Thesandyroadwoundthroughgrovesoffir，wherethebreezecamesoftandfragrantwithresinousgums，oroverheatherydowns，whichrolledawaytonorthandtosouth，vastanduntenanted，forontheuplandsthesoilwaspoorandwaterscarce。OverCrooksburyCommonhepassed，andthenacrossthegreatHeathofPuttenham，followingasandypathwhichwoundamidthebrackenandtheheather，forhemeanttostrikethePilgrims’WaywhereitturnedeastwardfromFarnhamandfromSeale。Asherodehecontinuallyfelthissaddle-bagwithhishand，forinit，securelystrapped，hehadplacedtheprecioustreasuresoftheLadyErmyntrude。Ashesawthegrandtawnynecktossingbeforehim，andfelttheeasyheaveofthegreathorseandheardthemuffleddrummingofhishoofs，hecouldhavesungandshoutedwiththejoyofliving。
　　Behindhim，uponthelittlebrownponywhichhadbeenNigel’sformermount，rodeSamkinAylwardthebowman，whohadtakenuponhimselfthedutiesofpersonalattendantandbody-guard。Hisgreatshouldersandbreadthofframeseemeddangerouslytop-heavyuponthetinysteed，butheambledalong，whistlingamerryliltandaslightheartedashismaster。Therewasnocountrymanwhohadnotanodandnowomanwhohadnotasmileforthejovialbowman，whorodeforthemostpartwithhisfaceoverhisshoulder，staringatthelastpetticoatwhichhadpassedhim。
　　Onceonlyhemetwithaharshergreeting。Itwasfromatall，white-headed，red-facedmanwhomtheymetuponthemoor。
　　“Good-morrow，dearfather！”criedAylward。”HowisitwithyouatCrooksbury？，AndhowarethenewblackcowandtheewesfromAltonandMarythedairymaidandallyourgear？”
　　“Itillbecomesyoutoask，youne’er-do-weel，“saidtheoldman。
　　“YouhaveangeredthemonksofWaverley，whosetenantIam，andtheywoulddrivemeoutofmyfarm。Yettherearethreemoreyearstorun，anddowhattheymayIwillbidetillthen。ButlittledidIthinkthatIshouldlosemyhomesteadthroughyou，Samkin，andbigasyouareIwouldknockthedustoutofthatgreenjerkin。withagoodhazelswitchifIhadyouatCrooksbury。”
　　“Thenyoushalldoitto-morrowmorning，goodfather，forIwillcomeandseeyouthen。ButindeedIdidnotdomoreatWaverleythanyouwouldhavedoneyourself。Lookmeintheeye，oldhothead，andtellmeifyouwouldhavestoodbywhilethelastLoring-lookathimasherideswithhisheadintheairandhissoulintheclouds-wasshotdownbeforeyourveryeyesatthebiddingofthatfatmonk！，Ifyouwould，thenIdisownyouasmyfather。”
　　“Nay，Samkin，ifitwaslikethat，thenperhapswhatyoudidwasnotsofaramiss。Butitishardtolosetheoldfarmwhenmyheartisburieddeepinthegoodbrownsoil。”
　　“Tut，man！，therearethreeyearstorun，andwhatmaynothappeninthreeyears？，BeforethattimeIshallhavegonetothewars，andwhenIhaveopenedaFrenchstrongboxortwoyoucanbuythegoodbrownsoilandsnapyourfingersatAbbotJohnandhisbailiffs。AmInotasproperamanasTomWithstaffofChurt？
　　AndyethecamebackaftersixmonthswithhispocketsfullofrosenoblesandaFrenchwenchoneitherarm。”
　　“Godpreserveusfromthewenches，Samkin！，ButindeedIthinkthatifthereismoneytobegatheredyouareaslikelytogetyourfistfullasanymanwhogoestothewar。Buthasten，lad，hasten！，Alreadyyouryoungmasterisoverthebrow。”
　　Thusadmonished，thearcherwavedhisgauntletedhandtohisfather，anddigginghisheelsintothesidesofhislittleponysoondrewupwiththeSquire。Nigelglancedoverhisshoulderandslackenedspeeduntilthepony’sheadwasuptohissaddle。
　　“HaveInotheard，archer，“saidhe，“thatanoutlawhasbeenlooseintheseparts？”
　　“Itistrue，fairsir。HewasvillaintoSirPeterMandeville，buthebrokehisbondsandfledintotheforests。Mencallhimthe`WildManofPuttenham。’“
　　“Howcomesitthathehasnotbeenhunteddown？，Ifthemanbeadraw-latchandarobberitwouldbeanhonorabledeedtoclearthecountryofsuchanevil。”
　　“Twicethesergeants-at-armsfromGuildfordhavecomeoutagainsthim，butthefoxhasmanyearths，anditwouldpuzzleyoutogethimoutofthem。”
　　“BySaintPaul！，weremyerrandnotapressingoneIwouldbetemptedtoturnasideandseekhim。Whereliveshe，then？”
　　“ThereisagreatmorassbeyondPuttenham，andacrossittherearecavesinwhichheandhispeoplelurk。”
　　“Hispeople？，Hehathaband？”
　　“Thereareseveralwithhim。”
　　“Itsoundsamosthonorableenterprise，“saidNigel。”WhentheKinghathcomeandgonewewillspareadayfortheoutlawsofPuttenham。Ifearthereislittlechanceforustoseethemonthisjourney。”
　　“TheypreyuponthepilgrimswhopassalongtheWinchesterRoad，andtheyarewelllovedbythefolkintheseparts，fortheyrobnoneofthemandhaveanopenhandforallwhowillhelpthem。”
　　“Itisrighteasytohaveanopenhandwiththemoneythatyouhavestolen，“saidNigel;“butIfearthattheywillnottrytorobtwomenwithswordsattheirgirdleslikeyouandme，soweshallhavenoprofitfromthem。”
　　TheyhadpassedoverthewildmoorsandhadcomedownnowintothemainroadbywhichthepilgrimsfromthewestofEnglandmadetheirwaytothenationalshrineatCanterbury。ItpassedfromWinchester，andupthebeautifulvalleyoftheItchenuntilitreachedFarnham，whereitforkedintotwobranches，oneofwhichranalongtheHog’sBack，whilethesecondwoundtothesouthandcameoutatSaintCatherine’sHillwherestandsthePilgrimshrine，agrayoldruinnow，butoncesoaugust，socrowdedandsoaffluent。ItwasthissecondbranchuponwhichNigelandAylwardfoundthemselvesastheyrodetoGuildford。
　　Noone，asitchanced，wasgoingthesamewayasthemselves，buttheymetonelargedroveofpilgrimsreturningfromtheirjourneywithpicturesofSaintThomasandsnails’shellsorlittleleadenampullaeintheirhatsandbundlesofpurchasesovertheirshoulders。Theywereagrimy，ragged，travel-stainedcrew，themenwalking，thewomenborneonasses。Manandbeast，theylimpedalongasifitwouldbeagladdaywhentheysawtheirhomesoncemore。Theseandafewbeggarsorminstrels，whocrouchedamongtheheatheroneithersideofthetrackinthehopeofreceivinganoccasionalfarthingfromthepasser-by，weretheonlyfolktheymetuntiltheyhadreachedthevillageofPuttenham。Alreadythere，wasahotsunandjustbreezeenoughtosendthedustflyingdowntheroad，sotheyweregladtocleartheirthroatswithaglassofbeerattheale-stakeinthevillage，wherethefairalewifegaveNigelacoldfarewellbecausehehadnoattentionsforher，andAylwardaboxontheearbecausehehadtoomany。
　　OnthefarthersideofPuttenhamtheroadrunsthroughthickwoodsofoakandbeech，withatangledundergrowthoffernandbramble。
　　Heretheymetapatrolofsergeants-at-arms，tallfellows，well-mounted，cladinstudded-leathercapsandtunics，withlancesandswords。Theywalkedtheirhorsesslowlyontheshadysideoftheroad，andstoppedasthetravelerscameup，toaskiftheyhadbeenmolestedontheway。
　　“Haveacare，“theyadded，“forthe`WildMan’andhiswifeareout。Onlyyesterdaytheyslewamerchantfromthewestandtookahundredcrowns。”
　　“Hiswife，yousay？”
　　“Yes，sheiseverathisside，andhassavedhimmanyatime，forifhehasthestrengthitisshewhohasthewit。Ihopetoseetheirheadstogetheruponthegreengrassoneofthesemornings。”
