第9章

AlasforallthewisewordsofthegoodChandos！，AlasforallthelessonsinorderanddisciplinelearnedfromthewaryKnolles。Inaninstant，forgetfulofallthingsbutthisnoblechallenge，Nigelwasrunningatthetopofhisspeedfortheburninggate。

CloseathisheelswastheFrenchman，blowingandgasping，asherushedalonginhisbrazenarmor。Behindcameastreamofhowlingarchersandmen-at-arms，likeafloodwhichhasbrokenitsdam。

Downtheyslippedintotheditch，rushedacrossit，andclamberedoneachother’sbacksuptheoppositeside。Nigel，Raoulandtwoarchersgainedafootholdinfrontoftheburninggateatthesamemoment。Withblowsandkickstheyburstittopieces，anddashedwithayelloftriumphthroughthedarkarchwaybeyond。Foramomenttheythoughtwithmadrapturethatthecastlewascarried。

Adarktunnellaybeforethem，downwhichtheyrushed。Butalas！

atthefartherenditwasblockedbyasecondgatewayasstrongasthatwhichhadbeenburned。Invaintheybeatuponitwiththeirswordsandaxes。Oneachsidethetunnelwaspiercedwithslits，andthecrossbowboltsdischargedatonlyafewyards’distancecrashedthrougharmorasifitwereclothandlaidmanaftermanuponthestones。Theyragedandleapedbeforethegreatiron-clampedbarrier，butthe;wallitselfwasaseasytoteardown。

Itwasbittertodrawback;butitwasmadnesstoremain。Nigellookedroundandsawthathalfhismenweredown。AtthesamemomentRaoulsankwithagaspathisfeet，aboltdriventoitssocketthroughthelinksofthecamailwhichguardedhisneck。

Someofthearchers，seeingthatcertaindeathawaitedthem，werealreadyrunningbacktoescapefromthefatalpassage。

“BySaintPaul！”criedNigelhotly。”Wouldyouleaveourwoundedwherethisbutchermaylayhishandsuponthem？，Letthearchersshootinwardsandholdthembackfromtheslits。Nowleteachmanraiseoneofourcomrades，lestweleaveourhonorinthegateofthiscastle。”

WithamightyefforthehadraisedRaouluponhisshouldersandstaggeredwithhimtotheedgeoftheditch。Severalmenwerewaitingbelowwherethesteepbankshieldthemfromthearrows，andtothemNigelhandeddownhiswoundedfriend，andeacharcherinturndidthesame。AgainandagainNigelwentbackuntilnoonelayinthetunnelsavesevenwhohaddiedthere。Thirteenwoundedwerelaidintheshelteroftheditch，andtheretheymustremainuntilnightcametocoverthem。Meanwhilethebowmenonthefarthersideprotectedthemfromattack，andalsopreventedtheenemyfromallattemptstobuilduptheoutergate。Thegapingsmoke-blackenedarchwasallthattheycouldshowforalossofthirtymen，butthatatleastKnolleswasdeterminedtokeep。

Burnedandbruised，butunconsciousofeitherpainorfatiguefortheturmoilofhisspiritwithinhim，NigelkneltbytheFrenchmanandloosenedhishelmet。ThegirlishfaceoftheyoungSquirewaswhiteaschalk，andthehazeofdeathwasgatheringoverhisvioleteyes，butafaintsmileplayedroundhislipsashelookedupathisEnglishcomrade。

“IshallneverseeBeatriceagain，“hewhispered。”Iprayyou，Nigel，thatwhenthereisatruceyouwilljourneyasfarasmyfather’schateauandtellhimhowhissondied。YoungGastonwillrejoice，fortohimcomethelandandthecoat，thewar-cryandtheprofit。Seethem，Nigel，andtellthemthatIwasasforwardastheothers。”

“IndeedRaoul，nomancouldhavecarriedhimselfwithmorehonororwonmoreworshipthanyouhavedonethisday。Iwilldoyourbehestwhenthetimecomes。”

“Surelyyouarehappy，Nigel，“thedyingSquiremurmured，“forthisdayhasgivenyouonemoredeedwhichyoumaylayatthefeetofyourlady-love。”

“Itmighthavebeensohadwecarriedthegate，“Nigelansweredsadly;“butbySaintPaul！，IcannotcountitadeedwhereIhavecomebackwithmypurposeunfulfilled。Butthisisnotime，Raoul，totalkofmysmallaffairs。IfwetakethecastleandI

bearagoodpartinit，thenperchanceallthismayindeedavail。”

TheFrenchmansatupwiththatstrangeenergywhichcomesoftenastheharbingerofdeath。”YouwillwinyourLadyMary，Nigel，andyourgreatdeedswillbenotthreebutascore，sothatinallChristendomthereshallbenomanofbloodandcoat-armorwhohasnotheardyournameandyourfame。ThisItellyou-I，RaouldelaRochePierredeBras，dyinguponthefieldofhonor。Andnowkissme，sweetfriend，andlaymeback，forthemistscloseroundmeandIamgone！”

WithtenderhandstheSquireloweredhiscomrade’shead，butevenashedidsotherecameachokingrushofblood，andthesoulhadpassed。SodiedagallantcavalierofFrance，andNigelashekneltintheditchbesidehimprayedthathisownendmightbeasnobleandasdebonair。

XXI。HOWTHESECONDMESSENGERWENTTOCOSFORD

Undercoverofnightthewoundedmenwereliftedfromtheditchandcarriedback，whilstpicketsofarcherswereadvancedtotheverygatesothatnoneshouldrebuildit。Nigel，sickatheartoverhisownfailure，thedeathofhisprisonerandhisfearsforAylward，creptbackintothecamp，buthiscupwasnotyetfull，forKnolleswaswaitingforhimwithatonguewhichcutlikeawhip-lash。Whowashe，arawsquire，thatheshouldleadanattackwithoutorders？，Seewhathiscrazyknighterrantryhadbroughtabout。Twentymenhadbeendestroyedbyitandnothinggained。Theirbloodwasonhishead。Chandosshouldhearofhisconduct。HeshouldbesentbacktoEnglandwhenthecastlehadfallen。

SuchwerethebitterwordsofKnolles，themorebitterbecauseNigelfeltinhisheartthathehadindeeddonewrong，andthatChandoswouldhavesaidthesamethough，perchance，inkinderwords。Helistenedinsilentrespect，ashisdutywas，andthenhavingsalutedhisleaderhewithdrewapart，threwhimselfdownamongstthebushes，andweptthehottesttearsofhislife，sobbingbitterlywithhisfacebetweenhishands。Hehadstrivenhard，andyeteverythinghadgonewrongwithhim。Hewasbruised，burnedandachingfromheadtofoot。Yetsohighisthespiritabovethebodythatallwasnothingcomparedtothesorrowandshamewhichrackedhissoul。

Butalittlethingchangedthecurrentofhisthoughtsandbroughtsomepeacetohismind。Hehadslippedoffhismailgauntlets，andashedidsohisfingerslighteduponthetinybanglewhichMaryhadfastenedtherewhentheystoodtogetheruponSt。

Catharine’sHillontheGuildfordRoad。Herememberedthemottocuriouslyworkedinfiligreeofgold。Itran：“Faiscequedois，adviegnequepourra-c’estcommandeauchevalier。”

Thewordsranginhiswearybrain。Hehaddonewhatseemedright，comewhatmight。Ithadgoneawry，itistrue;butallthingshumanmaydothat。Ifhehadcarriedthecastle，hefeltthatKnolleswouldhaveforgivenandforgottenallelse。Ifhehadnotcarriedit，itwasnofaultofhis。Nomancouldhavedonemore。

IfMarycouldseeshewouldsurelyhaveapproved。Droppingintosleep，hesawherdarkface，shiningwithprideandwithpity，stoopingoverhimashelay。Shestretchedoutherhandinhisdreamandtouchedhimontheshoulder。Hesprangupandrubbedhiseyes，forfacthadwovenitselfintodreaminthestrangewaythatitdoes，andsomeonewasindeedleaningoverhiminthegloom，andshakinghimfromhisslumbers。ButthegentlevoiceandsofttouchoftheLadyMaryhadchangedsuddenlytotheharshaccentsandroughgripofBlackSimon，thefierceNorfolkman-at-arms。

