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diff --git a/1557-h/1557-h.htm b/1557-h/1557-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4fe2b87 --- /dev/null +++ b/1557-h/1557-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9055 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Men of Iron, by Howard Pyle + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Men of Iron, by Howard Pyle + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Men of Iron + +Author: Howard Pyle + +Release Date: February 15, 2006 [EBook #1557] +Last Updated: March 11, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEN OF IRON *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Keller and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + MEN OF IRON + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + by Howard Pyle + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_INTR"> INTRODUCTION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER 1 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER 2 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER 3 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER 4 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER 5 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER 6 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER 7 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER 8 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER 9 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER 10 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER 11 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER 12 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER 13 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER 14 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER 15 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER 16 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER 17 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER 18 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER 19 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER 20 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER 21 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER 22 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER 23 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER 24 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER 25 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER 26 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER 27 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER 28 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER 29 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER 30 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER 31 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0032"> CHAPTER 32 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0033"> CHAPTER 33 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_CONC"> CONCLUSION </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <a name="link2H_INTR" id="link2H_INTR"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INTRODUCTION + </h2> + <p> + The year 1400 opened with more than usual peacefulness in England. Only a + few months before, Richard II—weak, wicked, and treacherous—had + been dethroned, and Henry IV declared King in his stead. But it was only a + seeming peacefulness, lasting but for a little while; for though King + Henry proved himself a just and a merciful man—as justice and mercy + went with the men of iron of those days—and though he did not care + to shed blood needlessly, there were many noble families who had been + benefited by King Richard during his reign, and who had lost somewhat of + their power and prestige from the coming in of the new King. + </p> + <p> + Among these were a number of great lords—the Dukes of Albemarle, + Surrey, and Exeter, the Marquis of Dorset, the Earl of Gloucester, and + others—who had been degraded to their former titles and estates, + from which King Richard had lifted them. These and others brewed a secret + plot to take King Henry's life, which plot might have succeeded had not + one of their own number betrayed them. + </p> + <p> + Their plan had been to fall upon the King and his adherents, and to + massacre them during a great tournament, to be held at Oxford. But Henry + did not appear at the lists; whereupon, knowing that he had been lodging + at Windsor with only a few attendants, the conspirators marched thither + against him. In the mean time the King had been warned of the plot, so + that, instead of finding him in the royal castle, they discovered through + their scouts that he had hurried to London, whence he was even then + marching against them at the head of a considerable army. So nothing was + left them but flight. Some betook themselves one way, some another; some + sought sanctuary here, some there; but one and another, they were all of + them caught and killed. + </p> + <p> + The Earl of Kent—one time Duke of Surrey—and the Earl of + Salisbury were beheaded in the market-place at Cirencester; Lord Le + Despencer—once the Earl of Gloucester—and Lord Lumley met the + same fate at Bristol; the Earl of Huntingdon was taken in the Essex fens, + carried to the castle of the Duke of Gloucester, whom he had betrayed to + his death in King Richard's time, and was there killed by the castle + people. Those few who found friends faithful and bold enough to afford + them shelter, dragged those friends down in their own ruin. + </p> + <p> + Just such a case was that of the father of the boy hero of this story, the + blind Lord Gilbert Reginald Falworth, Baron of Falworth and Easterbridge, + who, though having no part in the plot, suffered through it ruin, utter + and complete. + </p> + <p> + He had been a faithful counsellor and adviser to King Richard, and perhaps + it was this, as much and more than his roundabout connection with the + plot, that brought upon him the punishment he suffered. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 1 + </h2> + <p> + Myles Falworth was but eight years of age at that time, and it was only + afterwards, and when he grew old enough to know more of the ins and outs + of the matter, that he could remember by bits and pieces the things that + afterwards happened; how one evening a knight came clattering into the + court-yard upon a horse, red-nostrilled and smeared with the sweat and + foam of a desperate ride—Sir John Dale, a dear friend of the blind + Lord. + </p> + <p> + Even though so young, Myles knew that something very serious had happened + to make Sir John so pale and haggard, and he dimly remembered leaning + against the knight's iron-covered knees, looking up into his gloomy face, + and asking him if he was sick to look so strange. Thereupon those who had + been too troubled before to notice him, bethought themselves of him, and + sent him to bed, rebellious at having to go so early. + </p> + <p> + He remembered how the next morning, looking out of a window high up under + the eaves, he saw a great troop of horsemen come riding into the courtyard + beneath, where a powdering of snow had whitened everything, and of how the + leader, a knight clad in black armor, dismounted and entered the great + hall door-way below, followed by several of the band. + </p> + <p> + He remembered how some of the castle women were standing in a frightened + group upon the landing of the stairs, talking together in low voices about + a matter he did not understand, excepting that the armed men who had + ridden into the courtyard had come for Sir John Dale. None of the women + paid any attention to him; so, shunning their notice, he ran off down the + winding stairs, expecting every moment to be called back again by some one + of them. + </p> + <p> + A crowd of castle people, all very serious and quiet, were gathered in the + hall, where a number of strange men-at-arms lounged upon the benches, + while two billmen in steel caps and leathern jacks stood guarding the + great door, the butts of their weapons resting upon the ground, and the + staves crossed, barring the door-way. + </p> + <p> + In the anteroom was the knight in black armor whom Myles had seen from the + window. He was sitting at the table, his great helmet lying upon the bench + beside him, and a quart beaker of spiced wine at his elbow. A clerk sat at + the other end of the same table, with inkhorn in one hand and pen in the + other, and a parchment spread in front of him. + </p> + <p> + Master Robert, the castle steward, stood before the knight, who every now + and then put to him a question, which the other would answer, and the + clerk write the answer down upon the parchment. + </p> + <p> + His father stood with his back to the fireplace, looking down upon the + floor with his blind eyes, his brows drawn moodily together, and the scar + of the great wound that he had received at the tournament at York—the + wound that had made him blind—showing red across his forehead, as it + always did when he was angered or troubled. + </p> + <p> + There was something about it all that frightened Myles, who crept to his + father's side, and slid his little hand into the palm that hung limp and + inert. In answer to the touch, his father grasped the hand tightly, but + did not seem otherwise to notice that he was there. Neither did the black + knight pay any attention to him, but continued putting his questions to + Master Robert. + </p> + <p> + Then, suddenly, there was a commotion in the hall without, loud voices, + and a hurrying here and there. The black knight half arose, grasping a + heavy iron mace that lay upon the bench beside him, and the next moment + Sir John Dale himself, as pale as death, walked into the antechamber. He + stopped in the very middle of the room. “I yield me to my Lord's grace and + mercy,” said he to the black knight, and they were the last words he ever + uttered in this world. + </p> + <p> + The black knight shouted out some words of command, and swinging up the + iron mace in his hand, strode forward clanking towards Sir John, who + raised his arm as though to shield himself from the blow. Two or three of + those who stood in the hall without came running into the room with drawn + swords and bills, and little Myles, crying out with terror, hid his face + in his father's long gown. + </p> + <p> + The next instant came the sound of a heavy blow and of a groan, then + another blow and the sound of one falling upon the ground. Then the + clashing of steel, and in the midst Lord Falworth crying, in a dreadful + voice, “Thou traitor! thou coward! thou murderer!” + </p> + <p> + Master Robert snatched Myles away from his father, and bore him out of the + room in spite of his screams and struggles, and he remembered just one + instant's sight of Sir John lying still and silent upon his face, and of + the black knight standing above him, with the terrible mace in his hand + stained a dreadful red. + </p> + <p> + It was the next day that Lord and Lady Falworth and little Myles, together + with three of the more faithful of their people, left the castle. + </p> + <p> + His memory of past things held a picture for Myles of old Diccon Bowman + standing over him in the silence of midnight with a lighted lamp in his + hand, and with it a recollection of being bidden to hush when he would + have spoken, and of being dressed by Diccon and one of the women, + bewildered with sleep, shuddering and chattering with cold. + </p> + <p> + He remembered being wrapped in the sheepskin that lay at the foot of his + bed, and of being carried in Diccon Bowman's arms down the silent darkness + of the winding stair-way, with the great black giant shadows swaying and + flickering upon the stone wall as the dull flame of the lamp swayed and + flickered in the cold breathing of the night air. + </p> + <p> + Below were his father and mother and two or three others. A stranger stood + warming his hands at a newly-made fire, and little Myles, as he peeped + from out the warm sheepskin, saw that he was in riding-boots and was + covered with mud. He did not know till long years afterwards that the + stranger was a messenger sent by a friend at the King's court, bidding his + father fly for safety. + </p> + <p> + They who stood there by the red blaze of the fire were all very still, + talking in whispers and walking on tiptoes, and Myles's mother hugged him + in her arms, sheepskin and all, kissing him, with the tears streaming down + her cheeks, and whispering to him, as though he could understand their + trouble, that they were about to leave their home forever. + </p> + <p> + Then Diccon Bowman carried him out into the strangeness of the winter + midnight. + </p> + <p> + Outside, beyond the frozen moat, where the osiers, stood stark and stiff + in their winter nakedness, was a group of dark figures waiting for them + with horses. In the pallid moonlight Myles recognized the well-known face + of Father Edward, the Prior of St. Mary's. + </p> + <p> + After that came a long ride through that silent night upon the saddle-bow + in front of Diccon Bowman; then a deep, heavy sleep, that fell upon him in + spite of the galloping of the horses. + </p> + <p> + When next he woke the sun was shining, and his home and his whole life + were changed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 2 + </h2> + <p> + From the time the family escaped from Falworth Castle that midwinter night + to the time Myles was sixteen years old he knew nothing of the great world + beyond Crosbey-Dale. A fair was held twice in a twelvemonth at the + market-town of Wisebey, and three times in the seven years old Diccon + Bowman took the lad to see the sights at that place. Beyond these three + glimpses of the outer world he lived almost as secluded a life as one of + the neighboring monks of St. Mary's Priory. + </p> + <p> + Crosbey-Holt, their new home, was different enough from Falworth or + Easterbridge Castle, the former baronial seats of Lord Falworth. It was a + long, low, straw-thatched farm-house, once, when the church lands were + divided into two holdings, one of the bailiff's houses. All around were + the fruitful farms of the priory, tilled by well-to-do tenant holders, and + rich with fields of waving grain, and meadow-lands where sheep and cattle + grazed in flocks and herds; for in those days the church lands were under + church rule, and were governed by church laws, and there, when war and + famine and waste and sloth blighted the outside world, harvests flourished + and were gathered, and sheep were sheared and cows were milked in peace + and quietness. + </p> + <p> + The Prior of St. Mary's owed much if not all of the church's prosperity to + the blind Lord Falworth, and now he was paying it back with a haven of + refuge from the ruin that his former patron had brought upon himself by + giving shelter to Sir John Dale. + </p> + <p> + I fancy that most boys do not love the grinding of school life—the + lessons to be conned, the close application during study hours. It is not + often pleasant to brisk, lively lads to be so cooped up. I wonder what the + boys of to-day would have thought of Myles's training. With him that + training was not only of the mind, but of the body as well, and for seven + years it was almost unremitting. “Thou hast thine own way to make in the + world, sirrah,” his father said more than once when the boy complained of + the grinding hardness of his life, and to make one's way in those days + meant a thousand times more than it does now; it meant not only a heart to + feel and a brain to think, but a hand quick and strong to strike in + battle, and a body tough to endure the wounds and blows in return. And so + it was that Myles's body as well as his mind had to be trained to meet the + needs of the dark age in which he lived. + </p> + <p> + Every morning, winter or summer, rain or shine he tramped away six long + miles to the priory school, and in the evenings his mother taught him + French. + </p> + <p> + Myles, being prejudiced in the school of thought of his day, rebelled not + a little at that last branch of his studies. “Why must I learn that vile + tongue?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Call it not vile,” said the blind old Lord, grimly; “belike, when thou + art grown a man, thou'lt have to seek thy fortune in France land, for + England is haply no place for such as be of Falworth blood.” And in + after-years, true to his father's prediction, the “vile tongue” served him + well. + </p> + <p> + As for his physical training, that pretty well filled up the hours between + his morning studies at the monastery and his evening studies at home. Then + it was that old Diccon Bowman took him in hand, than whom none could be + better fitted to shape his young body to strength and his hands to skill + in arms. The old bowman had served with Lord Falworth's father under the + Black Prince both in France and Spain, and in long years of war had gained + a practical knowledge of arms that few could surpass. Besides the use of + the broadsword, the short sword, the quarter-staff, and the cudgel, he + taught Myles to shoot so skilfully with the long-bow and the cross-bow + that not a lad in the country-side was his match at the village butts. + Attack and defence with the lance, and throwing the knife and dagger were + also part of his training. + </p> + <p> + Then, in addition to this more regular part of his physical training, + Myles was taught in another branch not so often included in the military + education of the day—the art of wrestling. It happened that a fellow + lived in Crosbey village, by name Ralph-the-Smith, who was the greatest + wrestler in the country-side, and had worn the champion belt for three + years. Every Sunday afternoon, in fair weather, he came to teach Myles the + art, and being wonderfully adept in bodily feats, he soon grew so quick + and active and firm-footed that he could cast any lad under twenty years + of age living within a range of five miles. + </p> + <p> + “It is main ungentle armscraft that he learneth,” said Lord Falworth one + day to Prior Edward. “Saving only the broadsword, the dagger, and the + lance, there is but little that a gentleman of his strain may use. + Neth'less, he gaineth quickness and suppleness, and if he hath true blood + in his veins he will acquire knightly arts shrewdly quick when the time + cometh to learn them.” + </p> + <p> + But hard and grinding as Myles's life was, it was not entirely without + pleasures. There were many boys living in Crosbey-Dale and the village; + yeomen's and farmers' sons, to be sure, but, nevertheless, lads of his own + age, and that, after all, is the main requirement for friendship in + boyhood's world. Then there was the river to bathe in; there were the + hills and valleys to roam over, and the wold and woodland, with their + wealth of nuts and birds'-nests and what not of boyhood's treasures. + </p> + <p> + Once he gained a triumph that for many a day was very sweet under the + tongue of his memory. As was said before, he had been three times to the + market-town at fair-time, and upon the last of these occasions he had + fought a bout of quarterstaff with a young fellow of twenty, and had been + the conqueror. He was then only a little over fourteen years old. + </p> + <p> + Old Diccon, who had gone with him to the fair, had met some cronies of his + own, with whom he had sat gossiping in the ale-booth, leaving Myles for + the nonce to shift for himself. By-and-by the old man had noticed a crowd + gathered at one part of the fair-ground, and, snuffing a fight, had gone + running, ale-pot in hand. Then, peering over the shoulders of the crowd, + he had seen his young master, stripped to the waist, fighting like a + gladiator with a fellow a head taller than himself. Diccon was about to + force his way through the crowd and drag them asunder, but a second look + had showed his practised eye that Myles was not only holding his own, but + was in the way of winning the victory. So he had stood with the others + looking on, withholding himself from any interference and whatever + upbraiding might be necessary until the fight had been brought to a + triumphant close. Lord Falworth never heard directly of the redoubtable + affair, but old Diccon was not so silent with the common folk of + Crosbey-Dale, and so no doubt the father had some inkling of what had + happened. It was shortly after this notable event that Myles was formally + initiated into squirehood. His father and mother, as was the custom, stood + sponsors for him. By them, each bearing a lighted taper, he was escorted + to the altar. It was at St. Mary's Priory, and Prior Edward blessed the + sword and girded it to the lad's side. No one was present but the four, + and when the good Prior had given the benediction and had signed the cross + upon his forehead, Myles's mother stooped and kissed his brow just where + the priest's finger had drawn the holy sign. Her eyes brimmed bright with + tears as she did so. Poor lady! perhaps she only then and for the first + time realized how big her fledgling was growing for his nest. Henceforth + Myles had the right to wear a sword. + </p> + <p> + Myles had ended his fifteenth year. He was a bonny lad, with brown face, + curling hair, a square, strong chin, and a pair of merry laughing blue + eyes; his shoulders were broad; his chest was thick of girth; his muscles + and thews were as tough as oak. + </p> + <p> + The day upon which he was sixteen years old, as he came whistling home + from the monastery school he was met by Diccon Bowman. + </p> + <p> + “Master Myles,” said the old man, with a snuffle in his voice—“Master + Myles, thy father would see thee in his chamber, and bade me send thee to + him as soon as thou didst come home. Oh, Master Myles, I fear me that + belike thou art going to leave home to-morrow day.” + </p> + <p> + Myles stopped short. “To leave home!” he cried. + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said old Diccon, “belike thou goest to some grand castle to live + there, and be a page there and what not, and then, haply, a + gentleman-at-arms in some great lord's pay.” + </p> + <p> + “What coil is this about castles and lords and gentlemen-at-arms?” said + Myles. “What talkest thou of, Diccon? Art thou jesting?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Diccon, “I am not jesting. But go to thy father, and then thou + wilt presently know all. Only this I do say, that it is like thou leavest + us to-morrow day.” + </p> + <p> + And so it was as Diccon had said; Myles was to leave home the very next + morning. He found his father and mother and Prior Edward together, waiting + for his coming. + </p> + <p> + “We three have been talking it over this morning,” said his father, “and + so think each one that the time hath come for thee to quit this poor home + of ours. An thou stay here ten years longer, thou'lt be no more fit to go + then than now. To-morrow I will give thee a letter to my kinsman, the Earl + of Mackworth. He has thriven in these days and I have fallen away, but + time was that he and I were true sworn companions, and plighted together + in friendship never to be sundered. Methinks, as I remember him, he will + abide by his plighted troth, and will give thee his aid to rise in the + world. So, as I said, to-morrow morning thou shalt set forth with Diccon + Bowman, and shall go to Castle Devlen, and there deliver this letter which + prayeth him to give thee a place in his household. Thou mayst have this + afternoon to thyself to make read such things as thou shalt take with + thee. And bid me Diccon to take the gray horse to the village and have it + shod.” + </p> + <p> + Prior Edward had been standing looking out of the window. As Lord Falworth + ended he turned. + </p> + <p> + “And, Myles,” said he, “thou wilt need some money, so I will give thee as + a loan forty shillings, which some day thou mayst return to me an thou + wilt. For this know, Myles, a man cannot do in the world without money. + Thy father hath it ready for thee in the chest, and will give it thee + to-morrow ere thou goest.” + </p> + <p> + Lord Falworth had the grim strength of manhood's hard sense to upbear him + in sending his son into the world, but the poor lady mother had nothing of + that to uphold her. No doubt it was as hard then as it is now for the + mother to see the nestling thrust from the nest to shift for itself. What + tears were shed, what words of love were spoken to the only man-child, + none but the mother and the son ever knew. + </p> + <p> + The next morning Myles and the old bowman rode away, and no doubt to the + boy himself the dark shadows of leave-taking were lost in the golden light + of hope as he rode out into the great world to seek his fortune. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 3 + </h2> + <p> + WHAT MYLES remembered of Falworth loomed great and grand and big, as + things do in the memory of childhood, but even memory could not make + Falworth the equal of Devlen Castle, when, as he and Diccon Bowman rode + out of Devlentown across the great, rude stone bridge that spanned the + river, he first saw, rising above the crowns of the trees, those huge + hoary walls, and the steep roofs and chimneys clustered thickly together, + like the roofs and chimneys of a town. + </p> + <p> + The castle was built upon a plateau-like rise of ground, which was + enclosed by the outer wall. It was surrounded on three sides by a + loop-like bend of the river, and on the fourth was protected by a deep, + broad, artificial moat, almost as wide as the stream from which it was + fed. The road from the town wound for a little distance along by the edge + of this moat. As Myles and the old bowman galloped by, with the answering + echo of their horses' hoof-beats rattling back from the smooth stone face + of the walls, the lad looked up, wondering at the height and strength of + the great ancient fortress. In his air-castle building Myles had pictured + the Earl receiving him as the son of his one-time comrade in arms—receiving + him, perhaps, with somewhat of the rustic warmth that he knew at + Crosbey-Dale; but now, as he stared at those massive walls from below, and + realized his own insignificance and the greatness of this great Earl, he + felt the first keen, helpless ache of homesickness shoot through his + breast, and his heart yearned for Crosbey-Holt again. + </p> + <p> + Then they thundered across the bridge that spanned the moat, and through + the dark shadows of the great gaping gate-way, and Diccon, bidding him + stay for a moment, rode forward to bespeak the gate-keeper. + </p> + <p> + The gate-keeper gave the two in charge of one of the men-at-arms who were + lounging upon a bench in the archway, who in turn gave them into the care + of one of the house-servants in the outer court-yard. So, having been + passed from one to another, and having answered many questions, Myles in + due time found himself in the outer waiting-room sitting beside Diccon + Bowman upon a wooden bench that stood along the wall under the great arch + of a glazed window. + </p> + <p> + For a while the poor country lad sat stupidly bewildered. He was aware of + people coming and going; he was aware of talk and laughter sounding around + him; but he thought of nothing but his aching homesickness and the + oppression of his utter littleness in the busy life of this great castle. + </p> + <p> + Meantime old Diccon Bowman was staring about him with huge interest, every + now and then nudging his young master, calling his attention now to this + and now to that, until at last the lad began to awaken somewhat from his + despondency to the things around. Besides those servants and others who + came and went, and a knot of six or eight men-at-arms with bills and + pole-axes, who stood at the farther door-way talking together in low + tones, now and then broken by a stifled laugh, was a group of four young + squires, who lounged upon a bench beside a door-way hidden by an arras, + and upon them Myles's eyes lit with a sudden interest. Three of the four + were about his own age, one was a year or two older, and all four were + dressed in the black-and-yellow uniform of the house of Beaumont. + </p> + <p> + Myles plucked the bowman by the sleeve. “Be they squires, Diccon?” said + he, nodding towards the door. + </p> + <p> + “Eh?” said Diccon. “Aye; they be squires.” + </p> + <p> + “And will my station be with them?” asked the boy. + </p> + <p> + “Aye; an the Earl take thee to service, thou'lt haply be taken as squire.” + </p> + <p> + Myles stared at them, and then of a sudden was aware that the young men + were talking of him. He knew it by the way they eyed him askance, and + spoke now and then in one another's ears. One of the four, a gay young + fellow, with long riding-boots laced with green laces, said a few words, + the others gave a laugh, and poor Myles, knowing how ungainly he must seem + to them, felt the blood rush to his cheeks, and shyly turned his head. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly, as though stirred by an impulse, the same lad who had just + created the laugh arose from the bench, and came directly across the room + to where Myles and the bowman sat. + </p> + <p> + “Give thee good-den,” said he. “What be'st thy name and whence comest + thou, an I may make bold so to ask?” + </p> + <p> + “My name is Myles Falworth,” said Myles; “and I come from Crosbey-Dale + bearing a letter to my Lord.” + </p> + <p> + “Never did I hear of Crosbey-Dale,” said the squire. “But what seekest + here, if so be I may ask that much?” + </p> + <p> + “I come seeking service,” said Myles, “and would enter as an esquire such + as ye be in my Lord's household.” + </p> + <p> + Myles's new acquaintance grinned. “Thou'lt make a droll squire to wait in + a Lord's household,” said he. “Hast ever been in such service?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles, “I have only been at school, and learned Latin and + French and what not. But Diccon Bowman here hath taught me use of arms.” + </p> + <p> + The young squire laughed outright. “By'r Lady, thy talk doth tickle me, + friend Myles,” said he. “Think'st thou such matters will gain thee footing + here? But stay! Thou didst say anon that thou hadst a letter to my Lord. + From whom is it?” + </p> + <p> + “It is from my father,” said Myles. “He is of noble blood, but fallen in + estate. He is a kinsman of my Lord's, and one time his comrade in arms.” + </p> + <p> + “Sayst so?” said the other. “Then mayhap thy chances are not so ill, after + all.” Then, after a moment, he added: “My name is Francis Gascoyne, and I + will stand thy friend in this matter. Get thy letter ready, for my Lord + and his Grace of York are within and come forth anon. The Archbishop is on + his way to Dalworth, and my Lord escorts him so far as Uppingham. I and + those others are to go along. Dost thou know my Lord by sight?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles, “I know him not.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I will tell thee when he cometh. Listen!” said he, as a confused + clattering sounded in the court-yard without. “Yonder are the horses now. + They come presently. Busk thee with thy letter, friend Myles.” + </p> + <p> + The attendants who passed through the anteroom now came and went more + hurriedly, and Myles knew that the Earl must be about to come forth. He + had hardly time to untie his pouch, take out the letter, and tie the + strings again when the arras at the door-way was thrust suddenly aside, + and a tall thin squire of about twenty came forth, said some words to the + young men upon the bench, and then withdrew again. Instantly the squires + arose and took their station beside the door-way. A sudden hush fell upon + all in the room, and the men-at-arms stood in a line against the wall, + stiff and erect as though all at once transformed to figures of iron. Once + more the arras was drawn back, and in the hush Myles heard voices in the + other room. + </p> + <p> + “My Lord cometh,” whispered Gascoyne in his ear, and Myles felt his heart + leap in answer. + </p> + <p> + The next moment two noblemen came into the anteroom followed by a crowd of + gentlemen, squires, and pages. One of the two was a dignitary of the + Church; the other Myles instantly singled out as the Earl of Mackworth. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 4 + </h2> + <p> + He was a tall man, taller even than Myles's father. He had a thin face, + deep-set bushy eyebrows, and a hawk nose. His upper lip was clean shaven, + but from his chin a flowing beard of iron-gray hung nearly to his waist. + He was clad in a riding-gown of black velvet that hung a little lower than + the knee, trimmed with otter fur and embroidered with silver goshawks—the + crest of the family of Beaumont. + </p> + <p> + A light shirt of link mail showed beneath the gown as he walked, and a + pair of soft undressed leather riding-boots were laced as high as the + knee, protecting his scarlet hose from mud and dirt. Over his shoulders he + wore a collar of enamelled gold, from which hung a magnificent jewelled + pendant, and upon his fist he carried a beautiful Iceland falcon. + </p> + <p> + As Myles stood staring, he suddenly heard Gascoyne's voice whisper in his + ear, “Yon is my Lord; go forward and give him thy letter.” + </p> + <p> + Scarcely knowing what he did, he walked towards the Earl like a machine, + his heart pounding within him and a great humming in his ears. As he drew + near, the nobleman stopped for a moment and stared at him, and Myles, as + in a dream, kneeled, and presented the letter. The Earl took it in his + hand, turned it this way and that, looked first at the bearer, then at the + packet, and then at the bearer again. + </p> + <p> + “Who art thou?” said he; “and what is the matter thou wouldst have of me?” + </p> + <p> + “I am Myles Falworth,” said the lad, in a low voice; “and I come seeking + service with you.” + </p> + <p> + The Earl drew his thick eyebrows quickly together, and shot a keen look at + the lad. “Falworth?” said he, sharply—“Falworth? I know no + Falworth!” + </p> + <p> + “The letter will tell you,” said Myles. “It is from one once dear to you.” + </p> + <p> + The Earl took the letter, and handing it to a gentleman who stood near, + bade him break the seal. “Thou mayst stand,” said he to Myles; “needst not + kneel there forever.” Then, taking the opened parchment again, he glanced + first at the face and then at the back, and, seeing its length, looked + vexed. Then he read for an earnest moment or two, skipping from line to + line. Presently he folded the letter and thrust it into the pouch at his + side. “So it is, your Grace,” said he to the lordly prelate, “that we who + have luck to rise in the world must ever suffer by being plagued at all + times and seasons. Here is one I chanced to know a dozen years ago, who + thinks he hath a claim upon me, and saddles me with his son. I must e'en + take the lad, too, for the sake of peace and quietness.” He glanced + around, and seeing Gascoyne, who had drawn near, beckoned to him. “Take me + this fellow,” said he, “to the buttery, and see him fed; and then to Sir + James Lee, and have his name entered in the castle books. And stay, + sirrah,” he added; “bid me Sir James, if it may be so done, to enter him + as a squire-at-arms. Methinks he will be better serving so than in the + household, for he appeareth a soothly rough cub for a page.” + </p> + <p> + Myles did look rustic enough, standing clad in frieze in the midst of that + gay company, and a murmur of laughter sounded around, though he was too + bewildered to fully understand that he was the cause of the merriment. + Then some hand drew him back—it was Gascoyne's—there was a + bustle of people passing, and the next minute they were gone, and Myles + and old Diccon Bowman and the young squire were left alone in the + anteroom. + </p> + <p> + Gascoyne looked very sour and put out. “Murrain upon it!” said he; “here + is good sport spoiled for me to see thee fed. I wish no ill to thee, + friend, but I would thou hadst come this afternoon or to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “Methinks I bring trouble and dole to every one,” said Myles, somewhat + bitterly. “It would have been better had I never come to this place, + methinks.” + </p> + <p> + His words and tone softened Gascoyne a little. “Ne'er mind,” said the + squire; “it was not thy fault, and is past mending now. So come and fill + thy stomach, in Heaven's name.” + </p> + <p> + Perhaps not the least hard part of the whole trying day for Myles was his + parting with Diccon. Gascoyne and he had accompanied the old retainer to + the outer gate, in the archway of which they now stood; for without a + permit they could go no farther. The old bowman led by the bridle-rein the + horse upon which Myles had ridden that morning. His own nag, a vicious + brute, was restive to be gone, but Diccon held him in with tight rein. He + reached down, and took Myles's sturdy brown hand in his crooked, knotted + grasp. + </p> + <p> + “Farewell, young master,” he croaked, tremulously, with a watery glimmer + in his pale eyes. “Thou wilt not forget me when I am gone?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles; “I will not forget thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Aye, aye,” said the old man, looking down at him, and shaking his head + slowly from side to side; “thou art a great tall sturdy fellow now, yet + have I held thee on my knee many and many's the time, and dandled thee + when thou wert only a little weeny babe. Be still, thou devil's limb!” he + suddenly broke off, reining back his restive raw-boned steed, which began + again to caper and prance. Myles was not sorry for the interruption; he + felt awkward and abashed at the parting, and at the old man's + reminiscences, knowing that Gascoyne's eyes were resting amusedly upon the + scene, and that the men-at-arms were looking on. Certainly old Diccon did + look droll as he struggled vainly with his vicious high-necked nag. “Nay, + a murrain on thee! an' thou wilt go, go!” cried he at last, with a savage + dig of his heels into the animal's ribs, and away they clattered, the + led-horse kicking up its heels as a final parting, setting Gascoyne fairly + alaughing. At the bend of the road the old man turned and nodded his head; + the next moment he had disappeared around the angle of the wall, and it + seemed to Myles, as he stood looking after him, as though the last thread + that bound him to his old life had snapped and broken. As he turned he saw + that Gascoyne was looking at him. + </p> + <p> + “Dost feel downhearted?” said the young squire, curiously. + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles, brusquely. Nevertheless his throat was tight and dry, + and the word came huskily in spite of himself. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 5 + </h2> + <p> + THE EARL of Mackworth, as was customary among the great lords in those + days, maintained a small army of knights, gentlemen, men-at-arms, and + retainers, who were expected to serve him upon all occasions of need, and + from whom were supplied his quota of recruits to fill such levies as might + be made upon him by the King in time of war. + </p> + <p> + The knights and gentlemen of this little army of horse and foot soldiers + were largely recruited from the company of squires and bachelors, as the + young novitiate soldiers of the castle were called. + </p> + <p> + This company of esquires consisted of from eighty to ninety lads, ranging + in age from eight to twenty years. Those under fourteen years were termed + pages, and served chiefly the Countess and her waiting gentlewomen, in + whose company they acquired the graces and polish of the times, such as + they were. After reaching the age of fourteen the lads were entitled to + the name of esquire or squire. + </p> + <p> + In most of the great houses of the time the esquires were the especial + attendants upon the Lord and Lady of the house, holding such positions as + body-squires, cup-bearers, carvers, and sometimes the office of + chamberlain. But Devlen, like some other of the princely castles of the + greatest nobles, was more like a military post or a fortress than an + ordinary household. Only comparatively few of the esquires could be used + in personal attendance upon the Earl; the others were trained more + strictly in arms, and served rather in the capacity of a sort of + body-guard than as ordinary squires. For, as the Earl rose in power and + influence, and as it so became well worth while for the lower nobility and + gentry to enter their sons in his family, the body of squires became + almost cumbersomely large. Accordingly, that part which comprised the + squires proper, as separate from the younger pages, was divided into three + classes—first, squires of the body, who were those just past + pagehood, and who waited upon the Earl in personal service; second, + squires of the household, who, having regular hours assigned for exercise + in the manual of arms, were relieved from personal service excepting upon + especial occasions; and thirdly and lastly, at the head of the whole body + of lads, a class called bachelors—young men ranging from eighteen to + twenty years of age. This class was supposed to exercise a sort of + government over the other and younger squires—to keep them in order + as much as possible, to marshal them upon occasions of importance, to see + that their arms and equipments were kept in good order, to call the roll + for chapel in the morning, and to see that those not upon duty in the + house were present at the daily exercise at arms. Orders to the squires + were generally transmitted through the bachelors, and the head of that + body was expected to make weekly reports of affairs in their quarters to + the chief captain of the body. + </p> + <p> + From this overlordship of the bachelors there had gradually risen a system + of fagging, such as is or was practised in the great English public + schools—enforced services exacted from the younger lads—which + at the time Myles came to Devlen had, in the five or six years it had been + in practice, grown to be an absolute though unwritten law of the body—a + law supported by all the prestige of long-continued usage. At that time + the bachelors numbered but thirteen, yet they exercised over the rest of + the sixty-four squires and pages a rule of iron, and were taskmasters, + hard, exacting, and oftentimes cruel. + </p> + <p> + The whole company of squires and pages was under the supreme command of a + certain one-eyed knight, by name Sir James Lee; a soldier seasoned by the + fire of a dozen battles, bearing a score of wounds won in fight and + tourney, and withered by hardship and labor to a leather-like toughness. + He had fought upon the King's side in all the late wars, and had at + Shrewsbury received a wound that unfitted him for active service, so that + now he was fallen to the post of Captain of Esquires at Devlen Castle—a + man disappointed in life, and with a temper imbittered by that failure as + well as by cankering pain. + </p> + <p> + Yet Perhaps no one could have been better fitted for the place he held + than Sir James Lee. The lads under his charge were a rude, rough, unruly + set, quick, like their elders, to quarrel, and to quarrel fiercely, even + to the drawing of sword or dagger. But there was a cold, iron sternness + about the grim old man that quelled them, as the trainer with a lash of + steel might quell a den of young wolves. The apartments in which he was + lodged, with his clerk, were next in the dormitory of the lads, and even + in the midst of the most excited brawlings the distant sound of his harsh + voice, “Silence, messieurs!” would bring an instant hush to the loudest + uproar. + </p> + <p> + It was into his grim presence that Myles was introduced by Gascoyne. Sir + James was in his office, a room bare of ornament or adornment or + superfluous comfort of any sort—without even so much as a mat of + rushes upon the cold stone pavement to make it less cheerless. The old + one-eyed knight sat gnawing his bristling mustaches. To anyone who knew + him it would have been apparent that, as the castle phrase went, “the + devil sat astride of his neck,” which meant that some one of his blind + wounds was aching more sorely than usual. + </p> + <p> + His clerk sat beside him, with account-books and parchment spread upon the + table, and the head squire, Walter Blunt, a lad some three or four years + older than Myles, and half a head taller, black-browed, powerfully built, + and with cheek and chin darkened by the soft budding of his adolescent + beard, stood making his report. + </p> + <p> + Sir James listened in grim silence while Gascoyne told his errand. + </p> + <p> + “So, then, pardee, I am bid to take another one of ye, am I?” he snarled. + “As though ye caused me not trouble enow; and this one a cub, looking a + very boor in carriage and breeding. Mayhap the Earl thinketh I am to train + boys to his dilly-dally household service as well as to use of arms.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said Gascoyne, timidly, “my Lord sayeth he would have this one + entered direct as a squire of the body, so that he need not serve in the + household.” + </p> + <p> + “Sayest so?” cried Sir James, harshly. “Then take thou my message back + again to thy Lord. Not for Mackworth—no, nor a better man than he—will + I make any changes in my government. An I be set to rule a pack of boys, I + will rule them as I list, and not according to any man's bidding. Tell + him, sirrah, that I will enter no lad as squire of the body without first + testing an he be fit at arms to hold that place.” He sat for a while + glowering at Myles and gnawing his mustaches, and for the time no one + dared to break the grim silence. “What is thy name?” said he, suddenly. + And then, almost before Myles could answer, he asked the head squire + whether he could find a place to lodge him. + </p> + <p> + “There is Gillis Whitlock's cot empty,” said Blunt. “He is in the + infirmary, and belike goeth home again when he cometh thence. The fever + hath gotten into his bones, and—” + </p> + <p> + “That will do,” said the knight, interrupting him impatiently. “Let him + take that place, or any other that thou hast. And thou, Jerome,” said he + to his clerk, “thou mayst enter him upon the roll, though whether it be as + page or squire or bachelor shall be as I please, and not as Mackworth + biddeth me. Now get ye gone.” + </p> + <p> + “Old Bruin's wound smarteth him sore,” Gascoyne observed, as the two lads + walked across the armory court. He had good-naturedly offered to show the + new-comer the many sights of interest around the castle, and in the hour + or so of ramble that followed, the two grew from acquaintances to friends + with a quickness that boyhood alone can bring about. They visited the + armory, the chapel, the stables, the great hall, the Painted Chamber, the + guard-house, the mess-room, and even the scullery and the kitchen, with + its great range of boilers and furnaces and ovens. Last of all Myles's new + friend introduced him to the armor-smithy. + </p> + <p> + “My Lord hath sent a piece of Milan armor thither to be repaired,” said + he. “Belike thou would like to see it.” + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said Myles, eagerly, “that would I.” + </p> + <p> + The smith was a gruff, good-natured fellow, and showed the piece of armor + to Myles readily and willingly enough. It was a beautiful bascinet of + inlaid workmanship, and was edged with a rim of gold. Myles scarcely dared + touch it; he gazed at it with an unconcealed delight that warmed the + smith's honest heart. + </p> + <p> + “I have another piece of Milan here,” said he. “Did I ever show thee my + dagger, Master Gascoyne?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said the squire. + </p> + <p> + The smith unlocked a great oaken chest in the corner of the shop, lifted + the lid, and brought thence a beautiful dagger with the handle of ebony + and silver-gilt, and a sheath of Spanish leather, embossed and gilt. The + keen, well-tempered blade was beautifully engraved and inlaid with + niello-work, representing a group of figures in a then popular subject—the + dance of Death. It was a weapon at once unique and beautiful, and even + Gascoyne showed an admiration scarcely less keen than Myles's + openly-expressed delight. + </p> + <p> + “To whom doth it belong?” said he, trying the point upon his thumb nail. + </p> + <p> + “There,” said the smith, “is the jest of the whole, for it belongeth to + me. Sir William Beauclerk bade me order the weapon through Master + Gildersworthy, of London town, and by the time it came hither, lo! he had + died, and so it fell to my hands. No one here payeth the price for the + trinket, and so I must e'en keep it myself, though I be but a poor man.” + </p> + <p> + “How much dost thou hold it for?” said Gascoyne. + </p> + <p> + “Seventeen shillings buyeth it,” said the armorer, carelessly. + </p> + <p> + “Aye, aye,” said Gascoyne, with a sigh; “so it is to be poor, and not be + able to have such things as one loveth and would fain possess. Seventeen + shillings is nigh as much by half again as all my yearly wage.” + </p> + <p> + Then a sudden thought came to Myles, and as it came his cheeks glowed as + hot as fire “Master Gascoyne,” said he, with gruff awkwardness, “thou hast + been a very good, true friend to me since I have come to this place, and + hast befriended me in all ways thou mightest do, and I, as well I know, + but a poor rustic clod. Now I have forty shillings by me which I may spend + as I list, and so I do beseech thee that thou wilt take yon dagger of me + as a love-gift, and have and hold it for thy very own.” + </p> + <p> + Gascoyne stared open-mouthed at Myles. “Dost mean it?” said he, at last. + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said Myles, “I do mean it. Master Smith, give him the blade.” + </p> + <p> + At first the smith grinned, thinking it all a jest; but he soon saw that + Myles was serious enough, and when the seventeen shillings were produced + and counted down upon the anvil, he took off his cap and made Myles a low + bow as he swept them into his pouch. “Now, by my faith and troth,” quoth + he, “that I do call a true lordly gift. Is it not so, Master Gascoyne?” + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said Gascoyne, with a gulp, “it is, in soothly earnest.” And + thereupon, to Myles's great wonderment, he suddenly flung his arms about + his neck, and, giving him a great hug, kissed him upon the cheek. “Dear + Myles,” said he, “I tell thee truly and of a verity I did feel warm + towards thee from the very first time I saw thee sitting like a poor oaf + upon the bench up yonder in the anteroom, and now of a sooth I give thee + assurance that I do love thee as my own brother. Yea, I will take the + dagger, and will stand by thee as a true friend from this time forth. + Mayhap thou mayst need a true friend in this place ere thou livest long + with us, for some of us esquires be soothly rough, and knocks are more + plenty here than broad pennies, so that one new come is like to have a + hard time gaining a footing.