　　ThepatrolpasseddownwardtowardFarnham，andso，asitproved，awayfromtherobbers，whohaddoubtlesswatchedthemcloselyfromthedensebrushwoodwhichskirtedtheroad。Comingroundacurve，NigelandAylwardwereawareofatallandgracefulwomanwhosat，wringingherhandsandweepingbitterly，uponthebankbythesideofthetrack。AtsuchasightofbeautyindistressNigelprickedPommerswiththespurandinthreeboundswasatthesideoftheunhappylady。
　　“Whatailsyou，fairdame？”heasked。”IsthereanysmallmatterinwhichImaystandyourfriend，orisitpossiblethatanyonehathsohardaheartastodoyouaninjury。”
　　Sheroseandturneduponhimafacefullofhopeandentreaty。
　　“Oh，savemypoor，poorfather！”shecried。”Haveyouperchanceseentheway-wardens？，Theypassedus，andIfeartheyarebeyondreach。”
　　“Yes，theyhaveriddenonward，butwemayserveaswell。”
　　“Thenhasten，hasten，Iprayyou！，Evennowtheymaybedoinghimtodeath。TheyhavedraggedhimintoyondergroveandIhaveheardhisvoicegrowingeverweakerinthedistance。Hasten，I
　　imploreyou！”
　　NigelsprangfromhishorseandtossedthereintoAylward。
　　“Nay，letusgotogether。Howmanyrobberswerethere，lady？”
　　“Twostoutfellows。”
　　“ThenIcomealso。”
　　“Nay，itisnotpossible，“saidNigel。”Thewoodistoothickforhorses，andwecannotleavethemintheroad。”
　　“Iwillguardthem，“criedthelady。
　　“Pommersisnotsoeasilyheld。Doyoubidehere，Aylward，untilyouhearfromme。Stirnot，Icommandyou！”Sosaying，Nigel，withthelight，ofadventuregleaminginhisjoyouseyes，drewhisswordandplungedswiftlyintotheforest。
　　Farandfastheran，fromgladetoglade，breakingthroughthebushes，springingoverthebrambles，lightasayoungdeer，peeringthiswayandthat，straininghisearsforasound，andcatchingonlythecryofthewood-pigeons。Stillonhewent，withtheconstantthoughtoftheweepingwomanbehindandofthecapturedmaninfront。Itwasnotuntilhewasfootsoreandoutofbreaththathestoppedwithhishandtohisside，andconsideredthathisownbusinesshadstilltobedone，andthatitwastimeoncemorethatheshouldseektheroadtoGuildford。
　　MeantimeAylwardhadfoundhisownroughmeansofconsolingthewomanintheroad，whostoodsobbingwithherfaceagainstthesideofPommers’saddle。
　　“Nay，weepnot，myprettyone，“saidhe。”Itbringsthetearstomyowneyestoseethemstreamfromthine。”
　　“Alas！goodarcher，hewasthebestoffathers，sogentleandsokind！，Hadyoubutknownhim，youmusthavelovedhim。”
　　“Tut，tut！，hewillsuffernoscathe。SquireNigelwillbringhimbacktoyouanon。”
　　“No，no，Ishallneverseehimmore。Holdme，archer，orIfall！”
　　Aylwardpressedhisreadyarmroundthesupplewaist。Thefaintingwomanleanedwithherhanduponhisshoulder。Herpalefacelookedpasthim，anditwassomenewlightinhereyes，aflashofexpectancy，oftriumph，ofwickedjoy，whichgavehimsuddenwarningofhisdanger。
　　Heshookheroffandsprangtooneside，butonlyjustintimetoavoidacrashingblowfromagreatclubinthehandsofamaneventallerandstrongerthanhimself。Hehadonequickvisionofgreatwhiteteethclenchedingrimferocity，awildflyingbeardandblazingwild-beasteyes。Thenextinstanthehadclosed，duckinghisheadbeneathanotherswingofthatmurderouscudgel。
　　Withhisarmsroundtherobber’sburlybodyandhisfaceburiedinhisbushybeard，Aylwardgaspedandstrainedandheaved。Backandforwardinthedustyroadthetwomenstampedandstaggered，agrimwrestling-match，withlifefortheprize。TwicethegreatstrengthoftheoutlawhadAylwardnearlydown，andtwicewithhisgreateryouthandskillthearcherrestoredhisgripandhisbalance。Thenatlasthisturncame。Heslippedhislegbehindtheother’sknee，and，givingamightywrench，torehimacrossit。
　　WithahoarseshouttheoutlawtoppledbackwardandhadhardlyreachedthegroundbeforeAylwardhadhiskneeuponhischestandhisshortsworddeepinhisbeardandpointedtohisthroat。
　　“Bythesetenfinger-bones！”hegasped，“onemorestruggleanditisyourlast！”
　　Themanlaystillenough，forhewashalf-stunnedbythecrashingfall。Aylwardlookedroundhim，butthewomanhaddisappeared。
　　Atthefirstblowstruckshehadvanishedintotheforest。Hebegantohavefearsforhismaster，thinkingthatheperhapshadbeenluredintosomedeathtrap;buthisforebodingsweresoonatrest，forNigelhimselfcamehasteningdowntheroad，whichhehadstrucksomedistancefromthespotwhereheleftit。
　　“BySaintPaul！”hecried，“whoisthismanonwhomyouareperched，andwhereistheladywhohashonoredussofarastocraveourhelp？，Alas，thatIhavebeenunabletofindherfather！”
　　“Aswellforyou，fairsir，“saidAylward，“forIamofopinionthatherfatherwastheDevil。Thiswomanis，asIbelieve，thewifeofthe`WildManofPuttenham，’andthisisthe`WildMan’
　　himselfwhosetuponmeandtriedtobrainmewithhisclub。”
　　Theoutlaw，whohadopenedhiseyes，lookedwithascowlfromhiscaptortothenew-comer。”Youareinluck，archer，“saidhe，“forIhavecometogripswithmanyaman，butIcannotcalltomindanywhohavehadthebetterofme。”
　　“Youhaveindeedthegripofabear，“saidAylward;“butitwasacowarddeedthatyourwifeshouldholdmewhileyoudashedoutmybrainswithastick。Itisalsoamostvillainousthingtolayasnareforwayfarersbyaskingfortheirpityandassistance，sothatitwasourownsoftheartswhichbroughtusintosuchdanger。
　　Thenextwhohathrealneedofourhelpmaysufferforyoursins。”
　　“Whenthehandofthewholeworldisagainstyou，“saidtheoutlawinasurlyvoice，“youmustfightasbestyoucan。”
　　“Youwelldeservetobehanged，ifonlybecauseyouhavebroughtthiswoman，whoisfairandgentle-spoken，tosuchalife，“saidNigel。”Letustiehimbythewristtomystirrupleather，Aylward，andwewillleadhimintoGuildford。”
　　Thearcherdrewasparebowstringfromhiscaseandhadboundtheprisonerasdirected，whenNigelgaveasuddenstartandcryofalarm。
　　“HolyMary！”hecried。”Whereisthesaddle-bag？”
　　Ithadbeencutawaybyasharpknife。Onlythetwoendsofstrapremained。AylwardandNigelstaredateachotherinblankdismay。
　　ThentheyoungSquireshookhisclenchedhandsandpulledathisyellowcurlsinhisdespair。
　　“TheLadyErmyntrude’sbracelet！，Mygrandfather’scup！”hecried。
　　“IwouldhavediedereIlostthem！，WhatcanIsaytoher？，I
　　darenotreturnuntilIhavefoundthem。Oh，Aylward，Aylward！
　　howcameyoutoletthembetaken？”
　　Thehonestarcherhadpushedbackhissteelcapandwasscratchinghistangledhead。”Nay，Iknownothingofit。Youneversaidthattherewasaughtofpriceinthebag，elsehadIkeptabettereyeuponit。Certes！itwasnotthisfellowwhotookit，sinceI
　　haveneverhadmyhandsfromhim。Itcanonlybethewomanwhofledwithitwhilewefought。”
　　Nigelstampedabouttheroadinhisperplexity。”Iwouldfollowhertotheworld’sendifIknewwhereIcouldfindher，buttosearchthesewoodsforheristolookforamouseinawheat-field。GoodSaintGeorge，thouwhodidstovercometheDragon，Iprayyoubythatmosthonorableandknightlyachievementthatyouwillbewithmenow！，Andyoualso，greatSaintJulian，patronofallwayfarersindistress！，TwocandlesshallburnbeforeyourshrineatGodalming，ifyouwillbutbringmebackmysaddle-bag。WhatwouldInotgivetohaveitback？”
　　“Willyougivememylife？”askedtheoutlaw。”PromisethatIgofree，andyoushallhaveitback，ifitbeindeedtruethatmywifehastakenit。”