“SurelyyouaretheSquireLoring，“hesaid，peeringclosetohisfaceinthedarkness。

“Iamhe。Whatthen？”

“Ihavesearchedthroughthecampforyou，butwhenIsawthegreathorsetetherednearthesebushes，Ithoughtyouwouldbefoundhardby。Iwouldhaveawordwithyou。”

“Speakon。”

“ThismanAylwardthebowmanwasmyfriend，anditisthenaturethatGodhasgivenmetolovemyfriendsevenasIhatemyfoes。

Heisalsothyservant，andithasseemedtomethatyoulovehimalso。”

“Ihavegoodcausesotodo。”

“ThenyouandI，SquireLoring，havemorereasontostriveonhisbehalfthananyoftheseothers，whothinkmoreoftakingthecastlethanofsavingthosewhoarecaptiveswithin。Doyounotseethatsuchamanasthisrobberlordwould，whenallelsehadfailedhim，mostsurelycutthethroatsofhisprisonersatthelastinstantbeforethecastlefell，knowingwellthatcomewhatmighthewouldhaveshortshrifthimself？，Isthatnotcertain？”

“BySaintPaul！，Ihadnotthoughtofit。”

“Iwaswithyou，hammeringattheinnergate，“saidSimon，“andyetoncewhenIthoughtthatitwasgivingwayIsaidinmyheart：

`Good-by，Samkin！，Ishallneverseeyoumore。’，ThisBaronhasgallinhissoul，evenasIhavemyself，anddoyouthinkthatI

wouldgiveupmyprisonersalive，ifIwereconstrainedsotodo？

No，no;hadwewonourwaythisdayitwouldhavebeenthedeath-strokeforthemall。”

“Itmaybethatyouareright，Simon，“saidNigel，“andthethoughtofitshouldassuageourgrief。Butifwecannotsavethembytakingthecastle，thensurelytheyarelostindeed。”

“Itmaybeso，oritmaynot，“Simonansweredslowly。”Itisinmymindthatifthecastleweretakenverysuddenly，andinsuchafashionthattheycouldnotforeseeit，thenperchancewemightgettheprisonersbeforetheycoulddothemscathe。”

Nigelbentforwardeagerly，hishandonthesoldier’sarm。

“Youhavesomeplaninyourmind，Simon。Tellmewhatitis。”

“IhadwishedtotellSirRobert，butheispreparingtheassaultforto-morrowandwillnotbeturnedfromhispurpose。Ihaveindeedaplan，butwhetheritbegoodornotIcannotsayuntilI

havetriedit。ButfirstIwilltellyouwhatputitintomythoughts。KnowthenthatthismorningwhenIwasinyonderditchImarkedoneoftheirmenuponthewall。Hewasabigmanwithawhiteface，redhairandatouchofSaintAnthony’sfireuponthecheek。”

“ButwhathasthistodowithAylward？”

“Iwillshowyou。ThiseveningaftertheassaultIchancedtowalkwithsomeofmyfellows，roundyondersmallfortupontheknolltoseeifwecouldspyaweakspotinit。Someofthemcametothewalltocurseus，andamongthemwhomshouldIseebutabigmanwithawhiteface，redhairandatouchofAnthony’sfireuponhischeek？，Whatmakeyouofthat，SquireNigel？”

“Thatthismanhadcrossedfromthecastletothefort。”

“Ingoodsooth，itmustindeedbeso。Therearenottwosuchken-speckledmenintheworld。Butifhecrossedfromthecastletothefort，itwasnotabovetheground，forourownpeoplewerebetween。”

“BySaintPaul！，Iseeyourmeaning！”criedNigel。”Itisinyourmindthatthereisapassageundertheearthfromonetotheother。”

“Iamwellsureofit。”

“Thenifweshouldtakethesmallfortwemaypassdownthistunnel，andsocarrythegreatcastlealso。”

“Suchathingmighthappen，“saidSimon，“andyetitisdangerousalso，forsurelythoseinthecastlewouldhearourassaultuponthefortandsobewarnedtobarthepassageagainstus，andtoslaytheprisonersbeforewecouldcome。”

“Whatthenisyourrede？”

“Couldwefindwherethetunnellay，SquireNigel，Iknownotwhatistopreventusfromdiggingdownuponitandbreakingintoitsothatbothfortandcastleareatourmercybeforeeitherknowsthatwearethere。”

Nigelclappedhishandswithjoy。”’ForeGod！”hecried。”Itisamostnobleplan！，Butalas！，Simon，Iseenothowwecantellthecourseofthispassageorwhereweshoulddig。”

“Ihavepeasantsyonderwithspades，“saidSimon。”Therearetwoofmyfriends，HardingofBarnstableandWest-countryJohnwhoarewaitingforuswiththeirgear。Ifyouwillcometoleadus，SquireNigel，wearereadytoventureourbodiesintheattempt。”

WhatwouldKnollessayincasetheyfailed？，ThethoughtflashedthroughNigel’smind，butanothercameswiftlybehindit。Hewouldnotventurefurtherunlesshefoundhopesofsuccess。Andifhedidventurefurtherhewouldputhislifeuponit。Givingthat，hemadeamendsforallerrors。Andifontheotherhandsuccesscrownedtheirefforts，thenKnolleswouldforgivehisfailureatthegateway。Aminutelater，everydoubtbanishedfromhismind，hewasmakinghiswaythroughthedarknessundertheguidanceofBlackSimon。

Outsidethecampthetwoothermen-at-armswerewaitingforthem，andthefouradvancedtogether。Presentlyalittlegroupoffiguresloomedupinthedarkness。Itwasacloudynight，andathinrainwasfallingwhichobscuredboththecastleandthefort;

butastonehadbeenplacedbySimoninthedaytimewhichassuredthattheywerebetweenthetwo。

“IsblindAndreasthere？”askedSimon。

“Yes，kindsir，Iamhere，“saidavoice。

“Thisman，“saidSimon，“wasoncerichandofgoodrepute，buthewasbeggaredbythisrobberlord，whoafterwardsputouthiseyessothathehaslivedformanyyearsindarknessatthecharityofothers。”

“Howcanhehelpusinourenterpriseifhebeindeedblind？”

askedNigel。

“Itisforthatveryreason，fairlord，thathecanbeofgreaterservicethananyotherman，“Simonanswered;“foritoftenhappensthatwhenamanhaslostasensethegoodGodwillstrengthenthosethatremain。HenceitisthatAndreashassuchearsthathecanhearthesapinthetreesorthecheepofthemouseinitsburrow。Hehascometohelpustofindthetunnel。”

“AndIhavefoundit，“saidtheblindmanproudly。”HereIhaveplacedmystaffuponthelineofit。TwiceasIlaytherewithmyeartothegroundIhaveheardfootstepspassbeneathme。”

“Itrustyoumakenomistake，oldman，“saidNigel。

Foranswertheblindmanraisedhisstaffandsmotetwiceupontheground，oncetotherightandoncetotheleft。Theonegaveadullthud，theotherahollowboom。

“Canyounothearthat？”heasked。”WillyouaskmenowifImakeamistake？”

“Indeed，wearemuchbeholdentoyou！”criedNigel。”Letthepeasantsdigthen，andassilentlyastheymay。Doyoukeepyourearupontheground，Andreas，sothatifanyonepassbeneathusweshallbewarned。”

So，amidthedrivingrain，thelittlegrouptoiledinthedarkness。Theblindmanlaysilent，flatuponhisface，andtwicetheyheardhiswarninghissandstoppedtheirwork，whilstsomeonepassedbeneath。Inanhourtheyhaddugdowntoastonearchwhichwasclearlytheoutersideofthetunnelroof。Herewasasadobstacle，foritmighttakelongtoloosenastone，andiftheirworkwasnotdonebythebreakofdaythentheirenterprisewasindeedhopeless。Theyloosenedthemortarwithadagger，andatlastdislodgedonesmallstonewhichenabledthemtogetattheothers。Presentlyadarkholeblackerthanthenightaroundthemyawnedattheirfeet，andtheirswordscouldtouchnobottomtoit。Theyhadopenedthetunnel。