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank thee,” said Myles, “for thy offer of love and friendship, and do + tell thee, upon my part, that I also of all the world would like best to + have thee for my friend.” + </p> + <p> + Such was the manner In which Myles formed the first great friendship of + his life, a friendship that was destined to last him through many years to + come. As the two walked back across the great quadrangle, upon which + fronted the main buildings of the castle, their arms were wound across one + another's shoulders, after the manner, as a certain great writer says, of + boys and lovers. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 6 + </h2> + <p> + A boy's life is of a very flexible sort. It takes but a little while for + it to shape itself to any new surroundings in which it may be thrown, to + make itself new friends, to settle itself to new habits; and so it was + that Myles fell directly into the ways of the lads of Devlen. On his first + morning, as he washed his face and hands with the other squires and pages + in a great tank of water in the armory court-yard, he presently found + himself splashing and dashing with the others, laughing and shouting as + loud as any, and calling some by their Christian names as though he had + known them for years instead of overnight. During chapel he watched with + sympathetic delight the covert pranks of the youngsters during the + half-hour that Father Emmanuel droned his Latin, and with his dagger point + he carved his own name among the many cut deep into the back of the bench + before him. When, after breakfast, the squires poured like school-boys + into the great armory to answer to the roll-call for daily exercise, he + came storming in with the rest, beating the lad in front of him with his + cap. + </p> + <p> + Boys are very keen to feel the influence of a forceful character. A lad + with a strong will is quick to reach his proper level as a greater or + lesser leader among the others, and Myles was of just the masterful nature + to make his individuality felt among the Devlen squires. He was quick + enough to yield obedience upon all occasions to proper authority, but + would never bend an inch to the usurpation of tyranny. In the school at + St. Mary's Priory at Crosbey-Dale he would submit without a murmur or + offer of resistance to chastisement by old Father Ambrose, the regular + teacher; but once, when the fat old monk was sick, and a great long-legged + strapping young friar, who had temporarily taken his place, undertook to + administer punishment, Myles, with a wrestling trip, flung him sprawling + backward over a bench into the midst of a shoal of small boys amid a + hubbub of riotous confusion. He had been flogged soundly for it under the + supervision of Prior Edward himself; but so soon as his punishment was + over, he assured the prior very seriously that should like occasion again + happen he would act in the same manner, flogging or no flogging. + </p> + <p> + It was this bold, outspoken spirit that gained him at once friends and + enemies at Devlen, and though it first showed itself in what was but a + little matter, nevertheless it set a mark upon him that singled him out + from the rest, and, although he did not suspect it at the time, called to + him the attention of Sir James Lee himself, who regarded him as a lad of + free and frank spirit. + </p> + <p> + The first morning after the roll-call in the armory, as Walter Blunt, the + head bachelor, rolled up the slip of parchment, and the temporary silence + burst forth into redoubled noise and confusion, each lad arming himself + from a row of racks that stood along the wall, he beckoned Myles to him. + </p> + <p> + “My Lord himself hath spoken to Sir James Lee concerning thee,” said he. + “Sir James maintaineth that he will not enter thee into the body till thou + hast first practised for a while at the pels, and shown what thou canst do + at broadsword. Hast ever fought at the pel?” + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” answered Myles, “and that every day of my life sin I became esquire + four years ago, saving only Sundays and holy days.” + </p> + <p> + “With shield and broadsword?” + </p> + <p> + “Sometimes,” said Myles, “and sometimes with the short sword.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir James would have thee come to the tilt-yard this morn; he himself + will take thee in hand to try what thou canst do. Thou mayst take the arms + upon yonder rack, and use them until otherwise bidden. Thou seest that the + number painted above it on the wall is seventeen; that will be thy number + for the nonce.” + </p> + <p> + So Myles armed himself from his rack as the others were doing from theirs. + The armor was rude and heavy, used to accustom the body to the weight of + the iron plates rather than for any defence. It consisted of a cuirass, or + breastplate of iron, opening at the side with hinges, and catching with + hooks and eyes; epauliers, or shoulder-plates; arm-plates and leg-pieces; + and a bascinet, or open-faced helmet. A great triangular shield covered + with leather and studded with bosses of iron, and a heavy broadsword, + pointed and dulled at the edges, completed the equipment. + </p> + <p> + The practice at the pels which Myles was bidden to attend comprised the + chief exercise of the day with the esquires of young cadet soldiers of + that time, and in it they learned not only all the strokes, cuts, and + thrusts of sword-play then in vogue, but also toughness, endurance, and + elastic quickness. The pels themselves consisted of upright posts of ash + or oak, about five feet six inches in height, and in girth somewhat + thicker than a man's thigh. They were firmly planted in the ground, and + upon them the strokes of the broadsword were directed. + </p> + <p> + At Devlen the pels stood just back of the open and covered tilting courts + and the archery ranges, and thither those lads not upon household duty + were marched every morning excepting Fridays and Sundays, and were there + exercised under the direction of Sir James Lee and two assistants. The + whole company was divided into two, sometimes into three parties, each of + which took its turn at the exercise, delivering at the word of command the + various strokes, feints, attacks, and retreats as the instructors ordered. + </p> + <p> + After five minutes of this mock battle the perspiration began to pour down + the faces, and the breath to come thick and short; but it was not until + the lads could absolutely endure no more that the order was given to rest, + and they were allowed to fling themselves panting upon the ground, while + another company took its place at the triple row of posts. + </p> + <p> + As Myles struck and hacked at the pel assigned to him, Sir James Lee stood + beside him watching him in grim silence. The lad did his best to show the + knight all that he knew of upper cut, under cut, thrust, and back-hand + stroke, but it did not seem to him that Sir James was very well satisfied + with his skill. + </p> + <p> + “Thou fightest like a clodpole,” said the old man. “Ha, that stroke was + but ill-recovered. Strike me it again, and get thou in guard more + quickly.” + </p> + <p> + Myles repeated the stroke. + </p> + <p> + “Pest!” cried Sir James. “Thou art too slow by a week. Here, strike thou + the blow at me.” + </p> + <p> + Myles hesitated. Sir James held a stout staff in his hand, but otherwise + he was unarmed. + </p> + <p> + “Strike, I say!” said Sir James. “What stayest thou for? Art afeard?” + </p> + <p> + It was Myles's answer that set the seal of individuality upon him. “Nay,” + said he, boldly, “I am not afeard. I fear not thee nor any man!” So + saying, he delivered the stroke at Sir James with might and main. It was + met with a jarring blow that made his wrist and arm tingle, and the next + instant he received a stroke upon the bascinet that caused his ears to + ring and the sparks to dance and fly before his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Pardee!” said Sir James, grimly. “An I had had a mace in my hand, I would + have knocked thy cockerel brains out that time. Thou mayst take that blow + for answering me so pertly. And now we are quits. Now strike me the stroke + again an thou art not afeard.” + </p> + <p> + Myles's eyes watered in spite of himself, and he shut the lids tight to + wink the dimness away. Nevertheless he spoke up undauntedly as before. + “Aye, marry, will I strike it again,” said he; and this time he was able + to recover guard quickly enough to turn Sir James's blow with his shield, + instead of receiving it upon his head. + </p> + <p> + “So!” said Sir James. “Now mind thee of this, that when thou strikest that + lower cut at the legs, recover thyself more quickly. Now, then, strike me + it at the pel.” + </p> + <p> + Gascoyne and other of the lads who were just then lying stretched out upon + the grass beneath, a tree at the edge of the open court where stood the + pels, were interested spectators of the whole scene. Not one of them in + their memory had heard Sir James so answered face to face as Myles had + answered him, and, after all, perhaps the lad himself would not have done + so had he been longer a resident in the squires' quarters at Devlen. + </p> + <p> + “By 'r Lady! thou art a cool blade, Myles,” said Gascoyne, as they marched + back to the armory again. “Never heard I one bespeak Sir James as thou + hast done this day.” + </p> + <p> + “And, after all,” said another of the young squires, “old Bruin was not so + ill-pleased, methinks. That was a shrewd blow he fetched thee on the + crown, Falworth. Marry, I would not have had it on my own skull for a + silver penny.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 7 + </h2> + <h3> + So little does it take to make a body's reputation. + </h3> + <p> + That night all the squires' quarters buzzed with the story of how the new + boy, Falworth, had answered Sir James Lee to his face without fear, and + had exchanged blows with him hand to hand. Walter Blunt himself was moved + to some show of interest. + </p> + <p> + “What said he to thee, Falworth?” asked he. + </p> + <p> + “He said naught,” said Myles, brusquely. “He only sought to show me how to + recover from the under cut.” + </p> + <p> + “It is passing strange that he should take so much notice of thee as to + exchange blows with thee with his own hand. Haply thou art either very + quick or parlous slow at arms.” + </p> + <p> + “It is quick that he is,” said Gascoyne, speaking up in his friend's + behalf. “For the second time that Falworth delivered the stroke, Sir James + could not reach him to return; so I saw with mine own eyes.” + </p> + <p> + But that very sterling independence that had brought Myles so creditably + through this adventure was certain to embroil him with the rude, + half-savage lads about him, some of whom, especially among the bachelors, + were his superiors as well in age as in skill and training. As said + before, the bachelors had enforced from the younger boys a fagging sort of + attendance on their various personal needs, and it was upon this point + that Myles first came to grief. As it chanced, several days passed before + any demand was made upon him for service to the heads of the squirehood, + but when that demand was made, the bachelors were very quick to see that + the boy who was bold enough to speak up to Sir James Lee was not likely to + be a willing fag for them. + </p> + <p> + “I tell thee, Francis,” he said, as Gascoyne and he talked over the matter + one day—“I tell thee I will never serve them. Prithee, what shame + can be fouler than to do such menial service, saving for one's rightful + Lord?” + </p> + <p> + “Marry!” quoth Gascoyne; “I reason not of shame at this or that. All I + know is that others serve them who are haply as good and maybe better than + I be, and that if I do not serve them I get knocked i' th' head therefore, + which same goeth soothly against my stomach.” + </p> + <p> + “I judge not for thee,” said Myles. “Thou art used to these castle ways, + but only I know that I will not serve them, though they be thirty against + me instead of thirteen.” + </p> + <p> + “Then thou art a fool,” said Gascoyne, dryly. + </p> + <p> + Now in this matter of service there was one thing above all others that + stirred Myles Falworth's ill-liking. The winter before he had come to + Devlen, Walter Blunt, who was somewhat of a Sybarite in his way, and who + had a repugnance to bathing in the general tank in the open armory court + in frosty weather, had had Dick Carpenter build a trough in the corner of + the dormitory for the use of the bachelors, and every morning it was the + duty of two of the younger squires to bring three pails of water to fill + this private tank for the use of the head esquires. It was seeing two of + his fellow-esquires fetching and carrying this water that Myles disliked + so heartily, and every morning his bile was stirred anew at the sight. + </p> + <p> + “Sooner would I die than yield to such vile service,” said he. + </p> + <p> + He did not know how soon his protestations would be put to the test. + </p> + <p> + One night—it was a week or two after Myles had come to Devlen—Blunt + was called to attend the Earl at livery. The livery was the last meal of + the day, and was served with great pomp and ceremony about nine o'clock at + night to the head of the house as he lay in bed. Curfew had not yet rung, + and the lads in the squires' quarters were still wrestling and sparring + and romping boisterously in and out around the long row of rude cots in + the great dormitory as they made ready for the night. Six or eight flaring + links in wrought-iron brackets that stood out from the wall threw a great + ruddy glare through the barrack-like room—a light of all others to + romp by. Myles and Gascoyne were engaged in defending the passage-way + between their two cots against the attack of three other lads, and Myles + held his sheepskin coverlet rolled up into a ball and balanced in his + hand, ready for launching at the head of one of the others so soon as it + should rise from behind the shelter of a cot. Just then Walter Blunt, + dressed with more than usual care, passed by on his way to the Earl's + house. He stopped for a moment and said, “Mayhaps I will not be in until + late to-night. Thou and Falworth, Gascoyne, may fetch water to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + Then he was gone. Myles stood staring after his retreating figure with + eyes open and mouth agape, still holding the ball of sheepskin balanced in + his hand. Gascoyne burst into a helpless laugh at his blank, stupefied + face, but the next moment he laid his hand on his friend's shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Myles,” he said, “thou wilt not make trouble, wilt thou?” + </p> + <p> + Myles made no answer. He flung down his sheepskin and sat him gloomily + down upon the side of the cot. + </p> + <p> + “I said that I would sooner die than fetch water for them,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Aye, aye,” said Gascoyne; “but that was spoken in haste.” + </p> + <p> + Myles said nothing, but shook his head. + </p> + <p> + But, after all, circumstances shape themselves. The next morning when he + rose up through the dark waters of sleep it was to feel some one shaking + him violently by the shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Come!” cried Gascoyne, as Myles opened his eyes—“come, time + passeth, and we are late.” + </p> + <p> + Myles, bewildered with his sudden awakening, and still fuddled with the + fumes of sleep, huddled into his doublet and hose, hardly knowing what he + was doing; tying a point here and a point there, and slipping his feet + into his shoes. Then he hurried after Gascoyne, frowzy, half-dressed, and + even yet only half-awake. It was not until he was fairly out into the + fresh air and saw Gascoyne filling the three leathern buckets at the tank, + that he fully awakened to the fact that he was actually doing that hateful + service for the bachelors which he had protested he would sooner die than + render. + </p> + <p> + The sun was just rising, gilding the crown of the donjon-keep with a flame + of ruddy light. Below, among the lesser buildings, the day was still gray + and misty. Only an occasional noise broke the silence of the early + morning: a cough from one of the rooms; the rattle of a pot or a pan, + stirred by some sleepy scullion; the clapping of a door or a shutter, and + now and then the crowing of a cock back of the long row of stables—all + sounding loud and startling in the fresh dewy stillness. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast betrayed me,” said Myles, harshly, breaking the silence at + last. “I knew not what I was doing, or else I would never have come + hither. Ne'theless, even though I be come, I will not carry the water for + them.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” said Gascoyne, tartly. “An thou canst not stomach it, let be, + and I will e'en carry all three myself. It will make me two journeys, but, + thank Heaven, I am not so proud as to wish to get me hard knocks for + naught.” So saying, he picked up two of the buckets and started away + across the court for the dormitory. + </p> + <p> + Then Myles, with a lowering face, snatched up the third, and, hurrying + after, gave him his hand with the extra pail. So it was that he came to do + service, after all. + </p> + <p> + “Why tarried ye so long?” said one of the older bachelors, roughly, as the + two lads emptied the water into the wooden trough. He sat on the edge of + the cot, blowzed and untrussed, with his long hair tumbled and disordered. + </p> + <p> + His dictatorial tone stung Myles to fury. “We tarried no longer than need + be,” answered he, savagely. “Have we wings to fly withal at your bidding?” + </p> + <p> + He spoke so loudly that all in the room heard him; the younger squires who + were dressing stared in blank amazement, and Blunt sat up suddenly in his + cot. + </p> + <p> + “Why, how now?” he cried. “Answerest thou back thy betters so pertly, + sirrah? By my soul, I have a mind to crack thy head with this clog for thy + unruly talk.” + </p> + <p> + He glared at Myles as he spoke, and Myles glared back again with right + good-will. Matters might have come to a crisis, only that Gascoyne and + Wilkes dragged their friend away before he had opportunity to answer. + </p> + <p> + “An ill-conditioned knave as ever I did see,” growled Blunt, glaring after + him. + </p> + <p> + “Myles, Myles,” said Gascoyne, almost despairingly, “why wilt thou breed + such mischief for thyself? Seest thou not thou hast got thee the ill-will + of every one of the bachelors, from Wat Blunt to Robin de Ramsey?” + </p> + <p> + “I care not,” said Myles, fiercely, recurring to his grievance. “Heard ye + not how the dogs upbraided me before the whole room? That Blunt called me + an ill-conditioned knave.” + </p> + <p> + “Marry!” said Gascoyne, laughing, “and so thou art.” + </p> + <p> + Thus it is that boldness may breed one enemies as well as gain one + friends. My own notion is that one's enemies are more quick to act than + one's friends. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 8 + </h2> + <p> + Every one knows the disagreeable, lurking discomfort that follows a + quarrel—a discomfort that imbitters the very taste of life for the + time being. Such was the dull distaste that Myles felt that morning after + what had passed in the dormitory. Every one in the proximity of such an + open quarrel feels a reflected constraint, and in Myles's mind was a + disagreeable doubt whether that constraint meant disapproval of him or of + his late enemies. + </p> + <p> + It seemed to him that Gascoyne added the last bitter twang to his + unpleasant feelings when, half an hour later, they marched with the others + to chapel. + </p> + <p> + “Why dost thou breed such trouble for thyself, Myles?” said he, recurring + to what he had already said. “Is it not foolish for thee to come hither to + this place, and then not submit to the ways thereof, as the rest of us + do?” + </p> + <p> + “Thou talkest not like a true friend to chide me thus,” said Myles, + sullenly; and he withdrew his arm from his friend's. + </p> + <p> + “Marry, come up!” said Gascoyne; “an I were not thy friend, I would let + thee jog thine own way. It aches not my bones to have thine drubbed.” + </p> + <p> + Just then they entered the chapel, and words that might have led to a + quarrel were brought to a close. + </p> + <p> + Myles was not slow to see that he had the ill will of the head of their + company. That morning in the armory he had occasion to ask some question + of Blunt; the head squire stared coldly at him for a moment, gave him a + short, gruff answer, and then, turning his back abruptly, began talking + with one of the other bachelors. Myles flushed hot at the other's + insulting manner, and looked quickly around to see if any of the others + had observed what had passed. It was a comfort to him to see that all were + too busy arming themselves to think of anything else; nevertheless, his + face was very lowering as he turned away. + </p> + <p> + “Some day I will show him that I am as good a man as he,” he muttered to + himself. “An evil-hearted dog to put shame upon me!” + </p> + <p> + The storm was brewing and ready to break. + </p> + <p> + That day was exceptionally hot and close, and permission had been asked by + and granted to those squires not on duty to go down to the river for a + bath after exercise at the pels. But as Myles replaced his arms in the + rack, a little page came with a bidding to come to Sir James in his + office. + </p> + <p> + “Look now,” said Myles, “here is just my ill-fortune. Why might he not + have waited an hour longer rather than cause me to miss going with ye?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Gascoyne, “let not that grieve thee, Myles. Wilkes and I will + wait for thee in the dormitory—will we not, Edmund? Make thou haste + and go to Sir James.” + </p> + <p> + Sir James was sitting at the table studying over a scroll of parchment, + when Myles entered his office and stood before him at the table. + </p> + <p> + “Well, boy,” said he, laying aside the parchment and looking up at the + lad, “I have tried thee fairly for these few days, and may say that I have + found thee worthy to be entered upon the rolls as esquire of the body.” + </p> + <p> + “I give thee thanks, sir,” said Myles. + </p> + <p> + The knight nodded his head in acknowledgement, but did not at once give + the word of dismissal that Myles had expected. “Dost mean to write thee a + letter home soon?” said he, suddenly. + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said Myles, gaping in great wonderment at the strangeness of the + question. + </p> + <p> + “Then when thou dost so write,” said Sir James, “give thou my deep regards + to thy father.” Then he continued, after a brief pause. “Him did I know + well in times gone by, and we were right true friends in hearty love, and + for his sake I would befriend thee—that is, in so much as is + fitting.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said Myles; but Sir James held up his hand, and he stopped short in + his thanks. + </p> + <p> + “But, boy,” said he, “that which I sent for thee for to tell thee was of + more import than these. Dost thou know that thy father is an attainted + outlaw?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” cried Myles, his cheeks blazing up as red as fire; “who sayeth that + of him lieth in his teeth.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou dost mistake me,” said Sir James, quietly. “It is sometimes no shame + to be outlawed and banned. Had it been so, I would not have told thee + thereof, nor have bidden thee send my true love to thy father, as I did + but now. But, boy, certes he standest continually in great danger—greater + than thou wottest of. Were it known where he lieth hid, it might be to his + undoing and utter ruin. Methought that belike thou mightest not know that; + and so I sent for thee for to tell thee that it behoovest thee to say not + one single word concerning him to any of these new friends of thine, nor + who he is, nor what he is.” + </p> + <p> + “But how came my father to be so banned?” said Myles, in a constrained and + husky voice, and after a long time of silence. + </p> + <p> + “That I may not tell thee just now,” said the old knight, “only this—that + I have been bidden to make it known to thee that thy father hath an enemy + full as powerful as my Lord the Earl himself, and that through that enemy + all his ill-fortune—his blindness and everything—hath come. + Moreover, did this enemy know where thy father lieth, he would slay him + right speedily.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” cried Myles, violently smiting his open palm upon the table, “tell + me who this man is, and I will kill him!” + </p> + <p> + Sir James smiled grimly. “Thou talkest like a boy,” said he. “Wait until + thou art grown to be a man. Mayhap then thou mayst repent thee of these + bold words, for one time this enemy of thy father's was reckoned the + foremost knight in England, and he is now the King's dear friend and a + great lord.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” said Myles, after another long time of heavy silence, “will not my + Lord then befriend me for the sake of my father, who was one time his dear + comrade?” + </p> + <p> + Sir James shook his head. “It may not be,” said he. “Neither thou nor thy + father must look for open favor from the Earl. An he befriended Falworth, + and it came to be known that he had given him aid or succor, it might + belike be to his own undoing. No, boy; thou must not even look to be taken + into the household to serve with gentlemen as the other squires do serve, + but must even live thine own life here and fight thine own way.” + </p> + <p> + Myles's eyes blazed. “Then,” cried he, fiercely, “it is shame and attaint + upon my Lord the Earl, and cowardice as well, and never will I ask favor + of him who is so untrue a friend as to turn his back upon a comrade in + trouble as he turneth his back upon my father.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art a foolish boy,” said Sir James with a bitter smile, “and knowest + naught of the world. An thou wouldst look for man to befriend man to his + own danger, thou must look elsewhere than on this earth. Was I not one + time Mackworth's dear friend as well as thy father? It could cost him + naught to honor me, and here am I fallen to be a teacher of boys. Go to! + thou art a fool.” + </p> + <p> + Then, after a little pause of brooding silence, he went on to say that the + Earl was no better or worse than the rest of the world. That men of his + position had many jealous enemies, ever seeking their ruin, and that such + must look first of all each to himself, or else be certainly ruined, and + drag down others in that ruin. Myles was silenced, but the bitterness had + entered his heart, and abided with him for many a day afterwards. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps Sir James read his feelings in his frank face, for he sat looking + curiously at him, twirling his grizzled mustache the while. “Thou art like + to have hard knocks of it, lad, ere thou hast gotten thee safe through the + world,” said he, with more kindness in his harsh voice than was usual. + “But get thee not into fights before thy time.” Then he charged the boy + very seriously to live at peace with his fellow-squires, and for his + father's sake as well as his own to enter into none of the broils that + were so frequent in their quarters. + </p> + <p> + It was with this special admonition against brawling that Myles was + dismissed, to enter, before five minutes had passed, into the first really + great fight of his life. + </p> + <p> + Besides Gascoyne and Wilkes, he found gathered in the dormitory six or + eight of the company of squires who were to serve that day upon household + duty; among others, Walter Blunt and three other bachelors, who were + changing their coarse service clothes for others more fit for the + household. + </p> + <p> + “Why didst thou tarry so long, Myles?” said Gascoyne, as he entered. + “Methought thou wert never coming.” + </p> + <p> + “Where goest thou, Falworth?” called Blunt from the other end of the room, + where he was lacing his doublet. + </p> + <p> + Just now Myles had no heart in the swimming or sport of any sort, but he + answered, shortly, “I go to the river to swim.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Blunt, “thou goest not forth from the castle to-day. Hast thou + forgot how thou didst answer me back about fetching the water this + morning? This day thou must do penance, so go thou straight to the armory + and scour thou up my breastplate.” + </p> + <p> + From the time he had arisen that morning everything had gone wrong with + Myles. He had felt himself already outrated in rendering service to the + bachelors, he had quarrelled with the head of the esquires, he had nearly + quarrelled with Gascoyne, and then had come the bitterest and worst of + all, the knowledge that his father was an outlaw, and that the Earl would + not stretch out a hand to aid him or to give him any countenance. Blunt's + words brought the last bitter cut to his heart, and they stung him to + fury. For a while he could not answer, but stood glaring with a face + fairly convulsed with passion at the young man, who continued his toilet, + unconscious of the wrath of the new recruit. + </p> + <p> + Gascoyne and Wilkes, accepting Myles's punishment as a thing of course, + were about to leave the dormitory when Myles checked them. + </p> + <p> + “Stop, Francis!” he cried, hoarsely. “Thinkest thou that I will stay + behind to do yon dog's dirty work? No; I go with ye.” + </p> + <p> + A moment or two of dumb, silent amazement followed his bold words; then + Blunt cried, “Art thou mad?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” answered Myles in the same hoarse voice, “I am not mad. I tell thee + a better man than thou shouldst not stay me from going an I list to go. + </p> + <p> + “I will break thy cockerel head for that speech,” said Blunt, furiously. + He stooped as he spoke, and picked up a heavy clog that lay at his feet. + </p> + <p> + It was no insignificant weapon either. The shoes of those days were + sometimes made of cloth, and had long pointed toes stuffed with tow or + wool. In muddy weather thick heavy clogs or wooden soles were strapped, + like a skate, to the bottom of the foot. That clog which Blunt had seized + was perhaps eighteen or twenty inches long, two or two and a half inches + thick at the heel, tapering to a point at the toe. As the older lad + advanced, Gascoyne stepped between him and his victim. + </p> + <p> + “Do not harm him, Blunt,” he pleaded. “Bear thou in mind how new-come he + is among us. He knoweth not our ways as yet.” + </p> + <p> + “Stand thou back, Gascoyne,” said Blunt, harshly, as he thrust him aside. + “I will teach him our ways so that he will not soon forget them.” + </p> + <p> + Close to Myles's feet was another clog like that one which Blunt held. He + snatched it up, and set his back against the wall, with a white face and a + heart beating heavily and tumultuously, but with courage steeled to meet + the coming encounter. There was a hard, grim look in his blue eyes that, + for a moment perhaps, quelled the elder lad. He hesitated. “Tom! Wat! + Ned!” he called to the other bachelors, “come hither, and lend me a hand + with this knave.” + </p> + <p> + “An ye come nigh me,” panted Myles, “I will brain the first within reach.” + </p> + <p> + Then Gascoyne dodged behind the others, and, without being seen, slipped + out of the room for help. + </p> + <p> + The battle that followed was quick, sharp, and short. As Blunt strode + forward, Myles struck, and struck with might and main, but he was too + excited to deliver his blow with calculation. Blunt parried it with the + clog he held, and the next instant, dropping his weapon, gripped Myles + tight about the body, pinning his arms to his sides. + </p> + <p> + Myles also dropped the clog he held, and, wrenching out his right arm with + a sudden heave, struck Blunt full in the face, and then with another blow + sent him staggering back. It all passed in an instant; the next the three + other bachelors were upon him, catching him by the body, the arms, the + legs. For a moment or two they swayed and stumbled hither and thither, and + then down they fell in a struggling heap. + </p> + <p> + Myles fought like a wild-cat, kicking, struggling, scratching; striking + with elbows and fists. He caught one of the three by his collar, and tore + his jacket open from the neck to the waist; he drove his foot into the pit + of the stomach of another, and knocked him breathless. The other lads not + in the fight stood upon the benches and the beds around, but such was the + awe inspired by the prestige of the bachelors that not one of them dared + to lend hand to help him, and so Myles fought his fierce battle alone. + </p> + <p> + But four to one were odds too great, and though Myles struggled as + fiercely as ever, by-and-by it was with less and less resistance. + </p> + <p> + Blunt had picked up the clog he had dropped when he first attacked the + lad, and now stood over the struggling heap, white with rage, the blood + running from his lip, cut and puffed where Myles had struck him, and + murder looking out from his face, if ever it looked out of the face of any + mortal being. + </p> + <p> + “Hold him a little,” said he, fiercely, “and I will still him for you.” + </p> + <p> + Even yet it was no easy matter for the others to do his bidding, but + presently he got his chance and struck a heavy, cruel blow at Myles's + head. Myles only partly warded it with his arm. Hitherto he had fought in + silence, now he gave a harsh cry. + </p> + <p> + “Holy Saints!” cried Edmund Wilkes. “They will kill him.” + </p> + <p> + Blunt struck two more blows, both of them upon the body, and then at last + they had the poor boy down, with his face upon the ground and his arms + pinned to his sides, and Blunt, bracing himself for the stroke, with a + grin of rage raised a heavy clog for one terrible blow that should finish + the fight. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 9 + </h2> + <p> + “How now, messieurs?” said a harsh voice, that fell upon the turmoil like + a thunder-clap, and there stood Sir James Lee. Instantly the struggle + ceased, and the combatants scrambled to their feet. + </p> + <p> + The older lads stood silent before their chief, but Myles was deaf and + blind and mad with passion, he knew not where he stood or what he said or + did. White as death, he stood for a while glaring about him, catching his + breath convulsively. Then he screamed hoarsely. + </p> + <p> + “Who struck me? Who struck me when I was down? I will have his blood that + struck me!” He caught sight of Blunt. “It was he that struck me!” he + cried. “Thou foul traitor! thou coward!” and thereupon leaped at his enemy + like a wild-cat. + </p> + <p> + “Stop!” cried Sir James Lee, clutching him by the arm. + </p> + <p> + Myles was too blinded by his fury to see who it was that held him. “I will + not stop!” he cried, struggling and striking at the knight. “Let me go! I + will have his life that struck me when I was down!” + </p> + <p> + The next moment he found himself pinned close against the wall, and then, + as though his sight came back, he saw the grim face of the old one-eyed + knight looking into his. + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou know who I am?” said a stern, harsh voice. + </p> + <p> + Instantly Myles ceased struggling, and his arms fell at his side. “Aye,” + he said, in a gasping voice, “I know thee.” He swallowed spasmodically for + a moment or two, and then, in the sudden revulsion of feeling, burst out + sobbing convulsively. + </p> + <p> + Sir James marched the two off to his office, he himself walking between + them, holding an arm of each, the other lads following behind, awe-struck + and silent. Entering the office, Sir James shut the door behind him, + leaving the group of squires clustered outside about the stone steps, + speculating in whispers as to what would be the outcome of the matter. + </p> + <p> + After Sir James had seated himself, the two standing facing him, he + regarded them for a while in silence. “How now, Walter Blunt,” said he at + last, “what is to do?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, this,” said Blunt, wiping his bleeding lip. “That fellow, Myles + Falworth, hath been breeding mutiny and revolt ever sin he came hither + among us, and because he was thus mutinous I would punish him therefor.” + </p> + <p> + “In that thou liest!” burst out Myles. “Never have I been mutinous in my + life.” + </p> + <p> + “Be silent, sir,” said Sir James, sternly. “I will hear thee anon.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles, with his lips twitching and writhing, “I will not be + silent. I am friendless here, and ye are all against me, but I will not be + silent, and brook to have lies spoken of me.” + </p> + <p> + Even Blunt stood aghast at Myles's boldness. Never had he heard any one so + speak to Sir James before. He did not dare for the moment even to look up. + Second after second of dead stillness passed, while Sir James sat looking + at Myles with a stern, terrifying calmness that chilled him in spite of + the heat of his passion. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said the old man at last, in a hard, quiet voice, “thou dost know + naught of rules and laws of such a place as this. Nevertheless, it is time + for thee to learn them. So I will tell thee now that if thou openest thy + lips to say only one single word more except at my bidding, I will send + thee to the black vault of the donjon to cool thy hot spirits on bread and + water for a week.” There was something in the measured quietness of the + old knight's tone that quelled Myles utterly and entirely. A little space + of silence followed. “Now, then, Blunt,” said Sir James, turning to the + bachelor, “tell me all the ins and outs of this business without any more + underdealing.” + </p> + <p> + This time Blunt's story, though naturally prejudiced in his own favor, was + fairly true. Then Myles told his side of the case, the old knight + listening attentively. + </p> + <p> + “Why, how now, Blunt,” said Sir James, when Myles had ended, “I myself + gave the lads leave to go to the river to bathe. Wherefore shouldst thou + forbid one of them?” + </p> + <p> + “I did it but to punish this fellow for his mutiny,” said the bachelor. + “Methought we at their head were to have oversight concerning them.” + </p> + <p> + “So ye are,” said the knight; “but only to a degree. Ere ye take it upon + ye to gainsay any of my orders or permits, come ye first to me. Dost thou + understand?” + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” answered Blunt, sullenly. + </p> + <p> + “So be it, and now get thee gone,” said the knight; “and let me hear no + more of beating out brains with wooden clogs. An ye fight your battles, + let there not be murder in them. This is twice that the like hath happed; + gin I hear more of such doings—” He did utter his threat, but + stopped short, and fixed his one eye sternly upon the head squire. “Now + shake hands, and be ye friends,” said he, abruptly. + </p> + <p> + Blunt made a motion to obey, but Myles put his hand behind him. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, I shake not hands with any one who struck me while I was down.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” said the knight, grimly. “Now thou mayst go, Blunt. Thou, + Falworth, stay; I would bespeak thee further.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me,” said he, when the elder lad had left them, “why wilt thou not + serve these bachelors as the other squires do? Such is the custom here. + Why wilt thou not obey it?” + </p> + <p> + “Because,” said Myles, “I cannot stomach it, and they shall not make me + serve them. An thou bid me do it, sir, I will do it; but not at their + command.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said the knight, “I do not bid thee do them service. That lieth + with thee, to render or not, as thou seest fit. But how canst thou hope to + fight single-handed against the commands of a dozen lads all older and + mightier than thou?” + </p> + <p> + “I know not,” said Myles; “but were they an hundred, instead of thirteen, + they should not make me serve them.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art a fool!” said the old knight, smiling faintly, “for that be'st + not courage, but folly. When one setteth about righting a wrong, one + driveth not full head against it, for in so doing one getteth naught but + hard knocks. Nay, go deftly about it, and then, when the time is ripe, + strike the blow. Now our beloved King Henry, when he was the Earl of + Derby, what could he have gained had he stood so against the old King + Richard, brooking the King face to face? I tell thee he would have been + knocked on the head as thou wert like to have been this day. Now were I + thee, and had to fight a fight against odds, I would first get me friends + behind me, and then—” He stopped short, but Myles understood him + well enough. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said he, with a gulp, “I do thank thee for thy friendship, and ask + thy pardon for doing as I did anon.” + </p> + <p> + “I grant thee pardon,” said the knight, “but tell thee plainly, an thou + dost face me so again, I will truly send thee to the black cell for a + week. Now get thee away.” + </p> + <p> + All the other lads were gone when Myles came forth, save only the faithful + Gascoyne, who sacrificed his bath that day to stay with his friend; and + perhaps that little act of self-denial moved Myles more than many a great + thing might have done. + </p> + <p> + “It was right kind of thee, Francis,” said he, laying his hand + affectionately on his friend's shoulder. “I know not why thou lovest me + so.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, for one thing, this matter,” answered his friend; “because methinks + thou art the best fighter and the bravest one of all of us squires.” + </p> + <p> + Myles laughed. Nevertheless Gascoyne's words were a soothing balm for much + that had happened that day. “I will fight me no more just now,” said he; + and then he told his friend all that Sir James had advised about biding + his time. + </p> + <p> + Gascoyne blew a long whistle. “Beshrew me!” quoth he, “but methinks old + Bruin is on thy side of the quarrel, Myles. An that be so, I am with thee + also, and others that I can name as well.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” said Myles. “Then am I content to abide the time when we may + become strong enough to stand against them.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 10 + </h2> + <p> + Perhaps there is nothing more delightful in the romance of boyhood than + the finding of some secret hiding-place whither a body may creep away from + the bustle of the world's life, to nestle in quietness for an hour or two. + More especially is such delightful if it happen that, by peeping from out + it, one may look down upon the bustling matters of busy every-day life, + while one lies snugly hidden away unseen by any, as though one were in + some strange invisible world of one's own. + </p> + <p> + Such a hiding-place as would have filled the heart of almost any boy with + sweet delight Myles and Gascoyne found one summer afternoon. They called + it their Eyry, and the name suited well for the roosting-place of the + young hawks that rested in its windy stillness, looking down upon the + shifting castle life in the courts below. + </p> + <p> + Behind the north stable, a great, long, rambling building, thick-walled, + and black with age, lay an older part of the castle than that peopled by + the better class of life—a cluster of great thick walls, rudely but + strongly built, now the dwelling-place of stable-lads and hinds, swine and + poultry. From one part of these ancient walls, and fronting an inner court + of the castle, arose a tall, circular, heavy-buttressed tower, + considerably higher than the other buildings, and so mantled with a dense + growth of aged ivy as to stand a shaft of solid green. Above its crumbling + crown circled hundreds of pigeons, white and pied, clapping and clattering + in noisy flight through the sunny air. Several windows, some closed with + shutters, peeped here and there from out the leaves, and near the top of + the pile was a row of arched openings, as though of a balcony or an airy + gallery. + </p> + <p> + Myles had more than once felt an idle curiosity about this tower, and one + day, as he and Gascoyne sat together, he pointed his finger and said, + “What is yon place?” + </p> + <p> + “That,” answered Gascoyne, looking over his shoulder—“that they call + Brutus Tower, for why they do say that Brutus he built it when he came + hither to Britain. I believe not the tale mine own self; ne'theless, it is + marvellous ancient, and old Robin-the-Fletcher telleth me that there be + stairways built in the wall and passage-ways, and a maze wherein a body + may get lost, an he know not the way aright, and never see the blessed + light of day again.” + </p> + <p> + “Marry,” said Myles, “those same be strange sayings. Who liveth there + now?” + </p> + <p> + “No one liveth there,” said Gascoyne, “saving only some of the stable + villains, and that half-witted goose-herd who flung stones at us yesterday + when we mocked him down in the paddock. He and his wife and those others + dwell in the vaults beneath, like rabbits in any warren. No one else hath + lived there since Earl Robert's day, which belike was an hundred years + agone. The story goeth that Earl Robert's brother—or step-brother—was + murdered there, and some men say by the Earl himself. Sin that day it hath + been tight shut.” + </p> + <p> + Myles stared at the tower for a while in silence. “It is a strange-seeming + place from without,” said he, at last, “and mayhap it may be even more + strange inside. Hast ever been within, Francis?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Gascoyne; “said I not it hath been fast locked since Earl + Robert's day?” + </p> + <p> + “By'r Lady,” said Myles, “an I had lived here in this place so long as + thou, I wot I would have been within it ere this.” + </p> + <p> + “Beshrew me,” said Gascoyne, “but I have never thought of such a matter.” + He turned and looked at the tall crown rising into the warm sunlight with + a new interest, for the thought of entering it smacked pleasantly of + adventure. “How wouldst thou set about getting within?” said he, + presently. + </p> + <p> + “Why, look,” said Myles; “seest thou not yon hole in the ivy branches? + Methinks there is a window at that place. An I mistake not, it is in reach + of the stable eaves. A body might come up by the fagot pile to the roof of + the hen-house, and then by the long stable to the north stable, and so to + that hole.” + </p> + <p> + Gascoyne looked thoughtfully at the Brutus Tower, and then suddenly + inquired, “Wouldst go there?” + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said Myles, briefly. + </p> + <p> + “So be it. Lead thou the way in the venture, I will follow after thee,” + said Gascoyne. + </p> + <p> + As Myles had said, the climbing from roof to roof was a matter easy enough + to an active pair of lads like themselves; but when, by-and-by, they + reached the wall of the tower itself, they found the hidden window much + higher from the roof than they had judged from below—perhaps ten or + twelve feet—and it was, besides, beyond the eaves and out of their + reach. + </p> + <p> + Myles looked up and looked down. Above was the bushy thickness of the ivy, + the branches as thick as a woman's wrist, knotted and intertwined; below + was the stone pavement of a narrow inner court between two of the stable + buildings. + </p> + <p> + “Methinks I can climb to yon place,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Thou'lt break thy neck an thou tryest,” said Gascoyne, hastily. + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” quoth Myles, “I trust not; but break or make, we get not there + without trying. So here goeth for the venture.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art a hare-brained knave as ever drew breath of life,” quoth + Gascoyne, “and will cause me to come to grief some of these fine days. + Ne'theless, an thou be Jack Fool and lead the way, go, and I will be Tom + Fool and follow anon. If thy neck is worth so little, mine is worth no + more.” + </p> + <p> + It was indeed a perilous climb, but that special providence which guards + reckless lads befriended them, as it has thousands of their kind before + and since. So, by climbing from one knotted, clinging stem to another, + they were presently seated snugly in the ivied niche in the window. It was + barred from within by a crumbling shutter, the rusty fastening of which, + after some little effort upon the part of the two, gave way, and entering + the narrow opening, they found themselves in a small triangular + passage-way, from which a steep flight of stone steps led down through a + hollow in the massive wall to the room below. + </p> + <p> + At the bottom of the steps was a heavy oaken door, which stood ajar, + hanging upon a single rusty hinge, and from the room within a dull, gray + light glimmered faintly. Myles pushed the door farther open; it creaked + and grated horribly on its rusty hinge, and, as in instant answer to the + discordant shriek, came a faint piping squeaking, a rustling and a + pattering of soft footsteps. + </p> + <p> + “The ghosts!” cried Gascoyne, in a quavering whisper, and for a moment + Myles felt the chill of goose-flesh creep up and down his spine. But the + next moment he laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said he, “they be rats. Look at yon fellow, Francis! Be'st as big + as Mother Joan's kitten. Give me that stone.” He flung it at the rat, and + it flew clattering across the floor. There was another pattering rustle of + hundreds of feet, and then a breathless silence. + </p> + <p> + The boys stood looking around them, and a strange enough sight it was. The + room was a perfect circle of about twenty feet across, and was piled high + with an indistinguishable mass of lumber—rude tables, ruder chairs, + ancient chests, bits and remnants of cloth and sacking and leather, old + helmets and pieces of armor of a by-gone time, broken spears and + pole-axes, pots and pans and kitchen furniture of all sorts and kinds. + </p> + <p> + A straight beam of sunlight fell through a broken shutter like a bar of + gold, and fell upon the floor in a long streak of dazzling light that + illuminated the whole room with a yellow glow. + </p> + <p> + “By 'r Lady!” said Gascoyne at last, in a hushed voice, “here is Father + Time's garret for sure. Didst ever see the like, Myles? Look at yon + arbalist; sure Brutus himself used such an one!” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles; “but look at this saddle. Marry, here be'st a rat's + nest in it.” + </p> + <p> + Clouds of dust rose as they rummaged among the mouldering mass, setting + them coughing and sneezing. Now and then a great gray rat would shoot out + beneath their very feet, and disappear, like a sudden shadow, into some + hole or cranny in the wall. + </p> + <p> + “Come,” said Myles at last, brushing the dust from his jacket, “an we + tarry here longer we will have chance to see no other sights; the sun is + falling low.” + </p> + <p> + An arched stair-way upon the opposite side of the room from which they had + entered wound upward through the wall, the stone steps being lighted by + narrow slits of windows cut through the massive masonry. Above the room + they had just left was another of the same shape and size, but with an oak + floor, sagging and rising into hollows and hills, where the joist had + rotted away beneath. It was bare and empty, and not even a rat was to be + seen. Above was another room; above that, another; all the passages and + stairways which connected the one story with the other being built in the + wall, which was, where solid, perhaps fifteen feet thick. + </p> + <p> + From the third floor a straight flight of steps led upward to a closed + door, from the other side of which shone the dazzling brightness of + sunlight, and whence came a strange noise—a soft rustling, a + melodious murmur. The boys put their shoulders against the door, which was + fastened, and pushed with might and main—once, twice; suddenly the + lock gave way, and out they pitched headlong into a blaze of sunlight. A + deafening clapping and uproar sounded in their ears, and scores of + pigeons, suddenly disturbed, rose in stormy flight. + </p> + <p> + They sat up and looked around them in silent wonder. They were in a bower + of leafy green. It was the top story of the tower, the roof of which had + crumbled and toppled in, leaving it open to the sky, with only here and + there a slanting beam or two supporting a portion of the tiled roof, + affording shelter for the nests of the pigeons crowded closely together. + Over everything the ivy had grown in a mantling sheet—a net-work of + shimmering green, through which the sunlight fell flickering. + </p> + <p> + “This passeth wonder,” said Gascoyne, at last breaking the silence. + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said Myles, “I did never see the like in all my life.” Then, “Look, + yonder is a room beyond; let us see what it is, Francis.” + </p> + <p> + Entering an arched door-way, the two found themselves in a beautiful + little vaulted chapel, about eighteen feet long and twelve or fifteen + wide. It comprised the crown of one of the large massive buttresses, and + from it opened the row of arched windows which could be seen from below + through the green shimmering of the ivy leaves. The boys pushed aside the + trailing tendrils and looked out and down. The whole castle lay spread + below them, with the busy people unconsciously intent upon the matters of + their daily work. They could see the gardener, with bowed back, patiently + working among the flowers in the garden, the stable-boys below grooming + the horses, a bevy of ladies in the privy garden playing at shuttlecock + with battledoors of wood, a group of gentlemen walking up and down in + front of the Earl's house. They could see the household servants hurrying + hither and thither, two little scullions at fisticuffs, and a kitchen girl + standing in the door-way scratching her frowzy head. + </p> + <p> + It was all like a puppetshow of real life, each acting unconsciously a + part in the play. The cool wind came in through the rustling leaves and + fanned their cheeks, hot with the climb up the winding stair-way. + </p> + <p> + “We will call it our Eyry,” said Gascoyne “and we will be the hawks that + live here.” And that was how it got its name. + </p> + <p> + The next day Myles had the armorer make him a score of large spikes, which + he and Gascoyne drove between the ivy branches and into the cement of the + wall, and so made a safe passageway by which to reach the window niche in + the wall. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 11 + </h2> + <p> + THE TWO friends kept the secret of the Eyry to themselves for a little + while, now and then visiting the old tower to rummage among the lumber + stored in the lower room, or to loiter away the afternoon in the windy + solitudes of the upper heights. And in that little time, when the ancient + keep was to them a small world unknown to any but themselves—a world + far away above all the dull matters of every-day life—they talked of + many things that might else never have been known to one another. Mostly + they spoke the crude romantic thoughts and desires of boyhood's time—chaff + thrown to the wind, in which, however, lay a few stray seeds, fated to + fall to good earth, and to ripen to fruition in manhood's day. + </p> + <p> + In the intimate talks of that time Myles imparted something of his honest + solidity to Gascoyne's somewhat weathercock nature, and to Myles's ruder + and more uncouth character Gascoyne lent a tone of his gentler manners, + learned in his pagehood service as attendant upon the Countess and her + ladies. + </p> + <p> + In other things, also, the character and experience of the one lad helped + to supply what was lacking in the other. Myles was replete with old Latin + gestes, fables, and sermons picked up during his school life, in those + intervals of his more serious studies when Prior Edward had permitted him + to browse in the greener pastures of the Gesta Romanorum and the + Disciplina Clericalis of the monastery library, and Gascoyne was never + weary of hearing him tell those marvellous stories culled from the crabbed + Latin of the old manuscript volumes. + </p> + <p> + Upon his part Gascoyne was full of the lore of the waiting-room and the + antechamber, and Myles, who in all his life had never known a lady, young + or old, excepting his mother, was never tired of lying silently listening + to Gascoyne's chatter of the gay doings of the castle gentle-life, in + which he had taken part so often in the merry days of his pagehood. + </p> + <p> + “I do wonder,” said Myles, quaintly, “that thou couldst ever find the + courage to bespeak a young maid, Francis. Never did I do so, nor ever + could. Rather would I face three strong men than one young damsel.” + </p> + <p> + Whereupon Gascoyne burst out laughing. “Marry!” quoth he, “they be no such + terrible things, but gentle and pleasant spoken, and soft and smooth as + any cat.” + </p> + <p> + “No matter for that,” said Myles; “I would not face one such for worlds.” + </p> + <p> + It was during the short time when, so to speak, the two owned the solitude + of the Brutus Tower, that Myles told his friend of his father's outlawry + and of the peril in which the family stood. And thus it was. + </p> + <p> + “I do marvel,” said Gascoyne one day, as the two lay stretched in the + Eyry, looking down into the castle court-yard below—“I do marvel, + now that thou art 'stablished here this month and more, that my Lord doth + never have thee called to service upon household duty. Canst thou riddle + me why it is so, Myles?” + </p> + <p> + The subject was a very sore one with Myles. Until Sir James had told him + of the matter in his office that day he had never known that his father + was attainted and outlawed. He had accepted the change from their earlier + state and the bald poverty of their life at Crosbey-Holt with the easy + carelessness of boyhood, and Sir James's words were the first to awaken + him to a realization of the misfortunes of the house of Falworth. His was + a brooding nature, and in the three or four weeks that passed he had + meditated so much over what had been told him, that by-and-by it almost + seemed as if a shadow of shame rested upon his father's fair fame, even + though the attaint set upon him was unrighteous and unjust, as Myles knew + it must be. He had felt angry and resentful at the Earl's neglect, and as + days passed and he was not noticed in any way, his heart was at times very + bitter. + </p> + <p> + So now Gascoyne's innocent question touched a sore spot, and Myles spoke + with a sharp, angry pain in his voice that made the other look quickly up. + “Sooner would my Lord have yonder swineherd serve him in the household + than me,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Why may that be, Myles?” said Gascoyne. + </p> + <p> + “Because,” answered Myles, with the same angry bitterness in his voice, + “either the Earl is a coward that feareth to befriend me, or else he is a + caitiff, ashamed of his own flesh and blood, and of me, the son of his + one-time comrade.” + </p> + <p> + Gascoyne raised himself upon his elbow, and opened his eyes wide in + wonder. “Afeard of thee, Myles!” quoth he. “Why should he be afeared to + befriend thee? Who art thou that the Earl should fear thee?” + </p> + <p> + Myles hesitated for a moment or two; wisdom bade him remain silent upon + the dangerous topic, but his heart yearned for sympathy and companionship + in his trouble. “I will tell thee,” said he, suddenly, and therewith + poured out all of the story, so far as he knew it, to his listening, + wondering friend, and his heart felt lighter to be thus eased of its + burden. “And now,” said he, as he concluded, “is not this Earl a + mean-hearted caitiff to leave me, the son of his one-time friend and + kinsman, thus to stand or to fall alone among strangers and in a strange + place without once stretching me a helping hand?” He waited, and Gascoyne + knew that he expected an answer. + </p> + <p> + “I know not that he is a mean-hearted caitiff, Myles,” said he at last, + hesitatingly. “The Earl hath many enemies, and I have heard that he hath + stood more than once in peril, having been accused of dealings with the + King's foes. He was cousin to the Earl of Kent, and I do remember hearing + that he had a narrow escape at that time from ruin. There be more reasons + than thou wottest of why he should not have dealings with thy father.” + </p> + <p> + “I had not thought,” said Myles, bitterly, after a little pause, “that + thou wouldst stand up for him and against me in this quarrel, Gascoyne. + Him will I never forgive so long as I may live, and I had thought that + thou wouldst have stood by me.” + </p> + <p> + “So I do,” said Gascoyne, hastily, “and do love thee more than any one in + all the world, Myles; but I had thought that it would make thee feel more + easy, to think that the Earl was not against thee. And, indeed, from all + thou has told me, I do soothly think that he and Sir James mean to + befriend thee and hold thee privily in kind regard.” + </p> + <p> + “Then why doth he not stand forth like a man and befriend me and my father + openly, even if it be to his own peril?” said Myles, reverting stubbornly + to what he had first spoken. + </p> + <p> + Gascoyne did not answer, but lay for a long while in silence. “Knowest + thou,” he suddenly asked, after a while, “who is this great enemy of whom + Sir James speaketh, and who seeketh so to drive thy father to ruin?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles, “I know not, for my father hath never spoken of these + things, and Sir James would not tell me. But this I know,” said he, + suddenly, grinding his teeth together, “an I do not hunt him out some day + and slay him like a dog—” He stopped abruptly, and Gascoyne, looking + askance at him, saw that his eyes were full of tears, whereupon he turned + his looks away again quickly, and fell to shooting pebbles out through the + open window with his finger and thumb. + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt tell no one of these things that I have said?” said Myles, + after a while. + </p> + <p> + “Not I,” said Gascoyne. “Thinkest thou I could do such a thing?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles, briefly. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps this talk more than anything else that had ever passed between + them knit the two friends the closer together, for, as I have said, Myles + felt easier now that he had poured out his bitter thoughts and words; and + as for Gascoyne, I think that there is nothing so flattering to one's soul + as to be made the confidant of a stronger nature. + </p> + <p> + But the old tower served another purpose than that of a spot in which to + pass away a few idle hours, or in which to indulge the confidences of + friendship, for it was there that Myles gathered a backing of strength for + resistance against the tyranny of the bachelors, and it is for that more + than for any other reason that it has been told how they found the place + and of what they did there, feeling secure against interruption. + </p> + <p> + Myles Falworth was not of a kind that forgets or neglects a thing upon + which the mind has once been set. Perhaps his chief objective since the + talk with Sir James following his fight in the dormitory had been + successful resistance to the exactions of the head of the body of squires. + He was now (more than a month had passed) looked upon by nearly if not all + of the younger lads as an acknowledged leader in his own class. So one day + he broached a matter to Gascoyne that had for some time been digesting in + his mind. It was the formation of a secret order, calling themselves the + “Knights of the Rose,” their meeting-place to be the chapel of the Brutus + Tower, and their object to be the righting of wrongs, “as they,” said + Myles, “of Arthur his Round-table did right wrongs.” + </p> + <p> + “But, prithee, what wrongs are there to right in this place?” quoth + Gascoyne, after listening intently to the plan which Myles set forth. + </p> + <p> + “Why, first of all, this,” said Myles, clinching his fists, as he had a + habit of doing when anything stirred him deeply, “that we set those vile + bachelors to their right place; and that is, that they be no longer our + masters, but our fellows.” + </p> + <p> + Gascoyne shook his head. He hated clashing and conflict above all things, + and was for peace. Why should they thus rush to thrust themselves into + trouble? Let matters abide as they were a little longer; surely life was + pleasant enough without turning it all topsy-turvy. Then, with a sort of + indignation, why should Myles, who had only come among them a month, take + such service more to heart than they who had endured it for years? And, + finally, with the hopefulness of so many of the rest of us, he advised + Myles to let matters alone, and they would right themselves in time. + </p> + <p> + But Myles's mind was determined; his active spirit could not brook resting + passively under a wrong; he would endure no longer, and now or never they + must make their stand. + </p> + <p> + “But look thee, Myles Falworth,” said Gascoyne, “all this is not to be + done withouten fighting shrewdly. Wilt thou take that fighting upon thine + own self? As for me, I tell thee I love it not.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, aye,” said Myles; “I ask no man to do what I will not do myself.” + </p> + <p> + Gascoyne shrugged his shoulders. “So be it,” said he. “An thou hast + appetite to run thy head against hard knocks, do it i' mercy's name! I for + one will stand thee back while thou art taking thy raps.” + </p> + <p> + There was a spirit of drollery in Gascoyne's speech that rubbed against + Myles's earnestness. + </p> + <p> + “Out upon it!” cried he, his patience giving way. “Seest not that I am in + serious earnest? Why then dost thou still jest like Mad Noll, my Lord's + fool? An thou wilt not lend me thine aid in this matter, say so and ha' + done with it, and I will bethink me of somewhere else to turn.” + </p> + <p> + Then Gascoyne yielded at once, as he always did when his friend lost his + temper, and having once assented to it, entered into the scheme heart and + soul. Three other lads—one of them that tall thin squire Edmund + Wilkes, before spoken of—were sounded upon the subject. They also + entered into the plan of the secret organization with an enthusiasm which + might perhaps not have been quite so glowing had they realized how very + soon Myles designed embarking upon active practical operations. One day + Myles and Gascoyne showed them the strange things that they had discovered + in the old tower—the inner staircases, the winding passage-ways, the + queer niches and cupboard, and the black shaft of a well that pierced down + into the solid wall, and whence, perhaps, the old castle folk had one time + drawn their supply of water in time of siege, and with every new wonder of + the marvellous place the enthusiasm of the three recruits rose higher and + higher. They rummaged through the lumber pile in the great circular room + as Myles and Gascoyne had done, and at last, tired out, they ascended to + the airy chapel, and there sat cooling themselves in the rustling + freshness of the breeze that came blowing briskly in through the arched + windows. + </p> + <p> + It was then and there that the five discussed and finally determined upon + the detailed plans of their organization, canvassing the names of the + squirehood, and selecting from it a sufficient number of bold and daring + spirits to make up a roll of twenty names in all. + </p> + <p> + Gascoyne had, as I said, entered into the matter with spirit, and perhaps + it was owing more to him than to any other that the project caught its + delightful flavor of romance. + </p> + <p> + “Perchance,” said he, as the five lads lay in the rustling stillness + through which sounded the monotonous and ceaseless cooing of the pigeons—“perchance + there may be dwarfs and giants and dragons and enchanters and evil knights + and what not even nowadays. And who knows but that if we Knights of the + Rose hold together we may go forth into the world, and do battle with + them, and save beautiful ladies, and have tales and gestes written about + us as they are writ about the Seven Champions and Arthur his Round-table.” + </p> + <p> + Perhaps Myles, who lay silently listening to all that was said, was the + only one who looked upon the scheme at all in the light of real utility, + but I think that even with him the fun of the matter outweighed the + serious part of the business. + </p> + <p> + So it was that the Sacred Order of the Twenty Knights of the Rose came to + be initiated. They appointed a code of secret passwords and countersigns + which were very difficult to remember, and which were only used when they + might excite the curiosity of the other and uninitiated boys by their + mysterious sound. They elected Myles as their Grand High Commander, and + held secret meetings in the ancient tower, where many mysteries were + soberly enacted. + </p> + <p> + Of course in a day or two all the body of squires knew nearly everything + concerning the Knights of the Rose, and of their secret meetings in the + old tower. The lucky twenty were the objects of envy of all not so + fortunate as to be included in this number, and there was a marked air of + secrecy about everything they did that appealed to every romantic notion + of the youngsters looking on. What was the stormy outcome of it all is now + presently to be told. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 12 + </h2> + <p> + Thus it was that Myles, with an eye to open war with the bachelors, + gathered a following to his support. It was some little while before + matters were brought to a crisis—a week or ten days. Perhaps even + Myles had no great desire to hasten matters. He knew that whenever war was + declared, he himself would have to bear the brunt of the battle, and even + the bravest man hesitates before deliberately thrusting himself into a + fight. + </p> + <p> + One morning Myles and Gascoyne and Wilkes sat under the shade of two + trees, between which was a board nailed to the trunks, making a rude bench—always + a favorite lounging-place for the lads in idle moments. Myles was + polishing his bascinet with lard and wood-ashes, rubbing the metal with a + piece of leather, and wiping it clean with a fustian rag. The other two, + who had just been relieved from household duty, lay at length idly looking + on. + </p> + <p> + Just then one of the smaller pages, a boy of twelve or thirteen, by name + Robin Ingoldsby, crossed the court. He had been crying; his face was red + and blubbered, and his body was still shaken with convulsive sniffs. + </p> + <p> + Myles looked up. “Come hither, Robin,” he called from where he sat. “What + is to do?” + </p> + <p> + The little fellow came slowly up to where the three rested in the shade. + “Mowbray beat me with a strap,” said he, rubbing his sleeve across his + eyes, and catching his breath at the recollection. + </p> + <p> + “Beat thee, didst say?” said Myles, drawing his brows together. “Why did + he beat thee?” + </p> + <p> + “Because,” said Robin, “I tarried overlong in fetching a pot of beer from + the buttery for him and Wyatt.” Then, with a boy's sudden and easy + quickness in forgetting past troubles, “Tell me, Falworth,” said he, “when + wilt thou give me that knife thou promised me—the one thou break the + blade of yesterday?” + </p> + <p> + “I know not,” said Myles, bluntly, vexed that the boy did not take the + disgrace of his beating more to heart. “Some time soon, mayhap. Me thinks + thou shouldst think more of thy beating than of a broken knife. Now get + thee gone to thy business.” + </p> + <p> + The youngster lingered for a moment or two watching Myles at his work. + “What is that on the leather scrap, Falworth?” said he, curiously. + </p> + <p> + “Lard and ashes,” said Myles, testily. “Get thee gone, I say, or I will + crack thy head for thee;” and he picked up a block of wood, with a + threatening gesture. + </p> + <p> + The youngster made a hideous grimace, and then scurried away, ducking his + head, lest in spite of Myles's well-known good-nature the block should + come whizzing after him. + </p> + <p> + “Hear ye that now!” cried Myles, flinging down the block again and turning + to his two friends. “Beaten with straps because, forsooth, he would not + fetch and carry quickly enough to please the haste of these bachelors. Oh, + this passeth patience, and I for one will bear it no longer.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, Myles,” said Gascoyne, soothingly, “the little imp is as lazy as a + dormouse and as mischievous as a monkey. I'll warrant the hiding was his + due, and that more of the like would do him good.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, how dost thou talk, Francis!” said Myles, turning upon him + indignantly. “Thou knowest that thou likest to see the boy beaten no more + than I.” Then, after a meditative pause, “How many, think ye, we muster of + our company of the Rose today?” + </p> + <p> + Wilkes looked doubtfully at Gascoyne. “There be only seventeen of us here + now,” said he at last. “Brinton and Lambourne are away to Roby Castle in + Lord George's train, and will not be back till Saturday next. And Watt + Newton is in the infirmary. + </p> + <p> + “Seventeen be'st enou,” said Myles, grimly. “Let us get together this + afternoon, such as may, in the Brutus Tower, for I, as I did say, will no + longer suffer these vile bachelors.” + </p> + <p> + Gascoyne and Wilkes exchanged looks, and then the former blew a long + whistle. + </p> + <p> + So that afternoon a gloomy set of young faces were gathered together in + the Eyry—fifteen of the Knights of the Rose—and all knew why + they were assembled. The talk which followed was conducted mostly by + Myles. He addressed the others with a straightforward vim and earnestness, + but the response was only half-hearted, and when at last, having heated + himself up with his own fire, he sat down, puffing out his red cheeks and + glaring round, a space of silence followed, the lads looked doubtfully at + one another. Myles felt the chill of their silence strike coldly on his + enthusiasm, and it vexed him. + </p> + <p> + “What wouldst thou do, Falworth?” said one of the knights, at last. + “Wouldst have us open a quarrel with the bachelors?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles, gruffly. “I had thought that ye would all lend me a + hand in a pitched battle but now I see that ye ha' no stomach for that. + Ne'theless, I tell ye plainly I will not submit longer to the bachelors. + So now I will ask ye not to take any venture upon yourselves, but only + this: that ye will stand by me when I do my fighting, and not let five or + seven of them fall upon me at once. + </p> + <p> + “There is Walter Blunt; he is parlous strong,” said one of the others, + after a time of silence. “Methinks he could conquer any two of us.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles; “ye do fear him too greatly. I tell ye I fear not to + stand up to try battle with him and will do so, too, if the need arise. + Only say ye that ye will stand by my back.” + </p> + <p> + “Marry,” said Gascoyne, quaintly, “an thou wilt dare take the heavy end + upon thee, I for one am willing to stand by and see that thou have thy + fill of fighting.” + </p> + <p> + “I too will stand thee by, Myles,” said Edmund Wilkes. + </p> + <p> + “And I, and I, and I,” said others, chiming in. + </p> + <p> + Those who would still have held back were carried along by the stream, and + so it was settled that if the need should arise for Myles to do a bit of + fighting, the others should stand by to see that he had fair play. + </p> + <p> + “When thinkest thou that thou wilt take thy stand against them, Myles?” + asked Wilkes. + </p> + <p> + Myles hesitated a moment. “To-morrow,” said he, grimly. + </p> + <p> + Several of the lads whistled softly. + </p> + <p> + Gascoyne was prepared for an early opening of the war, but perhaps not for + such an early opening as this. “By 'r Lady, Myles, thou art hungry for + brawling,” said he. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 13 + </h2> + <p> + After the first excitement of meeting, discussing, and deciding had + passed, Myles began to feel the weight of the load he had so boldly taken + upon himself. He began to reckon what a serious thing it was for him to + stand as a single champion against the tyranny that had grown so strong + through years of custom. Had he let himself do so, he might almost have + repented, but it was too late now for repentance. He had laid his hand to + the plough, and he must drive the furrow. + </p> + <p> + Somehow the news of impending battle had leaked out among the rest of the + body of squires, and a buzz of suppressed excitement hummed through the + dormitory that evening. The bachelors, to whom, no doubt, vague rumors had + been blown, looked lowering, and talked together in low voices, standing + apart in a group. Some of them made a rather marked show of secreting + knives in the straw of their beds, and no doubt it had its effect upon + more than one young heart that secretly thrilled at the sight of the + shining blades. However, all was undisturbed that evening. The lights were + put out, and the lads retired with more than usual quietness, only for the + murmur of whispering. + </p> + <p> + All night Myles's sleep was more or less disturbed by dreams in which he + was now conquering, now being conquered, and before the day had fairly + broken he was awake. He lay upon his cot, keying himself up for the + encounter which he had set upon himself to face, and it would not be the + truth to say that the sight of those knives hidden in the straw the night + before had made no impression upon him. By-and-by he knew the others were + beginning to awake, for he heard them softly stirring, and as the light + grew broad and strong, saw them arise, one by one, and begin dressing in + the gray morning. Then he himself arose and put on his doublet and hose, + strapping his belt tightly about his waist; then he sat down on the side + of his cot. + </p> + <p> + Presently that happened for which he was waiting; two of the younger + squires started to bring the bachelors' morning supply of water. As they + crossed the room Myles called to them in a loud voice—a little + uneven, perhaps: “Stop! We draw no more water for any one in this house, + saving only for ourselves. Set ye down those buckets, and go back to your + places!” + </p> + <p> + The two lads stopped, half turned, and then stood still, holding the three + buckets undecidedly. + </p> + <p> + In a moment all was uproar and confusion, for by this time every one of + the lads had arisen, some sitting on the edge of their beds, some nearly, + others quite dressed. A half-dozen of the Knights of the Rose came over to + where Myles stood, gathering in a body behind him and the others followed, + one after another. + </p> + <p> + The bachelors were hardly prepared for such prompt and vigorous action. + </p> + <p> + “What is to do?” cried one of them, who stood near the two lads with the + buckets. “Why fetch ye not the water?” + </p> + <p> + “Falworth says we shall not fetch it,” answered one of the lads, a boy by + the name of Gosse. + </p> + <p> + “What mean ye by that, Falworth?” the young man called to Myles. + </p> + <p> + Myles's heart was beating thickly and heavily within him, but nevertheless + he spoke up boldly enough. “I mean,” said he, “that from henceforth ye + shall fetch and carry for yourselves.” + </p> + <p> + “Look'ee, Blunt,” called the bachelor; “here is Falworth says they squires + will fetch no more water for us.” + </p> + <p> + The head bachelor had heard all that had passed, and was even then hastily + slipping on his doublet and hose. “Now, then, Falworth,” said he at last, + striding forward, “what is to do? Ye will fetch no more water, eh? By 'r + Lady, I will know the reason why.” + </p> + <p> + He was still advancing towards Myles, with two or three of the older + bachelors at his heels, when Gascoyne spoke. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hadst best stand back, Blunt,” said he, “else thou mayst be hurt. We + will not have ye bang Falworth again as ye once did, so stand thou back!” + </p> + <p> + Blunt stopped short and looked upon the lads standing behind Myles, some + of them with faces a trifle pale perhaps, but all grim and determined + looking enough. Then he turned upon his heel suddenly, and walked back to + the far end of the dormitory, where the bachelors were presently clustered + together. A few words passed between them, and then the thirteen began at + once arming themselves, some with wooden clogs, and some with the knives + which they had so openly concealed the night before. At the sign of + imminent battle, all those not actively interested scuttled away to right + and left, climbing up on the benches and cots, and leaving a free field to + the combatants. The next moment would have brought bloodshed. + </p> + <p> + Now Myles, thanks to the training of the Crosbey-Dale smith, felt + tolerably sure that in a wrestling bout he was a match—perhaps more + than a match—for any one of the body of squires, and he had + determined, if possible, to bring the battle to a single-handed encounter + upon that footing. Accordingly he suddenly stepped forward before the + others. + </p> + <p> + “Look'ee, fellow,” he called to Blunt, “thou art he who struck me whilst I + was down some while since. Wilt thou let this quarrel stand between thee + and me, and meet me man to man without weapon? See, I throw me down mine + own, and will meet thee with bare hands.” And as he spoke, he tossed the + clog he held in his hand back upon the cot. + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” said Blunt, with great readiness, tossing down a similar + weapon which he himself held. + </p> + <p> + “Do not go, Myles,” cried Gascoyne, “he is a villain and a traitor, and + would betray thee to thy death. I saw him when he first gat from bed hide + a knife in his doublet.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou liest!” said Blunt. “I swear, by my faith, I be barehanded as ye see + me! Thy friend accuses me, Myles Falworth, because he knoweth thou art + afraid of me.” + </p> + <p> + “There thou liest most vilely!” exclaimed Myles. “Swear that thou hast no + knife, and I will meet thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Hast thou not heard me say that I have no knife?” said Blunt. “What more + wouldst thou have?” + </p> + <p> + “Then I will meet thee halfway,” said Myles. + </p> + <p> + Gascoyne caught him by the sleeve, and would have withheld him, assuring + him that he had seen the bachelor conceal a knife. But Myles, hot for the + fight, broke away from his friend without listening to him. + </p> + <p> + As the two advanced steadily towards one another a breathless silence fell + upon the dormitory in sharp contrast to the uproar and confusion that had + filled it a moment before. The lads, standing some upon benches, some upon + beds, all watched with breathless interest the meeting of the two + champions. + </p> + <p> + As they approached one another they stopped and stood for a moment a + little apart, glaring the one upon the other. They seemed ill enough + matched; Blunt was fully half a head taller than Myles, and was thick-set + and close-knit in young manhood. Nothing but Myles's undaunted pluck could + have led him to dare to face an enemy so much older and stouter than + himself. + </p> + <p> + The pause was only for a moment. They who looked saw Blunt slide his hand + furtively towards his bosom. Myles saw too, and in the flash of an instant + knew what the gesture meant, and sprang upon the other before the hand + could grasp what it sought. As he clutched his enemy he felt what he had + in that instant expected to feel—the handle of a dagger. The next + moment he cried, in a loud voice: “Oh, thou villain! Help, Gascoyne! He + hath a knife under his doublet!” + </p> + <p> + In answer to his cry for help, Myles's friends started to his aid. But the + bachelors shouted, “Stand back and let them fight it out alone, else we + will knife ye too.” And as they spoke, some of them leaped from the + benches whereon they stood, drawing their knives and flourishing them. + </p> + <p> + For just a few seconds Myles's friends stood cowed, and in those few + seconds the fight came to an end with a suddenness unexpected to all. + </p> + <p> + A struggle fierce and silent followed between the two; Blunt striving to + draw his knife, and Myles, with the energy of despair, holding him tightly + by the wrist. It was in vain the elder lad writhed and twisted; he was + strong enough to overbear Myles, but still was not able to clutch the haft + of his knife. + </p> + <p> + “Thou shalt not draw it!” gasped Myles at last. “Thou shalt not stab me!” + </p> + <p> + Then again some of his friends started forward to his aid, but they were + not needed, for before they came, the fight was over. + </p> + <p> + Blunt, finding that he was not able to draw the weapon, suddenly ceased + his endeavors, and flung his arms around Myles, trying to bear him down + upon the ground, and in that moment his battle was lost. + </p> + <p> + In an instant—so quick, so sudden, so unexpected that no one could + see how it happened—his feet were whirled away from under him, he + spun with flying arms across Myles's loins, and pitched with a thud upon + the stone pavement, where he lay still, motionless, while Myles, his face + white with passion and his eyes gleaming, stood glaring around like a + young wild-boar beset by the dogs. + </p> + <p> + The next moment the silence was broken, and the uproar broke forth with + redoubled violence. The bachelors, leaping from the benches, came hurrying + forward on one side, and Myles's friends from the other. + </p> + <p> + “Thou shalt smart for this, Falworth,” said one of the older lads. “Belike + thou hast slain him!” + </p> + <p> + Myles turned upon the speaker like a flash, and with such a passion of + fury in his face that the other, a fellow nearly a head taller than he, + shrank back, cowed in spite of himself. Then Gascoyne came and laid his + hand on his friend's shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Who touches me?” cried Myles, hoarsely, turning sharply upon him; and + then, seeing who it was, “Oh, Francis, they would ha' killed me!” + </p> + <p> + “Come away, Myles,” said Gascoyne; “thou knowest not what thou doest; thou + art mad; come away. What if thou hadst killed him?” + </p> + <p> + The words called Myles somewhat to himself. “I care not!” said he, but + sullenly and not passionately, and then he suffered Gascoyne and Wilkes to + lead him away. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Blunt's friends had turned him over, and, after feeling his + temples, his wrist, and his heart, bore him away to a bench at the far end + of the room. There they fell to chafing his hands and sprinkling water in + his face, a crowd of the others gathering about. Blunt was hidden from + Myles by those who stood around, and the lad listened to the broken talk + that filled the room with its confusion, his anxiety growing keener as he + became cooler. But at last, with a heartfelt joy, he gathered from the + confused buzz of words that the other lad had opened his eyes and, after a + while, he saw him sit up, leaning his head upon the shoulder of one of his + fellow-bachelors, white and faint and sick as death. + </p> + <p> + “Thank Heaven that thou didst not kill him!” said Edmund Wilkes, who had + been standing with the crowd looking on at the efforts of Blunt's friends + to revive him, and who had now come and sat down upon the bed not far from + Myles. + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said Myles, gruffly, “I do thank Heaven for that.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 14 + </h2> + <p> + If Myles fancied that one single victory over his enemy would cure the + evil against which he fought, he was grievously mistaken; wrongs are not + righted so easily as that. It was only the beginning. Other and far more + bitter battles lay before him ere he could look around him and say, “I + have won the victory.” + </p> + <p> + For a day—for two days—the bachelors were demoralized at the + fall of their leader, and the Knights of the Rose were proportionately + uplifted. + </p> + <p> + The day that Blunt met his fall, the wooden tank in which the water had + been poured every morning was found to have been taken away. The bachelors + made a great show of indignation and inquiry. Who was it stole their tank? + If they did but know, he should smart for it. + </p> + <p> + “Ho! ho!” roared Edmund Wilkes, so that the whole dormitory heard him, + “smoke ye not their tricks, lads? See ye not that they have stolen their + own water-tank, so that they might have no need for another fight over the + carrying of the water?” + </p> + <p> + The bachelors made an obvious show of not having heard what he said, and a + general laugh went around. No one doubted that Wilkes had spoken the truth + in his taunt, and that the bachelors had indeed stolen their own tank. So + no more water was ever carried for the head squires, but it was plain to + see that the war for the upperhand was not yet over. + </p> + <p> + Even if Myles had entertained comforting thoughts to the contrary, he was + speedily undeceived. One morning, about a week after the fight, as he and + Gascoyne were crossing the armory court, they were hailed by a group of + the bachelors standing at the stone steps of the great building. + </p> + <p> + “Holloa, Falworth!” they cried. “Knowest thou that Blunt is nigh well + again?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles, “I knew it not. But I am right glad to hear it.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt sing a different song anon,” said one of the bachelors. “I tell + thee he is hot against thee, and swears when he cometh again he will carve + thee soothly.” + </p> + <p> + “Aye, marry!” said another. “I would not be in thy skin a week hence for a + ducat! Only this morning he told Philip Mowbray that he would have thy + blood for the fall thou gavest him. Look to thyself, Falworth; he cometh + again Wednesday or Thursday next; thou standest in a parlous state.” + </p> + <p> + “Myles,” said Gascoyne, as they entered the great quadrangle, “I do indeed + fear me that he meaneth to do thee evil.” + </p> + <p> + “I know not,” said Myles, boldly; “but I fear him not.” Nevertheless his + heart was heavy with the weight of impending ill. + </p> + <p> + One evening the bachelors were more than usually noisy in their end of the + dormitory, laughing and talking and shouting to one another. + </p> + <p> + “Holloa, you sirrah, Falworth!” called one of them along the length of the + room. “Blunt cometh again to-morrow day.” + </p> + <p> + Myles saw Gascoyne direct a sharp glance at him; but he answered nothing + either to his enemy's words or his friend's look. + </p> + <p> + As the bachelor had said, Blunt came the next morning. It was just after + chapel, and the whole body of squires was gathered in the armory waiting + for the orders of the day and the calling of the roll of those chosen for + household duty. Myles was sitting on a bench along the wall, talking and + jesting with some who stood by, when of a sudden his heart gave a great + leap within him. + </p> + <p> + It was Walter Blunt. He came walking in at the door as if nothing had + passed, and at his unexpected coming the hubbub of talk and laughter was + suddenly checked. Even Myles stopped in his speech for a moment, and then + continued with a beating heart and a carelessness of manner that was + altogether assumed. In his hand Blunt carried the house orders for the + day, and without seeming to notice Myles, he opened it and read the list + of those called upon for household service. + </p> + <p> + Myles had risen, and was now standing listening with the others. When + Blunt had ended reading the list of names, he rolled up the parchment, and + thrust it into his belt; then swinging suddenly on his heel, he strode + straight up to Myles, facing him front to front. A moment or two of deep + silence followed; not a sound broke the stillness. When Blunt spoke every + one in the armory heard his words. + </p> + <p> + “Sirrah!” said he, “thou didst put foul shame upon me some time sin. Never + will I forget or forgive that offence, and will have a reckoning with thee + right soon that thou wilt not forget to the last day of thy life.” + </p> + <p> + When Myles had seen his enemy turn upon him, he did not know at first what + to expect; he would not have been surprised had they come to blows there + and then, and he held himself prepared for any event. He faced the other + pluckily enough and without flinching, and spoke up boldly in answer. “So + be it, Walter Blunt; I fear thee not in whatever way thou mayst encounter + me.” + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou not?” said Blunt. “By'r Lady, thou'lt have cause to fear me ere + I am through with thee.” He smiled a baleful, lingering smile, and then + turned slowly and walked away. + </p> + <p> + “What thinkest thou, Myles?” said Gascoyne, as the two left the armory + together. + </p> + <p> + “I think naught,” said Myles gruffly. “He will not dare to touch me to + harm me. I fear him not.” Nevertheless, he did not speak the full feelings + of his heart. + </p> + <p> + “I know not, Myles,” said Gascoyne, shaking his head doubtfully. “Walter + Blunt is a parlous evil-minded knave, and methinks will do whatever evil + he promiseth.” + </p> + <p> + “I fear him not,” said Myles again; but his heart foreboded trouble. + </p> + <p> + The coming of the head squire made a very great change in the condition of + affairs. Even before that coming the bachelors had somewhat recovered from + their demoralization, and now again they began to pluck up their + confidence and to order the younger squires and pages upon this personal + service or upon that. + </p> + <p> + “See ye not,” said Myles one day, when the Knights of the Rose were + gathered in the Brutus Tower—“see ye not that they grow as bad as + ever? An we put not a stop to this overmastery now, it will never stop.” + </p> + <p> + “Best let it be, Myles,” said Wilkes. “They will kill thee an thou cease + not troubling them. Thou hast bred mischief enow for thyself already.” + </p> + <p> + “No matter for that,” said Myles; “it is not to be borne that they order + others of us about as they do. I mean to speak to them to-night, and tell + them it shall not be.” + </p> + <p> + He was as good as his word. That night, as the youngsters were shouting + and romping and skylarking, as they always did before turning in, he stood + upon his cot and shouted: “Silence! List to me a little!” And then, in the + hush that followed—“I want those bachelors to hear this: that we + squires serve them no longer, and if they would ha' some to wait upon + them, they must get them otherwheres than here. There be twenty of us to + stand against them and haply more, and we mean that they shall ha' service + of us no more.” + </p> + <p> + Then he jumped down again from his elevated stand, and an uproar of + confusion instantly filled the place. What was the effect of his words + upon the bachelors he could not see. What was the result he was not slow + in discovering. + </p> + <p> + The next day Myles and Gascoyne were throwing their daggers for a wager at + a wooden target against the wall back of the armorer's smithy. Wilkes, + Gosse, and one or two others of the squires were sitting on a bench + looking on, and now and then applauding a more than usually well-aimed + cast of the knife. Suddenly that impish little page spoken of before, + Robin Ingoldsby, thrust his shock head around the corner of the smithy, + and said: “Ho, Falworth! Blunt is going to serve thee out to-day, and I + myself heard him say so. He says he is going to slit thine ears.” And then + he was gone as suddenly as he had appeared. + </p> + <p> + Myles darted after him, caught him midway in the quadrangle, and brought + him back by the scuff of the neck, squalling and struggling. + </p> + <p> + “There!” said he, still panting from the chase and seating the boy by no + means gently upon the bench beside Wilkes. “Sit thou there, thou imp of + evil! And now tell me what thou didst mean by thy words anon—an thou + stop not thine outcry, I will cut thy throat for thee,” and he made a + ferocious gesture with his dagger. + </p> + <p> + It was by no means easy to worm the story from the mischievous little + monkey; he knew Myles too well to be in the least afraid of his threats. + But at last, by dint of bribing and coaxing, Myles and his friends managed + to get at the facts. The youngster had been sent to clean the riding-boots + of one of the bachelors, instead of which he had lolled idly on a cot in + the dormitory, until he had at last fallen asleep. He had been awakened by + the opening of the dormitory door and by the sound of voices—among + them was that of his taskmaster. Fearing punishment for his neglected + duty, he had slipped out of the cot, and hidden himself beneath it. + </p> + <p> + Those who had entered were Walter Blunt and three of the older bachelors. + Blunt's companions were trying to persuade him against something, but + without avail. It was—Myles's heart thrilled and his blood boiled—to + lie in wait for him, to overpower him by numbers, and to mutilate him by + slitting his ears—a disgraceful punishment administered, as a rule, + only for thieving and poaching. + </p> + <p> + “He would not dare to do such a thing!” cried Myles, with heaving breast + and flashing eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Aye, but he would,” said Gascoyne. “His father, Lord Reginald Blunt, is a + great man over Nottingham way, and my Lord would not dare to punish him + even for such a matter as that. But tell me, Robin Ingoldsby, dost know + aught more of this matter? Prithee tell it me, Robin. Where do they + propose to lie in wait for Falworth?” + </p> + <p> + “In the gate-way of the Buttery Court, so as to catch him when he passes + by to the armory,” answered the boy. + </p> + <p> + “Are they there now?” said Wilkes. + </p> + <p> + “Aye, nine of them,” said Robin. “I heard Blunt tell Mowbray to go and + gather the others. He heard thee tell Gosse, Falworth, that thou wert + going thither for thy arbalist this morn to shoot at the rooks withal.” + </p> + <p> + “That will do, Robin,” said Myles. “Thou mayst go.” + </p> + <p> + And therewith the little imp scurried off, pulling the lobes of his ears + suggestively as he darted around the corner. + </p> + <p> + The others looked at one another for a while in silence. + </p> + <p> + “So, comrades,” said Myles at last, “what shall we do now?” + </p> + <p> + “Go, and tell Sir James,” said Gascoyne, promptly. + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles, “I take no such coward's part as that. I say an they + hunger to fight, give them their stomachful.” + </p> + <p> + The others were very reluctant for such extreme measures, but Myles, as + usual, carried his way, and so a pitched battle was decided upon. It was + Gascoyne who suggested the plan which they afterwards followed. + </p> + <p> + Then Wilkes started away to gather together those of the Knights of the + Rose not upon household duty, and Myles, with the others, went to the + armor smith to have him make for them a set of knives with which to meet + their enemies—knives with blades a foot long, pointed and + double-edged. + </p> + <p> + The smith, leaning with his hammer upon the anvil, listened to them as + they described the weapons. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, nay, Master Myles,” said he, when Myles had ended by telling the use + to which he intended putting them. “Thou art going all wrong in this + matter. With such blades, ere this battle is ended, some one would be + slain, and so murder done. Then the family of him who was killed would + haply have ye cited, and mayhap it might e'en come to the hanging, for + some of they boys ha' great folkeys behind them. Go ye to Tom Fletcher, + Master Myles, and buy of him good yew staves, such as one might break a + head withal, and with them, gin ye keep your wits, ye may hold your own + against knives or short swords. I tell thee, e'en though my trade be + making of blades, rather would I ha' a good stout cudgel in my hand than + the best dagger that ever was forged.” + </p> + <p> + Myles stood thoughtfully for a moment or two; then, looking up, “Methinks + thou speaketh truly, Robin,” said he; “and it were ill done to have blood + upon our hands.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 15 + </h2> + <p> + From the long, narrow stone-paved Armory Court, and connecting it with the + inner Buttery Court, ran a narrow arched passage-way, in which was a + picket-gate, closed at night and locked from within. It was in this arched + passage-way that, according to little Robert Ingoldsby's report, the + bachelors were lying in wait for Myles. Gascoyne's plan was that Myles + should enter the court alone, the Knights of the Rose lying ambushed + behind the angle of the armory building until the bachelors should show + themselves. + </p> + <p> + It was not without trepidation that Myles walked alone into the court, + which happened then to be silent and empty. His heart beat more quickly + than it was wont, and he gripped his cudgel behind his back, looking + sharply this way and that, so as not to be taken unawares by a flank + movement of his enemies. Midway in the court he stopped and hesitated for + a moment; then he turned as though to enter the armory. The next moment he + saw the bachelors come pouring out from the archway. + </p> + <p> + Instantly he turned and rushed back towards where his friends lay hidden, + shouting: “To the rescue! To the rescue!” + </p> + <p> + “Stone him!” roared Blunt. “The villain escapes!” + </p> + <p> + He stopped and picked up a cobble-stone as he spoke, flinging it after his + escaping prey. It narrowly missed Myles's head; had it struck him, there + might have been no more of this story to tell. + </p> + <p> + “To the rescue! To the rescue!” shouted Myles's friends in answer, and the + next moment he was surrounded by them. Then he turned, and swinging his + cudgel, rushed back upon his foes. + </p> + <p> + The bachelors stopped short at the unexpected sight of the lads with their + cudgels. For a moment they rallied and drew their knives; then they turned + and fled towards their former place of hiding. + </p> + <p> + One of them turned for a moment, and flung his knife at Myles with a + deadly aim; but Myles, quick as a cat, ducked his body, and the weapon + flew clattering across the stony court. Then he who had flung it turned + again to fly, but in his attempt he had delayed one instant too long. + Myles reached him with a long-arm stroke of his cudgel just as he entered + the passage-way, knocking him over like a bottle, stunned and senseless. + </p> + <p> + The next moment the picket-gate was banged in their faces and the bolt + shot in the staples, and the Knights of the Rose were left shouting and + battering with their cudgels against the palings. + </p> + <p> + By this time the uproar of fight had aroused those in the rooms and + offices fronting upon the Armory Court; heads were thrust from many of the + windows with the eager interest that a fight always evokes. + </p> + <p> + “Beware!” shouted Myles. “Here they come again!” He bore back towards the + entrance of the alley-way as he spoke, those behind him scattering to + right and left, for the bachelors had rallied, and were coming again to + the attack, shouting. + </p> + <p> + They were not a moment too soon in this retreat, either, for the next + instant the pickets flew open, and a volley of stones flew after the + retreating Knights of the Rose. One smote Wilkes upon the head, knocking + him down headlong. Another struck Myles upon his left shoulder, benumbing + his arm from the finger-tips to the armpit, so that he thought at first + the limb was broken. + </p> + <p> + “Get ye behind the buttresses!” shouted those who looked down upon the + fight from the windows—“get ye behind the buttresses!” And in answer + the lads, scattering like a newly-flushed covey of partridges, fled to and + crouched in the sheltering angles of masonry to escape from the flying + stones. + </p> + <p> + And now followed a lull in the battle, the bachelors fearing to leave the + protection of the arched passage-way lest their retreat should be cut off, + and the Knights of the Rose not daring to quit the shelter of the + buttresses and angles of the wall lest they should be knocked down by the + stones. + </p> + <p> + The bachelor whom Myles had struck down with his cudgel was sitting up + rubbing the back of his head, and Wilkes had gathered his wits enough to + crawl to the shelter of the nearest buttress. Myles, peeping around the + corner behind which he stood, could see that the bachelors were gathered + into a little group consulting together. Suddenly it broke asunder, and + Blunt turned around. + </p> + <p> + “Ho, Falworth!” he cried. “Wilt thou hold truce whiles we parley with ye?” + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” answered Myles. + </p> + <p> + “Wilt thou give me thine honor that ye will hold your hands from harming + us whiles we talk together?” + </p> + <p> + “Yea,” said Myles, “I will pledge thee mine honor.” + </p> + <p> + “I accept thy pledge. See! here we throw aside our stones and lay down our + knives. Lay ye by your clubs, and meet us in parley at the horse-block + yonder.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” said Myles, and thereupon, standing his cudgel in the angle of + the wall, he stepped boldly out into the open court-yard. Those of his + party came scatteringly from right and left, gathering about him; and the + bachelors advanced in a body, led by the head squire. + </p> + <p> + “Now what is it thou wouldst have, Walter Blunt?” said Myles, when both + parties had met at the horse-block. + </p> + <p> + “It is to say this to thee, Myles Falworth,” said the other. “One time, + not long sin, thou didst challenge me to meet thee hand to hand in the + dormitory. Then thou didst put a vile affront upon me, for the which I ha' + brought on this battle to-day, for I knew not then that thou wert going to + try thy peasant tricks of wrestling, and so, without guarding myself, I + met thee as thou didst desire.” + </p> + <p> + “But thou hadst thy knife, and would have stabbed him couldst thou ha' + done so,” said Gascoyne. + </p> + <p> + “Thou liest!” said Blunt. “I had no knife.” And then, without giving time + to answer, “Thou canst not deny that I met thee then at thy bidding, canst + thou, Falworth?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles, “nor haply canst thou deny it either.” And at this + covert reminder of his defeat Myles's followers laughed scoffingly and + Blunt bit his lip. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast said it,” said he. “Then sin. I met thee at thy bidding, I dare + to thee to meet me now at mine, and to fight this battle out between our + two selves, with sword and buckler and bascinet as gentles should, and not + in a wrestling match like two country hodges.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art a coward caitiff, Walter Blunt!” burst out Wilkes, who stood by + with a swelling lump upon his head, already as big as a walnut. “Well thou + knowest that Falworth is no match for thee at broadsword play. Is he not + four years younger than thou, and hast thou not had three times the + practice in arms that he hath had? I say thou art a coward to seek to + fight with cutting weapons.” + </p> + <p> + Blunt made no answer to Wilkes's speech, but gazed steadfastly at Myles, + with a scornful smile curling the corners of his lips. Myles stood looking + upon the ground without once lifting his eyes, not knowing what to answer, + for he was well aware that he was no match for Blunt with the broadsword. + </p> + <p> + “Thou art afraid to fight me, Myles Falworth,” said Blunt, tauntingly, and + the bachelors gave a jeering laugh in echo. + </p> + <p> + Then Myles looked up, and I cannot say that his face was not a trifle + whiter than usual. “Nay,” said he, “I am not afraid, and I will fight + thee, Blunt.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” said Blunt. “Then let us go at it straightway in the armory + yonder, for they be at dinner in the Great Hall, and just now there be'st + no one by to stay us.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou shalt not fight him, Myles!” burst out Gascoyne. “He will murther + thee! Thou shalt not fight him, I say!” + </p> + <p> + Myles turned away without answering him. + </p> + <p> + “What is to do?” called one of those who were still looking out of the + windows as the crowd of boys passed beneath. + </p> + <p> + “Blunt and Falworth are going to fight it out hand to hand in the armory,” + answered one of the bachelors, looking up. + </p> + <p> + The brawling of the squires was a jest to all the adjoining part of the + house. So the heads were withdrawn again, some laughing at the “sparring + of the cockerels.” + </p> + <p> + But it was no jesting matter to poor Myles. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 16 + </h2> + <p> + I have no intention to describe the fight between Myles Falworth and + Walter Blunt. Fisticuffs of nowadays are brutal and debasing enough, but a + fight with a sharp-edged broadsword was not only brutal and debasing, but + cruel and bloody as well. + </p> + <p> + From the very first of the fight Myles Falworth was palpably and obviously + overmatched. After fifteen minutes had passed, Blunt stood hale and sound + as at first; but poor Myles had more than one red stain of warm blood upon + doublet and hose, and more than one bandage had been wrapped by Gascoyne + and Wilkes about sore wounds. + </p> + <p> + He had received no serious injury as yet, for not only was his body + protected by a buckler, or small oblong shield, which he carried upon his + left arm, and his head by a bascinet, or light helmet of steel, but + perhaps, after all, Blunt was not over-anxious to do him any dangerous + harm. Nevertheless, there could be but one opinion as to how the fight + tended, and Myles's friends were gloomy and downcast; the bachelors + proportionately exultant, shouting with laughter, and taunting Myles at + every unsuccessful stroke. + </p> + <p> + Once, as he drew back panting, leaning upon Gascoyne's shoulder, the + faithful friend whispered, with trembling lips: “Oh, dear Myles, carry it + no further. Thou hurtest him not, and he will slay thee ere he have done + with thee.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Blunt, who caught the drift of the speech, put in a word. “Thou + art sore hurt, Myles Falworth,” said he, “and I would do thee no grievous + harm. Yield thee and own thyself beaten, and I will forgive thee. Thou + hast fought a good fight, and there is no shame in yielding now.” + </p> + <p> + “Never!” cried Myles, hoarsely—“never will I yield me! Thou mayst + slay me, Walter Blunt, and I reck not if thou dost do so, but never else + wilt thou conquer me.” + </p> + <p> + There was a tone of desperation in his voice that made all look serious. + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Blunt; “I will fight thee no more, Myles Falworth; thou hast + had enough.” + </p> + <p> + “By heavens!” cried Myles, grinding his teeth, “thou shalt fight me, thou + coward! Thou hast brought this fight upon us, and either thou or I get our + quittance here. Let go, Gascoyne!” he cried, shaking loose his friend's + hold; “I tell thee he shall fight me!” + </p> + <p> + From that moment Blunt began to lose his head. No doubt he had not thought + of such a serious fight as this when he had given his challenge, and there + was a savage bull-dog tenacity about Myles that could not but have had a + somewhat demoralizing effect upon him. + </p> + <p> + A few blows were given and taken, and then Myles's friends gave a shout. + Blunt drew back, and placed his hand to his shoulder. When he drew it away + again it was stained with red, and another red stain grew and spread + rapidly down the sleeve of his jacket. He stared at his hand for a moment + with a half-dazed look, and then glanced quickly to right and left. + </p> + <p> + “I will fight no more,” said he, sullenly. + </p> + <p> + “Then yield thee!” cried Myles, exultantly. + </p> + <p> + The triumphant shouts of the Knights of the Rose stung Blunt like a lash, + and the battle began again. Perhaps some of the older lads were of a mind + to interfere at this point, certainly some looked very serious, but before + they interposed, the fight was ended. + </p> + <p> + Blunt, grinding his teeth, struck one undercut at his opponent—the + same undercut that Myles had that time struck at Sir James Lee at the + knight's bidding when he first practised at the Devlen pels. Myles met the + blow as Sir James had met the blow that he had given, and then struck in + return as Sir James had struck—full and true. The bascinet that + Blunt wore glanced the blow partly, but not entirely. Myles felt his sword + bite through the light steel cap, and Blunt dropped his own blade + clattering upon the floor. It was all over in an instant, but in that + instant what he saw was stamped upon Myles's mind with an indelible + imprint. He saw the young man stagger backward; he saw the eyes roll + upward; and a red streak shoot out from under the cap and run down across + the cheek. + </p> + <p> + Blunt reeled half around, and then fell prostrate upon his face; and Myles + stood staring at him with the delirious turmoil of his battle dissolving + rapidly into a dumb fear at that which he had done. + </p> + <p> + Once again he had won the victory—but what a victory! “Is he dead?” + he whispered to Gascoyne. + </p> + <p> + “I know not,” said Gascoyne, with a very pale face. “But come away, + Myles.” And he led his friend out of the room. + </p> + <p> + Some little while later one of the bachelors came to the dormitory where + Myles, his wounds smarting and aching and throbbing, lay stretched upon + his cot, and with a very serious face bade him to go presently to Sir + James, who had just come from dinner, and was then in his office. + </p> + <p> + By this time Myles knew that he had not slain his enemy, and his heart was + light in spite of the coming interview. There was no one in the office but + Sir James and himself, and Myles, without concealing anything, told, point + by point, the whole trouble. Sir James sat looking steadily at him for a + while after he had ended. + </p> + <p> + “Never,” said he, presently, “did I know any one of ye squires, in all the + time that I have been here, get himself into so many broils as thou, Myles + Falworth. Belike thou sought to take this lad's life.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles, earnestly; “God forbid!” + </p> + <p> + “Ne'theless,” said Sir James, “thou fetched him a main shrewd blow; and it + is by good hap, and no fault of thine, that he will live to do more + mischief yet. This is thy second venture at him; the third time, haply, + thou wilt end him for good.” Then suddenly assuming his grimmest and + sternest manner: “Now, sirrah, do I put a stop to this, and no more shall + ye fight with edged tools. Get thee to the dormitory, and abide there a + full week without coming forth. Michael shall bring thee bread and water + twice a day for that time. That is all the food thou shalt have, and we + will see if that fare will not cool thy hot humors withal.” + </p> + <p> + Myles had expected a punishment so much more severe than that which was + thus meted to him, that in the sudden relief he broke into a convulsive + laugh, and then, with a hasty sweep, wiped a brimming moisture from his + eyes. + </p> + <p> + Sir James looked keenly at him for a moment. “Thou art white i' the face,” + said he. “Art thou wounded very sorely?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay” said Myles, “it is not much; but I be sick in my stomach.” + </p> + <p> + “Aye, aye,” said Sir James; “I know that feeling well. It is thus that one + always feeleth in coming out from a sore battle when one hath suffered + wounds and lost blood. An thou wouldst keep thyself hale, keep thyself + from needless fighting. Now go thou to the dormitory, and, as I said, come + thou not forth again for a week. Stay, sirrah!” he added; “I will send + Georgebarber to thee to look to thy sores. Green wounds are best drawn and + salved ere they grow cold.” + </p> + <p> + I wonder what Myles would have thought had he known that so soon as he had + left the office, Sir James had gone straight to the Earl and recounted the + whole matter to him, with a deal of dry gusto, and that the Earl listened + laughing. + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said he, when Sir James had done, “the boy hath mettle, sure. + Nevertheless, we must transplant this fellow Blunt to the office of + gentleman-in-waiting. He must be old enough now, and gin he stayeth in his + present place, either he will do the boy a harm, or the boy will do him a + harm.” + </p> + <p> + So Blunt never came again to trouble the squires' quarters; and thereafter + the youngsters rendered no more service to the elders. + </p> + <p> + Myles's first great fight in life was won. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 17 + </h2> + <p> + The summer passed away, and the bleak fall came. Myles had long since + accepted his position as one set apart from the others of his kind, and + had resigned himself to the evident fact that he was never to serve in the + household in waiting upon the Earl. I cannot say that it never troubled + him, but in time there came a compensation of which I shall have presently + to speak. + </p> + <p> + And then he had so much the more time to himself. The other lads were + sometimes occupied by their household duties when sports were afoot in + which they would liked to have taken part. Myles was always free to enter + into any matter of the kind after his daily exercise had been performed at + the pels, the butts, or the tilting-court. + </p> + <p> + But even though he was never called to do service in “my Lord's house,” he + was not long in gaining a sort of second-hand knowledge of all the family. + My Lady, a thin, sallow, faded dame, not yet past middle age, but looking + ten years older. The Lady Anne, the daughter of the house; a tall, thin, + dark-eyed, dark-haired, handsome young dame of twenty or twenty-one years + of age, hawk-nosed like her father, and silent, proud, and haughty, Myles + heard the squires say. Lady Alice, the Earl of Mackworth's niece and ward, + a great heiress in her own right, a strikingly pretty black-eyed girl of + fourteen or fifteen. + </p> + <p> + These composed the Earl's personal family; but besides them was Lord + George Beaumont, his Earl's brother, and him Myles soon came to know + better than any of the chief people of the castle excepting Sir James Lee. + </p> + <p> + For since Myles's great battle in the armory, Lord George had taken a + laughing sort of liking to the lad, encouraging him at times to talk of + his adventures, and of his hopes and aspirations. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps the Earl's younger brother—who was himself somewhat a + soldier of fortune, having fought in Spain, France, and Germany—felt + a certain kinship in spirit with the adventurous youngster who had his + unfriended way to make in the world. However that might have been, Lord + George was very kind and friendly to the lad, and the willing service that + Myles rendered him reconciled him not a little to the Earl's obvious + neglect. + </p> + <p> + Besides these of the more immediate family of the Earl were a number of + knights, ladies, and gentlemen, some of them cadets, some of them + retainers, of the house of Beaumont, for the princely nobles of those days + lived in state little less royal than royalty itself. + </p> + <p> + Most of the knights and gentlemen Myles soon came to know by sight, + meeting them in Lord George's apartments in the south wing of the great + house, and some of them, following the lead of Lord George, singled him + out for friendly notice, giving him a nod or a word in passing. + </p> + <p> + Every season has its pleasures for boys, and the constant change that they + bring is one of the greatest delights of boyhood's days. + </p> + <p> + All of us, as we grow older, have in our memory pictures of by-gone times + that are somehow more than usually vivid, the colors of some not blurring + by time as others do. One of which, in remembering, always filled Myles's + heart in after-years with an indefinable pleasure, was the recollection of + standing with others of his fellow squires in the crisp brown autumn grass + of the paddock, and shooting with the long-bow at wildfowl, which, when + the east wind was straining, flew low overhead to pitch to the lake in the + forbidden precincts of the deer park beyond the brow of the hill. More + than once a brace or two of these wildfowl, shot in their southward flight + by the lads and cooked by fat, good-natured Mother Joan, graced the rude + mess-table of the squires in the long hall, and even the toughest and + fishiest drake, so the fruit of their skill, had a savor that, somehow or + other, the daintiest fare lacked in after-years. + </p> + <p> + Then fall passed and winter came, bleak, cold, and dreary—not winter + as we know it nowadays, with warm fires and bright lights to make the long + nights sweet and cheerful with comfort, but winter with all its grimness + and sternness. In the great cold stone-walled castles of those days the + only fire and almost the only light were those from the huge blazing logs + that roared and crackled in the great open stone fireplace, around which + the folks gathered, sheltering their faces as best they could from the + scorching heat, and cloaking their shoulders from the biting cold, for at + the farther end of the room, where giant shadows swayed and bowed and + danced huge and black against the high walls, the white frost glistened in + the moonlight on the stone pavements, and the breath went up like smoke. + </p> + <p> + In those days were no books to read, but at the best only rude stories and + jests, recited by some strolling mummer or minstrel to the listening + circle, gathered around the blaze and welcoming the coarse, gross jests, + and coarser, grosser songs with roars of boisterous laughter. + </p> + <p> + Yet bleak and dreary as was the winter in those days, and cold and biting + as was the frost in the cheerless, windy halls and corridors of the + castle, it was not without its joys to the young lads; for then, as now, + boys could find pleasure even in slushy weather, when the sodden snow is + fit for nothing but to make snowballs of. + </p> + <p> + Thrice that bitter winter the moat was frozen over, and the lads, making + themselves skates of marrow-bones, which they bought from the hall cook at + a groat a pair, went skimming over the smooth surface, red-checked and + shouting, while the crows and the jackdaws looked down at them from the + top of the bleak gray walls. + </p> + <p> + Then at Yule-tide, which was somewhat of a rude semblance to the Merry + Christmas season of our day, a great feast was held in the hall, and all + the castle folk were fed in the presence of the Earl and the Countess. + Oxen and sheep were roasted whole; huge suet puddings, made of barley meal + sweetened with honey and stuffed with plums, were boiled in great caldrons + in the open courtyard; whole barrels of ale and malmsey were broached, and + all the folk, gentle and simple, were bidden to the feast. Afterwards the + minstrels danced and played a rude play, and in the evening a miracle show + was performed on a raised platform in the north hall. + </p> + <p> + For a week afterwards the castle was fed upon the remains of the good + things left from that great feast, until everyone grew to loathe fine + victuals, and longed for honest beef and mustard again. + </p> + <p> + Then at last in that constant change the winter was gone, and even the + lads who had enjoyed its passing were glad when the winds blew warm once + more, and the grass showed green in sunny places, and the leader of the + wild-fowl blew his horn, as they who in the fall had flown to the south + flew, arrow-like, northward again; when the buds swelled and the leaves + burst forth once more, and crocuses and then daffodils gleamed in the + green grass, like sparks and flames of gold. + </p> + <p> + With the spring came the out-door sports of the season; among others that + of ball—for boys were boys, and played at ball even in those faraway + days—a game called trap-ball. Even yet in some parts of England it + is played just as it was in Myles Falworth's day, and enjoyed just as + Myles and his friends enjoyed it. + </p> + <p> + So now that the sun was warm and the weather pleasant the game of + trap-ball was in full swing every afternoon, the play-ground being an open + space between the wall that surrounded the castle grounds and that of the + privy garden—the pleasance in which the ladies of the Earl's family + took the air every day, and upon which their apartments opened. + </p> + <p> + Now one fine breezy afternoon, when the lads were shouting and playing at + this, then their favorite game, Myles himself was at the trap barehanded + and barearmed. The wind was blowing from behind him, and, aided perhaps by + it, he had already struck three of four balls nearly the whole length of + the court—an unusual distance—and several of the lads had gone + back almost as far as the wall of the privy garden to catch any ball that + might chance to fly as far as that. Then once more Myles struck, throwing + all his strength into the blow. The ball shot up into the air, and when it + fell, it was to drop within the privy garden. + </p> + <p> + The shouts of the young players were instantly stilled, and Gascoyne, who + stood nearest Myles, thrust his hands into his belt, giving a long shrill + whistle. + </p> + <p> + “This time thou hast struck us all out, Myles,” said he. “There be no more + play for us until we get another ball.” + </p> + <p> + The outfielders came slowly trooping in until they had gathered in a + little circle around Myles. + </p> + <p> + “I could not help it,” said Myles, in answer to their grumbling. “How knew + I the ball would fly so far? But if I ha' lost the ball, I can get it + again. I will climb the wall for it.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou shalt do naught of the kind, Myles,” said Gascoyne, hastily. “Thou + art as mad as a March hare to think of such a venture! Wouldst get thyself + shot with a bolt betwixt the ribs, like poor Diccon Cook?” + </p> + <p> + Of all places about the castle the privy garden was perhaps the most + sacred. It was a small plot of ground, only a few rods long and wide, and + was kept absolutely private for the use of the Countess and her family. + Only a little while before Myles had first come to Devlen, one of the + cook's men had been found climbing the wall, whereupon the soldier who saw + him shot him with his cross bow. The poor fellow dropped from the wall + into the garden, and when they found him, he still held a bunch of flowers + in his hand, which he had perhaps been gathering for his sweetheart. + </p> + <p> + Had Myles seen him carried on a litter to the infirmary as Gascoyne and + some of the others had done, he might have thought twice before venturing + to enter the ladies' private garden. As it was, he only shook his stubborn + head, and said again, “I will climb the wall and fetch it.” + </p> + <p> + Now at the lower extremity of the court, and about twelve or fifteen feet + distant from the garden wall, there grew a pear-tree, some of the branches + of which overhung into the garden beyond. So, first making sure that no + one was looking that way, and bidding the others keep a sharp lookout, + Myles shinned up this tree, and choosing one of the thicker limbs, climbed + out upon it for some little distance. Then lowering his body, he hung at + arm's-length, the branch bending with his weight, and slowly let himself + down hand under hand, until at last he hung directly over the top of the + wall, and perhaps a foot above it. Below him he could see the leafy top of + an arbor covered with a thick growth of clematis, and even as he hung + there he noticed the broad smooth walks, the grassy terrace in front of + the Countess's apartments in the distance, the quaint flower-beds, the + yew-trees trimmed into odd shapes, and even the deaf old gardener working + bare-armed in the sunlight at a flower-bed in the far corner by the + tool-house. + </p> + <p> + The top of the wall was pointed like a house roof, and immediately below + him was covered by a thick growth of green moss, and it flashed through + his mind as he hung there that maybe it would offer a very slippery + foothold for one dropping upon the steep slopes of the top. But it was too + late to draw back now. + </p> + <p> + Bracing himself for a moment, he loosed his hold upon the limb above. The + branch flew back with a rush, and he dropped, striving to grasp the + sloping angle with his feet. Instantly the treacherous slippery moss slid + away from beneath him; he made a vain clutch at the wall, his fingers + sliding over the cold stones, then, with a sharp exclamation, down he + pitched bodily into the garden beneath! A thousand thoughts flew through + his brain like a cloud of flies, and then a leafy greenness seemed to + strike up against him. A splintering crash sounded in his ears as the + lattice top of the arbor broke under him, and with one final clutch at the + empty air he fell heavily upon the ground beneath. + </p> + <p> + He heard a shrill scream that seemed to find an instant echo; even as he + fell he had a vision of faces and bright colors, and when he sat up, dazed + and bewildered, he found himself face to face with the Lady Anne, the + daughter of the house, and her cousin, the Lady Alice, who clutching one + another tightly, stood staring at him with wide scared eyes. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 18 + </h2> + <p> + For a little time there was a pause of deep silence, during which the + fluttering leaves came drifting down from the broken arbor above. + </p> + <p> + It was the Lady Anne who first spoke. “Who art thou, and whence comest + thou?” said she, tremulously. + </p> + <p> + Then Myles gathered himself up sheepishly. “My name is Myles Falworth,” + said he, “and I am one of the squires of the body.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! aye!” said the Lady Alice, suddenly. “Me thought I knew thy face. Art + thou not the young man that I have seen in Lord George's train?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, lady,” said Myles, wrapping and twining a piece of the broken vine + in and out among his fingers. “Lord George hath often had me of late about + his person.” + </p> + <p> + “And what dost thou do here, sirrah?” said Lady Anne, angrily. “How darest + thou come so into our garden?” + </p> + <p> + “I meant not to come as I did,” said Myles, clumsily, and with a face hot + and red. “But I slipped over the top of the wall and fell hastily into the + garden. Truly, lady, I meant ye no harm or fright thereby.” + </p> + <p> + He looked so drolly abashed as he stood before them, with his clothes torn + and soiled from the fall, his face red, and his eyes downcast, all the + while industriously twisting the piece of clematis in and around his + fingers, that Lady Anne's half-frightened anger could not last. She and + her cousin exchanged glances, and smiled at one another. + </p> + <p> + “But,” said she at last, trying to draw her pretty brows together into a + frown, “tell me; why didst thou seek to climb the wall?” + </p> + <p> + “I came to seek a ball,” said Myles, “which I struck over hither from the + court beyond.” + </p> + <p> + “And wouldst thou come into our privy garden for no better reason than to + find a ball?” said the young lady. + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles; “it was not so much to find the ball, but, in good + sooth, I did truly strike it harder than need be, and so, gin I lost the + ball, I could do no less than come and find it again, else our sport is + done for the day. So it was I came hither.” + </p> + <p> + The two young ladies had by now recovered from their fright. The Lady Anne + slyly nudged her cousin with her elbow, and the younger could not suppress + a half-nervous laugh. Myles heard it, and felt his face grow hotter and + redder than ever. + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Lady Anne, “I do believe Master Giles—” + </p> + <p> + “My name be'st Myles,” corrected Myles. + </p> + <p> + “Very well, then, Master Myles, I say I do believe that thou meanest no + harm in coming hither; ne'theless it was ill of thee so to do. An my + father should find thee here, he would have thee shrewdly punished for + such trespassing. Dost thou not know that no one is permitted to enter + this place—no, not even my uncle George? One fellow who came hither + to steal apples once had his ears shaven close to his head, and not more + than a year ago one of the cook's men who climbed the wall early one + morning was shot by the watchman.” + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said Myles, “I knew of him who was shot, and it did go somewhat + against my stomach to venture, knowing what had happed to him. Ne'theless, + an I gat not the ball, how were we to play more to-day at the trap?” + </p> + <p> + “Marry, thou art a bold fellow, I do believe me,” said the young lady, + “and sin thou hast come in the face of such peril to get thy ball, thou + shalt not go away empty. Whither didst thou strike it?” + </p> + <p> + “Over yonder by the cherry-tree,” said Myles, jerking his head in that + direction. “An I may go get it, I will trouble ye no more.” As he spoke he + made a motion to leave them. + </p> + <p> + “Stay!” said the Lady Anne, hastily; “remain where thou art. An thou cross + the open, some one may haply see thee from the house, and will give the + alarm, and thou wilt be lost. I will go get thy ball.” + </p> + <p> + And so she left Myles and her cousin, crossing the little plots of grass + and skirting the rosebushes to the cherry-tree. + </p> + <p> + When Myles found himself alone with Lady Alice, he knew not where to look + or what to do, but twisted the piece of clematis which he still held in + and out more industriously than ever. + </p> + <p> + Lady Alice watched him with dancing eyes for a little while. “Haply thou + wilt spoil that poor vine,” said she by-and-by, breaking the silence and + laughing, then turning suddenly serious again. “Didst thou hurt thyself by + thy fall?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles, looking up, “such a fall as that was no great matter. + Many and many a time I have had worse.” + </p> + <p> + “Hast thou so?” said the Lady Alice. “Thou didst fright me parlously, and + my coz likewise.” + </p> + <p> + Myles hesitated for a moment, and then blurted out, “Thereat I grieve, for + thee I would not fright for all the world.” + </p> + <p> + The young lady laughed and blushed. “All the world is a great matter,” + said she. + </p> + <p> + “Yea,” said he, “it is a great matter; but it is a greater matter to + fright thee, and so I would not do it for that, and more.” + </p> + <p> + The young lady laughed again, but she did not say anything further, and a + space of silence fell so long that by-and-by she forced herself to say, + “My cousin findeth not the ball presently.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles, briefly, and then again neither spoke, until by-and-by + the Lady Anne came, bringing the ball. Myles felt a great sense of relief + at that coming, and yet was somehow sorry. Then he took the ball, and knew + enough to bow his acknowledgment in a manner neither ill nor awkward. + </p> + <p> + “Didst thou hurt thyself?” asked Lady Anne. + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles, giving himself a shake; “seest thou not I be whole, + limb and bone? Nay, I have had shrewdly worse falls than that. Once I fell + out of an oak-tree down by the river and upon a root, and bethought me I + did break a rib or more. And then one time when I was a boy in + Crosbey-Dale—that was where I lived before I came hither—I did + catch me hold of the blade of the windmill, thinking it was moving slowly, + and that I would have a ride i' th' air, and so was like to have had a + fall ten thousand times worse than this.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, tell us more of that!” said the Lady Anne, eagerly. “I did never hear + of such an adventure as that. Come, coz, and sit down here upon the bench, + and let us have him tell us all of that happening.” + </p> + <p> + Now the lads upon the other side of the wall had been whistling furtively + for some time, not knowing whether Myles had broken his neck or had come + off scot-free from his fall. “I would like right well to stay with ye,” + said he, irresolutely, “and would gladly tell ye that and more an ye would + have me to do so; but hear ye not my friends call me from beyond? Mayhap + they think I break my back, and are calling to see whether I be alive or + no. An I might whistle them answer and toss me this ball to them, all + would then be well, and they would know that I was not hurt, and so, + haply, would go away.” + </p> + <p> + “Then answer them,” said the Lady Anne, “and tell us of that thing thou + spokest of anon—how thou tookest a ride upon the windmill. We young + ladies do hear little of such matters, not being allowed to talk with + lads. All that we hear of perils are of knights and ladies and jousting, + and such like. It would pleasure us right well to have thee tell of thy + adventures.” + </p> + <p> + So Myles tossed back the ball, and whistled in answer to his friends. + </p> + <p> + Then he told the two young ladies not only of his adventure upon the + windmill, but also of other boyish escapades, and told them well, with a + straightforward smack and vigor, for he enjoyed adventure and loved to + talk of it. In a little while he had regained his ease; his shyness and + awkwardness left him, and nothing remained but the delightful fact that he + was really and actually talking to two young ladies, and that with just as + much ease and infinitely more pleasure than could be had in discourse with + his fellow-squires. But at last it was time for him to go. “Marry,” said + he, with a half-sigh, “methinks I did never ha' so sweet and pleasant a + time in all my life before. Never did I know a real lady to talk with, + saving only my mother, and I do tell ye plain methinks I would rather talk + with ye than with any he in Christendom—saving, perhaps, only my + friend Gascoyne. I would I might come hither again.” + </p> + <p> + The honest frankness of his speech was irresistible; the two girls + exchanged glances and then began laughing. “Truly,” said Lady Anne, who, + as was said before, was some three or four years older than Myles, “thou + art a bold lad to ask such a thing. How wouldst thou come hither? Wouldst + tumble through our clematis arbor again, as thou didst this day?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles, “I would not do that again, but if ye will bid me do + so, I will find the means to come hither.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Lady Anne, “I dare not bid thee do such a foolhardy thing. + Nevertheless, if thou hast the courage to come—” + </p> + <p> + “Yea,” said Myles, eagerly, “I have the courage.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, if thou hast so, we will be here in the garden on Saturday next at + this hour. I would like right well to hear more of thy adventures. But + what didst thou say was thy name? I have forgot it again.” + </p> + <p> + “It is Myles Falworth.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we shall yclep thee Sir Myles, for thou art a soothly errant-knight. + And stay! Every knight must have a lady to serve. How wouldst thou like my + Cousin Alice here for thy true lady?” + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said Myles, eagerly, “I would like it right well.” And then he + blushed fiery red at his boldness. + </p> + <p> + “I want no errant-knight to serve me,” said the Lady Alice, blushing, in + answer. “Thou dost ill tease me, coz! An thou art so free in choosing him + a lady to serve, thou mayst choose him thyself for thy pains.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said the Lady Anne, laughing; “I say thou shalt be his true lady, + and he shall be thy true knight. Who knows? Perchance he may serven thee + in some wondrous adventure, like as Chaucer telleth of. But now, Sir + Errant-Knight, thou must take thy leave of us, and I must e'en let thee + privily out by the postern-wicket. And if thou wilt take the risk upon + thee and come hither again, prithee be wary in that coming, lest in + venturing thou have thine ears clipped in most unknightly fashion.” + </p> + <p> + That evening, as he and Gascoyne sat together on a bench under the trees + in the great quadrangle, Myles told of his adventure of the afternoon, and + his friend listened with breathless interest. + </p> + <p> + “But, Myles,” cried Gascoyne, “did the Lady Anne never once seem proud and + unkind?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles; “only at first, when she chid me for falling through + the roof of their arbor. And to think, Francis! Lady Anne herself bade me + hold the Lady Alice as my true lady, and to serve her in all + knightliness!” Then he told his friend that he was going to the privy + garden again on the next Saturday, and that the Lady Anne had given him + permission so to do. + </p> + <p> + Gascoyne gave a long, wondering whistle, and then sat quite still, staring + into the sky. By-and-by he turned to his friend and said, “I give thee my + pledge, Myles Falworth, that never in all my life did I hear of any one + that had such marvellous strange happenings befall him as thou.” + </p> + <p> + Whenever the opportunity occurred for sending a letter to Crosbey-Holt, + Myles wrote one to his mother; and one can guess how they were treasured + by the good lady, and read over and over again to the blind old Lord as he + sat staring into darkness with his sightless eyes. + </p> + <p> + About the time of this escapade he wrote a letter telling of those doings, + wherein, after speaking of his misadventure of falling from the wall, and + of his acquaintance with the young ladies, he went on to speak of the + matter in which he repeated his visits. The letter was worded in the + English of that day—the quaint and crabbed language in which Chaucer + wrote. Perhaps few boys could read it nowadays, so, modernizing it + somewhat, it ran thus: + </p> + <p> + “And now to let ye weet that thing that followed that happening that made + me acquaint with they two young Damoiselles. I take me to the south wall + of that garden one day four and twenty great spikes, which Peter Smith did + forge for me and for which I pay him fivepence, and that all the money + that I had left of my half-year's wage, and wot not where I may get more + at these present, withouten I do betake me to Sir James, who, as I did + tell ye, hath consented to hold those moneys that Prior Edward gave me + till I need them. + </p> + <p> + “Now these same spikes, I say, I take me them down behind the corner of + the wall, and there drave them betwixt the stones, my very dear comrade + and true friend Gascoyne holping me thereto to do. And so come Saturday, I + climb me over the wall and to the roof of the tool-house below, seeking a + fitting opportunity when I might so do without being in too great + jeopardy. + </p> + <p> + “Yea; and who should be there but they two ladies, biding my coming, who, + seeing me, made as though they had expected me not, and gave me greatest + rebuke for adventuring so moughtily. Yet, methinks, were they right well + pleasured that I should so aventure, which indeed I might not otherwise + do, seeing as I have telled to thee, that one of them is mine own true + lady for to serven, and so was the only way that I might come to speech + with her.” + </p> + <p> + Such was Myles's own quaint way of telling how he accomplished his aim of + visiting the forbidden garden, and no doubt the smack of adventure and the + savor of danger in the undertaking recommended him not a little to the + favor of the young ladies. + </p> + <p> + After this first acquaintance perhaps a month passed, during which Myles + had climbed the wall some half a dozen times (for the Lady Anne would not + permit of too frequent visits), and during which the first acquaintance of + the three ripened rapidly to an honest, pleasant friendship. More than + once Myles, when in Lord George's train, caught a covert smile or half nod + from one or both of the girls, not a little delightful in its very secret + friendliness. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 19 + </h2> + <p> + As was said, perhaps a month passed; then Myles's visits came to an abrupt + termination, and with it ended, in a certain sense, a chapter of his life. + </p> + <p> + One Saturday afternoon he climbed the garden wall, and skirting behind a + long row of rosebushes that screened him from the Countess's terrace, came + to a little summer-house where the two young ladies had appointed to meet + him that day. + </p> + <p> + A pleasant half-hour or so was passed, and then it was time for Myles to + go. He lingered for a while before he took his final leave, leaning + against the door-post, and laughingly telling how he and some of his + brother squires had made a figure of straw dressed in men's clothes, and + had played a trick with it one night upon a watchman against whom they + bore a grudge. + </p> + <p> + The young ladies were listening with laughing faces, when suddenly, as + Myles looked, he saw the smile vanish from Lady Alice's eyes and a wide + terror take its place. She gave a half-articulate cry, and rose abruptly + from the bench upon which she was sitting. + </p> + <p> + Myles turned sharply, and then his very heart seemed to stand still within + him; for there, standing in the broad sunlight without, and glaring in + upon the party with baleful eyes, was the Earl of Mackworth himself. + </p> + <p> + How long was the breathless silence that followed, Myles could never tell. + He knew that the Lady Anne had also risen, and that she and her cousin + were standing as still as statues. Presently the Earl pointed to the house + with his staff, and Myles noted stupidly how it trembled in his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Ye wenches,” said he at last, in a hard, harsh voice—“ye wenches, + what meaneth this? Would ye deceive me so, and hold parlance thus secretly + with this fellow? I will settle with him anon. Meantime get ye straightway + to the house and to your rooms, and there abide until I give ye leave to + come forth again. Go, I say!” + </p> + <p> + “Father,” said Lady Anne, in a breathless voice—she was as white as + death, and moistened her lips with her tongue before she spoke—“father, + thou wilt not do harm to this young man. Spare him, I do beseech thee, for + truly it was I who bade him come hither. I know that he would not have + come but at our bidding.” + </p> + <p> + The Earl stamped his foot upon the gravel. “Did ye not hear me?” said he, + still pointing towards the house with his trembling staff. “I bade ye go + to your rooms. I will settle with this fellow, I say, as I deem fitting.” + </p> + <p> + “Father,” began Lady Anne again; but the Earl made such a savage gesture + that poor Lady Alice uttered a faint shriek, and Lady Anne stopped + abruptly, trembling. Then she turned and passed out the farther door of + the summerhouse, poor little Lady Alice following, holding her tight by + the skirts, and trembling and shuddering as though with a fit of the ague. + </p> + <p> + The Earl stood looking grimly after them from under his shaggy eyebrows, + until they passed away behind the yew-trees, appeared again upon the + terrace behind, entered the open doors of the women's house, and were + gone. Myles heard their footsteps growing fainter and fainter, but he + never raised his eyes. Upon the ground at his feet were four pebbles, and + he noticed how they almost made a square, and would do so if he pushed one + of them with his toe, and then it seemed strange to him that he should + think of such a little foolish thing at that dreadful time. + </p> + <p> + He knew that the Earl was looking gloomily at him, and that his face must + be very pale. Suddenly Lord Mackworth spoke. “What hast thou to say?” said + he, harshly. + </p> + <p> + Then Myles raised his eyes, and the Earl smiled grimly as he looked his + victim over. “I have naught to say,” said the lad, huskily. + </p> + <p> + “Didst thou not hear what my daughter spake but now?” said the Earl. “She + said that thou came not of thy own free-will; what sayst thou to that, + sirrah—is it true?” + </p> + <p> + Myles hesitated for a moment or two; his throat was tight and dry. “Nay,” + said he at last, “she belieth herself. It was I who first came into the + garden. I fell by chance from the tree yonder—I was seeking a ball—then + I asked those two if I might not come hither again, and so have done some + several times in all. But as for her—nay; it was not at her bidding + that I came, but through mine own asking.” + </p> + <p> + The Earl gave a little grunt in his throat. “And how often hast thou been + here?” said he, presently. + </p> + <p> + Myles thought a moment or two. “This maketh the seventh time,” said he. + </p> + <p> + Another pause of silence followed, and Myles began to pluck up some heart + that maybe all would yet be well. The Earl's next speech dashed that hope + into a thousand fragments. “Well thou knowest,” said he, “that it is + forbid for any to come here. Well thou knowest that twice have men been + punished for this thing that thou hast done, and yet thou camest in spite + of all. Now dost thou know what thou wilt suffer?” + </p> + <p> + Myles picked with nervous fingers at a crack in the oaken post against + which he leaned. “Mayhap thou wilt kill me,” said he at last, in a dull, + choking voice. + </p> + <p> + Again the Earl smiled a grim smile. “Nay,” said he, “I would not slay + thee, for thou hast gentle blood. But what sayest thou should I shear + thine ears from thine head, or perchance have thee scourged in the great + court?” + </p> + <p> + The sting of the words sent the blood flying back to Myles's face again, + and he looked quickly up. “Nay,” said he, with a boldness that surprised + himself; “thou shalt do no such unlordly thing upon me as that. I be thy + peer, sir, in blood; and though thou mayst kill me, thou hast no right to + shame me.” + </p> + <p> + Lord Mackworth bowed with a mocking courtesy. “Marry!” said he. “Methought + it was one of mine own saucy popinjay squires that I caught sneaking here + and talking to those two foolish young lasses, and lo! it is a young Lord—or + mayhap thou art a young Prince—and commandeth me that I shall not do + this and I shall not do that. I crave your Lordship's honorable pardon, if + I have said aught that may have galled you.” + </p> + <p> + The fear Myles had felt was now beginning to dissolve in rising wrath. + “Nay,” said he, stoutly, “I be no Lord and I be no Prince, but I be as + good as thou. For am I not the son of thy onetime very true comrade and + thy kinsman—to wit, the Lord Falworth, whom, as thou knowest, is + poor and broken, and blind, and helpless, and outlawed, and banned? Yet,” + cried he, grinding his teeth, as the thought of it all rushed in upon him, + “I would rather be in his place than in yours; for though he be ruined, + you—” + </p> + <p> + He had just sense enough to stop there. + </p> + <p> + The Earl, gripping his staff behind his back, and with his head a little + bent, was looking keenly at the lad from under his shaggy gray brows. + “Well,” said he, as Myles stopped, “thou hast gone too far now to draw + back. Say thy say to the end. Why wouldst thou rather be in thy father's + stead than in mine?” + </p> + <p> + Myles did not answer. + </p> + <p> + “Thou shalt finish thy speech, or else show thyself a coward. Though thy + father is ruined, thou didst say I am—what?” + </p> + <p> + Myles keyed himself up to the effort, and then blurted out, “Thou art + attainted with shame.” + </p> + <p> + A long breathless silence followed. + </p> + <p> + “Myles Falworth,” said the Earl at last (and even in the whirling of his + wits Myles wondered that he had the name so pat)—“Myles Falworth, of + all the bold, mad, hare-brained fools, thou art the most foolish. How dost + thou dare say such words to me? Dost thou not know that thou makest thy + coming punishment ten times more bitter by such a speech?” + </p> + <p> + “Aye!” cried Myles, desperately; “but what else could I do? An I did not + say the words, thou callest me coward, and coward I am not.” + </p> + <p> + “By 'r Lady!” said the Earl, “I do believe thee. Thou art a bold, impudent + varlet as ever lived—to beard me so, forsooth! Hark'ee; thou sayst I + think naught of mine old comrade. I will show thee that thou dost belie + me. I will suffer what thou hast said to me for his sake, and for his sake + will forgive thee thy coming hither—which I would not do in another + case to any other man. Now get thee gone straightway, and come hither no + more. Yonder is the postern-gate; mayhap thou knowest the way. But stay! + How camest thou hither?” + </p> + <p> + Myles told him of the spikes he had driven in the wall, and the Earl + listened, stroking his beard. When the lad had ended, he fixed a sharp + look upon him. “But thou drove not those spikes alone,” said he; “who + helped thee do it?” + </p> + <p> + “That I may not tell,” said Myles, firmly. + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” said the Earl. “I will not ask thee to tell his name. Now get + thee gone! And as for those spikes, thou mayst e'en knock them out of the + wall, sin thou drave them in. Play no more pranks an thou wouldst keep thy + skin whole. And now go, I say!” + </p> + <p> + Myles needed no further bidding, but turned and left the Earl without + another word. As he went out the postern-gate he looked over his shoulder, + and saw the tall figure, in its long fur-trimmed gown, still standing in + the middle of the path, looking after him from under the shaggy eyebrows. + </p> + <p> + As he ran across the quadrangle, his heart still fluttering in his breast, + he muttered to himself, “The old grizzle-beard; an I had not faced him a + bold front, mayhap he would have put such shame upon me as he said. I + wonder why he stood so staring after me as I left the garden.” + </p> + <p> + Then for the time the matter slipped from his mind, saving only that part + that smacked of adventure. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 20 + </h2> + <p> + So for a little while Myles was disposed to congratulate himself upon + having come off so well from his adventure with the Earl. But after a day + or two had passed, and he had time for second thought, he began to + misdoubt whether, after all, he might not have carried it with a better + air if he had shown more chivalrous boldness in the presence of his true + lady; whether it would not have redounded more to his credit if he had in + some way asserted his rights as the young dame's knight-errant and + defender. Was it not ignominious to resign his rights and privileges so + easily and tamely at a signal from the Earl? + </p> + <p> + “For, in sooth,” said he to Gascoyne, as the two talked the matter over, + “she hath, in a certain way, accepted me for her knight, and yet I stood + me there without saying so much as one single word in her behalf.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Gascoyne, “I would not trouble me on that score. Methinks that + thou didst come off wondrous well out of the business. I would not have + thought it possible that my Lord could ha' been so patient with thee as he + showed himself. Methinks, forsooth, he must hold thee privily in right + high esteem.” + </p> + <p> + “Truly,” said Myles, after a little pause of meditative silence, “I know + not of any esteem, yet I do think he was passing patient with me in this + matter. But ne'theless, Francis, that changeth not my stand in the case. + Yea, I did shamefully, so to resign my lady without speaking one word; nor + will I so resign her even yet. I have bethought me much of this matter of + late, Francis, and now I come to thee to help me from my evil case. I + would have thee act the part of a true friend to me—like that one I + have told thee of in the story of the Emperor Justinian. I would have + thee, when next thou servest in the house, to so contrive that my Lady + Alice shall get a letter which I shall presently write, and wherein I may + set all that is crooked straight again.” + </p> + <p> + “Heaven forbid,” said Gascoyne, hastily, “that I should be such a fool as + to burn my fingers in drawing thy nuts from the fire! Deliver thy letter + thyself, good fellow!” + </p> + <p> + So spoke Gascoyne, yet after all he ended, as he usually did, by yielding + to Myles's superior will and persistence. So the letter was written and + one day the good-natured Gascoyne carried it with him to the house, and + the opportunity offering, gave it to one of the young ladies attendant + upon the Countess's family—a lass with whom he had friendly intimacy—to + be delivered to Lady Alice. + </p> + <p> + But if Myles congratulated himself upon the success of this new adventure, + it was not for long. That night, as the crowd of pages and squires were + making themselves ready for bed, the call came through the uproar for + “Myles Falworth! Myles Falworth!” + </p> + <p> + “Here I be,” cried Myles, standing up on his cot. “Who calleth me?” + </p> + <p> + It was the groom of the Earl's bedchamber, and seeing Myles standing thus + raised above the others, he came walking down the length of the room + towards him, the wonted hubbub gradually silencing as he advanced and the + youngsters turning, staring, and wondering. + </p> + <p> + “My Lord would speak with thee, Myles Falworth,” said the groom, when he + had come close enough to where Myles stood. “Busk thee and make ready; he + is at livery even now.” + </p> + <p> + The groom's words fell upon Myles like a blow. He stood for a while + staring wide-eyed. “My Lord speak with me, sayst thou!” he ejaculated at + last. + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said the other, impatiently; “get thee ready quickly. I must return + anon.” + </p> + <p> + Myles's head was in a whirl as he hastily changed his clothes for a better + suit, Gascoyne helping him. What could the Earl want with him at this + hour? He knew in his heart what it was; the interview could concern + nothing but the letter that he had sent to Lady Alice that day. As he + followed the groom through the now dark and silent courts, and across the + corner of the great quadrangle, and so to the Earl's house, he tried to + brace his failing courage to meet the coming interview. Nevertheless, his + heart beat tumultuously as he followed the other down the long corridor, + lit only by a flaring link set in a wrought-iron bracket. Then his + conductor lifted the arras at the door of the bedchamber, whence came the + murmuring sound of many voices, and holding it aside, beckoned him to + enter, and Myles passed within. At the first, he was conscious of nothing + but a crowd of people, and of the brightness of many lighted candles; then + he saw that he stood in a great airy room spread with a woven mat of + rushes. On three sides the walls were hung with tapestry representing + hunting and battle scenes, at the farther end, where the bed stood, the + stone wall of the fourth side was covered with cloth of blue, embroidered + with silver goshawks. Even now, in the ripe springtime of May, the room + was still chilly, and a great fire roared and crackled in the huge gaping + mouth of the stone fireplace. Not far from the blaze were clustered the + greater part of those present, buzzing in talk, now and then swelled by + murmuring laughter. Some of those who knew Myles nodded to him, and two or + three spoke to him as he stood waiting, whilst the groom went forward to + speak to the Earl; though what they said and what he answered, Myles, in + his bewilderment and trepidation, hardly knew. + </p> + <p> + As was said before, the livery was the last meal of the day, and was taken + in bed. It was a simple repast—a manchette, or small loaf of bread + of pure white flour, a loaf of household bread, sometimes a lump of + cheese, and either a great flagon of ale or of sweet wine, warm and + spiced. The Earl was sitting upright in bed, dressed in a furred + dressing-gown, and propped up by two cylindrical bolsters of crimson + satin. Upon the coverlet, and spread over his knees, was a large wide + napkin of linen fringed with silver thread, and on it rested a silver tray + containing the bread and some cheese. Two pages and three gentlemen were + waiting upon him, and Mad Noll, the jester, stood at the head of the bed, + now and then jingling his bawble and passing some quaint jest upon the + chance of making his master smile. Upon a table near by were some dozen or + so waxen tapers struck upon as many spiked candlesticks of silver-gilt, + and illuminating that end of the room with their bright twinkling flames. + One of the gentlemen was in the act of serving the Earl with a goblet of + wine, poured from a silver ewer by one of the squires, as the groom of the + chamber came forward and spoke. The Earl, taking the goblet, turned his + head, and as Myles looked, their eyes met. Then the Earl turned away again + and raised the cup to his lips, while Myles felt his heart beat more + rapidly than ever. + </p> + <p> + But at last the meal was ended, and the Earl washed his hands and his + mouth and his beard from a silver basin of scented water held by another + one of the squires. Then, leaning back against the pillows, he beckoned to + Myles. + </p> + <p> + In answer Myles walked forward the length of the room, conscious that all + eyes were fixed upon him. The Earl said something, and those who stood + near drew back as he came forward. Then Myles found himself standing + beside the bed, looking down upon the quilted counterpane, feeling that + the other was gazing fixedly at him. + </p> + <p> + “I sent for thee,” said the Earl at last, still looking steadily at him, + “because this afternoon came a letter to my hand which thou hadst written + to my niece, the Lady Alice. I have it here,” said he, thrusting his hand + under the bolster, “and have just now finished reading it.” Then, after a + moment's pause, whilst he opened the parchment and scanned it again, “I + find no matter of harm in it, but hereafter write no more such.” He spoke + entirely without anger, and Myles looked up in wonder. “Here, take it,” + said the Earl, folding the letter and tossing it to Myles, who + instinctively caught it, “and henceforth trouble thou my niece no more + either by letter or any other way. I thought haply thou wouldst be at some + such saucy trick, and I made Alice promise to let me know when it happed. + Now, I say, let this be an end of the matter. Dost thou not know thou + mayst injure her by such witless folly as that of meeting her privily, and + privily writing to her?” + </p> + <p> + “I meant no harm,” said Myles. + </p> + <p> + “I believe thee,” said the Earl. “That will do now; thou mayst go.” + </p> + <p> + Myles hesitated. + </p> + <p> + “What wouldst thou say?” said Lord Mackworth. + </p> + <p> + “Only this,” said Myles, “an I have thy leave so to do, that the Lady + Alice hath chosen me to be her knight, and so, whether I may see her or + speak with her or no, the laws of chivalry give me, who am gentle born, + the right to serve her as a true knight may.” + </p> + <p> + “As a true fool may,” said the Earl, dryly. “Why, how now, thou art not a + knight yet, nor anything but a raw lump of a boy. What rights do the laws + of chivalry give thee, sirrah? Thou art a fool!” + </p> + <p> + Had the Earl been ever so angry, his words would have been less bitter to + Myles than his cool, unmoved patience; it mortified his pride and galled + it to the quick. + </p> + <p> + “I know that thou dost hold me in contempt,” he mumbled. + </p> + <p> + “Out upon thee!” said the Earl, testily. “Thou dost tease me beyond + patience. I hold thee in contempt, forsooth! Why, look thee, hadst thou + been other than thou art, I would have had thee whipped out of my house + long since. Thinkest thou I would have borne so patiently with another one + of ye squires had such an one held secret meeting with my daughter and + niece, and tampered, as thou hast done, with my household, sending through + one of my people that letter? Go to; thou art a fool, Myles Falworth!” + </p> + <p> + Myles stood staring at the Earl without making an effort to speak. The + words that he had heard suddenly flashed, as it were, a new light into his + mind. In that flash he fully recognized, and for the first time, the + strange and wonderful forbearance the great Earl had shown to him, a poor + obscure boy. What did it mean? Was Lord Mackworth his secret friend, after + all, as Gascoyne had more than once asserted? So Myles stood silent, + thinking many things. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the other lay back upon the cylindrical bolsters, looking + thoughtfully at him. “How old art thou?” said he at last. + </p> + <p> + “Seventeen last April,” answered Myles. + </p> + <p> + “Then thou art old enough to have some of the thoughts of a man, and to + lay aside those of a boy. Haply thou hast had foolish things in thy head + this short time past; it is time that thou put them away. Harkee, sirrah! + the Lady Alice is a great heiress in her own right, and mayst command the + best alliance in England—an Earl—a Duke. She groweth apace to + a woman, and then her kind lieth in Courts and great houses. As for thee, + thou art but a poor lad, penniless and without friends to aid thee to open + advancement. Thy father is attainted, and one whisper of where he lieth + hid would bring him thence to the Tower, and haply to the block. Besides + that, he hath an enemy, as Sir James Lee hath already told thee—an + enemy perhaps more great and powerful than myself. That enemy watcheth for + thy father and for thee; shouldst thou dare raise thy head or thy fortune + ever so little, he would haply crop them both, and that parlously quick. + Myles Falworth, how dost thou dare to lift thine eyes to the Lady Alice de + Mowbray?” + </p> + <p> + Poor Myles stood silent and motionless. “Sir,” said he at last, in a dry + choking voice, “thou art right, and I have been a fool. Sir, I will never + raise mine eyes to look upon the Lady Alice more.” + </p> + <p> + “I say not that either, boy,” said the Earl; “but ere thou dost so dare, + thou must first place thyself and thy family whence ye fell. Till then, as + thou art an honest man, trouble her not. Now get thee gone.” + </p> + <p> + As Myles crossed the dark and silent courtyards, and looked up at the + clear, still twinkle of the stars, he felt a kind of dull wonder that they + and the night and the world should seem so much the same, and he be so + different. + </p> + <p> + The first stroke had been given that was to break in pieces his boyhood + life—the second was soon to follow. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 21 + </h2> + <p> + There are now and then times in the life of every one when new and strange + things occur with such rapidity that one has hardly time to catch one's + breath between the happenings. It is as though the old were crumbling away—breaking + in pieces—to give place to the new that is soon to take its place. + </p> + <p> + So it was with Myles Falworth about this time. The very next day after + this interview in the bed-chamber, word came to him that Sir James Lee + wished to speak with him in the office. He found the lean, grizzled old + knight alone, sitting at the heavy oaken table with a tankard of spiced + ale at his elbow, and a dish of wafers and some fragments of cheese on a + pewter platter before him. He pointed to his clerk's seat—a joint + stool somewhat like a camp-chair, but made of heavy oaken braces and with + a seat of hog-skin—and bade Myles be seated. + </p> + <p> + It was the first time that Myles had ever heard of such courtesy being + extended to one of the company of squires, and, much wondering, he obeyed + the invitation, or rather command, and took the seat. + </p> + <p> + The old knight sat regarding him for a while in silence, his one eye, as + bright and as steady as that of a hawk, looking keenly from under the + penthouse of its bushy brows, the while he slowly twirled and twisted his + bristling wiry mustaches, as was his wont when in meditation. At last he + broke the silence. “How old art thou?” said he, abruptly. + </p> + <p> + “I be turned seventeen last April,” Myles answered, as he had the evening + before to Lord Mackworth. + </p> + <p> + “Humph!” said Sir James; “thou be'st big of bone and frame for thine age. + I would that thy heart were more that of a man likewise, and less that of + a giddy, hare-brained boy, thinking continually of naught but mischief.” + </p> + <p> + Again he fell silent, and Myles sat quite still, wondering if it was on + account of any special one of his latest escapades that he had been + summoned to the office—the breaking of the window in the Long Hall + by the stone he had flung at the rook, or the climbing of the South Tower + for the jackdaw's nest. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast a friend,” said Sir James, suddenly breaking into his + speculations, “of such a kind that few in this world possess. Almost ever + since thou hast been here he hath been watching over thee. Canst thou + guess of whom I speak?” + </p> + <p> + “Haply it is Lord George Beaumont,” said Myles; “he hath always been + passing kind to me. + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Sir James, “it is not of him that I speak, though methinks he + liketh thee well enow. Canst thou keep a secret, boy?” he asked, suddenly. + </p> + <p> + “Yea,” answered Myles. + </p> + <p> + “And wilt thou do so in this case if I tell thee who it is that is thy + best friend here?” + </p> + <p> + “Yea.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it is my Lord who is that friend—the Earl himself; but see + that thou breathe not a word of it.” + </p> + <p> + Myles sat staring at the old knight in utter and profound amazement, and + presently Sir James continued: “Yea, almost ever since thou hast come here + my Lord hath kept oversight upon all thy doings, upon all thy mad pranks + and thy quarrels and thy fights, thy goings out and comings in. What + thinkest thou of that, Myles Falworth?” + </p> + <p> + Again the old knight stopped and regarded the lad, who sat silent, finding + no words to answer. He seemed to find a grim pleasure in the youngster's + bewilderment and wonder. Then a sudden thought came to Myles. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said he, “did my Lord know that I went to the privy garden as I + did?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Sir James; “of that he knew naught at first until thy father + bade thy mother write and tell him.” + </p> + <p> + “My father!” ejaculated Myles. + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said Sir James, twisting his mustaches more vigorously than ever. + “So soon as thy father heard of that prank, he wrote straightway to my + Lord that he should put a stop to what might in time have bred mischief.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said Myles, in an almost breathless voice, “I know not how to + believe all these things, or whether I be awake or a-dreaming.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou be'st surely enough awake,” answered the old man; “but there are + other matters yet to be told. My Lord thinketh, as others of us do—Lord + George and myself—that it is now time for thee to put away thy + boyish follies, and learn those things appertaining to manhood. Thou hast + been here a year now, and hast had freedom to do as thou might list; but, + boy,”—and the old warrior spoke seriously, almost solemnly—“upon + thee doth rest matters of such great import that did I tell them to thee + thou couldst not grasp them. My Lord deems that thou hast, mayhap, promise + beyond the common of men; ne'theless it remaineth yet to be seen an he be + right; it is yet to test whether that promise may be fulfilled. Next + Monday I and Sir Everard Willoughby take thee in hand to begin training + thee in the knowledge and the use of the jousting lance, of arms, and of + horsemanship. Thou art to go to Ralph Smith, and have him fit a suit of + plain armor to thee which he hath been charged to make for thee against + this time. So get thee gone, think well over all these matters, and + prepare thyself by next Monday. But stay, sirrah,” he added, as Myles, + dazed and bewildered, turned to obey; “breathe to no living soul what I + ha' told thee—that my Lord is thy friend—neither speak of + anything concerning him. Such is his own heavy command laid upon thee.” + </p> + <p> + Then Myles turned again without a word to leave the room. But as he + reached the door Sir James stopped him a second time. + </p> + <p> + “Stay!” he called. “I had nigh missed telling thee somewhat else. My Lord + hath made thee a present this morning that thou wottest not of. It is”—then + he stopped for a few moments, perhaps to enjoy the full flavor of what he + had to say—“it is a great Flemish horse of true breed and right + mettle; a horse such as a knight of the noblest strain might be proud to + call his own. Myles Falworth, thou wert born upon a lucky day!” + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” cried Myles, and then stopped short. Then, “Sir,” he cried again, + “didst thou say it—the horse—was to be mine?” + </p> + <p> + “Aye, it is to be thine.” + </p> + <p> + “My very own?” + </p> + <p> + “Thy very own.” + </p> + <p> + How Myles Falworth left that place he never knew. He was like one in some + strange, some wonderful dream. He walked upon air, and his heart was so + full of joy and wonder and amazement that it thrilled almost to agony. Of + course his first thought was of Gascoyne. How he ever found him he never + could tell, but find him he did. + </p> + <p> + “Come, Francis!” he cried, “I have that to tell thee so marvellous that + had it come upon me from paradise it could not be more strange.” + </p> + <p> + Then he dragged him away to their Eyry—it had been many a long day + since they had been there—and to all his friend's speeches, to all + his wondering questions, he answered never a word until they had climbed + the stairs, and so come to their old haunt. Then he spoke. + </p> + <p> + “Sit thee down, Francis,” said he, “till I tell thee that which passeth + wonder.” As Gascoyne obeyed, he himself stood looking about him. “This is + the last time I shall ever come hither,” said he. And thereupon he poured + out his heart to his listening friend in the murmuring solitude of the + airy height. He did not speak of the Earl, but of the wonderful new life + that had thus suddenly opened before him, with its golden future of + limitless hopes, of dazzling possibilities, of heroic ambitions. He told + everything, walking up and down the while—for he could not remain + quiet—his cheeks glowing and his eyes sparkling. + </p> + <p> + Gascoyne sat quite still, staring straight before him. He knew that his + friend was ruffling eagle pinions for a flight in which he could never + hope to follow, and somehow his heart ached, for he knew that this must be + the beginning of the end of the dear, delightful friendship of the year + past. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 22 + </h2> + <p> + And so ended Myles Falworth's boyhood. Three years followed, during which + he passed through that state which immediately follows boyhood in all + men's lives—a time when they are neither lads nor grown men, but + youths passing from the one to the other period through what is often an + uncouth and uncomfortable age. + </p> + <p> + He had fancied, when he talked with Gascoyne in the Eyry that time, that + he was to become a man all at once; he felt just then that he had forever + done with boyish things. But that is not the way it happens in men's + lives. Changes do not come so suddenly and swiftly as that, but by little + and little. For three or four days, maybe, he went his new way of life big + with the great change that had come upon him, and then, now in this and + now in that, he drifted back very much into his old ways of boyish doings. + As was said, one's young days do not end all at once, even when they be so + suddenly and sharply shaken, and Myles was not different from others. He + had been stirred to the core by that first wonderful sight of the great + and glorious life of manhood opening before him, but he had yet many a + sport to enjoy, many a game to play, many a boisterous romp to riot in the + dormitory, many an expedition to make to copse and spinney and river on + days when he was off duty, and when permission had been granted. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, there was a great and vital change in his life; a change + which he hardly felt or realized. Even in resuming his old life there was + no longer the same vitality, the same zest, the same enjoyment in all + these things. It seemed as though they were no longer a part of himself. + The savor had gone from them, and by-and-by it was pleasanter to sit + looking on at the sports and the games of the younger lads than to take + active part in them. + </p> + <p> + These three years of his life that had thus passed had been very full; + full mostly of work, grinding and monotonous; of training dull, dry, + laborious. For Sir James Lee was a taskmaster as hard as iron and + seemingly as cold as a stone. For two, perhaps for three, weeks Myles + entered into his new exercises with all the enthusiasm that novelty + brings; but these exercises hardly varied a tittle from day to day, and + soon became a duty, and finally a hard and grinding task. He used, in the + earlier days of his castle life, to hate the dull monotony of the + tri-weekly hacking at the pels with a heavy broadsword as he hated nothing + else; but now, though he still had that exercise to perform, it was almost + a relief from the heavy dulness of riding, riding, riding in the tilt-yard + with shield and lance—couch—recover—en passant. + </p> + <p> + But though he had nowadays but little time for boyish plays and escapades, + his life was not altogether without relaxation. Now and then he was + permitted to drive in mock battle with other of the younger knights and + bachelors in the paddock near the outer walls. It was a still more welcome + change in the routine of his life when, occasionally, he would break a + light lance in the tilting-court with Sir Everard Willoughby; Lord George, + perhaps, and maybe one or two others of the Hall folk, looking on. + </p> + <p> + Then one gilded day, when Lord Dudleigh was visiting at Devlen, Myles ran + a course with a heavier lance in the presence of the Earl, who came down + to the tilt-yard with his guest to see the young novitiate ride against + Sir Everard. He did his best, and did it well. Lord Dudleigh praised his + poise and carriage, and Lord George, who was present, gave him an + approving smile and nod. But the Earl of Mackworth only sat stroking his + beard impassively, as was his custom. Myles would have given much to know + his thoughts. + </p> + <p> + In all these years Sir James Lee almost never gave any expression either + of approbation or disapproval—excepting when Myles exhibited some + carelessness or oversight. Then his words were sharp and harsh enough. + More than once Myles's heart failed him, and bitter discouragement took + possession of him; then nothing but his bull-dog tenacity and stubbornness + brought him out from the despondency of the dark hours. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” he burst out one day, when his heart was heavy with some failure, + “tell me, I beseech thee, do I get me any of skill at all? Is it in me + ever to make a worthy knight, fit to hold lance and sword with other men, + or am I only soothly a dull heavy block, worth naught of any good?” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art a fool, sirrah!” answered Sir James, in his grimmest tones. + “Thinkest thou to learn all of knightly prowess in a year and a half? Wait + until thou art ripe, and then I will tell thee if thou art fit to couch a + lance or ride a course with a right knight.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art an old bear!” muttered Myles to himself, as the old one-eyed + knight turned on his heel and strode away. “Beshrew me! an I show thee not + that I am as worthy to couch a lance as thou one of these fine days!” + </p> + <p> + However, during the last of the three years the grinding routine of his + training had not been quite so severe as at first. His exercises took him + more often out into the fields, and it was during this time of his + knightly education that he sometimes rode against some of the castle + knights in friendly battle with sword or lance or wooden mace. In these + encounters he always held his own; and held it more than well, though, in + his boyish simplicity, he was altogether unconscious of his own skill, + address, and strength. Perhaps it was his very honest modesty that made + him so popular and so heartily liked by all. + </p> + <p> + He had by this time risen to the place of head squire or chief bachelor, + holding the same position that Walter Blunt had occupied when he himself + had first come, a raw country boy, to Devlen. The lesser squires and pages + fairly worshipped him as a hero, albeit imposing upon his good-nature. All + took a pride in his practice in knightly exercises, and fabulous tales + were current among the young fry concerning his strength and skill. + </p> + <p> + Yet, although Myles was now at the head of his class, he did not, as other + chief bachelors had done, take a leading position among the squires in the + Earl's household service. Lord Mackworth, for his own good reasons, + relegated him to the position of Lord George's especial attendant. + Nevertheless, the Earl always distinguished him from the other esquires, + giving him a cool nod whenever they met; and Myles, upon his part—now + that he had learned better to appreciate how much his Lord had done for + him—would have shed the last drop of blood in his veins for the head + of the house of Beaumont. + </p> + <p> + As for the two young ladies, he often saw them, and sometimes, even in the + presence of the Earl, exchanged a few words with them, and Lord Mackworth + neither forbade it nor seemed to notice it. + </p> + <p> + Towards the Lady Anne he felt the steady friendly regard of a lad for a + girl older than himself; towards the Lady Alice, now budding into ripe + young womanhood, there lay deep in his heart the resolve to be some day + her true knight in earnest as he had been her knight in pretence in that + time of boyhood when he had so perilously climbed into the privy garden. + </p> + <p> + In body and form he was now a man, and in thought and heart was quickly + ripening to manhood, for, as was said before, men matured quickly in those + days. He was a right comely youth, for the promise of his boyish body had + been fulfilled in a tall, powerful, well-knit frame. His face was still + round and boyish, but on cheek and chin and lip was the curl of adolescent + beard—soft, yellow, and silky. His eyes were as blue as steel, and + quick and sharp in glance as those of a hawk; and as he walked, his arms + swung from his broad, square shoulders, and his body swayed with pent-up + strength ready for action at any moment. + </p> + <p> + If little Lady Alice, hearing much talk of his doings and of his promise + in these latter times, thought of him now and then it is a matter not + altogether to be wondered at. + </p> + <p> + Such were the changes that three years had wrought. And from now the story + of his manhood really begins. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps in all the history of Devlen Castle, even at this, the high tide + of pride and greatness of the house of Beaumont, the most notable time was + in the early autumn of the year 1411, when for five days King Henry IV was + entertained by the Earl of Mackworth. The King was at that time making a + progress through certain of the midland counties, and with him travelled + the Comte de Vermoise. The Count was the secret emissary of the Dauphin's + faction in France, at that time in the very bitterest intensity of the + struggle with the Duke of Burgundy, and had come to England seeking aid + for his master in his quarrel. + </p> + <p> + It was not the first time that royalty had visited Devlen. Once, in Earl + Robert's day, King Edward II had spent a week at the castle during the + period of the Scottish wars. But at that time it was little else than a + military post, and was used by the King as such. Now the Beaumonts were in + the very flower of their prosperity, and preparations were made for the + coming visit of royalty upon a scale of such magnificence and splendor as + Earl Robert, or perhaps even King Edward himself, had never dreamed. + </p> + <p> + For weeks the whole castle had been alive with folk hurrying hither and + thither; and with the daily and almost hourly coming of pack-horses, laden + with bales and boxes, from London. From morning to night one heard the + ceaseless chip-chipping of the masons' hammers, and saw carriers of stones + and mortar ascending and descending the ladders of the scaffolding that + covered the face of the great North Hall. Within, that part of the + building was alive with the scraping of the carpenters' saws, the + clattering of lumber, and the rapping and banging of hammers. + </p> + <p> + The North Hall had been assigned as the lodging place for the King and his + court, and St. George's Hall (as the older building adjoining it was + called) had been set apart as the lodging of the Comte de Vermoise and the + knights and gentlemen attendant upon him. + </p> + <p> + The great North Hall had been very much altered and changed for the + accommodation of the King and his people; a beautiful gallery of carved + wood-work had been built within and across the south end of the room for + the use of the ladies who were to look down upon the ceremonies below. Two + additional windows had been cut through the wall and glazed, and + passage-ways had been opened connecting with the royal apartments beyond. + In the bedchamber a bed of carved wood and silver had been built into the + wall, and had been draped with hangings of pale blue and silver, and a + magnificent screen of wrought-iron and carved wood had been erected around + the couch; rich and beautiful tapestries brought from Italy and Flanders + were hung upon the walls; cushions of velvets and silks stuffed with down + covered benches and chairs. The floor of the hall was spread with mats of + rushes stained in various colors, woven into curious patterns, and in the + smaller rooms precious carpets of arras were laid on the cold stones. + </p> + <p> + All of the cadets of the House had been assembled; all of the gentlemen in + waiting, retainers and clients. The castle seemed full to overflowing; + even the dormitory of the squires was used as a lodging place for many of + the lesser gentry. + </p> + <p> + So at last, in the midst of all this bustle of preparation, came the day + of days when the King was to arrive. The day before a courier had come + bringing the news that he was lodging at Donaster Abbey overnight, and + would make progress the next day to Devlen. + </p> + <p> + That morning, as Myles was marshalling the pages and squires, and, with + the list of names in his hand, was striving to evolve some order out of + the confusion, assigning the various individuals their special duties—these + to attend in the household, those to ride in the escort—one of the + gentlemen of Lord George's household came with an order for him to come + immediately to the young nobleman's apartments. Myles hastily turned over + his duties to Gascoyne and Wilkes, and then hurried after the messenger. + He found Lord George in the antechamber, three gentlemen squires arming + him in a magnificent suit of ribbed Milan. + </p> + <p> + He greeted Myles with a nod and a smile as the lad entered. “Sirrah,” said + he, “I have had a talk with Mackworth this morn concerning thee, and have + a mind to do thee an honor in my poor way. How wouldst thou like to ride + to-day as my special squire of escort?” + </p> + <p> + Myles flushed to the roots of his hair. “Oh, sir!” he cried, eagerly, “an + I be not too ungainly for thy purpose, no honor in all the world could be + such joy to me as that!” + </p> + <p> + Lord George laughed. “A little matter pleases thee hugely,” said he; “but + as to being ungainly, who so sayeth that of thee belieth thee, Myles; thou + art not ungainly, sirrah. But that is not to the point. I have chosen thee + for my equerry to-day; so make thou haste and don thine armor, and then + come hither again, and Hollingwood will fit thee with a wreathed bascinet + I have within, and a juppon embroidered with my arms and colors.” + </p> + <p> + When Myles had made his bow and left his patron, he flew across the + quadrangle, and burst into the armory upon Gascoyne, whom he found still + lingering there, chatting with one or two of the older bachelors. + </p> + <p> + “What thinkest thou, Francis?” he cried, wild with excitement. “An honor + hath been done me this day I could never have hoped to enjoy. Out of all + this household, Lord George hath chose me his equerry for the day to ride + to meet the King. Come, hasten to help me to arm! Art thou not glad of + this thing for my sake, Francis?” + </p> + <p> + “Aye, glad am I indeed!” cried Gascoyne, that generous friend; “rather + almost would I have this befall thee than myself!” And indeed he was + hardly less jubilant than Myles over the honor. + </p> + <p> + Five minutes later he was busy arming him in the little room at the end of + the dormitory which had been lately set apart for the use of the head + bachelor. “And to think,” he said, looking up as he kneeled, strapping the + thigh-plates to his friend's legs, “that he should have chosen thee before + all others of the fine knights and lords and gentlemen of quality that are + here!” + </p> + <p> + “Yea,” said Myles, “it passeth wonder. I know not why he should so single + me out for such an honor. It is strangely marvellous.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Gascoyne, “there is no marvel in it, and I know right well why + he chooseth thee. It is because he sees, as we all see, that thou art the + stoutest and the best-skilled in arms, and most easy of carriage of any + man in all this place.” + </p> + <p> + Myles laughed. “An thou make sport of me,” said he, “I'll rap thy head + with this dagger hilt. Thou art a silly fellow, Francis, to talk so. But + tell me, hast thou heard who rides with my Lord?” + </p> + <p> + “Yea, I heard Wilkes say anon that it was Sir James Lee.” + </p> + <p> + “I am right glad of that,” said Myles; “for then he will show me what to + do and how to bear myself. It frights me to think what would hap should I + make some mistake in my awkwardness. Methinks Lord George would never have + me with him more should I do amiss this day.” + </p> + <p> + “Never fear,” said Gascoyne; “thou wilt not do amiss.” + </p> + <p> + And now, at last, the Earl, Lord George, and all their escort were ready; + then the orders were given to horse, the bugle sounded, and away they all + rode, with clashing of iron hoofs and ringing and jingling of armor, out + into the dewy freshness of the early morning, the slant yellow sun of + autumn blazing and flaming upon polished helmets and shields, and + twinkling like sparks of fire upon spear points. Myles's heart thrilled + within him for pure joy, and he swelled out his sturdy young breast with + great draughts of the sweet fresh air that came singing across the sunny + hill-tops. Sir James Lee, who acted as the Earl's equerry for the day, + rode at a little distance, and there was an almost pathetic contrast + between the grim, steadfast impassiveness of the tough old warrior and + Myles's passionate exuberance of youth. + </p> + <p> + At the head of the party rode the Earl and his brother side by side, each + clad cap-a-pie in a suit of Milan armor, the cuirass of each covered with + a velvet juppon embroidered in silver with the arms and quarterings of the + Beaumonts. The Earl wore around his neck an “S S” collar, with a jewelled + St. George hanging from it, and upon his head a vizored bascinet, + ornamented with a wreath covered with black and yellow velvet and + glistening with jewels. + </p> + <p> + Lord George, as was said before, was clad in a beautiful suit of ribbed + Milan armor. It was rimmed with a thin thread of gold, and, like his + brother, he wore a bascinet wreathed with black and yellow velvet. + </p> + <p> + Behind the two brothers and their equerries rode the rest in their proper + order—knights, gentlemen, esquires, men-at-arms—to the number, + perhaps, of two hundred and fifty; spears and lances aslant, and banners, + permons, and pencels of black and yellow fluttering in the warm September + air. + </p> + <p> + From the castle to the town they rode, and then across the bridge, and + thence clattering up through the stony streets, where the folk looked down + upon them from the windows above, or crowded the fronts of the shops of + the tradesmen. Lusty cheers were shouted for the Earl, but the great Lord + rode staring ever straight before him, as unmoved as a stone. Then out of + the town they clattered, and away in a sweeping cloud of dust across the + country-side. + </p> + <p> + It was not until they had reached the windy top of Willoughby Croft, ten + miles away, that they met the King and his company. As the two parties + approached to within forty or fifty yards of one another they stopped. + </p> + <p> + As they came to a halt, Myles observed that a gentleman dressed in a plain + blue-gray riding-habit, and sitting upon a beautiful white gelding, stood + a little in advance of the rest of the party, and he knew that that must + be the King. Then Sir James nodded to Myles, and leaping from his horse, + flung the reins to one of the attendants. Myles did the like; and then, + still following Sir James's lead as he served Lord Mackworth, went forward + and held Lord George's stirrup while he dismounted. The two noblemen + quickly removed each his bascinet, and Myles, holding the bridle-rein of + Lord George's horse with his left hand, took the helmet in his right, + resting it upon his hip. + </p> + <p> + Then the two brothers walked forward bare-headed, the Earl, a little in + advance. Reaching the King he stopped, and then bent his knee—stiffly + in the armored plates—until it touched the ground. Thereupon the + King reached him his hand, and he, rising again, took it, and set it to + his lips. + </p> + <p> + Then Lord George, advancing, kneeled as his brother had kneeled, and to + him also the King gave his hand. + </p> + <p> + Myles could hear nothing, but he could see that a few words of greeting + passed between the three, and then the King, turning, beckoned to a knight + who stood just behind him and a little in advance of the others of the + troop. In answer, the knight rode forward; the King spoke a few words of + introduction, and the stranger, ceremoniously drawing off his right + gauntlet, clasped the hand, first of the Earl, and then of Lord George. + Myles knew that he must be the great Comte de Vermoise, of whom he had + heard so much of late. + </p> + <p> + A few moments of conversation followed, and then the King bowed slightly. + The French nobleman instantly reined back his horse, an order was given, + and then the whole company moved forward, the two brothers walking upon + either side of the King, the Earl lightly touching the bridle-rein with + his bare hand. + </p> + <p> + Whilst all this was passing, the Earl of Mackworth's company had been + drawn up in a double line along the road-side, leaving the way open to the + other party. As the King reached the head of the troop, another halt + followed while he spoke a few courteous words of greeting to some of the + lesser nobles attendant upon the Earl whom he knew. + </p> + <p> + In that little time he was within a few paces of Myles, who stood + motionless as a statue, holding the bascinet and the bridle-rein of Lord + George's horse. + </p> + <p> + What Myles saw was a plain, rather stout man, with a face fat, smooth, and + waxy, with pale-blue eyes, and baggy in the lids; clean shaven, except for + a mustache and tuft covering lips and chin. Somehow he felt a deep + disappointment. He had expected to see something lion-like, something + regal, and, after all, the great King Henry was commonplace, fat, + unwholesome-looking. It came to him with a sort of a shock that, after + all, a King was in nowise different from other men. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the Earl and his brother replaced their bascinets, and presently + the whole party moved forward upon the way to Mackworth. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 23 + </h2> + <p> + That same afternoon the squires' quarters were thrown into such a ferment + of excitement as had, perhaps, never before stirred them. About one + o'clock in the afternoon the Earl himself and Lord George came walking + slowly across the Armory Court wrapped in deep conversation, and entered + Sir James Lee's office. + </p> + <p> + All the usual hubbub of noise that surrounded the neighborhood of the + dormitory and the armory was stilled at their coming, and when the two + noblemen had entered Sir James's office, the lads and young men gathered + in knots discussing with an almost awesome interest what that visit might + portend. + </p> + <p> + After some time Sir James Lee came to the door at the head of the long + flight of stone steps, and whistling, beckoned one of the smaller pages to + him. He gave a short order that sent the little fellow flying on some + mission. In the course of a few minutes he returned, hurrying across the + stony court with Myles Falworth, who presently entered Sir James's office. + It was then and at this sight that the intense half-suppressed excitement + reached its height of fever-heat. What did it all mean? The air was filled + with a thousand vague, wild rumors—but the very wildest surmises + fell short of the real truth. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps Myles was somewhat pale when he entered the office; certainly his + nerves were in a tremor, for his heart told him that something very + portentous was about to befall him. The Earl sat at the table, and in the + seat that Sir James Lee usually occupied; Lord George half sat, half + leaned in the window-place. Sir James stood with his back to the empty + fireplace, and his hands clasped behind him. All three were very serious. + </p> + <p> + “Give thee good den, Myles Falworth,” said the Earl, as Myles bowed first + to him and then to the others; “and I would have thee prepare thyself for + a great happening.” Then, continuing directly to the point: “Thou knowest, + sirrah, why we have been training thee so closely these three years gone; + it is that thou shouldst be able to hold thine own in the world. Nay, not + only hold thine own, but to show thyself to be a knight of prowess + shouldst it come to a battle between thee and thy father's enemy; for + there lieth no half-way place for thee, and thou must be either great or + else nothing. Well, sir, the time hath now come for thee to show thy + mettle. I would rather have chosen that thou hadst labored a twelvemonth + longer; but now, as I said, hath come a chance to prove thyself that may + never come again. Sir James tells me that thou art passably ripe in skill. + Thou must now show whether that be so or no. Hast thou ever heard of the + Sieur de la Montaigne?” + </p> + <p> + “Yea, my Lord. I have heard of him often,” answered Myles. “It was he who + won the prize at the great tourney at Rochelle last year.” + </p> + <p> + “I see that thou hast his fame pat to thy tongue's end,” said the Earl; + “he is the chevalier of whom I speak, and he is reckoned the best knight + of Dauphiny. That one of which thou spokest was the third great tourney in + which he was adjudged the victor. I am glad that thou holdest his prowess + highly. Knowest thou that he is in the train of the Comte de Vermoise?