　　“Nay，Icannotdothat，“saidNigel。”Myhonorwouldsurelybeconcerned，sincemylossisaprivateone;butitwouldbetothepublicscathethatyoushouldgofree。BySaintPaul！itwouldbeanungentledeedifinordertosavemyownIletyoulooseuponthegearofahundredothers。”
　　“Iwillnotaskyoutoletmeloose，“saidthe“WildMan。”，“IfyouwillpromisethatmylifebesparedIwillrestoreyourbag。”
　　“Icannotgivesuchapromise，foritwillliewiththeSheriffandreevesofGuildford。”
　　“ShallIhaveyourwordinmyfavor？”
　　“ThatIcouldpromiseyou，ifyouwillgivebackthebag，thoughI
　　knownothowfarmywordmayavail。Butyourwordsarevain，foryoucannotthinkthatwewillbesofondastoletyougointhehopethatyoureturn？”
　　“Iwouldnotaskit，“saidthe“WildMan，““forIcangetyourbagandyetneverstirfromthespotwhereIstand。HaveIyourpromiseuponyourhonorandallthatyouholddearthatyouwillaskforgrace？”
　　“Youhave。”
　　“Andthatmywifeshallbeunharmed？”
　　“Ipromiseit。”
　　Theoutlawlaidbackhisheadandutteredalongshrillcrylikethehowlofawolf。Therewasasilentpause，andthen，clearandshrill，thererosethesamecrynogreatdistanceawayintheforest。Againthe“WildMan“called，andagainhismatereplied。
　　Athirdtimehesummoned，asthedeerbellstothedoeinthegreenwood。Thenwitharustleofbrushwoodandsnappingoftwigsthewomanwasbeforethemoncemore，tall，pale，graceful，wonderful。SheglancedneitheratAylwardnorNigel，butrantothesideofherhusband。
　　“Dearandsweetlord，“shecried，“Itrusttheyhavedoneyounohurt。Iwaitedbytheoldash，andmyheartsankwhenyoucamenot。”
　　“Ihavebeentakenatlast，wife。”
　　“Oh，cursed，cursedday！，Lethimgo，kind，gentlesirs;donottakehimfromme！”
　　“TheywillspeakformeatGuildford，“saidthe“WildMan。”“Theyhaveswornit。Buthandthemfirstthebagthatyouhavetaken。”
　　Shedrewitoutfromunderherloosecloak。”Hereitis，gentlesir。Indeeditwenttomyhearttotakeit，foryouhadmercyuponmeinmytrouble。ButnowIam，asyousee，inrealandverysoredistress。Willyounothavemercynow？，Takeruthonus，fairsir！，OnmykneesIbegitofyou，mostgentleandkindlySquire！”
　　Nigelhadclutchedhisbag，andrightgladhewastofeelthatthetreasureswereallsafewithinit。”Myprofferisgiven，“saidhe。”IwillsaywhatIcan;buttheissuerestswithothers。I
　　prayyoutostandup，forindeedIcannotpromisemore。”
　　“ThenImustbecontent，“saidshe，rising，withacomposedface。
　　“Ihaveprayedyoutotakeruth，andindeedIcandonomore;butereIgobacktotheforestIwouldredeyoutobeonyourguardlestyouloseyourbagoncemore。WotyouhowItookit，archer？
　　Nay，itwassimpleenough，andmayhappenagain，soImakeitcleartoyou。Ihadthisknifeinmysleeve，andthoughitissmallitisverysharp。Islippeditdownlikethis。ThenwhenI
　　seemedtoweepwithmyfaceagainstthesaddle，Icutdownlikethis-“
　　Inaninstantshehadshornthroughthestirrupleatherwhichboundherman，andhe，divingunderthebellyofthehorse，hadslippedlikeasnakeintothebrushwood。InpassinghehadstruckPommersfrombeneath，andthegreathorse，enragedandinsulted，wasrearinghigh，withtwomenhangingtohisbridle。Whenatlasthehadcalmedtherewasnosignleftofthe“WildMan，orofhiswife。InvaindidAylward，anarrowonhisstring，runhereandthereamongthegreattreesandpeerdowntheshadowyglades。
　　Whenhereturnedheandhismastercastashamefacedglanceateachother。
　　“Itrustthatwearebettersoldiersthanjailers，“saidAylward，asheclimbedonhispony。
　　ButNigel’sfrownrelaxedintoasmile。”Atleastwehavegainedbackwhatwelost，“saidhe。”HereIplaceitonthepommelofmysaddle，andIshallnottakemyeyesfromituntilwearesafeinGuildfordtown。”
　　SotheyjoggedontogetheruntilpassingSaintCatherine’sshrinetheycrossedthewindingWeyoncemore，andsofoundthemselvesinthesteephighstreetwithitsheavy-cavedgabledhouses，itsmonkishhospitiumupontheleft，wheregoodalemaystillbequaffed，anditsgreatsquare-keepedcastleupontheright，nograyandgrimskeletonofruin，butveryquickandalert，withblazonedbannerflyingfree，andsteelcapstwinklingfromthebattlement。Arowofboothsextendedfromthecastlegatetothehighstreet，andtwodoorsfromtheChurchoftheTrinitywasthatofThoroldthegoldsmith，arichburgessandMayorofthetown。
　　Helookedlongandlovinglyattherichrubiesandatthefineworkuponthegoblet。Thenhestrokedhisflowinggraybeardasheponderedwhetherheshouldofferfiftynoblesorsixty，forheknewwellthathecouldsellthemagainfortwohundred。Ifheofferedtoomuchhisprofitwouldbereduced。IfheofferedtoolittletheyouthmightgoasfarasLondonwiththem，fortheywererareandofgreatworth。Theyoungmanwasill-clad，andhiseyeswereanxious。Perchancehewashardpressedandwasignorantofthevalueofwhathebore。Hewouldsoundhim。
　　“Thesethingsareoldandoutoffashion，fairsir，“saidhe。”OfthestonesIcanscarcesayiftheyareofgoodqualityornot，buttheyaredullandrough。Yet，ifyourpricebelowImayaddthemtomystock，thoughindeedthisboothwasmadetosellandnottobuy。Whatdoyouask？”
　　Nigelbenthisbrowsinperplexity。Herewasagameinwhichneitherhisboldheartnorhisactivelimbscouldhelphim。Itwasthenewforcemasteringtheold：themanofcommerceconqueringthemanofwar-wearinghimdownandweakeninghimthroughthecenturiesuntilhehadhimashisbond-servantandhisthrall。
　　“knownotwhattoask，goodsir，“saidNigel。”Itisnotforme，norforanymanwhobearsmyname，tochafferandtohaggle。
　　Youknowtheworthofthesethings，foritisyourtradetodoso。
　　TheLadyErmyntrudelacksmoney，andwemusthaveitagainsttheKing’scoming，sogivemethatwhichisrightandjust，andwewillsaynomore。”
　　Thegoldsmithsmiled。Thebusinesswasgrowingmoresimpleandmoreprofitable。Hehadintendedtoofferfifty，butsurelyitwouldbesinfulwastetogivemorethantwenty-five。
　　“IshallscarceknowwhattodowiththemwhenIhavethem，“saidhe。”YetIshouldnotgrudgetwentynoblesifitisamatterinwhichtheKingisconcerned。”
　　Nigel’sheartturnedtolead。Thissumwouldnotbuyone-halfwhatwasneedful。ItwasclearthattheLadyErmyntrudehadovervaluedhertreasures。Yethecouldnotreturnempty-handed，soiftwentynobleswastherealworth，asthisgoodoldmanassuredhim，thenhemustbethankfulandtakeit。
　　“Iamconcernedbywhatyousay，“saidhe。”YouknowmoreofthesethingsthanIcando。However，Iwilltake-“
　　“Ahundredandfifty，“whisperedAylward’svoiceinhisear。
　　“Ahundredandfifty，“saidNigel，onlytoorelievedtohavefoundthehumblestguideupontheseunwontedpaths。
　　Thegoldsmithstarted。Thisyouthwasnotthesimplesoldierthathehadseemed。Thatfrankface，thoseblueeyes，weretrapsfortheunwary。Neverhadhebeenmoretakenabackinabargain。
　　“Thisisfondtalkandcanleadtonothing，fairsir，“saidhe，turningawayandfiddlingwiththekeysofhisstrongboxes。”YetIhavenowishtobehardonyou。Takemyoutsideprice，whichisfiftynobles。”
　　“Andahundred，“whisperedAylward。
　　“Andahundred，“saidNigel，blushingathisowngreed。
　　“Well，well，takeahundred！”criedthemerchant。”Fleeceme，skinme，leavemealoser，andtakeforyourwaresthefullhundred！”
　　“IshouldbeshamedforeverifIweretotreatyousobadly，“saidNigel。”Youhavespokenmefair，andIwouldnotgrindyoudown。
　　Therefore，Iwillgladlytakeonehundred-“