“Iwouldfainenteritfirst，“saidNigel。”Iprayyoutolowermedown。”，Theyheldhimtothefulllengthoftheirarmsandthenlettinghimdroptheyheardhimlandsafelybeneaththem。Aninstantlatertheblindmanstartedupwithalowcryofalarm。

“Ihearstepscoming，“saidhe。”Theyarefaroff，buttheydrawnearer。”

Simonthrusthisheadandneckdownthehole。”SquireNigel，“hewhispered，“canyouhearme？”

“Icanhearyou，Simon。”

“Andreassaysthatsomeonecomes。”

“Thencoveroverthehole，“cametheanswer。”Quick，Iprayyou，coveritover！”

Amantlewasstretchedacrossit，sothatnoglimmeroflightshouldwarnthenew-comer。Thefearwasthathemighthaveheard，thesoundofNigel’sdescent。Butsoonitwasclearthathehadnotdoneso，forAndreasannouncedthathewasstilladvancing。

PresentlyNigelcouldhearthedistantthudofhisfeet。Ifheborealanternallwaslost。Butnogleamoflightappearedintheblacktunnel，andstillthefootstepsdrewnearer。

Nigelbreathedaprayerofthankstoallhisguardiansaintsashecrouchedclosetotheslimywallandwaitedbreathless，hisdaggerinhishand。Neareryetandnearercamethesteps。Hecouldhearthestranger’scoarsebreathinginthedarkness。ThenashebrushedpastNigelboundeduponhimwithatigerspring。Therewasonegaspofastonishment，andnotasoundmore，fortheSquire’sgripwasontheman’sthroatandhisbodywaspinnedmotionlessagainstthewall。

“Simon！，Simon！”criedNigelloudly。

Themantlewasmovedfromthehole。

“Haveyouacord？，Oryourbeltslinkedtogethermayserve。”

Oneofthepeasantshadarope，andNigelsoonfeltitdanglingagainsthishand。Helistenedandtherewasnosoundinthepassage。Foraninstanthereleasedhiscaptive’sthroat。A

torrentofprayersandentreatiescameforth。Themanwasshakinglikealeafinthewind。Nigelpressedthepointofhisdaggeragainsthisfaceanddaredhimtoopenhislips。Thenheslippedtheropebeneathhisarmsandtiedit。

“Pullhimup！”hewhispered，andforaninstantthegrayglimmerabovehimwasobscured。

“Wehavehim，fairsir，“saidSimon。

“Thendropmetheropeandholditfast。”

AmomentlaterNigelstoodamongthegroupofmenwhohadgatheredroundtheircaptive。Itwastoodarktoseehim，andtheydarenotstrikeflintandsteel。

Simonpassedhishandroughlyoverhimandfeltafatclean-shavenface，andaclothgabardinewhichhungtotheankles。”Whoareyou？”hewhispered。”peakthetruthandspeakitlow，ifyouwouldeverspeakagain。”

Theman’steethchatteredinhisheadwithcoldandfright。”I

speaknoEnglish，“hemurmured。

“French，then，“saidNigel。

“IamaholypriestofGod。YoucourtthebanofholyChurchwhenyoulayhandsuponme。Iprayyouletmegouponmyway，fortherearethosewhomIwouldshriveandhousel。Iftheyshoulddieinsin，theirdamnationisuponyou。”

“Howareyoucalledthen？”

“IamDomPeterdeCervolles。”

“DeCervolles，thearch-priest，hewhoheatedthebrazierwhentheyburnedoutmyeyes，“criedoldAndreas。”Ofallthedevilsinhellthereisnonefoulerthanthisone。Friends，friends，ifIhavedoneaughtforyouthisnight，Iaskbutonereward，thatyeletmehavemywillofthisman。”

ButNigelpushedtheoldmanback。”Thereisnotimeforthis，“

hesaid。”Nowharkyou，priest-ifpriestindeedyoube-yourgownandtonsurewillnotsaveyouifyouplayusfalse，forwearehereofasetpurposeandwewillgoforwardwithit，comewhatmay。Answermeandanswermetrulyoritwillbeanillnightforyou。InwhatpartoftheCastledoesthistunnelenter？”

“Inthelowercellar。”

“Whatisattheend？”

“Anoakendoor。”

“Isitbarred？”

“Yes，itisbarred。”

“Howwouldyouhaveentered？”

“Iwouldhavegiventhepassword。”

“Whothenwouldhaveopened？”

“Thereisaguardwithin。”

“Andbeyondhim？”

“Beyondhimaretheprisoncellsandthejailers。”

“Whoelsewouldbeafoot？”

“Noonesaveaguardatthegateandanotheronthebattlement。”

“Whatthenisthepassword？”

Themanwassilent。

“Thepassword，fellow！”

Thecoldpointsoftwodaggersprickedhisthroat;butstillhewouldnotspeak。

“Whereistheblindman？”askedNigel。”Here，Andreas，youcanhavehimanddowhatyouwillwithhim。”

“Nay，nay，“thepriestwhimpered。”Keephimoffme。SavemefromblindAndreas！，Iwilltellyoueverything。”

“Thepasswordthen，thisinstant？”

“Itis`Benedicite！’“

“Wehavethepassword，Simon，“criedNigel。”Comethen，letusontothefartherend。Thesepeasantswillguardthepriest，andtheywillremainherelestwewishtosendamessage。”

“Nay，fairsir，itisinmymindthatwecandobetter，“saidSimon。”Letustakethepriestwithus，sothathewhoiswithinmayknowhisvoice。”

“Itiswellthoughtof，“saidNigel，“andfirstletuspraytogether，forindeedthisnightmaywellbeourlast。”

Heandthethreemen-at-armskneltintherainandsentuptheirsimpleorisons，Simonstillclutchingtighttohisprisoner’swrist。

Thepriestfumbledinhisbreastanddrewsomethingforth。”ItistheheartoftheblessedconfessorSaintEnogat，“saidhe。”Itmaybethatitwilleaseandassoilyoursoulsifyouwouldwishtohandleit。”

ThefourEnglishmenpassedtheflatsilvercasefromhandtohand，eachpressinghislipsdevoutlyuponit。Thentheyrosetotheirfeet。Nigelwasthefirsttolowerhimselfdownthehole;thenSimon;thenthepriest，whowasinstantlyseizedbytheothertwo。

Themen-at-armsfollowedthem。TheyhadscarcelymovedawayfromtheholewhenNigelstopped。

“Surelysomeoneelsecameafterus，“saidhe。

Theylistened，butnowhisperorrustlecamefrombehindthem。

Foraminutetheypausedandthenresumedtheirjourneythroughthedark。Itseemedalong，longway，thoughintruthitwasbutafewhundredyardsbeforetheycametoadoorwithaglimmerofyellowlightaroundit，whichbarredtheirpassage。Nigelstruckuponitwithhishand。

Therewastheraspingofaboltandthenaloudvoice“Isthatyou，priest？”

“Yes，itisI，“saidtheprisonerinaquaveringvoice。”Open，Arnold！”

Thevoicewasenough。Therewasnoquestionofpasswords。Thedoorswunginward，andinaninstantthejanitorwascutdownbyNigelandSimon。Sosuddenandsofiercewastheattackthatsaveforthethudofhisbodynosoundwasheard。Afloodoflightburstoutwardintothepassage，andtheEnglishmenstoodwithblinkingeyesinitsglare。

Infrontofthemlayastone-flaggedcorridor，acrosswhichlaythedeadbodyofthejanitor。Ithaddoorsoneithersideofit，andanothergrateddooratthefartherend。Astrangehubbub，akindoflowdroningandwhiningfilledtheair。Thefourmenwerestandinglistening，fullofwonderastowhatthismightmean，whenasharpcrycamefrombehindthem。Thepriestlayinashapelessheapupontheground，andthebloodwasrushingfromhisgapingthroat。Downthepassage，ablackshadowintheyellowlight，therefledacrouchingman，whoclatteredwithastickashewent。