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles, flushing; “I did hear news he was in England, but knew + not that he was in this place.” + </p> + <p> + “Yea,” said Lord Mackworth; “he is here.” He paused for a moment; then + said, suddenly. “Tell me, Myles Falworth, an thou wert a knight and of + rank fit to run a joust with the Sieur de la Montaigne, wouldst thou dare + encounter him in the lists?” + </p> + <p> + The Earl's question fell upon Myles so suddenly and unexpectedly that for + a moment or so he stood staring at the speaker with mouth agape. Meanwhile + the Earl sat looking calmly back at him, slowly stroking his beard the + while. + </p> + <p> + It was Sir James Lee's voice that broke the silence. “Thou heardst thy + Lord speak,” said he, harshly. “Hast thou no tongue to answer, sirrah?” + </p> + <p> + “Be silent, Lee,” said Lord Mackworth, quietly. “Let the lad have time to + think before he speaketh.” + </p> + <p> + The sound of the words aroused Myles. He advanced to the table, and rested + his hand upon it. “My Lord—my Lord,” said he, “I know not what to + say, I—I am amazed and afeard.” + </p> + <p> + “How! how!” cried Sir James Lee, harshly. “Afeard, sayst thou? An thou art + afeard, thou knave, thou needst never look upon my face or speak to me + more! I have done with thee forever an thou art afeard even were the + champion a Sir Alisander.” + </p> + <p> + “Peace, peace, Lee,” said the Earl, holding up his hand. “Thou art too + hasty. The lad shall have his will in this matter, and thou and no one + shall constrain him. Methinks, also, thou dost not understand him. Speak + from thy heart, Myles; why art thou afraid?” + </p> + <p> + “Because,” said Myles, “I am so young, sir; I am but a raw boy. How should + I dare be so hardy as to venture to set lance against such an one as the + Sieur de la Montaigne? What would I be but a laughing-stock for all the + world who would see me so foolish as to venture me against one of such + prowess and skill?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, Myles,” said Lord George, “thou thinkest not well enough of thine + own skill and prowess. Thinkest thou we would undertake to set thee + against him, an we did not think that thou couldst hold thine own fairly + well?” + </p> + <p> + “Hold mine own?” cried Myles, turning to Lord George. “Sir; thou dost not + mean—thou canst not mean, that I may hope or dream to hold mine own + against the Sieur de la Montaigne.” + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said Lord George, “that was what I did mean.” + </p> + <p> + “Come, Myles,” said the Earl; “now tell me: wilt thou fight the Sieur de + la Montaigne?” + </p> + <p> + “Yea,” said Myles, drawing himself to his full height and throwing out his + chest. “Yea,” and his cheeks and forehead flushed red; “an thou bid me do + so, I will fight him.” + </p> + <p> + “There spake my brave lad!” cried Lord George heartily. + </p> + <p> + “I give thee joy, Myles,” said the Earl, reaching him his hand, which + Myles took and kissed. “And I give thee double joy. I have talked with the + King concerning thee this morning, and he hath consented to knight thee—yea, + to knight thee with all honors of the Bath—provided thou wilt match + thee against the Sieur de la Montaigne for the honor of England and + Mackworth. Just now the King lieth to sleep for a little while after his + dinner; have thyself in readiness when he cometh forth, and I will have + thee presented.” + </p> + <p> + Then the Earl turned to Sir James Lee, and questioned him as to how the + bachelors were fitted with clothes. Myles listened, only half hearing the + words through the tumbling of his thoughts. He had dreamed in his + day-dreams that some time he might be knighted, but that time always + seemed very, very distant. To be knighted now, in his boyhood, by the + King, with the honors of the Bath, and under the patronage of the Earl of + Mackworth; to joust—to actually joust—with the Sieur de la + Montaigne, one of the most famous chevaliers of France! No wonder he only + half heard the words; half heard the Earl's questions concerning his + clothes and the discussion which followed; half heard Lord George + volunteer to array him in fitting garments from his own wardrobe. + </p> + <p> + “Thou mayst go now,” said the Earl, at last turning to him. “But be thou + at George's apartments by two of the clock to be dressed fittingly for the + occasion.” + </p> + <p> + Then Myles went out stupefied, dazed, bewildered. He looked around, but he + did not see Gascoyne. He said not a word to any of the others in answer to + the eager questions poured upon him by his fellow-squires, but walked + straight away. He hardly knew where he went, but by-and-by he found + himself in a grassy angle below the end of the south stable; a spot + overlooking the outer wall and the river beyond. He looked around; no one + was near, and he flung himself at length, burying his face in his arms. + How long he lay there he did not know, but suddenly some one touched him + upon the shoulder, and he sprang up quickly. It was Gascoyne. + </p> + <p> + “What is to do, Myles?” said his friend, anxiously. “What is all this talk + I hear concerning thee up yonder at the armory?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Francis!” cried Myles, with a husky choking voice: “I am to be + knighted—by the King—by the King himself; and I—I am to + fight the Sieur de la Montaigne.” + </p> + <p> + He reached out his hand, and Gascoyne took it. They stood for a while + quite silent, and when at last the stillness was broken, it was Gascoyne + who spoke, in a choking voice. + </p> + <p> + “Thou art going to be great, Myles,” said he. “I always knew that it must + be so with thee, and now the time hath come. Yea, thou wilt be great, and + live at court amongst noble folk, and Kings haply. Presently thou wilt not + be with me any more, and wilt forget me by-and-by.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, Francis, never will I forget thee!” answered Myles, pressing his + friend's hand. “I will always love thee better than any one in the world, + saving only my father and my mother.” + </p> + <p> + Gascoyne shook his head and looked away, swallowing at the dry lump in his + throat. Suddenly he turned to Myles. “Wilt thou grant me a boon?” + </p> + <p> + “Yea,” answered Myles. “What is it?” + </p> + <p> + “That thou wilt choose me for thy squire.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles; “how canst thou think to serve me as squire? Thou wilt + be a knight thyself some day, Francis, and why dost thou wish now to be my + squire?” + </p> + <p> + “Because,” said Gascoyne, with a short laugh, “I would rather be in thy + company as a squire than in mine own as a knight, even if I might be + banneret.” + </p> + <p> + Myles flung his arm around his friend's neck, and kissed him upon the + cheek. “Thou shalt have thy will,” said he; “but whether knight or squire, + thou art ever mine own true friend.” + </p> + <p> + Then they went slowly back together, hand in hand, to the castle world + again. + </p> + <p> + At two o'clock Myles went to Lord George's apartments, and there his + friend and patron dressed him out in a costume better fitted for the + ceremony of presentation—a fur-trimmed jacket of green brocaded + velvet embroidered with golden thread, a black velvet hood-cap rolled like + a turban and with a jewel in the front, a pair of crimson hose, and a pair + of black velvet shoes trimmed and stitched with gold-thread. Myles had + never worn such splendid clothes in his life before, and he could not but + feel that they became him well. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said he, as he looked down at himself, “sure it is not lawful for + me to wear such clothes as these.” + </p> + <p> + In those days there was a law, known as a sumptuary law, which regulated + by statute the clothes that each class of people were privileged to wear. + It was, as Myles said, against the law for him to wear such garments as + those in which he was clad—either velvet, crimson stuff, fur or + silver or gold embroidery—nevertheless such a solemn ceremony as + presentation to the King excused the temporary overstepping of the law, + and so Lord George told him. As he laid his hand upon the lad's shoulder + and held him off at arm's-length, he added, “And I pledge thee my word, + Myles, that thou art as lusty and handsome a lad as ever mine eyes + beheld.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art very kind to me, sir,” said Myles, in answer. + </p> + <p> + Lord George laughed; and then giving him a shake, let go his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + It was about three o'clock when little Edmond de Montefort, Lord + Mackworth's favorite page, came with word that the King was then walking + in the Earl's pleasance. + </p> + <p> + “Come, Myles,” said Lord George, and then Myles arose from the seat where + he had been sitting, his heart palpitating and throbbing tumultuously. + </p> + <p> + At the wicket-gate of the pleasance two gentlemen-at-arms stood guard in + half-armor; they saluted Lord George, and permitted him to pass with his + protege. As he laid his hand upon the latch of the wicket he paused for a + moment and turned. + </p> + <p> + “Myles,” said he, in a low voice, “thou art a thoughtful and cautious lad; + for thy father's sake be thoughtful and cautious now. Do not speak his + name or betray that thou art his son.” Then he opened the wicket-gate and + entered. + </p> + <p> + Any lad of Myles's age, even one far more used to the world than he, would + perhaps have felt all the oppression that he experienced under the weight + of such a presentation. He hardly knew what he was doing as Lord George + led him to where the King stood, a little apart from the attendants, with + the Earl and the Comte de Vermoise. Even in his confusion he knew enough + to kneel, and somehow his honest, modest diffidence became the young + fellow very well. He was not awkward, for one so healthful in mind and + body as he could not bear himself very ill, and he felt the assurance that + in Lord George he had a kind friend at his side, and one well used to + court ceremonies to lend him countenance. Then there is something always + pleasing in frank, modest manliness such as was stamped on Myles's + handsome, sturdy face. No doubt the King's heart warmed towards the + fledgling warrior kneeling in the pathway before him. He smiled very + kindly as he gave the lad his hand to kiss, and that ceremony done, held + fast to the hard, brown, sinewy fist of the young man with his soft white + hand, and raised him to his feet. + </p> + <p> + “By the mass!” said he, looking Myles over with smiling eyes, “thou art a + right champion in good sooth. Such as thou art haply was Sir Galahad when + he came to Arthur's court. And so they tell me, thou hast stomach to brook + the Sieur de la Montaigne, that tough old boar of Dauphiny. Hast thou in + good sooth the courage to face him? Knowest thou what a great thing it is + that thou hast set upon thyself—to do battle, even in sport, with + him?” + </p> + <p> + “Yea, your Majesty,” answered Myles, “well I wot it is a task haply beyond + me. But gladly would I take upon me even a greater venture, and one more + dangerous, to do your Majesty's pleasure!” + </p> + <p> + The King looked pleased. “Now that was right well said, young man,” said + he, “and I like it better that it came from such young and honest lips. + Dost thou speak French?” + </p> + <p> + “Yea, your Majesty,” answered Myles. “In some small measure do I so.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad of that,” said the King; “for so I may make thee acquainted + with Sieur de la Montaigne.” + </p> + <p> + He turned as he ended speaking, and beckoned to a heavy, thick-set, + black-browed chevalier who stood with the other gentlemen attendants at a + little distance. He came instantly forward in answer to the summons, and + the King introduced the two to one another. As each took the other + formally by the hand, he measured his opponent hastily, body and limb, and + perhaps each thought that he had never seen a stronger, stouter, + better-knit man than the one upon whom he looked. But nevertheless the + contrast betwixt the two was very great—Myles, young, boyish, + fresh-faced; the other, bronzed, weather beaten, and seamed with a great + white scar that ran across his forehead and cheek; the one a novice, the + other a warrior seasoned in twoscore battles. + </p> + <p> + A few polite phrases passed between the two, the King listening smiling, + but with an absent and far-away look gradually stealing upon his face. As + they ended speaking, a little pause of silence followed, and then the King + suddenly aroused himself. + </p> + <p> + “So,” said he, “I am glad that ye two are acquainted. And now we will + leave our youthful champion in thy charge, Beaumont—and in thine, + Mon Sieur, as well—and so soon as the proper ceremonies are ended, + we will dub him knight with our own hands. And now, Mackworth, and thou my + Lord Count, let us walk a little; I have bethought me further concerning + these threescore extra men for Dauphiny.” + </p> + <p> + Then Myles withdrew, under the charge of Lord George and the Sieur de la + Montaigne and while the King and the two nobles walked slowly up and down + the gravel path between the tall rose-bushes, Myles stood talking with the + gentlemen attendants, finding himself, with a certain triumphant + exultation, the peer of any and the hero of the hour. + </p> + <p> + That night was the last that Myles and Gascoyne spent lodging in the + dormitory in their squirehood service. The next day they were assigned + apartments in Lord George's part of the house, and thither they + transported themselves and their belongings, amid the awestruck wonder and + admiration of their fellow-squires. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 24 + </h2> + <p> + In Myles Falworth's day one of the greatest ceremonies of courtly life was + that of the bestowal of knighthood by the King, with the honors of the + Bath. By far the greater number of knights were at that time created by + other knights, or by nobles, or by officers of the crown. To be knighted + by the King in person distinguished the recipient for life. It was this + signal honor that the Earl, for his own purposes, wished Myles to enjoy, + and for this end he had laid not a few plans. + </p> + <p> + The accolade was the term used for the creation of a knight upon the field + of battle. It was a reward of valor or of meritorious service, and was + generally bestowed in a more or less off-hand way; but the ceremony of the + Bath was an occasion of the greatest courtly moment, and it was thus that + Myles Falworth was to be knighted in addition to the honor of a royal + belting. + </p> + <p> + A quaint old book treating of knighthood and chivalry gives a full and + detailed account of all the circumstances of the ceremony of a creation of + a Knight of the Bath. It tells us that the candidate was first placed + under the care of two squires of honor, “grave and well seen in courtship + and nurture, and also in feats of chivalry,” which same were likewise to + be governors in all things relating to the coming honors. + </p> + <p> + First of all, the barber shaved him, and cut his hair in a certain + peculiar fashion ordained for the occasion, the squires of honor + supervising the operation. This being concluded, the candidate was + solemnly conducted to the chamber where the bath of tepid water was + prepared, “hung within and without with linen, and likewise covered with + rich cloths and embroidered linen.” While in the bath two “ancient, grave, + and reverend knights” attended the bachelor, giving him “meet instructions + in the order and feats of chivalry.” The candidate was then examined as to + his knowledge and acquirements, and then, all questions being answered to + the satisfaction of his examiners, the elder of the two dipped a handful + of water out from the bath, and poured it upon his head, at the same time + signing his left shoulder with the sign of the cross. + </p> + <p> + As soon as this ceremony was concluded, the two squires of honor helped + their charge from the bath, and conducted him to a plain bed without + hangings, where they let him rest until his body was warm and dry. Then + they clad him in a white linen shirt, and over it a plain robe of russet, + “girdled about the loins with a rope, and having a hood like unto a + hermit.” + </p> + <p> + As soon as the candidate had arisen, the two “ancient knights” returned, + and all being in readiness he was escorted to the chapel, the two walking, + one upon either side of him, his squires of honor marching before, and the + whole party preceded by “sundry minstrels making a loud noise of music.” + </p> + <p> + When they came to the chapel, the two knights who escorted him took leave + of the candidate, each saluting him with a kiss upon the cheek. No one + remained with him but his squires of honor, the priest, and the chandler. + </p> + <p> + In the mean time the novitiate's armor, sword, lance, and helmet had been + laid in readiness before the altar. These he watched and guarded while the + others slept, keeping vigil until sunrise, during which time “he shall,” + says the ancient authority, “pass the night in orisons, prayers, and + meditation.” At daylight he confessed to the priest, heard matins, and + communicated in mass, and then presented a lighted candle at the altar, + with a piece of money stuck in it as close to the flame as could be done, + the candle being offered to the honor of God, and the money to the honor + of that person who was to make him a knight. + </p> + <p> + So concluded the sacred ceremony, which being ended his squires conducted + the candidate to his chamber, and there made him comfortable, and left him + to repose for a while before the second and final part of the ordinance. + </p> + <p> + Such is a shortened account of the preparatory stages of the ceremonies + through which Myles Falworth passed. + </p> + <p> + Matters had come upon him so suddenly one after the other, and had come + with such bewildering rapidity that all that week was to him like some + strange, wonderful, mysterious vision. He went through it all like one in + a dream. Lord George Beaumont was one of his squires of honor; the other, + by way of a fitting complement to the courage of the chivalrous lad, was + the Sieur de la Montaigne, his opponent soon to be. They were well versed + in everything relating to knightcraft, and Myles followed all their + directions with passive obedience. Then Sir James Lee and the Comte de + Vermoise administered the ceremony of the Bath, the old knight examining + him in the laws of chivalry. + </p> + <p> + It occurs perhaps once or twice in one's lifetime that one passes through + great happenings—sometimes of joy, sometimes of dreadful bitterness—in + just such a dazed state as Myles passed through this. It is only + afterwards that all comes back to one so sharply and keenly that the heart + thrills almost in agony in living it over again. But perhaps of all the + memory of that time, when it afterwards came back piece by piece, none was + so clear to Myles's back-turned vision as the long night spent in the + chapel, watching his armor, thinking such wonderful thoughts, and dreaming + such wonderful wide-eyed dreams. At such times Myles saw again the dark + mystery of the castle chapel; he saw again the half-moon gleaming white + and silvery through the tall, narrow window, and throwing a broad form of + still whiteness across stone floor, empty seats, and still, motionless + figures of stone effigies. At such times he stood again in front of the + twinkling tapers that lit the altar where his armor lay piled in a heap, + heard again the deep breathing of his companions of the watch sleeping in + some empty stall, wrapped each in his cloak, and saw the old chandler + bestir himself, and rise and come forward to snuff the candles. At such + times he saw again the day growing clearer and clearer through the tall, + glazed windows, saw it change to a rosy pink, and then to a broad, ruddy + glow that threw a halo of light around Father Thomas's bald head bowed in + sleep, and lit up the banners and trophies hanging motionless against the + stony face of the west wall; heard again the stirring of life without and + the sound of his companions arousing themselves; saw them come forward, + and heard them wish him joy that his long watch was ended. + </p> + <p> + It was nearly noon when Myles was awakened from a fitful sleep by Gascoyne + bringing in his dinner, but, as might be supposed, he had but little + hunger, and ate sparingly. He had hardly ended his frugal meal before his + two squires of honor came in, followed by a servant carrying the garments + for the coming ceremony. He saluted them gravely, and then arising, washed + his face and hands in a basin which Gascoyne held; then kneeled in prayer, + the others standing silent at a little distance. As he arose, Lord George + came forward. + </p> + <p> + “The King and the company come presently to the Great Hall, Myles,” said + he; “it is needful for thee to make all the haste that thou art able.” + </p> + <p> + Perhaps never had Devlen Castle seen a more brilliant and goodly company + gathered in the great hall than that which came to witness King Henry + create Myles Falworth a knight bachelor. + </p> + <p> + At the upper end of the hall was a raised dais, upon which stood a throne + covered with crimson satin and embroidered with lions and flower-deluces; + it was the King's seat. He and his personal attendants had not yet come, + but the rest of the company were gathered. The day being warm and sultry, + the balcony was all aflutter with the feather fans of the ladies of the + family and their attendants, who from this high place looked down upon the + hall below. Up the centre of the hall was laid a carpet of arras, and the + passage was protected by wooden railings. Upon the one side were tiers of + seats for the castle gentlefolks and the guests. Upon the other stood the + burghers from the town, clad in sober dun and russet, and yeomanry in + green and brown. The whole of the great vaulted hall was full of the dull + hum of many people waiting, and a ceaseless restlessness stirred the + crowded throng. But at last a whisper went around that the King was + coming. A momentary hush fell, and through it was heard the noisy clatter + of horses' feet coming nearer and nearer, and then stopping before the + door. The sudden blare of trumpets broke through the hush; another pause, + and then in through the great door-way of the hall came the royal + procession. + </p> + <p> + First of all marched, in the order of their rank, and to the number of a + score or more, certain gentlemen, esquires and knights, chosen mostly from + the King's attendants. Behind these came two pursuivants-at-arms in + tabards, and following them a party of a dozen more bannerets and barons. + Behind these again, a little space intervening, came two heralds, also in + tabards, a group of the greater nobles attendant upon the King following + in the order of their rank. Next came the King-at-arms and, at a little + distance and walking with sober slowness, the King himself, with the Earl + and the Count directly attendant upon him—the one marching upon the + right hand and the other upon the left. A breathless silence filled the + whole space as the royal procession advanced slowly up the hall. Through + the stillness could be heard the muffled sound of the footsteps on the + carpet, the dry rustling of silk and satin garments, and the clear clink + and jingle of chains and jewelled ornaments, but not the sound of a single + voice. + </p> + <p> + After the moment or two of bustle and confusion of the King taking his + place had passed, another little space of expectant silence fell. At last + there suddenly came the noise of acclamation of those who stood without + the door—cheering and the clapping of hands—sounds heralding + the immediate advent of Myles and his attendants. The next moment the + little party entered the hall. + </p> + <p> + First of all, Gascoyne, bearing Myles's sword in both hands, the hilt + resting against his breast, the point elevated at an angle of forty-five + degrees. It was sheathed in a crimson scabbard, and the belt of Spanish + leather studded with silver bosses was wound crosswise around it. From the + hilt of the sword dangled the gilt spurs of his coming knighthood. At a + little distance behind his squire followed Myles, the centre of all + observation. He was clad in a novitiate dress, arranged under Lord + George's personal supervision. It had been made somewhat differently from + the fashion usual at such times, and was intended to indicate in a manner + the candidate's extreme youthfulness and virginity in arms. The outer + garment was a tabard robe of white wool, embroidered at the hem with fine + lines of silver, and gathered loosely at the waist with a belt of lavender + leather stitched with thread of silver. Beneath he was clad in armor (a + present from the Earl), new and polished till it shone with dazzling + brightness, the breastplate covered with a juppon of white satin, + embroidered with silver. Behind Myles, and upon either hand, came his + squires of honor, sponsors, and friends—a little company of some + half-dozen in all. As they advanced slowly up the great, dim, high-vaulted + room, the whole multitude broke forth into a humming buzz of applause. + Then a sudden clapping of hands began near the door-way, ran down through + the length of the room, and was taken up by all with noisy clatter. + </p> + <p> + “Saw I never youth so comely,” whispered one of the Lady Anne's attendant + gentlewomen. “Sure he looketh as Sir Galahad looked when he came first to + King Arthur's court.” + </p> + <p> + Myles knew that he was very pale; he felt rather than saw the restless + crowd of faces upon either side, for his eyes were fixed directly before + him, upon the dais whereon sat the King, with the Earl of Mackworth + standing at his right hand, the Comte de Vermoise upon the left, and the + others ranged around and behind the throne. It was with the same tense + feeling of dreamy unreality that Myles walked slowly up the length of the + hall, measuring his steps by those of Gascoyne. Suddenly he felt Lord + George Beaumont touch him lightly upon the arm, and almost instinctively + he stopped short—he was standing just before the covered steps of + the throne. + </p> + <p> + He saw Gascoyne mount to the third step, stop short, kneel, and offer the + sword and the spurs he carried to the King, who took the weapon and laid + it across his knees. Then the squire bowed low, and walking backward + withdrew to one side, leaving Myles standing alone facing the throne. The + King unlocked the spur chains from the sword-hilt, and then, holding the + gilt spurs in his hand for a moment, he looked Myles straight in the eyes + and smiled. Then he turned, and gave one of the spurs to the Earl of + Mackworth. + </p> + <p> + The Earl took it with a low bow, turned, and came slowly down the steps to + where Myles stood. Kneeling upon one knee, and placing Myles's foot upon + the other, Lord Mackworth set the spur in its place and latched the chain + over the instep. He drew the sign of the cross upon Myles's bended knee, + set the foot back upon the ground, rose with slow dignity, and bowing to + the King, drew a little to one side. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the Earl had fulfilled his office the King gave the second spur + to the Comte de Vermoise, who set it to Myles's other foot with the same + ceremony that the Earl had observed, withdrawing as he had done to one + side. + </p> + <p> + An instant pause of motionless silence followed, and then the King slowly + arose, and began deliberately to unwind the belt from around the scabbard + of the sword he held. As soon as he stood, the Earl and the Count + advanced, and taking Myles by either hand, led him forward and up the + steps of the dais to the platform above. As they drew a little to one + side, the King stooped and buckled the sword-belt around Myles's waist, + then, rising again, lifted his hand and struck him upon the shoulder, + crying, in a loud voice. + </p> + <p> + “Be thou a good knight!” + </p> + <p> + Instantly a loud sound of applause and the clapping of hands filled the + whole hall, in the midst of which the King laid both hands upon Myles's + shoulders and kissed him upon the right cheek. So the ceremony ended; + Myles was no longer Myles Falworth, but Sir Myles Falworth, Knight by + Order of the Bath and by grace of the King! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 25 + </h2> + <p> + It was the custom to conclude the ceremonies of the bestowal of knighthood + by a grand feast given in honor of the newly-created knight. But in + Myles's instance the feast was dispensed with. The Earl of Mackworth had + planned that Myles might be created a Knight of the Bath with all possible + pomp and ceremony; that his personality might be most favorably impressed + upon the King; that he might be so honorably knighted as to make him the + peer of any who wore spurs in all England; and, finally, that he might + celebrate his new honors by jousting with some knight of high fame and + approved valor. All these desiderata chance had fulfilled in the visit of + the King to Devlen. + </p> + <p> + As the Earl had said to Myles, he would rather have waited a little while + longer until the lad was riper in years and experience, but the + opportunity was not to be lost. Young as he was, Myles must take his + chances against the years and grim experience of the Sieur de la + Montaigne. But it was also a part of the Earl's purpose that the King and + Myles should not be brought too intimately together just at that time. + Though every particular of circumstance should be fulfilled in the + ceremony, it would have been ruination to the Earl's plans to have the + knowledge come prematurely to the King that Myles was the son of the + attainted Lord Falworth. The Earl knew that Myles was a shrewd, coolheaded + lad; but the King had already hinted that the name was familiar to his + ears, and a single hasty answer or unguarded speech upon the young + knight's part might awaken him to a full knowledge. Such a mishap was, of + all things, to be avoided just then, for, thanks to the machinations of + that enemy of his father of whom Myles had heard so much, and was soon to + hear more, the King had always retained and still held a bitter and + rancorous enmity against the unfortunate nobleman. + </p> + <p> + It was no very difficult matter for the Earl to divert the King's + attention from the matter of the feast. His Majesty was very intent just + then upon supplying a quota of troops to the Dauphin, and the chief object + of his visit to Devlen was to open negotiations with the Earl looking to + that end. He was interested—much interested in Myles and in the + coming jousting in which the young warrior was to prove himself, but he + was interested in it by way of a relaxation from the other and more + engrossing matter. So, though he made some passing and half preoccupied + inquiry about the feast he was easily satisfied with the Earl's reasons + for not holding it: which were that he had arranged a consultation for + that morning in regard to the troops for the Dauphin, to which meeting he + had summoned a number of his own more important dependent nobles, that the + King himself needed repose and the hour or so of rest that his + barber-surgeon had ordered him to take after his mid-day meal; that Father + Thomas had laid upon Myles a petty penance—that for the first three + days of his knighthood he should eat his meals without meat and in his own + apartment—and various other reasons equally good and sufficient. So + the King was satisfied, and the feast was dispensed with. + </p> + <p> + The next morning had been set for the jousting, and all that day the + workmen were busy erecting the lists in the great quadrangle upon which, + as was said before, looked the main buildings of the castle. The windows + of Myles's apartment opened directly upon the bustling scene—the + carpenters hammering and sawing, the upholsterers snipping, cutting, and + tacking. Myles and Gascoyne stood gazing out from the open casement, with + their arms lying across one another's shoulders in the old boyhood + fashion, and Myles felt his heart shrink with a sudden tight pang as the + realization came sharply and vividly upon him that all these preparations + were being made for him, and that the next day he should, with almost the + certainty of death, meet either glory or failure under the eyes not only + of all the greater and lesser castle folk, but of the King himself and + noble strangers critically used to deeds of chivalry and prowess. Perhaps + he had never fully realized the magnitude of the reality before. In that + tight pang at his heart he drew a deep breath, almost a sigh. Gascoyne + turned his head abruptly, and looked at his friend, but he did not ask the + cause of the sigh. No doubt the same thoughts that were in Myles's mind + were in his also. + </p> + <p> + It was towards the latter part of the afternoon that a message came from + the Earl, bidding Myles attend him in his private closet. After Myles had + bowed and kissed his lordship's hand, the Earl motioned him to take a + seat, telling him that he had some final words to say that might occupy a + considerable time. He talked to the young man for about half an hour in + his quiet, measured voice, only now and then showing a little agitation by + rising and walking up and down the room for a turn or two. Very many + things were disclosed in that talk that had caused Myles long hours of + brooding thought, for the Earl spoke freely, and without concealment to + him concerning his father and the fortunes of the house of Falworth. + </p> + <p> + Myles had surmised many things, but it was not until then that he knew for + a certainty who was his father's malignant and powerful enemy—that + it was the great Earl of Alban, the rival and bitter enemy of the Earl of + Mackworth. It was not until then that he knew that the present Earl of + Alban was the Lord Brookhurst, who had killed Sir John Dale in the + anteroom at Falworth Castle that morning so long ago in his early + childhood. It was not until then that he knew all the circumstances of his + father's blindness; that he had been overthrown in the melee at the great + tournament at York, and that that same Lord Brookhurst had ridden his + iron-shod war-horse twice over his enemy's prostrate body before his + squire could draw him from the press, and had then and there given him the + wound from which he afterwards went blind. The Earl swore to Myles that + Lord Brookhurst had done what he did wilfully, and had afterwards boasted + of it. Then, with some hesitation, he told Myles the reason of Lord + Brookhurst's enmity, and that it had arisen on account of Lady Falworth, + whom he had one time sought in marriage, and that he had sworn vengeance + against the man who had won her. + </p> + <p> + Piece by piece the Earl of Mackworth recounted every circumstance and + detail of the revenge that the blind man's enemy had afterwards wreaked + upon him. He told Myles how, when his father was attainted of + high-treason, and his estates forfeited to the crown, the King had granted + the barony of Easterbridge to the then newly-created Earl of Alban in + spite of all the efforts of Lord Falworth's friends to the contrary; that + when he himself had come out from an audience with the King, with others + of his father's friends, the Earl of Alban had boasted in the anteroom, in + a loud voice, evidently intended for them all to hear, that now that he + had Falworth's fat lands, he would never rest till he had hunted the blind + man out from his hiding, and brought his head to the block. + </p> + <p> + “Ever since then,” said the Earl of Mackworth “he hath been striving by + every means to discover thy father's place of concealment. Some time, + haply, he may find it, and then—” + </p> + <p> + Myles had felt for a long time that he was being moulded and shaped, and + that the Earl of Mackworth's was the hand that was making him what he was + growing to be; but he had never realized how great were the things + expected of him should he pass the first great test, and show himself what + his friends hoped to see him. Now he knew that all were looking upon him + to act, sometime, as his father's champion, and when that time should + come, to challenge the Earl of Alban to the ordeal of single combat, to + purge his father's name of treason, to restore him to his rank, and to set + the house of Falworth where it stood before misfortune fell upon it. + </p> + <p> + But it was not alone concerning his and his father's affairs that the Earl + of Mackworth talked to Myles. He told him that the Earl of Alban was the + Earl of Mackworth's enemy also; that in his younger days he had helped + Lord Falworth, who was his kinsman, to win his wife, and that then, Lord + Brookhurst had sworn to compass his ruin as he had sworn to compass the + ruin of his friend. He told Myles how, now that Lord Brookhurst was grown + to be Earl of Alban, and great and powerful, he was forever plotting + against him, and showed Myles how, if Lord Falworth were discovered and + arrested for treason, he also would be likely to suffer for aiding and + abetting him. Then it dawned upon Myles that the Earl looked to him to + champion the house of Beaumont as well as that of Falworth. + </p> + <p> + “Mayhap,” said the Earl, “thou didst think that it was all for the + pleasant sport of the matter that I have taken upon me this toil and + endeavor to have thee knighted with honor that thou mightst fight the + Dauphiny knight. Nay, nay, Myles Falworth, I have not labored so hard for + such a small matter as that. I have had the King, unknown to himself, so + knight thee that thou mayst be the peer of Alban himself, and now I would + have thee to hold thine own with the Sieur de la Montaigne, to try whether + thou be'st Alban's match, and to approve thyself worthy of the honor of + thy knighthood. I am sorry, ne'theless,” he added, after a moment's pause, + “that this could not have been put off for a while longer, for my plans + for bringing thee to battle with that vile Alban are not yet ripe. But + such a chance of the King coming hither haps not often. And then I am glad + of this much—that a good occasion offers to get thee presently away + from England. I would have thee out of the King's sight so soon as may be + after this jousting. He taketh a liking to thee, and I fear me lest he + should inquire more nearly concerning thee and so all be discovered and + spoiled. My brother George goeth upon the first of next month to France to + take service with the Dauphin, having under his command a company of + tenscore men—knights and archers; thou shalt go with him, and there + stay till I send for thee to return.” + </p> + <p> + With this, the protracted interview concluded, the Earl charging Myles to + say nothing further about the French expedition for the present—even + to his friend—for it was as yet a matter of secrecy, known only to + the King and a few nobles closely concerned in the venture. + </p> + <p> + Then Myles arose to take his leave. He asked and obtained permission for + Gascoyne to accompany him to France. Then he paused for a moment or two, + for it was strongly upon him to speak of a matter that had been lying in + his mind all day—a matter that he had dreamed of much with open eyes + during the long vigil of the night before. + </p> + <p> + The Earl looked up inquiringly. “What is it thou wouldst ask?” said he. + </p> + <p> + Myles's heart was beating quickly within him at the thought of his own + boldness, and as he spoke his cheeks burned like fire. “Sir,” said he, + mustering his courage at last, “haply thou hast forgot it, but I have not; + ne'theless, a long time since when I spoke of serving the—the Lady + Alice as her true knight, thou didst wisely laugh at my words, and bade me + wait first till I had earned my spurs. But now, sir, I have gotten my + spurs, and—and do now crave thy gracious leave that I may serve that + lady as her true knight.” + </p> + <p> + A space of dead silence fell, in which Myles's heart beat tumultuously + within him. + </p> + <p> + “I know not what thou meanest,” said the Earl at last, in a somewhat + constrained voice. “How wouldst thou serve her? What wouldst thou have?” + </p> + <p> + “I would have only a little matter just now,” answered Myles. “I would but + crave of her a favor for to wear in the morrow's battle, so that she may + know that I hold her for my own true lady, and that I may have the courage + to fight more boldly, having that favor to defend.” + </p> + <p> + The Earl sat looking at him for a while in brooding silence, stroking his + beard the while. Suddenly his brow cleared. “So be it,” said he. “I grant + thee my leave to ask the Lady Alice for a favor, and if she is pleased to + give it to thee, I shall not say thee nay. But I set this upon thee as a + provision: that thou shalt not see her without the Lady Anne be present. + Thus it was, as I remember, thou saw her first, and with it thou must now + be satisfied. Go thou to the Long Gallery, and thither they will come anon + if naught hinder them.” + </p> + <p> + Myles waited in the Long Gallery perhaps some fifteen or twenty minutes. + No one was there but himself. It was a part of the castle connecting the + Earl's and the Countess's apartments, and was used but little. During that + time he stood looking absently out of the open casement into the stony + court-yard beyond, trying to put into words that which he had to say; + wondering, with anxiety, how soon the young ladies would come; wondering + whether they would come at all. At last the door at the farther end of the + gallery opened, and turning sharply at the sound, he saw the two young + ladies enter, Lady Alice leaning upon Lady Anne's arm. It was the first + time that he had seen them since the ceremony of the morning, and as he + advanced to meet them, the Lady Anne came frankly forward, and gave him + her hand, which Myles raised to his lips. + </p> + <p> + “I give thee joy of thy knighthood, Sir Myles,” said she, “and do believe, + in good sooth, that if any one deserveth such an honor, thou art he.” + </p> + <p> + At first little Lady Alice hung back behind her cousin, saying nothing + until the Lady Anne, turning suddenly, said: “Come, coz, has thou naught + to say to our new-made knight? Canst thou not also wish him joy of his + knighthood?” + </p> + <p> + Lady Alice hesitated a minute, then gave Myles a timid hand, which he, + with a strange mixture of joy and confusion, took as timidly as it was + offered. He raised the hand, and set it lightly and for an instant to his + lips, as he had done with the Lady Anne's hand, but with very different + emotions. + </p> + <p> + “I give you joy of your knighthood, sir,” said Lady Alice, in a voice so + low that Myles could hardly hear it. + </p> + <p> + Both flushed red, and as he raised his head again, Myles saw that the Lady + Anne had withdrawn to one side. Then he knew that it was to give him the + opportunity to proffer his request. + </p> + <p> + A little space of silence followed, the while he strove to key his courage + to the saying of that which lay at his mind. “Lady,” said he at last, and + then again—“Lady, I—have a favor for to ask thee.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it thou wouldst have, Sir Myles?” she murmured, in reply. + </p> + <p> + “Lady,” said he, “ever sin I first saw thee I have thought that if I might + choose of all the world, thou only wouldst I choose for—for my true + lady, to serve as a right knight should.” Here he stopped, frightened at + his own boldness. Lady Alice stood quite still, with her face turned away. + “Thou—thou art not angered at what I say?” he said. + </p> + <p> + She shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “I have longed and longed for the time,” said he, “to ask a boon of thee, + and now hath that time come. Lady, to-morrow I go to meet a right good + knight, and one skilled in arms and in jousting, as thou dost know. Yea, + he is famous in arms, and I be nobody. Ne'theless, I fight for the honor + of England and Mackworth—and—and for thy sake. I—Thou + art not angered at what I say?” + </p> + <p> + Again the Lady Alice shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “I would that thou—I would that thou would give me some favor for to + wear—thy veil or thy necklace.” + </p> + <p> + He waited anxiously for a little while, but Lady Alice did not answer + immediately. + </p> + <p> + “I fear me,” said Myles, presently, “that I have in sooth offended thee in + asking this thing. I know that it is a parlous bold matter for one so raw + in chivalry and in courtliness as I am, and one so poor in rank, to ask + thee for thy favor. An I ha' offended, I prithee let it be as though I had + not asked it.” + </p> + <p> + Perhaps it was the young man's timidity that brought a sudden courage to + Lady Alice; perhaps it was the graciousness of her gentle breeding that + urged her to relieve Myles's somewhat awkward humility, perhaps it was + something more than either that lent her bravery to speak, even knowing + that the Lady Anne heard all. She turned quickly to him: “Nay, Sir Myles,” + she said, “I am foolish, and do wrong thee by my foolishness and silence, + for, truly, I am proud to have thee wear my favor.” She unclasped, as she + spoke, the thin gold chain from about her neck. “I give thee this chain,” + said she, “and it will bring me joy to have it honored by thy true + knightliness, and, giving it, I do wish thee all success.” Then she bowed + her head, and, turning, left him holding the necklace in his hand. + </p> + <p> + Her cousin left the window to meet her, bowing her head with a smile to + Myles as she took her cousin's arm again and led her away. He stood + looking after them as they left the room, and when they were gone, he + raised the necklace to his lips with a heart beating tumultuously with a + triumphant joy it had never felt before. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 26 + </h2> + <p> + And now, at last, had come the day of days for Myles Falworth; the day + when he was to put to the test all that he had acquired in the three years + of his training, the day that was to disclose what promise of future + greatness there was in his strong young body. And it was a noble day; one + of those of late September, when the air seems sweeter and fresher than at + other times; the sun bright and as yellow as gold, the wind lusty and + strong, before which the great white clouds go sailing majestically across + the bright blueness of the sky above, while their dusky shadows skim + across the brown face of the rusty earth beneath. + </p> + <p> + As was said before, the lists had been set up in the great quadrangle of + the castle, than which, level and smooth as a floor, no more fitting place + could be chosen. The course was of the usual size—sixty paces long—and + separated along its whole length by a barrier about five feet high. Upon + the west side of the course and about twenty paces distant from it, a + scaffolding had been built facing towards the east so as to avoid the + glare of the afternoon sun. In the centre was a raised dais, hung round + with cloth of blue embroidered with lions rampant. Upon the dais stood a + cushioned throne for the King, and upon the steps below, ranged in the + order of their dignity, were seats for the Earl, his guests, the family, + the ladies, knights, and gentlemen of the castle. In front, the + scaffolding was covered with the gayest tapestries and brightest-colored + hangings that the castle could afford. And above, parti-colored pennants + and streamers, surmounted by the royal ensign of England, waved and + fluttered in the brisk wind. + </p> + <p> + At either end of the lists stood the pavilions of the knights. That of + Myles was at the southern extremity and was hung, by the Earl's desire, + with cloth of the Beaumont colors (black and yellow), while a wooden + shield bearing three goshawks spread (the crest of the house) was nailed + to the roof, and a long streamer of black and yellow trailed out in the + wind from the staff above. Myles, partly armed, stood at the door-way of + the pavilion, watching the folk gathering at the scaffolding. The ladies + of the house were already seated, and the ushers were bustling hither and + thither, assigning the others their places. A considerable crowd of common + folk and burghers from the town had already gathered at the barriers + opposite, and as he looked at the restless and growing multitude he felt + his heart beat quickly and his flesh grow cold with a nervous trepidation—just + such as the lad of to-day feels when he sees the auditorium filling with + friends and strangers who are to listen by-and-by to the reading of his + prize poem. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly there came a loud blast of trumpets. A great gate at the farther + extremity of the lists was thrown open, and the King appeared, riding upon + a white horse, preceded by the King-at-arms and the heralds, attended by + the Earl and the Comte de Vermoise, and followed by a crowd of attendants. + Just then Gascoyne, who, with Wilkes, was busied lacing some of the armor + plates with new thongs, called Myles, and he turned and entered the + pavilion. + </p> + <p> + As the two squires were adjusting these last pieces, strapping them in + place and tying the thongs, Lord George and Sir James Lee entered the + pavilion. Lord George took the young man by the hand, and with a pleasant + smile wished him success in the coming encounter. + </p> + <p> + Sir James seemed anxious and disturbed. He said nothing, and after + Gascoyne had placed the open bascinet that supports the tilting helm in + its place, he came forward and examined the armor piece by piece, + carefully and critically, testing the various straps and leather points + and thongs to make sure of their strength. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said Gascoyne, who stood by watching him anxiously, “I do trust + that I have done all meetly and well.” + </p> + <p> + “I see nothing amiss, sirrah,” said the old knight, half grudgingly. “So + far as I may know, he is ready to mount.” + </p> + <p> + Just then a messenger entered, saying that the King was seated, and Lord + George bade Myles make haste to meet the challenger. + </p> + <p> + “Francis,” said Myles, “prithee give me my pouch yonder.” + </p> + <p> + Gascoyne handed him the velvet bag, and he opened it, and took out the + necklace that the Lady Alice had given him the day before. + </p> + <p> + “Tie me this around my arm,” said he. He looked down, keeping his eyes + studiously fixed on Gascoyne's fingers, as they twined the thin golden + chain around the iron plates of his right arm, knowing that Lord George's + eyes were upon him, and blushing fiery red at the knowledge. + </p> + <p> + Sir James was at that moment examining the great tilting helm, and Lord + George watched him, smiling amusedly. “And hast thou then already chosen + thee a lady?” he said, presently. + </p> + <p> + “Aye, my Lord,” answered Myles, simply. + </p> + <p> + “Marry, I trust we be so honored that she is one of our castle folk,” said + the Earl's brother. + </p> + <p> + For a moment Myles did not reply; then he looked up. “My Lord,” said he, + “the favor was given to me by the Lady Alice.” + </p> + <p> + Lord George looked grave for the moment; then he laughed. “Marry, thou art + a bold archer to shoot for such high game.” + </p> + <p> + Myles did not answer, and at that moment two grooms led his horse up to + the door of the pavilion. Gascoyne and Wilkes helped him to his saddle, + and then, Gascoyne holding his horse by the bridle-rein, he rode slowly + across the lists to the little open space in front of the scaffolding and + the King's seat just as the Sieur de la Montaigne approached from the + opposite direction. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the two knights champion had reached each his appointed station + in front of the scaffolding, the Marshal bade the speaker read the + challenge, which, unrolling the parchment, he began to do in a loud, clear + voice, so that all might hear. It was a quaint document, wrapped up in the + tangled heraldic verbiage of the time. + </p> + <p> + The pith of the matter was that the Sieur Brian Philip Francis de la + Montaigne proclaimed before all men the greater chivalry and skill at arms + of the knights of France and of Dauphiny, and likewise the greater + fairness of the ladies of France and Dauphiny, and would there defend + those sayings with his body without fear or attaint as to the truth of the + same. As soon as the speaker had ended, the Marshal bade him call the + defendant of the other side. + </p> + <p> + Then Myles spoke his part, with a voice trembling somewhat with the + excitement of the moment, but loudly and clearly enough: “I, Myles Edward + Falworth, knight, so created by the hand and by the grace of his Majesty + King Henry IV of England, do take upon me the gage of this battle, and + will defend with my body the chivalry of the knights of England and the + fairness of the ladies thereof!” + </p> + <p> + Then, after the speaker ended his proclamation and had retired to his + place, the ceremony of claiming and redeeming the helmet, to which all + young knights were subjected upon first entering the lists, was performed. + </p> + <p> + One of the heralds cried in a loud voice, “I, Gilles Hamerton, herald to + the most noble Clarencieux King-at-arms, do claim the helm of Sir Myles + Edward Falworth by this reason, that he hath never yet entered joust or + tourney.” + </p> + <p> + To which Myles answered, “I do acknowledge the right of that claim, and + herewith proffer thee in ransom for the same this purse of one hundred + marks in gold.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, Gascoyne stepped forward and delivered the purse, with the + money, to the Herald. It was a more than usually considerable ransom, and + had been made up by the Earl and Lord George that morning. + </p> + <p> + “Right nobly hast thou redeemed thy helm,” said the Herald, “and hereafter + be thou free to enter any jousting whatsoever, and in whatever place.” + </p> + <p> + So, all being ended, both knights bowed to the King, and then, escorted + each by his squire, returned to his pavilion, saluted by the spectators + with a loud clapping of hands. + </p> + <p> + Sir James Lee met Myles in front of his tent. Coming up to the side of the + horse, the old man laid his hand upon the saddle, looking up into the + young man's face. + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt not fail in this venture and bring shame upon me?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, my dear master,” said Myles; “I will do my best.” + </p> + <p> + “I doubt it not,” said the old man; “and I believe me thou wilt come off + right well. From what he did say this morning, methinks the Sieur de la + Montaigne meaneth only to break three lances with thee, and will content + himself therewith, without seeking to unhorse thee. Ne'theless, be thou + bold and watchful, and if thou find that he endeavor to cast thee, do thy + best to unhorse him. Remember also those things which I have told thee ten + thousand times before: hold thy toes well down and grip the stirrup hard, + more especially at the moment of meeting; bend thy body forward, and keep + thine elbow close to thy side. Bear thy lance point one foot above thine + adversary's helm until within two lengths of meeting, and strike thou in + the very middle of his shield. So, Myles, thou mayst hold thine own, and + come off with glory.” + </p> + <p> + As he ended speaking he drew back, and Gascoyne, mounting upon a stool, + covered his friend's head and bascinet with the great jousting helm, + making fast the leathern points that held it to the iron collar. + </p> + <p> + As he was tying the last thong a messenger came from the Herald, saying + that the challenger was ready, and then Myles knew the time had come, and + reaching down and giving Sir James a grip of the hand, he drew on his + gauntlet, took the jousting lance that Wilkes handed him, and turned his + horse's head towards his end of the lists. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 27 + </h2> + <p> + As Myles took his place at the south end of the lists, he found the Sieur + de la Montaigne already at his station. Through the peep-hole in the face + of the huge helmet, a transverse slit known as the occularium, he could + see, like a strange narrow picture, the farther end of the lists, the + spectators upon either side moving and shifting with ceaseless + restlessness, and in the centre of all, his opponent, sitting with spear + point directed upward, erect, motionless as a statue of iron, the sunlight + gleaming and flashing upon his polished plates of steel, and the trappings + of his horse swaying and fluttering in the rushing of the fresh breeze. + </p> + <p> + Upon that motionless figure his sight gradually centred with every faculty + of mind and soul. He knew the next moment the signal would be given that + was to bring him either glory or shame from that iron statue. He ground + his teeth together with stern resolve to do his best in the coming + encounter, and murmured a brief prayer in the hallow darkness of his huge + helm. Then with a shake he settled himself more firmly in his saddle, + slowly raised his spear point until the shaft reached the exact angle, and + there suffered it to rest motionless. There was a moment of dead, tense, + breathless pause, then he rather felt than saw the Marshal raise his + baton. He gathered himself together, and the next moment a bugle sounded + loud and clear. In one blinding rush he drove his spurs into the sides of + his horse, and in instant answer felt the noble steed spring forward with + a bound. + </p> + <p> + Through all the clashing of his armor reverberating in the hollow depths + of his helmet, he saw the mail-clad figure from the other end of the lists + rushing towards him, looming larger and larger as they came together. He + gripped his saddle with his knees, clutched the stirrup with the soles of + his feet, and bent his body still more forward. In the instant of meeting, + with almost the blindness of instinct, he dropped the point of his spear + against the single red flower-de-luce in the middle of the on-coming + shield. There was a thunderous crash that seemed to rack every joint, he + heard the crackle of splintered wood, he felt the momentary trembling + recoil of the horse beneath him, and in the next instant had passed by. As + he checked the onward rush of his horse at the far end of the course, he + heard faintly in the dim hollow recess of the helm the loud shout and the + clapping of hands of those who looked on, and found himself gripping with + nervous intensity the butt of a broken spear, his mouth clammy with + excitement, and his heart thumping in his throat. + </p> + <p> + Then he realized that he had met his opponent, and had borne the meeting + well. As he turned his horse's head towards his own end of the lists, he + saw the other trotting slowly back towards his station, also holding a + broken spear shaft in his hand. + </p> + <p> + As he passed the iron figure a voice issued from the helmet, “Well done, + Sir Myles, nobly done!” and his heart bounded in answer to the words of + praise. When he had reached his own end of the lists, he flung away his + broken spear, and Gascoyne came forward with another. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Myles!” he said, with sob in his voice, “it was nobly done. Never did + I see a better ridden course in all my life. I did not believe that thou + couldst do half so well. Oh, Myles, prithee knock him out of his saddle an + thou lovest me!” + </p> + <p> + Myles, in his high-keyed nervousness, could not forbear a short hysterical + laugh at his friend's warmth of enthusiasm. He took the fresh lance in his + hand, and then, seeing that his opponent was walking his horse slowly up + and down at his end of the lists, did the same during the little time of + rest before the next encounter. + </p> + <p> + When, in answer to the command of the Marshal, he took his place a second + time, he found himself calmer and more collected than before, but every + faculty no less intensely fixed than it had been at first. Once more the + Marshal raised his baton, once more the horn sounded, and once more the + two rushed together with the same thunderous crash, the same splinter of + broken spears, the same momentary trembling recoil of the horse, and the + same onward rush past one another. Once more the spectators applauded and + shouted as the two knights turned their horses and rode back towards their + station. + </p> + <p> + This time as they met midway the Sieur de la Montaigne reined in his + horse. “Sir Myles,” said his muffled voice, “I swear to thee, by my faith, + I had not thought to meet in thee such an opponent as thou dost prove + thyself to be. I had thought to find in thee a raw boy, but find instead a + Paladin. Hitherto I have given thee grace as I would give grace to any + mere lad, and thought of nothing but to give thee opportunity to break thy + lance. Now I shall do my endeavor to unhorse thee as I would an + acknowledged peer in arms. Nevertheless, on account of thy youth, I give + thee this warning, so that thou mayst hold thyself in readiness.” + </p> + <p> + “I give thee gramercy for thy courtesy, my Lord,” answered Myles, speaking + in French; “and I will strive to encounter thee as best I may, and pardon + me if I seem forward in so saying, but were I in thy place, my Lord, I + would change me yon breast-piece and over-girth of my saddle; they are + sprung in the stitches.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said the Sieur de la Montaigne, laughing, “breast-piece and + over-girth have carried me through more tilts than one, and shall through + this. An thou give me a blow so true as to burst breast-piece and + over-girth, I will own myself fairly conquered by thee.” So saying, he + saluted Myles with the butt of the spear he still held, and passed by to + his end of the lists. + </p> + <p> + Myles, with Gascoyne running beside him, rode across to his pavilion, and + called to Edmund Wilkes to bring him a cup of spiced wine. After Gascoyne + had taken off his helmet, and as he sat wiping the perspiration from his + face Sir James came up and took him by the hand. + </p> + <p> + “My dear boy,” said he, gripping the hand he held, “never could I hope to + be so overjoyed in mine old age as I am this day. Thou dost bring honor to + me, for I tell thee truly thou dost ride like a knight seasoned in twenty + tourneys.” + </p> + <p> + “It doth give me tenfold courage to hear thee so say, dear master,” + answered Myles. “And truly,” he added, “I shall need all my courage this + bout, for the Sieur de la Montaigne telleth me that he will ride to + unhorse me this time.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he indeed so say?” said Sir James. “Then belike he meaneth to strike + at thy helm. Thy best chance is to strike also at his. Doth thy hand + tremble?” + </p> + <p> + “Not now,” answered Myles. + </p> + <p> + “Then keep thy head cool and thine eye true. Set thy trust in God, and + haply thou wilt come out of this bout honorably in spite of the rawness of + thy youth.” + </p> + <p> + Just then Edmund Wilkes presented the cup of wine to Myles, who drank it + off at a draught, and thereupon Gascoyne replaced the helm and tied the + thongs. + </p> + <p> + The charge that Sir James Lee had given to Myles to strike at his + adversary's helm was a piece of advice he probably would not have given to + so young a knight, excepting as a last resort. A blow perfectly delivered + upon the helm was of all others the most difficult for the recipient to + recover from, but then a blow upon the helm was not one time in fifty + perfectly given. The huge cylindrical tilting helm was so constructed in + front as to slope at an angle in all directions to one point. That point + was the centre of a cross formed by two iron bands welded to the + steel-face plates of the helm where it was weakened by the opening slit of + the occularium, or peephole. In the very centre of this cross was a little + flattened surface where the bands were riveted together, and it was upon + that minute point that the blow must be given to be perfect, and that + stroke Myles determined to attempt. + </p> + <p> + As he took his station Edmund Wilkes came running across from the pavilion + with a lance that Sir James had chosen, and Myles, returning the one that + Gascoyne had just given him, took it in his hand. It was of seasoned oak, + somewhat thicker than the other, a tough weapon, not easily to be broken + even in such an encounter as he was like to have. He balanced the weapon, + and found that it fitted perfectly to his grasp. As he raised the point to + rest, his opponent took his station at the farther extremity of the lists, + and again there was a little space of breathless pause. Myles was + surprised at his own coolness; every nervous tremor was gone. Before, he + had been conscious of the critical multitude looking down upon him; now it + was a conflict of man to man, and such a conflict had no terrors for his + young heart of iron. + </p> + <p> + The spectators had somehow come to the knowledge that this was to be a + more serious encounter than the two which had preceded it, and a + breathless silence fell for the moment or two that the knights stood in + place. + </p> + <p> + Once more he breathed a short prayer, “Holy Mary, guard me!” + </p> + <p> + Then again, for the third time, the Marshal raised his baton, and the horn + sounded, and for the third time Myles drove his spurs into his horse's + flanks. Again he saw the iron figure of his opponent rushing nearer, + nearer, nearer. He centred, with a straining intensity, every faculty of + soul, mind, and body upon one point—the cross of the occularium, the + mark he was to strike. He braced himself for the tremendous shock which he + knew must meet him, and then in a flash dropped lance point straight and + true. The next instant there was a deafening stunning crash—a crash + like the stroke of a thunder-bolt. There was a dazzling blaze of blinding + light, and a myriad sparks danced and flickered and sparkled before his + eyes. He felt his horse stagger under him with the recoil, and hardly + knowing what he did, he drove his spurs deep into its sides with a shout. + At the same moment there resounded in his ears a crashing rattle and + clatter, he knew not of what, and then, as his horse recovered and sprang + forward, and as the stunning bewilderment passed, he found that his helmet + had been struck off. He heard a great shout arise from all, and thought, + with a sickening, bitter disappointment, that it was because he had lost. + At the farther end of the course he turned his horse, and then his heart + gave a leap and a bound as though it would burst, the blood leaped to his + cheeks tingling, and his bosom thrilled with an almost agonizing pang of + triumph, of wonder, of amazement. + </p> + <p> + There, in a tangle of his horse's harness and of embroidered trappings, + the Sieur de la Montaigne lay stretched upon the ground, with his saddle + near by, and his riderless horse was trotting aimlessly about at the + farther end of the lists. + </p> + <p> + Myles saw the two squires of the fallen knight run across to where their + master lay, he saw the ladies waving their kerchiefs and veils, and the + castle people swinging their hats and shouting in an ecstasy of delight. + Then he rode slowly back to where the squires were now aiding the fallen + knight to arise. The senior squire drew his dagger, cut the leather + points, and drew off the helm, disclosing the knight's face—a face + white as death, and convulsed with rage, mortification, and bitter + humiliation. + </p> + <p> + “I was not rightly unhorsed!” he cried, hoarsely and with livid lips, to + the Marshal and his attendants, who had ridden up. “I unhelmed him fairly + enough, but my over-girth and breast-strap burst, and my saddle slipped. I + was not unhorsed, I say, and I lay claim that I unhelmed him.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said the Marshal calmly, and speaking in French, “surely thou + knowest that the loss of helmet does not decide an encounter. I need not + remind thee, my Lord, that it was so awarded by John of Gaunt, Duke of + Lancaster, when in the jousting match between Reynand de Roye and John de + Holland, the Sieur Reynand left every point of his helm loosened, so that + the helm was beaten off at each stroke. If he then was justified in doing + so of his own choice, and wilfully suffering to be unhelmed, how then can + this knight be accused of evil who suffered it by chance?” + </p> + <p> + “Nevertheless,” said the Sieur de la Montaigne, in the same hoarse, + breathless voice, “I do affirm, and will make my affirmation good with my + body, that I fell only by the breaking of my girth. Who says otherwise + lies!” + </p> + <p> + “It is the truth he speaketh,” said Myles. “I myself saw the stitches were + some little what burst, and warned him thereof before we ran this course. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said the Marshal to the Sieur de la Montaigne, “how can you now + complain of that thing which your own enemy advised you of and warned you + against? Was it not right knightly for him so to do?” + </p> + <p> + The Sieur de la Montaigne stood quite still for a little while, leaning on + the shoulder of his chief squire, looking moodily upon the ground; then, + without making answer, he turned, and walked slowly away to his pavilion, + still leaning on his squire's shoulder, whilst the other attendant + followed behind, bearing his shield and helmet. + </p> + <p> + Gascoyne had picked up Myles's fallen helmet as the Sieur de la Montaigne + moved away, and Lord George and Sir James Lee came walking across the + lists to where Myles still sat. Then, the one taking his horse by the + bridle-rein, and the other walking beside the saddle, they led him before + the raised dais where the King sat. + </p> + <p> + Even the Comte de Vermoise, mortified and amazed as he must have been at + the overthrow of his best knight, joined in the praise and congratulation + that poured upon the young conqueror. Myles, his heart swelling with a + passion of triumphant delight, looked up and met the gaze of Lady Alice + fixed intently upon him. A red spot of excitement still burned in either + cheek, and it flamed to a rosier red as he bowed his head to her before + turning away. + </p> + <p> + Gascoyne had just removed Myles's breastplate and gorget, when Sir James + Lee burst into the pavilion. All his grim coldness was gone, and he flung + his arms around the young man's neck, hugging him heartily, and kissing + him upon either cheek. + </p> + <p> + Ere he let him go, “Mine own dear boy,” he said, holding him off at + arm's-length, and winking his one keen eye rapidly, as though to wink away + a dampness of which he was ashamed—“mine own dear boy, I do tell + thee truly this is as sweet to me as though thou wert mine own son; + sweeter to me than when I first broke mine own lance in triumph, and felt + myself to be a right knight.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” answered Myles, “what thou sayest doth rejoice my very heart. + Ne'theless, it is but just to say that both his breast-piece and + over-girth were burst in the stitches before he ran his course, for so I + saw with mine own eyes.” + </p> + <p> + “Burst in the stitches!” snorted Sir James. “Thinkest thou he did not know + in what condition was his horse's gearing? I tell thee he went down + because thou didst strike fair and true, and he did not so strike thee. + Had he been Guy of Warwick he had gone down all the same under such a + stroke and in such case.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 28 + </h2> + <p> + It was not until more than three weeks after the King had left Devlen + Castle that Lord George and his company of knights and archers were ready + for the expedition to France. Two weeks of that time Myles spent at + Crosbey-Dale with his father and mother. It was the first time that he had + seen them since, four years ago, he had quitted the low, narrow, + white-walled farmhouse for the castle of the great Earl of Mackworth. He + had never appreciated before how low and narrow and poor the farm-house + was. Now, with his eyes trained to the bigness of Devlen Castle, he looked + around him with wonder and pity at his father's humble surroundings. He + realized as he never else could have realized how great was the fall in + fortune that had cast the house of Falworth down from its rightful station + to such a level as that upon which it now rested. And at the same time + that he thus recognized how poor was their lot, how dependent upon the + charity of others, he also recognized how generous was the friendship of + Prior Edward, who perilled his own safety so greatly in affording the + family of the attainted Lord an asylum in its bitter hour of need and + peril. + </p> + <p> + Myles paid many visits to the gentle old priest during those two weeks' + visit, and had many long and serious talks with him. One warm bright + afternoon, as he and the old man walked together in the priory garden, + after a game or two of draughts, the young knight talked more freely and + openly of his plans, his hopes, his ambitions, than perhaps he had ever + done. He told the old man all that the Earl had disclosed to him + concerning the fallen fortunes of his father's house, and of how all who + knew those circumstances looked to him to set the family in its old place + once more. Prior Edward added many things to those which Myles already + knew—things of which the Earl either did not know, or did not choose + to speak. He told the young man, among other matters, the reason of the + bitter and lasting enmity that the King felt for the blind nobleman: that + Lord Falworth had been one of King Richard's council in times past; that + it was not a little owing to him that King Henry, when Earl of Derby, had + been banished from England, and that though he was then living in the + retirement of private life, he bitterly and steadfastly opposed King + Richard's abdication. He told Myles that at the time when Sir John Dale + found shelter at Falworth Castle, vengeance was ready to fall upon his + father at any moment, and it needed only such a pretext as that of + sheltering so prominent a conspirator as Sir John to complete his ruin. + </p> + <p> + Myles, as he listened intently, could not but confess in his own mind that + the King had many rational, perhaps just, grounds for grievance against + such an ardent opponent as the blind Lord had shown himself to be. “But, + sir,” said he, after a little space of silence, when Prior Edward had + ended, “to hold enmity and to breed treason are very different matters. + Haply my father was Bolingbroke's enemy, but, sure, thou dost not believe + he is justly and rightfully tainted with treason?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” answered the priest, “how canst thou ask me such a thing? Did I + believe thy father a traitor, thinkest thou I would thus tell his son + thereof? Nay, Myles, I do know thy father well, and have known him for + many years, and this of him, that few men are so honorable in heart and + soul as he. But I have told thee all these things to show that the King is + not without some reason to be thy father's unfriend. Neither, haply, is + the Earl of Alban without cause of enmity against him. So thou, upon thy + part, shouldst not feel bitter rancor against the King for what hath + happed to thy house, nor even against William Brookhurst—I mean the + Earl of Alban—for, I tell thee, the worst of our enemies and the + worst of men believe themselves always to have right and justice upon + their side, even when they most wish evil to others.” + </p> + <p> + So spoke the gentle old priest, who looked from his peaceful haven with + dreamy eyes upon the sweat and tussle of the world's battle. Had he + instead been in the thick of the fight, it might have been harder for him + to believe that his enemies ever had right upon their side. + </p> + <p> + “But tell me this,” said Myles, presently, “dost thou, then, think that I + do evil in seeking to do a battle of life or death with this wicked Earl + of Alban, who hath so ruined my father in body and fortune?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Prior Edward, thoughtfully, “I say not that thou doest evil. + War and bloodshed seem hard and cruel matters to me; but God hath given + that they be in the world, and may He forbid that such a poor worm as I + should say that they be all wrong and evil. Meseems even an evil thing is + sometimes passing good when rightfully used.” + </p> + <p> + Myles did not fully understand what the old man meant, but this much he + gathered, that his spiritual father did not think ill of his fighting the + Earl of Alban for his temporal father's sake. + </p> + <p> + So Myles went to France in Lord George's company, a soldier of fortune, as + his Captain was. He was there for only six months, but those six months + wrought a great change in his life. In the fierce factional battles that + raged around the walls of Paris; in the evil life which he saw at the + Burgundian court in Paris itself after the truce—a court brilliant + and wicked, witty and cruel—the wonderful liquor of youth had + evaporated rapidly, and his character had crystallized as rapidly into the + hardness of manhood. The warfare, the blood, the evil pleasures which he + had seen had been a fiery, crucible test to his soul, and I love my hero + that he should have come forth from it so well. He was no longer the + innocent Sir Galahad who had walked in pure white up the Long Hall to be + knighted by the King, but his soul was of that grim, sterling, rugged sort + that looked out calmly from his gray eyes upon the wickedness and + debauchery around him, and loved it not. + </p> + <p> + Then one day a courier came, bringing a packet. It was a letter from the + Earl, bidding Myles return straightway to England and to Mackworth House + upon the Strand, nigh to London, without delay, and Myles knew that his + time had come. + </p> + <p> + It was a bright day in April when he and Gascoyne rode clattering out + through Temple Bar, leaving behind them quaint old London town, its blank + stone wall, its crooked, dirty streets, its high-gabled wooden houses, + over which rose the sharp spire of St. Paul's, towering high into the + golden air. Before them stretched the straight, broad highway of the + Strand, on one side the great houses and palaces of princely priests and + powerful nobles; on the other the Covent Garden, (or the Convent Garden, + as it was then called), and the rolling country, where great stone + windmills swung their slow-moving arms in the damp, soft April breeze, and + away in the distance the Scottish Palace, the White Hall, and Westminster. + </p> + <p> + It was the first time that Myles had seen famous London town. In that dim + and distant time of his boyhood, six months before, he would have been + wild with delight and enthusiasm. Now he jogged along with Gascoyne, + gazing about him with calm interest at open shops and booths and tall, + gabled houses; at the busy throng of merchants and craftsmen, jostling and + elbowing one another; at townsfolk—men and dames—picking their + way along the muddy kennel of a sidewalk. He had seen so much of the world + that he had lost somewhat of interest in new things. So he did not care to + tarry, but rode, with a mind heavy with graver matters, through the + streets and out through the Temple Bar direct for Mackworth House, near + the Savoy Palace. + </p> + <p> + It was with a great deal of interest that Myles and his patron regarded + one another when they met for the first time after that half-year which + the young soldier had spent in France. To Myles it seemed somehow very + strange that his Lordship's familiar face and figure should look so + exactly the same. To Lord Mackworth, perhaps, it seemed even more strange + that six short months should have wrought so great a change in the young + man. The rugged exposure in camp and field during the hard winter that had + passed had roughened the smooth bloom of his boyish complexion and bronzed + his fair skin almost as much as a midsummer's sun could have done. His + beard and mustache had grown again, (now heavier and more mannish from + having been shaved), and the white seam of a scar over the right temple + gave, if not a stern, at least a determined look to the strong, + square-jawed young face. So the two stood for a while regarding one + another. Myles was the first to break the silence. + </p> + <p> + “My Lord,” said he, “thou didst send for me to come back to England; + behold, here am I.” + </p> + <p> + “When didst thou land, Sir Myles?” said the Earl. + </p> + <p> + “I and my squire landed at Dover upon Tuesday last,” answered the young + man. + </p> + <p> + The Earl of Mackworth stroked his beard softly. “Thou art marvellous + changed,” said he. “I would not have thought it possible.” + </p> + <p> + Myles smiled somewhat grimly. “I have seen such things, my Lord, in France + and in Paris,” said he, quietly, “as, mayhap, may make a lad a man before + his time.” + </p> + <p> + “From which I gather,” said the Earl, “that many adventures have befallen + thee. Methought thou wouldst find troublesome times in the Dauphin's camp, + else I would not have sent thee to France.” + </p> + <p> + A little space of silence followed, during which the Earl sat musingly, + half absently, regarding the tall, erect, powerful young figure standing + before him, awaiting his pleasure in motionless, patient, almost dogged + silence. The strong, sinewy hands were clasped and rested upon the long + heavy sword, around the scabbard of which the belt was loosely wrapped, + and the plates of mail caught and reflected in flashing, broken pieces, + the bright sunlight from the window behind. + </p> + <p> + “Sir Myles,” said the Earl, suddenly, breaking the silence at last, “dost + thou know why I sent for thee hither?” + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said Myles, calmly, “how can I else? Thou wouldst not have called + me from Paris but for one thing. Methinks thou hast sent for me to fight + the Earl of Alban, and lo! I am here.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou speakest very boldly,” said the Earl. “I do hope that thy deeds be + as bold as thy words.” + </p> + <p> + “That,” said Myles, “thou must ask other men. Methinks no one may justly + call me coward.” + </p> + <p> + “By my troth!” said the Earl, smiling, “looking upon thee—limbs and + girth, bone and sinew—I would not like to be the he that would dare + accuse thee of such a thing. As for thy surmise, I may tell thee plain + that thou art right, and that it was to fight the Earl of Alban I sent for + thee hither. The time is now nearly ripe, and I will straightway send for + thy father to come to London. Meantime it would not be safe either for + thee or for me to keep thee in my service. I have spoken to his Highness + the Prince of Wales, who, with other of the Princes, is upon our side in + this quarrel. He hath promised to take thee into his service until the + fitting time comes to bring thee and thine enemy together, and to-morrow I + shall take thee to Scotland Yard, where his Highness is now lodging.” + </p> + <p> + As the Earl ended his speech, Myles bowed, but did not speak. The Earl + waited for a little while, as though to give him the opportunity to + answer. + </p> + <p> + “Well, sirrah,” said he at last, with a shade of impatience, “hast thou + naught to say? Meseems thou takest all this with marvellous coolness.” + </p> + <p> + “Have I then my Lord's permission to speak my mind?” + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said the Earl, “say thy say.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said Myles, “I have thought and pondered this matter much while + abroad, and would now ask thee a plain question in all honest an I ha' thy + leave.” + </p> + <p> + The Earl nodded his head. + </p> + <p> + “Sir, am I not right in believing that thou hast certain weighty purposes + and aims of thine own to gain an I win this battle against the Earl of + Alban?” + </p> + <p> + “Has my brother George been telling thee aught to such a purpose?” said + the Earl, after a moment or two of silence. + </p> + <p> + Myles did not answer. + </p> + <p> + “No matter,” added Lord Mackworth. “I will not ask thee who told thee such + a thing. As for thy question—well, sin thou ask it frankly, I will + be frank with thee. Yea, I have certain ends to gain in having the Earl of + Alban overthrown.” + </p> + <p> + Myles bowed. “Sir,” said he, “haply thine ends are as much beyond aught + that I can comprehend as though I were a little child; only this I know, + that they must be very great. Thou knowest well that in any case I would + fight me this battle for my father's sake and for the honor of my house; + nevertheless, in return for all that it will so greatly advantage thee, + wilt thou not grant me a boon in return should I overcome mine enemy?” + </p> + <p> + “What is thy boon, Sir Myles?” + </p> + <p> + “That thou wilt grant me thy favor to seek the Lady Alice de Mowbray for + my wife.” + </p> + <p> + The Earl of Mackworth started up from his seat. “Sir Myles Falworth”—he + began, violently, and then stopped short, drawing his bushy eyebrows + together into a frown stern, if not sinister. + </p> + <p> + Myles withstood his look calmly and impassively, and presently the Earl + turned on his heel, and strode to the open window. A long time passed in + silence while he stood there, gazing out of the window into the garden + beyond with his back to the young man. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly he swung around again. “Sir Myles,” said he, “the family of + Falworth is as good as any in Derbyshire. Just now it is poor and fallen + in estate, but if it is again placed in credit and honor, thou, who art + the son of the house, shalt have thy suit weighed with as much respect and + consideration as though thou wert my peer in all things, Such is my + answer. Art thou satisfied?” + </p> + <p> + “I could ask no more,” answered Myles. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 29 + </h2> + <p> + That night Myles lodged at Mackworth House. The next morning, as soon as + he had broken his fast, which he did in the privacy of his own apartments, + the Earl bade him and Gascoyne to make ready for the barge, which was then + waiting at the river stairs to take them to Scotland Yard. + </p> + <p> + The Earl himself accompanied them, and as the heavy snub-nosed boat, rowed + by the six oarsmen in Mackworth livery, slid slowly and heavily up against + the stream, the Earl, leaning back in his cushioned seat, pointed out the + various inns of the great priests or nobles; palatial town residences + standing mostly a little distance back from the water behind terraced + high-walled gardens and lawns. Yon was the Bishop of Exeter's Close; yon + was the Bishop of Bath's; that was York House; and that Chester Inn. So + passing by gardens and lawns and palaces, they came at last to Scotland + Yard stairs, a broad flight of marble steps that led upward to a stone + platform above, upon which opened the gate-way of the garden beyond. + </p> + <p> + The Scotland Yard of Myles Falworth's day was one of the more pretentious + and commodious of the palaces of the Strand. It took its name from having + been from ancient times the London inn which the tributary Kings of + Scotland occupied when on their periodical visits of homage to England. + Now, during this time of Scotland's independence, the Prince of Wales had + taken up his lodging in the old palace, and made it noisy with the mad, + boisterous mirth of his court. + </p> + <p> + As the watermen drew the barge close to the landing-place of the stairs, + the Earl stepped ashore, and followed by Myles and Gascoyne, ascended to + the broad gate-way of the river wall of the garden. Three men-at-arms who + lounged upon a bench under the shade of the little pent roof of a + guard-house beside the wall, arose and saluted as the well-known figure of + the Earl mounted the steps. The Earl nodded a cool answer, and passing + unchallenged through the gate, led the way up a pleached walk, beyond + which, as Myles could see, there stretched a little grassy lawn and a + stone-paved terrace. As the Earl and the two young men approached the end + of the walk, they were met by the sound of voices and laughter, the + clinking of glasses and the rattle of dishes. Turning a corner, they came + suddenly upon a party of young gentlemen, who sat at a late breakfast + under the shade of a wide-spreading lime-tree. They had evidently just + left the tilt-yard, for two of the guests—sturdy, thick-set young + knights—yet wore a part of their tilting armor. + </p> + <p> + Behind the merry scene stood the gray, hoary old palace, a steep flight of + stone steps, and a long, open, stone-arched gallery, which evidently led + to the kitchen beyond, for along it hurried serving-men, running up and + down the tall flight of steps, and bearing trays and dishes and cups and + flagons. It was a merry sight and a pleasant one. The day was warm and + balmy, and the yellow sunlight fell in waving uncertain patches of light, + dappling the table-cloth, and twinkling and sparkling upon the dishes, + cups, and flagons. + </p> + <p> + At the head of the table sat a young man some three or four years older + than Myles, dressed in a full suit of rich blue brocaded velvet, + embroidered with gold-thread and trimmed with black fur. His face, which + was turned towards them as they mounted from the lawn to the little + stone-flagged terrace, was frank and open; the cheeks smooth and fair; the + eyes dark and blue. He was tall and rather slight, and wore his thick + yellow hair hanging to his shoulders, where it was cut square across, + after the manner of the times. Myles did not need to be told that it was + the Prince of Wales. + </p> + <p> + “Ho, Gaffer Fox!” he cried, as soon as he caught sight of the Earl of + Mackworth, “what wind blows thee hither among us wild mallard drakes? I + warrant it is not for love of us, but only to fill thine own larder after + the manner of Sir Fox among the drakes. Whom hast thou with thee? Some + gosling thou art about to pluck?” + </p> + <p> + A sudden hush fell upon the company, and all faces were turned towards the + visitors. + </p> + <p> + The Earl bowed with a soft smile. “Your Highness,” said he, smoothly, “is + pleased to be pleasant. Sir, I bring you the young knight of whom I spoke + to you some time since—Sir Myles Falworth. You may be pleased to + bring to mind that you so condescended as to promise to take him into your + train until the fitting time arrived for that certain matter of which we + spoke.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir Myles,” said the Prince of Wales, with a frank, pleasant smile, “I + have heard great reports of thy skill and prowess in France, both from + Mackworth and from others. It will pleasure me greatly to have thee in my + household; more especially,” he added, “as it will get thee, callow as + thou art, out of my Lord Fox's clutches. Our faction cannot do without the + Earl of Mackworth's cunning wits, Sir Myles; ne'theless I would not like + to put all my fate and fortune into his hands without bond. I hope that + thou dost not rest thy fortunes entirely upon his aid and countenance.” + </p> + <p> + All who were present felt the discomfort of the Prince's speech, It was + evident that one of his mad, wild humors was upon him. In another case the + hare-brained young courtiers around might have taken their cue from him, + but the Earl of Mackworth was no subject for their gibes and witticisms. A + constrained silence fell, in which the Earl alone maintained a perfect + ease of manner. + </p> + <p> + Myles bowed to hide his own embarrassment. “Your Highness,” said he, + evasively, “I rest my fortune, first of all, upon God, His strength and + justice.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt find safer dependence there than upon the Lord of Mackworth,” + said the Prince, dryly. “But come,” he added, with a sudden change of + voice and manner, “these be jests that border too closely upon bitter + earnest for a merry breakfast. It is ill to idle with edged tools. Wilt + thou not stay and break thy fast with us, my Lord?” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, your Highness,” said the Earl, bowing, and smiling the same + smooth smile his lips had worn from the first—such a smile as Myles + had never thought to have seen upon his haughty face; “I crave your good + leave to decline. I must return home presently, for even now, haply, your + uncle, his Grace of Winchester, is awaiting my coming upon the business + you wot of. Haply your Highness will find more joyance in a lusty young + knight like Sir Myles than in an old fox like myself. So I leave him with + you, in your good care.” + </p> + <p> + Such was Myles's introduction to the wild young madcap Prince of Wales, + afterwards the famous Henry V, the conqueror of France. + </p> + <p> + For a month or more thereafter he was a member of the princely household, + and, after a little while, a trusted and honored member. Perhaps it was + the calm sturdy strength, the courage of the young knight, that first + appealed to the Prince's royal heart; perhaps afterwards it was the more + sterling qualities that underlaid that courage that drew him to the young + man; certain it was that in two weeks Myles was the acknowledged favorite. + He made no protestation of virtue; he always accompanied the Prince in + those madcap ventures to London, where he beheld all manner of wild + revelry; he never held himself aloof from his gay comrades, but he looked + upon all their mad sports with the same calm gaze that had carried him + without taint through the courts of Burgundy and the Dauphin. The gay, + roistering young lords and gentlemen dubbed him Saint Myles, and jested + with him about hair-cloth shirts and flagellations, but witticism and jest + alike failed to move Myles's patient virtue; he went his own gait in the + habits of his life, and in so going knew as little as the others of the + mad court that the Prince's growing liking for him was, perhaps, more than + all else, on account of that very temperance. + </p> + <p> + Then, by-and-by, the Prince began to confide in him as he did in none of + the others. There was no great love betwixt the King and his son; it has + happened very often that the Kings of England have felt bitter jealousy + towards the heirs-apparent as they have grown in power, and such was the + case with the great King Henry IV. The Prince often spoke to Myles of the + clashing and jarring between himself and his father, and the thought began + to come to Myles's mind by degrees that maybe the King's jealousy + accounted not a little for the Prince's reckless intemperance. + </p> + <p> + Once, for instance, as the Prince leaned upon, his shoulder waiting, + whilst the attendants made ready the barge that was to carry them down the + river to the city, he said, abruptly: “Myles, what thinkest thou of us + all? Doth not thy honesty hold us in contempt?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, Highness,” said Myles. “How could I hold contempt?” + </p> + <p> + “Marry,” said the Prince, “I myself hold contempt, and am not as honest a + man as thou. But, prithee, have patience with me, Myles. Some day, + perhaps, I too will live a clean life. Now, an I live seriously, the King + will be more jealous of me than ever, and that is not a little. Maybe I + live thus so that he may not know what I really am in soothly earnest.” + </p> + <p> + The Prince also often talked to Myles concerning his own affairs; of the + battle he was to fight for his father's honor, of how the Earl of + Mackworth had plotted and planned to bring him face to face with the Earl + of Alban. He spoke to Myles more than once of the many great changes of + state and party that hung upon the downfall of the enemy of the house of + Falworth, and showed him how no hand but his own could strike that enemy + down; if he fell, it must be through the son of Falworth. Sometimes it + seemed to Myles as though he and his blind father were the centre of a + great web of plot and intrigue, stretching far and wide, that included not + only the greatest houses of England, but royalty and the political balance + of the country as well, and even before the greatness of it all he did not + flinch. + </p> + <p> + Then, at last, came the beginning of the time for action. It was in the + early part of May, and Myles had been a member of the Prince's household + for a little over a month. One morning he was ordered to attend the Prince + in his privy cabinet, and, obeying the summons, he found the Prince, his + younger brother, the Duke of Bedford, and his uncle, the Bishop of + Winchester, seated at a table, where they had just been refreshing + themselves with a flagon of wine and a plate of wafers. + </p> + <p> + “My poor Myles,” said the Prince, smiling, as the young knight bowed to + the three, and then stood erect, as though on duty. “It shames my heart, + brother—and thou, uncle—it shames my heart to be one privy to + this thing which we are set upon to do. Here be we, the greatest Lords of + England, making a cat's-paw of this lad—for he is only yet a boy—and + of his blind father, for to achieve our ends against Alban's faction. It + seemeth not over-honorable to my mind.” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, your Highness,” said Myles, blushing to the roots of his hair; + “but, an I may be so bold as to speak, I reck nothing of what your aims + may be; I only look to restoring my father's honor and the honor of our + house.” + </p> + <p> + “Truly,” said the Prince, smiling, “that is the only matter that maketh me + willing to lay my hands to this business. Dost thou know why I have sent + for thee? It is because this day thou must challenge the Duke of Alban + before the King. The Earl of Mackworth has laid all his plans and the time + is now ripe. Knowest that thy father is at Mackworth House?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Myles; “I knew it not.” + </p> + <p> + “He hath been there for nearly two days,” said the Prince. “Just now the + Earl hath sent for us to come first to Mackworth House. Then to go to the + palace, for he hath gained audience with the King, and hath so arranged it + that the Earl of Alban is to be there as well. We all go straightway; so + get thyself ready as soon as may be.” + </p> + <p> + Perhaps Myles's heart began beating more quickly within him at the + nearness of that great happening which he had looked forward to for so + long. If it did, he made no sign of his emotion, but only asked, “How must + I clothe myself, your Highness?” + </p> + <p> + “Wear thy light armor,” said the Prince, “but no helmet, a juppon bearing + the arms and colors that the Earl gave thee when thou wert knighted, and + carry thy right-hand gauntlet under thy belt for thy challenge. Now make + haste, for time passes.