　　“Andfifty，“whisperedAylward。
　　“Andfifty，“saidNigel。
　　“BySaintJohnofBeverley！”criedthemerchant。”IcamehitherfromtheNorthCountry，andtheyaresaidtobeshrewdatadealinthoseparts;butIhadratherbargainwithasynagoguefullofJewsthanwithyou，forallyourgentleways。Willyouindeedtakenolessthanahundredandfifty？，Alas！youpluckfrommemyprofitsofamonth。Itisafellmorning’sworkforme。IwouldIhadneverseenyou！”Withgroansandlamentationshepaidthegoldpiecesacrossthecounter，andNigel，hardlyabletocredithisowngoodfortune，gatheredthemintotheleathersaddle-bag。
　　AmomentlaterwithflushedfacehewasinthestreetandpouringouthisthankstoAylward。
　　“Alas，myfairlord！themanhasrobbedusnow，“saidthearcher。
　　“Wecouldhavehadanothertwentyhadwestoodfast。”
　　“Howknowyouthat，goodAylward？”
　　“Byhiseyes，SquireLoring。IwotIhavelittlestoreofreadingwheretheparchmentofabookorthepinchingofablazonisconcerned，butIcanreadmen’seyes，andIneverdoubtedthathewouldgivewhathehasgiven。”
　　Thetwotravelershaddinneratthemonk’shospitium，NigelatthehightableandAylwardamongthecommonalty。Thenagaintheyroamedthehighstreetonbusinessintent。Nigelboughttaffetaforhangings，wine，preserves，fruit，damasktablelinenandmanyotherarticlesofneed。Atlasthehaltedbeforethearmorer’sshopatthecastle-yard，staringatthefinesuitsofplate，theengravedpectorals，theplumedhelmets，thecunninglyjointedgorgets，asachildatasweet-shop。
　　“Well，SquireLoring，“saidWatthearmorer，lookingsidewisefromthefurnacewherehewastemperingaswordblade，“whatcanIsellyouthismorning？，IsweartoyoubyTubalCain，thefatherofallworkersinmetal，thatyoumightgofromendtoendofCheapsideandneverseeabettersuitthanthatwhichhangsfromyonderhook！”
　　“Andtheprice，armorer？”
　　“Toanyoneelse，twohundredandfiftyrosenobles。Toyoutwohundred。”
　　“Andwhycheapertome，goodfellow？”
　　“BecauseIfittedyourfatheralsoforthewars，andafinersuitneverwentoutofmyshop。Iwarrantthatitturnedmanyanedgebeforehelaiditaside。Weworkedinmailinthosedays，andI
　　hadassoonhaveawell-madethick-meshedmailasanyplates;butayoungknightwillbeinthefashionlikeanydameofthecourt，andsoitmustbeplatenow，eventhoughthepricebetrebled。”
　　“Yourredeisthatthemailisasgood？”
　　“Iamwellsureofit。”
　　“Hearkenthen，armorer！，Icannotatthismomentbuyasuitofplate，andyetIsorelyneedsteelharnessonaccountofasmalldeedwhichitisinmymindtodo。NowIhaveatmyhomeatTilfordthatverysuitofmailofwhichyouspeak，withwhichmyfatherfirstrodetothewars。Couldyounotsoalteritthatitshouldguardmylimbsalso？”
　　ThearmorerlookedatNigel’ssmalluprightfigureandburstoutlaughing。”Youjest，SquireLoring！，Thesuitwasmadeforonewhowasfarabovethecommonstatureofman。”
　　“Nay，Ijestnot。Ifitwillbutcarrymethroughonespear-
　　runningitwillhaveserveditspurpose。”
　　ThearmorerleanedbackonhisanvilandponderedwhileNigelstaredanxiouslyathissootyface。
　　“RightgladlywouldIlendyouasuitofplateforthisoneventure，SquireLoring，butIknowwellthatifyoushouldbeoverthrownyourharnessbecomesprizetothevictor。Iamapoormanwithmanychildren，andIdarenotriskthelossofit。Butastowhatyousayoftheoldsuitofmail，isitindeedingoodcondition？”
　　“Mostexcellent，saveonlyattheneck，whichismuchfrayed。”
　　“Toshortenthelimbsiseasy。Itisbuttocutoutalengthofthemailandthenloopupthelinks。Buttoshortenthebody-nay，thatisbeyondthearmorer’sart。”
　　“Itwasmylasthope。Nay，goodarmorer，ifyouhaveindeedservedandlovedmygallantfather，thenIbegyoubyhismemorythatyouwillhelpmenow。”
　　Thearmorerthrewdownhisheavyhammerwithacrashuponthefloor。”ItisnotonlythatIlovedyourfather，SquireLoring，butitisthatIhaveseenyou，halfarmedasyouwere，rideagainstthebestofthemattheCastletiltyard。LastMartinmasmyheartbledforyouwhenIsawhowsorrywasyourharness，andyetyouheldyourownagainstthestoutSirOliverwithhisMilansuit：WhengoyoutoTilford？”
　　“Evennow。”
　　“Heh，Jenkin，fetchoutthecob！”criedtheworthyWat。”MaymyrighthandloseitscunningifIdonotsendyouintobattleinyourfather’ssuit！，To-morrowImustbebackinmybooth，buttodayIgivetoyouwithoutfeeandforthesakeofthegood-willwhichIbeartoyourhouse。IwillridewithyoutoTilford，andbeforenightyoushallseewhatWatcando。”
　　SoitcameaboutthattherewasabusyeveningattheoldTilfordManor-house，wheretheLadyErmyntrudeplannedandcutandhungthecurtainsforthehall，andstockedhercupboardswiththegoodthingswhichNigelhadbroughtfromGuildford。
　　MeanwhiletheSquireandthearmorersatwiththeirheadstouchingandtheoldsuitofmailwithitsgorgetofoverlappingplateslaidoutacrosstheirknees。AgainandagainoldWatshruggedhisshoulders，asonewhohasbeenaskedtodomorethancanbedemandedfrommortalman。Atlast，atasuggestionfromtheSquire，heleanedbackinhischairandlaughedlongandloudlyinhisbushybeard，whiletheLadyErmyntrudeglaredherblackdispleasureatsuchplebeianmerriment。Thentakinghisfinechiselandhishammerfromhispouchoftools，thearmorer，stillchucklingathisownthoughts，begantodriveaholethroughthecenterofthesteeltunic。
　　VIII。HOWTHEKINGHAWKEDONCROOKSBURYHEATH
　　TheKingandhisattendantshadshakenoffthecrowdwhohadfollowedthemfromGuildfordalongthePilgrims’Wayandnow，themountedarchershavingbeatenoffthemorepersistentofthespectators，theyrodeattheireaseinalong，straggling，glitteringtrainoverthedarkundulatingplainofheather。
　　InthevanwastheKinghimself，forhishawkswerewithhimandhehadsomehopeofsport。Edwardatthattimewasawell-grown，vigorousmanintheveryprimeofhisyears，akeensportsman，anardentgallantandachivalroussoldier。Hewasascholartoo，speakingLatin，French，German，Spanish，andevenalittleEnglish。
　　Somuchhadlongbeenpatenttotheworld，butonlyofrecentyearshadheshownotherandmoreformidablecharacteristics：arestlessambitionwhichcovetedhisneighbor’sthrone，andawiseforesightinmattersofcommerce，whichengagedhimnowintransplantingFlemishweaversandsowingtheseedsofwhatformanyyearswasthestapletradeofEngland。Eachofthesevariedqualitiesmighthavebeenreaduponhisface。Thebrow，shadedbyacrimsoncapofmaintenance，wasbroadandlofty。Thelargebrowneyeswereardentandbold。Hischinwasclean-shaven，andtheclose-croppeddarkmustachedidnotconcealthestrongmouth，firm，proudandkindly，butcapableofsettingtightinmercilessferocity。Hiscomplexionwastannedtocopperbyalifespentinfieldsportsorinwar，andherodehismagnificentblackhorsecarelesslyandeasily，asonewhohasgrownupinthesaddle。Hisowncolorwasblackalso，forhisactive;sinewyfigurewassetoffbyclose-fittingvelvetofthathue，brokenonlybyabeltofgold，andbyagoldenborderofopenpodsofthebroom-plant。
　　Withhishighandnoblebearing，hissimpleyetrichattireandhissplendidmount，helookedeveryinchaKing。
　　ThepictureofgallantmanongallanthorsewascompletedbythenobleFalconoftheIsleswhichflutteredalongsometwelvefeetabovehishead，“waitingon，“asitwastermed，foranyquarrywhichmightarise。ThesecondbirdofthecastwasborneuponthegauntletedwristofRaoulthechieffalconerintherear。