“ItisAndreas，“criedWest-countryWill。”Hehasslainhim。”

“ThenitwashethatIheardbehindus，“saidNigel。”Doubtlesshewasatourveryheelsinthedarkness。Ifearthatthepriest’scryhasbeenheard。”

“Nay，“saidSimon，“therearesomanycriesthatonemoremaywellpass。Letustakethislampfromthewallandseewhatsortofdevil’sdenwehavearoundus。”

Theyopenedthedoorupontheright，andsohorribleasmellissuedfromitthattheyweredrivenbackfromit。ThelampwhichSimonheldforwardshowedamonkeylikecreaturemowingandgrimacinginthecorner，manorwomannonecouldtell，butdrivencrazybylonelinessandhorror。Intheothercellwasagraybeardedmanfetteredtothewall，lookingblanklybeforehim，abodywithoutasoul，yetwithlifestillinhim，forhisdulleyesturnedslowlyintheirdirection。Butitwasfrombehindthecentraldoorattheendofthepassagethatthechorusofsadcriescamewhichfilledtheair。

“Simon，“saidNigel，“beforewegofartherwewilltakethisouterdoorfromitshinges。Withitwewillblockthispassagesothatattheworstwemayholdourgroundhereuntilhelpcomes。Doyoubacktothecampasfastasyourfeetcanbearyou。Thepeasantswilldrawyouupwardthroughthehole。GivemygreetingstoSirRobertandtellhimthatthecastleistakenwithoutfailifhecomesthiswaywithfiftymen。Saythatwehavemadealodgmentwithinthewalls。Andtellhimalso，Simon，thatIwouldcounselhimtomakeastirbeforethegatewaysothattheguardmaybeheldtherewhilstwemakegoodourfootingbehindthem。Go，goodSimon，andlosenotamoment！”

Buttheman-at-armsshookhishead。”ItisIwhohavebroughtyouhere，fairsir，andhereIbidethroughfairandfoul。Butyouspeakwiselyandwell，forSirRobertshouldindeedbetoldwhatisgoingforwardnowthatwehavegonesofar。Harding，doyougowithallspeedandbearthegentleNigel’smessage。”

Reluctantlytheman-at-armsspeduponhiserrand。Theycouldheartheracingofhisfeetandthelowjingleofhisharnessuntiltheydiedawayinthetunnel。Thenthethreecompanionsapproachedthedoorattheend。Itwastheirintentiontowaitwheretheywereuntilhelpshouldcome，butsuddenlyamidthebabelofcrieswithintherebrokeforthanEnglishvoice，shoutingintorment。

“MyGod！”itcried，“Iprayyou，comrades，foracupofwater，asyouhopeforChrist’smercy！”

Ashoutoflaughterandthethudofaheavyblowfollowedtheappeal。

AllthehotbloodrushedtoNigel’sheadatthesound，buzzinginhisearsandthrobbinginhistemples。Therearetimeswhenthefieryheartofamanmustoverbearthecoldbrainofasoldier。

Withoneboundhewasatthedoor，withanotherhewasthroughit，themen-at-armsathisheels。Sostrangewasthescenebeforethemthatforaninstantallthreestoodmotionlesswithhorrorandsurprise。

Itwasagreatvaultedchamber，brightlylitbymanytorches。Atthefartherendroaredagreatfire。Infrontofitthreenakedmenwerechainedtopostsinsuchawaythatflinchastheymighttheycouldnevergetbeyondtherangeofitsscorchingheat。Yettheyweresofarfromitthatnoactualburnwouldbeinflictediftheycouldbutkeepturningandshiftingsoascontinuallytopresentsomefreshportionoftheirfleshtotheflames。Hencetheydancedandwhirledinfrontofthefire，tossingceaselesslythiswayandthatwithinthecompassoftheirchains，weariedtodeath，theirprotrudingtonguescrackedandblackenedwiththirst，butunableforoneinstanttorestfromtheirwrithingsandcontortions。

Evenstrangerwasthesightateachsideoftheroom，whencecamethatchorusofgroanswhichhadfirststruckupontheearsofNigelandhiscompanions。Alineofgreathogsheadswereplacedalongsidethewalls，andwithineachsataman，hisheadprotrudingfromthetop。Astheymovedwithintherewasaconstantsplashingandwashingofwater。Thewhitewanfacesallturnedtogetherasthedoorflewopen，andacryofamazementandofhopetooktheplaceofthoselong-drawnmoansofdespair。

Atthesameinstanttwofellowscladinblack，whohadbeenseatedwithaflagonofwinebetweenthematatablenearthefire，sprangwildlytotheirfeet，staringwithblankamazementatthissuddeninrush。Thatinstantofdelaydeprivedthemoftheirlastchanceofsafety。Midwaydowntheroomwasaflightofstonestepswhichledtothemaindoor。

SwiftasawildcatNigelboundedtowarditandgainedthestepsastrideortwobeforethejailers。Theyturnedandmadefortheotherwhichledtothepassage，butSimonandhiscomradeswerenearertoitthanthey。Twosweepingblows，twodaggerthrustsintowrithingfigures，andtheruffianswhoworkedthewilloftheButcherlaydeadupontheflooroftheirslaughter-house。

Oh，thebuzzofjoyandofprayerfromallthosewhitelips！，Oh，thelightofreturninghopeinallthosesunkenwearyeyes！，OnewildshoutwouldhavegoneuphadnotNigel’soutstretchedhandsandwarningvoicehushedthemtosilence。

Heopenedthedoorbehindhim。Acurvingnewelstaircasewoundupwardintothedarkness。Helistened，butnosoundcamedown。

Therewasakeyintheouterlockoftheirondoor。Hewhippeditoutandturneditontheinnerside。Thegroundthattheyhadgainedwassafe。Nowtheycouldturntothereliefofthesepoorfellowsbesidethem。Afewstrongblowsstruckofftheironsandfreedthethreedancersbeforethefire。Withahuskycroakofjoy，theyrushedacrosstotheircomrades’water-barrels，plungedtheirheadsinlikehorses，anddrankanddrankanddrank。Theninturnthepoorshiveringwretchesweretakenoutofthebarrels，theirskinsbleachedandwrinkledwithlongsoaking。Theirbondsweretornfromthem;but，crampedandfixed，theirlimbsrefusedtoact，andtheytumbledandtwisteduponthefloorintheireffortstoreachNigelandtokisshishand。

InacornerlayAylward，drippingfromhisbarrelandexhaustedwithcoldandhunger。Nigelrantohissideandraisedhishead。

Thejugofwinefromwhichthetwojailershaddrunkstillstoodupontheirtable。TheSquireplacedittothearcher’slipsandhetookaheartypullatit。

“Howisitwithyounow，Aylward？”

“Better，Squire，better，butmayInevertouchwateragainaslongasIlive！，Alas！，poorDiconhasgone，andStephenalso-thelifechilledoutofthem。Thecoldisintheverymarrowofmybones。Iprayyou，letmeleanuponyourarmasfarasthefire，thatImaywarmthefrozenbloodandsetitrunninginmyveinsoncemore。”

Astrangesightitwastoseethesetwentynakedmencrouchinginahalf-circleroundthefirewiththeirtremblinghandsextendedtotheblaze。Soontheirtonguesatleastwerethawed，andtheypouredoutthestoryoftheirtroubleswithmanyaprayerandejaculationtothesaintsfortheirsafedelivery。Nofoodhadcrossedtheirlipssincetheyhadbeentaken。TheButcherhadcommandedthemtojoinhisgarrisonandtoshootupontheircomradesfromthewall。Whentheyrefusedhehadsetasidethreeofthemforexecution。

