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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/36054-8.txt b/36054-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0d3ebb7 --- /dev/null +++ b/36054-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12379 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Last of the Vikings, by John Bowling + + +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: The Last of the Vikings + + +Author: John Bowling + + + +Release Date: May 7, 2011 [eBook #36054] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAST OF THE VIKINGS*** + + +E-text prepared by Chris Curnow, Lindy Walsh, Mary Meehan, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 36054-h.htm or 36054-h.zip: + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/36054/36054-h/36054-h.htm) + or + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/36054/36054-h.zip) + + + + + +THE LAST OF THE VIKINGS. + +by + +JOHN BOWLING + +Author of "Brailsford: A Tale of West Riding Life," etc. + + + + + + + +London: +Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co. +Leeds: Henry Walker, Briggate. + +Printed by Hazell, Watson, & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury + + + +[Illustration: SAXON AND VIKING. "THE CURSE OF SKULD BE UPON THEE, +TRAITOR!"] + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + I. ETHEL + + II. STORM CLOUDS + + III. TRAITORS IN COUNCIL + + IV. DEFEAT + + V. DESPERATE RESOLVES + + VI. BARON VIGNEAU + + VII. ALICE DE MONTFORT + + VIII. VILLAINS PLOTTING + + IX. VILLAINS OUTWITTED + + X. A FRUITLESS EMBASSY + + XI. OSWALD'S DEFENCE OF HIS CASTLE + + XII. ALICE DE MONTFORT SETS FREE THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN + + XIII. BARON VIGNEAU BALKED OF HIS REVENGE + + XIV. THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN CONFRONTS DE MONTFORT + + XV. OUTLAWS AND WOLFSHEADS + + XVI. SIGURD THE VIKING + + XVII. EVIL COUNSELLORS + + XVIII. LOVE IS STRONGER THAN HATE + + XIX. ALICE DE MONTFORT AND THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN + + XX. WAR'S VICISSITUDES + + XXI. VIKING CHIEF AND SAXON MAIDEN + + XXII. A VIKING'S LOVE + + XXIII. A VILLAIN DEMANDS HIS WAGES + + XXIV. THE TRYST + + XXV. BADGER CRACKS THE NORMAN'S PATE + + XXVI. SAXON AND VIKING AT THE SWORD'S POINT + + XXVII. JEANNETTE AND WULFHERE; OR LOVE'S COMEDIES + + XXVIII. A GRIM TEMPLE, A GRIM PRIEST, AND A SAD HEART + + XXIX. EDGAR ATHELING + + XXX. PRINCE AND PARASITE + + XXXI. PRINCE AND VIKING + + XXXII. BADGER ON THE ALERT + + XXXIII. DOG ROBS DOG + + XXXIV. WILD DARING OF SIGURD THE VIKING + + XXXV. THE SAXON DEVIL AND THE WICKED ABBOT + + XXXVI. LOVERS PLOTTING + + XXXVII. THE JOUST: SAXON AND NORMAN + + XXXVIII. THE SAXONS' REVENGE + + XXXIX. BEWARE THE VIKING + + XL. THE HOUR BEFORE THE DAWN + + XLI. NOBILITY IN CONTRAST + + XLII. VIKINGS ALL! AN OLD TIME SAGA + + XLIII. THE CONQUEROR CONQUERED + + XLIV. THE LAST OF THE VIKINGS + + XLV. SUNSHINE HAS ITS SHADOWS + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + +SAXON AND VIKING. "THE CURSE OF SKULD BE UPON THEE, TRAITOR!" + +ALICE DE MONTFORT SETS FREE THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN. + +THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN CONFRONTS DE MONTFORT. + + + + +NOTE. + + +From "Smith's History of Old Yorkshire" we learn that one Arthur Clapham +in the year 1066 was possessed of several hides of land near Lambeth in +Surrey, and also of the domain of Clapham in Yorkshire. But by opposing +the Conqueror he lost his lands in the South of England. He then fled +into the wilds of Craven in Yorkshire, and built a stronghold, on the +brow of Ingleboro', (the remains of which are still visible) and he +founded the village of Clapham in the valley beneath. In 1068, however, +the said Arthur by marrying a daughter of Robert, Earl of +Northumberland, was restored to the confidence and favour of William, +and had lands granted to him in Lonsdale. + + + + +THE LAST OF THE VIKINGS + +(_From the Monastic Chronicles of ----._) + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +ETHEL. + + "Be just and fear not. + Let all thou aim'st at be thy country's, + Thy God's, and truth's." + + Shakespeare. + + +I, Adhelm, Abbot of this monastery of ----, being eye-witness, and +likewise participator in the unhappy times my beloved country was +subjected to, in consequence of the Norman Conquest and the troublous +times which followed, it occurred to me to make a record of these things +after the example of the beloved Bede, whose "Chronicles" are so justly +esteemed by those who are concerned in the history of our ancient race. + +I would have it known, then, by all those who are interested in the +matter, that this ancient monastery was founded by that wise and good +king, Alfred, who assigned unto it, for revenue, one hundred and twenty +hides of land; all of which was well wooded and watered, being fertile +and free. That is, with sack and sock, toll and team, and infang-thief. +It pleased him also, in furtherance of his purpose, to lay charges upon +certain thegns and nobles, who had lands adjacent to this monastery +assigned to them by him, that they should annually pay to the monastery +for the maintenance of the brotherhood, and for the purpose of defraying +the cost of its extensive charities and hospitalities, one hundred and +fifty loads of wood, and twenty-five loads of faggots; together with +thirty-five tuns of pure ale; seventy beasts, ready for slaughter; +twelve hundred loaves; fifty-six measures of Welsh ale; sixteen butts of +wine; six horses; and one hundred and thirty pounds, ten shillings, of +money. Now, as to all other matters, such as the particulars of lands +and farms, church and cloister, granges, Abbot's and Prior's lodgings, +which may be of interest to some, but which are not material to this +narrative; I refer all such to our carticularies, in which all these +particulars were carefully noted by our sacristan. Enough, however, has +now been said to show that in the merely worldly point of view, this +monastery was, when in peaceful enjoyment of its emoluments, a +foundation of no mean order. In consequence also of its bounties it +attracted palmers, minstrels, newsbearers, from all parts of the +kingdom. Thus I had exceptional opportunities of learning how the +kingdom fared. + + * * * * * + +Adown the valley one bright September morning, in the year 1066, was +speeding Ethel, the only daughter of the Danish thane Beowulf, who is +lord of the domain of Rivenwood, and whose hall looks down from the +wooded heights in the distance like a grim sentinel. This fair girl +Ethel was probably not more than fifteen years of age--just at the +juncture where coy and blushing maidenhood, with its unconscious +assumptions of grace and dignity, joins issue with the freer and bolder +manners of girlhood, and when the wholesome, innocent, and graceful +blending is wholly interesting, and often most piquant. Most piquant +indeed, at all events, was this graceful specimen of budding womanhood. +Her brow was open and expressive, her countenance somewhat broad, in +sympathy with her manner of life; the free, unfettered, and merry +out-of-door life of sylvan England. Her blue eyes glanced, and sparkled, +and glowed, betokening a mind responsive and alert as the falcon which +perched upon her embroidered leathern gauntlet. Her nose was perfectly +straight, but had just so much of an upward trend as to indicate the +point positive, and the attitude--"beware all." Upon her head she wore a +sort of cap of blue silk, broad at the crown and drooping over the broad +scarlet band with which it was bound. In the front of this head-dress +stood erect a couple of eagles' feathers; whilst from underneath it the +flaxen curls, like the fetterless things they were, burst luxuriantly, +and circled across her forehead and over her ears; and though the wanton +tresses were captured again at the back of her head, yet they burst away +again and ran riot over her shoulders and down to her girdle. Of +jewellery, she wore a handsome gold torc which encircled her neck, on +which, and on the pendants attached thereto, were skilfully engraved +strange mystical runic devices. She wore a mantle trimmed with fur, +which on this occasion flowed loosely down her back, leaving free her +arms, but which, at needs be, became a cloak covering the upper parts of +her body entirely. Her under dress was of woollen material and +tight-fitting, whilst her sandals had a stout sole of leather with +toe-piece and overstraps of prepared deer skin. Accompanying this fair +girl was a favourite maid, and one of her father's housecarles who +filled the office of ranger and provider for the household, in the +matters of fish and game. At his heels there followed a couple of dogs, +whilst on his left arm there perched a falcon with all his furniture on. +On Ethel's arm also there perched another falcon, ready for flight. + +"Let the dogs go now, Bretwul, for we should have good sport hereabouts, +and have a capital view of it too, on this hillside," said the maiden. + +At a word of encouragement from Bretwul the dogs, with wagging tails, +immediately clapped nose to ground, and commenced threading in and out +amongst the gorse and brushwood to start the game. Presently a loud +fluttering of wings and a scream, sent the hawks into a violent +agitation, and a handsome-plumaged pheasant took to wing. Ethel +immediately whipped off the hood of her hawk, and quick almost as a +flash of lightning it covered the helpless quarry. Then down it swooped, +and a struggling mass of feathers and mingled plumage came fluttering to +the ground. + +"Oh, that is wretchedly poor, Bretwul!" exclaimed Ethel impatiently. "I +like a good long chase which puts master Grey-eye thoroughly upon his +mettle. Such sluggard creatures as that one are poor sport. Come, let us +climb higher, for amid yon gorse and bracken on the hill we shall meet +with partridge, moorfowl, or perhaps, better still, a woodcock. Then we +shall test the mettle of little Grey-eye." So together they clambered +through the brackened steep, until they reached the fringe of the +heather which crowned the brow of the hill. Soon they espied a covey of +grouse racing along before them stealthily amid the cover; but promptly +these sprang aloft with whirring sound of wing, and loud, peculiar +cries. Ethel again unhoods her favourite falcon, Grey-eye, and flings +him towards the game. But the falcon has another matter in hand than +that of bringing down a sluggard pheasant; for moorfowl, when fairly on +the wing, scud along like the wind. Immediately also when they perceived +the enemy in pursuit they changed their tactics, and, quitting the +mountain side, made a dart for the valley, where shelter was to be had. +Plump and heavy, the descent suits them more than the falcon; and with +impetuous whirl they rush along with incredible speed. It seems as +though the hawk will never head them! The valley is reached, and the +moorfowl, flying low, are hidden from view by the tops of the trees; but +the hawk can be seen scudding along above them. + +"Oh, my poor Grey-eye, you are beaten this time, I do believe!" cried +Ethel. But just at that moment there was an arrow-like swoop. "Bravo!" +she shouted. "He has struck his quarry, for he never swoops to miss! +Come along, Bretwul, or he will gorge himself, and then he will fly no +more to-day, the greedy little glutton!" Then away she raced down the +rough declivity, leaving her maid panting and trembling far behind. + +"There she goes! there she goes! Plague on the girl!" ejaculated +Bretwul. "Did ever mortal see such a girl? She's like a two-year-old +filly that has never had bit in mouth or harness to back; and if she +throw out a splint or strain a fetlock, why then the old thane will +cozen my back with a cudgel, and call me a lazy lout of a churl. Come +along, Eadburgh, my buxom lass, I have finished my wattled cote in the +dell yonder, and if we come well out of this, we'll get the girl to +wheedle the master for us, and then it will be done in a twinkling; for +he's ready enough when Dame Ethel lays on the butter." So together they +stumbled after their mistress with might and main. + +But the girl mood was uppermost in the damsel now, and away she flew +down the hill with her long hair streaming behind her, giving never a +thought to man or maid. She came to a halt, however, when she reached +the spot where apparently Grey-eye had made his swoop. But not a trace +of either falcon or victim was to be seen. In vain she blew a tiny +silver whistle with which she was wont to call her hawks. There was no +response. "The greedy fellow is gorging himself I doubt not, Bretwul," +cried Ethel impatiently. "If you feed him before flying he is too lazy +to exert himself, and if he hunt on an empty stomach he must needs turn +glutton after this fashion." + +At that moment the clear blast of a hunter's horn in the distance broke +upon the ears of the three seekers, and Ethel, hastily turning in the +direction, exclaimed, "Oh, dear me! Eadburgh, straighten my hair for me, +quick. Do I look a gowk? Do be quick! Straighten my cloak out. Those +gallant gentlemen are returning who would not let me take part in the +boar hunt because I was a _girl_, honest Beowulf was pleased to say. But +Master Oswald was no better, though he has spent so much time about the +court, and, I am told, carried off the Queen's favour at the tilt ground +at Westminster, and that too against the picked squires of Normandy. I +suppose I was only a _girl_ in his eyes too, though he was not pleased +to say it, like Beowulf. Never mind, I will let them see I can amuse +myself, and find good sport too, without them." + +Presently a couple of horsemen issued from the forest, clad in hunters' +attire, with a green baldric over their shoulders and down to their +waists, from which was suspended a hunter's horn. These two were quickly +followed by a retinue of rangers, serving men, and hounds, with the +weapons of the chase--boar spears, javelins, and short swords; whilst +over the backs of a couple of horses were thrown the carcasses of a pair +of wild boar, the fruit of their morning's chase. + +No sooner did these young chieftains set eyes on Ethel than the +countenance of the younger of them was wreathed in smiles, and snatching +his bugle from his belt he blew a mocking blast in the ear of the +damsel; then, in the blandest of tones, and with an assumption of mock +gallantry, he saluted the maiden: "Bon matin, madame. Are you taking a +little _gentle_ exercise in company of your maid?" and he doffed his +hunter's bonnet and made a most pretentious bow. + +"I beg your pardon, gallant sir," retorted Ethel, with a gracious +inclination, parodying with inimitable grace and humour his mock +gallantry, "but if it please you, sir, I am not taking a little _gentle_ +exercise in company of my maid, I am hawking, as you may easily see if +you care to." + +"Oh, I see quite easily, madame. So you determined to have a little +sport all to yourself because we disdained the company of a lady at our +boar hunt?" said the young man, with a twinkle in his eye. + +"You have hit it quite wonderfully, sir; which is very remarkable. We +take note of your behaviour, for, although we do not go to court, we +hear about your pranking it about with grand Norman dames and knights +errant, and we expected something quite different from you than from +Beowulf here. But I have lost my hawk hereabouts, so make amends for +your past conduct. Get down, brother Beowulf; and you too, sir; you have +travelled in France, so show your chivalry and your gallantry by getting +down and helping me seek my hawk." + +"I bow most humbly to your imperious commands, noble lady," said Oswald +again, doffing his bonnet in mock humility. + +Meanwhile, honest Beowulf sat almost dumbfounded whilst this passage of +wit was proceeding, though he only dimly comprehended what this +new-fangled jargon meant; but his choler was rising rapidly during the +process. "Now, drop it fooling, you two!" he at length broke out. "You, +Ethel, would imitate Master Oswald and be off to court too, for all your +japes and jokes about his pranking and parading it with the grand folks, +if we did not tie a clog about your neck for you. I know very well what +passes in that jay's noddle of yours, though you think I'm a numskull, +Mistress Ethel." + +This outburst of sturdy Beowulf's was greeted by the pair with a shout +of hilarious laughter. + +"Now don't make asses of yourselves," grunted brother Beowulf. +"Whereabouts did you lose your hawk, Ethel?" + +"Why, hereabouts, Beowulf. Did you not hear me? He was pursuing moorfowl +from the hill, and he appeared to strike his quarry just in this place." + +"If that be so, I warrant the headlong flight of the stricken bird would +carry them much farther down the slope," said Oswald. + +"A bright idea, I do declare, Master Oswald," exclaimed Ethel. "We never +thought of that, Bretwul. You will gain some repute for wit, neighbour +Oswald, if you brighten up like this." + +"I am much obliged for your condescension, lady; I feel highly honoured +and greatly flattered by your compliment;" and again he made pretence of +a low obeisance. + +"Oh, don't take it too seriously, sir; but we will take your hint, +nevertheless." So the party extended their search, and presently they +discovered the falcon and his prey beneath a tree--the hawk having +improved the time by stripping the bird of its plumage, and gorging +himself with the flesh and blood of his victim. + +"There, you greedy creature," exclaimed Ethel, as she set eyes on the +falcon. "You will fly no more to-day, I suppose, you glutton! I think +you had better hood him at once, Bretwul, and take him home; and I will +join this party of gallants--by their permission, of course--and if they +should now deem it quite safe for a lady to do so." + +So the two young chieftains and Ethel headed the company, and steadily +they pressed homeward to the rough and primitive, but nevertheless +hospitable hall of Beowulf the Dane. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +STORM CLOUDS. + + "Yet the first bringer of unwelcome news + Hath but a losing office; and his tongue + Sounds ever after as a sullen bell, + Remembered knolling a departed friend." + + Shakespeare. + + +"Whilst the cooks are busy with our spoil, Beowulf, I propose we +practise at the joust," said Oswald. "Rumour hath it this Count William, +of Normandy, is collecting an army in order to eject our rightful Saxon +king, Harold, from the throne, and ere long we may have these Norman +knights tilting through the ranks of our simple yeomen, who are unused +to this method of warfare; and King Harold and his brothers would be +pleased to have sturdy comrades who would be a match for the Norman at +his own weapons," remarked Oswald. + +"Leave the joust to Norman fops, say I, neighbour Oswald, and their +tilting methods to our hardy pikemen, who will know how to deal with +them, never fear. The honest Saxon broadsword is a match for any weapon, +I warrant you. As for this new-fangled Norman joust, as they call it, +why I despise it. Playing at war, with women looking on, and waving +their 'kerchiefs, and simpering, and whimpering about--bah! I wonder +you'll meddle with such stuff, neighbour!" growled Beowulf +contemptuously. + +"Thank you, Beowulf, for your compliments, but if I am permitted to +witness your feat of arms, I'll endeavour not to 'simper and whimper +about' if it annoys you. But you men folk can find nothing better to do +than play at war, I know, and therefore I rule it shall be with both the +broadsword and lance," said Ethel. + +"Agreed!" cried Oswald; "and our fair cousin Ethel shall be queen of +beauty _à la joute_." + +"Mind you don't make a fool or a dolt of yourself, neighbour Oswald, +with your Norman fooleries. But I'll humour you in your folly for the +sake of a bout with the broadsword, in honest Saxon fashion," growled +Beowulf. + +When they reached the hall the two young men retired to the armoury, and +presently reappeared clad in complete armour, several lances being borne +by the housecarles. The pair then sprang into their saddles, and Oswald, +partly to joke his opponent, careened round in a circle, mimicking the +gallantry of the Normans, displaying the paces of his charger and his +skill in horsemanship. As he passed Ethel, in mock seriousness he dipped +the point of his lance in salutation of her as queen of beauty. Ethel +endeavoured to disguise it, but the crimson blushes suffused her +countenance for an instant; but there was a quick revolt of maidenly +dignity; her eye flashed, and her foot beat the ground impatiently, as +she exclaimed under her breath,--"I presume he thinks I am but a child +to tease and joke." + +Presently the pair took up a position some twenty paces apart, and +prepared to charge. Ethel, fearful of her brother's temper, which was +most uncertain, cried to them, "Will you remember this is but play, and +see you two don't come to blows in good earnest? for I know by +experience that brother Beowulf flies into a rage with me if I poke fun +at him, and what he will do if you poke him in the ribs with that ugly +weapon, Master Oswald, I know not." + +"Go to, wench, your tongue is too ready! You would be better seen +superintending the wenches who are roasting hogsflesh, than wagging your +tongue in the presence of men." Then, turning to his friend and comrade +Oswald, he said, "Now, sir, are you ready? Let us be done with this +Norman folly as soon as maybe." + +So they laid their lances in rest, and prepared to tilt. Oswald was much +more tall and lithe than his opponent, and much more skilful in the +handling of his charger. Indeed, it seemed almost as though one mind +animated the pair. Beowulf was rather older, bulkier in build, and +better set up, being twenty-three. But he cherished a deep-rooted +aversion and contempt of the Norman leaven which had been stealing over +the land during the late reign of Edward the Confessor, and his pet +aversion was the mode of warfare current amongst Norman gentlemen; and +so he never practised it, except on occasions like the present. + +"Now, sirs," iterated Ethel, still fearful, "and especially you, +Beowulf, don't get mad and knock each other's heads off, I tell you +again!" + +"Hold your tongue, chattering magpie, and go inside as I bid you! That +is where petticoated jades like you should be when weapons are about," +said Beowulf. "Now, come on, sir. If we listen to her she'll prate like +a half-fed fowl by the hour together." + +So the tilt commenced, and continued for some time, more in play than in +dead earnest, Oswald showing his superior skill by striking Beowulf how +and where he pleased, at the same time handling his horse so perfectly +that Beowulf found no opportunity of striking him squarely. The rough +knocks which he receives, and his want of skill, are most exasperating +to Beowulf, especially so when at last by a skilful manoeuvre Oswald +flings his charger's flank round, bringing his head broadside on of his +opponent, and then ignominiously tilts him out of his saddle to the +ground. Beowulf sprang to his feet, mad with rage, and shouted,-- + +"Come down from that perch! I'll soon give you quits with a better +weapon!" and away he marched for a couple of broadswords. + +Forgetting her dignity in her anxiety over Beowulf's temper, Ethel +tripped up to Oswald and with girlish freedom grasped his arm. "Now, +Master Oswald, you have driven Beowulf mad, as I thought you would. If I +may use his not very complimentary term, I would say, Will you, to +please a _jade_ like me, take care to come off second best in this +sword-play, if it be only to mollify him? for if you don't I am afraid +he will be quite furious." + +Oswald laughed and stroked the fair hair of the maiden as he remarked, +"It is well advised, my bright-eyed little dame; I do believe that fair +face is index to a kindly and wholesome mother-wit." + +Presently Beowulf returned with a couple of broadswords, but his temper +had abated nothing in the interval. The quick-witted and irrepressible +Ethel noticed this at once, and she banteringly called out to him, "Now, +brother Beowulf, remember this is only sword-play. Don't go and cut +Master Oswald's head off!" + +"What! you are still there, are you, jade? I saw you titter when Master +Oswald pushed me out of the saddle. When I've dealt with him, I'll give +you a taste of an ash sapling, since you won't mend your manners when +told." + +Ethel burst into a most provoking, merry laugh. "Thank you, brother +Beowulf, for your good intentions; but haven't I told you many times +before, that ash sapling hasn't grown yet?" + +"Go to, you chit, you provoke me past endurance!" and he made for her in +an ungovernable rage; but Ethel turned and fled like a gazelle, and +Beowulf knew by past experience that to catch the fleet-footed maiden +was a hopeless task, so he returned to his sword-play. + +The diversion of Beowulf's wrath, however, did good, and especially as +Oswald took Ethel's hint, and was clearly second best. So Beowulf's good +humour was completely restored when Ethel pronounced Oswald victor at +the joust, and Beowulf at sword-play. Then Ethel grasped Beowulf's arm, +and they adjourned to the hall. + +"How shocking of you, brother Beowulf, to talk of using an ash sapling +to a young lady! You quite humiliated me in Master Oswald's eyes." + +"Now go to, Ethel! If you don't give up teasing me I shall do something +to you I shall have to repent of some time." + +"Oh, no, you won't, brother Beowulf, I know better than that," said +Ethel, with true sisterly affection. + +The castle, or what is more correct, the hall of the Thane Beowulf made +no pretension to architectural style or beauty. It was like its master, +rough, but stout and of massive build. One saw the stoutness of its +walls by a glance at its deep mullion windows, and its massive doors, +formed of double layers of oak, securely fastened and strengthened by +iron bands and bolts. In the large hall there was set a long table down +the centre, loaded with viands and large jugs of ale. Down each side of +the hall also there were side tables, where the housecarles and villeins +fed. But the centre table was reserved for guests, and the more favoured +retainers of the thane. A glance round the hall told at once that +Beowulf still held by the heathenish customs which his viking ancestors +brought over with them. For, conspicuous everywhere, upon wood and stone +and vessels, were carved the characters and devices of their +superstition, known as runes. Here and there also there looked down upon +the banqueters the carved images of Thor and Woden. + +On the thane's right hand sat his daughter Ethel, who, since the death +of her mother many years ago, had become a greatly privileged object of +his affection. On his left sat Oswald, son of a Saxon chieftain who had +extensive lands in a neighbouring valley. At the foot of the table sat +his son, who took his own name of Beowulf. + +"I hear you have been out hawking to-day, Ethel girl," said the grizzled +old thane, turning to his daughter. + +"Yes, father, brother Beowulf said it wasn't fitting for a girl like me +to go to the boar hunt, and Master Oswald then, to his shame, never +spoke a word in my favour, so I must needs perforce stay at home. +Therefore I went out hawking; for brother Beowulf kindly allows that." + +"Ha, ha!" giggled the old thane gleefully; "thou art a wild slip of a +girl; too much wit for honest Beowulf. But curb thy tongue," he +continued, stroking her fair hair. "He means thee well. He is honest, is +Beowulf, and brave too. He will do! He will do! Like his old father +maybe, not overloaded with wit, but honest, and never turned back on +friend or foe." + +The banquet proceeded in very hearty fashion, which atoned for its +roughness. But there seldom sat at the thane's table any guest afflicted +with a squeamish appetite. So beef, venison, pork, and sundries, along +with wheaten cake and ale, disappeared at an alarming rate. + +Whilst the banquet was proceeding, one of the housecarles drew near and +whispered to the thane that Saxon runners had arrived with messages from +the king which permitted no delay. + +"Have them ushered in. Kings will be obeyed," said the thane; "and +truly, if they rule well, honest men will never be slack to obey." + +So these messengers were ushered in, and the thane addressed them: "What +be your message, gallant fellows, that will not tarry till we have fed, +and ye yourselves have tasted our hospitality? Speak out, men! we have +no secrets here!" + +"If it please you, worthy thane, the king hath sent round the war arrow, +and summons all loyal gentlemen, together with their men-at-arms, to +repair to him at York instantly; for the Danes be landed in the Humber +under King Hardrada. Also, Count William, of Normandy, hath prepared him +a fleet of vessels, a thousand in number, and threatens an invasion of +the southern coasts." + +"Ye bear a sorry message, my worthy fellows, truly, but ye have only +done your errand. But if two overladen mountain torrents join their +forces in one pent-up little burn, there follows desolation in their +wake. A sorry day for merry England, this, gentlemen--north and south +together distraught." + +Then, addressing his guests and retainers, he said, "My guests are their +own masters in this matter. But the men of my household--my son, my +retainers and vassals--most of us come of viking stock; and it may be +sorry work to march against these Danes. But we live on the land, and we +must defend the land." + +Immediately a wild shout of approval greeted that saying. + +"Further, these greedy plunderers will treat us as Saxons, nor spare +aught we have of goods or cattle; or even our lives. So in this quarrel +we are Saxons, and we will prove it at the sword's point." + +This also was greeted with shouts of approval. So the feast came +abruptly to an end. The guests withdrew, to meet again within a week to +do battle with the Danes at Stanford Bridge, since known as +Battle-bridge, and from thence to Hastings' bloody field. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +TRAITORS IN COUNCIL. + + "Treason doth never prosper. What's the reason? + Why, if it prosper, none dare call it treason." + + _Epigram._ + + +We pass over the details of the sturdy struggle and victory over the +Danes at Battle-bridge, and the disastrous defeat of Hastings, except +just to note that the young chieftain Oswald left his father dead on the +battle-field. The next three years were ones of immunity from the +rapacity of the Normans, so far as we were concerned, for they never +ventured so far north. But in the year 1069, whilst William was absent +in Normandy, there was a powerful conspiracy entered into for the +purpose of wresting the kingdom from him. The Danes landed in the +Humber. The Saxons rallied throughout the North. York was taken, and its +garrison of three thousand Normans put to the sword. + +Immediately after the wonderful successes which attended the +insurrectionary movement, the leaders of the rebellion hastily called +together at York what was known as a "Thing," or council. All the +leaders of note were summoned. A somewhat motley company they were, +their aims being far from identical, and the elements of disruption and +disunion were on the surface. All of them were excessively elated and +flushed with the complete and wonderful victories achieved--I am sorry +to say, also, very much demoralised by them. The Danish leaders in +particular were so, for they had taken much spoil, plundering friend or +foe pretty much as they listed--plunder being, in fact, their sole +reason for taking part in the movement. Very conspicuous, both by their +dress and demeanour, were these Danish leaders. They were deeply bronzed +and hardy-looking, rough and fierce as warrior seamen who had been wont +all their lives to do battle with foes on land, and often with the +fiercer and still more deadly foe of old ocean. They carried daggers at +their belts, and heavy swords dangled by their sides. The young +chieftain Oswald, whom we have already introduced to the readers, was +there. The few years of stress and struggle since last we met him had +had a marked effect upon him. He had stood by Harold's side at Stanford +Bridge, and marched with him to Hastings, and stood in the forefront of +that historic "wedge" of sturdy Saxons, who defied the utmost efforts of +William's horse and foot to dislodge them. The playfulness of youth had +given place to the stern thoughtfulness of manhood; whilst the tall +figure had broadened in sturdy proportions. He was of commanding +presence, young, handsome, and daring, yet wise as any elder, known +intimately by me, and a very great favourite with me also, and +destined to figure prominently in these records. By his side, +as a near neighbour, as well as a compatriot, sat the young Thane +Beowulf--aforementioned--of another lineage, but still identified with +the Saxon cause, being native born, though by his father's side a +descendant of the Danes who settled in the north of England three +generations earlier. Other leaders also there were, of whom it is not +necessary to speak, as they occupy no further place in these pages. + +At the appointed hour Waltheof, the leader of the Saxon forces, entered. +He was a man gifted by nature with the physical proportions which +attract attention. But there was a hesitancy, irresolution, and lack of +force depicted in his countenance, and a wariness and suspicion about +his small, shrinking grey eyes, that were the reverse of reassuring. +Accompanying Waltheof was a Norman knight at whose appearance many +sprang to their feet in amazement. Seeing which, Waltheof introduced the +Norman to the company. + +"Worthy thanes and nobles," said he, "this gallant Norman is Baron +Vigneau, one of William's bravest knights, who has been assigned some +lands bordering on the Fen country, and had tacked on to the beggarly +gift, the duty of defending that coast against our allies the Danes, as +well as to assist in keeping in check our brave countryman Hereward. A +weighty charge, I warrant, for such a beggar's dole of barren acres. +This gallant knight comes as emissary of a still more famous Norman, the +Count de Montfort, whose lance wrought such havoc in our ranks at +Hastings. Count de Montfort has good and weighty reasons against the +king, or his councillors, for the base ingratitude with which his +services have been rewarded; and he offers to join hands with us, and +will lead into the field seventeen knights, fully equipped and +accoutred, together with three hundred of foot; all of them men-at-arms, +trained and stout. This worthy knight, Baron Vigneau, of whose prowess +also I have ample proof, is bearer of letters--which I have carefully +examined--from the Count de Montfort, duly signed and sealed, and +bearing ample evidence of good faith. Under the circumstances, I have +taken the liberty to introduce this worthy knight to our council." + +This speech was received by many in blank astonishment, and there was +loud and angry murmuring amongst the company, but no one seemed willing +to voice the discontent. Oswald, however, sprang to his feet and said, +"Noble sir, no doubt the credentials presented by this Norman knight are +such as meet with your approval, but I would respectfully urge that no +one should sit at our Council who has not attested his fidelity to our +cause by services rendered in the field of battle; for when this is the +case we have pledges which cannot be shaken off at pleasure." + +"A plague on your impudence, boy! You are too ready of the tongue! Let +the elders speak if they have any objections to make!--but I am not in +the habit of having my conduct called in question by a mere youth; and +what is sufficient for me must be sufficient for such as you, and +without cavil. What say our Danish allies? No objection, I see. Then let +us proceed to business." So saying, he took his place at the head of the +board, and the bulky Norman slid into a back seat. + +The question to deliberate upon was how to prosecute the war so +auspiciously begun. The Council, however, proceeded to discuss the +question in a very unpromising fashion, the discussion being +characterised by a good deal of blatant braggadocio, and accompanied by +a very free use of the wine-cup. + +The chief of the Danes reared aloft his stalwart form and said,-- + +"My lord, we Danes are wanting to know when we are to make a move south? +We have wasted four good days in drivel and talk, when we should have +been making good our vantage. We might by this time have sacked +Shepfield, Leacaster, and Birmingam, where they tell me the +gold-smiths', armourers', and weavers' crafts are flourishing, and +where, to boot, the Normans have built themselves many pretty house +places full of dainty stuff. All of which we might have pouched whilst +this dog's whelp is abroad!" + +"Worthy thane," replied Waltheof, "we are waiting for Malcolm of +Scotland and the young Prince Atheling, for we expect the Saxons of the +south will rally to the standard of the Prince. We also have to remember +that the Normans are more thickly posted farther south, and we must +therefore have all our forces up." + +"Tut, tut! Cowardice is at the bottom of it all, as I thought. But what +care we for the Norman dogs? and what care we for a baby prince who +cannot be brought to the fray? We want the spoils, and there is none to +be had cowering here like a fox in his hole. If we are not to move south +at once, why then we take the tide the morn's even, and leave you to +face the bear when he comes to his lair as best you can." + +At this juncture the attention of every member of the council was +suddenly arrested by the advent of a messenger who suddenly burst into +the room, with the perspiration pouring off him by reason of the hot +haste with which he had ridden. + +"How now, fellow! what news hast thou which calls for such haste?" said +Waltheof. + +"My lords," exclaimed the messenger, "I have ridden all speed to make +known unto you that the Norman is back again in England, and that he is +rapidly marching northwards at the head of an army; he being not more +than two days' march to the south." + +If a thunderbolt had dashed into the room instead of this messenger, the +effect could not have been greater. Waltheof turned pale as death, and +peered nervously about the room, as though he expected to be instantly +confronted by the dreaded presence of the king. Several also rose from +their seats and promptly slid out of the room in dismay at the tidings. +The Danish rovers were not slow to note this arrant cowardice, and one +of them immediately jumped to his feet in fierce exasperation at this +conduct, and sneeringly shouted, "Ha, ha! the Saxon caitiffs are +slinking off at the mention of this dog of a Norman! Never mind, let the +cowards go. I pledge me a health to the Danish warriors, who will dare +to fight the cowardly Saxons' battle for them; but we'll see to't that +the Danish war-ships shall bear away the spoil," and as he spoke he +gulped down a huge draught of wine. + +"Excuse me, worthy thane," said Oswald, the young Saxon chieftain, +starting to his feet at these taunts; "let me tell you the Saxons have +their virtues, and valour too, not one whit behind that of your +countrymen." + +"Whew! Virtues say you?" bawled the quarrelsome and half-drunken Dane. +"Aye, marry! Saxons can preach you a homily with any shaveling priest in +the land, or simper as chastely as any wench. Virtues! Ha, ha! Ho, ho! +_Maugre!