　　Attherightsideofthemonarchandalittlebehindhimrodeayouthsometwentyyearsofage，tall，slimanddark，withnobleaquilinefeaturesandkeenpenetratingeyeswhichsparkledwithvivacityandaffectionasheansweredtheremarksoftheKing。Hewascladindeepcrimsondiaperedwithgold，andthetrappingsofhiswhitepalfreywereofamagnificencewhichproclaimedtherankofitsrider。Onhisface，stillfreefrommustacheorbeard，theresatacertaingravityandmajestyofexpressionwhichshowedthatyoungashewasgreataffairshadbeeninhiskeepingandthathisthoughtsandinterestswerethoseofthestatesmanandthewarrior。Thatgreatdaywhen，littlemorethanaschool-boy，hehadledthevanofthevictoriousarmywhichhadcrushedthepowerofFranceandCrecy，hadleftthisstampuponhisfeatures;
　　butsternastheyweretheyhadnotassumedthattingeoffiercenesswhichinafteryearswastomake“TheBlackPrince“anameofterroronthemarchesofFrance。Notyethadthefirstshadowoffelldiseasecometopoisonhisnatureereitstruckathislife，asherodethatspringday，lightanddebonair，upontheheathofCrooksbury。
　　OntheleftoftheKing，andsoneartohimthatgreatintimacywasimplied，rodeamanabouthisownage，withthebroadface，theprojectingjawandtheflattishnosewhichareoftentheoutwardindicationsofapugnaciousnature。
　　Hiscomplexionwascrimson，hislargeblueeyessomewhatprominent，andhiswholeappearancefull-bloodedandcholeric。Hewasshort，butmassivelybuilt，andevidentlypossessedofimmensestrength。Hisvoice，however，whenhespokewasgentleandlisping，whilehismannerwasquietandcourteous。UnliketheKingorthePrince，hewascladinlightarmorandcarriedaswordbyhissideandamaceathissaddle-bow，forhewasactingasCaptainoftheKing’sGuard，andadozenotherknightsinsteelfollowedintheescort。NohardiersoldiercouldEdwardhaveathisside，if，aswasalwayspossibleinthoselawlesstimes，suddendangerwastothreaten，forthiswasthefamousknightofHainault，nownaturalizedasanEnglishman，SirWalterManny，whoboreashighareputationforchivalrousvalorandforgallanttemerityasChandoshimself。
　　Behindtheknights，whowereforbiddentoscatterandmustalwaysfollowtheKing’sperson，therewasabodyoftwentyorthirtyhobblersormountedbowmen，togetherwithseveralsquires，unarmedthemselvesbutleadingsparehorsesuponwhichtheheavierpartoftheirknights’equipmentwascarried。Astragglingtailoffalconers，harbingers，varlets，body-servantsandhuntsmenholdinghoundsinleashcompletedthelongandmany-coloredtrainwhichroseanddippedonthelowundulationsofthemoor。
　　ManyweightythingswereonthemindofEdwardtheKing。TherewastruceforthemomentwithFrance，butitwasatrucebrokenbymanysmalldeedsofarms，raids，surprisesandambushesuponeitherside，anditwascertainthatitwouldsoondissolveagainintoopenwar。Moneymustberaised，anditwasnolightmattertoraiseit，nowthattheCommonshadoncealreadyvotedthetenthlambandthetenthsheaf。Besides，theBlackDeathhadruinedthecountry，thearablelandwasallturnedtopasture，thelaborer，laughingatstatutes，wouldnotworkunderfourpenceaday，andallsocietywaschaos。Inaddition，theScotchweregrowlingovertheborder，therewastheperennialtroubleinhalf-conqueredIreland，andhisalliesabroadinFlandersandinBrabantwereclamoringforthearrearsoftheirsubsidies。
　　Allthiswasenoughtomakeevenavictoriousmonarchfullofcare;butnowEdwardhadthrownitalltothewindsandwasaslight-heartedasaboyuponaholiday。NothoughthadheforthedunningofFlorentinebankersorthevexatiousconditionsofthosebusybodiesatWestminster。Hewasoutwithhishawks，andhisthoughtsandhistalkshouldbeofnothingelse。Thevarletsbeattheheatherandbushesastheypassed，andwhoopedloudlyasthebirdsflewout。
　　“Amagpie！，Amagpie！”criedthefalconer。
　　“Nay，nay，itisnotworthyofyourtalons，mybrown-eyedqueen，“
　　saidtheKing，lookingupatthegreatbirdwhichflappedfromsidetosideabovehishead，waitingforthewhistlewhichshouldgiveherthesignal。”Thetercels，falconer-acastoftercels！
　　Quick，man，quick！，Ha！，therascalmakesforwood！，Heputsin！
　　Wellflown，braveperegrine！，Hemakeshispoint。Drivehimouttothycomrade。Servehim，varlets！，Beatthebushes！，Hebreaks！
　　Hebreaks！，Nay，comeawaythen！，YouwillseeMasterMagpienomore。”
　　Thebirdhadindeed，withthecunningofitsrace，flappeditswaythroughbrushwoodandbushestothethickerwoodsbeyond，sothatneitherthehawkamidthecovernoritspartnerabovenortheclamorousbeaterscouldharmit。TheKinglaughedatthemischanceandrodeon。Continuallybirdsofvarioussortswereflushed，andeachwaspursuedbytheappropriatehawk，thesnipebythetercel，thepartridgebythegoshawk，eventhelarkbythelittlemerlin。ButtheKingsoontiredofthispettysportandwentslowlyonhisway，stillwiththemagnificentsilentattendantflappingabovehishead。
　　“Isshenotanoblebird，fairson？”heasked，glancingupashershadowfelluponhim。
　　“Sheisindeed，sire。Surelynofinerevercamefromtheislesofthenorth。”
　　“Perhapsnot，andyetIhavehadahawkfromBarbaryasgoodafooterandaswifterflyer。AnEasternbirdinyarakhasnopeer。”
　　“IhadoneoncefromtheHolyLand，“saiddeManny。”ItwasfierceandkeenandswiftastheSaracensthemselves。TheysayofoldSaladinthatinhisdayhisbreedofbirds，ofhoundsandofhorseshadnoequalonearth。”
　　“Itrust，dearfather，thatthedaymaycomewhenweshalllayourhandsonallthree，“saidthePrince，lookingwithshiningeyesupontheKing。”IstheHolyLandtolieforeverinthegraspoftheseunbelievingsavages，ortheHolyTempletobedefiledbytheirfoulpresence？，Ah！，mydearandmostsweetlord，givetomeathousandlanceswithtenthousandbowmenlikethoseIledatCrecy，andIsweartoyoubyGod’ssoulthatwithinayearIwillhavedonehomagetoyoufortheKingdomofJerusalem！”
　　TheKinglaughedasheturnedtoWalterManny。”Boyswillstillbeboys，“saidhe。
　　“TheFrenchdonotcountmesuch！”criedtheyoungPrince，flushingwithanger。
　　“Nay，fairson，thereisnoonesetsyouatahigherratethanyourfather。Butyouhavethenimblemindandquickfancyofyouth，turningoverfromthethingthatishalfdonetoafurthertaskbeyond。HowwouldwefareinBrittanyandNormandywhilemyyoungpaladinwithhislancesandhisbowmenwasbesiegingAscalonorbatteringatJerusalem？”
　　“HeavenwouldhelpinHeaven’swork。”
　　“FromwhatIhaveheardofthepast，“saidtheKingdryly，“I
　　cannotseethatHeavenhascountedformuchasanallyinthesewarsoftheEast。Ispeakwithreverence，andyetitisbutsoothtosaythatRichardoftheLionHeartorLouisofFrancemighthavefoundthesmallestearthlyprincipalityofgreaterservicetohimthanallthecelestialhosts。Howsayyoutothat，myLordBishop？”
　　AstoutchurchmanwhohadriddenbehindtheKingonasolidbaycob，well-suitedtohisweightanddignity，joggeduptothemonarch’selbow。”Howsayyou，sire？，Iwaswatchingthegoshawkonthepartridgeandheardyounot。”
　　“HadIsaidthatIwouldaddtwomanorstotheSeeofChichester，Iwarrantthatyouwouldhaveheardme，myLordBishop。”