Theothershadbeendraggedtothecellar，whithertheleeringtyranthadfollowedthem。Onlyonequestionhehadaskedthem，whethertheywereofahot-bloodednatureorofacold。Blowswereshowereduponthemuntiltheyanswered。Threehadsaidcold，andhadbeencondemnedtothetormentofthefire。Therestwhohadsaidhotweredelivereduptothetortureofthewater-cask。

Everyfewhoursthismanorfiendhadcomedowntoexultovertheirsufferingsandtoaskthemwhethertheywerereadyyettoenterhisservice。Threehadconsentedandweregone。Buttheothershadallofthemstoodfirm，twoofthemeventotheirdeath。

SuchwasthetaletowhichNigelandhiscomradeslistenedwhilsttheywaitedimpatientlyforthecomingofKnollesandhismen。

Manyananxiouslookdidtheycastdowntheblacktunnel，butnoglimmeroflightandnoclashofsteelcamefromitsdepths。

Suddenly，however，aloudandmeasuredsoundbrokeupontheirears。Itwasadullmetallicclang，ponderousandslow，growinglouderandeverlouder-thetreadofanarmoredman。Thepoorwretchesroundthefire，allunnervedbyhungerandsuffering，huddledtogetherwithwan，scaredfaces，theireyesfixedinterroronthedoor。

“Itishe！”theywhispered。”ItistheButcherhimself！”

Nigelhaddartedtothedoorandlistenedintently。Therewerenofootfallssavethoseofoneman。Oncesureofthat，hesoftlyturnedthekeyinthelock。Atthesameinstanttherecameabull’sbellowfromwithout。

“Ives！，Bertrand！”criedthevoice。”Canyounothearmecoming，youdrunkenvarlets？，Youshallcoolyourownheadsinthewater-casks，youlazyrascals！，What，notevennow！，Open，youdogs。Open，Isay！”

Hehadthrustdownthelatch，andwithakickheflungthedoorwideandrushedinward。Foraninstanthestoodmotionless，astatueofdullyellowmetal，hiseyesfixedupontheemptycasksandthehuddleofnakedmen。Thenwiththeroarofatrappedlion，heturned，butthedoorhadslammedbehindhim，andBlackSimon，withgrimfigureandsardonicface，stoodbetween。

TheButcherlookedroundhimhelplessly，forhewasunarmedsaveforhisdagger。ThenhiseyesfelluponNigel’sroses。

“Youareagentlemanofcoat-armor，“hecried。”Isurrendermyselftoyou。”

“Iwillnottakeyoursurrender，youblackvillain，“saidNigel。

“Drawanddefendyourself。Simon，givehimyoursword。”

“Nay，thisismadness，“saidthebluntman-at-arms。”WhyshouldI

givethewaspasting？”

“Giveithim，Isay。Icannotkillhimincoldblood。”

“ButIcan！”yelledAylward，whohadcreptupfromthefire。

“Come，comrades！，Bythesetenfinger-bones！hashenottaughtushowcoldbloodshouldbewarmed？”

Likeapackofwolvestheywereonhim，andheclangeduponthefloorwithadozenfrenziednakedfiguresclutchingandclingingabovehim。InvainNigeltriedtopullthemoff。Theyweremadwithrage，thesetorturedstarvingmen，theireyesfixedandglaring，theirhaironend，theirteethgnashingwithfury，whiletheytoreatthehowling，writhingman。Thenwitharattleandclattertheypulledhimacrosstheroombyhistwoanklesanddraggedhimintothefire。

Nigelshudderedandturnedawayhiseyesashesawthebrazenfigurerolloutandstaggertohisknees，onlytobehurledoncemoreintotheheartoftheblaze。Hisprisonersscreamedwithjoyandclappedtheirhandsastheypushedhimbackwiththeirfeetuntilthearmorwastoohotforthemtotouch。Thenatlasthelaystillandgloweddarklyred，whilstthenakedmendancedinawildhalf-circleroundthefire。

Butnowatlastthesupportshadcome。Lightsflashedandarmorgleameddownthetunnel。Thecellarfilledwitharmedmen，whilefromabovecamethecriesandturmoilofthefeignedassaultuponthegate。LedbyKnollesandNigel，thestormingpartyrushedupwardandseizedthecourtyard。Theguardofthegatetakenintherearthrewdowntheirweaponsandcriedformercy。Thegatewasthrownopenandtheassailantsrushedin，withhundredsoffuriouspeasantsattheirheels。Someoftherobbersdiedinhotblood，manyincold;butalldied，forKnolleshadvowedtogivenoquarter。Daywasjustbreakingwhenthelastfugitivehadbeenhuntedoutandslain。Fromallsidescametheyellsandwhoopsofthesoldierswiththerendingandrivingofdoorsastheyburstintothestore-roomsandtreasure-chambers。Therewasajoyousscrambleamongstthem，fortheplunderofelevenyears，goldandjewels，satinsandvelvets，richplateandnoblehangingswerealltobehadforthetaking。

Therescuedprisoners，theirhungerappeasedandtheirclothesrestored，ledthesearchforbooty。Nigel，leaningonhisswordbythegateway，sawAylwardtotterpast，ahugebundleundereacharm，anotherslungoverhisbackandasmallerpackethangingfromhismouth。Hedroppeditforamomentashepassedhisyoungmaster。

“Bythesetenfinger-bones！，IamrightgladthatIcametothewar，andnomancouldaskforamoregoodlylife，“saidhe。”I

haveapresenthereforeverygirlinTilford，andmyfatherneedneverfearthefrownofthesacristofWaverleyagain。Buthowofyou，SquireLoring？，Itstandethnotarightthatweshouldgathertheharvestwhilstyou，whosowedit，goforthempty-handed。

Come，gentlesir，takethesethingsthatIhavegathered，andI

willgobackandfindmore。”

ButNigelsmiledandshookhishead。”Youhavegainedwhatyourheartdesired，andperchanceIhavedonesoalso，“saidhe。

AninstantlaterKnollesstrodeuptohimwithoutstretchedhand。

“Iaskyourpardon，Nigel，“saidhe。”Ihavespokentoohotlyinmywrath。”

“Nay，fairsir，Iwasatfault。”

“Ifwestandherenowwithinthiscastle，itistoyouthatIoweit。TheKingshallknowofit，andChandosalso。CanIdoaughtelse，Nigel，toprovetoyouthehighesteeminwhichIholdyou？”

TheSquireflushedwithpleasure。”DoyousendamessengerhometoEngland，fairsir，withnewsofthesedoings？”

“Surely，Imustdoso。Butdonottellme，Nigel，thatyouwouldbethatmessenger。Askmesomeotherfavor，forindeedIcannotletyougo。”

“NowGodforbid！”criedNigel。”BySaintPaul！，Iwouldnotbesocaitiffandsothrallastoleaveyou，whensomesmalldeedmightstillbedone。ButIwouldfainsendamessagebyyourmessenger。”

“Towhom？”

“ItistotheLadyMary，daughterofoldSirJohnButtesthornwhodwellsnearGuildford。”

“Butyouwillwritethemessage，Nigel。Suchgreetingsasacavaliersendstohislady-loveshouldbeunderseal。”

“Nay，hecancarrymymessagebywordofmouth。”

“ThenIshalltellhimforhegoesthismorning。Whatmessage，then，shallhesaytothelady？”

“Hewillgivehermyveryhumblegreeting，andhewillsaytoherthatforthesecondtimeSaintCatharinehasbeenourfriend。”

XXII。HOWROBERTOFBEAUMANOIRCAMETOPLOERMEL

SirRobertKnollesandhismenpassedonwardthatday，lookingbackmanyatimetoseethetwodarkcolumnsofsmoke，onethickerandonemoreslender，whicharosefromthecastleandfromthefortofLaBrohiniere。Therewasnotanarchernoraman-at-armswhodidnotbearagreatbundleofspoiluponhisback，andKnollesfrowneddarklyashelookeduponthem。Gladlywouldhehovethrownitalldownbytheroadside，buthehadtriedsuchmattersbefore，andheknewthatitwasassafetotearahalf-gnawedbonefromabearastheirblood-wonplunderfromsuchmenasthese。Inanycaseitwasbuttwodays’marchtoPloermel，wherehehopedtobringhisjourneytoanend。