_ Virtues by the bushel, I warrant you, sirs. Marry, anything, +in fact, but fight. Ha, ha! Virtues! Thou hast well said it, and aptly +too, young suckling! If I were a Saxon I'd don my mother's petticoats." + +"Hear me, thane," retorted Oswald, repressing with great difficulty the +rising choler. "You are our ally, and that shall be some excuse for your +unseemly mouthing; but hark you to this for a moment. Your memory does +not seem quite long enough to remember Battle-bridge and the precious +figure cut by your countrymen on that occasion against the Saxon; and +yet it is not more than four years agone. Hark you to this also, friend; +I warrant you will find, ere this war be done, that Saxons can fight as +bravely as any Dane that ever wielded sword." + +But the Dane persisted in his irritating and quarrelsome jesting. +"Saxons fight?" he bawled, "Why, come, that is a joke, anyhow! I say, +young Milkfed, tell me, if you can, what of this? How comes it to pass +that either Norman or Dane, or even the tricky Scot, come when they list +to crow on the Saxons' dunghill? How comes it also, my valiant Saxon +cub, that you should ask us to come and help you fight this dog of a +Norman? Read me that riddle, can you, boy? You besought us to come and +help you, and here we are. I wish you joy of it. You'll be well rid when +we go; for if we get not Norman booty, I warrant we will have Saxon, if +we skin every Saxon churl in the island for it. What think you to that, +young Sixfoot, eh?" + +The altercation seemed likely to develop into a serious quarrel, but at +this juncture a Danish messenger crept slily into the room, and, nudging +his leader's elbow, whispered something in his ear, at which he jumped +to his feet and turned to his comrade, and between them a brief and +excited conversation was carried on in an undertone; the result being +that immediately the pair hurriedly withdrew from the room. Oswald, who +had been watching these Danes with a suspicious eye, immediately turned +to the leader, Waltheof; but he beheld with astonishment that the +leader's chair was empty; Waltheof, amid the clamour of voices, having +noiselessly slipped out of the room. + +"Ah, ah! what now?" he ejaculated, leaping to his feet and dragging his +comrade Beowulf to the door. "There is something ominous in all this, +Beowulf. It bodes no good to the Saxon cause, mark me." + +"What is it, think you, Oswald, that breeds this fear and distrust in +the breasts of our leaders?" + +"I know not, Beowulf, but, by the rood! I cannot believe that the mere +mention of the Norman's name breeds this cowardice and panic in the +breasts of our leaders. 'Tis not fear that has overtaken these Danes, +mark me, but something more potent. They are at best but hirelings, and +are as treacherous as the foul fiend. They will not scruple to betray us +for a paltry bribe if it be offered; and this Norman is astute enough to +know that they have their price." + +"That is not the extent of the mischief, Oswald. I marked this Waltheof +closely, and I like not his looks at all. The coward's blood forsook his +cheek instantly at the mention of the Norman's name. I warrant him a +coward and traitor at heart, or I know not a coward when I see him." + +"What is to be done, Beowulf!" + +"We must stand to it like men. We know our duty, and to turn tail like a +whipped hound ere we have seen this Norman's face would be worse than +cowardice." + +"Then we must place ourselves at the head of our men forthwith; for if +any idle rumours reach their ears, I would not answer for it. Indeed, if +William be within striking distance we must bestir ourselves, for if he +find us unprepared, he knows well how to push his vantage against an +unready foe." + +Thus this ill-starred Council came to an end, and it left the Saxons as +a rope of sand, without cohesion, without any definite plan of attack or +of defence--a ready prey for a wily and daring commander. In bitter +dejection, and with forebodings of impending disaster, one by one the +members passed out, each one to pursue his own course. + +When the Saxon members of the Council had one and all left the room, +then uprose the bulky and sinister-looking figure of the Norman +emissary, from a seat in a shaded corner, where, unobserved, he had been +quietly taking note of the wretched divisions of the Saxon Council. As +he came forward he burst into a hoarse and derisive laugh, and +exclaimed, "Here's a go anyhow--ha, ha! A precious revolt it is! A man +would be an ass to pin his fortunes to a quarrelsome rabble like this. +Why, I warrant me they would cut one another's throats at a word! And +then how the bubble burst up at the mere mention of the Conqueror's +name! But where are my precious letters?" said he, fumbling in his +doublet for something, and eventually pulling out a packet carefully +folded with a silken band, and sealed in several places by a huge seal +with the crest and quarterings of the famous Count De Montfort. "Ha, ha, +my precious!" said he, turning the missive over and eyeing it with +savage delight. "I'm glad I kept possession of you. You are a treasure! +I'll not part with you yet awhile," and he carefully thrust the letter +back again within his doublet. "Ha, ha!" said he, scowling demoniacally, +"De Montfort will finger that missive no more until he makes good his +bargain with me. I'll have his proud daughter as the price of this, or +we'll see what will come to pass. I have my own belt to buckle as well +as De Montfort; and I'll do it now after my own humour. I'll no longer +dangle like a moonstruck suitor at my lady's skirts, and wag my tail +like any spaniel if I should chance to get a word or a smile. I have +been meek and humble long enough; but now Vigneau shall be first, for I +have got him! Trapped, by ----! He thought he would play the traitor, +did he? fool and dolt that he is! One would have thought him wiser than +to do his treason second-hand. He makes pretence of wisdom, but he acts +the fool at times as roundly as any clown. But I'll no more of this +anyhow. I do believe the Saxon clowns have scurried off to their holes +like a parcel of rats already. I must be off too, for if the _tanner's_ +son should catch me at my present business, it will go bad with my hide +I'm feared; and I should like to keep my skin whole a little longer, +come what may. Ho, ho!" said he, bursting again into hoarse laughter. "I +wonder what Odo or Fitz-Osborne would give to know of this little freak +of De Montfort's! The wily Odo has ousted him from William's councils +already, and if he had possession of this"--thumping his chest where the +missive lay--"he'd have De Montfort's head in a trice. Enough! that will +do for me." So saying, he vanished from the hall. + +Meanwhile, the second messenger, at whose communication the Danish +sea-rovers had vanished from the Council, proved to be an emissary of +the wily Conqueror--his purpose being to negotiate with the Danes, and +with Waltheof, conditions on which they would retire from the fray. +Scarcely were they outside than he said to these Danes,-- + +"My master offers to you five hundred ounces of beaten gold, and a free +passage for your vessels, together with such plunder as you can wrest +from the Saxons." + +"Five hundred ounces of gold is a sorry price for a wealthy king like +your master to offer for such a service," said one of the Danes. "But +come now, if your master will make it one thousand ounces, to be +delivered over by sunset to-morrow; together with our plunder, and such +as we can further gather; why then, within twenty-four hours our vessels +shall be ploughing the northern seas for home." + +"Done!" said the messenger. "My hand on it. The gold shall be delivered +over to you by sunset to-morrow, as you say." + +No sooner was this bargain made than the spy turned his attention to +Waltheof, a man treacherous by instinct, and cowardly by nature. It is +scarcely necessary to say, he grasped only too eagerly at the promised +free pardon, coupled as it was with large grants of land and estates. +With the Saxon forces thus weakened and demoralised, William knew the +remnant of this powerful conspiracy would be crushed with the utmost +ease by him. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +DEFEAT. + + "What though the field be lost? + All is not lost." + + _Paradise Lost._ + + +Oswald the Saxon, and Beowulf the Saxon Dane, passed out into the night, +and continued their course beyond the gates of the city, which were so +broken down that they served no longer the purpose for which they were +erected. The walls also for considerable distances were thrown down, and +in a state of disrepair. The insurrectionary forces had determined to +push forward in the king's absence, but in the meantime they were +halting, waiting for Malcolm of Scotland, and for further counsel. They +were encamped some miles away on the banks of the river running between +York and the head of the estuary of the Humber, where the Danish +war-vessels were anchored. The Danes held the head of the estuary, +throwing out their forces Yorkward, but encamped sufficiently near to +cover their vessels, in the event of an attack upon them. Waltheof, the +leader and commander-in-chief of the Saxon forces, occupied a central +position, having under his command the bulk of the rebels; whilst +Oswald, Beowulf, and others, occupied the right wing, which to a certain +extent covered the city. On the news of William's landing, the bridges +were thrown down, but in many places the river was fordable, during dry +weather, both for man and horse. But to effect this in the face of +sturdy enemies was a most formidable task, and the Saxons were +sufficiently numerous to guard the river effectually wherever it was +fordable. + +Early in the morning, after the breaking up of the council of war, the +scouts brought in the intelligence that William had arrived within six +miles, and ere nightfall the pennants of the Normans were flying within +sight of the Saxon forces. + +Very little of that night was spent by Oswald in rest. Twice he +patrolled the whole length of the river under his command, visiting and +cheering every outpost. But judge how great was his consternation, and +that of his forces also, when, with the dawning of the morning, the +fraction of the Saxons commanded by him were made painfully aware of the +fact that the Normans had passed the river, unopposed, in the night; and +worse than that, there began to be ominous rumours that this had arisen +through the treachery of Waltheof--that he, having been bribed by the +Conqueror, had left the remnant to their fate. In these straits time was +precious, for the Normans were advancing up the river, doubling up the +Saxon outposts, and throwing them back on the main body. Hastily a +council of war was called, and not a few, in face of the danger and the +hopelessness of their cause in the midst of such treachery, were for +dispersing without a blow; but Oswald, addressing them, said,-- + +"I fear it is too true that there is treachery in our ranks; but as yet +we know not its extent. If Waltheof has succumbed to William's bribes, +there are still the Danes, who will be able to harass the rear of our +enemy. Hourly, also, we are expecting Malcolm of Scotland and the +Atheling, so that we need not despair. Let us make a bold stand; the +battle is by no means lost if the Danes stand firm. Now, with our +handful of men it is utterly impossible to meet the Normans in the open +country; for they will double our left flank easily and surround us. But +on the fringe of yonder dense wood, with our line extended under cover +of the thicket, and where the enemy's horse will be absolutely +useless--where also our men will be quite in their element and be able +to ply their long bows with deadly effect, and their spears or swords at +close quarters--we shall surely avoid, in any case, the wholesale +slaughter of our men; and we shall administer a severe check to +William's march." + +The force of this sage advice was seen at once by the leaders, and the +forces accordingly retired to the wood in their rear, and took up their +fighting attitude just within its shelter. The Saxons, who were brave +individually, were still undisciplined and incapable of acting together +with precision in the open; but they were wonderfully heartened by this +movement, which gave them shelter from the onslaughts of the enemy's +horse--a mode of warfare which has at all times had a demoralising +effect upon untrained soldiers. So, having their right flank resting on +the river, and in consequence shielded from any flank movement there, +they threw out their left considerably, so as to prevent, if possible, +any over-lapping by the Normans. They were the better able to do this, +seeing that the enemy's horse were totally unable to charge through +their attenuated lines; the jungle being an effectual barrier to this. +Oswald arranged his men in two fighting lines. The foremost ranks, with +spear and sword, were to resist the advance of the Normans. The second +were bowmen, who were to cover the front ranks by letting fly their +arrows in the faces of the foe; a most ingenious and effective +expedient. To Beowulf he entrusted the command of the left wing, with +instructions to in no case permit the Normans to outflank them, but, if +necessary, to double in the left flank also, until it rested on the +river. + +Scarcely had Oswald time to make this careful disposition of his men ere +the vanguard of the Normans were upon them. But a shower of arrows from +the Saxons at close quarters thoroughly disconcerted them. So fiercely +were they met, and by a force whose numbers they had no means of +gauging, that they deemed it prudent to retire beyond bowshot until the +remainder of the forces advanced to their support. Then came a more +determined assault on the Saxons' position. But, from behind trees and +shrubs, the concealed defenders drave their short spears through each +assailant, or clave them with their short Saxon swords or battle-axes. +Oswald and others, who were clad in armour, boldly fronted them in every +gap, making great havoc in the ranks of the men-at-arms, or singling out +the Norman leaders and engaging them. + +In the midst of the fray, one noteworthy incident occurred. Oswald, to +his amazement, saw the burly Norman, Vigneau, who had come with +professions of help, now fighting fiercely against them. Immediately his +blood was fired, and pressing steadily towards him, eventually they met +face to face. + +"Ah, treacherous villain!" said Oswald. "This is your friendship for our +cause, is it? I have a particular message for tricksters and sneaking +traitors like you." + +"Come on, varlet of a Saxon, and don't stand prating like some gowky +wench, and I'll quickly give thee thy quietus," said Vigneau savagely. + +Instantly there ensued a most desperate encounter between these two +powerful combatants. Each of them, however, wore a suit of armour, and +carried a shield, and each one was most skilful in the use of his +weapons, so that, desperate and determined as they both were, no +conclusive blow resulted. But whilst the duel progressed, the general +body of the Normans made steady progress, in spite of the valour of the +Saxons, and speedily Oswald was quite surrounded, though totally +oblivious of the fact. One stalwart Saxon, however, who had fought by +Oswald's side--by name Wulfhere--saw the imminent danger in which his +leader was placed, and he rushed to his rescue, quickly cleaving his way +through; and seizing Oswald, he exclaimed,-- + +"Master, you will be cut off if you don't keep in fighting line with +us!" + +This fierce reminder awoke Oswald to the peril of his position, and he +said to his antagonist, "Another time, villain, will come, when I hope +we may effectually finish this quarrel." + +"Sooner and better, churl; but for the present your better plan is to +run away," retorted Vigneau. + +In the meantime, although the Saxons had extended their lines to the +utmost limits which the sparsity of their men would permit, the Normans +surged round and completely overlapped them. So Beowulf was compelled to +initiate the movement ordered by Oswald, and the left wing was gradually +doubled back until it also converged on the river; and thus the line of +battle was in the form of a semicircle. The Saxons fought with +desperation, disputing every inch of the ground, and strewing the +ground, yard by yard, with the Norman slain. The masterly skill with +which their ground had been chosen and their defence planned, gave them +great advantage, and enabled them to maintain the unequal contest for +nearly an hour. But ultimately the quivers of the archers were emptied +of every shaft, and the battle could no longer be maintained with +advantage, but would probably end in complete massacre. So Oswald +selected a spot where the river was fordable; then, he and a hundred +stalwart Saxons stood shoulder to shoulder, keeping the enemy at bay +whilst the rank and file crossed the stream. Then, gradually narrowing +their own circle until every one had taken the river, the last +half-dozen, with their faces to the foe, fought their way across. + +When they had reached the opposite side, the order was given for +dispersal, and the gallant band melted away, and severally, or in bands, +sought their distant homes. Thus ended in total failure, through +cowardice and treachery, what at one time seemed, in its very marked +success, a conspiracy that would ultimately wrest the kingdom from the +usurper. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +DESPERATE RESOLVES. + + "Cowards die many times before their death + The valiant never taste of death but once." + + Shakespeare. + + +"The Saxon cause is lost, Wulfhere, by base-hearted cowardice and +treachery," said Oswald, turning to the stalwart "freeman" already +introduced to the reader. "Look to the rear, though I think the Normans +have had such a taste of our quality that there will be no pursuit for +the present; but henceforth we may look to it, for there will be--unless +I greatly misjudge the Norman king--a bitter revenge exacted from us, +and untempered in the least degree by mercy. We have our broadswords +left to us, and we have proved this day that they have a keen edge and +bite as sharp as ever. We have a few bowmen, also, who can shoot +straight; but for our shelter I fear me we shall have but the dense +forest, and the rugged hills of our native Craven for our defence. But +they are a defence familiar to us, and no battering-ram or assault of +besiegers will avail our foe. Let them drive the wolf to bay if they +dare, and they shall find he has sharp teeth. Well, to me, Wulfhere, a +life of valorous freedom is better than servile slavery and degraded +serfdom." + +"I join you there, my lord. A ceorl born, a ceorl for ever. That is my +charter. I will maintain it to the death," said Wulfhere. + +The conclusions of Oswald, with regard to the revenge which the Normans +would exact, proved only too true. Like a conflagration, the sanguinary, +mercenary host spread themselves over the northern part of the kingdom, +and desolation and death spread their ghastly wings over the land. +William's aim evidently was to decimate the population, and thus make +any further revolt utterly impossible. + +I forbear, however, to enter into the details of the wholesale slaughter +which followed after the Saxons were put to the rout at York, in mercy +to the reader. + +So, at the word of command, the followers of Oswald moved away from the +fatal field, with celerity, but in perfect order. The close of the +second day brought them home again. Bitterly sad our hearts were at the +tidings they brought us, and at sight of the thinned ranks of stout and +hardy yeomen who went out from us on this last desperate venture. The +Earl addressed the following words to them, as we stood together in the +monastery grounds: "My trusty followers, my faithful friends,--We have +probably not more than forty-eight hours before we shall be face to face +again with the hated Norman foe--on our own lands, and at the thresholds +of our own homes. Do not let us, because of this short respite, close +our eyes to what will inevitably follow. Neither age nor sex will be +spared, though we should crawl at their feet, and grovel in the dust. +The only thing these Normans will respect is the broadsword, as it +flashes at their breast, or the arrow, glancing unerringly through the +branches of the trees in the forest fastnesses. I advise you to take to +the hills; the caves will form in some respects a shelter for your wives +and little ones. Carry your cattle along with you to the hills and +mountain gorges. Your corn, your cooking utensils--in short, everything +of value and of service--take along with you. There are men here from +every corner of our domain. Tell your neighbours, and make haste; even +the minutes are precious. I shall contrive, if I live, to protect you +for the present, and until my castle is taken you will be absolutely +safe." + +As the men moved slowly away to their homes in the distant hamlets, +bearers of the sorrowful news, the Earl turned to Wulfhere. + +"Well, Wulfhere, my resolve is taken. I shall not cower before, or +servilely beg for freedom at the hands of the proudest Norman of them +all. Further, I shall not fly over sea, and sell my sword to a foreign +potentate. Yonder, in the distance, I can descry the turrets of my +castle. I was born there, and I shall defend it to the last; and when +driven from it, it will still be a joy to sit on the hillsides and gaze +upon the old home. There are likewise these followers of mine, who have +followed me everywhere and blindly done my bidding. It were dastardly +conduct to give them over now to sanguinary massacre. When, as a boy, +with falcon on my arm and hound at my heel, I hied me o'er these lands, +my faithful yeomen welcomed me everywhere, and their good wives brought +out their daintiest morsel and their sweetest mead. We shall stand or +fall together. Who knows? The Saxon star may some day be in the +ascendant again, and we may push the Normans from our shores. What +sayest thou, Wulfhere?" + +"Your purpose, my lord, if I understand you aright, is to defend the +castle so long as you can, and then try to hold the Normans at bay by +means of the shelter which the woods and the hills afford." + +"That is my present purpose. I can scarcely hope to hold the castle, +except for a little while, but I may thus materially check the +desolating march of the Normans. But ultimately I look to the woods and +the hills for permanent safety. We are more fortunate than our +countrymen in other parts of the kingdom. If we look to the north we see +the stately Hanging-brow mountain, lifting itself to the sky and girdled +with the clouds, and those dense woods, which, like a vast army +clambering up its sides, will fight for us in our onslaught, and shield +us in our flight. The waters also shed on its brow by the clouds which +nestle well-nigh perpetually on its shoulders, and go leaping down its +sides with the fierceness of a cataract, have ploughed into the +mountain's seamy sides gorges impassable to untrained feet. Look, to the +east a few miles we have the scarcely less remarkable Weirdburn hills. +To the south, Baldby heights. Think also of the dense woods which +everywhere abound in this Craven of ours. Then, like myself, you will +see that in no other part of the land has Nature so combined to shelter +the friendless and protect the oppressed. Further, we are quite two +hundred and fifty miles from London. Though the Normans will come very +surely to despoil the land, William will speedily draw off his forces, +and we shall have but to cope with the Norman who usurps my lands and +castle, holding it probably with a slender garrison. For the present we +are unequal to the task of contending in open warfare with our foe. We +will contend with him with the most effective weapons we possess; and +these are cunning and evasion. There shall be no solid front presented +to him at which he can aim an effective blow. But when the Normans have +overrun the land, and the bulk of them gone hence, then we will present +a bolder front, and assert our right to share the land, and cultivate +the soil." + +"What do you purpose in this dire emergency, reverend Father?" said he, +turning to me. "Have you any purpose of defending the Abbey?" + +"No, my lord," said I; "we are the disciples of the Prince of Peace, and +we must follow His example. And indeed, carnal weapons would not protect +us if we were minded to use them, and this sacred edifice would suffer +irreparably by our resistance. Perhaps these untamed and bloody men may +have some regard for the sanctity of these walls. We will throw open our +gates to receive them. Those of our servants and followers who prefer to +trust to the woods and the hills, as you advise, are free to do so. +Those who prefer to stay--together with any unhappy fugitives who have +fled hither for shelter--will join the monks in prayers and +supplications, in the sanctuary. Perhaps God will give us favour in the +eyes of our enemies." + +"Give us your blessing, Father," said Oswald, falling on his knees and +meekly uncovering his head, all his followers humbly following his +example. + +"Adieu, my son," said I, laying my hand upon his head. "May the God of +our fathers nerve thy arm for the protection of thy humbler fellows, and +give thee wisdom and discretion in this terrible day of thy country's +visitation!" + +With tearful eyes I watched the receding form of this noble Saxon. No +carnal offspring could be dearer to an earthly parent than he to me. I +had watched over him from infancy, educated him, travelled with him in +many foreign lands; and I hoped he would be a great leader in +statesmanship, in learning, and in all the arts of peace. Now, alas! I +fear circumstance will make him a man of war, and a stern leader of +bloody and desperate men. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +BARON VIGNEAU. + + "All is lost save honour." + + +Early on the morrow, strange rumours and stories, which made the blood +curdle, were brought to the monastery by refugees from far and near. +Both gentle and simple fled hither, being buoyed up by the widespread, +but in this case delusive notion, that sanctuary walls would be sacredly +respected. Amongst the number was the lovely daughter of the worthy +Thane Beowulf, who, along with his son, had been slain in resisting the +advance of the Normans. My heart sank within me as I looked upon her +great beauty, realising with painful vividness how helpless and impotent +I was to protect her--well knowing that lust and rapine, let loose, +would not be awed or restrained even by the sanctity of the Church. + +I had commanded the monks, with all refugees, to repair to the chapel +for prayer, whilst I at the first summons repaired to the gate with some +of the housecarles and lay brothers, and commanded the gates to be +thrown open, when in poured a motley crowd of soldiers and men-at-arms, +evidently bent on plunder, and totally uncontrolled by any sort of +discipline. The crowd surged by me and carried me along, deriding my +entreaties to be heard. One leader, in complete armour, and whom I +afterwards ascertained to be Baron Vigneau, I appealed to in vain. He +rudely pushed me aside with an oath, bidding me say my prayers to the +devil, for he would soon have me and my monkish crew. + +One party made a dash for the northern extremity of the enclosure, where +were the outbuildings, in which our cattle, sheep and goats, and +numerous attendants were housed. These servants, however, made their +exit, with all speed, from the northern gate, as they saw the Normans +enter at the south. One, Badger as he was called by his companions, who +was keeper of the hounds and hawks--a mighty hunter, who kept our larder +well stocked with venison, and fish, and game of every kind--held his +ground. A sly rogue was Badger--so called from his propensity for +hunting these animals and clothing himself in their skins. For hunting, +hawking, and fishing, he was a prodigy. He was well-nigh fleet as a +hare, and could swim like an otter; and had wherewithal so sly a humour, +and such shrewdness, that he was a great favourite with me, and I had +taken pains to add such instruction as I thought would be serviceable to +him. The reader will pardon me this digression. But this Badger was such +an active agent in the subsequent troublous times, and served the Saxon +cause so well, both by his matchless cunning and his rare valour, that I +have taken the trouble to introduce the reader to him at such great +length. A most grotesque figure he presented on this fateful morning, +clothed as he was from head to foot in skins. + +"Hilloa!" roared one trooper to another, as they set eyes upon him. +"What the deuce kind of an animal is this?" + +"The foul fiend, or one of his imps, by Moses!" rejoined the other. + +"Who are you, Satan?" said the first one, riding up to him and giving +him a hearty thwack across the shoulders with the flat of his sword; at +which Badger set up a most hypocritical howl. "Stash that, will you, you +lump of hog's-flesh, or I'll make pork of you in a twinkling! Where are +your cronies? Have you buried them, you old grave-digger?" + +"Oh, hang him, Jaques!" chimed in the other impatiently. "Don't bother +with the slobbering clown! But I've a notion it is a dry shop in this +quarter; you had better get back again to the jolly friars, if you would +have venison pasties and old ale. But I'm going to have a look round, +and see if they have left a hack or two better than mine. They haven't +left a worse, I'm blowed! I don't believe he is a horse. He's only a +shadow and a half; the wind was just going to carry him off when I took +him: so I committed no robbery when I stole him. I vow it's only my +weight which keeps him in this world at all. Gee up, old marrow-bones! +Your old backbone will do to shave the monks with. I wonder I'm not +split up the middle by this. I verily believe my trunk is shorter by a +good six inches than my legs, and I've only been perched on your old +razor-rig these three days. Heigh-up! Jaques," continued he, suddenly +wheeling round, "if you find a tap of good old ale before I get back, +hold on to it till I come! I'm as thirsty as a sponge that hasn't had a +soaking for twenty years. I could suck up half a hogshead easily. My +soul is oozing away through the pores in my body, and all for lack of +moisture." + +Meanwhile, the monks, together with numerous refugees, chiefly women, +were gathered in the church, vainly trusting to the sanctity of the +place for protection. I had no faith in this, however, and had taken the +precaution to have our most valuable and costly treasures of silver and +gold and books conveyed to the sacristy, a barrel-vaulted apartment near +the south transept, led down to by a flight of stone steps, which were +cunningly covered over by the flagging of the floor. This had been +designed expressly for the hiding of our valuables when a raid was +anticipated by the Scots or Danes. + +Many of the Normans, I noticed, made at once for the church. No doubt +they fancied the richest booty would there be found. They rudely burst +open the doors, and I pressed in with them. At once the fierce and +undisciplined soldiery commenced to break and plunder everything. I +advanced towards the leader, Vigneau, and prostrated myself before him +to beg for mercy for the refugees. Alas! He furiously spurned me with +his heavy boot, and cried to his men, "Ho, men! here are a lot of scurvy +monks! Kill the rats in their hole!" Prompt to obey, the soldiers let +fly a volley of arrows amongst the helpless throng huddled about the +altar steps, and wounded many of them. Unhappily, Vigneau at that moment +espied the lovely Ethel crouching amongst them. "Stay, men!" he shouted. +"By Jupiter, here's the loveliest Saxon wench my eyes have seen. You may +take the gold and silver baubles and melt them into zechins. Here's my +share of the plunder!" Immediately he seized Ethel and dragged her from +the steps of the high altar. "Nay, nay, wench," said he, "never be so +shy! Thou wert intended for better company than simpering monks and +friars. Damnation!" he roared, suddenly releasing her, staggering back a +pace or two and staring aghast at her; for she had sprung at him and +driven with all her force at his chest a small dagger she held in her +hand. The dagger rattled upon his mailed chest, but left him scathless. +Still she stood confronting him, like a panther at bay. + +"By Jove!" he roared, as soon as he had recovered from his astonishment. +"Here's mettle anyhow! I little thought there was so much spirit behind +that pretty face. All the better however, for milk and water is no good +even in a wench. Here goes for another embrace, my bantam!" So saying, +he seized her with his mailed hands, and wrested the dagger from her, +pitching it across the church. Then he literally tucked her under his +arm, all the while roaring with laughter at her frantic but ineffectual +efforts to release herself, and away he marched down the aisle of the +church. I seized his arm, and was imploring him to have pity, when he +called to a rough-looking soldier. "Here, fellow, run this shaveling +priest through with thy sword, quick!" I gave myself up for a dead man, +for I felt that I could not let him carry off Ethel, when suddenly there +was a hush of voices, and looking round I beheld a Norman lady, of +majestic port and bearing, pressing forward towards us, whilst close +behind her there followed a score of armed men. I perceived at once that +she was a lady of rank by her rich apparel and jewelled head-dress. She +was also of surpassing loveliness and commanding figure. As she beheld +the brutal Norman, I saw the fire flash in her rich dark eyes, as with +quick step she marched boldly up to him and accosted him in words almost +of fire. "I think this is another evidence, Baron, of your base and +unchivalrous regard for the distressed of my sex, by the brutal way in +which you are treating this helpless Saxon lady! You afford me ample +opportunities of testing your gallantry, and better opportunities, too, +than listening to your false and honeyed words, which you are pleased to +pour into my ears." + +"These are but Saxon varlets, Alice; and Saxon varlets, whether male or +female, are not fitting objects of chivalry to a Norman knight." + +"Chivalry is for the oppressed and weak of any nation. So be pleased to +release this lady, and cease harrying these holy and unresisting men." + +"Take care what you are at, madame!" savagely hissed the Baron, between +his teeth, "or your meddlesome interference with business which does not +concern you will be at your peril. Mark that, _ma grande dame_!" + +"Let go the arm of this lady, I say, and leave this sanctuary at once, +or I shall report your conduct to the Count forthwith." + +"Tell the Count, madame, if he dare, to look in the wolf's mouth and +count his teeth, and he'll not do it twice, you may mark that!" + +He let go of Ethel, however, and, muttering savagely many fierce oaths, +he strode out of the church, followed very reluctantly by his men. + +"Jules Reynard," said the lady, addressing the leader of her men, "do +your best to protect this holy place, and the lives of these monks." +Jules Reynard acquiesced by a low obeisance. "Lady," she said, +addressing Ethel, "I grieve very much at the rude treatment and +mishandling you have been subjected to at the hands of these savage men. +If you like to accept my protection, I think I can protect you from +further annoyance and insult." + +"I thank you, madame," said Ethel, "but this cannot be. Your people have +burnt my home, basely slaughtered my father and my brother, and I +prefer, whether living or dying, to company with my own people." + +The Norman lady heaved a deep sigh. "Alas! I daresay it is but too true, +and I can well understand your feelings; but I will strive to be a +sister to you, if you will come with me." + +"Say no more, lady; this cannot be." + +"Well, then, we must part. But, mark me--though it is hard to say it of +one's people--look for no compassion at the hands of my people, and +beware especially of him from whom you have just escaped, for 'his +tender mercies are cruel.'" + +"I look for no compassion at the hands of the Normans, nor will I seek +it or suffer it. The hands that are red with my kinsmen's blood, cannot +be grasped in amity by me. There is a deep and bloody barrier betwixt me +and thee, which a lifetime cannot erase," said Ethel bitterly. + +"Alas! alas! Nevertheless, adieu, lady; we may meet again. If I can +befriend you in any way, how gladly will I do it, to the very utmost of +my power!" With that she hastily left the chapel--as I learnt +afterwards, to try and stay as much as possible the fierce bloodshed and +rapine of the soldiery. But it is needless to say her efforts were to +little purpose, for though she managed to have them cleared out of the +sanctuary, ere long they were back again, and, like greedy hawks, they +pounced upon everything, no matter how sacred the purpose to which +articles of value were devoted. They carried off the silver table of the +high altar, the silver cups, dalmatics, censers of silver; in fact, +everything ornamented with silver or gold. Speedily the whole of our +possessions were at their mercy, excepting the things I had secreted as +aforesaid. To complete this sad day's work, when nothing more of value +could be had, they turned their attention to our cellarer's store of +wines and ale, and the rest of the day, and the night also, was spent in +drunkenness and carousing. The whole of the night was spent by the monks +in prayer and fasting, whilst for the most part our refugees were glad +to escape to the woods, being thankful if only they could do so with +their lives. A sad day's work this for the sanctuary which had taken +generations to bring it to its high state of usefulness and piety! + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +ALICE DE MONTFORT. + + "And thus I clothe my naked villainy + With old odd ends, stol'n out of holy writ, + And seem a saint, when most I play the devil." + + Shakespeare. + + +My readers, I am sure, will pardon me for passing over the bitter +sufferings and humiliation I and the members of our Order had to endure, +and the still more harrowing cruelties and bloodshed heaped upon the +common people, who, despite the Earl's advice, still clung to their +homes and their patches of land. + +We therefore proceed to follow the fortunes of certain characters who +are the central figures in our history. In reality the history of our +time was made by the important actors, the common people playing a very +ignoble part, and being little better than chattels and instruments of +the leaders' wills. + +The Normans overran the adjacent country like a flood let loose, leaving +desolation behind them. Indeed, if the Saxons had not fled before, and +secreted themselves, their wives, their children, and their cattle, +there would have been nothing but annihilation and utter extermination. +The main body of the Normans swarmed forwards like locusts as soon as +they had devastated one part. But the castle of the youthful Ealdorman +Oswald could not be taken without siege operations. Its splendid +situation and rich lands attracted the cupidity of the De Montfort +already mentioned, and he sat down before it with the determination to +take possession of it and the splendid domain belonging thereto. + +Carefully De Montfort reconnoitred the castle from all points, and +though it had no pretension to invulnerability, yet it was plain to him +that some days must elapse before he would be sufficiently prepared to +venture an assault upon it. + +In the meantime, however, he despatched heralds to summon Oswald to +surrender. The Saxon paced the walls, clad in complete armour, and in +person directed the labours of the housecarles who laboured at +strengthening and repairing the fortifications; whilst a score or so of +his choicest bowmen, with well-stocked quivers, were set apart for the +defence of those who toiled. + +The heralds, three in number, rode up to the walls, and, after blowing a +blast from their bugles, they accosted Oswald thus:-- + +"What ho, there, Saxon!" + +To which Oswald responded,-- + +"What ho, there! What message have ye from your master?