　　“Nay，fairlord，testthematterbysayingso，“criedthejovialBishop。
　　TheKinglaughedaloud。”Afaircounter，yourreverence。Bytherood！，youbrokeyourlancethatpassage。ButthequestionI
　　debatedwasthis：HowisitthatsincetheCrusadeshavemanifestlybeenfoughtinGod’squarrel，weChristianshavehadsolittlecomfortorsupportinfightingthem。Afteralloureffortsandthelossofmorementhancouldbecounted，weareatlastdrivenfromthecountry，andeventhemilitaryorderswhichwereformedonlyforthatonepurposecanscarceholdafootingintheislandsoftheGreeksea。ThereisnotoneseaportnoronefortressinPalestineoverwhichtheflagoftheCrossstillwaves。Wherethenwasourally？”
　　“Nay，sire，youopenagreatdebatewhichextendsfarbeyondthisquestionoftheHolyLand，thoughthatmayindeedbechosenasafairexample。Itisthequestionofallsin，ofallsuffering，ofallinjustice-whyitshouldpasswithouttherainoffireandthelightningsofSinai。ThewisdomofGodisbeyondourunderstanding。”
　　TheKingshruggedhisshoulders。”Thisisaneasyanswer，myLordBishop。YouareaprinceoftheChurch。Itwouldfareillwithanearthlyprincewhocouldgivenobetteranswertotheaffairswhichconcernedhisrealm。”
　　“Thereareotherconsiderationswhichmightbeurged，mostgracioussire。ItistruethattheCrusadeswereaholyenterprisewhichmightwellexpecttheimmediateblessingofGod;
　　buttheCrusaders-isitcertainthattheydeservedsuchablessing？，HaveInotheardthattheircampwasthemostdissoluteeverseen？”
　　“Campsarecampsalltheworldover，andyoucannotinamomentchangeabowmanintoasaint。ButtheholyLouiswasacrusaderafteryourownheart。YethismenperishedatMansurahandhehimselfatTunis。”
　　“Bethinkyoualsothatthisworldisbuttheantechamberofthenext，“saidtheprelate。”Bysufferingandtribulationthesouliscleansed，andthetruevictormaybehewhobythepatientenduranceofmisfortunemeritsthehappinesstocome。”
　　“IfthatbethetruemeaningoftheChurch’sblessing，thenIhopethatitwillbelongbeforeitrestsuponourbannersinFrance，“
　　saidtheKing。”Butmethinksthatwhenoneisoutwithabravehorseandagoodhawkonemightfindsomeothersubjectthantheology。Backtothebirds，Bishop，orRaoulthefalconerwillcometointerrupttheeinthycathedral。”
　　Straightwaytheconversationcamebacktothemysteryofthewoodsandthemysteryoftherivers，tothedark-eyedhawksandtheyellow-eyed，tohawksofthelureandhawksofthefist。TheBishopwasassteepedintheloreoffalconryastheKing，andtheotherssmiledasthetwowrangledhardoverdisputedandtechnicalquestions：ifaneyastrainedinthemewscaneveremulatethepassagehawktakenwild，orhowlongtheyounghawksshouldbeplacedathack，andhowlongweatheredbeforetheyarefullyreclaimed。
　　Monarchandprelatewerestilldeepinthislearneddiscussion，theBishopspeakingwithafreedomandassurancewhichhewouldneverhavedaredtouseinaffairsofChurchandState，forinallagesthereisnosuchlevelerassport。Suddenly，however，thePrince，whosekeeneyeshadsweptfromtimetotimeoverthegreatblueheaven，utteredapeculiarcallandreineduphispalfrey，pointingatthesametimeintotheair。
　　“Aheron！”hecried。”Aherononpassage！”
　　Togainthefullsportofhawkingaheronmustnotbeputupfromitsfeeding-ground，whereitisheavywithitsmeal，andhasnotimetogetitspaceonbeforeitispounceduponbythemoreactivehawk，butitmustbealoft，travelingfrompointtopoint，probablyfromthefish-streamtotheheronry。Thustocatchthebirdonpassagewasthepreludeofallgoodsport。TheobjecttowhichthePrincehadpointedwasbutablackdotinthesouthernsky，buthisstrainedeyeshadnotdeceivedhim，andbothBishopandKingagreedthatitwasindeedaheron，whichgrewlargereveryinstantasitflewintheirdirection。
　　“Whistlehimoff，sire！，Whistleoffthegerfalcon！”criedtheBishop。
　　“Nay，nay，heisoverfar。Shewouldflyatcheck。”
　　“Now，sire，now！”criedthePrince，asthegreatbirdwiththebreezebehindhimcamesweepingdownthesky。
　　TheKinggavetheshrillwhistle，andthewell-trainedhawkrakedouttotherightandtothelefttomakesurewhichquarryshewastofollow。Then，spyingtheheron，sheshotupinaswiftascendingcurvetomeethim。
　　“Wellflown，Margot！，Goodbird！”criedtheKing，clappinghishandstoencouragethehawk，whilethefalconersbrokeintotheshrillwhooppeculiartothesport。
　　Goingonhercurve，thehawkwouldsoonhavecrossedthepathoftheheron;butthelatter，seeingthedangerinhisfrontandconfidentinhisowngreatstrengthofwingandlightnessofbody，proceededtomounthigherintheair，flyinginsuchsmallringsthattothespectatorsitalmostseemedasifthebirdwasgoingperpendicularlyupward。
　　“Hetakestheair！”criedtheKing。”Butstrongasheflies，hecannotoutflyMargot。Bishop，Ilayyoutengoldpiecestoonethattheheronismine。”
　　“Icoveryourwager，sire，“saidtheBishop。”Imaynottakegoldsowon，andyetIwarrantthatthereisanaltar-clothsomewhereinneedofrepairs。”
　　“Youhavegoodstoreofaltar-cloths，Bishop，ifallthegoldI
　　haveseenyouwinattablesgoestothemendingofthem，“saidtheKing。”Ah！bytherood，rascal，rascal！，Seehowshefliesatcheck！”
　　ThequickeyesoftheBishophadperceivedadriftofrookswhenontheireveningflighttotherookerywerepassingalongtheverylinewhichdividedthehawkfromtheheron。Arookisahardtemptationforahawktoresist。Inaninstanttheinconstantbirdhadforgottenallaboutthegreatheronaboveherandwascirclingovertherooks，flyingwestwardwiththemasshesingledouttheplumpestforherstoop。
　　“Thereisyettime，sire！，ShallIcastoffhermate？”criedthefalconer。
　　“OrshallIshowyou，sire，howaperegrinemaywinwhereagerfalconfails？”saidtheBishop。”Tengoldenpiecestooneuponmybird。”
　　“Donewithyou，Bishop！”criedtheKing，hisbrowdarkwithvexation。”Bytherood！ifyouwereaslearnedinthefathersasyouareinhawksyouwouldwintothethroneofSaintPeter！，Castoffyourperegrineandmakeyourboastinggood。”
　　Smallerthantheroyalgerfalcon，theBishop’sbirdwasnonethelessaswiftandbeautifulcreature。Fromherperchuponhiswristshehadwatchedwithfierce，keeneyesthebirdsintheheaven，mantlingherselffromtimetotimeinhereagerness。Nowwhenthebuttonwasundoneandtheleashuncasttheperegrinedashedoffwithawhirofhersharp-pointedwings，whizzingroundinagreatascendingcirclewhichmountedswiftlyupward，growingeversmallerassheapproachedthatloftypointwhere，amerespeckinthesky，theheronsoughtescapefromitsenemies。Stillhigherandhigherthetwobirdsmounted，whilethehorsemen，theirfacesupturned，strainedtheireyesintheireffortstofollowthem。
　　“Sherings！，Shestillrings！”criedtheBishop。”Sheisabovehim！，Shehasgainedherpitch。”
　　“Nay，nay，sheisfarbelow，“saidtheKing。
　　“Bymysoul，myLordBishopisright！”criedthePrince。”I
　　believesheisabove。See！，See！，Sheswoops！”
　　“Shebinds！，Shebinds！”criedadozenvoicesasthetwodotsblendedsuddenlyintoone。
　　Therecouldbenodoubtthattheywerefallingrapidly，Alreadytheygrewlargertotheeye。Presentlytheherondisengagedhimselfandflappedheavilyaway，theworsefor，thatdeadlyembrace，whiletheperegrine，shakingher，plumage，ringedoncemoresoastogethighabovethequarryanddealitasecondandmorefatalblow。TheBishopsmiled，fornothing，asitseemed，couldhinderhisvictory。