ThatnighttheycampedatMauron，whereasmallEnglishandBretongarrisonheldthecastle。Rightgladwerethebowmentoseesomeoftheirowncountrymenoncemore，andtheyspentthenightoverwineanddice，acrowdofBretongirlsassisting，sothatnextmorningtheirbundlesweremuchlighter，andmostoftheplunderofLaBrohinierewasleftwiththemenandwomenofMauron。Nextdaytheirmarchlaywithafairsluggishriverupontheirright，andagreatrollingforestupontheirleftwhichcoveredthewholecountry。AtlasttowardeveningthetowersofPloermelrosebeforethemandtheysawagainstadarkeningskytheRedCrossofEnglandwavinginthewind。SobluewastheriverDucwhichskirtedtheroad，andsogreenitsbanks，thattheymightindeedhavebeenbackbesidetheirownhomelystreams，theOxfordThamesortheMidlandTrent，buteverasthedarknessdeepenedtherecameinwildguststhehowlingofwolvesfromtheforesttoremindthemthattheywereinalandofwar。Sobusyhadmenbeenformanyyearsinhuntingoneanotherthatthebeastsofthechasehadgrowntoamonstrousdegree，untilthestreetsofthetownswerenolongersafefromthewildinroadsofthefiercecreatures，thewolvesandthebears，whoswarmedaroundthem。

ItwasnightfallwhenthelittlearmyenteredtheoutergateoftheCastleofPloermelandencampedinthebroadBaileyyard。

PloermelwasatthattimethecenterofBritishpowerinMid-

Brittany，asHennebonwasintheWest，anditwasheldbyagarrisonoffivehundredmenunderanoldsoldier，RichardofBambro’’，aruggedNorthumbrian，trainedinthatgreatschoolofwarriors，theborderwars。HewhohadriddenthemarchesofthemosttroubledfrontierinEurope，andservedhistimeagainsttheLiddlesdaleandNithsdaleraiderswashardenedforalifeinthefield。

Oflate，however，Bambro’hadbeenunabletoundertakeanyenterprise，forhisreinforcementshadfailedhim，andamidhisfollowinghehadbutthreeEnglishknightsandseventymen。TherestwereamixedcrewofBretons，HainaultersandafewGermanmercenarysoldiers，bravemenindividually，asthoseofthatstockhaveeverbeen，butlackinginterestinthecause，andboundtogetherbynocommontieofbloodortradition。

Ontheotherhand，thesurroundingcastles，andespeciallythatofJosselin，wereheldbystrongforcesofenthusiasticBretons，inflamedbyacommonpatriotism，andfullofwarlikeardor。

RobertofBeaumanoir，thefierceseneschalofthehouseofRohan，pushedconstantforaysandexcursionsagainstPloermelsothattownandcastlewerebothindailydreadofbeingsurroundedandbesieged。SeveralsmallpartiesoftheEnglishfactionhadbeencutoffandslaintoaman，andsostraitenedweretheothersthatitwasdifficultforthemtogatherprovisionsfromthecountryround。

SuchwasthestateofBambro’sgarrisonwhenonthatMarcheveningKnollesandhismenstreamedintothebailey-yardofhisCastle。

IntheglareofthetorchesattheinnergateBambro’waswaitingtoreceivethem，adry，hard，wizenedman，smallandfierce，withbeadyblackeyesandquickfurtiveways。

Besidehim，astrangecontrast，stoodhisSquire，Croquart，aGerman，whosenameandfameasaman-at-armswerewidespread，thoughlikeRobertKnolleshimselfhehadbegunasahumblepage。

Hewasaverytallman，withanenormousspreadofshoulders，andapairofhugehandswithwhichhecouldcrackahorse-shoe。Hewasslowandlethargic，saveinmomentsofexcitement，andhiscalmblondface，hisdreamyblueeyesandhislongfairhairgavehimsogentleanappearancethatnonesavethosewhohadseenhiminhisberserkmood，raging，anirongiant，intheforefrontofthebattle，couldeverguesshowterribleawarriorhemightbe。

Littleknightandhugesquirestoodtogetherunderthearchofthedonjonandgavewelcometothenewcomers，whilstaswarmofsoldierscrowdedroundtoembracetheircomradesandtoleadthemoffwheretheymightfeedandmakemerrytogether。

SupperhadbeensetinthehallofPloermelwhereintheknightsandsquiresassembled。Bambro’andCroquartweretherewithSirHughCalverly，anoldfriendofKnollesandafellow-townsman，forbothweremenofChester。SirHughwasamiddle-sizedflaxenman，withhardgrayeyesandfiercelarge-nosedfaceslicedacrosswiththescarofasword-cut。TheretoowereGeoffreyD’Ardaine，ayoungBretonseigneur，SirThomasBelford，aburlythick-setMidlandEnglishman，SirThomasWalton，whosesurcoatofscarletmartletsshowedthathewasoftheSurreyWaltons，JamesMarshallandJohnRussell，youngEnglishsquires，andthetwobrothers，RichardandHughLeGalliard，whowereofGasconblood。Besidesthesewereseveralsquires，unknowntofame，andofthenew-comers，SirRobertKnolles，SirThomasPercy，NigelLoringandtwoothersquires，AllingtonandParsons。Thesewerethecompanywhogatheredinthetorch-lightroundthetableoftheSeneschalofPloermel，andkepthighrevelwithjoyousheartsbecausetheythoughtthatmuchhonorandnobledeedslaybeforethem。

Butonesadfacetherewasattheboard，andthatbelongedtohimattheheadofit。SirRobertBambro’satwithhischinleaninguponhishandandhiseyesdowncastuponthecloth，whilstallroundhimrosethemerryclatterofvoices，everyoneplanningsomefreshenterprisewhichmightnowbeattempted。SirRobertKnolleswasforanimmediateadvanceuponJosselin。CalverlythoughtthataraidmightbemadeintotheSouthwherethemainFrenchpowerlay。OthersspokeofanattackuponVannes。

ToalltheseeageropinionsBambro’’listenedinamoodysilence，whichhebrokeatlastbyafierceexecrationwhichdrewahushedattentionfromthecompany。”Saynomore，fairsirs，“hecried;

“forindeedyourwordsarelikesomanystabsinmyheart。Allthisandmorewemightindeedhavedone。Butofatruthyouaretoolate。”

“Toolate？’“criedKnolles。”Whatmeanyou，Richard？”

“Alas;thatIshouldhavetosayit，butyouandallthesefairsoldiersmightbebackinEnglandoncemoreforalltheprofitthatIamliketohavefromyourcoming。SawyouarideronawhitehorseereyoureachedtheCastle？”

“Nay，Isawhimnot？”

“HecamebythewesternroadfromHennebon。Wouldthathehadbrokenhisneckerehecamehere。NotanhouragohelefthismessageandnowhathriddenontowarnthegarrisonofMalestroit。

AtrucehasbeenproclaimedforayearbetwixttheFrenchKingandtheEnglish，andhewhobreaksitforfeitslifeandestate。”

“Atruce！”Herewasanendtoalltheirfinedreams。Theylookedblanklyateachotherallroundthetable，whilstCroquartbroughthisgreatfistdownupontheboarduntiltheglassesrattledagain。Knollessatwithclenchedhandsasifhewereafigureofstone，whileNigel’sheartturnedcoldandheavywithinhim。A

truce！，Wherethenwashisthirddeed，andhowmighthereturnwithoutit？

Evenastheysatinmoodysilencetherewasthecallofabuglefromsomewhereoutinthedarkness。

SirRichardlookedupwithsurprise。”Wearenotwonttobesummonedafteroncetheportcullisisup，“saidhe。”Truceornotruce，wemustletnomanwithinourwallsuntilwehaveprovedhim。Croquart，seetoit！”

ThehugeGermanlefttheroom。Thecompanywerestillseatedindespondentsilencewhenhereturned。