--I perceive ye +are messengers." + +"Our master, the valiant Count de Montfort, of great renown and valour, +giveth thee summons to deliver up to him, within the space of +twenty-four hours, without let or hindrance, this castle, with the +appurtenances thereof." + +"What conditions doth your master tender if we yield to his wishes, and +without resistance obey his summons?" + +"De Montfort hath given us this message: 'Yield thee forthwith without +conditions, and trust to our clemency.' Defiance of our summons is +torture and death." + +"Tell your master that we have too many illustrations of his clemency, +and that of Norman tyrants generally, to put any trust or reliance in +his word. If he would fain have possession of this castle, tell him he +must first take it, for we put no faith in his professions of clemency; +and that we defy him and his myrmidons to wrest this castle from us." + +These were brave words, and intended to inspire his own followers; but +no one knew better than he where victory must inevitably rest. Many +times had he told over the number of the Norman tents pitched little +more than a bowshot away. With sinking heart he had noted the masses of +archers and men-at-arms who swarmed around the camp by day. In the +stillness of night he had crept within earshot of wary sentinels in +company of Wulfhere the freeman, in the hope that some chance, or some +overweening confidence on the part of the enemy, might afford the +opportunity for some desperate deed of valour. But de Montfort was far +too wise and experienced a soldier to permit negligence or +over-confidence to prevail. The pickets at all points were thickly +posted and kept on the alert by patrols. + +The tents of the Count de Montfort and his daughter, Lady Alice de +Montfort, were pitched on a knoll in the centre of the encampment, which +was sufficiently elevated to overlook every other tent and beyond them +on every side. The tents of the maids and personal attendants were +situated to the rear, and were intercommunicable by a covered way. The +entrance to Lady Alice's tent was hung with richly embroidered curtains, +whilst costly figured velvet carpets from the looms of Rouen were spread +over the soft carpet of nature. As already stated, Lady Alice had been +affianced to Baron Vigneau by her father, for the most ignoble reason of +policy and personal ambition, Alice's wishes or preferences not being +consulted in the least. But a union more abhorrent to her feelings could +not possibly be imagined. + +Indeed, to one much less refined and gentle than Alice, this union would +have been most distasteful. Vigneau was at once drunken, licentious, and +boorish, his habits being such as befitted the company of the besotted +and brutal troopers whom he led, rather than that of one of the gentlest +ladies of Normandy. True, he had won for himself a large measure of fame +on the battle-field, and in the lists at tournaments. He had undoubtedly +a large measure of reckless valour, and enormous physical strength; but +he was utterly destitute of that chivalry and knightly courtesy which +was reckoned only second to personal prowess. His chief recommendation +in De Montfort's eyes was that he commanded a "free company" of +mercenaries as reckless and blood-thirsty as himself. De Montfort +cherished a lofty ambition: he aspired to, and in fact held, an exalted +position in the estimation of William; and this he well knew was due in +great part to the number of lances in his retinue, and the men-at-arms +who followed his standard. + +Need we say that Alice scorned this hateful yoke; for the warm current +of romance which ran in her southern blood demanded a nobler and +courtlier knight than Vigneau as the object of her love. Through a vista +in the noble line of beeches and oaks which studded the park she had a +full view of the castle and its defenders, and she shuddered as she +contemplated the impending carnage and bloodshed which hovered over the +camp and the castle alike. Thus, often as she sat in her tent did she +watch the mailed Saxon chief, as he paced his walls and directed the +housecarles as they laboured at the fortifications--far too often, +indeed, for her peace of mind; for the contrast between Oswald's mien +and Vigneau's was most glaring. Then the fact that Oswald was fighting +against fearful odds, and for dear life, awoke the keenest interest in +him, whilst the stories current in the camp of his prowess threw around +him a glamour most piquant. + +Often Alice would turn to her favourite maid and confidante, Jeannette, +for confirmation of her thoughts. + +"Methinks he is a comely knight, this Saxon, and valiant withal. +Jeannette, how sayest thou? is it not so?" + +"He is a comely knight, my lady, and brave too, the fighting men say." + +"Didst thou notice, when he removed his visor to answer the Count's +summons, his handsome visage? 'Twas, I thought, so like the statue of +Mars in the old home in Normandy. The same curly locks; the same +inflexible cast of features, as though ready to front a host. Didst thou +notice this, Jeannette?" + +"I marked it much, my lady." + +"Yet, didst thou notice, there was a nobility about the open brow which +bespeaks a magnanimity which wondrously beseemeth brave men?" + +"I noticed all this, my lady." + +"Ah me, Jeannette, I read those old romances in my father's hall, and +listened to the stories of Christian knights and warriors told me by the +good sisters of St. Justin's, until I came to think that all knights and +soldierly men must be brave to avenge the oppressed, and magnanimous to +the fallen and the weak, scorning to wreak vengeance upon helpless men +and women. I thought all brave men must be at least chivalrous to my +sex. I thought all brave men must be virtuous, too; for how could they +be brave to conquer their enemies, and yet be the slaves of their own +over-grown lusts like this Baron Vigneau?" + +"These are evil times, lady. I much fear me that nothing good thrives +now; and the Baron may not be much worse than others, though I go in +daily fear of him. His gloating eyes are ever upon me, and once he +caught me in his arms. But let him beware! I carry that in my bosom will +teach him a lesson he will not need to learn over again!" and she +displayed the flashing blade of a small stiletto. + +"Listen, Jeannette! I saw the Baron lay hold upon a young and beautiful +lady, who had found shelter with the monks down at the abbey. I heard +his lascivious, gloating words, and I looked into his greedy eyes, and +his steely gaze made me shudder as though it were the gaze of a serpent. +I hate him, but I fear him beyond expression!" + +"Hush, lady! Perhaps you will think better of him when these horrid +times have passed." + +"Never, Jeannette! My heart's revolt is complete. Let death come, and +welcome, but never wedlock with him. He is but a huge mountain of +evil-smelling carrion. I shall hie me to Normandy, and there in my books +I'll find a worthy knight, all brave and pure, and I'll wed him in +imagination. But I will never share my young life with a knight besotted +and cruel as Vigneau." + +"Hush, lady. He comes to your tent. Shall I retire?" + +"No, no! Stay by me, Jeannette. I shall feign sickness; let me lean my +head upon you." + +Baron Vigneau unceremoniously brushed aside the curtains and stalked +into the tent. His gait was unsteady, and his eyes bloodshot; +unmistakable evidences of a recent debauch. + +"What, Alice, how is this?" said he, taking her hand in his. But it +involuntarily shrank from his grasp. "What! aren't we friends yet? I did +but drag the fair Saxon from among those monkish scoundrels to save her +life." + +"You seemed loth to part with her, Baron." + +"Well, well, we'll take a goose till we can get our swan. But no great +harm would have been done. They're jolly fellows, those monks, and know +what's what, I warrant. The wench wouldn't have suffered, exchanging +sniffling priests for a valiant knight." + +Alice shuddered, and made haste to change the subject. + +"What says the Saxon knight to your latest summons?" + +"'Saxon whelp,' is much more like it, I trow. Well, he struts himself +upon his trumpery battlements like a valiant scarecrow. I would he were +a true knight and worthy of my prowess, I would challenge him to single +combat, and you should see how he would fare when matched with Norman +valour. But let him boast himself a day or two until we get our gear +ready; then, if he does not get a short shrift in the _mêlée_, we'll +have a little sport with him and make him dance to the music these +Saxons like least best." + +"Have you offered him honourable terms?" + +"Honourable terms to a dog of a Saxon! He'll get the same terms as other +Saxons, a sudden exit at the sword's point, or a slower process but a +rougher passage. I am hoping we shall see sport yet." + +Alice shuddered, for she knew too well that instruments of torture were +meant; and she well knew that the Baron would not only use them, but +would derive positive pleasure in watching the agonies of his victim. + +"I don't care about such practices; they are hideous and barbarous. What +good it can do to massacre and torture helpless men and women I can't +tell; indeed, I cannot help despising those who indulge in such +detestable things." + +"You have been trained in too gentle a school to relish these rough +times, Alice. We must exterminate these Saxon pests, especially the +leaders, and those who have spirit in them. The churls may serve some +useful purpose, when we have knocked their freemen manners out of them. +But they will need to be well knocked about, and ground into shape." + +"When will it all end? And if this castle is taken is it to be our +resting-place? I am aweary of being dragged at the heels of a soldiery +thirsting like wild beasts for blood and plunder." + +"Ha, ha! Softly, softly, my sweet one! This is to be the end of it for +us. Then comes love and downy pillows--eh, my queen, is it not so?" said +he, endeavouring to chuck her under the chin. + +Alice hastily fled, followed by her maid; for, sickening as was +Vigneau's general conversation, his amorous advances begat in her an +overpowering disgust. + +A horrible scowl spread itself over Vigneau's base countenance, and he +stood as though petrified with rage. Then his tongue gave vent to this +pent-up storm, and, with a volley of oaths and threatenings, he strode +out of the tent, demoniacal hatred of his betrothed raging in his heart. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +VILLAINS PLOTTING. + + "And my imaginations are as foul + As Vulcan's stithy." + + Shakespeare. + + +The same day, a little before nightfall, Baron Vigneau strode across the +greensward to the spot where his own followers were bivouacking beneath +some huge beech trees. "Pierre," said he, calling to a stalwart and +villainous-looking soldier, who was engaged in a noisy chaffering with +some comrades, "I have a dainty bit of work for you, Pierre. Just such a +commission as you love next best to swilling old Saxon ale." + +"What is it your lordship has in the wind now? It has some connection +with wine or wenches, I stake my rosary on it." + +"Thou had better throw thy rosary into the first ditch thou comes +across; for if thou tell thy beads in proportion to thy sins, thou can +find no time for anything else; and if thou do penance for half thy +sins, and be d----d for the other half, why, marry, thou might as well +be d----d for the whole. But I warrant _that_ the end of thee in any +case, villain; so there's an end on't. But I want none of thy scurvy +impudence, mark me! I want thy ears, and the best discretion thou hast. +I have a delicate mission for thee to perform--a mission well suited to +thy tender and susceptible disposition." + +"Many thanks for your lordship's highly valued appreciation. But truly, +when I quit my sins I'll have to quit your service; for how a saint will +manage the devil's business I cannot tell. Indifferently well, I fancy." + +"Silence, sirrah, or I'll crop thy ears! Listen to me! Down at the +monastery there is a Saxon wench--a gem of the first water. None of your +bare-legged slotch-puddles, with a figure as shapely as an ill-made +wine-butt. She is a genuine offshoot of the Saxon nobility, I am told. I +want thee to do a little delicate negotiation for me, such as thou art +justly famous for. If thou do it well, thou shalt rise even higher in my +esteem." + +"Ah, I see; a delicate mission truly!" + +"Stop the wagging of thy tongue, knave, and take heed to what I say. +This is not the daughter of a villainous churl, bred and reared on a +midden, take note. So I will have this business done accordingly." + +"Ah, I comprehend it all. This is potter's ware, that must not be soiled +in transit. All damage and defacement must be reserved for your +respectable self." + +"Just so! Don't poke thy villainous phiz--which reminds me of a keg of +wine gone sour--beneath her hood for kisses on thy own account. I'll +have none of it! Just do thine errand as a Christian should, and----" + +"Christian, forsooth, I think you said just now, Baron?" + +"Eh? Stop thy chatter, dog, when I am speaking! Thy tongue will cut thy +throat some day, villain, if thou sharpen it a little more, now mark +that! Thou art getting much too ready with thy scurvy impudence. Just +attend to me and shut thy mouth. I have these further instructions for +thee. This business, understand, must be done in the dark, and thy +tongue must not wag of it--or any of thy comrades' either, mark me. Her +ladyship, over yonder," said he, jerking his thumb over his left +shoulder in the direction of Alice's tent, "tosses her head a little too +much for my stomach already, and she has worked herself up into a devil +of a fume, just because I took a fancy to this same wench a little time +ago. So let there be no hullaballoo over it, mind that. I know what I'm +about," said he, with a brutal chuckle. "When your game's afield you +must tread softly, that's my point, but when it's bagged--ha, ha! you +may skin it anyhow you please. So, so! wait awhile; my turn will come +by-and-by, and when I get the bit within her teeth--well, never mind +that just now. There's no need to tell all one's mind to a scurvy +trooper," he muttered, under his breath. "There, now thou knows thy +business; but don't bring her to the camp, and don't get drunk and +bungle the whole thing." + +Pierre was both a ready and a capable tool of the Baron's, and +indispensable to him in the life of brutality and villainy which he led. +So promptly he set about selecting some half a dozen of his comrades to +assist him in carrying out his master's behests. As the shadows of +evening began to gather about the camp, they mounted their horses and +stole away from the encampment at a brisk trot, reaching the monastery +just as the evening twilight had deepened into the sombre gloom of +night. "Let us dismount here," said Pierre, "and leave our horses +outside the grounds; for the less row there is in this business the +better it will suit the Baron. I suppose as usual it will be a +screeching affair, and if we do not be careful we shall have the whole +brood of pious gentry at our heels in a trice." So, hastily dismounting +and leaving their horses in charge of one of their number, they strode +up to the entrance gates, which they found in charge of two of the +Norman soldiery, by whom they were promptly admitted. + +"I say, Jaques," said Pierre, addressing one of the guard, "can you tell +us whereabouts this Saxon wench called Ethel may be found?" + +"You will find her in the monks' quarters sure enough," said Jaques; +"but I would advise you to get one of the kitchen scullions to lead the +way for you; that will be your best plan." + +So, stealthily wheeling round the main building, they entered the +refectory kitchen, where they found several of the meaner lay brothers +occupied in the menial tasks of that department, whilst a number of +half-starved and ragged mendicants sat round the spacious hall, drinking +the small ale and munching the bacon and bread with which they had been +provided. With abject consternation and fear they beheld the advent of +these troopers; but Pierre immediately laid hold of one of them. + +"Varlet," said he, "where is the Saxon wench Ethel to be found?" + +The Saxon, clown as he was, took in the situation at once, and tried, by +affecting even greater silliness than his clownish looks betokened, to +evade the question. Pierre whipped out his sword and, grasping him by +the throat, said,-- + +"None of thy lying, churl! Lead the way. I'll follow; and if thou +mislead me I'll run my sword through thy body in a twinkling. Stop here, +two of you men, and see these skulking villains do not make a hubbub. +Let the others follow me. Now march, hound!" said he, giving the Saxon a +vicious prod with the point of his sword. The Saxon led the way with +much greater alacrity of body than of mind, but it did the business +effectively, for they quickly reached Ethel's room. + +"Now for it!" said Pierre. "Diplomacy will ruffle this pretty bird's +feathers the least, so I'll oil my tongue for the occasion. But have you +the cloak ready, men?" + +"Aye, aye! all's ready!" + +Pierre knocked at the door, and without further ceremony entered. But no +sooner did Ethel set eyes on his unsavoury visage than she knew that +mischief was meant, and she started to her feet and slid her hand into +her bosom. + +Pierre doffed his helmet, and assuming a bland and hypocritical tone, +said that "he had been commissioned by the Norman lady who had showed +her a kindness the other day, to bid the Saxon lady come to her in the +Norman camp, where she would be protected and cared for with every +regard to her noble extraction and gentle blood." + +But Ethel was not deceived. There is a subtle force in the tones of +sincerity which the most accomplished liar can never successfully +simulate. We are far oftener convinced by this indefinable something in +a man's eye, and in his tones, than by the words he utters. When we have +flung away this quality of candour and truthfulness, liar and knave will +ring out in our utterances, though we use the utmost art of a magician +to hide it. Ethel saw through this ruse, though she dare not show it. So +she manoeuvred to gain time. + +"If you will kindly wait until morning, I shall have a little time to +prepare. Some of the servants will find you comfortable quarters for the +night. If you call me early I shall be ready." + +"I dare not disobey my lady's orders, who has sent horses and an escort. +I will wait a few minutes for you. But my lady requested me to ask you +to come right away, for her ladyship's ample wardrobe would be at your +service." + +"I will acquaint the Abbot first, as I am afraid he will be much +distressed if I depart without his knowledge. I shall be but a few +minutes." + +"I am sorry I cannot allow this. My orders are very explicit, and I must +obey. If I have to use force to execute them, I shall be sorry; but I +must ask you to accompany us forthwith," said Pierre, dropping into his +usual menacing and rasping tone of voice, and advancing towards Ethel. + +"Yes, villain, I am not deceived by you, nor by any of your villainous +crew!" said Ethel, drawing from her bosom a brightly shining blade and +springing at him like a wild cat. Instantly half a dozen strong hands +were laid upon her, the dagger was wrested from her, and a soldier's +cloak muffled thickly over her face to stifle her screams. Then Pierre +gathered her up in his strong arms and bore her, struggling, along the +passage, and over the greensward, and through the entrance gates. + +Immediately the Normans' backs were turned the news spread, I being +apprised at once of the outrage which had been done. As I stumbled along +in the darkness I met with Badger, who, with a stout cudgel in his hand, +and bow-and-arrows slung over his shoulders, was rushing eagerly to the +fray. + +"Ah, is that your Grace?" said he. "Where are those Norman carrion? Have +they cleared the ground?" + +"I am afraid they have got clear away. Is not that the clatter of their +horses' hoofs I hear beyond the walls?" + +"It is, without a doubt. I'll track them as easily as a hound tracks a +deer." + +"Go after them, Badger, and see what becomes of the maiden. I will away +to the Norman camp. If I can get speech of the fair Norman perhaps these +men may be made to disgorge their prey. But, Badger, be not too ready +with those carnal weapons, for it will greatly exasperate them; and +remember they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." + +"The application must be for the Normans, Father, for I take but my bow +and my quiver, and just a splinter of timber. But if I tickle not their +flanks with a shaft or two before the night is out, why then the witches +of Addergyll may take me for a dolt and a coward." + +So saying, he glided off like an arrow; but I saw in the darkness that +he went not by the way of the entrance, but to an oaken tree which grew +near the wall, and, hastily climbing it, he slid along a branch which +overran the wall, and from thence I heard him drop to the ground +without. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +VILLAINS OUTWITTED. + + "Drunk? and speak parrot? and squabble? swear? and discourse + fustian with one's own shadow?"--Shakespeare. + + +In the meantime, the darkness had gathered quickly and deepened into +night. This was greatly intensified along the forest path by the lofty +and overhanging branches of the trees. The road also had its twists and +turns innumerable, here to avoid a massive tree, and there to avoid a +huge boulder; and it was little better than a cattle path at any time, +and totally impassable, even to the rude Saxon carts, except at broad +daylight. In these circumstances Pierre and party moved with extreme +difficulty, having frequently to stop to make sure of the road, their +oaths and execrations in the meantime resounding through the wood. But +Badger, who was as familiar with the forest as the deer which roamed in +it, sped swiftly and noiselessly after them, catching up with them +quickly. "Ah, ah!" said he, as he caught sight of the black and moving +mass in front of him; "one good Saxon is equal to the half-dozen of you +here, my hearties! Some of you will have a cold bed in the damp grass +to-night for your pains, or else my shafts will go mightily astray!" +Then, sticking his thorn cudgel in his belt, he took his bow from his +back and adjusted an arrow, and then he crept stealthily near to them. +Raising his bow, he drew the arrow to its head; then he withdrew it. "My +fingers," said he, "are in a hurry to make a cur of a Norman the less in +the world. But where is the use in bagging one of their carrion +carcasses and losing the game? To kill a Norman is a luxury; but I must +rescue Ethel. Let me see whether my purpose cannot be served best by +joining my wits to my weapons. There are three couples--two abreast; and +Ethel is in charge of the centre one to the right. I can send a shaft in +the nape of the last one's neck. That is _one_ certain. Then there will +be a stampede probably: I may get another one. Shall I get the villain +who has charge of Ethel? Can't make sure; and if I do, Ethel will come +to the ground with him, and perhaps be badly bruised. Well, some risk +will have to be taken, for I am but one." So saying, he stole nearer to +them. Suddenly, ahead of the party, there was a wide opening in the tops +of the trees directly in the line of vision, the outlines of the figures +in front showing boldly against the starlit sky. "Now is my time," said +Badger, planting his foot firmly, and drawing back the string until it +touched his shoulder--when suddenly a hurried footfall in the path +behind him arrested his attention, and he darted into the thicket, +keeping his arrow in position. When the runner drew near, Badger sprang +forward and faced the new-comer, with his shaft still in position. +"Who's this?" said he. "Speak, or I'll let fly my shaft!" + +"Steady, Badger," said the stranger. "Don't shoot a friend." + +"Well timed, Bretwul, I have just been wishing for a Saxon or two! What +has brought you?" + +"The very purpose that brought you here. I heard of that Norman's +attempt to carry off my young mistress, and I knew the wolf, having +scented prey like that, would never drop the trail until he ran it down. +I watched the abbey night by night, in the hope of frustrating his +purpose; but the villain has got clear off with her." + +"Not quite so fast, comrade. If you had been a minute or two later, my +shafts would have overtaken one or more of them. But it is better as it +is, for two of us will make a better fight of it than one. But enough of +this; they are not two hundred yards ahead of us. There are six +horsemen, and the second horseman at the right side has charge of Ethel. +Now, how are we to effect a rescue?" + +So the pair debated the matter as they followed on the heels of the +party. + +"Well, Bretwul," said Badger, "as I was telling you, I was just going to +try a rough-and-ready method when your footsteps arrested me. I knew it +to be a risky venture, but I little expected any help in the business. +Now I am inclined to think a more favourable opportunity will turn up +by-and-by." + +"Well, I am inclined to think so myself, Badger. There is the risk that +the game would carry the shaft, unless it were hit very squarely; and +the odds are the other way in the darkness. Any failure would make it +bad for the young mistress, it is certain." + +"That we must prevent, if possible. But now, what are the chances? These +Normans have no strong place near in which they can shut her. I can +promise you they'll not dare to carry her to the camp; there is a lady +there who rescued her before, and was desperate savage with the brute +who offered her violence then. But they will find a place elsewhere; +probably leave her for the night in charge of half their number." + +"There's reason in it, Badger. Anyway, it is better to wait awhile, and +see if some better chance is forthcoming." + +So the pair continued to dog the steps of their adversaries, until, +emerging from the wood, they struck across an open glade, or clearing, +in the forest, formerly cultivated by a Saxon yeoman. Soon they reached +the fringe of the forest again, where, embowered within its shelter, was +the house of this Saxon; but it was deserted and plundered of +everything. Here they dismounted, Pierre lifting Ethel down and carrying +her into the house. The cloak was removed, and, lighting a torch, its +flickering blaze made visible a two-roomed dwelling, rude and damp in +its tenantless condition. The inner room was doorless, and the outer +door was thrown back and dilapidated. The floors were of earth trodden +hard. There was a rude attempt at a fireplace in the first room; it was +built entirely of rough, unhewn stone, whilst its huge, gaping chimney +was such, that a man would have had no difficulty in ascending it. Into +the inner room Pierre led, or dragged, Ethel; then he fetched a rough +stone from the fireplace for her to sit upon. + +"Now, fair one," said he, "this is rather a cold place to call home, but +we'll soon make it a bit more comfortable. I can see no further +advantage in lying in this matter--and I keep a conscience, and don't +make a practice of lying for nothing--so I may as well tell you at once +that my master admires that pretty face of yours. It is a weakness he +has. The more fool he; for it spoils his chances of higher game. Well, +that's a riddle you need not puzzle out. But my master is a knight +renowned for valour, and for some other things not recommended by the +worthy Order of Cistercians, or indeed any strict Orders of the pious +gentry. That, of course, is neither here nor there. But my master, when +he hears of your distress, is bound, I believe, by his oath, to succour +you; and he is well able to do so. It is the highest wisdom on your part +to be friends with him. But heigho! no more of that! A fig for doing +another man's wooing; 'tis worse than carving for another's eating!" + +Happily, much of this jargon was perfectly unintelligible to Ethel. + +"Here, men," said he, turning to his comrades in the other room. "One of +you must mount guard inside the house, and another outside. We will to +camp, and return soon with both eatables and drinkables; so make the +best of a bad bargain for a little while. Come, men, let us cut the tail +off this business as quickly as we can." So saying, they mounted their +horses, and, leading the disengaged ones, their forms were speedily lost +in the darkness. + +"My fingers itch most dreadfully to try the effect of a shaft upon the +carcass of the big lubberly villain who leads the party," said Badger, +raising his bow with the arrow directed towards the hazy forms +disappearing in the night. + +"Stay, Badger!" said Bretwul, laying his hand on him. "The game's in the +net; don't rend it." + +"Aye, aye. The fool acts on the thought as it is made, but the wise man +when it is weighed. But as surely as the gallows nods when the rogue +goes by, so his time will come!" + +"Well, Badger, what is to be the next move? We must get to business +whilst our chance lasts." + +"Right, Bretwul. Well, we shall have to work round from the rear of the +house, and we shall thus get close on them if we move stealthily. I +doubt not but we can brain the one outside before he knows where he is; +then, two to one is more than the other will be prepared for." + +So saying, the pair stole to the rear of the house, and crept round by +the gable, until Badger peered round the corner at the fellow on duty +outside. Fortunately, he had his back to them, and was talking through +the open door to his comrade within. + +"Are you ready, Bretwul?" said Badger, in a whisper to his companion, +who followed closely at his heels. + +Bretwul made no reply, but brandished his Saxon broadsword aloft in +token of his readiness. Then, with the agility of a panther, Badger +sprang round the corner of the hovel, and, delivering a powerful blow +with his cudgel upon the back of the Norman's head, he felled him in +insensibility to the ground, whilst another spring quick as lightning +landed him within grappling distance of the other Norman. He also, it is +needless to say, was quite unprepared for any attack, and had barely +time to spring to his feet and raise his arm to ward off Badger's first +stroke, which sent him staggering against the wall; and Bretwul being in +close attendance at that instant, with a sweep of his sword effectually +cut short all further resistance. Then, returning to the door where the +other soldier was lying prostrate, he quickly finished the work of +revenge. + +Meanwhile, Ethel from within witnessed the scuffling going on, but +without comprehending in the least the import of it; she improved the +opportunity for flight which the struggle afforded her, by bounding +through the open door, and fled like a Will-o'-the-wisp across the open +glade in a frantic effort to gain the shelter of the forest, whilst her +rescuers followed full chase in her wake. Very quickly, however, +Badger's nimble feet caught up to her; when, to her infinite relief, she +discovered that they were faithful friends, who had risked much to free +her from the custody of the brutal Norman troopers. + +Whilst this was transpiring, Pierre and the remainder of his troop +stumbled along through the darkness of the forest, all unconscious that +their footsteps had been dogged, and their evil purposes frustrated, +just when they thought they had been crowned with perfect success. + +"This has been neatly done, men," said Pierre. "Now, I wonder what the +Baron will do for us in the shape of reward!" + +"Well, I guess none of our pouches will burst with gold pieces, Pierre. +I expected better pay or more plunder when I took service, I promise +you; but his scurvy humours are even worse than his pay. Why don't you +take the lead? The whole company is ready for a new master." + +"Hold hard a bit. There are others who are getting as tired of his +humours as yourself; and if you hear the clash of steel between us you +need not be very much surprised, for my temper is none of the smoothest, +and he may play the bully some day until nothing will settle it but cold +steel." + +When they reached the camp, Pierre alone carried the news to his master. +No sooner, however, had he put his head within the tent than he gave a +grunt of infinite disgust as he set eyes upon the Baron; for he was far +gone in his cups. + +"Hilloa, Pierre! What now, you scowling villain! What has brought you?" +he bawled, with drunken incoherency; but, drunk as he was, he had +noticed Pierre's disgust. + +"We have executed your order, Baron," Pierre replied. + +"Executed my order? Who? What have they done?" + +"The commission you gave me about the Saxon lady down at the monastery." + +"The wench that all the pother's about?" + +"Yes, the same." + +"Ah, I remember. Have you got her, Pierre?" + +"Yes, as snug as anybody could wish. Not a whisper has got abroad." + +"Bravo, Pierre! You are a gentleman. Pierre, do you hear? You are a +gentleman, or a thief, I don't care which," giving a drunken chuckle. +"Drink, Pierre," said he, handing him a flagon of wine with a trembling +hand. + +Pierre took the goblet and drained it to the last drop. + +Vigneau took it again, and looked into it for a moment with maudlin +pensiveness, as though he could scarcely realise that it was really the +bottom he gazed at. But the quarrelsome humour in him was never so +rampant as when he was in his cups. + +"There's a pint of good Rhenish gone, Pierre. Gone, too, into a stomach +that must be about rotted out with Saxon ale by this time." + +"Well, we'll bring them round with soothing draughts of Rhenish, +master." + +"Eh, dog? Not with mine, Pierre. With swill if you like, Pierre! Swill +will do for a hog like you, Pierre! Eh! Do you hear me? Swill will do +for you!" said the Baron, becoming quarrelsome with drunken excitement. + +Fortunately, Pierre was sober, or matters would speedily have become +serious. Checking the rising choler, he said,-- + +"What is to be done with this Saxon--Ethel, as she is called?" + +"What do you know about Ethel, eh? Have you got her, scurvy villain? I +say, have you got her? Answer me that." + +"I told you we had, not a minute since." + +"Eh? Then speak civilly, varlet! Do you know who I am? D---- me, I allow +thy tongue too much licence. I'll not have such impudence from a scurvy +trooper as I've taken lately. I'll teach you I'm a gentleman. Now mark +me, Pierre. Keep a civil distance. I'll not have it," and he began +fumbling for the hilt of his sword. + +"Pshaw!" said Pierre, assuming both a look and a tone of disgust. + +"Eh, churl, what now?" roared Vigneau, in a towering rage, with great +effort staggering to his feet, and after prolonged exertion getting out +his sword, and lunging furiously at Pierre. But the act was too much for +him. Lurching head foremost, the sword's point came ignominiously to the +ground with his weight upon it, to prevent his falling flat. The result +was, his great weight forced it a foot into the ground, from which his +utmost efforts failed to extricate it, Pierre, meanwhile, vanishing from +the tent with a horse-laugh. Vigneau dropped into his seat and stared +vacantly at the point where Pierre had vanished, then at the sword +standing upright in the ground. But his efforts to recall what it was +all about were a total failure. Slowly his bleared eyes closed, and soon +after he slid from his seat to the ground, to sleep off the effects of +the night's debauch. + +"The Baron is drunk and quarrelsome as usual to-night," said Pierre to +his comrades, as he issued from the tent. "Nothing can be done with him +till morning, and if he be not in a pleasanter humour in the morning, +and come down handsome for us, you will have to be led by another, I +trow. Well, we'll finish the business we have begun. Let us take +victuals and a few other things down yonder. It will be a little more +like a habitation, and not so like a sty." + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +A FRUITLESS EMBASSY. + + "A bold, bad man."