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