　　“Thygoldpiecesshallbewellspent，sire，“saidhe。”WhatislosttotheChurchisgainedbytheloser。”
　　Butamostunlooked-forchancedeprivedtheBishop’saltarclothofitscostlymending。TheKing’sgerfalconhavingstruckdownarook，andfindingthesportbuttame，bethoughtherselfsuddenlyofthatnobleheron，whichshestillperceivedflutteringoverCrooksburyHeath。Howcouldshehavebeensoweakastoallowthesesilly，chatteringrookstoenticeherawayfromthatlordlybird？，Evennowitwasnottoolatetoatoneforhermistake。Inagreatspiralsheshotupwarduntilshewasovertheheron。Butwhatwasthis？，Everyfiberofher，fromhercresttoherdeckfeathers，quiveredwithjealousyandrageatthesightofthiscreature，amereperegrine，whohaddaredtocomebetweenaroyalgerfalconandherquarry。Withonesweepofhergreatwingssheshotupuntilshewasaboveherrival。Thenextinstant-
　　“Theycrab！，Theycrab！”criedtheKing，witharoaroflaughter，followingthemwithhiseyesastheybustleddownthroughtheair。
　　“Mendthyownaltar-cloths，Bishop。Notagroatshallyouhavefrommethisjourney。Pullthemapart，falconer，lesttheydoeachotheraninjury。Andnow，masters，letuson，forthesunsinkstowardthewest。”
　　Thetwohawks，whichhadcometothegroundinterlockedwithclutchingtalonsandruffledplumes，weretornapartandbroughtbackbleedingandpantingtotheirperches，whiletheheronafteritsperilousadventureflappeditswayheavilyonwardtosettlesafelyintheheronryofWaverley。Thecortege，whohadscatteredintheexcitementofthechase，cametogetheragain，andthejourneywasoncemoreresumed。
　　Ahorsemanwhohadbeenridingtowardthemacrossthemoornowquickenedhispaceandclosedswiftlyuponthem。Ashecamenearer，theKingandthePrincecriedoutjoyouslyandwavedtheirhandsingreeting。
　　“ItisgoodJohnChandos！！”criedtheKing。”Bytherood，John，I
　　havemissedyourmerrysongsthisweekormore！，GladIamtoseethatyouhaveyourcitoleslungtoyourback。Whencecomeyouthen？”
　　“IcomefromTilford，sire，inthehopethatIshouldmeetyourmajesty。”
　　“Itwaswellthoughtof。Come，rideherebetweenthePrinceandme，andwewillbelievethatwearebackinFrancewithourwarharnessonourbacksoncemore。Whatisyournews，MasterJohn？”
　　Chandos’quaintfacequiveredwithsuppressedamusementandhisoneeyetwinkledlikeastar。”Haveyouhadsport，myliege？”
　　“Poorsport，John。Weflewtwohawksonthesameheron。Theycrabbed，andthebirdgotfree。Butwhydoyousmileso？”
　　“BecauseIhopetoshowyoubettersportereyoucometoTilford。”
　　“Forthehawk？，Forthehound？”
　　“Anoblersportthaneither。”
　　“Isthisariddle，John？，Whatmeanyou？”
　　“Nay，totellallwouldbetospoilall。IsayagainthatthereisraresportbetwixthereandTilford，andIbegyou，dearlord，tomendyourpacethatwemakethemostofthedaylight。”
　　Thusadjured，theKingsetspurstohishorse，andthewholecavalcadecanteredovertheheathinthedirectionwhichChandosshowed。Presentlyastheycameoveraslopetheysawbeneaththemawindingriverwithanoldhigh-backedbridgeacrossit。Onthefarthersidewasavillagegreenwithafringeofcottagesandonedarkmanorhouseuponthesideofthehill。
　　“ThisisTilford，“saidChandos。”YonderisthehouseoftheLorings。”
　　TheKing’sexpectationshadbeenarousedandhisfaceshowedhisdisappointment。
　　“Isthisthesportthatyouhavepromisedus，SirJohn？，Howcanyoumakegoodyourwords？”
　　“Iwillmakethemgood，myliege。”
　　“Wherethenisthesport？”
　　“Onthehighcrownofthebridgeariderinarmorwasseated，lanceinhand，uponagreatyellowsteed。ChandostouchedtheKing’sarmandpointed。”Thatisthesport，“saidhe。
　　IX。HOWNIGELHELDTHEBRIDGEATTILFORD
　　TheKinglookedatthemotionlessfigure，atthelittlecrowdofhushedexpectantrusticsbeyondthebridge，andfinallyatthefaceofChandos，whichshonewithamusement。
　　“Whatisthis，John？”heasked。
　　“YourememberSirEustaceLoring，sire？”
　　“IndeedIcouldneverforgethimnorthemannerofhisdeath。”
　　“Hewasaknighterrantinhisday。”
　　“Thatindeedhewas-nonebetterhaveIknown。”
　　“SoishissonNigel，asfierceayoungwar-hawkaseveryearnedtousebeakandclaws;butheldfastinthemewsuptonow。Thisishistrialfight。Therehestandsatthebridge-head，aswasthewontinourfathers’time，readytomeasurehimselfagainstallcomers。”
　　OfallEnglishmentherewasnogreaterknighterrantthantheKinghimself，andnonesosteepedineveryquaintusageofchivalry;sothatthesituationwasafterhisownheart。
　　“Heisnotyetaknight？”
　　“No，sire，onlyaSquire。”
　　“Thenhemustbearhimselfbravelythisdayifheistomakegoodwhathehasdone。IsitfittingthatayounguntriedSquireshouldventuretocouchhislanceagainstthebestinEngland？”
　　“Hebathgivenmehiscartelandchallenge，“saidChandos，drawingapaperfromhistunic。”HaveIyourpermission，sire，toissueit？”
　　“Surely，John，wehavenocavaliermoreversedinthelawsofchivalrythanyourself。Youknowthisyoungman，andyouareawarehowfarheisworthyofthehighhonorwhichheasks。Letushearhisdefiance，“
　　Theknightsandsquiresoftheescort，mostofwhomwereveteransoftheFrenchwar，hadbeengazingwithinterestandsomesurpriseatthesteel-cladfigureinfrontofthem。NowatacallfromSirWalterMannytheyassembledroundthespotwheretheKingandChandoshadhalted。Chandosclearedhisthroatandreadfromhispaper，“`Atousseigneurs，chevaliersetescuyers，’soitisheaded，gentlemen。ItisamessagefromthegoodSquireNigelLoringofTilford，sonofSirEustaceLoring，ofhonorablememory。SquireLoringawaitsyouinarms，gentlemen，yonderuponthecrownoftheoldbridge。Thussayshe：`ForthegreatdesirethatI，amosthumbleandunworthySquire，entertain，thatImaycometotheknowledgeofthenoblegentlemenwhoridewithmyroyalmaster，I
　　nowwaitontheBridgeoftheWayinthehopethatsomeofthemmaycondescendtodosomesmalldeedofarmsuponme，orthatI
　　maydeliverthemfromanyvowwhichtheymayhavetaken。ThisI
　　sayoutofnoesteemformyself，butsolelythatImaywitnessthenoblebearingofthesefamouscavaliersandadmiretheirskillinthehandlingofarms。Therefore，withthehelpofSaintGeorge，I
　　willholdthebridgewithsharpenedlancesagainstanyorallwhomaydeigntopresentthemselveswhiledaylightlasts。”
　　“Whatsayyoutothis，gentlemen？”askedtheKing，lookingroundwithlaughingeyes。
　　“Trulyitisissuedinverygoodform，“saidthePrince。”NeitherClaricieuxnorRedDragonnoranyheraldthateverworetabardcouldbetterit。Didhedrawitofhisownhand？”
　　“Hehathagrimoldgrandmotherwhoisoneoftheancientbreed，“
　　saidChandos。”IdoubtnotthattheDameErmyntrudehathdrawnachallengeortwobeforenow。Butharkye，sire，Iwouldhaveawordinyourear-andyourstoo，mostnoblePrince。”
　　Leadingthemaside，Chandoswhisperedsomeexplanations，whichendedbythemallthreeburstingintoashoutoflaughter。
　　“Bytherood！nohonorablegentlemanshouldbereducedtosuchstraits，“saidtheKing。”Itbehoovesmetolooktoit。Buthownow，gentlemen？，Thisworthycavalierstillwaitshisanswer。”