--Spenser. + + +To return to myself. I paced to and fro in the abbey grounds in anguish +and suspense, waiting for Badger's return, yet almost dreading it, lest +he should bring ill news. But midnight passed, and the small hours of +the morning came on, with no tidings of Ethel. I feared for her personal +safety, and I feared also the effects upon her mind. For I must state +here, for the benefit of the reader, that Ethel's surroundings had been +such as to strongly imbue her mind with the heathenish beliefs of her +ancestors. Her father came of an old viking stock, and rigidly adhered +to the superstitions of his forefathers. He had likewise given to Ethel +a large measure of his stern and aggressive temperament, and had striven +to instil into her mind his own religious beliefs. I had seen also at +times the strange flashing of the fierce fire within her, when deeply +stirred. Yet I saw there were elements of gentleness and delicacy in her +composition, inherited in all probability from her mother, who was +Saxon, and a devout Christian. With my whole energy I had striven, at +the request of her dying mother, to train her in the Christian faith: +but my opportunities had been of a most desultory nature. Then when I +began to hope that my work would be accomplished, this terrible invasion +occurred. Thus efforts to show her how the fierce passions and reckless +bloodshedding of the Norsemen--her father's ancestors--were cruel and +heathenish, and their religion a gross superstition, were frustrated by +this war of usurpation inflicted upon us by a Christian nation, with the +approbation and blessing of the Pope, whilst at the head of their army +they carried sacred banners and holy relics of saints. Thus the +Christian religion was made to sanction bloodshed and massacre, +unsparing and fiendish in its extent and in its mercilessness. In the +train of these professedly Christian soldiery also, there followed +nameless horrors and offences, which outdid the excesses of Norseman and +Dane tenfold. But, worse than all, her father and her two brothers had +been massacred--their home levelled--and she, having to fly to the +shelter of the sanctuary, only found that the sanctuary was no sanctuary +to her, and no protection against violence and brutality. It is utterly +impossible to imagine any one more completely shorn of every prop and +stay than she was; and I feared much also for her faith. I knew that +there was that in her which would not permit her to tamely submit to +indignities. But where would her revolt end? + +Well, feeling that it would be better to be doing something to effect +her rescue than to be absorbed in these painful cogitations, I decided I +would start at once for the Norman camp. It was a long and a weary tramp +in the darkness through the forest, but still, I hoped, by patient +plodding forward, I should reach the camp by daylight. Happily I found I +had not overrated my powers. As I drew near, I was challenged by the +outpost. There was a considerable parleying, and a determination evinced +to prevent my farther advance. But my sacred calling, coupled with the +fact that I was unarmed, and that it was now broad daylight, ultimately +prevailed, and I was conducted to a tent not far from the one occupied +by Lady Alice de Montfort, with whom, after some time, I received an +audience, and whom we will in future call Alice. To her I related all +that I knew of the outrage, with such description of the persons taking +part in it as I had been able to gather. From my description of the +leader, she had no difficulty in identifying Pierre as the man. + +"Well, Father, I may as well tell you at the outset, that this is what I +expected. I warned this Saxon lady of the risks she ran by staying at +the monastery, but I could not persuade her to accept my protection." + +"She has been a great sufferer, gracious madame," I replied, "during +these wars; and she was, no doubt, greatly afraid. Probably, also, she +was greatly averse to joining your camp; though it was unquestionably a +generous offer on your part." + +"Well, reverend Father, I am not saying this to excuse my inaction now, +but I assure you from what I know, and what I suspect of the +participants in this outrage, that it would have been far easier to keep +the prey from the jaws of the lion than it will be to force his den and +wrest it from him. I will do my utmost, I assure you. Jeannette," said +she, turning to her maid, "let our guest have some refreshment, for he +will be weary and faint, I am sure." So saying, she departed I know not +where. + +She returned in the course of half an hour; but she gave me little hope +of success, though she said the Count, her father, had gone out in quest +of the persons whom he suspected. She was most gracious to me, and asked +most anxiously as to whether we were treated properly by the soldiers +quartered upon us. I suspected very strongly that the comparative +immunity from personal molestation we had hitherto enjoyed arose in +great part from her goodwill and protection. She asked many questions +with regard to our books; to our endowments; especially to the great +relief we had been able to extend to the poor, and to strangers. I was +highly impressed, not only with the charms of her person, but with her +highly cultivated mind, and gracious demeanour. + +I hastened my departure with as little delay as decency would permit; +for to tell the truth, I was driven back upon my first hopes, that +Badger's cunning and prowess would be equal to the emergency. I was thus +extremely anxious to get me back to the monastery, that I might learn +how he had fared. So I hurried over the open plain, and gat me into the +forest as quickly as I could. For in very deed I felt myself anything +but safe, as I noticed jealous eyes watching me narrowly. But I had +scarcely entered the forest when I found myself in the presence of the +ungodly Norman who had desecrated the sanctuary, and endeavoured to +carry off Ethel--whom, also, I strongly suspected of being at the bottom +of this latest outrage. I involuntarily crossed myself, and uttered a +prayer for help, for I felt instinctively that I had myself in very +truth fallen into the jaws of the lion. + +"Well, shaveling," said he, "thou hast said thy prayers, I perceive. +Thou hast done well to be prepared, lest the devil should get thee. What +has been thy errand to the camp so early? Be explicit and prompt, or +thou wilt rue it." + +"I have had particular business there, my lord." + +"I knew that already, dolt! Let us have details. With whom hast thou had +business?" + +"With Lady de Montfort." + +"So I thought. What was the matter that disturbed your saintly bosom, +old smooth-pate? Out with it!" + +"There has been an outrage committed upon us, and one of our refugees +carried off by force from the monastery." + +"Ah! that was terrible! So you first despatched a posse of your +bog-trotting Saxon churls to murder two of my men; then you dragged your +battered old shins through the woods, to raise a hullaballoo at the +camp. It was well done. Now, what shall I give you for your trouble? I +think a broken neck is about your deserts." + +So, without more ado, he laid violent hands upon me, and tore my cloak +from my back. Then he tried to strangle me; but I had been stout of +limb, and agile as any of my fellows, when I was young, so I resisted +with all my might. I was delighted to find, in spite of the disadvantage +of a score of years, he was more blown than I was. Eventually, I was +able to slip from his grasp, and immediately took to my heels. He was +younger, but stout and bulky; and I found in this point, also, I was +greatly his superior, and quickly increased the distance between us. So +he gave up the chase, and permitted me for the time being to go in +peace. For this wonderful deliverance I gave God thanks. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +OSWALD'S DEFENCE OF HIS CASTLE. + + "Cry 'Havock!' and let slip the dogs of war."--Shakespeare. + + +In the meantime, the Normans had made diligent preparation for an +assault on the castle. Now the castle could not be described as a very +formidable stronghold, or one designed to withstand a regular siege. It +had been built mainly to resist the incursions of the Scots, who +periodically raided in force into these parts, their purpose being +plunder and cattle-lifting. They overran the country quickly, getting +them back as speedily as possible, before the Saxons had time to +concentrate, so that no very great powers of resistance were needed to +repel them, or weary them. Occasionally also the Danes carried fire and +sword to our parts; but since the conquest of Northumbria and the north +of England generally, by Halfdane, and the settlement of so many of his +followers in the land, we had not been afflicted much with their +incursions in this part of the kingdom, during my lifetime. Thus, the +strength of the castle being sufficient for our hereditary foes, it +still was not such as would be likely to long resist the experienced and +numerous foes now pitched before it. The castle itself stood on an +eminence; was built of good solid masonry, with a battlemented tower +rising from its centre, but without any special design. It was +strengthened by a wall which ran completely round, forming a spacious +enclosure, in which cattle could be speedily and safely housed in cases +of emergency. This wall was lofty and fairly proportioned, but its great +length made it difficult to man by the handful of Saxon defenders. It is +well also to note that, as in the case of nearly all the strongholds of +the land, it was provided with a secret passage, known only to the +trusted followers of Oswald--a passage which could be entered by the +initiated at a certain place in the circular stair which led to the +turret. This underground passage had an emerging place, carefully +concealed in a dense wood some distance away. + +In a very few days the Normans had prepared themselves with scaling +ladders, and had cut long poles from the forest for the purpose of +pushing the defenders from the wall. Mantelets were prepared of boards +fastened together, behind which the attacking parties could advance on +the defenders, without exposing themselves to the arrows and javelins +which would be hurled at them. The leaders also had pavises, or large +shields, which covered the person from head to foot. The time had now +come when the assault might be made, it was believed, with impunity, so +the Norman forces were put into battle array, a small number only being +appointed to the task of protecting the women and the camp. + +It was a fine sight to see these disciplined men as they moved to the +attack in orderly array. Everything bore evidence to the fact that the +plan of attack, and the marshalling and disposition of the forces, was +the work of a competent general, one who was well versed in the art of +war. + +The Norman bowmen were thrown out in companies on either flank, for the +protection of the forces who were to conduct the assault, and also for +the purpose of distracting and harassing the defenders as they strove to +repel the attack of the besiegers. + +It needed little military knowledge to see that the issue could not be +doubtful. The meagre band of Saxons, stretched in thin line over the +extent of wall, could never hold it against the multitude who swarmed to +the attack. Oswald alone, of all the Saxons, was fully equipped for the +resistance of the clouds of barbed arrows about to be poured amongst +them. His second in command, Wulfhere, was partly clad in a light coat +of mail; but, for the most part, leathern jerkins were the only +protection they had. Had it been an attack in the open, in which the +forces were equal, these rough Saxons would have given a good account of +themselves. Any one of them could have been depended upon to bring down +a stag at a hundred paces. Whilst, if it had been a hand-to-hand +struggle with their broadswords, or their pikes, they would have fought +with the ferocity of tigers. But here they were outnumbered by ten to +one, and so circumstanced that they could not hurl themselves upon their +adversaries, and by sheer bravery strike terror into their ranks. They +must wait to be attacked, and for every arrow they shot, and for every +javelin they flung, there would be half a dozen returned. + +Vigneau, Reynard, Jules Reynard and other leaders, were grouped together +with De Montfort, who gave orders for successive movements of the +besiegers, as though, with the prevision which comes of a carefully +matured plan, he could see every act of the stirring drama about to be +enacted. + +Now the order for assault is given. The attacking party, with their +mantelets mounted on rude wheels, steadily advance across the plain, the +archers disposing themselves to the right and left in advance of the +main body, giving the attacking forces the form of a crescent. The +archers, dodging adroitly beneath the trees, were able to get near the +wall, thus threatening to put the defenders between a cross fire. The +Saxons, with bow in hand and pike at their feet, but without a shout or +the wasting of a single arrow, stood grimly awaiting the onset. The +Norman archers commenced the attack by letting fly a volley of arrows, +but at too great a distance to be effective. Some of them fell short, +and the others were easily dodged by the Saxons, who, as yet, had no +pressing call upon their attention. But now the attacking party draw +near, and, as they do so, they become more exposed. At a signal from +Oswald a stinging volley of arrows from the Saxons come hissing amongst +them with galling effect. At this the pace of the besiegers is +quickened, and their archers are quickly within distance to do deadly +execution with their arrows. + +The Saxons, too, find it necessary to let go their bows, and grasp their +javelins and spears to deal with foes in close contact, who by this time +have begun to scale the wall. The foremost Normans were met with a +merciless slaughter, and it is probable that never a Norman that day +would have kept a foothold on the wall had it not been for the support +of their archers. These, being now at close quarters, pour their arrows +in pitiless showers into the ranks of the defenders, and many a stout +Saxon falls with dozens of these barbed messengers of death in his body. +Where the attack is hottest, the Saxons reel and stagger, a foothold on +the wall is gained, and the Normans are swarming upon it. Oswald +immediately dashes to the spot and his battle-axe descends in thunder +strokes. Right and left the Normans are beaten down before him; and, +with a shout, the Saxons signal the wall clear again. + +But the respite is brief, for quickly Oswald's attention is directed +elsewhere by the loud shouts of the Normans. He turns a hurried glance +thitherward, only to see that the Normans there have gained a foothold +on the wall, and are rapidly overbearing his handful of men, though +Wulfhere manfully stems the tide, and deals out to the Normans many a +deadly blow. In a moment, Oswald also is on the spot to the rescue, and +once more the tide of victory smiles upon the Saxon cause. Again it is +only for a brief span, for like an oncoming and resistless tide the +Normans surge upon the wall, and beat back the slender ranks of the +Saxons. One advantage, however, the Saxons now reap; the combatants are +so mingled in one deadly hand-to-hand struggle, that the Norman archers +dare not let fly their shafts, and can only stand, and, with bated +breath, watch the sanguinary struggle. + +In the distance yonder, and at the entrance to the tent, there stand +Alice and her maid Jeannette, who shudderingly watch the carnage +proceed. Oswald and Wulfhere are now fighting back to back, with shield +on arm, and having exchanged their axes for their broadswords. Together +they cleave down the ranks of the enemy, until like sheep they quail +before these stalwart Saxons. + +"What matchless valour this pair of Saxon chieftains display, Jeannette! +If ever heroism and valour deserved to win a battle, surely this is the +time!" + +"How frightened our men-at-arms seem to be!" said Jeannette. "Do you see +how frantically the Baron raves there at the foot of the wall, and +shouts at the men? He boasts him of his valour. Why does he not mount +the wall and face this Saxon?" + +"What human lives are being sacrificed! 'Tis most dreadful! May God send +us peace quickly!" murmured Alice, shading her eyes at the spectacle +before her. "These are our people, Jeannette, but I must confess my +sympathies are with the Saxons. This leader, too, defends his home with +the courage of a hero. God grant he may not fall into the hands of our +men alive, or he will be tortured with fiendish brutality for this day's +work!" + +The struggle still proceeds with gathering intensity and fierceness. +Baron Vigneau, indeed, as Jeannette had described him, does rave and +gesticulate frantically. "Down with him! Now, men, rush on him two or +three together! Close with him! Push him from the wall! Hurl something +at him!" But nevertheless he makes no effort to mount the wall himself. + +De Montfort also stands there nervously directing the attack. "Here, +man," said he, to a stalwart soldier by his side, "heave up this long +pole and aim a blow at the Saxon." The man heaves up the pole, and, with +a run and a powerful blow, he struck Oswald on the head. The blow +completely staggers the Saxon; for a moment or two he hovers on the edge +of the wall endeavouring to recover his balance; but, alas! it is all in +vain, and he drops, with his heavy harness on, down into the castle yard +a dozen feet or more. + +At this untoward event the Saxons, in a perfect panic, rush for the +drawbridge thrown across to the wall from one of the barbicans, and +intended as a means of retreat by Oswald in the last resort. But the +Normans have intercepted them and cut them off from this, and the +custodians, seeing that this would be seized by the Normans, immediately +withdraw it. Then the Saxons wildly leap from the wall, and for dear +life's sake, rush like hunted hares, for the neighbouring thicket. + +For a little while attention is distracted from the fallen chieftain by +the efforts of the Normans to cut off these flying Saxons. But down +there in the castle yard lies Oswald, stunned, bleeding, and insensible; +helpless to fight or to fly. Wulfhere witnesses the helpless condition +of his leader, and down he leaps and lifts him up and detaches his +visor. As he does so, a deep sob escapes from the parted lips of Oswald; +but there is no further sign of life or returning consciousness. + +Whilst this has been transpiring, the attention of the Normans has been +distracted from the leaders by the necessity to clear the walls of the +few Saxons who, disdaining to seek safety in flight, die fighting most +determinedly at their posts. Now, however, the Normans turn their +attention to the two Saxon leaders entrapped within the castle yard. +Immediately they send up a yell of fiendish delight, as they behold the +almost frantic efforts of Wulfhere to arouse his unconscious master, and +restore him to his senses. + +But 'twas in vain. Oswald's head had been rudely jammed by the steel +helmet in the shock of falling; and it was soon apparent to Wulfhere +that the brief respite was now exhausted, without bringing any signs of +returning consciousness. He threw his left arm around the waist of his +helpless chieftain, and drew him, harness and all, upon his hip, and, +grasping his broadsword in his right hand, he made with all the speed he +could command for the door of the castle, hoping by this manoeuvre to +gain time. + +But the stalwart and muscular form of Oswald, encumbered as it was by +heavy armour, made progress painfully slow. In the meantime, the Normans +reversed their scaling ladders and slid down into the quadrangle, and +came trooping after the fugitives. Wulfhere saw his task was hopeless, +and with a cry of pain like a wounded deer he dropped his helpless +burthen on the greensward, and, furious as some wild beast, sprang at +the yelling foe, cutting down the foremost at a blow. Following up the +others, who quailed before him, he quickly laid half a dozen corpses in +a ghastly circle round his master. But there was no end to the stream of +furious assailants who were fast surrounding him. "'Tis in vain!" he +pitifully exclaimed. "Oh, had I here but a score of stout men to make a +rampart of steel, we would defy the yelling crew! God forgive me for +this coward's act, my master! I would gladly die with you, but I know I +shall better do your will by reserving my worthless life for service to +your followers." + +So saying, he bounded over the prostrate form of Oswald, and across the +sward, mounting the half-dozen steps at the terrace entrance at a +spring, and dashing through the open door. + +The Normans followed him in concert; but when it became a question of +single file to pass the portal, without knowing whether Wulfhere was +lurking within, why then they in "honour preferred one another," with +the result that they one and all ceased following Wulfhere, and +courageously returned to help their fellows to heap indignities upon the +prostrate Earl. + +Meanwhile, the gates had been burst open and the Norman soldiers, camp +followers and all, had pressed into the enclosure, Alice and Jeannette, +with the women, bringing up the rear. + +"Whatever are they clambering and yelling so about, Jeannette? Is it the +dead chieftain?" + +"I think so, my lady. They are like wolves worrying their prey." + +"It is a pity so brave a man should perish. If he be not dead I will +beseech my father for his life; though I am afraid it will be to little +purpose." + +"See, my lady, he is not dead; he is standing up." + +Oswald had recovered consciousness, and, stripped of his helmet, looked +around, though deathly pale and half-dazed. + +"Do not kill him, men!" roared Vigneau. "We'll have some sport +to-morrow, and then you may cut his throat if he survives." + +"Do you hear what that beast in human form is saying, Jeannette?" + +"It is horrible, my lady. Let us go away; I am quite sickened." + +"Stay a minute, Jeannette. Let us have a good look at him. How pale he +is! But look at his noble countenance--handsome and expressive as a +hero's should be! Such countenances have men only who live temperately +and think purely. Contrast, Jeannette, the blotched and bleared +countenance of Vigneau. There is a tell-tale and an index at once to the +beastly life and foul imagination. How my heart revolts at the sight of +him! I would prefer the touch of a vampire." + +Meanwhile, Wulfhere threaded his way by a path familiar to him, until he +reached the foot of the circular stair which led to the turret, +ascending which, and watching through a loophole, he heard the command +to spare Oswald's life until the morrow. + +"Thank Heaven! Whilst there is life there is hope. If a desperate effort +to rescue him will succeed, I count upon a few daring spirits to venture +it." + +But the tramp of heavy feet resounding through the corridors warned him +to delay no longer. Turning his face towards a farther ascent, he ran +his hand along the wall in the darkness until the feel of a certain +stone arrested his attention, applying his strength to which, it slowly +revolved, disclosing an aperture into which a man might drop. + +Into this aperture Wulfhere disappeared; and the stone revolved to its +place again. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +ALICE DE MONTFORT SETS FREE THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN. + + "O woman! lovely woman! nature made thee + To temper man; we had been brutes without you." + + Otway. + + +It was only by the exercise of the utmost energy that the soldiery and +camp followers of the Normans were prevented from looting the castle. +They were somewhat appeased by an unlimited supply of ale from the +cellars, and promises of money. Bonfires were lit in the enclosure, and +carcasses of sheep and oxen roasted thereat, the whole resolving itself +into a grand carousal of drinking, singing, and rough jollity. A certain +number of the better class were admitted to the castle, where the same +kind of thing was repeated in much the same fashion. + +In the large hall the leaders feasted and drank with little more of +refinement and seemliness than the vulgar people, except that they drank +wine and mead. + +"Well, Captain Reynard!" said the Count. "Is all well?" + +"All well, sire; the gates secured, the place explored, and, I think I +may add, the Saxons so thoroughly routed and cowed that they will have +little stomach for more fighting yet awhile." + +"That may be; but I fancy we should be found very unprepared if they +dared venture an attempt to rescue their leader." + +"You may depend upon me, Count, to keep a sharp look-out; I shall not +close my eyes in sleep until the sun rises to-morrow. But I have no fear +the Saxons will attempt a rescue. As I said, they are so thoroughly +beaten, and the remnant so glad to be able to escape with their lives, +that they will venture no more." + +An exceedingly busy and anxious time was spent by Alice and her maids in +their efforts to protect the domestics left in charge from the drunken +frolics of both officers and men-at-arms. This would have been a task +utterly beyond their powers but for the watchful eye and stern +discipline of the Count, who, despising the drunken excesses of his +lieutenants, with ceaseless care and watchfulness kept watch and ward +within and without the castle. + +Alice and Jeannette, too, with the curiosity of their sex, and with +ever-increasing interest, explored the rooms of the castle, marvelling +greatly at the many tokens of taste and refinement manifested therein, +and which they little expected to find in the castle of a Saxon +chieftain. + +Said Alice, "My interest grows strangely from day to day, Jeannette, in +this Saxon chieftain. I see no evidence of the boorishness I have always +associated with the lives of the Barons of England. Now also that he is +in such sore distress, and hath so sad a fate before him, my heart +grieves sorely for him." + +"Yes, my lady, I cannot help thinking that these Saxons would despise +the beastly orgies proceeding under this roof, and outside." + +"Yes, Jeannette; but what will it be on the morrow, when this Saxon is +given over to their cruelty? It makes my blood curdle! Would I knew how +to set him free! My heart tells me it would be an act of mercy done to +my own people as well as to him; for to spare my people the humiliation +and degradation of the morrow's inhumanity were indeed a good deed, +whether they would appreciate it or not." + +"My lady, if you wish it, I warrant we can do it. I know how to set +about it. Paul Lazaire mounts guard, and I can coax the simpleton into +obeying me. I declare if I had to bid him stand on his head he would do +it." + +"But, Jeannette, that would probably get Paul into trouble. Perhaps it +would cost him his life. That would not do." + +"Well, if you will not let me manage Paul, I cannot tell how to help +you." + +"But cannot we manage it without implicating Paul. I could make a +sleeping draught which would put him to rest speedily." + +"Oh, that would be fine, my lady! Just the very thing! Put it in some +mulled ale, and I will dose him." + +"But how then, Jeannette? Have we courage to open the prison doors? I am +afraid our nerves would fail us down in those damp and ghostly cells." + +"Not at all, my lady. I will go; my heart will not fail me, for it would +just suit me to do it." + +"Well, it sounds strange we should thus plot to deceive our people; but +my heart prompts me to do this deed, come what may." + +"Yes, let us do it; but, as I said, let it be mulled ale, for I declare +ale is never too muddy for them, and they will drink it, no matter what +stuff you put in it." + +"But how shall we convey it to him when it is made? That is our next +difficulty, Jeannette." + +"Oh, I'll convey it, never fear for me, lady. The little soft is fool +enough to think I admire him. It will be such fun! I shall almost burst +with laughter when he gulps it down. I'll take him a tit-bit also, for +his supper. The simpleton will be overjoyed, and I expect he'll begin +maundering something about love," and Jeannette clapped her hands and +skipped about gleefully. This was a matter that just jumped with her +madcap humour, and her high spirits could any time carry her through a +frolic of this sort; but when fairly cornered, her nerves were subject +to complete collapse, and she became as helpless as any bird before the +swoop of a hawk, unable to do anything but cower and helplessly flutter. + +"Really, Jeannette, I think you treat this poor fellow rather too +badly," said Alice. + +"It's only a joke, my lady. I like to tease him, he amuses me so!" + +"Well, get him some supper, then, and I will make him some mulled ale. +For this once, at least, we must ignore our consciences; but indeed, I +almost think the end will justify the means, for this worthy Saxon +deserves some better fate than the one awaiting him, and I care not if I +permit the claims of humanity and of chivalry to triumph, even though it +be at the expense of my own people, of whose cruelty and greed I am +heartily ashamed." + +The evening hours were advancing rapidly towards the twelfth. Much of +the clamour of the early hours of the night was effectually hushed in +the drunken slumbers of both officers and men, and at the dread hour the +attempt at rescue was to be made; so Jeannette, fortifying herself for +her humorous but somewhat daring feat, tripped boldly along the +corridors, torch in hand, bearing the repast prepared for her would-be +lover. + +"There, you false man, that is a great deal too good for you!" she said, +accosting Paul Lazaire, who was mounting guard over the cell in which +Oswald was confined, and who, in great trepidation and fear, shrank +before the ghostly advent of an unknown and muffled visitant at the +dread hour of night. + +"Oh! goodness me, my pretty Jeannette, is it you? I was quite startled. +I thought it was a ghost, and I declare it's an angel." + +"You thought it was that ugly Saxon wench I caught you kissing, you +false man! That is what you thought." + +"Tush, tush, Jeannette! Whenever will you forget that? You know I love +only you. Give me a kiss, and let us be friends. I vow I will never look +at another Saxon wench as long as I live." + +"Now, get off with you, if you please. You make a mistake if you think I +am going to be kissed by you, when you are so fond of kissing any dirty +hussy you meet." + +"Now, don't, my fiery little wife! This is too bad--too bad for +anything, Jeannette! You never have done with it." + +"Don't you imagine you will have me for a wife unless you mend your +manners very greatly. You shall have that dirty hussy of a Saxon for a +wife, and I will have Jaques Leroux. He is a smarter man than you are, +any day; and if I but put up my finger to him, he will run after me." + +"You don't mean it, Jeannette! Now, don't be cruel! You might just as +well say that you love me, for I know you do at heart, and you are only +teasing me, as usual. I know you wouldn't have brought me this nice +supper if you hadn't thought something of me. Now, isn't it so, +Jeannette? Just give me a kiss, and say you forgive me for that Saxon +wench, and then I shall be happy;" and Paul endeavoured gallantly to +plant a kiss on Jeannette's rosy cheek. + +"Here, get off, will you, or else I'll scratch you!" said Jeannette, +violently pushing Paul away. "I'm not going to go shares with a dirty +Saxon. Mark that, Paul Lazaire! You will have to mend your manners +before you kiss me, I can tell you that much!" + +"There you go again, Jeannette. You never will forget about that Saxon +wench, I do believe; and you know it was only a joke." + +"Now, just get your supper, and give up fooling, will you? or your ale +will be cold, and I shall go away and leave you," was the very +irresponsive reply of the dame. + +Paul was really madly in love with Jeannette, but still he had to spare +a considerable amount of affection for the steaming tankard of mulled +ale and the victuals, which she had brought him. So he raised the +tankard to his lips, and gave a hearty drink. + +"Bravo, Jeannette!" said he, smacking his lips. "What a lovely brew it +is to be sure! How it warms the pit of my stomach! You'll make me a +happy man some day, I do declare, Jeannette." + +"Now you are fooling again!" said Jeannette, giggling most immoderately +at the gusto with which, unsuspectingly, he swallowed the potion. "Now, +get your supper. I cannot spend the whole night with you here. So be +quick, or I shall be missed." + +Thus exhorted, Paul fell on the victuals with right good will, and +drained to the dregs the tankard of spiced ale, all the while +interspersing his feeding by casting pitiful glances at Jeannette, which +made that mercurial young damsel giggle more immoderately still. + +"Don't go, Jeannette," said he beseechingly, as Jeannette was about to +turn away. "It is a long time to the next watch, and you can't imagine +how creepy I feel in this passage, with that fearful Saxon inside +clanking his irons, and tearing about, and not a soul within call if he +should break loose." + +"Is that the cell in which he is confined?" + +"Yes, but he is very quiet just now. Perhaps he hears us talking; but I +can hear him tugging at the chains sometimes as though he would tear the +place down. He makes me feel as if next moment he'd burst open the door, +and murder me. He is a most desperate fellow. You should have seen how +he fought on that wall; and there was another one who escaped, a fearful +man, too, at his weapons." + +"Oh, I saw them, and I noticed how frightened you all were into the +bargain. But are those the keys you have at your girdle?" + +"Yes; this is the one for the door, and this other one for the +manacles," said Paul, holding up a pair of rusty keys to Jeannette's +view. "I wish the watch was over," he added, shuddering, "or I had _un +bon camarade_." + +"Eh, bien! bon nuit, mon bonhomme," said Jeannette, gathering up the +empty tankard, and flitting along the lonesome corridors back again to +her mistress, who was waiting with feverish impatience for her return. + +"What news have you, Jeannette? Did all go well?" + +"Beautiful, my lady. He drank the ale, and praised it finely. I knew he +would do that, for those horrid men always praise ale. But the wonder to +me is that the beastly stuff did not turn his stomach." + +"Did you see the cell, then, in which the Saxon is confined?" + +"Yes; and Paul showed me which is the key for the door, and which is for +the manacles; for he is chained fast to the wall, it appears." + +"Oh, dear, I wish it was over, for I tremble from head to foot. It is a +desperate enterprise, and would be both rash and indelicate if the +mercifulness of it did not demand the sacrifice. Dost thou fear to +venture it, Jeannette?" + +"Not a bit, my lady; I like to outwit those men folk, for they count us +nothing, and it will be such a joke to see their blank looks in the +morning! And won't the Baron rage and swear at the men-at-arms?" + +"Oh, do hush, you foolish child, it is far too serious to jest about. I +wish your courage and lightheartedness may not fail you before our task +is accomplished! If a merciful Heaven do not help us, I fear me we shall +never accomplish our purpose." + +"Let us make vow to Notre Dame, before we venture, that we will repeat +fifty Aves and Credos if she help us, and give twenty silver pennies to +the holy Father at the next gathering of the Romescot."[1] + +[Footnote 1: Peter's pence.] + +"Well, we will see about that; but we had better get ready, for the +draught will soon take effect upon this sweetheart of yours." + +"Stuff, my lady! He is a little finikin fellow, and simple to boot. I do +but tease him. He amuses me so much I really cannot help joking him." + +Ere long these two frail women stole along the lonesome passages, having +fortified themselves as best they could for their task. Alice was +dreadfully nervous, but determined of purpose. Jeannette, however, was +jaunty enough at starting, and had it been the congenial task of +tricking poor Paul Lazaire, her volatile temperament would have carried +her through; but she soon began to manifest, by many hysterical starts, +that this dramatic adventure, which might become a tragedy, was telling +powerfully upon her nerves. + +They soon reached the place, however, where, as they anticipated, Paul +was found in a state of blissful insensibility to either friend or foe. +He had speedily felt the soothing effect of the drug, and had sat down +with his back to the wall. But he had quickly slidden from that position +and was now lying flat along, in a sound sleep, and breathing heavily. + +"Oh, dear!" almost shrieked Jeannette, as she witnessed Paul's +insensible condition. "He's not dead, is he, my lady?" + +"No, he is not, you simpleton! Now let us be quick, Jeannette! Reach the +keys from his girdle. May Heaven help us!" said Alice, devoutly crossing +herself. But she dared not give utterance to her fears in presence of +her maid, whose condition was plainly visible to her. + +Jeannette snatched the keys from Paul's girdle, and Alice thrust the +clumsy piece of metal into the door; but she had to apply her utmost +strength ere the rusty bolt shot back with a loud snap. Then, applying +her strength to the heavy oaken door, it recoiled slowly on its rusty +hinges, with a horrid, creaking noise which grated fearfully on the +excited nerves of the pair. Immediately, as the torch's flickering light +fell dimly across the cell, their eyes fell upon the captive chief, who +was chained to the wall by heavy chains, but nevertheless stood erect, +with distended nostrils, clenched hands, and threatening attitude. He +was evidently expecting a midnight assassin, and though manacled and +bound hand and foot, he would fight it out to the end. Alice started +back, trembling violently, as she beheld the fierce attitude of Oswald; +and the last spark of Jeannette's courage disappeared, for, with a +shriek, she clutched the arm of her mistress and tried to drag her away. + +"Hush, Jeannette! Be still," cried Alice beseechingly; "we shall be +discovered if you do not be quiet." + +The scene was a graphic one truly. The two timid women stood on the +threshold of the cell, cowed by the savage attitude of the captive, and +afraid to advance a step, though bent on doing a deed of mercy. Oswald +also was strangely bewildered at the sight of such gentle visitors; for, +as the torch was held aloft, the uncertain light revealed to him the +forms of two timid and graceful women, and one of them, at least, +bearing evidence of gentle blood and gentle manners. His muscles relaxed +and his manacled hands fell to his side, and the heavy irons clanked +horribly in the vaulted cell. This still further terrified the visitors, +and Jeannette, whose nerves were at their utmost tension, with a shriek +involuntarily bounded over the sleeping form of Paul Lazaire, and fled +like the wind along the corridors, leaving her mistress alone with the +captive chieftain. The awful silence was broken by Oswald, who said, "Be +not afraid, gentle lady. I was expecting some red-handed murderer and +the cold steel; but methinks so fair a messenger should bear a message +of mercy." + +"We have at least a merciful intent, Saxon. We saw your brave defence of +the castle, and we would fain set you free if we can, for we know the +brutal designs of some of our people, and we would save our own people +from dishonour, and you from a cruel death." + +"Ah! then pity still exists in the breast of woman! I thought the world +was emptied of such things." + +"This can never be, sir knight, whilst honour and chivalry inspire the +deeds of knights and warriors; for such can never fail to inspire the +sympathies of us weak women." + +"Will you dare, then, fair lady, to carry out your beneficent purpose, +and give me my liberty again, enemy though I be to thy people?" + +"I have counted all costs, sir knight; and I dare, if so be that my +woman's strength can effect it." + +"Here is my right hand, then. Ten thousand blessings on your woman's +heart if you can set it free once more!" + +As he spoke he stretched out his right arm, loaded with the heavy and +rusty fetters. + +Alice boldly advanced and thrust the key into the lock, but her utmost +strength was insufficient to force back the catch, whilst Oswald's +fetters prevented him from reaching one hand with the other. Alice +unloosed from her shoulders a collarette of rich lace, and wrapped it +round the rusty key, the angles of which hurt her hand. Then, applying +again her utmost strength, happily she succeeded in forcing back the +stubborn bolt, and thus liberating Oswald's right hand. + +[Illustration: ALICE DE MONTFORT SETS FREE THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN.] + +"Thank Heaven for a limb at liberty! My good right hand, too," said he, +stretching it to its utmost length for very joy. "Give me the key, now, +fair lady, for I can myself undo the rest." Soon, one by one, the +fetters were stripped off from his cramped and lacerated limbs, and he +bounded from them free. Falling on his knees before Alice, he seized her +hand and pressed it to his lips, exclaiming, "Tell me the name of my +benefactress, lady, for it shall be enshrined in my memory for ever." + +"I am Alice de Montfort, and that was my maid," said Alice timidly, and +blushing crimson. + +"Alice de Montfort!" said Oswald, starting to his feet as one bewildered +at the avowal. Then, seizing the other trembling hand, he passionately +exclaimed, "Nay, never blush, lady! So noble a name, so fair a form, and +so generous a deed are worthily associated." + +"Alas! I fear me, sir knight, some men, if they knew that I thus acted +falsely to my father and to my people, would despise me; but I have +learnt to despise the opinions of men, when the cause of humanity and of +chivalry claims my feeble help. We noticed your brave defence of your +home, and the evil fortune which befel you; and we two weak women were +overtaken with pity, which is our woman's weakness. Thus we have +ventured this deed. I would you should accept it as some atonement for +the violence and greed of my people. But tarry not, sir knight, I +beseech you, lest this act be marred ere it be accomplished." + +"How can I express my gratitude to you, gentle lady, for adventuring so +much in order that you might give me my life! But I would that the curse +of Heaven may be upon me as an ingrate, if I forget, even for an hour, +the debt I owe to you, and, if opportunity serve, I return not with +interest to thee and thine this act of mercy done to me in my extremity. +But the time is urgent, as you say. So adieu, lady." + +"Stay, sir knight; there is one other point--how will you make good your +escape? Had you not better go with us to our women's quarters? Then we +may devise with greater leisure some further means to ensure your +escape." + +"If you will but lend me your cloak, lady, to disguise my form, I know +this castle's resources, and I shall not fail to make my escape. As a +token of this, I will leave the cloak at the foot of the stair leading +to the tower. Adieu, lady! We shall meet again under happier auspices." + +So saying, he bounded from the dungeon and disappeared in the darkness. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +BARON VIGNEAU BAULKED OF HIS REVENGE. + + "Midnight brought on the dusky hour, + Friendliest to sleep and silence." + + Milton. + + +The pall of darkness is spread over the face of Nature, and the bold +outlines of the mountains are shrouded in its embrace. Under cover of +the darkness, a cordon of vigilant and daring sentinels are closing in +upon the castle and its carousing inmates. One stealthy figure glides +peeringly from tree to tree amongst the clump of towering chestnuts, +until he reaches one near the wall, when, throwing his legs around it, +and catching hold of the tough and sinewy shoots in the bole, he mounts +aloft, and perches daringly amid the branches of the tree, watching the +remnant of the Normans who still are able to keep up the orgie. But most +of them are now fast in the arms of a sodden sleep. + +Another figure, on hands and knees, with snake-like motion has left the +thicket of laurel, hazels, and flowering currants at the foot of the +slope in front, and wriggles his way up the rising ground on which the +castle is built, until he comes daringly close to the wall; whilst the +short, sharp scream of the night-owl, issuing from first one point and +then another, tells that concerted action is afoot. The secret of it is, +that Wulfhere has rallied a band of the hardiest Saxons, if needs be, to +dare a desperate deed of rescue on behalf of their captive chieftain. +Many a fierce Saxon, with naked sword and eagerly listening ear, is +lurking around, ready for any deed that may be required of him. + +Wulfhere and a trusty comrade are standing together at the foot of a +gigantic oak in an adjoining wood. The capacious trunk tells that for +many centuries it has looked down upon its contemporaries. The decayed +and verdureless branches, clustered around its centre, tell also that +the process of decay has been progressing for a longer span of time than +is permitted in the life of mortals. If we ascend it for a few yards we +shall find that, just where its stout limbs divide themselves from the +bole, a yawning cavern has taken the place of its once stout heart, into +which a man would find no difficulty in descending. + +"I think there are none of the enemy on the alert, and we may venture," +said Wulfhere to his companion. So saying, he mounted the tree and +disappeared in the recess, and, sliding down until he reached the +ground, he quietly removed some leaves and other _débris_; then there +was visible a trap-door, which he raised, revealing a flight of steps, +which he descended, followed by his companion. Drawing forth a horn +lantern, with tinder-box and flint, he struck a light, and the pair +began slowly marching along in the direction of the castle. But they had +not proceeded very far before they were saluted by a familiar voice. + +"What ho, Wulfhere! what are you venturing?" + +After the first violent consternation, Wulfhere found his tongue. + +"We essayed a rescue, my lord, but you have saved us the trouble. How is +this? We scarcely hoped to find you alive at this time, much less a free +man." + +"A miracle, Wulfhere! I account it a miracle, for I am as one given back +from the dead. But more anon. Let us haste for the present, for I +tremble lest it should turn out that it is but a dream, and that there +will follow a horrid awakening." + +The trio quickly retraced their steps, and stood together in the wood, +Wulfhere uttering a series of peculiar calls well known to every Saxon +comprising the band of rescuers. Quickly, one by one, they rallied to +the spot; and when they saw their chieftain safe and well their +demonstrations of joy were most exuberant--almost frantic--many of them +dancing round him like satyrs in the dim light of the wood, each and all +most anxiously demanding by what strange chance he had obtained his +liberty. As they hastily retreated to the hills, Oswald briefly related +to his followers the circumstances of his release by two Norman women, +who at dead of night had boldly opened the prison door and unfettered +him--Oswald carefully laying upon his followers the injunction that no +harm should be done to the Norman women, and that special regard should +be paid to the Norman lady, daughter of Count de Montfort. He also +enjoined upon them the strictest secrecy as to the agents who had taken +part in it. + + * * * * * + +Early on the morrow there was a grand muster of the Norman men-at-arms +in the castle yard. Many of them who had taken part in the assault on +the castle were not followers of the Count, but mercenaries, who were +eager for further advance in quest of plunder. To this multitude who had +fought for him, and stayed their hand from plunder and burning, at his +request, a liberal donative of gold was distributed; and presently +three-fourths of the soldiery shouldered arms and marched northwards to +swell the ranks of the desolating host which carried fire and sword +throughout the north of England, and to the borders of Scotland. +Blood-curdling were the dreadful scenes of slaughter that were enacted; +not less than two hundred thousand Saxons perishing in that ruthless +massacre. + +Alice and Jeannette were astir betimes in the morning also; in fact, +Alice had not closed her eyes during that night of suspense. With +considerable daring, in the morning she and Jeannette passed from room +to room, from basement to roof, in search of evidence that the Saxon had +made good his escape, starting and trembling violently as the wild +shouts of the men fell upon their ears, lest it should be but the herald +of Oswald's recapture. + +"There remains but the tower, Jeannette," said Alice, after they had +explored, as best they could, the various rooms of the castle. So +towards the dismal winding stair of the tower they hastened, and there +in the semi-darkness they came across the cloak which Alice had lent the +fugitive. Then Alice remembered the parting words of the Saxon,--that +'she would find the cloak at the bottom of the stair.' Slowly they +scrambled up these stairs, often-times having literally to grope their +way. When they reached the top they peered anxiously around, but no +trace of Oswald was to be seen. Looking over the battlements, they +beheld Vigneau, Pierre, and a number of men making preparation for what +they considered a morning's sport. Some had fenced round a small +enclosure, and others had kindled a large fire, in which were heating +pincers and long iron spikes wherewith they purposed torturing the Saxon +chieftain. Vigneau, casting a glance up at the castle, perceived Alice +and Jeannette peering over the battlements and watching the fiendish +preparations. + +"Pierre," said Vigneau, "do you see _la grande dame_ watching us? We +shall find her sport soon the mawkish damsel will sicken at, I warrant. +I would like to tie her to the spot and make her look on whether she +will or no." + +"You will win no gracious smiles by this work, I doubt, my lord; it +would have been better done farther away," said Pierre. + +"I neither care for her smiles nor her tears. I have got the hook in her +gills and I'll land her in my own fashion, and she may struggle and +flounder as she will. I can bring her ladyship or her precious sire to +their knees as I like. You shall see presently. But come along, bring +half a dozen of your men with you; we'll have Samson up now." + +So away they hastened to the cells to fetch their prisoner. + +"Jeannette," said Alice, "I am ready to faint! Do you think the Saxon +has escaped? I fear he could never scale that horrid wall; and if he be +but hiding on the roof or in the cells he will be surely caught." + +"If I could push these huge stones upon the Baron's head I would do it +freely," said Jeannette. + +Just at that moment a wild shout came pealing up the stair. + +"Oh, Jeannette," said Alice, "let me sit down! They have found him, I +fear! This is sickening!" + +Just at that moment a soldier was seen to dash from the door of the +castle and fly across the enclosure and through the gate. This was the +sentinel who had taken Paul Lazaire's place; and who, as soon as he +found the prisoner gone had himself fled for life and was seen no more. + +Speedily a hue and cry was raised. The castle was searched within and +without with the utmost minuteness. Vigneau's violence and rage were +fearful, and his demeanour that of a wild beast baulked of his prey. + + It is needless to say that I was well-nigh overjoyed when + Badger brought me the wonderful news of Oswald's deliverance. I + gave God praise, for truly it was little less than a miracle. + Badger, by some means or other, seemed to be constantly in + possession of all information as regarded the movements of the + Normans as well as the Saxons. Truly, he seemed ever on the + alert. By night he was constantly in conference with the + outlaws. Marvellously, also, he gained the goodwill of the + Normans, and he became a repository of all their secrets. + Unfortunately for us, Vigneau and his men quartered themselves + at the abbey; and, fearful for Ethel's safety, I made Badger + the bearer of the following letter to Oswald, who had, I was + pleased to hear, found a retreat which promised some prospect + of immunity from molestation; and, as I said, I had become most + nervously anxious for the welfare of Ethel now that Vigneau had + taken up his abode so near to her retreat. + + "To the most noble and valiant Ealdorman Oswald, + greeting.--Having been assured by yourself that you purpose + devoting your great wisdom and undoubted valour to the most + worthy cause of protecting and succouring your unfortunate and + distressed countrymen, in these most perilous times, I would + fain bring to your notice that most evil times have befallen + the house of your late neighbour, the Thane Beowulf, in that + his lands, like your own, have become forfeit. But, what is + even more distressing, he, along with his son, has been slain + whilst endeavouring to prevent the spoliation of their + possessions by the Normans. His lovely and accomplished + daughter Ethel had fled to these cloisters for safety; but + inasmuch as this most holy sanctuary is involved in the general + ruin, being seized by violent hands, and remains at this + present in possession and under the control of beings who are + little better than fiends--men who have no regard for sacred + things, and who in their cruelty and lust spare neither age nor + sex--violent hands have been laid upon Ethel, but happily she + hath been delivered out of their hands as a 'bird from the + fowler,' by the combined address and valour of the bearer of + this message. Unfortunately there is no place of safety for + her, for the remnant of her father's housecarles and fiefs are + a scattered band, and outlaws. She hath for the present, + however, found a temporary place of shelter in the dwelling of + one of her father's rangers, who hath a rude abode in 'Hooded + Crow's Gyll.' But this is at best a precarious refuge, for, as + soon as the Normans muster courage to explore the forest, she + will inevitably fall into their hands again. If thou canst + befriend this orphaned one, the God of the friendless and + distressed bless thee! If thou canst offer her a more secure + shelter, the bearer of this missive--whom doubtless thou wilt + know--may be safely trusted to guide thee to the herdsman's + hut. Most sorrowfully I salute thee. + + "Adhelm, Abbot, + "Monastery of ----. [symbol: cross] + +This epistle duly reached Oswald, who, as I surmised, lost no time in +setting about a rescue. Calling Wulfhere, three horses were quickly +saddled--one for Oswald, one for Wulfhere, and one for Badger, who was +to act as guide. + +"Lead the way," said the Earl; "and keep by the hills as far as +possible, for the Normans as yet have had no time to spare from their +eating, drinking, and plundering, to explore the hill country, and, I +doubt not, we shall go unmolested." + +With these directions, the three horsemen started off, keeping to the +hills, where their vision could sweep the valleys and lowlands with so +much accuracy that it would have been impossible for an enemy to come at +any time within a couple of miles of steep climbing without being +perceived. A little more than an hour's ride brought them to the point +from whence they must strike the forest and lowlands. They paused for a +minute or two, calmly surveying the hillsides, and minutely scrutinising +every object which had any indefiniteness or uncertainty about it. But +the curlews swept the long circle of the hills, uttering their plaintive +cries, and the hawks glided over the tops of the trees, or darted in and +out amongst them to start their prey into the open, or, on poised wing, +they rested motionless in the air, scanning with keen vision the ground +beneath them, and ready to pounce like a flash upon any luckless mouse +or tiny rabbit that had ventured on an excursion from its hole. + +"The presence of man--or, at least, of men--is not here," said Oswald, +"or these shy denizens of the solitudes of Nature would betray it by +their unrest. Lead on, Badger; we shall not be molested, I trust." + +So Badger struck out for the lowlands at a rapid pace, presently +plunging into the head of the wood which ran up the valley some +half-mile beyond the unbroken forest. In the bottom of this valley or +gorge, a water-course was speeding away from the hills, occasionally +leaping over falls of several yards. But, amongst the unsolvable +mysteries of Nature, trout in goodly numbers had penetrated beyond them, +and in every pool or temporary resting-place of the waters, these +enterprising denizens of the flood abounded. The three followed a rough +path by this water-course for a considerable distance, until it merged +in the well-nigh interminable forest. + +Suddenly Badger diverged from the path, and, dismounting, led his horse +through the thicket, putting aside the branches as he passed. Presently +a rude dwelling became visible, with a little clearing around it. This +was the spot where the herdsman, or, more properly speaking, the ranger, +dwelt. It was a rough and primitive sort of building, made of wood. +Stout oak limbs, deeply inserted into the ground, and from which the +bark had been removed, formed the main supports, whilst the arched roof +and interspaces of the sides were interlaced in most fantastic shapes by +smaller branches of the oak, all carefully peeled. Upon this framework +of oaken branches the roof and sides were dexterously thatched by +heather from the neighbouring moor, and over all a rude daubing of mud +and lime mixed; the whole making a rude, but, nevertheless, a warm and +dry abode. Around the entrance there was a few yards paved with smooth +limestone pebbles gathered from the neighbouring brook. Amid these were +interspersed most fantastically the knuckle-bones of deer, sheep, +wolves, and other animals. Grotesque and whimsical all this seemed, but +it jumped with the fancy of the architect, who was literally a child of +the forest. Badger, as he drew nigh, heard hasty scuffling of feet and +barricading of the door. But when he gave a knock all was as still as +death in a moment. + +"Hillo, within there!" shouted Badger. "There is nothing but good Saxons +here." + +The ranger's wife recognised at once the voice of Badger, and undid the +door; and the three entered, leaving their horses standing together. +Ethel, meanwhile, was listening within in great trepidation, but when +she discovered that their unexpected visitants were Saxon, she emerged +from an inner room. As her eyes rested upon Oswald, who had removed his +helmet, the burning blushes mounted in a deep crimson glow to her face +and neck, and she cast an anxiously nervous look at her disarranged +toilette. + +"Ah!" said Oswald, taking her hand and raising it to his lips, "is this +the sweet little Ethel who used to watch us rough boys play at the +joust, and fence with our broadswords?--whom we used to accompany +through the Bruneswald on her hawking expeditions? Why, how you have +grown, too! To be sure, these terrible times have left no opportunities +for neighbourly amenities. Why, 'tis three years since I last set eyes +upon you. Ah, I know 'tis very sad," said he, as he saw the tears start +into her eyes; "but dry those eyes, timid one, we will endeavour to find +a covert where you may hide; and we will put about it a girdle of steel, +and woe shall be to the Norman who obtrudes his hated presence near." + +But these gentle words only seemed to open the floodgates still wider, +and the frail frame of the fair girl quivered with emotion. Recently she +had passed through sufferings, privations, terrors innumerable; but as +she looked upon the mailed warrior before her, it seemed as though a +very tower of refuge had been found. The most casual observer would have +been powerfully impressed by the striking contrast in these two human +beings--Ethel, with her fair complexion, deep blue eyes, and rich +tresses of fair hair falling with unkempt gracefulness over her +shoulders, being a picture of maidenly grace, and an ideal high-born +Saxon maiden; whilst the Earl's tall, muscular frame, well-shapen head, +and curly locks, seemed like a modern Hercules made for the times, and +equipped by Nature to play a conspicuous part in a troublous +epoch,--times, in which personal prowess, dauntless courage, and a +commanding presence were essential qualities in one who aspired to be a +leader of men. + +We can scarcely wonder that there should be a touch of more than wonted +gentleness in the tone of his voice, as he spoke to this fair and +sorrowing maiden. + +"We heard of your misfortunes, fair one," said Oswald, "and we have come +to offer you such succour as a dispossessed Saxon can still offer. I +fear me it will be but a rude shelter for so gentle a guest. It may be +precarious, and subject to alarms, too; but I warrant it shall have a +measure of safety, if you will accept of it." + +"Thank you, my lord. Alas! that is all that I have to offer for your +great kindness. I will gladly accept your offer, and I will try not to +be altogether a burden to you." + +"Now, my worthy dame," said Oswald, addressing the ranger's wife, "you +have done a good deed in sheltering this lady." + +"We have but done our duty. She is our lawful mistress. We have fed on +her father's bounty, and enjoyed his protection, and the sorrow is to +see her brought to this pass." + +"Where is thy husband?" + +"He is adown the Gyll on the watch." + +"Canst thou call him?" + +"Presently, my lord, if you wish to see him." + +"Yes, let us see his face. We may be able to befriend him, and he us." + +The woman reached from the side of the dwelling a small whistle, made +from a branch of the plaintain tree, and, going to the door, she blew a +low and peculiar note, then listened for a second; but there was no +response. Then a little louder she blew the same note. Immediately there +came trembling through the wood a response. + +"He will be here soon," said the woman, coming back to the dwelling. + +Presently, the ranger pressed through the bushes into the enclosure; in +one hand a dish of fine trout dangled on a string, and in the other hand +a pheasant. But there was no mark of surprise on Bretwul's countenance +as he beheld his visitors. + +"How now, friend. Thou art not alarmed, I see," said Oswald. + +"No; I have one eye for the hills, and another for the dales, and I know +a Saxon any gait, and my old comrade Badger in any guise." + +"So thou hast busied thyself in securing these dainties for thy +mistress, I presume?" + +"Yes, I have sent one of my trusty shafts after this dainty bird, and I +have poked under a few stones in the brook for these trout. Here," said +he, throwing his quiver on the floor, "are a score of cloth-yard shafts, +and every one a trusty friend, and never fails. I have taken great pains +in the rearing of them. I have tried them all at a mark, and I have all +their peculiarities logged up in my brain-pan. I have taken the swerve +out of them, as nearly as I can, by paring their heads, and twisting +their tails; but they have all a mind of their own at the finish. But I +know their minds as well as they know themselves, and I can allow, to a +shadow, what they require and I can shoot a Norman's eye out at +fourscore paces with any of them. Look, also; all these heads have been +made by Sweyn, the Sheffield armourer; all of them forked ye see, and +make a dainty little slit between a Norman's ribs as they enter; but +gramercy! getting them out, there's the rub! I have been watching for +many a day down the Gyll, for the Normans have been getting bold, +ransacking the forest in quest of Saxon refugees. A slice of luck, and a +crumb of comfort, has fallen to me this morning." + +"Oh! Hast thou had some of them within reach of thy cloth-yard shafts, +then, this morning?" + +"Marry, that I have! and I have tickled one or two of them with a long +stick; but they didn't laugh, mark you." + +"Oh, then, we'll have thy story, Bretwul, for we are all anxious to hear +how they like messages from our woodsmen." + +"Well, it came about thus. There is a little path from the valley leads +up to our cot. 'Twas worn, before these dogs came, be assured, for we +shall make no further tracks, yet awhile. As I was out this morning, on +the rough side of my cottage--that is, the side turned to the foe--and +on the look-out for them, three or four of these Normans had come across +the track, and, of course, they naturally thought there would be +something at the end on't. Well, there was something in the middle that +satisfied them. No sooner did I see them coming, than I says to myself, +'Come on, my bucks! I've got something warm for you, and you can have it +for nothing but love.' I planted myself in the bush not forty paces +away, and I selected my choicest shaft. This is him," said he, pulling +one out of the quiver, still red with blood. "I'd trust my life on this +shaft, master, for he never fails. Well; on they came, and I gave him +all the strength of my arm, and plump in the throat my arrow struck the +foremost Norman, and he dropped in the path. Gramercy! His fellows +didn't even stop to say to him, 'Are you much hurt?' or even to inquire +if there was any more of the same sort about; but they turned tail, +master, if you believe me, and they ran--why, Badger here couldn't have +overhauled them, and he's the nimblest fellow in these parts. Well, I +says to myself, 'I should not like you to go empty away, any of you, if +I can help it.' So I lodged another of my shafts pretty securely, I +warrant, in the buttocks of the last one, and the fellow never halted +for a moment to inquire what it was, but he carried off my shaft. I +suppose they will be busy now inviting it to come out; but, depend upon +it, it will hold its own as closely as any Norman could stick to a +Saxon's goods. I've lost a good shaft over him, but it will tickle him +for many a day yet; and he'll want nobody to scratch the place, either. +There, marry! it's bad manners to stand prating before my betters, but a +bit of news of this sort I like, either to hear or tell it." + +"It is news good either to hear or tell," said Oswald, "and we shall be +glad to hear more of thy stories when thou hast any as good as this. But +prithee, my good fellow, what is this bundle of shafts in the corner?" + +"These, master, are my youngsters, and they haven't quite finished their +schooling. They are trusty shafts enough when you come to close +quarters, but, like an unbroken colt, a trifle skittish when accurate +work has to be done. I'll make them steady goers by-and-bye. Wife +haven't you a drink of mead or a bite of anything for our guests? This +is Oswald, our only chieftain in these parts. Don't you remember his +coming to the hall and playing joust and broadsword with Master Beowulf? +A stout rogue he was, too, in those days. This is Wulfhere, Folkfree and +Sacless (lawful freeman); Badger, too, a merry fellow--like myself, +though, thrall and bondman, but as trusty a knave, I trow, as breathes." + +"I like thy mettle, Bretwul, if such be thy name; but what dost thou +purpose to do? Wilt thou stay here and take thy luck single-handed, or +dost thou intend to make terms with the Normans, and accept such mercies +as they may bestow?" + +"'Down with the Normans,' is the Saxon's good word now, and it has been +mine from the first. The Bruneswald, and the company of the merry +outlaws who range it, would suit me best; but hopping about in the +woods, like a squirrel from tree to tree, does not suit the womenfolk +and my toddlers. But shift I must now; after to-day's business there +will be no staying here. I left yon fellow across the path as a sort of +warning to trespassers, but it won't act long, for the Normans will come +again in larger numbers, and the game will soon be up." + +"Maybe thou hast heard that we have made a stand on the hills yonder?" + +"Ay, ay! that I have, master." + +"If thou likest to bring thy wife to Tarnghyll, where we are sheltering +for the present, she and the little ones will be much safer, and thy +wife Eadburgh will be useful to Lady Ethel. By-the-bye, thou hast a +brace of falcons and some fishing gear, I see; and I warrant there is a +ferret or two in that hutch outside. Every man to his craft, and marry, +thine is a serviceable one just now. If thou wilt do thine office for +thy mistress and the rest of us, why then bring thy tackle, and thou +shalt ply thy craft for us, and be assured we shall not grumble if thou +waste an occasional shaft upon the buttocks of any bold or prying +Norman. Hast thou any of thy comrades, servants of the worthy Thane +Beowulf, hiding hereabouts who are willing to take a new master? If +there are, bring them along with thee, for any one sturdy enough to +despise the Norman yoke, and anxious to loose a shaft in defence of the +Saxon's cause, will be heartily welcomed, for we purpose a venture in +which a man who can shoot straight will do us good service." + +"That will be blithe news, I trow, for there are a number of the +housecarles of the worthy Thane, my late master, who are casting about +for something more settled-like than the wolf's-head life of the forest. +In truth, there will be a merry gathering of stout outlaws at the +hermit's cave on Crowfell at nightfall. I would be keen to carry your +message to this trysting. At our last gathering the talk ran much on +your defence of the castle, and some of these are forest men and outlaws +who range the woods as far south as Sherwood. Anyway, I warrant me the +natives of these parts will hear the news with rare glee, for a dalesman +likes to keep in the shadow of his hills and fells. Stout men at a push +you'll find them, and ready to stand to their weapons with the best, and +as slippery as eels when they must shift for themselves. Say the word, +and I'll see it runs through these parts like a heather-fire in a stiff +breeze." + +"Good! Bretwul, stir up these fellows, the more the merrier, for we are +not going to play hide-and-seek with these Normans, and the stouter the +mustering the better we can deal with them." + +Bretwul's wife set before the visitors a stout repast--spoils of the +chase and the flood--for Bretwul was an adept at his vocation. The +visitors also were well supplied with hunger-sauce, and they did rare +justice to it. + +"Well, Badger," said Oswald, "you seem to have taken such a liking to +your new friends that you could not bear parting with them on any terms, +so we must leave you behind, and wish them joy of their friend." + +"Gramercy, master, it is true! I am such a simple fellow that I can wag +a paw with these Normans in all meekness and humility; but I have a +snare or two set on my own account, and the game always finds its way +fellward. Leave me alone, I'll wriggle through it somehow; and, by our +Lady, I've had no broken bones thus far." + +So Oswald, Wulfhere, and Ethel sped them on their way--Ethel being +accommodated with the spare horse. + +"Come, Ethel, my girl, you must dry those eyes, for I shall take note +each day, be assured, to see how the sunshine comes back again to your +countenance," said Oswald, pleasantly. + +"I am afraid I shall prove to be a great burden, and very little of a +help to you in your struggles." + +"Oh, yes; you will be just such a burden as the wild flowers, as little +tending and as fragrant and beautiful as they." + +Ethel blushed scarlet, and made haste to change the subject. "Do you +think, my lord, this Norman Count is bent on exterminating all Saxons +who do not yield them vassals to him?" + +"Nay, Ethel girl, why this formality? I used to be Master Oswald; I pray +you let the honest Saxon name suffice. I cannot tell what De Montfort +intends, but I fear he will let nothing slip that he can by any means +grasp; but I have determined I will know the best or the worst of his +intentions. I shall open negotiations with him, and ascertain, if +possible, if he purposes we shall dwell in peace and as freemen." + +"But you will not venture so far as to put yourself in his power? I pray +you, trust them not, for they are insatiable in their cruelty," said +Ethel anxiously. + +"No fear, Ethel, of my putting myself in his power. Having once tasted +the horrors of captivity I shall not risk its repetition rashly; but I +have a plan, and I shall speak with him face to face. I may tell you, +despite the many reasons we have for undying hatred and no compromise, I +have a deep-rooted conviction that for the present, at all events, a +truce on reasonable and honourable terms will be immeasurably best for +the Saxon cause." + +"The land is undoubtedly prostrate, and time is urgently needed ere it +can rally once more," said Ethel. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN CONFRONTS DE MONTFORT. + + "Then crouch no more on suppliant knee, + But scorn with scorn outbrave; + A Briton even in love should be + A subject, not a slave." + + Wordsworth. + + +Count de Montfort and his daughter Alice were seated together one +evening in what was known as the crimson parlour, a comfortable and +somewhat elegant room for the period. It was wainscoted in dark oak, +with carpets and hangings of richly-figured crimson cloth from the looms +of Avignon. They were enjoying a temporary respite from the incessant +bustle and turmoil which had been their daily accompaniment since the +day they first occupied the Saxon chieftain's patrimony. Even here, +their quiet was unpleasantly disturbed by the roystering merriment of +their followers in the distant kitchen, who stoutly maintained their +freedom to carouse and drink pretty much as they listed. I take the +liberty here to introduce the reader to a more intimate acquaintance +with the Count and his beautiful and accomplished daughter. The Count +was considerably past middle life, probably not less than fifty-five. +His sunburnt countenance, and the stern lines about his mouth and +forehead, told eloquently the tale of a soldier's life. For the habits +of a rough and unscrupulous life had lent a grim and unfeeling hardness +to a visage which had strong evidence of force and character depicted in +it. There was also palpable evidence of a spirit ill at ease and clouded +with doubt, which made him irritable sometimes to a degree positively +cruel to friend or foe. His once jet-black locks were silvering rapidly; +but his tall form had lost none of its erectness, and his haughty and +imperious demeanour proclaimed him a man used to ruling arbitrarily, and +little accustomed to brooking opposition, or the frustrating of his +purposes. His daughter, Lady Alice de Montfort, was extremely like him +in general appearance. Tall and elegant in carriage, her profuse raven +tresses were gathered in silken bands, and from thence fell over her +shoulders well-nigh to her girdle. Her face was pale; her features +regular, as though chiselled. A pair of lustrous dark eyes glowed from +between darker lashes, proclaiming her southern extraction. She was +indeed a model of queenly beauty. Like many of her countrywomen of +exalted station, her youth had been spent in the seclusion of the +convent, where alone an education worthy of the name could be obtained. +This secluded life--despite her fiery extraction--had toned down her +disposition; whilst the culture and refinement had made her a typical +example of the romance and troubadour spirit of song, which we Saxons +knew to be developed in the maidens of sunny France. For her, the rough +life of the Norman occupation, with its scenes of blood and cruelty, was +a daily horror. + +"Alice," began the Count, "I told you some time ago that I had affianced +you to Baron Vigneau. He has followed my fortunes, and lent the prowess +of himself and his mercenaries in furthering my interests, in return for +which he was to receive your hand in marriage; and I gave him my solemn +promise to that effect. His recent conduct has not pleased me, and his +addiction to the wine-cup has become inordinate. But I lay the fault of +this to the rough times we have had, and I doubt not when peaceful times +come again he will become a sober and a virtuous Norman Baron. Anyway, I +gave him my promise, and he has fulfilled the obligation. He now presses +for the fulfilment of this promise. Much time has already been allowed +you to prepare, so I would have you bethink yourself when it can be +redeemed. As you know, it rests solely with yourself as to when this +event shall be, and my pledges made good. I pray you despise him not, +for though he is a landless mercenary, he is brave, and has powerful +friends." + +"Father, this marriage is most distasteful--I may say, most abhorrent to +me. The Baron is a man I cannot possibly love; and if my fortune is what +he would have, let him take it and welcome--I care not if I am +penniless, if I have my liberty. Nay, I would much rather take the veil +if I have no other choice than to marry him." + +"Alice, this cannot be; I cannot break my promise. Once for all let me +tell you I dare not. This man has obtained a fatal advantage over me, +and it is a question of life and death for me. Listen!" said he, rising +and pacing the room with quick nervous tread. "Fool that I was, when +this last insurrection of the Saxons broke out I was deeply smarting +under the rebuffs I had received at the hands of my mortal enemies Odo +and Fitz-Osborne, and the base ingratitude of William. I counted the +forces of the rebels, and noted their wonderful successes; and foolishly +imagining the Danes and Scots would stand firm, I thought that William's +time had come at last. Madman that I was! to think ought could thwart +the iron will and marvellous resource. But I had many things to be +revenged upon, and I was blinded by it. I thought, now is the time. But +worst of all, in sheer madness and infatuation I entrusted +letters--deadly compromising letters--to this Vigneau for the leaders of +the insurrection. These letters Vigneau never delivered, and he now +holds them over my head, the villain! and threatens to divulge the whole +thing to William. If he does this, I know well, with the enemies I have +at court, that nothing will appease the self-willed tyrant but my head. +These letters contain such ample proof of my treasonous intentions that +my life literally hangs in the balance if I cannot gratify Vigneau. Fool +and dolt that I was to place myself in the power of so unscrupulous a +villain! + +"I have told you this much that you may think less hardly of me. But the +thing is absolute and irrevocable. I can no longer put him off by my +excuses on your behalf, for he becomes clamorous and threatening. There +is nothing further to gain, I perceive, by remonstrances and promises, +so the sooner this marriage takes place the better; for I am hopelessly +involved in the toils of this snake." + +A dead silence of some minutes followed this, and a sickening sensation +almost to fainting crept over Alice. How long the death-like stillness +would have lasted I know not, but just at that juncture, in silence +profound, the massive oaken door swung back unbidden, and a snatch of a +Bacchanalian chorus pealed along the corridors and burst unbidden on the +ears of father and daughter. But the rising temper of the Count at this +ill-timed jollity and carousing gave way on the instant to profound +astonishment and alarm, as Oswald the Saxon, armed with shield and +buckler, with his drawn sword in his hand, strode into the room; whilst +the dim form of an armed accomplice was visible for a moment in the +darkness ere the door swung back to its place, shutting out the sounds +of revelry and riot, and the three were alone together. The Count sprang +to his feet, whipped out his sword, and savagely stood at bay, awaiting +the onslaught of the sturdy Saxon. Alice also sprang to her feet with a +startled cry, and a strange panic seized her. Had this Saxon, who owed +his life to her, sought this interview with murderous intent? His +appearance betokened it most surely, and she began to upbraid herself +most keenly. + +"Quiet you, lady," said Oswald, with a low obeisance, and in tones which +belied the warlike attitude and arms which he bore. "I have none but +peaceable intentions, gentle lady, though in these times we must be +prepared for any eventualities. I hope you will let this excuse my +weapons and my untimely visit." + +"What doest thou here, Saxon? and how darest thou intrude thyself so +recklessly?" said the Count. + +[Illustration: THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN CONFRONTS DE MONTFORT.] + +"As to intrusion, noble sir, you will pardon me, but my father built +this castle, and I was born here, and inherited it from him; so I would +fain point out, if you will allow me, that I am not the intruder. You +have usurped my lands, appropriated my home, and slain my vassals; +whilst I am homeless, landless, and an outlaw." + +"Lucky, too, art thou, Saxon, to escape with thy life, and wondrous +venturesome withal, in thrusting thy neck a second time into the +halter." + +"I have not come to bandy threats, but it is not my neck that is in the +halter just now, and if thou wert not shielded by a protector more +potent than thy armed minions thy life would soon be forfeit--mark that, +Norman! and be a little more merciful." + +"Thou liest, Saxon dog! I fear thee not, nor any Saxon boor in the +land!" said the Count, brandishing his sword, whilst Alice rushed +frantically between them. + +"Excuse my hastiness, fair lady," said Oswald, "and permit me to say +that I have not come to shed blood, but the reverse; I am come to +solicit a truce, an honourable truce, and to treat for a cessation of +hostilities and hatred; and I would fain you should be umpire between us +this night, gentle lady." + +"What truce dost thou expect, Saxon?" said the Count. "There can but be +one truce between the conqueror and a foe routed and beaten; and that +is, that he should lay down his arms unconditionally and accept the +clemency of the conqueror." + +"That is a condition which we shall not accept. We shall maintain our +liberty at all hazards, and the Norman had better beware of harassing +desperate men." + +"If thy arrogance were equalled by thy power, Saxon, thou wouldst do +great things. But be thou well assured that I will root every mother's +son of you out of your holes in the mountains within a month, if there +is not unconditional surrender. But if thou and thy vassals return, and +accept these terms, ye shall be entitled to my protection as my vassals +and villeins. For thyself, if thou subscribe the oath of fealty, I will +assign to thee certain lands, which thou shalt atone for by such +services rendered to me as I please, as thy feudal lord." + +"Excuse me, noble sir; but these are impossible terms. In the first +place, I am not going to submit to be a grovelling feudatory, wearing +clumsy brogues and a vassal's collar, coming cringingly to thee for +permission to make a journey or shoot a stag--to ask humbly if I may +keep a dog; catch a fish; or marry a wife! I am not going to hold the +stirrup for beggarly Norman adventurers, and say, Your most humble +servant, By your leave, puissant sir, Crave your pardon, my lord, and +all the rest of servile rigmarole, being afraid to breathe the breath of +heaven, or tread mother earth; or say that I am a man; content to be +numbered with thy cattle, or thy goods and chattels, and be spoken of as +the loutish Saxon clown. Never! Let that be understood once for all. No +drop of vassal's blood courses through my veins. No part of a vassal's +spirit animates me. I have not looked upon the face of any man, Saxon or +Norman, that I fear, and I will be vassal to no man. Leave me alone, +with the handful of Saxons who follow me. Thou hast my lands and my +home--take them as the spoils of war, but be content. There is land +enough, and thou mayest leave us in peace. We will not come nigh thee, +but be content to till a little land for sustenance; and we may be of +service as thy allies. Probably many of the serfs will be willing to +return to their lands and to vassalage; and all who are willing may do +so freely." + +"Thou hast come to dictate terms, not to supplicate them, Saxon. Dost +thou think it probable I shall tolerate a petty Saxon chieftain holding +sway close to my doors? or harbour on my lands a brood of villeins who +will render the service of fear to me and that of fealty to the Saxon +near, so that in any pinch they will treacherously fail me? Thou hast a +low estimate of my wisdom, truly. But listen once for all, Saxon; if +there be not immediate surrender I will hunt you from your holes in the +hills, as I have already said, within a month, and few will escape +me--mark that!" + +"Father," said Alice, "you do this noble Saxon grievous wrong in +rejecting so rudely his amicable overtures. You may surely mingle mercy +with your designs. I myself will be bond, these Saxons will reciprocate +any acts of generosity done to them. Besides, consider this: you saw the +forms of armed men at the door just now. They have stayed their hand +when it was at the throat of their victims, and they may do so again." + +"Tush! tush! you speak like a school-girl. These boorish Saxons will +count mercy as weakness; so no more of it." + +"Many thanks, lady," interposed Oswald. "Gentle means are strongest when +we deal with human beings, whether they be gentle or simple. But adieu! +If my mission fails, the responsibility rests not with me, for I have +now offered peace--a peace which is abject in its terms." So saying, he +turned and struck the oaken door with the pommel of his sword, which on +the instant sprung open and as quickly-closed behind him, whilst the +massive bolt was shot from the outside. + +The Count sprang to the door, and tried to force it open, but to no +purpose. "Jules! Jules!" roared he. "What ho there! Treachery!" But the +only response he received to his frantic cries was the fragment of a +rollicking song and chorus, trolled more lustily than musically by rough +voices in the distant kitchen, the substance of which ran something like +the following:-- + + "Old Bacchus was a merry dog, + And kept good company; + He loved good wine and a jovial song, + So his days sped merrily. + + _Chorus._--Ho, comrades all, we'll drink and sing, + So pass the bowl along. + If a better cask the morrow bring, + We'll greet it with a song." + +"What ho there, you drunken brutes! What ho, Jules!" shouted the Count, +frantic with rage. But again the response was in a similar strain:-- + + "We're freemen all, but have our liege, + For William is our lord; + We've wine and ale and venison + To crown our festive board. + + _Chorus._--Ho, comrades, all," etc. + +"What ho there!" roared the Count, more lustily than ever, and furiously +beating the door with an oaken footstool. But all in vain, the song ran +its course oblivious of all beside, and with, if possible, an increase +in its roystering loudness:-- + + "No foemen can our arms withstand, + The Saxons are our scorn. + We'll drink and laugh, and sing at eve, + And chase them in the morn. + + _Chorus._--Ho, comrades all," etc. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +OUTLAWS AND WOLFSHEADS. + + "To be forewarned is to be forearmed." + + _Proverbial Saying._ + + +Count de Montfort, the born autocrat, it may be inferred, was not the +man to permit any remnant of the conquered Saxons to assume an +independent authority, or to defy him in his exercise of unlimited +power. Nor did he relish the fearless tone in which Oswald had addressed +him. Such an affront must not be tolerated for a moment; so he +determined to organise an expedition which should explore the hills and +root out any incipient rebellion which might be afoot. It is needless to +say that the mysterious escape and reappearance of Oswald also caused +increased vigilance in guarding the castle to be resorted to. + +Now Badger had manifested a wonderful tact in ingratiating himself with +the rough Norman troopers. It was much more common to see him sallying +forth cheek by jowl with some of these, fishing, hawking, or +boar-hunting, than to see him companying with his Saxon comrades. But +there was method in it all, for he was always possessed of their plans +and purposes; and when he communicated to me this determination of +theirs we made haste to apprise our countrymen of it. That night Badger +quietly issued from the postern gate of the Abbey, leading his mountain +pony Shaggy, and followed by his faithful wolf-hound Grizzly. Every +light was extinguished. Not a sound fell on the stillness of the night +air, saving the horrid braying of a stag in the distant wood, and the +screeching of owlets as they fluttered amid the branches of the trees in +quest of prey. No sooner had they passed through the gate at the +northern extremity of the Abbey's ground than Badger mounted Shaggy's +back, and they steadily threaded their way through the forest, making as +quickly as possible for the hill country. Steady riding for half an hour +brought them to the first spur of the mountain, when Badger threw +himself from the pony's back, and led the way at a brisk walk. Soon they +reached the top of this lower promontory, when, again mounting Shaggy, +they dashed along, sending the rabbits by hundreds scurrying away to +their holes. But Badger steadily forged ahead towards the huge +eminences, which seemed to rise out of utter darkness, and throw their +black and ominous outlines against the starlit sky. Half an hour's more +riding and patient climbing, and he neared the top. Choosing as the +easiest path a deflection between two peaks, he was proceeding at a +rapid pace, when, of a sudden, two men on horseback came bearing down +upon him like a whirlwind, and drew up in front of him with swords +drawn. "Saxon or Norman?" sang out one of them in a tone of inquiry. + +"Saxon!" shouted Badger. "Down with the Normans!" + +As the well-known voice was heard, the swords were sheathed, and the two +horsemen greeted him with a loud laugh. + +"Why, you are living yet, then, Badger!" said one. "We have been +calculating your chances; and we had come to the conclusion you would be +killed and eaten by this time. You would be worth money, Badger, for +your _skins_ alone, this cold weather." + +"Better shed every extra skin, Badger, or you'll lose your own, I'm +thinking," said the other. + +"Yes, his skins are valuable, but his carcase is good for nothing. +Badgers are just carrion, and nothing more." + +"We are right glad to see you, however," said the pair. And indeed they +seemed inclined to hug him in the exuberance of their delight. + +"Well, and Shaggy's living too! What next, and next. These Normans are +becoming most merciful," again broke out the first one. + +"Yes, yes," retorted the second one, "that's right enough. But they +aren't human beings either of them, or they'd have been murdered before +this." + +"What news, Badger? I declare he's gone in a trance. Have they burnt the +castle down? Are they murdering everybody?" + +"They'll have a mighty job to murder some of you," retorted Badger, +finding his tongue at last, "unless they could fly. You take mighty good +care of your skins. And i' faith, you've only one to take care of. But I +wager that will be whole at the finish, unless you should happen to +tumble and break your neck with running away." + +"Hold there!" said the pair, bursting into a loud laugh at Badger's +retort. "When the time comes we shall be amongst the first at the +Normans' throats." + +"All in good time, my hearties. They are coming in the morning to +disturb your roosts, so there will be a chance for you; but come along, +I can't stand here, I must see Oswald forthwith about this matter." + +"This is our station for the night, Badger. This valley would almost +certainly be selected for a night attack, or day attack either, for the +matter of that. So we must watch until daybreak." + +"Oh, come along, I know everything is perfectly quiet. Not a Norman +astir, I will be bond for it. You will be useful, so come along." + +"If you will take the responsibility, Badger." + +"That I will readily, so come along." + +Then the pair turned their horses' heads round, and joined Badger in his +errand. As they sped across the moor they heard to the right of them a +fierce baying; and presently some half-dozen wolves came bearing down +upon them. The horses began to tremble in every limb, and show evidences +of bolting. So the three dismounted, and stood at the horses' heads with +Grizzly fiercely growling in front. This seemed to reassure the horses; +but as the wolves drew near they were evidently mistaken in their prey, +for they turned tail and fled. But Grizzly with a terrific growl dashed +after them, throwing himself on the haunches of the hindmost, and +rolling him over. Then, seizing him by the throat, he would speedily +have made an end of him, if the horsemen had not come up and dispatched +him with their swords. The monster turned out to be a large gaunt dog +wolf, who would have been an ugly customer for an unarmed man to meet +when the pinch of hunger was upon him. + +"I hope they've got the sheep, and cattle, and swine all trim and tight, +or I'm feared they'll be missing some of them in the morning, with these +beasts prowling about," remarked one horseman. + +"They're getting too plentiful to be at all pleasant. There's been +little time for wolf-hunting since these Normans came; they are getting +bold too, and are beginning to pack," remarked the second horseman. + +"I wish they were the worst foes we had to deal with," said Badger; "I +should be a happier man by a good deal. But these dastardly Normans, I +fear me we shall never more shake them off. The villainous brood are +swarming all over the land, and there will soon be never a patch of soil +that a Saxon can call his own. We shall all either have to be slaves or +feed on the wind ere long." + +"Not me, Badger," said one. "I have neither child nor chick, and a +freeman I'll be at all costs. The limestone caves and the greenwood +shall make me shelter. As for feeding on air, I'll not want something +more substantial if any Norman this side Baldley Heights or Whernside +Fell has a sheep in the fold or an ox in the stall." + +"Well, don't be downhearted, comrades," said Badger. "When the wind +shifts, the cloud lifts. It's a broad ford that can't be bridged. The +strongest bow soonest relaxes, and the spent arrow falls lightly. Our +time will come, for these Normans are not Viking rovers, but like fat +living, and that breeds laziness; and we shall be able to shake +ourselves down comfortably if we can't push them out of the bed." + +Whilst this conversation was proceeding the three were rapidly pressing +on, Badger having by this time put eight or ten miles between himself +and the Norman foe. But in the vast distance before them there seemed to +loom an unending stretch of moorland, vast and drear and dark. In the +pale moonlight the mists could be seen climbing the heights, or creeping +lazily along the hollows, where damp and bogs abounded. Like huge +repositories of old-world histories these grim old hills +seemed--dwarfing human nature into nothingness in their +presence--"everlasting hills," broad-based and firm; defying the storms +of winter, and bathing their heads in the golden sunshine of summer; +unmoved amid the changes, transformations, and fierce race struggles +which were being fought out with relentless cruelty around their base; +and offering a cold, unsympathetic shelter to fugitives flying to them +for safety. + +"Keep to the left, Badger. We must keep on the outskirts of that vapour, +or we shall be speedily up to the knees in a bog. We have not far to go. +Do you see the tops of those fir-trees just peeping over those boulders? +That is our headquarters, and Oswald will be there." + +Presently the persons of two scouts could be seen moving amid the +stones, and evidently reconnoitring the new-comers. A low, shrill +whistle is given by one of them, and is answered by Badger's friends; at +which signal they drew near to interview the strangers. Then it was seen +that the tops of the fir trees were but the outermost ring of a dense +wood, which lined the sides of a mammoth ravine, with a still lake of +water, or tarn, lying placidly in its hollow. + +"Is Oswald here to-night?" was the first inquiry. + +"Yes. What news?" + +"All right so far; but there will be a lively time to-morrow. Badger, +here, has brought the news. Let him have speech with the Earl +forthwith." + +So the three dismounted, and began slowly to thread their way by a path, +winding and difficult, with branches hanging low, and brushwood closing +up, so as to make progress impossible except in single file. By-and-bye +the bottom is reached, and before them there stands--what was totally +concealed from any one skirting the wood on the outside--a spacious +one-storied building near the head of the tarn. As they drew near, a +fierce growling of a watch-dog was heard, and a challenge was addressed +to them by some one hid from view by the dense brushwood. The answer +being satisfactory the horses were tied to the trees, and the stranger +led them by a winding path to the rear of the dwelling. A gentle tap +being given to the door, a woman's voice challenges the visitors; but +soon the bolts are withdrawn, and the party enters what was evidently +the kitchen quarters. + +"Has the Earl retired?" said Bretwul to his wife. + +"Yes, long ago. There has not been a sound in the house these two +hours." + +After consulting together it was deemed a matter of sufficient +importance to summon Oswald, and to him Badger briefly related the news +which had brought him. + +Then ensued a council of war, some advocating evasive tactics. But this +brought them face to face with the fact that the Normans were all aware +that they were hiding not far away, and they would be sure to persevere +until they had unearthed them. So it was decided that a lesson in +retaliation was necessary. Word was sent round at once for all cattle +and non-fighters to keep especially close, also for the able-bodied men +to meet the Earl at daylight at the cave on Deepdale Head. + +Badger's errand being now accomplished, he led his pony to the clear. +There mounting, and accompanied by Grizzly, the return journey commenced +at a steady trot, which was never broken until the monastery was +reached; and soon each one was at rest. He had thus given a timely +warning to the outlawed Saxons, from which it will be seen they were not +slow to profit. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +SIGURD THE VIKING. + + "Beware + Of entrance to a quarrel; but being in, + Bear 't that the opposed may beware of thee." + + Shakespeare. + + +Hanging-Brow Scaur, to which allusion has been made, is a huge peak +towering high above the Pennine Range, out of which it springs. A rude +cultivation obtains to its very summit--such a cultivation as the bleak +winds and perpetual cold permit. Ere the advent of the Normans small +mountain sheep with the single lamb at their heels had swarmed over its +hoary sides, browsing amid its moistureless grass, nipping the fresh +shoots during the summer time, and retreating to the lowlands at the +advent of winter. The husbandman who reared his humble dwelling beneath +its shoulders had frequent need to beware the cold north wind, the +drifted snow, and not unfrequently the rushing avalanche. A sluggish, +unromantic life was lived, and a precarious livelihood obtained by these +hill-folk. The woods ran up the gorges to the foot of the loftiest peak. +Coming downwards they spread over the tops of the lower hills until, +from gorge to gorge, the forest trees join hands, and an unbroken forest +sweeps downwards, gathering density and luxuriousness until it sweeps +over the valleys and up the sides of the hills beyond. Inexpressibly +lovely especially are these wooded gorges in the summertime, when the +fragrant breath of foliage and flower, of moss and lichen, is in the +nostril, when the music of rushing cataract and waterfall is in the ear. +Buoyant and bracing as an elixir of life is the cool air on these +mountain-sides, when the hot breath of July is enervating the dwellers +in the valley below. How delightful was my task at this season to carry +the consolations of my office to the lonely scattered folk on the hills! +How often have I felt my heart expand with lowly adoration when, from +the lofty summit of Hanging-brow, I have turned my gaze westward, and +far away in the distance my sweep of vision has taken in the coast-line +of the Irish sea; whilst north, and east, and south there lay before me +a mighty vista of hill and dale and rugged peak! Then, how lovely the +magnificent stretch of forest too!--a rich unbroken canopy of green, +many-tinted and beautiful, the oak, the ash, the elm, and many others +blending their various tints in the lowlands; whilst the fir, the pine, +and the mountain-ash belted the forest in the higher reaches. The +fleet-footed red-deer might be seen threading their way through the +tangled undergrowth, or browsing amid the boulders in the clear, keeping +ever a wary eye on the stealthy hunter. Sly Reynard here abounded, and +might be seen gliding warily along; and occasionally his fiercer cousin +the wolf prowled in fierce loneliness; whilst ceaselessly the woods rang +with the songs of her feathered denizens. Birds of rare plumage, too, +and shy, such as the jay, the magpie, the thrush, the curlew, the +wood-pigeon, with many specimens of the hawk family, were here; whilst +the golden eagle wheeled in airy flight round the crown, or moodily +perched on some boulder, while his mate patiently hatched her young in +the fissures of the rocks, which, steep and high, lined the pathway of +the descending waters. But on this eventful day, as the sun reared its +blood-red visage above the horizon, and kissed the mountain peak into a +ruddy twilight, two Saxon warriors, with broadswords by their sides and +battle-axes at their girdles, rounded the peak on the side which +overlooked the castle and broad fertile acres which had been +comparatively cleared around it. Just the dimmest outlines of this scene +were visible; but as the sun mounted higher in the heavens, and his rays +swept down from the hills into the lowest valleys, the whole landscape +was spread in beauty before them. The castle's noble proportions, here +and there also the river's sinuous course, as it threaded in and out +amongst the trees, could be seen; whilst farther down the valley the +gorgeous masonry of the Abbey peeped through the tops of the trees. With +rapt vision, but with very sad hearts, the pair stood together, and +watched the marvellous transformation taking place before them. + +"Was ever man called to yield so fair a possession before, Wulfhere?" +said the chieftain to his comrade. + +"Well, truly it is a fair spot--finer, I think, than ever I thought it +before. But it may be yours again, and I may get my little patrimony +also. So let us not despair." + +"Well, we know not what may happen, but it seems very unlikely at +present. But come, we will go over the summit and consider our plan for +the stronghold. It will be some time yet ere our enemies are astir, I +dare say. The scouts will bring us timely word." + +So the pair climbed to the summit, and again considered their plans for +the fortress which had already been decided upon. Now the summit was a +remarkably level plateau of five or six acres in extent. Round the outer +edge of this plateau the ground sank away steep and suddenly for fifty +yards, and it was only by the utmost exertions that a man could scramble +up this last steep brow. The pair walked around the outer fringe +together. + +"Well," said Oswald, "the hand of man could never have raised so +impregnable a rampart, and if gallantly manned it can never be carried +by assault. There is but one danger: we may be starved out, for the +provisioning of it is most difficult with our scanty resources." + +"It is as you say, my lord, matchless as a site for defence; for the +provisioning we must make strenuous efforts whilst the respite lasts; +and if we can by any means give them this day such a taste of our +quality as we ought to, they will never, unless greatly reinforced, +attempt to force our stronghold." + +"How bountiful, Wulfhere, nature has been in providing material for +building. Stones ready to our hand and inexhaustible in quantity, and +timber near to hand also." + +At this juncture a horseman was seen coming over the mile of gently +rising ground which stretched away from the forest. + +"He bears a message," said Oswald; "come, we will descend and meet him." + +By the time they had scrambled to the bottom of the declivity the +horseman drew near, bringing the news that evidently something more than +usual was afoot, by the number of men who were actively mustering at so +early an hour of the morning; this thing being quite an unusual one with +the Normans, who loved to carouse well into the night, and then sleep +off the effects in the morning. + +"Well we may be sure, if these besotted louts are moving thus early, +that there is something which has stirred the hornet's nest, so we will +to our rendezvous." Then turning to the scout, he said, "You know the +cave at Deepdale Head?" + +"Aye, aye, I know it well!" + +"You will find us there from now: keep us well informed, you and your +comrades, so that we may make our dispositions." + +Then the two rapidly descended until they came to the head of a deep +gorge, where was one of the many limestone caves to be found in the +district. It had an obscure and unpretentious entrance; but once well +within it, it assumed lofty proportions, and ran away into many cavities +roomy and weird. In past times no one would have dared to enter its +gloomy precincts, as it was considered to be the abode of pixies, +witch-hags, and the powers of evil and darkness generally. But now these +superstitious and ignorant people had dared to force the abode of evil +spirits, rather than face the still more cruel and hated Norman. + +Gathered around the entrance to this cave, and sitting on the hillside +were a number of men all armed, and evidently anticipating a conflict +with the enemy. They were a very miscellaneous company, some of them +being fierce, ragged, wild and most unsavoury looking. At the head of +some ten or fifteen was one Sigurd, who had been a chieftain in +Lakesland, some fifty miles distant; but so desperate had been his +conflict with the Normans, and so incessant his attacks and so daring in +character, that the Normans had found it necessary to put in motion +numerous forces to capture or slay this man and his desperate band. This +they had not been able to do; but so incessant had their harrying been, +that he had been driven from his native hills, with the result that this +opportune moment he was found swelling the ranks of Oswald's men. + +"Your coming is timely, Jarl," said Oswald. "Men who can wield a sword, +or fling a javelin, as I perceive you and these hardy warriors can, are +doubly welcome at this pinch." + +"You are right, master, I am Viking every inch of me; these men are +skalds every one also, so we need not tell you we like the ring of +steel. Give us a corner where there is room to fight and none to fly, +for we like it best." + +Just then another horseman hot with haste arrived with the tidings that +the Normans had divided themselves into two bands, and were ascending by +the water-courses. This was as Oswald had anticipated, for these +water-courses alone afforded what by compliment could be considered +continuous paths, the forest being very dense and tangled, and a +hopeless labyrinth. Now the Normans had made the somewhat common but, +nevertheless, often fatal mistake, of underrating the enemy--or rather +the hunted fugitives they sought. It had never occurred to them for a +moment that the Saxons would present a bold front, and even dare an +issue with them in force. They regarded the matter with a very light +heart; although they had had a taste of Oswald's prowess, they believed +that he had but few to stand by him. They little thought as they +scrambled jauntily along up the gorge with no precautions against an +ambush, or sudden assault, that they were forcing the hiding places of +desperate men, who, when hard driven were capable of desperate deeds. + +By-and-by the scouts came in bringing definite information as to +numbers, and the routes the Normans were pursuing. They had, as already +said, divided themselves into two parties; each one purposing to +thoroughly scour one of the two paths along the water-courses, and +intending to join together again when the hills should be reached. + +Now Sigurd, of whom more anon, had command of one company of the Saxon +forces at the head of one of the ravines, and he was duly apprised of +the number of Normans he would have to contend with. Oswald with +Wulfhere as second in command, had charge of the other contingent, and +they slowly drew away down the ravine to a spot which had been selected +by Oswald for the attack. The most numerous company of the Normans +struck the water-course which Oswald defended. The stream had there +reached the valley where the mighty slit in the mountains down which it +boisterously tumbled had broadened into a lovely dell, green as an +emerald, and studded with flowers. Here the waters moved placidly along; +but the innumerable foam-caps which slowly sailed away on its bosom, +bore ample evidence of its tumultuous descent from the mountains. Here +the Normans drew together and took council with regard to their further +movements. Eventually they took the left bank, and with long and +attenuated ranks they commenced the ascent. All this was duly noted, and +nimble feet carried each several movement speedily to the waiting +Saxons. + +The place selected by Oswald was where the limestone rock seemed to be +shorn down with a perpendicular face to the bed of the stream. On the +opposite side Wulfhere with a company of archers were ambushed. The +steep and lofty face of the rocks precluded any possibility of their +being dislodged, whilst the position of the Norman foe across the ravine +would expose them mercilessly to their shafts. Oswald, with some dozen +of the stoutest of his followers, barred the path at a point where it +took an upward trend, and a huge boulder blocked the vision of the +approaching foe. He had also thrown forward a party of men up the steep +and wooded ravine side, in advance of himself, who were completely +obscured by the trees. These were, at the signal, to roll down the +boulders and huge stones which abounded in the rough and scraggy +hillside. The position and the method of attack were matchlessly +planned. If these desperate Saxons only stood each one unflinchingly to +his post, victory was certain, for the enemy was entrapped, and flight +alone could save them. + +"Wulfhere," said Oswald, "you understand my plan, I think. The path on +our side is so narrow and rough, the enemy will be obliged to move +pretty nearly in single file. Your men must hide in the brushwood until +I give the signal; then pour into them volleys of arrows. If they should +be seized with panic, which assuredly they will, and beat a headlong +retreat, then rush down, and meet them at the neck of the gorge and cut +off their retreat. Remember, battle-axes are best for the thicket, and +broadswords for the open. Strike swiftly, strike hard, and victory is +certain." + +So Wulfhere crossed the stream with his men, and clambered up the steep +bank on the opposite side. Then abreast, but on each side the stream, +the two companies marched downwards. Presently they reached the spot +selected for the attack. The disposition of the men was quickly +effected. Then Wulfhere, keeping in the shelter of the trees, advanced +to the brink of the precipice, where his position commanded a view of +the enemy, who were swarming forward. From thence he could easily hold +converse across the chasm with Oswald, who, with battle-axe firmly +grasped in his right hand, and bronze shield on his left, like a fierce +lion was grimly waiting for his prey; behind him, a dozen stout yeomen, +who from their youth had been taught to wield either weapons of war or +implements of husbandry, men who had proved their valour against both +Norman and Dane on many occasions. As the enemy drew near, their numbers +and every movement was minutely described to Oswald, until they drew so +near that further parleying must cease. Then Wulfhere retired a few +steps into the thicket where his men were lurking, with arrows affixed, +ready for the fray. Meanwhile, the loud oaths, coarse laughter, and +unchecked speech of the Normans told plainly the feelings of contempt +they entertained for the foe, and the little apprehension they had of +the onslaught awaiting them. Soon their scrambling footsteps drew quite +close, amid a death-like stillness in the ranks of the lurking foe. The +Saxon war-cry, "Ahoi!" in thunderous tones burst from the lips of Oswald +and his men. "Ahoi!" shouted Wulfhere's men. "Ahoi!" shouted the men +ambushed aloft. At that instant also, a dozen arrows with deadly aim +came hissing across the defile; down also came the boulders from aloft, +leaping with gathering velocity into the ranks of the foe, whilst Oswald +dashed from behind the boulder, and closed with the Norman leader. Their +gleaming eyes met for a second; the Norman dealt a hurried forceless +blow with his sword, which the Saxon received on his shield; then his +ponderous battle-axe came crashing down with irresistible force. The +Norman interposed his shield, but the axe bore it down and, glancing +therefrom, came full upon his cranium, tearing away his helmet, and +felling him through the shrubs down into the water-course in the bottom +of the glen. As the Normans witnessed the overthrow of their leader, +they were completely panic-stricken, and helplessly huddled together +like sheep, unable to strike a blow. The Saxon dominated the path in +front, cutting down the foremost with marvellous celerity; whilst on one +flank the deadly arrows were being poured into them, and on the other +flank the huge stones clashed through their ranks and decimated their +numbers. This hesitancy lasted but for a minute or two; very speedily +the discomfiture became an abject panic, and each one for himself made a +rush for the valley. The Saxons followed them swiftly, relentlessly, and +cut them off in numbers, as they impetuously rushed away towards the +valley and the castle. At a signal from Oswald, the Saxons ceased their +harrying of the scattered and flying foe, and with swift footsteps they +regained the head of the gorge and over the shoulder of the hills, to +the help of their comrades, who barred the advance of the second band of +Normans. + +Now, whilst Oswald, with sagacity and conspicuous valour, had routed one +contingent of the Normans, the sturdy Viking Sigurd, with a dozen of his +own reckless and desperate band, reinforced by less than a score of +Oswald's followers, pressed eagerly on to the fray with the other band +of Normans. Sigurd possessed none of the qualities of generalship, +beyond a desperate and headlong valour, which always bore him into the +thickest of the fight. His personal strength was prodigious, and no +other man could wield his ponderous sword; in a rough and desperate +struggle where strength and valour were everything, and skill of little +avail, he had no equal in all Northumbria. His own followers, too, in +thicket warfare, with their short but heavy swords in one hand, and a +long, gleaming knife or dagger in the other, were unrivalled in such an +encounter as the one they challenged to-day. In Oswald's struggle, the +place and plan of attack had more to do with the complete demoralisation +of the Normans, than the desperate valour with which it was carried out. +In Sigurd's case, it is true, the surprise, the thicket, and the rough +and precipitous ground, were stout allies of his. But otherwise, +everything depended on the vigour and valour of himself and men. Now +Pierre led this second company, and he was a sturdy rogue who had to be +reckoned with when it came to a tussle with weapons; and any one who +counted on Pierre succumbing to panic or to fear would be grievously +mistaken. + +On, however, the Normans pressed, like their routed compatriots, never +dreaming that the Saxons would be prepared for them; and, as a matter of +fact, despising them, in any case. Right into the ambush they marched, +recklessly and unheeding. Instantly the Saxon war-cry rends the air, and +the wood is alive with men who frantically hurl themselves upon the +astonished foe. The Normans stagger and reel at the fierce onset, and +some fly, coward-like, without striking a blow. But the presence of mind +and personal bravery of Pierre stands them in good stead at this +juncture. In stentorian tones he shouted, "Notre Dame! Have at the dogs! +Follow me!" And whipping out his sword he headed the onset, laying about +him lustily and encouraging his men. But the burly Viking, Sigurd, finds +none to withstand him, and he makes sad havoc amongst the men-at-arms, +who quail and cower before him; whilst his followers, like mountain +goats, dart from behind trees and boulders, dealing stealthy and +effective strokes, completely nonplussing the Normans with their +organised methods. Pierre quickly perceives, however, that they number +five to one of the Saxons; and, if the burly Viking's arm can be +arrested for ten minutes, victory will come speedily. There is none but +he to do it. So boldly he dashes off on the instant and confronts the +giant. No mean foeman is Pierre in point of physical strength and +courage; but, when to that was added his superb skill in handling his +weapon, he is not to be trifled with, even by so doughty a foe as +Sigurd. + +"Ha, ha!" roared the Viking chief, as he witnessed the temerity of this +Norman in courting battle with him, and with reckless vigour he smites +at Pierre. But the Norman plies shield and sword in defence, and +dexterously shifts his ground to get an advantage. In swift succession +the thunder-strokes fall, and gleams of fire dart from Pierre's shield +and sword as he parries the blows. Scathless, however, he endures the +ordeal. + +"Bravo, Pierre!" his comrades shouted. "Hold _him_ in play a little +while, and we will make short work of these churls." + +Truly everything points to this conclusion, for the Normans have +gathered courage wonderfully, and by sheer numbers the Saxons are being +rapidly overborne. At the instant, however, the Saxon battle-cry, Ahoi! +Ahoi! Ahoi! wakes the echoes in the hills, and Oswald and his men dash +into the flanks of the Normans. The effect is electrical. +Panic-stricken, they fly before the onrush of the avenging Saxons. The +retreat was a regular stampede; and Pierre and his men, along with the +stragglers from the first company, rushed into the castle yard +breathless with haste, never having made attempt to rally. + +De Montfort and Vigneau, who had received the former troop with rage and +dismay, were little less than frantic at this double disaster and +ignoble defeat. + +"Pierre, you scurvy villain, what is this? I wish thou hadst left thy +ugly carcase with those Saxon dogs yonder, ere thou disgraced thy +calling thus!" roared Vigneau at his henchman. + +"You will take care that fat carcase of yours is put in no manner of +danger, master!" rasped out Pierre, in fierce retort. + +"How now, villain!" said Vigneau, drawing his sword and advancing on +Pierre. "I'll put a stop to thy unmannerly insolence, dog!" + +"Stand back!" said Pierre fiercely, and whipping out his sword. "You +will have to take your chance, mark me, if you put not up that weapon. +I'll have no more of your bullying! My weapon is as good as yours any +day, whether I have won my spurs or no." + +"Stop that!" said De Montfort, authoritatively, and stepping between +them. "How is this, Pierre? What has happened?" + +"Treachery, my lord! The Saxons were well advised of our purpose, depend +upon it, for they were prepared for us, lying in ambush to receive us. +But in spite of this we should have worsted them; but when we were just +getting the mastery, the Saxon Oswald and fifty others dashed into our +rear and demoralised us entirely. A burly monster, huge as a bull, led +the first company. Look at my shield! cut through in several places by +his weapons. Depend upon it, we were betrayed by some one; they were +evidently awaiting us, everything prepared." + +Wonderfully elated and heartened these Saxons were at the day's +successes; for this was the first encounter since the Normans' +disastrous march through the north when, matching force with force, they +had gained so signal a victory. The fame and prowess of Oswald spread +like wildfire amongst the hunted refugees, who were lurking, like beasts +of the forest, in any hiding-place they could find. Salutary also was +the lesson the arrogant and vindictive oppressors learnt, for both their +respect and their fears were marvellously increased by it. