtheyheardhishoarseguffawoflaughterasthearrowsclangedandclatteredagainsthisimpenetrablemail。Heslappedhisbreast-plate，ashejeeredatthem。Wellheknewthatatthedistancenodarteverspedbymortalhandscouldcleavethroughhisplatesofmetal。Sohestood，thegreatburlyButcherofLaBrohiniere，withheaduptossed，laughinginsolentlyathisfoes。
Thenwithslowandponderoustreadhewalkedtowardhisboyvictim，seizedhimbytheear，anddraggedhimacrosssothattheropemightbestraight。Seeingthatthenoosehadslippedacrosstheface，hetriedtopushitdown，butthemailglovehamperinghimhepulleditoff，andgraspedtheropeabovethelad’sheadwithhisnakedhand。
QuickasaflasholdWat’sarrowhadsped，andtheButchersprangbackwithahowlofpain，hishandskeweredbyacloth-yardshaft。
Asheshookitfuriouslyathisenemiesasecondgrazedhisknuckles。Withabrutalkickofhismetal-shodfeethehurledyoungAlspayeovertheedge，lookeddownforafewmomentsathisdeathagonies，andthenwalkedslowlyfromtheparapet，nursinghisdrippinghand，thearrowsstillringingloudlyuponhisback-pieceashewent。
Thearchersbelow，enragedatthedeathoftheircomrades，leapedandhowledlikeapackofraveningwolves。
“BySaintDunstan，“saidPercy，lookingroundattheirflushedfaces，“ifeverwearetocarryitnowisthemoment，forthesemenwillnotbestoppedifhatecantakethemforward。”
“Youareright，Thomas！”criedKnolles。”Gathertogethertwentymen-at-armseachwithhisshieldtocoverhim。Astley，doyouplacethebowmensothatnoheadmayshowatwindoworparapet。
Nigel，Iprayyoutoorderthecountryfolkforwardwiththeirfardelsoffagots。Lettheothersbringuptheloppedpine-treewhichliesyonderbehindthehorselines。Tenmen-at-armscanbearitontheright，andtenontheleft，havingshieldsovertheirheads。Thegateoncedown，leteverymanrushin。AndGodhelpthebettercause！”
Swiftlyandyetquietlythedispositionsweremade，forthesewereoldsoldierswhosedailytradewaswar。Inlittlegroupsthearchersformedinfrontofeachslitorcreviceinthewalls，whilstothersscannedthebattlementswithwaryeyes，andspedanarrowateveryfacewhichgleamedforaninstantabovethem。Thegarrisonshotforthashowerofcrossbowboltsandanoccasionalstonefromtheirengine，butsodeadlywasthehailwhichraineduponthemthattheyhadnotimetodwellupontheiraim，andtheirdischargeswerewildandharmless。Undercoveroftheshaftsofthebowmenalineofpeasantsranunscathedtotheedgeoftheditch，eachhurlinginthebundlewhichheboreinhisarms，andthenhurryingbackforanotherone。Intwentyminutesabroadpathwayoffagotslaylevelwiththegroundupononesideandthegateupontheother。Withthelossoftwopeasantsslainbyboltsandonearchercrushedbyastone，theditchhadbeenfilledup。
Allwasreadyforthebattering-ram。
Withashout，twentypickedmenrushedforwardwiththepine-treeundertheirarms，theheavyendturnedtowardthegate。Thearbalestersonthetowerleanedoverandshotintothemidstofthem，butcouldnotstoptheiradvance。Twodropped，buttheothersraisingtheirshieldsranonwardstillshouting，crossedthebridgeoffagots，andcamewithathunderingcrashagainstthedoor。Itsplinteredfrombasetoarch，butkeptitsplace。
Swingingtheirmightyweapon，thestormingpartythuddedandcrasheduponthegate，everyblowlooseningandwideningthecrackswhichrentitfromendtoend。Thethreeknights，withNigel，theFrenchmanRaoulandtheothersquires，stoodbesidetheram，cheeringonthemen，andchantingtotherhythmoftheswingwithaloud“Ha！”ateveryblow。AgreatstoneloosenedfromtheparapetroaredthroughtheairandstruckSirJamesAstleyandanotheroftheattackers，butNigelandtheFrenchmanhadtakentheirplacesinaninstant，andtheramthuddedandsmashedwithgreaterenergythanever。Anotherblowandanother！，thelowerpartwasstavinginward，butthegreatcentralbarstillheldfirm。Surelyanotherminutewouldbeatitfromitssockets。
Butsuddenlyfromabovetherecameagreatdelugeofliquid。A
hogsheadofithadbeentiltedfromthebattlementuntilsoldiers，bridge，andramwereequallydrenchedinyellowslime。Knollesrubbedhisgauntletinit，heldittohisvisor，andsmelledit。
“Back，back！”hecried。”Backbeforeitistoolate！”
Therewasasmallbarredwindowabovetheirheadsatthesideofthegate。Aruddyglareshonethroughit，andthenablazingtorchwastosseddownuponthem。Inamomenttheoilhadcaughtandthewholeplacewasasheetofflame。Thefir-treethattheycarried，thefagotsbeneaththem，theirveryweapons，wereallinablaze。
Torightandleftthemensprangdownintothedryditch，rollingwithscreamsuponthegroundintheirendeavortoextinguishtheflames。Theknightsandsquiresprotectedbytheirarmorstrovehard，stampingandslapping，tohelpthosewhohadbutleatherjackstoshieldtheirbodies。Fromaboveaceaselessshowerofdartsandofstoneswerepoureddownuponthem，whileontheotherhandthearchers，seeingthegreatnessofthedanger，ranuptotheedgeoftheditch，andshotfastandtrueateveryfacewhichshowedabovethewall。
Scorched，weariedandbedraggled，theremainsofthestormingpartyclamberedoutoftheditchasbesttheycould，clutchingatthefriendlyhandshelddowntothem，andsolimpedtheirwaybackamidthetauntsandhowlsoftheirenemies。Alongpileofsmolderingcinderswasallthatremainedoftheirbridge，andonitlayAstleyandsixotherred-hotmenglowingintheirarmor。
Knollesclinchedhishandsashelookedbackattheruinthatwaswrought，andthensurveyedthegroupofmenwhostoodorlayaroundhimnursingtheirburnedlimbsandscowlingupattheexultantfigureswhowavedonthecastlewall。Badlyscorchedhimself，theyoungleaderhadnothoughtforhisowninjuriesintherageandgriefwhichrackedhissoul。”Wewillbuildanotherbridge，“hecried。”Setthepeasantsbindingfagotsoncemore。”
ButathoughthadflashedthroughNigel’smind。”See，fairsir，“
saidhe。”Thenailsofyonderdoorarered-hotandthewoodaswhiteasashes。Surelywecanbreakourwaythroughit。”
“BytheVirgin，youspeaktruly！”criedtheFrenchSquire。”Ifwecancrosstheditchthegatewillnotstopus。Come，Nigel，forourfairladies’sakes，Iwillraceyouwhowillreachitfirst，EnglandorFrance。”