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 30 + </h2> + <p> + Adjoining the ancient palace of Westminster, where King Henry IV was then + holding his court, was a no less ancient stone building known as the + Painted Room. Upon the walls were depicted a series of battle scenes in + long bands reaching around this room, one above another. Some of these + pictures had been painted as far back as the days of Henry III, others had + been added since his time. They chronicled the various wars of the King of + England, and it was from them that the little hall took its name of the + Painted Room. + </p> + <p> + This ancient wing, or offshoot, of the main buildings was more retired + from the hurly-burly of outer life than other parts of the palace, and + thither the sick King was very fond of retiring from the business of + State, which ever rested more and more heavily upon his shoulders, + sometimes to squander in quietness a spare hour or two; sometimes to idle + over a favorite book; sometimes to play a game of chess with a favorite + courtier. The cold painted walls had been hung with tapestry, and its + floor had been spread with arras carpet. These and the cushioned couches + and chairs that stood around gave its gloomy antiquity an air of comfort—an + air even of luxury. + </p> + <p> + It was to this favorite retreat of the King's that Myles was brought that + morning with his father to face the great Earl of Alban. + </p> + <p> + In the anteroom the little party of Princes and nobles who escorted the + father and son had held a brief consultation. Then the others had entered, + leaving Myles and his blind father in charge of Lord Lumley and two + knights of the court, Sir Reginald Hallowell and Sir Piers Averell. + </p> + <p> + Myles, as he stood patiently waiting, with his father's arm resting in + his, could hear the muffled sound of voices from beyond the arras. Among + others, he recognized the well-remembered tones of the King. He fancied + that he heard his own name mentioned more than once, and then the sound of + talking ceased. The next moment the arras was drawn aside, and the Earl + entered the antechamber again. + </p> + <p> + “All is ready, cousin,” said he to Lord Falworth, in a suppressed voice. + “Essex hath done as he promised, and Alban is within there now.” Then, + turning to Myles, speaking in the same low voice, and betraying more + agitation than Myles had thought it possible for him to show, “Sir Myles,” + said he, “remember all that hath been told thee. Thou knowest what thou + hast to say and do.” Then, without further word, he took Lord Falworth by + the hand, and led the way into the room, Myles following close behind. + </p> + <p> + The King half sat, half inclined, upon a cushioned seat close to which + stood the two Princes. There were some dozen others present, mostly + priests and noblemen of high quality who clustered in a group at a little + distance. Myles knew most of them at a glance having seen them come and go + at Scotland Yard. But among them all, he singled out only one—the + Earl of Alban. He had not seen that face since he was a little child eight + years old, but now that he beheld it again, it fitted instantly and + vividly into the remembrance of the time of that terrible scene at + Falworth Castle, when he had beheld the then Lord Brookhurst standing + above the dead body of Sir John Dale, with the bloody mace clinched in his + hand. There were the same heavy black brows, sinister and gloomy, the same + hooked nose, the same swarthy cheeks. He even remembered the deep dent in + the forehead, where the brows met in perpetual frown. So it was that upon + that face his looks centred and rested. + </p> + <p> + The Earl of Alban had just been speaking to some Lord who stood beside + him, and a half-smile still hung about the corners of his lips. At first, + as he looked up at the entrance of the newcomers, there was no other + expression; then suddenly came a flash of recognition, a look of wide-eyed + amazement; then the blood left the cheeks and the lips, and the face grew + very pale. No doubt he saw at a flash that some great danger overhung him + in this sudden coming of his old enemy, for he was as keen and as astute a + politician as he was a famous warrior. At least he knew that the eyes of + most of those present were fixed keenly and searchingly upon him. After + the first start of recognition, his left hand, hanging at his side, + gradually closed around the scabbard of his sword, clutching it in a + vice-like grip. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the Earl of Mackworth had led the blind Lord to the King, where + both kneeled. + </p> + <p> + “Why, how now, my Lord?” said the King. “Methought it was our young + Paladin whom we knighted at Devlen that was to be presented, and here thou + bringest this old man. A blind man, ha! What is the meaning of this?” + </p> + <p> + “Majesty,” said the Earl, “I have taken this chance to bring to thy + merciful consideration one who hath most wofully and unjustly suffered + from thine anger. Yonder stands the young knight of whom we spake; this is + his father, Gilbert Reginald, whilom Lord Falworth, who craves mercy and + justice at thy hands.” + </p> + <p> + “Falworth,” said the King, placing his hand to his head. “The name is not + strange to mine ears, but I cannot place it. My head hath troubled me + sorely to-day, and I cannot remember.” + </p> + <p> + At this point the Earl of Alban came quietly and deliberately forward. + “Sire,” said he, “pardon my boldness in so venturing to address you, but + haply I may bring the name more clearly to your mind. He is, as my Lord of + Mackworth said, the whilom Baron Falworth, the outlawed, attainted + traitor; so declared for the harboring of Sir John Dale, who was one of + those who sought your Majesty's life at Windsor eleven years ago. Sire, he + is mine enemy as well, and is brought hither by my proclaimed enemies. + Should aught occur to my harm, I rest my case in your gracious hands.” + </p> + <p> + The dusty red flamed into the King's pale, sickly face in answer, and he + rose hastily from his seat. + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said he, “I remember me now—I remember me the man and the + name! Who hath dared bring him here before us?” All the dull heaviness of + sickness was gone for the moment, and King Henry was the King Henry of ten + years ago as he rolled his eyes balefully from one to another of the + courtiers who stood silently around. + </p> + <p> + The Earl of Mackworth shot a covert glance at the Bishop of Winchester, + who came forward in answer. + </p> + <p> + “Your Majesty,” said he, “here am I, your brother, who beseech you as your + brother not to judge over-hastily in this matter. It is true that this man + has been adjudged a traitor, but he has been so adjudged without a + hearing. I beseech thee to listen patiently to whatsoever he may have to + say.” + </p> + <p> + The King fixed the Bishop with a look of the bitterest, deepest anger, + holding his nether lip tightly under his teeth—a trick he had when + strongly moved with anger—and the Bishop's eyes fell under the look. + Meantime the Earl of Alban stood calm and silent. No doubt he saw that the + King's anger was likely to befriend him more than any words that he + himself could say, and he perilled his case with no more speech which + could only prove superfluous. + </p> + <p> + At last the King turned a face red and swollen with anger to the blind + Lord, who still kneeled before him. + </p> + <p> + “What hast thou to say?” he said, in a deep and sullen voice. + </p> + <p> + “Gracious and merciful Lord,” said the blind nobleman, “I come to thee, + the fountain-head of justice, craving justice. Sire, I do now and here + deny my treason, which denial I could not before make, being blind and + helpless, and mine enemies strong and malignant. But now, sire, Heaven + hath sent me help, and therefore I do acclaim before thee that my accuser, + William Bushy Brookhurst, Earl of Alban, is a foul and an attainted liar + in all that he hath accused me of. To uphold which allegation, and to + defend me, who am blinded by his unknightliness, I do offer a champion to + prove all that I say with his body in combat.” + </p> + <p> + The Earl of Mackworth darted a quick look at Myles, who came forward the + moment his father had ended, and kneeled beside him. The King offered no + interruption to his speech, but he bent a look heavy with anger upon the + young man. + </p> + <p> + “My gracious Lord and King,” said Myles, “I, the son of the accused, do + offer myself as his champion in this cause, beseeching thee of thy grace + leave to prove the truth of the same, being a belted knight by thy grace + and of thy creation and the peer of any who weareth spurs.” Thereupon, + rising, he drew his iron gauntlet from his girdle, and flung it clashing + down upon the floor, and with his heart swelling within him with anger and + indignation and pity of his blind father, he cried, in a loud voice, “I do + accuse thee, William of Alban, that thou liest vilely as aforesaid, and + here cast down my gage, daring thee to take it up.” + </p> + <p> + The Earl of Alban made as though he would accept the challenge, but the + King stopped him hastily. + </p> + <p> + “Stop!” he cried, harshly. “Touch not the gage! Let it lie—let it + lie, I tell thee, my Lord! Now then,” said he, turning to the others, + “tell me what meaneth all this coil? Who brought this man hither?” + </p> + <p> + He looked from one to another of those who stood silently around, but no + one answered. + </p> + <p> + “I see,” said he, “ye all have had to do with it. It is as my Lord of + Alban sayeth; ye are his enemies, and ye are my enemies as well. In this I + do smell a vile plot. I cannot undo what I have done, and since I have + made this young man a knight with mine own hands, I cannot deny that he is + fit to challenge my Lord of Alban. Ne'theless, the High Court of Chivalry + shall adjudge this case. Meantime,” said he, turning to the Earl Marshal, + who was present, “I give thee this attainted Lord in charge. Convey him + presently to the Tower, and let him abide our pleasure there. Also, thou + mayst take up yon gage, and keep it till it is redeemed according to our + pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + He stood thoughtfully for a moment, and then raising his eyes, looked + fixedly at the Earl of Mackworth. “I know,” he said, “that I be a right + sick man, and there be some who are already plotting to overthrow those + who have held up my hand with their own strength for all these years.” + Then speaking more directly: “My Lord Earl of Mackworth, I see your hand + in this before all others. It was thou who so played upon me as to get me + to knight this young man, and thus make him worthy to challenge my Lord of + Alban. It was thy doings that brought him here to-day, backed by mine own + sons and my brother and by these noblemen.” Then turning suddenly to the + Earl of Alban: “Come, my Lord,” said he; “I am aweary with all this coil. + Lend me thine arm to leave this place.” So it was that he left the room, + leaning upon the Earl of Alban's arm, and followed by the two or three of + the Alban faction who were present. + </p> + <p> + “Your Royal Highness,” said the Earl Marshal, “I must e'en do the King's + bidding, and take this gentleman into arrest.” + </p> + <p> + “Do thy duty,” said the Prince. “We knew it must come to this. Meanwhile + he is to be a prisoner of honor, and see that he be well lodged and cared + for. Thou wilt find my barge at the stairs to convey him down the river, + and I myself will come this afternoon to visit him.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 31 + </h2> + <p> + It was not until the end of July that the High Court of Chivalry rendered + its judgment. There were many unusual points in the case, some of which + bore heavily against Lord Falworth, some of which were in his favor. He + was very ably defended by the lawyers whom the Earl of Mackworth had + engaged upon his side; nevertheless, under ordinary circumstances, the + judgment, no doubt, would have been quickly rendered against him. As it + was, however, the circumstances were not ordinary, and it was rendered in + his favor. The Court besought the King to grant the ordeal by battle, to + accept Lord Falworth's champion, and to appoint the time and place for the + meeting. + </p> + <p> + The decision must have been a most bitter, galling one for the sick King. + He was naturally of a generous, forgiving nature, but Lord Falworth in his + time of power had been an unrelenting and fearless opponent, and his + Majesty who, like most generous men, could on occasions be very cruel and + intolerant, had never forgiven him. He had steadily thrown the might of + his influence with the Court against the Falworths' case, but that + influence was no longer all-powerful for good or ill. He was failing in + health, and it could only be a matter of a few years, probably of only a + few months, before his successor sat upon the throne. + </p> + <p> + Upon the other hand, the Prince of Wales's faction had been steadily, and + of late rapidly, increasing in power, and in the Earl of Mackworth, its + virtual head, it possessed one of the most capable politicians and astute + intriguers in Europe. So, as the outcome of all the plotting and + counter-plotting, scheming and counter-scheming, the case was decided in + Lord Falworth's favor. The knowledge of the ultimate result was known to + the Prince of Wales's circle almost a week before it was finally decided. + Indeed, the Earl of Mackworth had made pretty sure of that result before + he had summoned Myles from France, but upon the King it fell like the + shock of a sudden blow. All that day he kept himself in moody seclusion, + nursing his silent, bitter anger, and making only one outbreak, in which + he swore by the Holy Rood that should Myles be worsted in the encounter, + he would not take the battle into his own hands, but would suffer him to + be slain, and furthermore, that should the Earl show signs of failing at + any time, he would do all in his power to save him. One of the courtiers + who had been present, and who was secretly inclined to the Prince of + Wales's faction, had repeated this speech at Scotland Yard, and the Prince + had said, “That meaneth, Myles, that thou must either win or die.” + </p> + <p> + “And so I would have it to be, my Lord,” Myles had answered. + </p> + <p> + It was not until nearly a fortnight after the decision of the Court of + Chivalry had been rendered that the King announced the time and place of + battle—the time to be the 3d of September, the place to be + Smithfield—a spot much used for such encounters. + </p> + <p> + During the three weeks or so that intervened between this announcement and + the time of combat, Myles went nearly every day to visit the lists in + course of erection. Often the Prince went with him; always two or three of + his friends of the Scotland Yard court accompanied him. + </p> + <p> + The lists were laid out in the usual form. The true or principal list in + which the combatants were to engage was sixty yards long and forty yards + wide; this rectangular space being surrounded by a fence about six feet + high, painted vermilion. Between the fence and the stand where the King + and the spectators sat, and surrounding the central space, was the outer + or false list, also surrounded by a fence. In the false list the Constable + and the Marshal and their followers and attendants were to be stationed at + the time of battle to preserve the general peace during the contest + between the principals. + </p> + <p> + One day as Myles, his princely patron, and his friends entered the + barriers, leaving their horses at the outer gate, they met the Earl of + Alban and his followers, who were just quitting the lists, which they also + were in the habit of visiting nearly every day. As the two parties passed + one another, the Earl spoke to a gentleman walking beside him and in a + voice loud enough to be clearly overheard by the others: “Yonder is the + young sprig of Falworth,” said he. “His father, my Lords, is not content + with forfeiting his own life for his treason, but must, forsooth, throw + away his son's also. I have faced and overthrown many a better knight than + that boy.” + </p> + <p> + Myles heard the speech, and knew that it was intended for him to hear it; + but he paid no attention to it, walking composedly at the Prince's side. + The Prince had also overheard it, and after a little space of silence + asked, “Dost thou not feel anxiety for thy coming battle, Myles?” + </p> + <p> + “Yea, my Lord,” said Myles; “sometimes I do feel anxiety, but not such as + my Lord of Alban would have me feel in uttering the speech that he spake + anon. It is anxiety for my father's sake and my mother's sake that I feel, + for truly there are great matters for them pending upon this fight. + Ne'theless, I do know that God will not desert me in my cause, for verily + my father is no traitor.” + </p> + <p> + “But the Earl of Alban,” said the Prince, gravely, “is reputed one of the + best-skilled knights in all England; moreover, he is merciless and without + generosity, so that an he gain aught advantage over thee, he will surely + slay thee.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not afraid, my Lord,” said Myles, still calmly and composedly. + </p> + <p> + “Nor am I afraid for thee, Myles,” said the Prince, heartily, putting his + arm, as he spoke, around the young man's shoulder; “for truly, wert thou a + knight of forty years, instead of one of twenty, thou couldst not bear + thyself with more courage.” + </p> + <p> + As the time for the duel approached, the days seemed to drag themselves + along upon leaden feet; nevertheless, the days came and went, as all days + do, bringing with them, at last, the fateful 3d of September. + </p> + <p> + Early in the morning, while the sun was still level and red, the Prince + himself, unattended, came to Myles's apartment, in the outer room of which + Gascoyne was bustling busily about arranging the armor piece by piece; + renewing straps and thongs, but not whistling over his work as he usually + did. The Prince nodded to him, and then passed silently through to the + inner chamber. Myles was upon his knees, and Father Ambrose, the Prince's + chaplain, was beside him. The Prince stood silently at the door, until + Myles, having told his last bead, rose and turned towards him. + </p> + <p> + “My dear Lord,” said the young knight, “I give you gramercy for the great + honor you do me in coming so early for to visit me.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, Myles, give me no thanks,” said the Prince, frankly reaching him his + hand, which Myles took and set to his lips. “I lay bethinking me of thee + this morning, while yet in bed, and so, as I could not sleep any more, I + was moved to come hither to see thee.” + </p> + <p> + Quite a number of the Prince's faction were at the breakfast at Scotland + Yard that morning; among others, the Earl of Mackworth. All were more or + less oppressed with anxiety, for nearly all of them had staked much upon + the coming battle. If Alban conquered, he would be more powerful to harm + them and to revenge himself upon them than ever, and Myles was a very + young champion upon whom to depend. Myles himself, perhaps, showed as + little anxiety as any; he certainly ate more heartily of his breakfast + that morning than many of the others. + </p> + <p> + After the meal was ended, the Prince rose. “The boat is ready at the + stairs,” said he; “if thou wouldst go to the Tower to visit thy father, + Myles, before hearing mass, I and Cholmondeley and Vere and Poins will go + with thee, if ye, Lords and gentlemen, will grant me your pardon for + leaving you. Are there any others that thou wouldst have accompany thee?” + </p> + <p> + “I would have Sir James Lee and my squire, Master Gascoyne, if thou art so + pleased to give them leave to go,” answered Myles. + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” said the Prince. “We will stop at Mackworth stairs for the + knight.” + </p> + <p> + The barge landed at the west stairs of the Tower wharf, and the whole + party were received with more than usual civilities by the Governor, who + conducted them at once to the Tower where Lord Falworth was lodged. Lady + Falworth met them at the head of the stairs; her eyes were very red and + her face pale, and as Myles raised her hand and set a long kiss upon it, + her lips trembled, and she turned her face quickly away, pressing her + handkerchief for one moment to her eyes. Poor lady! What agony of anxiety + and dread did she not suffer for her boy's sake that day! Myles had not + hidden both from her and his father that he must either win or die. + </p> + <p> + As Myles turned from his mother, Prior Edward came out from the inner + chamber, and was greeted warmly by him. The old priest had arrived in + London only the day before, having come down from Crosbey Priory to be + with his friend's family during this their time of terrible anxiety. + </p> + <p> + After a little while of general talk, the Prince and his attendants + retired, leaving the family together, only Sir James Lee and Gascoyne + remaining behind. + </p> + <p> + Many matters that had been discussed before were now finally settled, the + chief of which was the disposition of Lady Falworth in case the battle + should go against them. Then Myles took his leave, kissing his mother, who + began crying, and comforting her with brave assurances. Prior Edward + accompanied him as far as the head of the Tower stairs, where Myles + kneeled upon the stone steps, while the good priest blessed him and signed + the cross upon his forehead. The Prince was waiting in the walled garden + adjoining, and as they rowed back again up the river to Scotland Yard, all + were thoughtful and serious, even Poins' and Vere's merry tongues being + stilled from their usual quips and jesting. + </p> + <p> + It was about the quarter of the hour before eleven o'clock when Myles, + with Gascoyne, set forth for the lists. The Prince of Wales, together with + most of his court, had already gone on to Smithfield, leaving behind him + six young knights of his household to act as escort to the young champion. + Then at last the order to horse was given; the great gate swung open, and + out they rode, clattering and jingling, the sunlight gleaming and flaming + and flashing upon their polished armor. They drew rein to the right, and + so rode in a little cloud of dust along the Strand Street towards London + town, with the breeze blowing merrily, and the sunlight shining as sweetly + and blithesomely as though they were riding to a wedding rather than to a + grim and dreadful ordeal that meant either victory or death. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 32 + </h2> + <p> + In the days of King Edward III a code of laws relating to trial by battle + had been compiled for one of his sons, Thomas of Woodstock. In this work + each and every detail, to the most minute, had been arranged and fixed, + and from that time judicial combats had been regulated in accordance with + its mandates. + </p> + <p> + It was in obedience to this code that Myles Falworth appeared at the east + gate of the lists (the east gate being assigned by law to the challenger), + clad in full armor of proof, attended by Gascoyne, and accompanied by two + of the young knights who had acted as his escort from Scotland Yard. + </p> + <p> + At the barriers he was met by the attorney Willingwood, the chief lawyer + who had conducted the Falworth case before the High Court of Chivalry, and + who was to attend him during the administration of the oaths before the + King. + </p> + <p> + As Myles presented himself at the gate he was met by the Constable, the + Marshal, and their immediate attendants. The Constable, laying his hand + upon the bridle-rein, said, in a loud voice: “Stand, Sir Knight, and tell + me why thou art come thus armed to the gates of the lists. What is thy + name? Wherefore art thou come?” + </p> + <p> + Myles answered, “I am Myles Falworth, a Knight of the Bath by grace of his + Majesty King Henry IV and by his creation, and do come hither to defend my + challenge upon the body of William Bushy Brookhurst, Earl of Alban, + proclaiming him an unknightly knight and a false and perjured liar, in + that he hath accused Gilbert Reginald, Lord Falworth, of treason against + our beloved Lord, his Majesty the King, and may God defend the right!” + </p> + <p> + As he ended speaking, the Constable advanced close to his side, and + formally raising the umbril of the helmet, looked him in the face. + Thereupon, having approved his identity, he ordered the gates to be + opened, and bade Myles enter the lists with his squire and his friends. + </p> + <p> + At the south side of the lists a raised scaffolding had been built for the + King and those who looked on. It was not unlike that which had been + erected at Devlen Castle when Myles had first jousted as belted knight—here + were the same raised seat for the King, the tapestries, the hangings, the + fluttering pennons, and the royal standard floating above; only here were + no fair-faced ladies looking down upon him, but instead, stern-browed + Lords and knights in armor and squires, and here were no merry laughing + and buzz of talk and flutter of fans and kerchiefs, but all was very quiet + and serious. + </p> + <p> + Myles riding upon his horse, with Gascoyne holding the bridle-rein, and + his attorney walking beside him with his hand upon the stirrups, followed + the Constable across the lists to an open space in front of the seat where + the King sat. Then, having reached his appointed station, he stopped, and + the Constable, advancing to the foot of the stair-way that led to the dais + above, announced in a loud voice that the challenger had entered the + lists. + </p> + <p> + “Then called the defendant straightway,” said the King, “for noon draweth + nigh.” + </p> + <p> + The day was very warm, and the sun, bright and unclouded, shone fiercely + down upon the open lists. Perhaps few men nowadays could bear the + scorching heat of iron plates such as Myles wore, from which the body was + only protected by a leathern jacket and hose. But men's bodies in those + days were tougher and more seasoned to hardships of weather than they are + in these our times. Myles thought no more of the burning iron plates that + incased him than a modern soldier thinks of his dress uniform in warm + weather. Nevertheless, he raised the umbril of his helmet to cool his face + as he waited the coming of his opponent. He turned his eyes upward to the + row of seats on the scaffolding above, and even in the restless, + bewildering multitude of strange faces turned towards him recognized those + that he knew: the Prince of Wales, his companions of the Scotland Yard + household, the Duke of Clarence, the Bishop of Winchester, and some of the + noblemen of the Earl of Mackworth's party, who had been buzzing about the + Prince for the past month or so. But his glance swept over all these, + rather perceiving than seeing them, and then rested upon a square box-like + compartment not unlike a prisoner's dock in the courtroom of our day, for + in the box sat his father, with the Earl of Mackworth upon one side and + Sir James Lee upon the other. The blind man's face was very pale, but + still wore its usual expression of calm serenity—the calm serenity + of a blind face. The Earl was also very pale, and he kept his eyes fixed + steadfastly upon Myles with a keen and searching look, as though to pierce + to the very bottom of the young man's heart, and discover if indeed not + one little fragment of dryrot of fear or uncertainty tainted the solid + courage of his knighthood. + </p> + <p> + Then he heard the criers calling the defendant at the four corners of the + list: “Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! William Bushy Brookhurst, Earl of Alban, come to + this combat, in which you be enterprised this day to discharge your + sureties before the King, the Constable, and the Marshal, and to encounter + in your defence Myles Falworth, knight, the accepted champion upon behalf + of Gilbert Reginald Falworth, the challenger! Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! Let the + defendant come!” + </p> + <p> + So they continued calling, until, by the sudden turning of all faces, + Myles knew that his enemy was at hand. + </p> + <p> + Then presently he saw the Earl and his attendants enter the outer gate at + the west end of the barrier; he saw the Constable and Marshal meet him; he + saw the formal words of greeting pass; he saw the Constable raise the + umbril of the helmet. Then the gate opened, and the Earl of Alban entered, + clad cap-a-pie in a full suit of magnificent Milan armor without juppon or + adornment of any kind. As he approached across the lists, Myles closed the + umbril of his helmet, and then sat quite still and motionless, for the + time was come. + </p> + <p> + So he sat, erect and motionless as a statue of iron, half hearing the + reading of the long intricately-worded bills, absorbed in many thoughts of + past and present things. At last the reading ended, and then he calmly and + composedly obeyed, under the direction of his attorney, the several forms + and ceremonies that followed; answered the various official questions, + took the various oaths. Then Gascoyne, leading the horse by the + bridle-rein, conducted him back to his station at the east end of the + lists. + </p> + <p> + As the faithful friend and squire made one last and searching examination + of arms and armor, the Marshal and the clerk came to the young champion + and administered the final oath by which he swore that he carried no + concealed weapons. + </p> + <p> + The weapons allowed by the High Court were then measured and attested. + They consisted of the long sword, the short sword, the dagger, the mace, + and a weapon known as the hand-gisarm, or glave-lot—a heavy + swordlike blade eight palms long, a palm in breadth, and riveted to a + stout handle of wood three feet long. + </p> + <p> + The usual lance had not been included in the list of arms, the hand-gisarm + being substituted in its place. It was a fearful and murderous weapon, + though cumbersome, Unhandy, and ill adapted for quick or dexterous stroke; + nevertheless, the Earl of Alban had petitioned the King to have it + included in the list, and in answer to the King's expressed desire the + Court had adopted it in the stead of the lance, yielding thus much to the + royal wishes. Nor was it a small concession. The hand-gisarm had been a + weapon very much in vogue in King Richard's day, and was now nearly if not + entirely out of fashion with the younger generation of warriors. The Earl + of Alban was, of course, well used to the blade; with Myles it was strange + and new, either for attack or in defence. + </p> + <p> + With the administration of the final oath and the examination of the + weapons, the preliminary ceremonies came to an end, and presently Myles + heard the criers calling to clear the lists. As those around him moved to + withdraw, the young knight drew off his mailed gauntlet, and gave + Gascoyne's hand one last final clasp, strong, earnest, and intense with + the close friendship of young manhood, and poor Gascoyne looked up at him + with a face ghastly white. + </p> + <p> + Then all were gone; the gates of the principal list and that of the false + list were closed clashing, and Myles was alone, face to face, with his + mortal enemy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER 33 + </h2> + <p> + There was a little while of restless, rustling silence, during which the + Constable took his place in the seat appointed for him directly in front + of and below the King's throne. A moment or two when even the restlessness + and the rustling were quieted, and then the King leaned forward and spoke + to the Constable, who immediately called out, in a loud, clear voice. + </p> + <p> + “Let them go!” Then again, “Let them go!” Then, for the third and last + time, “Let them go and do their endeavor, in God's name!” + </p> + <p> + At this third command the combatants, each of whom had till that moment + been sitting as motionless as a statue of iron, tightened rein, and rode + slowly and deliberately forward without haste, yet without hesitation, + until they met in the very middle of the lists. + </p> + <p> + In the battle which followed, Myles fought with the long sword, the Earl + with the hand-gisarm for which he had asked. The moment they met, the + combat was opened, and for a time nothing was heard but the thunderous + clashing and clamor of blows, now and then beating intermittently, now and + then pausing. Occasionally, as the combatants spurred together, checked, + wheeled, and recovered, they would be hidden for a moment in a misty veil + of dust, which, again drifting down the wind, perhaps revealed them drawn + a little apart, resting their panting horses. Then, again, they would spur + together, striking as they passed, wheeling and striking again. + </p> + <p> + Upon the scaffolding all was still, only now and then for the buzz of + muffled exclamations or applause of those who looked on. Mostly the + applause was from Myles's friends, for from the very first he showed and + steadily maintained his advantage over the older man. “Hah! well struck! + well recovered!” “Look ye! the sword bit that time!” “Nay, look, saw ye + him pass the point of the gisarm?” Then, “Falworth! Falworth!” as some + more than usually skilful stroke or parry occurred. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Myles's father sat straining his sightless eyeballs, as though to + pierce his body's darkness with one ray of light that would show him how + his boy held his own in the fight, and Lord Mackworth, leaning with his + lips close to the blind man's ear, told him point by point how the battle + stood. + </p> + <p> + “Fear not, Gilbert,” said he at each pause in the fight. “He holdeth his + own right well.” Then, after a while: “God is with us, Gilbert. Alban is + twice wounded and his horse faileth. One little while longer and the + victory is ours!” + </p> + <p> + A longer and more continuous interval of combat followed this last + assurance, during which Myles drove the assault fiercely and unrelentingly + as though to overbear his enemy by the very power and violence of the + blows he delivered. The Earl defended himself desperately, but was borne + back, back, back, farther and farther. Every nerve of those who looked on + was stretched to breathless tensity, when, almost as his enemy was against + the barriers, Myles paused and rested. + </p> + <p> + “Out upon it!” exclaimed the Earl of Mackworth, almost shrilly in his + excitement, as the sudden lull followed the crashing of blows. “Why doth + the boy spare him? That is thrice he hath given him grace to recover; an + he had pushed the battle that time he had driven him back against the + barriers.” + </p> + <p> + It was as the Earl had said; Myles had three times given his enemy grace + when victory was almost in his very grasp. He had three times spared him, + in spite of all he and those dear to him must suffer should his cruel and + merciless enemy gain the victory. It was a false and foolish generosity, + partly the fault of his impulsive youth—more largely of his romantic + training in the artificial code of French chivalry. He felt that the + battle was his, and so he gave his enemy these three chances to recover, + as some chevalier or knight-errant of romance might have done, instead of + pushing the combat to a mercifully speedy end—and his foolish + generosity cost him dear. + </p> + <p> + In the momentary pause that had thus stirred the Earl of Mackworth to a + sudden outbreak, the Earl of Alban sat upon his panting, sweating + war-horse, facing his powerful young enemy at about twelve paces distant. + He sat as still as a rock, holding his gisarm poised in front of him. He + had, as the Earl of Mackworth had said, been wounded twice, and each time + with the point of the sword, so much more dangerous than a direct cut with + the weapon. One wound was beneath his armor, and no one but he knew how + serious it might be; the other was under the overlapping of the epauhere, + and from it a finger's-breadth of blood ran straight down his side and + over the housings of his horse. From without, the still motionless iron + figure appeared calm and expressionless; within, who knows what consuming + blasts of hate, rage, and despair swept his heart as with a fiery + whirlwind. + </p> + <p> + As Myles looked at the motionless, bleeding figure, his breast swelled + with pity. “My Lord,” said he, “thou art sore wounded and the fight is + against thee; wilt thou not yield thee?” + </p> + <p> + No one but that other heard the speech, and no one but Myles heard the + answer that came back, hollow, cavernous, “Never, thou dog! Never!” + </p> + <p> + Then in an instant, as quick as a flash, his enemy spurred straight upon + Myles, and as he spurred he struck a last desperate, swinging blow, in + which he threw in one final effort all the strength of hate, of fury, and + of despair. Myles whirled his horse backward, warding the blow with his + shield as he did so. The blade glanced from the smooth face of the shield, + and, whether by mistake or not, fell straight and true, and with almost + undiminished force, upon the neck of Myles's war-horse, and just behind + the ears. The animal staggered forward, and then fell upon its knees, and + at the same instant the other, as though by the impetus of the rush, + dashed full upon it with all the momentum lent by the weight of iron it + carried. The shock was irresistible, and the stunned and wounded horse was + flung upon the ground, rolling over and over. As his horse fell, Myles + wrenched one of his feet out of the stirrup; the other caught for an + instant, and he was flung headlong with stunning violence, his armor + crashing as he fell. In the cloud of dust that arose no one could see just + what happened, but that what was done was done deliberately no one + doubted. The earl, at once checking and spurring his foaming charger, + drove the iron-shod war-horse directly over Myles's prostrate body. Then, + checking him fiercely with the curb, reined him back, the hoofs clashing + and crashing, over the figure beneath. So he had ridden over the father at + York, and so he rode over the son at Smithfield. + </p> + <p> + Myles, as he lay prostrate and half stunned by his fall, had seen his + enemy thus driving his rearing horse down upon him, but was not able to + defend himself. A fallen knight in full armor was utterly powerless to + rise without assistance; Myles lay helpless in the clutch of the very iron + that was his defence. He closed his eyes involuntarily, and then horse and + rider were upon him. There was a deafening, sparkling crash, a glimmering + faintness, then another crash as the horse was reined furiously back + again, and then a humming stillness. + </p> + <p> + In a moment, upon the scaffolding all was a tumult of uproar and + confusion, shouting and gesticulation; only the King sat calm, sullen, + impassive. The Earl wheeled his horse and sat for a moment or two as + though to make quite sure that he knew the King's mind. The blow that had + been given was foul, unknightly, but the King gave no sign either of + acquiescence or rebuke; he had willed that Myles was to die. + </p> + <p> + Then the Earl turned again, and rode deliberately up to his prostrate + enemy. + </p> + <p> + When Myles opened his eyes after that moment of stunning silence, it was + to see the other looming above him on his war-horse, swinging his gisarm + for one last mortal blow—pitiless, merciless. + </p> + <p> + The sight of that looming peril brought back Myles's wandering senses like + a flash of lightning. He flung up his shield, and met the blow even as it + descended, turning it aside. It only protracted the end. + </p> + <p> + Once more the Earl of Alban raised the gisarm, swinging it twice around + his head before he struck. This time, though the shield glanced it, the + blow fell upon the shoulder-piece, biting through the steel plate and + leathern jack beneath even to the bone. Then Myles covered his head with + his shield as a last protecting chance for life. + </p> + <p> + For the third time the Earl swung the blade flashing, and then it fell, + straight and true, upon the defenceless body, just below the left arm, + biting deep through the armor plates. For an instant the blade stuck fast, + and that instant was Myles's salvation. Under the agony of the blow he + gave a muffled cry, and almost instinctively grasped the shaft of the + weapon with both hands. Had the Earl let go his end of the weapon, he + would have won the battle at his leisure and most easily; as it was, he + struggled violently to wrench the gisarm away from Myles. In that short, + fierce struggle Myles was dragged to his knees, and then, still holding + the weapon with one hand, he clutched the trappings of the Earl's horse + with the other. The next moment he was upon his feet. The other struggled + to thrust him away, but Myles, letting go the gisarm, which he held with + his left hand, clutched him tightly by the sword-belt in the intense, + vise-like grip of despair. In vain the Earl strove to beat him loose with + the shaft of the gisarm, in vain he spurred and reared his horse to shake + him off; Myles held him tight, in spite of all his struggles. + </p> + <p> + He felt neither the streaming blood nor the throbbing agony of his wounds; + every faculty of soul, mind, body, every power of life, was centered in + one intense, burning effort. He neither felt, thought, nor reasoned, but + clutching, with the blindness of instinct, the heavy, spiked, iron-headed + mace that hung at the Earl's saddle-bow, he gave it one tremendous wrench + that snapped the plaited leathern thongs that held it as though they were + skeins of thread. Then, grinding his teeth as with a spasm, he struck as + he had never struck before—once, twice, thrice full upon the front + of the helmet. Crash! crash! And then, even as the Earl toppled sidelong, + crash! And the iron plates split and crackled under the third blow. Myles + had one flashing glimpse of an awful face, and then the saddle was empty. + </p> + <p> + Then, as he held tight to the horse, panting, dizzy, sick to death, he + felt the hot blood gushing from his side, filling his body armor, and + staining the ground upon which he stood. Still he held tightly to the + saddle-bow of the fallen man's horse until, through his glimmering sight, + he saw the Marshal, the Lieutenant, and the attendants gather around him. + He heard the Marshal ask him, in a voice that sounded faint and distant, + if he was dangerously wounded. He did not answer, and one of the + attendants, leaping from his horse, opened the umbril of his helmet, + disclosing the dull, hollow eyes, the ashy, colorless lips, and the waxy + forehead, upon which stood great beads of sweat. + </p> + <p> + “Water! water!” he cried, hoarsely; “give me to drink!” Then, quitting his + hold upon the horse, he started blindly across the lists towards the gate + of the barrier. A shadow that chilled his heart seemed to fall upon him. + “It is death,” he muttered; then he stopped, then swayed for an instant, + and then toppled headlong, crashing as he fell. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_CONC" id="link2H_CONC"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONCLUSION + </h2> + <p> + But Myles was not dead. Those who had seen his face when the umbril of the + helmet was raised, and then saw him fall as he tottered across the lists, + had at first thought so. But his faintness was more from loss of blood and + the sudden unstringing of nerve and sense from the intense furious strain + of the last few moments of battle than from the vital nature of the wound. + Indeed, after Myles had been carried out of the lists and laid upon the + ground in the shade between the barriers, Master Thomas, the Prince's + barber-surgeon, having examined the wounds, declared that he might be even + carried on a covered litter to Scotland Yard without serious danger. The + Prince was extremely desirous of having him under his care, and so the + venture was tried. Myles was carried to Scotland Yard, and perhaps was + none the worse therefore. The Prince, the Earl of Mackworth, and two or + three others stood silently watching as the worthy shaver and leecher, + assisted by his apprentice and Gascoyne, washed and bathed the great + gaping wound in the side, and bound it with linen bandages. Myles lay with + closed eyelids, still, pallid, weak as a little child. Presently he opened + his eyes and turned them, dull and languid, to the Prince. + </p> + <p> + “What hath happed my father, my Lord?” said he, in a faint, whispering + voice. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hath saved his life and honor, Myles,” the Prince answered. “He is + here now, and thy mother hath been sent for, and cometh anon with the + priest who was with them this morn.” + </p> + <p> + Myles dropped his eyelids again; his lips moved, but he made no sound, and + then two bright tears trickled across his white cheek. + </p> + <p> + “He maketh a woman of me,” the Prince muttered through his teeth, and + then, swinging on his heel, he stood for a long time looking out of the + window into the garden beneath. + </p> + <p> + “May I see my father?” said Myles, presently, without opening his eyes. + </p> + <p> + The Prince turned around and looked inquiringly at the surgeon. + </p> + <p> + The good man shook his head. “Not to-day,” said he; “haply to-morrow he + may see him and his mother. The bleeding is but new stanched, and such + matters as seeing his father and mother may make the heart to swell, and + so maybe the wound burst afresh and he die. An he would hope to live, he + must rest quiet until to-morrow day.” + </p> + <p> + But though Myles's wound was not mortal, it was very serious. The fever + which followed lingered longer than common—perhaps because of the + hot weather—and the days stretched to weeks, and the weeks to + months, and still he lay there, nursed by his mother and Gascoyne and + Prior Edward, and now and again by Sir James Lee. + </p> + <p> + One day, a little before the good priest returned to Saint Mary's Priory, + as he sat by Myles's bedside, his hands folded, and his sight turned + inward, the young man suddenly said, “Tell me, holy father, is it always + wrong for man to slay man?” + </p> + <p> + The good priest sat silent for so long a time that Myles began to think he + had not heard the question. But by-and-by he answered, almost with a sigh, + “It is a hard question, my son, but I must in truth say, meseems it is not + always wrong.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” said Myles, “I have been in battle when men were slain, but never + did I think thereon as I have upon this matter. Did I sin in so slaying my + father's enemy?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Prior Edward, quietly, “thou didst not sin. It was for others + thou didst fight, my son, and for others it is pardonable to do battle. + Had it been thine own quarrel, it might haply have been more hard to have + answered thee.” + </p> + <p> + Who can gainsay, even in these days of light, the truth of this that the + good priest said to the sick lad so far away in the past? + </p> + <p> + One day the Earl of Mackworth came to visit Myles. At that time the young + knight was mending, and was sitting propped up with pillows, and was + wrapped in Sir James Lee's cloak, for the day was chilly. After a little + time of talk, a pause of silence fell. + </p> + <p> + “My Lord,” said Myles, suddenly, “dost thou remember one part of a matter + we spoke of when I first came from France?” + </p> + <p> + The Earl made no pretence of ignorance. “I remember,” said he, quietly, + looking straight into the young man's thin white face. + </p> + <p> + “And have I yet won the right to ask for the Lady Alice de Mowbray to + wife?” said Myles, the red rising faintly to his cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast won it,” said the Earl, with a smile. + </p> + <p> + Myles's eyes shone and his lips trembled with the pang of sudden joy and + triumph, for he was still very weak. “My Lord,” said he, presently “belike + thou camest here to see me for this very matter?” + </p> + <p> + The Earl smiled again without answering, and Myles knew that he had + guessed aright. He reached out one of his weak, pallid hands from beneath + the cloak. The Earl of Mackworth took it with a firm pressure, then + instantly quitting it again, rose, as if ashamed of his emotion, stamped + his feet, as though in pretence of being chilled, and then crossed the + room to where the fire crackled brightly in the great stone fireplace. + </p> + <p> + Little else remains to be told; only a few loose strands to tie, and the + story is complete. + </p> + <p> + Though Lord Falworth was saved from death at the block, though his honor + was cleansed from stain, he was yet as poor and needy as ever. The King, + in spite of all the pressure brought to bear upon him, refused to restore + the estates of Falworth and Easterbridge—the latter of which had + again reverted to the crown upon the death of the Earl of Alban without + issue—upon the grounds that they had been forfeited not because of + the attaint of treason, but because of Lord Falworth having refused to + respond to the citation of the courts. So the business dragged along for + month after month, until in January the King died suddenly in the + Jerusalem Chamber at Westminster. Then matters went smoothly enough, and + Falworth and Mackworth swam upon the flood-tide of fortune. + </p> + <p> + So Myles was married, for how else should the story end? And one day he + brought his beautiful young wife home to Falworth Castle, which his father + had given him for his own, and at the gateway of which he was met by Sir + James Lee and by the newly-knighted Sir Francis Gascoyne. + </p> + <p> + One day, soon after this home-coming, as he stood with her at an open + window into which came blowing the pleasant May-time breeze, he suddenly + said, “What didst thou think of me when I first fell almost into thy lap, + like an apple from heaven?” + </p> + <p> + “I thought thou wert a great, good-hearted boy, as I think thou art now,” + said she, twisting his strong, sinewy fingers in and out. + </p> + <p> + “If thou thoughtst me so then, what a very fool I must have looked to thee + when I so clumsily besought thee for thy favor for my jousting at Devlen. + Did I not so?” + </p> + <p> + “Thou didst look to me the most noble, handsome young knight that did ever + live; thou didst look to me Sir Galahad, as they did call thee, withouten + taint or stain.” + </p> + <p> + Myles did not even smile in answer, but looked at his wife with such a + look that she blushed a rosy red. Then, laughing, she slipped from his + hold, and before he could catch her again was gone. + </p> + <p> + I am glad that he was to be rich and happy and honored and beloved after + all his hard and noble fighting. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Men of Iron, by Howard Pyle + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEN OF IRON *** + +***** This file should be named 1557-h.htm or 1557-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/5/1557/ + +Produced by Charles Keller and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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