　　Thesoldiershadallbeenbuzzingtogether;butnowWalterMannyturnedtotheKingwiththeresultoftheircounsel。
　　“Ifitpleaseyourmajesty，“saidhe，“weareofopinionthatthisSquirehathexceededallboundsindesiringtobreakaspearwithabeltedknighterehehasgivenhisproofs。WedohimsufficienthonorifaSquirerideagainsthim，andwithyourconsentIhavechosenmyownbody-squire，JohnWiddicombe，toclearthepathforusacrossthebridge。”
　　“Whatyousay，Walter，isrightandfair，“saidtheKing。”MasterChandos，youwilltellourchampionyonderwhathathbeenarranged。Youwilladvisehimalsothatitisourroyalwillthatthiscontestbenotfoughtuponthebridge，sinceitisveryclearthatitmustendinoneorbothgoingoverintotheriver，butthatheadvancetotheendofthebridgeandfightupontheplain。
　　Youwilltellhimalsothatabluntedlanceissufficientforsuchanencounter，butthatahand-strokeortwowithswordormacemaywellbeexchanged，ifbothridersshouldkeeptheirsaddles。A
　　blastuponRaoul’shornshallbethesignaltoclose。”
　　Suchventuresasthesewhereanaspirantforfamewouldwaitfordaysatacross-road，aford，orabridge，untilsomeworthyantagonistshouldridethatway，wereverycommonintheolddaysofadventurousknighterranty，andwerestillfamiliartothemindsofallmenbecausethestoriesoftheromancersandthesongsofthetrouvereswerefullofsuchincidents。Theiractualoccurrencehoweverhadbecomerare。Therewasthemorecuriosity，notunmixedwithamusement，inthethoughtsofthecourtiersastheywatchedChandosridedowntothebridgeandcommenteduponthesomewhatsingularfigureofthechallenger。Hisbuildwasstrange，andsoalsowashisfigure，forthelimbswereshortforsotallaman。Hisheadalsowassunkforwardasifhewerelostinthoughtorovercomewithdeepdejection。
　　“ThisissurelytheCavalieroftheHeavyHeart，“saidManny。
　　“Whattroublehashe，thatheshouldhanghishead？”
　　“Perchancehehathaweakneck，“saidtheKing。
　　“Atleasthehathnoweakvoice，“thePrinceremarked，asNigel’sanswertoChandoscametotheirears。”Byourlady，heboomslikeabittern。”
　　AsChandosrodebackagaintotheKing，Nigelexchangedtheoldashspearwhichhadbeenhisfather’sforoneofthebluntedtournamentlanceswhichhetookfromthehandsofastoutarcherinattendance。Hethenrodedowntotheendofthebridgewhereahundred-yardstretchofgreenswardlayinfrontofhim。AtthesamemomenttheSquireofSirWalterManny，whohadbeenhastilyarmedbyhiscomrades，spurredforwardandtookuphisposition。
　　TheKingraisedhishand;therewasaclangfromthefalconer’shorn，andthetworiders，withathrustoftheirheelsandashakeoftheirbridles，dashedfuriouslyateachother。Inthecenterthegreenstripofmarshymeadowland，withthewatersquirtingfromthegallopinghoofs，andthetwocrouchingmen，gleamingbrightintheeveningsun，ononesidethehalfcircleofmotionlesshorsemen，someinsteel，someinvelvet，silentandattentive，dogs，hawks，andhorsesallturnedtostone;ontheothertheoldpeakedbridge，thebluelazyriver，thegroupofopenmouthedrustics，andthedarkoldmanor-housewithonegrimfacewhichpeeredfromtheupperwindow。
　　AgoodmanwasJohnWiddicombe，buthehadmetabetterthatday。
　　Beforethatyellowwhirlwindofahorseandthatriderwhowasweldedandrivetedtohissaddlehiskneescouldnotholdtheirgrip。NigelandPommerswereoneflyingmissile，withalltheirweightandstrengthandenergycenteredonthesteadyendofthelance。HadWiddicombebeenstruckbyathunderbolthecouldnothaveflownfasterorfartherfromhissaddle。Twofullsomersaultsdidhemake，hisplatesclanginglikecymbals，erehelayproneuponhisback。
　　ForamomenttheKinglookedgraveatthatprodigiousfall。ThensmilingoncemoreasWiddicombestaggeredtohisfeet，heclappedhishandsloudlyinapplause。”Afaircourseandfairlyrun！”hecried。”ThefivescarletrosesbearthemselvesinpeaceevenasI
　　haveseentheminwar。Hownow，mygoodWalter？，HaveyouanotherSquireorwillyouclearapathforusyourself？”
　　Manny’scholericfacehadturneddarkerasheobservedthemischanceofhisrepresentative。Hebeckonednowtoatallknight，whosegauntandsavagefacelookedoutfromhisopenbassinetasaneaglemightfromacageofsteel。
　　“SirHubert，“saidhe，“IbearinmindthedaywhenyouoverboretheFrenchmanatCaen。Willyounotbeourchampionnow？”
　　“WhenIfoughttheFrenchman，Walter，itwaswithnakedweapons，“
　　saidtheknightsternly。”IamasoldierandIloveasoldier’swork，butIcarenotforthesetiltyardtrickswhichwereinventedfornothingbuttoticklethefanciesoffoolishwomen。”
　　“Oh，mostungallantspeech！”criedtheKing。”Hadmygood-consortheardyoushewouldhavearraignedyoutoappearataCourtofLovewithajuryofvirginstoanswerforyoursins。ButIprayyoutotakeatiltingspear，goodSirHubert！”
　　“Ihadassoontakeapeacock’sfeather，myfairlord;butIwilldoit，ifyouaskme。Here，page，handmeoneofthosesticks，andletmeseewhatIcando。”
　　ButSirHubertdeBurghwasnotdestinedtotesteitherhisskillorhisluck。Thegreatbayhorsewhichherodewasasunusedtothiswarlikeplayaswasitsmaster，andhadnoneofitsmaster’sstoutnessofheart;sothatwhenitsawtheleveledlance，thegleamingfigureandthefrenziedyellowhorserushingdownuponit，itswerved，turnedandgallopedfuriouslydowntheriver-bank。
　　Amidroarsoflaughterfromtherusticsontheonesideandfromthecourtiersontheother，SirHubertwasseen，tuggingvainlyathisbridle，andboundingonward，clearinggorse-bushesandheather-clumps，untilhewasbutashimmering，quiveringgleamuponthedarkhillside。Nigel，whohadpulledPommersontohisveryhaunchesattheinstantthathisopponentturned，salutedwithhislanceandtrottedbacktothebridge-head，whereheawaitedhisnextassailant。
　　“TheladieswouldsaythatajudgmenthathfallenuponourgoodSirHubertforhisimpiouswords，“saidtheKing。
　　“Letushopethathischargermaybebrokenineretheyventuretorideoutbetweentwoarmies，“remarkedthePrince。”Theymightmistakethehardnessofhishorse’smouthforasoftnessoftherider’sheart。Seewhereherides，stillclearingeverybushuponhispath。”
　　“Bytherood！”saidtheKing，“iftheboldHuberthasnotincreasedhisreputeasajousterhehasgainedgreathonorasahorseman。Butthebridgeisstillclosed，Walter。Howsayyounow？，IsthisyoungSquirenevertobeunhorsed，orisyourKinghimselftolaylanceinresterehiswaycanbecleared？，BytheheadofSaintThomas！，Iamintheverymoodtorunacoursewiththisgentleyouth。”
　　“Nay，nay，sire，toomuchhonorhathalreadybeendonehim！”saidManny，lookingangrilyatthemotionlesshorseman。”ThatthisuntriedboyshouldbeabletosaythatinoneeveninghehasunhorsedmySquire，andseenthebackofoneofthebravestknightsinEnglandissurelyenoughtoturnhisfoolishhead。
　　Fetchmeaspear，Robert！，IwillseewhatIcanmakeofhim。”
　　Thefamousknighttookthespearwhenitwasbroughttohimasamaster-workmantakesatool。Hebalancedit，shookitonceortwiceintheair，ranhiseyesdownitforaflawinthewood，andthenfinallyhavingmadesureofitspoiseandweightlaiditcarefullyinrestunderhisarm。Thengatheringuphisbridlesoastohavehishorseunderperfectcommand，andcoveringhimselfwiththeshield，whichwasslungroundhisneck，herodeouttodobattle。