“SirRichard，“saidhe，“thebraveknightRobertofBeaumanoirandhisSquireWilliamdeMontaubonarewithoutthegate，andwouldfainhavespeechwithyou。”

Bambro’startedinhischair。WhatcouldthefierceleaderoftheBretons，amanwhowasredtotheelbowwithEnglishblood，havetosaytothem？，OnwhaterrandhadhelefthiscastleofJosselintopaythisvisittohisdeadlyenemies？

“Aretheyarmed？”heasked。

“Theyareunarmed。”

“Thenadmitthemandbringthemhither，butdoubletheguardsandtakeallheedagainstsurprise。”

Placesweresetatthefartherendofthetableforthesemostunexpectedguests。Presentlythedoorwasswungopen，andCroquartwithallformandcourtesyannouncedthetwoBretons，whoenteredwiththeproudandloftyairofgallantwarriorsandhigh-bredgentlemen。

Beaumanoirwasatalldarkmanwithravenhairandlongswarthybeard。Hewasstrongandstraightasayoungoak，withfieryblackeyes，andnoflawinhiscomelyfeaturessavethathisfrontteethhadbeendashedfromtheirsockets。HisSquire，WilliamofMontaubon，wasalsotall，withathinhatchetface，andtwosmallgrayeyessetverycloseuponeithersideofalongfiercenose。

InBeaumanoir’sexpressiononereadonlygallantryandfrankness;

inMontaubon’stherewasgallantryalso，butitwasmixedwiththecrueltyandcunningofthewolf。Theybowedastheyentered，andthelittleEnglishseneschaladvancedwithoutstretchedhandtomeetthem。

“Welcome，Robert，solongasyouarebeneaththisroof，“saidhe。

“Perhapsthetimemaycomeinanotherplacewhenwemayspeaktoeachotherinanotherfashion。”

“SoIhope，Richard，“saidBeaumanoir;“butindeedweofJosselinbearyouinhighesteemandaremuchbeholdentoyouandtoyourmenforallthatyouhavedoneforus。Wecouldnotwishbetterneighborsnoranyfromwhommorehonoristobegained。IlearnthatSirRobertKnollesandothershavejoinedyou，andweareheavy-heartedtothinkthattheordersofourKingsshoulddebarusfromattemptingaventure。”，Heandhissquiresatdownattheplacessetforthem，andfillingtheirglassesdranktothecompany。

“Whatyousayistrue，Robert，“saidBambro’，“andbeforeyoucamewewerediscussingthematteramongourselvesandgrievingthatitshouldbeso。Whenheardyouofthetruce？”

“Yester-eveningamessengerrodefromNantes。”

“Ournewscameto-nightfromHennebon。TheKing’sownsealwasontheorder。SoIfearthatforayearatleastyouwillbideatJosselinandweatPloermel，andkilltimeaswemay。Perchancewemayhuntthewolftogetherinthegreatforest，orflyourhawksonthebanksoftheDuc。”

“Doubtlessweshalldoallthis，Richard，“saidBeaumanoir;“butbySaintCadocitisinmymindthatwithgood-willuponbothsideswemaypleaseourselvesandyetstandexcusedbeforeourKings。”

Knightsandsquiresleanedforwardintheirchairs，theireagereyes，fixeduponhim。Hebrokeintoagap-toothedsmileashelookedroundatthecircle，thewizenedseneschal，theblondgiant，Nigel’sfreshyoungface，thegrimfeaturesofKnolles，andtheyellowhawk-likeCalverly，allburningwiththesamedesire。

“IseethatIneednotdoubtthegood-will，“saidhe，“andofthatIwasverycertainbeforeIcameuponthiserrand。Bethinkyouthenthatthisorderappliestowarbutnottochallenges，spear-runnings，knightlyexchangesorthelike。KingEdwardistoogoodaknight，andsoisKingJohn，thateitherofthemshouldstandinthewayofagentlemanwhodesirestoadvancehimselfortoventurehisbodyfortheexaltationofhislady。Isthisnotso？”

Amurmurofeagerassentrosefromthetable。

“IfyouasthegarrisonofPloermelmarchuponthegarrisonofJosselin，thenitisveryplainthatwehavebrokenthetruceanduponourheadsbeit。Butiftherebeaprivatebickeringbetwixtme，forexample，andthisyoungsquirewhoseeyesshowthatheisveryeagerforhonor，andifthereafterothersoneachsidejoininandfightuponthequarrel，itisinnosensewar，butratherourownprivatebusinesswhichnokingcanalter。”

“Indeed，Robert，“saidBambro’，“allthatyousayisverygoodandfair。”

BeaumanoirleanedforwardtowardNigel，hisbrimmingglassinhishand。”Yourname，squire？”saidhe。

“MynameisNigelLoring。”

“Iseethatyouareyoungandeager，soIchooseyouasIwouldfainhavebeenchosenwhenIwasofyourage。”

“Ithankyou，fairsir，“saidNigel。”Itisgreathonorthatonesofamousasyourselfshouldcondescendtodosomesmalldeeduponme。”

“Butwemusthavecauseforquarrel，Nigel。NowhereIdrinktotheladiesofBrittany，whoofallladiesuponthiseartharethemostfairandthemostvirtuous，sothattheleastworthy-amongstthemisfarabovethebestofEngland。Whatsayyoutothat，youngsir？”

NigeldippedhisfingerinhisglassandleaningoverheplaceditswetimpressontheBreton’shand。”Thisinyourface！”saidhe。

Beaumanoirsweptoffthereddropofmoistureandsmiledhisapproval。”Itcouldnothavebeenbetterdone，“saidhe。”Whyspoilmyvelvetpaltockasmanyahot-headedfoolwouldhavedone。

Itisinmymind，youngsir，thatyouwillgofar。Andnow，whofollowsupthisquarrel？”

Agrowlranroundthetable。

Beaumanoirranhiseyeroundandshookhishead。”Alas！”saidhe，“therearebuttwentyofyouhere，andIhavethirtyatJosselinwhoaresoeagertoadvancethemselvesthatifIreturnwithouthopeforallofthemtherewillbesoreheartsamongstthem。I

prayyou，Richard，sincewehavebeenatthesepainstoarrangematters，thatyouinturnwilldowhatyoumay。Canyounotfindtenmoremen？”

“Butnotofgentleblood。”

“Nay，itmattersnot，iftheywillonlyfight。”

“Ofthattherecanbenodoubt，forthecastleisfullofarchersandmen-at-armswhowouldgladlyplayapartinthematter。”

“Thenchooseten，“saidBeaumanoir。

Butforthefirsttimethewolf-likesquireopenedhisthinlips。

“Surely，mylord，youwillnotallowarchers，“saidhe。

“Ifearnotanyman。”

“Nay，fairsir，considerthatthisisatrialofweaponsbetwixtuswheremanfacesman。YouhaveseentheseEnglisharchers，andyouknowhowfastandbowstrongaretheirshafts。Bethinkyouthatiftenofthemwereagainstusitislikelythathalfofuswouldbedownbeforeeverwecametohandstrokes。”

“BySaintCadoc，William，Ithinkthatyouareright，“criedtheBreton。”Ifwearetohavesuchafightaswillremaininthememoriesofmen，youwillbringnoarchersandwenocrossbows。

Letitbesteeluponsteel。Howsayyouthen？”

“Surelywecanbringtenmen-at-armstomakeupthethirtythatyoudesire，Robert。ItisagreedthenthatwefightonnoquarrelofEnglandandFrance，butoverthismatteroftheladiesinwhichyouandSquireLoringhavefallenout。Andnowthetime？”

“Atonce。”

“Surelyatonce，orperchanceasecondmessengermaycomeandthisalsobeforbidden。Wewillbereadywithto-morrow’ssunrise。”

“Nay，adaylater，“criedtheBretonSquire。”Bethinkyou，mylord，thatthethreelancesofRadenacwouldtaketimetocomeover。”

“Theyarenotofourgarrison，andtheyshallnothaveaplace。”

“But，fairsir，ofallthelancesofBrittany-“

“Nay，William，Iwillnothaveitanhourlater。Tomorrowitshallbe，Richard。”

“Andwhere？”

“ImarkedafittingplaceevenasIrodeherethisevening。Ifyoucrosstheriverandtakethebridle-paththroughthefieldswhichleadstoJosselinyoucomemidwayuponamightyoakstandingatthecornerofafairandlevelmeadow。Thereletusmeetatmiddayto-morrow。”

“Agreed！”criedBambro’。”ButIprayyounottorise，Robert！

Thenightisstillyoungandthespicesandhippocraswillsoonbeserved。Bidewithus，Iprayyou，forifyouwouldfainhearthelatestsongsfromEngland，thesegentlemenhavedoubtlessbroughtthem。Tosomeofusperchanceitisthelastnight，sowewouldmakeitafullone。”

ButthegallantBretonshookhishead。”Itmayindeedbethelastnightformany，“saidhe，“anditisbutrightthatmycomradesshouldknowit。Ihavenoneedofmonkorfriar，forIcannotthinkthatharmwillevercomebeyondthegravetoonewhohasbornehimselfasaknightshould，butothershaveotherthoughtsuponthesemattersandwouldfainhavetimeforprayerandpenitence。Adieu，fairsirs，andIdrinkalastglasstoahappymeetingatthemidwayoak。”

XXIII。HOWTHIRTYOFJOSSELINENCOUNTEREDTHIRTYOFPLOERMEL

AllnighttheCastleofPloermelrangwithwarlikepreparations，forthesmithswerehammeringandfilingandriveting，preparingthearmorforthechampions。Inthestableyardhostlersweretestingandgroomingthegreatwar-horses，whilstinthechapelknightsandsquireswereeasingtheirsoulsatthekneesofoldFatherBenedict。

Downinthecourtyard，meanwhile，themen-at-armshadbeenassembled，andthevolunteersweededoutuntilthebestmenhadbeenselected。BlackSimonhadobtainedaplace，andgreatwasthejoywhichshoneuponhisgrimvisage。WithhimwerechosenyoungNicholasDagsworth，agentlemanadventurerwhowasnephewtothefamousSirThomas，WaltertheGerman，Hulbitee-ahugepeasantwhosemassiveframegavepromisewhichhissluggishspiritfailedtofulfil-JohnAlcock，RobinAdeyandRaoulProvost。

Thesewiththreeothersmadeuptherequiredthirty。Greatwasthegrumblingandevilthetalkamongstthearcherswhenitwaslearnedthatnoneofthemweretobeincluded，butthebowhadbeenforbiddenoneitherside。Itistruethatmanyofthemwereexpertfightersbothwithaxandwithsword，buttheywereunusedtocarryheavyarmor，andahalf-armedmanwouldhaveshortshriftinsuchahand-to-handstruggleaslaybeforethem。

Itwastwohoursaftertierce，oronehourbeforenoon，onthefourthWednesdayofLentintheyearofChrist1351thatthemenofPloermelrodeforthfromtheircastle-gateandcrossedthebridgeoftheDue。InfrontwasBambro’withhisSquireCroquart，thelatteronagreatroanhorsebearingthebannerofPloermel，whichwasablackrampantlionholdingablueflaguponafieldofermine。BehindhimcameRobertKnollesandNigelLoring，withanattendantattheirside，whocarriedthepennonoftheblackraven。ThenrodeSirThomasPercywithhisbluelionflauntingabovehim，andSirHughCalverly，whosebannerboreasilverowl，followedbythemassiveBelfordwhocarriedahugeironclub，weighingsixtypounds，uponhissaddlebow，andSirThomasWaltontheknightofSurrey。BehindthemwerefourbraveAnglo-Bretons，PerrotdeCommelain，LeGaillart，d’Aspremontandd’Ardaine，whofoughtagainsttheirowncountrymenbecausetheywerepartisansoftheCountessofMontfort。Herengrailedsilvercrossuponabluefieldwascarriedattheirhead。IntherearwerefiveGermanorHainaultmercenaries，thetallHulbitee，andthemen-at-arms。

AltogetherofthesecombatantstwentywereofEnglishbirth，fourwereBretonandsixwereofGermanblood。

So，withglitterofarmorandflauntingofpennons，theirwarhorsestossingandpawing，thechampionsrodedowntothemidwayoak。Behindthemstreamedhundredsofarchersandmen-

at-armswhoseweaponshadbeenwiselytakenfromthemlestageneralbattleshouldensue。Withthemalsowentthetownsfolk，menandwomen，togetherwithwine-sellers，provisionsmerchants，armorers，groomsandheralds，withsurgeonstotendthewoundedandprieststoshrivethedying。Thepathwasblockedbythisthrong，butalloverthefaceofthecountryhorsemenandfootmen，gentleandsimple，menandwomen，couldbeseenspeedingtheirwaytothesceneoftheencounter。

Thejourneywasnotalongone，forpresently，astheythreadedtheirwaythroughthefields，thereappearedbeforethemagreatgrayoakwhichspreaditsgnarledleaflessbranchesoverthecornerofagreenandlevelmeadow。Thetreewasblackwiththepeasantswhohadclimbedintoit，andallrounditwasahugethrong，chatteringandcallinglikearookeryatsunset。AstormofhootingbrokeoutfromthemattheapproachoftheEnglish，forBambro’washatedinthecountrywhereheraisedmoneyfortheMontfortcausebyputtingeveryparishtoransomandmaltreatingthosewhorefusedtopay。TherewaslittleamenityinthewarlikewayswhichhadbeenlearnedupontheScottishborder。Thechampionsrodeonwardwithoutdeigningtotakenoticeofthetauntsoftherabble，butthearchersturnedthatwayandsoonbeatthemobtosilence。Thentheyresolvedthemselvesintothekeepersoftheground，andpressedthepeoplebackuntiltheyformedadenselinealongtheedgeofthefield，’leavingthewholespaceclearforthewarriors。

TheBretonchampionshadnotyetarrived，sotheEnglishtetheredtheirhorsesatonesideoftheground，andthengatheredroundtheirleader。Everymanhadhisshieldslungroundhisneck，andhadcuthisspeartothelengthoffivefeetsothatitmightbemoremanageableforfightingonfoot。Besidesthespearaswordorabattle-axhungatthesideofeach。Theywerecladfromheadtofootinarmor，withdevicesuponthecrestsandsurcoatstodistinguishthemfromtheirantagonists。Atpresenttheirvisorswerestillupandtheychattedgaylywitheachother。

“BySaintDunstan！”criedPercy，slappinghisgauntletedhandstogetherandstampinghissteelfeet。”Ishallberightgladtogettowork，formybloodischilled。”

“Iwarrantyouwillbewarmenoughereyougetthrough，“saidCalverly。

“Orcoldforever。CandleshallburnandbelltollatAlnwickChapelifIleavethisgroundalive，butcomewhatmay，fairsirs，itshouldbeafamousjoustandonewhichwillhelpusforward。

Surelyeachofuswillhaveworshipfullywonworship，ifwechancetocomethrough。”

“Yousaytruth，Thomas，“saidKnolles，bracinghisgirdle。”FormyownpartIhavenojoyinsuchencounterswhenthereiswarfaretobecarriedout，foritstandethnotarightthatamanshouldthinkofhisownpleasureandadvancementratherthanoftheKing’scauseandthewealofthearmy。ButintimesoftruceI

canthinkofnobetterwayinwhichadaymaybeprofitablyspent。

Whysosilent，Nigel？”

“Indeed，fairsir，IwaslookingtowardJosselin，whichliesasI

understandbeyondthosewoods。Iseenosignofthisdebonairgentlemanandofhisfollowing。Itwouldbeindeedgrievouspityifanycausecametoholdthemback。”

HughCalverlylaughedatthewords。”Youneedhavenofear，youngsir，“saidhe。”SuchaspiritliesinRobertdeBeaumanoirthatifhemustcomealonehewouldrideagainstusnonetheless。I

warrantthatifhewereonabedofdeathhewouldbebornehereanddieonthegreenfield。”