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +EVIL COUNSELLORS. + + "All good to me is lost. + Evil, be thou my good." + + Milton. + + +Great was the chagrin and rage manifested by Vigneau, Count de Montfort, +and the Normans generally, at this unexpected rebuff; and increased +cruelties and indignities were heaped upon the hapless and degraded +Saxons who had accepted the yoke of villeinage. Indeed, the lives of +these Saxons were of no account whatever; and the honour of the Saxon +women was at the mercy of besotted and degraded Norman troopers. Very +few indeed were there amongst the Saxons who had not grievous cause to +cherish the most deadly hatred against these ruthless oppressors and +usurpers, the Normans. + +It was too much to expect that, amid the general confiscation, the +monastery should continue to be governed by myself, and that monks of +Saxon origin should minister to the poor and the sick, and have control +of our endowments. So, as I had expected, one fateful day, my office was +taken from me and bestowed upon a Norman Father, who, with a number of +monks, had followed at the heels of the conquerors, and were as greedy +for the emoluments of the Church, as their brethren-in-arms were for the +possessions of the Saxon laymen. So one Father Vigneau, who was a +brother of Baron Vigneau, became our Abbot, and degradation and much +oppression was meted out to us Saxons, with the object of driving us +forth to other shelter, or to become mendicant friars or mere hedge +priests. Some of my subordinates went forth, like Abraham, to seek a +country. Some cast in their lot with their outlawed countrymen, and, I +am sorry to say, not unfrequently became as great adepts at the wielding +of carnal weapons as they were at saying Mass or burying the dead. But I +had so many ties, and such affection for my flock, that I resolved to +stay and bear the heavy yoke; counting it no small honour to be found +worthy to suffer like my Master. + +I was also greatly fortified in this my resolve by the friendship and +help which I received at the hands of Alice De Montfort, who proved to +be a real friend, not only to myself, but to all who were in suffering +and distress. + +Our new Abbot, I found, had not been trained to the service of the +Church, but had been, at one time, a soldier by profession. Latterly he +had taken to the Church, as I suspect because he found the sacred +calling less arduous, and could be made to serve his inordinate desire +for idleness and good living. His god was indeed his belly, and his life +loose and irregular to great excess. He was a man of florid countenance, +and much too pursy for a man whose first duty was to crucify the flesh. +His garments, also, ill became a man in the sacred office he had +assumed. He was an exceedingly vain man, and loved to adorn his person, +and affect the airs and swaggering gait of a young gallant. By his side +he constantly dangled a sword, and under his monk's robes he usually +wore a coat of link-mail--which, I suspected, arose from a cowardly fear +of assassination; for, despite his swaggering deportment, I ever found +him to be an arrant coward, and, like every coward, relentless and +cruel, loving to oppress and to insult those whose position made it easy +for him so to do. + +Amongst the monks who came with him I found not one truly holy and +devoted man. Most of them were so ignorant as to be totally unable to +read the sacred books in the Latin tongue. These men, like their +superior, lived loose, irregular lives; habitually neglecting prayers, +fasting, and abstinence from carnal indulgences. Indeed, of most of +them, if it had not been for their dress they could not have been +distinguished from the riotous and disorderly soldiery. + +Our new Abbot and his brother, Baron Vigneau, were spending the night +together, indulging in one of those nightly carousals which were a +disgrace and a crying scandal to our ancient and holy monastery, which +had earned itself a good repute by the piety and learning of the +brotherhood, and by the wise and charitable administration of the +princely revenues which appertained to it. Never had it been known, in +times past, that any palmer, or wandering minstrel, had been turned away +from its hospitable doors, unhoused and unfed; and any distressed or +suffering peasant was sure to have sympathy in trouble, and relief in +want. But since the advent of the Normans, its revenues were dissipated +by rioting and drunkenness, chambering and wantonness, and in +entertaining Norman riff-raff and debauching Saxons, who were willing to +sell themselves for the gluttonous eating and drinking to which they +were treated. In vain it was for us Saxons to preach virtue and chastity +to the poor peasantry, whose cattle, implements of husbandry, and homes, +had been destroyed, and who could not till the ground, knowing that they +would be despoiled of their harvest. The poor were at best half starved, +and subjected to most gross and cruel treatment. + +To-night, however, more than ordinarily weighty matters were being +discussed over their wine by the brothers. + +"What progress, then, have you made in the matter?" said the Abbot. + +"Well, I have, by a most determined effort, forced the Count, much +against his will, to name a day for the fulfilment of his promise. But +the jade, his daughter, takes high ground, and I fancy to get her nose +to the grindstone will be no easy task." + +"I suppose it is the old excuse the vixen makes?" + +"Yes; my tongue is not smooth enough, and my manners do not suit her +dainty notions. She's in a precious dudgeon just now over a Saxon wench +I took a fancy to; and she's as flighty as a two-year-old filly, and as +proud as Lucifer. In fact, she gets more stately and arrogant from day +to day. Never mind!" said he, bringing his fist down upon the table. +"I'll take her ladyship down a peg or two by-and-bye. I scarcely know +whether I love or hate her most, now. She's got a pretty face and +figure, or I'd as soon try steel upon her as wed her." + +"Well, I must confess she's a very handsome wench, brother--not a finer +in Britain; but I never see her without feeling that I would give +something to humble her pride. You think the Count would be out of it if +he knew how to get, do you?" + +"Not a shadow of a doubt of it. He would murder me at a minute's notice, +if he could get possession of those letters I told you about. But he +knows you are fully informed about them, and of his treachery to +William, and he dare not resort to violence until he knows how to secure +the letters by his effort. I have come to the conclusion to hand them +over to you; they will be safer than in my possession." + +"They contain conclusive evidence of his treachery, don't they?" + +"No mistake about that. They are in his own handwriting, and sealed with +his own crest and coat-of-arms. They make offer upon certain +considerations, to sell his influence and his men to the Saxons during +William's absence. He was also fool enough to give me a written promise +of his daughter's hand, in consideration of my fidelity to him. Nothing +in the world could be clearer and straighter than the whole thing. He +sees now pretty clearly that _his_ game is up; but I'll show him that +_my_ game is not up, or likely to be, until he hands over his stately +daughter." + +"He must have greatly miscalculated the odds when he put his head into a +noose like that." + +"Yes; he's not played many false cards in his life, but that was one, +and he will lose his head by it if he does not play up square with the +remainder. I'll promise him that much at least." + +"What cause had he to quarrel with the king?" + +"Oh, jealousy. He prides himself upon the services he has rendered to +William, and he expected in consequence to be high in the king's favour, +and in his council. He expected to have some fat lands too, near to +London. William, however, did not think so highly of his services, or +else he had been prejudiced against him by some courtezan, which is more +probable. Anyhow, no sooner was William firmly seated on the throne than +he gave De Montfort the cold shoulder. He made Odo, Lanfranc, and +Fitz-Osborne his chosen counsellors. + +"Now, a mortal feud existed between Odo and De Montfort, and he quickly +got the cold side of his master's favours. He had given to him a paltry +estate in the Fen country, where he had that Saxon devil, Hereward, +hanging on to his skirts, and foraging all over his possessions, +whenever hunger drove him from his infernal den in the marshes. The +slight which he received rankled, I can promise you; and when the +insurrection broke out whilst William was in Normandy, and when the +Saxons took York, and put to the sword the garrison of three thousand +Normans, with the Danes swarming into the Humber ripe for plunder, and +the Atheling trooping in from Scotland--why, the cunning of the wily one +was at fault for once. He thought the thing would succeed; and succeed +it would have done, sure enough, if it had not been levelled against +that devil's own favourite, William. He sent me with letters to Waltheof +and the others, offering to put his men into the field on condition that +he received ample reward. He hoped no doubt, also, that he would get a +little revenge upon his enemies at Court. + +"When I got to York I was not foolish enough to rush into the thing +until I saw how matters looked. I had a bit of respect for my own neck, +whether I had for De Montfort's or not. If he was willing to risk his +head to gratify his spite, the prospect was not alluring enough for me. +Well, I did not like the look of Waltheof, and whilst I waited, William +hurried across the Channel, and, with a stroke of matchless craft, he +bought off the rascally Danes. The double-dyed traitor and coward, +Waltheof, very soon succumbed to the same influences; and away also went +the Atheling, full speed, for Scotland. I saw the thing was burst up. A +few of the smaller chieftains, like this Saxon Oswald, held their ground +and fought it out; but it was a nine days' wonder, and nothing more. + +"Well, I thought I would try a cast of my own net. I had followed the +fortunes of De Montfort to very little profit as yet. I had thought by +following the fortunes of a leader like him, I should get a tolerably +fair share of the spoils; and I had an understanding that I should have +the hand of his daughter. But, I had already begun to notice that the +damsel was not made altogether of pleasant humours, and probably she +would require a good deal of persuading to complete the bargain. So I +told him I had handed the letters to a brother of mine who was in the +Church, and held in favour by Lanfranc; and, brother, that accounts for +your being installed in such a snug crib as this. I flaunt these +letters, metaphorically speaking, pretty regularly before him, to keep +him to the mark. The operation makes him wince; but, whether he likes it +or not, it will be done, and to greater purpose, I can assure you, if +his word is not made good shortly, and his friskish daughter brought to +her senses." + +"Well, take the letters," said the Baron, tossing them across to his +brother. "Pour out a flagon of good old sack; preaching is dry +throat-work. I say, what has become of that pretty Saxon wench I found +here at first? Have you any idea? I had no notion they bred cattle of +that quality amongst these louts of Saxons. You have not seen anything +of her about, have you, since you came?" + +"No. I heard of that little stroke of yours, but I've not seen the wench +at all; but I have a notion that old Saxon snake, Adhelm, knows all +about it. I would have made an end of him long before this, but that +minx Alice has taken him under her protection. I would take an oath he's +in league with those rats on the hill, and he is making mischief among +our own brotherhood! One fellow, who has half the brains of the +monastery, has given utterance to sundry remonstrances which I shall not +tolerate; and I find that he and Adhelm are very friendly." + +"Well, take care of the letters anyhow; I shall feel safer when they are +out of my custody." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +LOVE IS STRONGER THAN HATE. + + "True love's the gift which God has given + To man alone beneath the heaven: + + * * * * * + + It is the secret sympathy, + The silver link, the silken tie, + Which heart to heart, and mind to mind, + In body and in soul can bind." + + Scott. + + +It is a lovely morning in August; the hush of perfect restfulness is in +the air. The cattle have retired from the heat and glare of the sun, and +are quietly chewing the cud beneath the sheltering foliage of the +plantain trees; whilst here and there, through the long vistas between +the trees, may be seen a tall stag with two or three hinds at his heels, +venturing within sight of the haunts of men, as though timidly inviting +man's protection against the foes of the forest. This lovely morning has +tempted forth from the castle the two females who are directing their +steps to a rustic house on the banks of the river, where there are +housed a couple of boats. One boat is of delicate trim and dainty +workmanship. The oars are small and carefully made, the handles having a +rich silken covering, showing they are intended for delicate hands to +wield. + +This is Alice's favourite recreation, and dearly she loves to have a +quiet hour on the still bosom of the river, with Jeannette to row, and +she, book in hand, to sit and read or sit and muse in quiet rapture as +she gazes on the noble scenery around. The dip and plash of the oars, as +Jeannette beats up against the current, is as the soothing tones of +delicate music. Then to float slowly and in perfect stillness down +stream, beneath the tall trees that line the banks, where busy insects +dance and sing, and where the trout leap to catch their prey; to catch +the scents from the wooded bank, where breathing shrub, and plant, and +flower, and tree, load the air with their perfumed exhalations. Truly to +the lover of Nature the smell of a wood is "as the smell of a field +which the Lord hath blessed!" On this day everything seems exceptionally +lovely, and, slowly as Jeannette is pulling, the confines of the park +are quickly overpassed, and the castle is cut off from view by +embowering woods. + +"We are already past the limits of the park, my lady," said Jeannette. +"Shall I put the boat about now, and drift back with the stream?" + +"Oh, no, not just yet, Jeannette. Let us go a little farther to-day. It +is such a charming morning, and I have been longing for a great while to +explore a little more of this delightful river." + +"But you are forgetting the Count's express commands, my lady. You know +he bade us be very careful not to go beyond sight of the castle." + +"Never fear, Jeannette. I think we may safely venture a little farther. +You know we have never so much as seen any human being in these +excursions." + +"No, my lady; but you know what horrid, wild people these Saxons are; +and they may be lurking in the woods and shoot their arrows at us, and +wound or kill us before the least help could reach us." + +"I don't think we have any enemies amongst the Saxons, Jeannette. You +and I, at least, do not merit their vengeance, and I am quite prepared +to trust them." + +"But it is really dangerous, my lady," remonstrated the maid. "And Paul +Lazaire has told me that they really kill and eat people, do these +horrid Saxons!" + +"Fie, fie, Jeannette! What a coward you are, and a simpleton to boot, to +believe all the silly tales you hear about the Saxons! Look how +exquisitely lovely the river is ahead of us. Pull a little farther up +stream." + +Truly it was as Alice said, exquisitely lovely. The huge mountains on +either side spread out their bases down to the water's edge, whilst +deep, dense woods clothed the river's brink with well-nigh impenetrable +depths of undergrowths and foliage. The huge trees on either side spread +out their long arms across the river as though anxious to shake hands +with their giant neighbours on the opposite bank. Ahead, each bend of +the river through the tortuous hills was obscured from view; and it +looked in the distance as though it was issuing from the bowels of the +mountain promontory in front, through a thick bower of foliage, whilst +here and there, as they voyaged on, the bare and frowning limestone +crags jutted out through the slender covering of the green fir-tree tops +which vainly strove to hide them--lonesome, fearsome, and grand, the +solitude all around. The strange wildness and grandeur of the scene +stirred the soul of Alice to its very depths, and it is needless to say +she was perfectly oblivious to everything save the sweet voice of +Nature. + +As the boat and its occupants moved slowly up stream, numbers of +water-hens rushed off into the impenetrable recesses of foliage and +undergrowths, or dived hurriedly beneath the roots of trees or +overhanging embankment. + +Yonder in the distance, in the bared and tortuous roots of a huge tree +overhanging the water, an otter is sitting, warily watching his finny +prey disporting themselves beneath; but at sight of these unwelcome +visitors he drops from the root of the tree on which he sits, with hasty +plunge, leaving no trace of his whereabouts saving the streaming +headline in the water indicating the direction in which he hastes for +safety. + +Fearlessly also, ahead, a flock of wild-duck are floating regally on the +limpid waters, unconscious of danger, and gabbling in utmost glee and +content; but at this unlooked-for intrusion they set up a startled cry, +take hurriedly to wing, and are quickly lost in the distance. + +Looking carefully, also, at the entrance of yon water-course, which +comes tumbling over its rocky bed from the hills, a heron stands +pensively watching for any incautious trout that, quitting the deep +waters, comes to the lips of the mountain stream for food; but, +disturbed, he utters a scream, and spreading out his long wings, with +low and measured beat mounts into the air, probably to rest not until +the far-away sea-coast is reached. + +Kingfishers too--haunters of quiet river-stretches--in coats of the +loveliest green and gold, flit over the bosom of the water with quiet +assurance. Snipe, also, in goodly numbers, with swift, arrow-like +flight, dart ahead up stream, or, rising high over the tops of the +trees, circle back again to the rear of the boat. + +Alice is in raptures, and Jeannette's cautions and remonstrances alike, +fall on ears which are preoccupied with other sounds, and are quite deaf +to everything but the peaceful harmonies of nature. + +"Look, Jeannette, at those fine hazel nuts, which hang in ripe and ruddy +clusters there! Pull to the side at once, and let us gather them!" + +Jeannette's caution is completely upset at this tempting sight, and the +order is scarcely given ere it is executed. Eagerly the pair stand up in +the boat to reach the brown clusters, totally oblivious and regardless +of danger and molestation. Presently, with increasing boldness, they +fasten the boat's chain round the bole of a tree, and clamber upon the +bank. With nimble feet and nimble fingers they rush from tree to tree, +stripping them of their dainty burden, and coming again and again with +their hands full of nuts, and showering them into the bottom of the +boat. + +But they would not have been so content and composed had they but known +that two pairs of Saxon eyes had been watching intently the progress up +stream of the frail bark, and the fair Norman women who occupied it. +One, at least, has determined, if chance offers, he will have a word of +thanks with them for his deliverance. These Saxons are Oswald and his +almost inseparable comrade, Wulfhere. So the two slowly push aside the +foliage and, unnoticed, emerge in close proximity to the eager nutters. +Jeannette utters a scream, and narrowly escapes an attack of hysterics. + +"Calm your fears, ladies," said Oswald. "We are too much your debtors to +wish you ill. Allow me, fair lady, to tender to you on this, the first +opportunity I have had, my undying gratitude for the life you so +magnanimously gave me a while ago. Though we Saxons, I am afraid, must +appear to you as rude and uncivilised islanders, I assure you we are not +insensible to, or ungrateful for, any favours bestowed upon us--much +less such favours as you have conferred on myself." + +"Sir Knight," said Alice, much assured by the sincere and courteous tone +in which the valiant and virtuous Saxon chieftain had addressed her, "we +did but do what pity and admiration combined moved us to. Heaven made us +two weak women, and we played a woman's part. But we have not repented +in that we did an act prompted by those intuitions of mercy which are +our woman's heritage." + +"I am made a life-long debtor, fair lady, for that womanly act, and I +trust I may find opportunity to repay so generous a loan." + +"I am glad we have met a Saxon who is our debtor, or we should have +fared badly for our boldness this morning." + +"My people, lady, will not injure a hair of your head, nor permit any +one else to do so. You may roam at will; far or near, you are perfectly +safe." + +"This river scenery is perfectly enchanting, Sir Knight. If I may +presume upon the friendship and goodwill of your people, I should like +to explore it thoroughly?" + +"The river, lady, becomes even finer as you push into the solitudes. If +that craft were not so frail, we two would give you a merry spin for a +mile or two. Indeed, if you dare trust yourself with a Saxon, let me +pull you up stream. I think I can promise you a rare treat. Wulfhere, my +comrade, will take care of your maid until we return." + +"I dare venture. It would not be knightly conduct to betray a woman's +confidence. But will it be safe to leave Jeannette?" + +"Perfectly! Wulfhere and the hound are a pair of faithful and valiant +defenders." + +"No, no!" almost shrieked Jeannette. "You must not go! You will be +killed and eaten! I have heard for certain that these horrid Saxons eat +people!" + +"Nonsense, Jeannette! Don't be foolish, and don't listen to such silly +tales!" + +"Oh, dear! I shall be eaten if you aren't! Holy Mother protect me!" said +she, crossing herself; and, pulling her rosary out of her bosom, she +began counting her beads most violently. + +"Come, my pretty," said Wulfhere, in his blandest tones. "If I were a +cannibal I wouldn't eat you. Sit on this fallen tree; I and the hound +will keep a respectful distance." So saying, he retreated half a dozen +paces from her, and began putting the dog through some capers. + +"If you eat Jeannette, Wulfhere, I shall call you to account when I come +back," said Oswald laughingly, as the boat sped away. + +In the meantime, Jeannette sat rocking herself in great distress, +watching the receding boat, and telling her beads at a great pace, +whilst Wulfhere continued his play with the hound, quite oblivious--or +apparently oblivious--of the tearful maiden. But nothing to this pretty +Frenchwoman was so insupportable as to be ignored. So, after bemoaning +her distressing circumstances without finding any special calamity +happening, she began casting furtive glances at her Saxon comrade, and +she gradually dropped her cries and tears, at his nonchalant behaviour, +and her beads began to pass much more slowly through her fingers. To her +coquettish fancy there was something piquant in the indifference of this +stalwart Saxon. Her curiosity was excited, and this speedily passed into +admiration for the muscular limbs and well-developed frame of Wulfhere. +For it is not in the disposition of many daughters of Eve--much less in +such as this coquettish Frenchwoman was--to look upon such a fine piece +of muscular anatomy as Wulfhere's, without falling into admiration of +it. This did not pass unmarked by him, despite the hypocritical +indifference which he had assumed. Presently he turned his gaze upon +Jeannette, and a good-humoured grin spread over his features, developing +into a broad smile, as he ventured to break the silence. + +"I say, pretty one, you'll not run away whilst I'm gathering a few +sticks to make the fire with, will you, eh?" + +"Fire!" exclaimed Jeannette, clutching her beads, which had dropped into +her lap. "What do you want a fire for?" + +"Want a fire for! Why, I couldn't think of eating you raw!" and he +twirled on his heel, to laugh. + +Jeannette uttered an inimitable little scream. "You horrid man, I shall +jump into the water if you stir! I'm sure I shall!" Then, bursting into +a little laugh, all the more bewitching as it came, rainbow-like, +betwixt smiles and tears, she said, "You are trying to frighten me, I +know; but all the same you Saxons do eat people. I've heard it said +hundreds of times. And once, as we came along, we saw a pile of bones, +and Paul Lazaire said they were the bones of people whom the Saxons had +eaten. So you see we know all about you." + +"Oh, but that's all fudge, pretty one. You shall be my sweetheart, and +then you'll soon learn quite different." + +"But I'm not going to be your sweetheart. So you see. I wouldn't have +any one for a sweetheart with hair and beard as long as yours. Normans +have more sense than to wear horrid beards." + +"Oh, but you shall cut my hair, and trim my beard; and I would try to +look like a little Norman ninny of five feet six. Then you wouldn't be +frightened in the least, would you?" + +Jeannette thought to herself she would rather take him as he was, though +she kept the matter to herself. The upshot of the whole was this: +Wulfhere found himself sitting by her side on the fallen tree, with the +hound in front, and neither party very anxious for the return of the +boat and its occupants. + +"So they say we eat such as you, do they, sweetheart?" + +"Yes, they do. And they don't call me 'Sweetheart,' either. And don't +you think I don't know you, for I saw you fighting on that wall." + +"Well, don't be offended now; but what do they call you?" + +"They call me Jeannette--and that's nothing to you." + +"Oh dear, no! nothing whatever. And do they really say that we eat such +as you?" + +"Yes, they do! And it's quite true besides! for everybody says so." + +"Well, that's dreadful, anyhow. And how many do you suppose I shall have +eaten like you?" + +"You wouldn't have to eat _one_ like me. If you did, Paul Lazaire would +kill you for it." + +"Paul Lazaire? Oh, I suppose Paul Lazaire will be a sweetheart of yours. +Is that so, Jeannette dear?" + +"Yes, he is my sweetheart. But I'm not going to marry him for all that! +So you see." + +"No, I wouldn't have _him_, I'm sure. Tell him you have got a better +now--a Saxon." + +"Fancy! That is fine, to be sure! Don't you think it! I'm not going to +have a husband at all. They are horrid things, for they are never happy +but when they are swilling ale. Just to think of my marrying a Saxon! +That would be fine indeed!" + +"Really now, my pretty Jeannette, I really am over head and ears in love +with you; and if you were my wife, why, I should take great care of +you." + +"Wife, to be sure! The wife of a Saxon? Just think of it! I suppose I +should have to run about in the woods all day, clothed in sheepskins; +then I suppose I should have to creep into a hole in the earth at night. +That would be nice, wouldn't it?" + +Wulfhere burst into a horse-laugh. "Perhaps you would prefer sleeping up +a tree to creeping into a hole, would you?" + +"I'm not going to do either. Besides, I daresay you have got a Saxon +wife somewhere, for you are all deceitful--Norman and Saxon alike." + +"Nonsense, Jeannette! I have no wife, or sweetheart either, and I have +made up my mind now, that my wife shall be Norman--just such a wife as +yourself, Jeannette." + +"Why, what would such a giant as you want a wife like me for?" + +"Why? Well, I can hardly answer that question, I declare. But something +must be put down to your pretty face, something to your slender waist, +and a good deal to something I can't explain; but I never felt anything +like it before, for no sooner did I set eyes upon that pretty face of +yours than I felt I should like to kiss it." + +"Oh, you horrid, naughty man!" said Jeannette, slipping her slender hand +into Wulfhere's huge paw, and unconsciously hitching closer to him on +the log, "to try and deceive me with such nonsense! I know you are +deceiving me! Why, where should we live? I don't know where _you_ live +now. I should die if I had to live in the woods, and had no home. I +should like a home of my own, where I could play my guitar and spin my +wool, and make you some better garments than those coarse ones you +wear." + +"Oh, you shall not be my wife until I can find you a home, and protect +you! We shall probably have to teach the Normans another lesson or two. +Then they will listen to reason. When we have got a settlement of our +own, then you shall be my wife, Jeannette." + +"Oh, but I dare not! I should be frightened to live amongst the Saxons. +But you wouldn't harm a little woman like me? That would be cowardly." + +"I think it would, Jeannette," said Wulfhere, passing his arm around her +slim waist, drawing her to him, and planting a kiss on her sunny cheek. +"When I go to war I should like a sturdier foe to wreak my vengeance +on." + +"But would you be a serf, and wear one of those horrid iron collars the +serfs wear? I shouldn't like a husband who was a bondman." + +"No, my pretty one, I have never been a bondman; and, what is more, I +never shall. I am a Saxon freeman." + +"A 'freeman'? What is a 'freeman'?" + +"A freeman is one who tills his own land, and is no man's vassal or +bondman. I shall remain a freeman, and my sons shall be freemen after +me." + +At this juncture the hound gave a start, and threw back his head, at the +same time giving utterance to a low, fierce growl. Presently a footstep +is heard, not approaching stealthily, but crashing through the trees and +underwood. Wulfhere springs to his feet; his bow is unslung, and an +arrow affixed in a moment. The hound also starts to his feet, his +eyeballs glitter, and the veins of his neck and body are distended +almost to bursting. The low branches are put aside, and the burly form +of Sigurd, the dispossessed viking chieftain, emerges before them. His +lowering brow and impetuous manner tell but too plainly that there is a +tempest raging within him. + +"Wulfhere," said he, "what does this mean?" + +"What does what mean, my lord?" + +"Why, the drivelling folly I have witnessed for the last half hour or +more! Fitter stuff for a Norman libertine than for a Saxon freeman, and +one who makes pretence of valour!" + +"I am at a loss to know what you mean, my lord." + +"I mean? Why, I mean that whilst I and others of thy countrymen are +lurking near the haunts of these French dogs, that we may have revenge +upon them, thou and thy master are toying and fooling with their women. +But enough of this! Make an end of this woman, and an end of thy folly +at a blow, and thou hast then made amends." + +"Indeed I shall do no such thing. This maiden and her noble mistress +gave my chief his life, and it will be woe to the man who dares injure +either the one or the other." + +"What care I for thy master's scruples? These Normans owe us +satisfaction for a thousand Saxon lives they have taken. So stand aside; +I'll do my own business." + +"Indeed you will do no such thing, until you have disposed of me;" and +Wulfhere threw himself boldly in front of Sigurd. + +"Ah, art thou insolent into the bargain, dog? I will chastise thy +bravado out of thee if thou stand not aside;" and he grasped the hilt of +his sword. + +Wulfhere, seeing the movement, and having no sword, sprang upon him and +dealt him a stinging blow with his clenched fist. So violently was this +given that, sturdy as he was, Sigurd reeled back several paces. + +"Ah, is that it, my buck? Then I'll have thee with thine own weapon, for +I do not need to take any advantage of a varlet like thyself!" + +So saying, he rushed on Wulfhere, with intent to come to close quarters. +But Wulfhere knew well the great personal strength of his bulky +antagonist, so he dodged with great agility every effort Sigurd made to +grapple with him. And he did not fail to deal him repeatedly heavy blows +with his clenched fists. This so exasperated Sigurd that he was as +furious as a mad bull, and for a considerable time it seemed to be a +battle between brute force and agility, the balance being much in favour +of the more agile. Unfortunately, a trip on the part of Wulfhere, over +the root of a tree, gave Sigurd the chance he had been vainly striving +for. Ere he could recover himself, Sigurd gripped him in his powerful +embrace, and gathering him up as though he were a child, he hurled him +to the ground, exclaiming, "Now I will kill thee, churl!" and he grasped +him by the throat. The hound, which had been dancing round the +combatants during the fray, with many furious and irresolute darts at +Sigurd, seeing Wulfhere in such desperate straits, sprang upon Sigurd, +and buried his teeth in the fleshy part of his arm. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +ALICE DE MONTFORT AND THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN. + + "Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, + And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind." + + Shakespeare. + + +The boat containing Oswald and Alice, impelled by the strong arms of the +Saxon chieftain, sped along swiftly through the magnificent scenery. + +"Now, lady, what think you? Did I speak truly when I praised the +scenery?" + +"Yes. Truly it would be an earthly paradise if it were not for the greed +and cruelty of man. I think it richer and grander in these leafy +solitudes than anything I have seen; or else it is because it fits my +taste so wondrously." + +"Yes. I cannot say, lady, that I hope you and your people will long +enjoy the new home you have found, for I confess to you I cherish most +ardent desires to be its lord again; though I think I can renounce my +hopes, and well-nigh welcome exile if you are to be its mistress, and I +may be permitted to look with unsinning eyes upon a form which has +become even dearer to me than freedom and home. I doubt me, however, +this latter wish may not be, for I hear some Norman knight claims your +hand." + +"My father has affianced me to one of the knights of his retinue; but +this betrothal is without my consent, if I may be so bold as to confess +it to a stranger. Indeed, I care not to disguise the fact that it is a +most hateful alliance, and most abhorrent to me. I shall much prefer, if +I may be permitted, to retire to a convent in my native land, rather +than wed a man so incapable of inspiring either my love or my respect as +this Baron Vigneau." + +"I am afraid it is I who am too bold, in intruding in so delicate a +matter, and one so remote from my concerns. But I would fain think, and +hope, that the Count will not press a loveless marriage upon you; to do +such violence to your affections would be cruel." + +"My father is a soldier, Sir Knight, seared and blunted by his calling, +and sentiment has little place in his nature. Latterly, also, I have +noticed moroseness of disposition creeping over him; and upon this +question he is more stern and peremptory than ever he was wont to be, +and I lose heart and hope. Indeed, I am in sore straits. And your +intrusion--if intrusion it be--I recognise is dictated by sympathy; and +I stand much in need of this." + +"I would I could convey to you, lady, in adequate terms--terms in which +I should not be presumptuous--how honoured I should be if I could serve +you in any way whatever. My resources, my men--nay, believe me, lady, +for exaggeration would be most gross--my life is at your disposal, fully +and unreservedly." + +"I would fain accept of you as an ally and a friend, for I stand alone, +and have not even a confidante, saving my maid, and I find the iron +wills of my father and Vigneau completely bear me down; and if I escape +from the toils of Vigneau, some stronger arm will have to interpose a +rescue." + +"I am but a Saxon outlaw, lady, a wolfshead, landless, penniless, and +hunted; but if you can bethink you how I may serve you, my arm is +strong, and my sword's edge unblunted. If time but tarry a while, I am +confident something may be done to set you free from the life-long +misery of a union with Vigneau; and I know enough of him to convince me +that there is no community of taste or of disposition between you. I +dare not say more, for my presumptuous heart runs riot with my +understanding, and I may say things most unbefitting my present +desperate estate." + +"Make no apology, worthy knight," said Alice, blushing scarlet, then +pale and trembling, "for your worldly misfortunes. A knight despoiled, +but not disgraced, has no need to humble himself to me. Gold and lands +are at best but an accident, but virtue and nobility of character are +the slow growth of virtuous thinking and noble endeavour. And which, +think you, valiant Saxon, are most highly valued by a simple maiden like +myself? You are my debtor, you say; then here is an enterprise will tax +your wisdom--I fear your prowess also. Doughty knights have in past +times, it is said, effected wonderful deliverances for maidens in +distress. Is it only the language of romance? I will not affectedly +profess that I do not understand your language; but there is a challenge +for you. If lightly won, Sir Knight, I may be lightly worn." + +Now this high-born maiden was cultured, virtuous, womanly, and, +moreover, she was young--a matter to be taken note of, for maidens then +do not often dilute the gift of the heart with worldly considerations; +but only few men are capable of winning such love. Does it require great +tact, address, astuteness--such as men employ to catch some young colt, +unbroken, shy, and suspicious? No. Whenever such love is won, it is won +easily, without laying of siege, or clever generalship; in fact, +astuteness, or tactics of any sort, are fatal to success. It is not a +bargain, a huckstering _quid pro quo_. It is an inspiration, an +intuition. It is a rush of all that is holiest, truest, tenderest, and +trustful in woman towards the man who is capable of inspiring it, and of +setting free the abounding wealth of a woman's heart. What conditions +does it demand? Well, these are essentials: it asks for broad and ample +strength to lean upon without misgiving. It demands an integrity that +may be trusted to the uttermost, beyond the bounds where prudence, +discretion, and kindred virtues cry halt. It asks the frankness and +transparency of soul where nothing is hidden, and where there are no +dark corners, suspicious and unreadable, suggestive of things to be +disguised with care. When these qualities are present, they are +luminously visible to a woman's intuitions, and the citadel of her heart +is won easily and without capitulation terms. There are more hearts won +at short notice than cynics would allow; but it is the spontaneous +embrace of the divine that is in us, and alas! there is little of the +divine in most mortals. + +As the foregoing words fell from the lips of Alice, Oswald started +forward as though electrified, and laid his hand on the hilt of his +sword. + +"Believe me, lady," said he, "I never dared to dream such a cup of +blessedness would be held to my lips; and I assure you I needed no other +stimulus than the debt of gratitude I owe to you for my deliverance from +death, in order to brave anything and everything for you. But if there +be hope, however remote, of winning a place in your affections, as my +desperate estate has already moved your compassion, and that some day, +in happier circumstances, I may even dare to ask you to be my bride, +such an inpiration will nerve my arm and brace my energies, so that +difficulties shall be most desperate if I overcome them not." + +"I fear me, Sir Knight, if you undertake so desperate an enterprise as +this, with success, it will require matchless skill and daring, coupled +with deadliest peril. I fear, also, it will have to be a sharp sword +that severs so unholy and hated a bond." + +Alice hesitated a moment, as though feelings of delicacy forbade farther +advances; then, although the blushes on her countenance deepened, she +said,-- + +"Having confided so much of the story of my sorrows--I fear at the peril +of my modesty--may I venture farther confidence?" + +"I dare not ask you for confidences you hesitate to give, fair lady, for +I am deeply conscious my worthiness to receive them has not been put to +the proof. Consult your own heart in this, for it is your best and +safest guide." + +"I think I may safely venture everything, and trust you, Saxon, even to +the uttermost and with all my heart. This involves my father's secret, +and his deadly peril also, for this Vigneau has obtained a fatal +ascendency over him. He holds documents most compromising to my father, +in addition to the promise given long ago; and which my father might +possibly have revoked with impunity had not Vigneau obtained possession +of these treasonable documents. These he uses with brutal terrorism to +enforce his claim to my hand. In an unhappy moment my father entered +into negotiations with the leaders of the late Saxon rebellion, and he +made use of Baron Vigneau as his intermediary. The Baron never delivered +those letters, but with brutal cunning he still holds them, and he uses +them with deadly effect to enforce his claims." + +"Ah! I have a distinct remembrance of this," said Oswald, as the +memorable scene at the Council, in York, presented itself to his mind. +"I remember too well this traitor entering our assembly, under pretext +of joining our ranks in opposition to the king; and I remember well, +also, I met him face to face in combat next day, and 'tis a quarrel +still unsettled, but which may be fought to the bitter end some day. +Take heart, lady; some means will assuredly be devised for circumventing +the purposes of this unscrupulous braggart, Vigneau. But if this should +not be accomplished by human agency, I would fain think and hope, if the +wisdom and the valour of man should fail, a kindly Providence has in +store a happier lot for one so fair, so virtuous, and so good. Let us +foster hopes of brighter days; these are troublous times, and one +revolution of Fortune's wheel may bring momentous changes. Perhaps the +asperities and hatreds of race, engendered by these cruel wars, may be +soothed and healed again, and Saxon and Norman may be blended in one +united people." + +"Alas! can this ever be? My people seem drunk with greed and blood, and +thy people given to fierce reprisals." + +"This reconciliation does not seem as though it were near, truly, lady. +Our peasantry have been massacred by scores. The more spirited of them +have taken to outlawry, and would as soon take the life of a Norman as +the life of a stag. We have also chieftains amongst us who have lost +all, and live only for revenge; fierce and implacable, they cherish mad +schemes of re-conquest, which are utterly futile. But all the same, it +will be woe to the man who argues for peace in the Saxon witan in the +presence of these implacable men." + +"Is there anything I can do to soothe these hatreds?" + +"You have begun well, and it seems marvellous to report, your deeds of +mercy and kindness are being talked about through the countryside where +Saxons meet together. These acts of kindness make for peace with +mightier force than deeds of arms or years of a rule of force." + +"But what is to be the solution of this race difficulty? Some of our +people speak and act as though there were no solution but the +extermination of all those who offer any resistance to their being +reduced to villeinage the most abject." + +"In a policy of force there is no other conclusion. If you were to take +yonder sapling and tie its head down to earth, there would be unceasing +resistance to the ignoble bond. And why? Because the Creator made it to +be free, to rear its head aloft, contemporaneous with its fellows. The +human spirit loves its freedom even better than yon sapling, and its +resistance to all tyranny is eternal. Force may fetter it, but perpetual +force will be necessary to keep it fettered. Mark me, lady, it is easier +to talk of extermination than to effect it. I command at present a band +of men who are the pick of my race for valour, who will defy thy people +with impunity, and are capable of striking fierce blows of revenge in +every unguarded moment. If ever the hour of thy nation's weakness should +come, terrible will be the revenge, if some strong hand curb not the +wild spirit." + +"This unholy strife between our peoples is madness. How may we avert +it?" said Alice. + +"I confess, lady, that but a little while ago I had no feelings but +those of undying hatred to thy race. But as I lay in that dungeon +beneath the castle, an angel in human form, by an act of pure mercy, +gave me liberty and life. 'Twas wonderful! The cold, frozen blood at my +heart turned, at a stroke, to warmth. I felt that there is a passion of +the human heart more potent than hatred, and some obligations more +binding than an oath. Let those who do not love strife, but love mercy, +work for mercy and reconciliation; and I think I see the day when there +shall be such a blending of races that each shall be strengthened by the +other." + +"I shall welcome the day, Sir Knight. But had we not better return? +Jeannette, I am afraid, will be in great trouble." + +"I am not a knight, lady; we Saxons are slow at learning the language of +chivalry. If it be not presumptuous to ask it, call me Oswald; 'twill +bring us so much nearer." + +"Then if you have not learnt the language of chivalry, you will be the +better able to call me Alice. Is it agreed?" + +"With all my heart, Alice. It is a compact. Let me again assure you that +you and your maid are perfectly safe in the woods or anywhere, so far as +my followers and vassals are concerned. There is just one thing I would +caution you about," said he, with a twinkle in his eye. "One Saxon has a +very great admiration for the very spots which you are likely to choose; +and I warn you, if he see a certain light in his lady's eyes, never more +look for peace." + +"Really this does sound like the language of our Norman gallants, after +all. But come, now, if you are really heart-hungry, just a crumb of +comfort will sustain you; for our Norman ballads declare very loudly +that valorous knights for their lady-loves will do and dare, or suffer +and wait,--well, really, without going through the list, it is wonderful +what valiant knights will do for love and chivalry--_in books_. I used +to see the said valiant knights in books, but latterly I have been face +to face with the reality; and alas! I find them most devoted to wine and +ale, and incontinence. So, Sir Knight,--for such I will call you once +more--he who wins Alice de Montfort will have a knightlier soul than +this." + +"Well, I will not sound a trumpet before me, as the hypocrites do, so no +more of this. Let time declare it. But did you learn how I made my +escape from the castle that fateful night?" + +"No. Pray tell me now? I am most curious to know it." + +"Wait a little. But let me tell you I can enter the castle when I like. +If you wish an interview with me at any time, you need but make some +signal from the tower, and at nightfall I will meet you there whenever +you wish." + +"But can you come with perfect safety?" + +"With absolute safety." + +"Then that shall be our trysting-place, to which I will summon my Saxon +ally when good news stirs--but I fear me more often when my sad heart +needs cheering. But I sorely fear your coming there will be full of +peril. Could I not meet you elsewhere?" + +"Courage, dear one! and take no thought for me. Let your heart be stout, +for the future is luminous with hope." + +As the boat rounded a bend in the river, Oswald beheld the fierce +struggle going on between the two Saxons, and, with an exclamation of +pain, he gave two or three lusty strokes which sent the boat flying +amongst the trees which lined the embankment. Hastily springing upon the +bank, he tore Sigurd from the prostrate form of Wulfhere. + +"Jarl!" said he, "how is this? Making war upon your friends! This will +not do, mark me!" + +"And how is this?" retorted Sigurd fiercely. "You and this +chicken-hearted slave making love to deadly enemies. This will not do, +_mark that_!" + +"Enough, enough!" said Oswald, gathering up the prostrate form of +Jeannette, who was in a dead swoon. He lifted her into the boat and +dashed a few drops of cold water in her face. "There, now," said he, +"she is all right." And in a whisper he said to Alice, "Pull away, +dearest. Remember the tryst, and be not dismayed. This man is a scion of +the untamed Vikings who linger in the land. I shall know how to deal +with him." + +Oswald watched the boat and its occupants glide away, and waving a last +adieu he turned to his companions, and said, "Let us go. Sigurd," he +continued, in tones of severity, "this fierce quarrel bodes no good to +the Saxon cause." + +"Does this dawdling with Norman women bode some good to the Saxon cause? +I wot Viking, or Dane, or old-time Saxon would not have warred like +this. Are we going to avenge ourselves upon our enemies by simpering to +their women? My ancestors have conquered with the sword, and I will +thrust through any Norman I can--aye, and their women, too! To spare the +dam to suckle cubs will not do for me!" + +"Sigurd, mark me, thy fierce, implacable temper will hurt the Saxon +cause more than ever thy sword will aid it. Kindly understand that I am +lord in these parts, and my will shall be law. If thou art not +satisfied, well, thou had better return to thy own domain of Lakesland, +and make war according to thy own notions. If thou succeed better than +us, well, then we may copy thy methods; but here we will have no slaying +of defenceless women and children. As for these two in particular, they +gave me my life, and whoever injures a hair of their heads is my mortal +foe. Let that suffice, Jarl." + +"Tut, tut! Fine, no doubt; but I like not such modes of warfare, and if +I cannot be allowed to spill Norman blood whenever I can, I'll none of +it." + +"I have my own plans for the protection of my people and for the +amelioration of their lot, and I think it is the best. As for thy +methods, and the hopes thou hast of driving out the Normans, I regard +them as worse than madness, and they will end in the annihilation of the +Saxon race. So be pleased to interfere no more with my plans," said +Oswald. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +WAR'S VICISSITUDES. + + "Hope tells a flattering tale, + Delusive, vain, and hollow. + Ah! let not hope prevail, + Lest disappointment follow." + + Miss Wrother. + + +The desperate repulse which the Normans received at the hands of the +Saxon outlaws, made them exceedingly chary of attempting again the +extermination of them. This afforded a welcome respite to the fugitives, +particularly to the women and children. But the vigilance of their +sentinels was never permitted to be relaxed. The retreat to which Ethel +had been conveyed was thus free from alarms, and lacked nothing in +picturesqueness and beauty. Oswald had taken care that it should be +furnished with some comfort and taste, for he had been wont in +summertime to spend often many days, and even weeks, in this secluded +and lovely spot. To Ethel, this home in the mountains was dearly +welcome. During the day she busied herself with the books of history, +travel, and romance which Oswald loved; and at even her countenance +brightened at his cheery words and pleasant greetings. But for some days +a strange feeling of anxiety and foreboding had clouded her happiness; +for more than a week Oswald had not so much as paid a hurried visit to +his favourite rendezvous. + +"Your master has not been here for more than a week, Bretwul," said she +one day, when her anxiety for tidings could no longer be resisted. "Do +you know what detains him? I fear me he has fallen into the hands of the +Normans." + +"He will not fall into the hands of the Normans so easily, lady. If he +does it will only be his body, though I am afraid he ventures on some +desperate enterprises." + +"Whither has he gone, Bretwul? Know you?" + +"I know not for certainty, lady, but I have belief he has gone with one +Sigurd, lord of Lakesland, for he has disappeared and taken his wild-cat +crew with him. Good riddance, I trow! and may my eyes never look upon +such starved, ill-clad, unsavoury mortals again!" + +"Who is this Sigurd you speak of, Bretwul?" + +"He is lord of the Lakes, but has had served out to him the same +treatment as every other Saxon chieftain has had; first wholesale +butchery of his followers, then death, or flight and exile, for +himself." + +"What has he been doing here?" + +"He has been hunted, harassed, and driven from one hiding-place to +another, until he had but a handful of followers left. Then he sought +respite in flight, and has been for a little while with us here, he and +a dozen of his housecarles. Now he hears the Norman army has gone south, +so he would fain return to the fray, and has craved the assistance of +the Earl and a dozen stout retainers, in return for the services he +rendered us." + +"I had a dream last night, Bretwul. I saw Oswald fighting desperately +with Norman foes, and then he was surrounded by them and sorely wounded. +Then I saw him borne by rough hands to a cave in the mountain side, and +I saw him swiftly bleeding to death, and no one there knew how to +staunch his wounds or cool his feverish brow; and I heard him cry +'Ethel!' And as I stretched out my hands to help, I awoke." + +"It was but a dream, lady. Do not let your mind run on such thoughts as +these. You are looking pale and ill. My master will be angry when he +returns, if he knows I told you of his purpose." + +"Can we not go to-night? I do not care to spend my time in idleness and +ease while he thus braves danger and death for his country. By hard +riding we can reach Lakesland ere the sun is up, and I am sure I can be +of service." + +"Beshrew me if I dare budge a stone-throw from this place until he gives +the word! I like not lying to rust, like the Earl's old swords hung +there, in idleness; but I would rather not face him after disobeying +orders." + +"But he may be wounded, and no one near to nurse him but these rough +men, whilst I am worse than useless here, with nothing to do but burden +others!" + +"Set your fears at rest, lady. These rough men know how to lay a +splintered bone, or close a wound, like any practised leech. But if you +let your mind run on these things you will be miserable. I have no fear +for him. The Normans will find their match, I trow, and give him a wide +berth. I have seen them cut down churls like myself with vigorous +strokes, and strike halting blows at him, through sheer terror at his +appearance." + +"But they are many to one, and better armed, and he will be overborne by +the numbers of them. I am sure I could be of service, and I should like +to be near; I don't mind the rough life at all. Saddle us a pair of +horses, and let us start to-night." + +"I warrant the Earl would slit my ears if I dared do any such thing! But +these are idle fears. I forget me, though; I have a message from the +Abbot Adhelm. But, by our Lady! he is no longer abbot, but a humble +friar, with no more power in his own abbey than any scullion priest. He +was a worthy Father, and never turned a lean dog of a Saxon away without +crumbs and comfort. But, among the other bad things these Normans have +brought, are a lot of swag-bellied monks, who broach more ale-casks than +they say prayers; and, by the Mass! they drink the ale, too, for there +is never a drop, or a taste of venison, to bestow on a famishing palmer, +or starving yeoman. I wish I could stick a nettle under their tails and +make them trot, the whole brood of them. The Church will never make much +out of my prayers, beshrew me! but I would with right good will rid her +of these shaveling carrion who have come swarming at the heels of the +fighting men." + +"But you said you had a message from Adhelm, did you not, Bretwul?" + +"Aye, aye, lady!" said Bretwul, highly gratified at the diversion he had +effected. "When my tongue is set a-wagging, it is as long as my dog's +when he is dead beat in chasing a hare; there's no hauling it in. Well, +Adhelm has found some pity in a wolf's den. Whoever would have looked +for a she-wolf having compassion on the sheep?" + +"I have not the slightest idea what you are talking about Bretwul." + +"Marry, no! there's no sense in an ass's braying; but bringing him to +the end on't is another matter. Well, gramercy! this fire-eating Norman +count has got a daughter who belies her own father." + +"Belies her own father? What may that mean?" + +"Aye, marry, it's true enough--belies her own father. I take the liberty +to dodge about a bit amongst the churls who have submitted to these +Normans, to see what encouragement there may be to feed at the same +trough as these broken-spirited cattle. Well, an iron collar about my +neck is an ornament I don't covet, and kicks and cuffs always did bruise +my flesh, and, what is even more painful, they bruise my mind; so a +Norman serf I will not be. But they tell me this count has a daughter +who has compassion, and visits them, carrying dainties to such as are +sick. Adhelm also and she are great friends, and he says she occupies +herself much in this sort of work." + +This colloquy was cut short by a sharp knock at the door and the hurried +entrance of one of the Earl's retainers. + +"Bretwul!" said he; but, his eye alighting on Ethel, he suddenly paused. +"I crave your pardon," said he, hastily doffing his cap. "Matters of +importance, which stand not on ceremony, have brought me." + +"What are they, my man?" said Ethel, eager and apprehensive. + +"The Earl is slightly unwell," said the stranger, noticing Bretwul's +cautioning gesture; "and I have ridden hard to request that a bed may be +prepared." + +"My dream! my dream!" almost shrieked Ethel, starting from her seat. "He +is not dead yet! Say he is not dead?" + +"Calm yourself, lady," said Bretwul, giving the stranger another +significant look. + +"No, no, lady; a mere scratch. A few weeks of your nursing will set him +on his feet as sound as a rock. But you will make ready, Bretwul? They +are not far behind." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +VIKING CHIEF AND SAXON MAIDEN. + + "He beheld + A vision, and adored the thing he saw." + + Wordsworth. + + +Ere long, the hum of voices and the scrambling sound of approaching +footsteps were heard. Then hurried orders, given in an undertone, +muffled footsteps, as of persons bearing a burden, accompanied by a low, +deep groan, broke upon the anxious ear of Ethel, who was listening with +nerves in a state of utmost tension and alarm. These sounds gradually +abated as the party retired to a more distant room, and doors were +softly closed behind. By-and-bye her anxious suspense was abated by the +entrance of Bretwul and his wife, accompanied by Sigurd, the lord of +Lakesland. A cold tremor ran through her blood as her eyes rested for +the first time upon the burly figure of the stranger; and she tried to +evade the rivetted gaze which he turned upon her, by turning to Bretwul. + +"I think the Earl is much worse than the messenger would have us +believe, Bretwul. Can I go to him? I may be of use. I have some skill in +nursing, thanks to my instructions and the terrible times upon which our +land has fallen." + +"Do not be alarmed," said Sigurd, trying to infuse as much of gentleness +as he could into the gruff tones which issued from the deep, broad +chest. "Oswald is put to bed, and his wound is a mere nothing--a +flesh-wound, which ought to have healed itself; but his body has been +pampered and daintily housed, and the merest cuts tell on such. The +wound has cankered and brought on a touch of fever. Pity that men, who +ought to know better, swathe their limbs, and pamper their bodies, and +live in cunningly decorated houses, and spend their time toying with +such finikin things as these"--pointing to sundry books and musical +instruments. "Women's things, and baby's toys!" + +"I think I had better go with you, Eadburgh," said Ethel, anything but +assured by the unsympathetic words of the strange visitant. + +This was just what Eadburgh was anxious to say; and the two immediately +disappeared. + +"Be seated, my lord," said Bretwul to Sigurd, "and I will find some +eatables. I doubt not you are well-nigh famished." + +"Aye, aye. We have ridden eight hours continuously in the darkness, and +you well say we are famishing." + +No sooner had the door closed behind Bretwul than Sigurd's astonishment +at the vision his eyes had just seen, found vent. + +"What is this I have looked upon?" he murmured to himself. "Some +inhabitant of Valhalla, where our gods and heroes have gone? Surely our +priests have told me of nothing so fair as she, even there! I would +covet a hero's grave this very hour, and the dark beyond, if they who +dwell there get them wives so fair as she." + +Here, let me, for the further information of the reader, say that this +Sigurd, or "lord of Lakesland," as he was known, whom we have met with +before in these pages, was a typical example of many a Norse chieftain +who still held sway in the land, ruling their followers after the manner +of the rude past; and the important part which he plays in these +"Chronicles" calls for a more elaborate introduction than we have yet +accorded him. He was a man who rivetted the gaze at once, but it was a +fascination, and not a delight, to the beholder. Men could not forbear +to look, but they far oftener turned away from him with a shudder and a +sense of relief than otherwise. When Halfdane, the viking marauder, +pounced down upon Northumbria, and the north of England generally, he +divided a great part of the lands of the Saxons amongst his followers; +and they, settling amongst the Angles, intermarried with them; and thus, +in the course of time, the two became almost one people. But in some +districts there were clearly defined lines of separateness. Sigurd, in +unbroken line, was a descendant of one "Rollo, the Ganger" (or walker). +Wonderful traditions lingered amongst the people of the height and build +of this warrior: such fragmentary histories, or folk-lore, declared that +he was compelled to walk because no horse could bear his weight. Hence +his name, the "Ganger," or walker. + +As this Sigurd was in body and physical proportions, so he was in mind. +He was rough, rude in manners, tastes, and pursuits, but strong in the +sturdy virtues of honesty and chastity, his Viking heritage. In the case +of Oswald notably, and of Ethel, and many others of our Saxon chieftains +and chieftainesses, some measure of education had been sought after and +prized. Contact also with the Normans, who in goodly numbers dwelt in +England during our late King Edward's lifetime, had done much to modify +the vulgar tastes and habits of the English. But in the case of Sigurd, +the undiluted primitiveness of the marauding Norseman, untainted and +uninfluenced by the undoubted advance the world was making, was +embodied. He never travelled beyond the rugged hills and weird gorges of +his domain, unless it were to meet the hardy robbers from over the +Scottish border. To fish in the glorious lakes; to hunt in the +stretching forests and dense woods; to excel in the rude games of +wrestling, archery, putting the stone, and many other games which +constituted the sole recreations of vulgar churls, was his delight. He +had little sympathy and little intercourse with those members of his +class who were awaking to the presence of, and yielding to, the +civilising influences which were beginning to be felt in England, by its +increasing contact with the continent of Europe. Still, there was a +rugged honesty about this man altogether admirable. He loved deeply and +faithfully; but he hated just as fiercely and implacably. He was a man +of great, even gross extremes, magnificent in energy and force of +character. Happy was the man who shared his affection; but woe be to the +man who incurred his hatred. This first interview with Ethel had a +distinctly repellent influence upon her; her very blood seemed to freeze +under his ardent gaze. It seemed to her that she was face to face with +one of the unlovable gods or heroes, their sagas, or wise men, were +never tired of glorifying. The sense of shrinking and dread which Ethel +experienced at this first meeting might have been intensified by her +anxiety with regard to Oswald; but Sigurd was quick to notice the +involuntary start, the shrinking from him, and it cut him deeply, and to +the quick. + +When the door was closed he stood for some minutes like one petrified, +blankly staring at the closed door through which the fair vision had +disappeared. The form and features of the beautiful Saxon floated +indistinctly before his vision. "She shrank from me!" he fiercely +ejaculated, but the tones were half a groan as well. "Why this +ill-disguised dread of me?" he murmured. He slowly surveyed himself from +head to foot in the vain endeavour to discover what it was about him +which so startled and repelled Ethel. Then he strode across the room and +stood before a mirror which hung from the wall in an elaborately wrought +frame--an article he had never used before, and seldom met with, and +which he faced now with a scowl of contempt upon his face. His head and +face were faithfully reflected, and some of his muscular frame. His +visage was bronzed and brown, his beard unshaven and unkempt, whilst +from underneath his helmet there escaped masses of hair of an unlovely +red colour. "Ah!" he ejaculated, "I should better win me a bride as my +fierce Viking ancestors won theirs, with their swords, getting them as +the spoil of war, or winning them at Holmganga (duel), where valour and +prowess in arms were recognised. Any Norman gallant with a well-trimmed +beard would put me to the rout as wives are won in these degenerate +days! Any Saxon with a smattering of clerk's gear and book-learning, +would have me on the hip. One who could play at joust with foppish +Norman gallants, or lilt his heel to the sound of music, would be +preferred before me. Yet, what is there ails these sturdy limbs of mine? +Sturdy limbs counted for much in the days of our ancestors; but now +every dainty girl shrinks at them with contempt, as marks of +boorishness. Why should this girl shrink from me so? Hist to me, +Viking," said he, apostrophising himself, "and tell me this. Why should +this fair Saxon thus unhinge me? Why should I care for blue eyes, flaxen +tresses, and a sylph-like form? Viking warriors were not mothered by +girls like this. Then clearly, if Viking warriors cannot be mothered by +such, Viking warriors should not be wived by them. A wife of brawny +build, with hardihood enough to be a sea-king's consort, and nurse me +warrior sons, would surely mate me best. My home will have to be the +rugged hills where the eagle hath his eyrie, or the dense forest where +prowls the wolf, and where the lordly red deer roam at will. Yet I do +believe this fair Saxon hath bewitched me; she is comely beyond aught my +eyes have seen before. But what of that? 'Tis despisable--maudlin! Yet +those blue eyes of hers, and that comeliness of form, is quite new to +me. Those maidens of brawny build, and bold, unwomanly features--I never +bethought me to love them yet. Ah! I have been ever ready to fight the +bold, but I never could love it; 'tis the gentleness and maidenly grace +of this Saxon maiden hath done it. Her speech is gentle, and her manner +is coy and shy, and nothing forward. Out upon me for a dotard!" said he +savagely. "I'll no more on't! I will not sleep under this roof; 'tis +enervating! I'll get me out upon the heath, where I can hear the sough +of the night winds, and listen to the night-birds' screech. 'Twill bring +me back my Viking's mood, and scare away this flimsy dream of love. How +could I mate with a timid dove, except I shed my talons! A Viking sleek +and pursy, well fed, and ease-loving!--a monstrosity I should be! The +door of Valhalla would be closed against me. The gods and heroes in the +land beyond the deep sea, whose company I hope to join at death, would +disown me. My boast and pride, my Viking's race, would fitly come to end +with me." + +Meanwhile Ethel, accompanied by Eadburgh and Bretwul, repaired to the +room where Oswald had been laid at rest. Some knowledge of medicine and +the art of healing, happily, was possessed by all Saxon gentlewomen. +Also there were a few amongst the serfs, who were the lowest class of +the peasantry, that had some knowledge of herbs, potions, poultices, +bandages, and simple remedies and expedients, which were frequently very +effective, though sometimes mistaken. + +Oswald smiled a pleasant smile as they entered; but it required no great +skill or discernment to see that he was weak and suffering. The hectic +flush upon his countenance, and the short, hurried breathing told but +too plainly that the wound and the weakness were not the worst foes that +had fastened on him. He could not fail to note the dismay and alarm +depicted on the pale and anxious face of Ethel. + +"Ethel, girl," said he, putting as much pleasantness into his tone of +voice as he could command, "never let that sweet face wear so sad a +look. The case is not so bad as that--nothing worse than a mere +flesh-wound; but the damp and exposure on those mountain sides, and that +long and horrid home-coming on horseback, has taken the life out of me." + +But in spite of his efforts to be cheerful, he could not suppress a +groan and a painful contortion of his face. + +"Bretwul," said he, uncovering his shoulder, "for mercy's sake undo +those bandages! My arm swells, and they screw me tight as a vice, and +give me a sickening pain." + +Ethel, however, advanced, and with firm and nimble fingers undid the +clumsy bandages, cleaning and washing the festering wound wonderfully +gently, but resolutely, and without faltering. Without faltering or +hesitancy also, she bathed and salved, lotioned and bandaged it again. +Oswald, with the passiveness of a tired child, submitted to it all. + +"Ah!" said he, "now I've got a chance." + +But this done, Ethel's culinary arts were called into requisition, and +delicacies from the mere, the flock, or the chase succeeded each other +with tempting regularity. + +"If the wound could have had but a week's start of the fever, I should +have been hopeful," said she to Eadburgh. + +But this was not to be, for next day Oswald became restless, with +occasional wanderings of the mind, and this was speedily followed by a +total relapse. Never for a moment, by night or by day, except for the +most necessary things, did Ethel quit his side; and never was there a +moment, by night or day, but either Bretwul or Wulfhere watched by his +bed. And when the fever was at its height, it was as much as the two +strong men could do to hold him in his bed. + +During this season of mental aberration, he would be at one time engaged +in mortal strife with his hated rival Vigneau. Anon, he was over seas +with Alice de Montfort, a refugee in a foreign land. Then the graphic +scene enacted in the dungeon beneath the castle, where Alice, torch in +hand, and alone, saved him out of the hands of her own countrymen, and +gave him liberty and life, was acted over again, with intense realism of +voice and gesture. + +Frequently he recoiled, with horror depicted in his countenance, as +Ethel gently smoothed his pillow, or moistened his parched lips. Then he +would call vehemently for the fair Norman with the dark eyes and raven +tresses. + +Ethel heard all this with agony at heart, and often the tear, unbidden, +dropped upon the coverlet as she bent over him. Often she would murmur +to herself,-- + +"He thinks not of me. I am but a Saxon girl, to pet and speak gently to. +Would he were harsh and forbidding, like this stranger! But he is what +he is, and God made me a woman, and I will bear this burden, as too oft +a woman must; for he will never know, and that will make it bearable." + +So for many weary days and nights the resolute struggle of life and +death for victory went on, and the weary, anxious watchers looked on, +helpless, except to pray and hope that favouring Providence would give +the victory as they wished. + +At last the crisis passed. Thanks to the wonderful physique and +recuperative faculties of the patient, combined with the ceaseless care +and patient nursing of the Saxon maiden, the strong man vanquished, and +cast off the malignant foe. Then commenced the slow rallying from the +utter prostration, and the gradual regaining of strength. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +A VIKING'S LOVE. + + "Love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the + grave."--Song of Solomon, viii. 6. + + +During the time that Oswald was recovering from the prostration +consequent upon the fever, he and Wulfhere drew carefully a plan for the +fortress already determined upon. Every detail was gone carefully over +and elaborated. In the meantime, also, messengers were despatched far +and near, and artificers and handicraftsmen rallied to the work. +Speedily the foundations were dug, and the outer walls encircling the +summit began to rise steadily and rapidly before the persistent and +energetic labours of the Saxon refugees. Each one wrought with a will, +knowing that life and freedom depended upon their ability to raise a +fortress strong enough to defy their enemies. + +Ere the Normans were aware of what was going on, a rampart had been +erected, which was soon to develop into a stronghold, impregnable, and +secure against assault. This first line of defence having been raised, +vigorous attention was given to the interior. Wells were dug, stables +were built, habitations also sprang up as by magic. Women and children +hurried into it, bringing everything they had saved from the desolation +of the past. Cattle were driven into it at night, and emerged in the +morning to feed around its shoulders, pushing their way in sheer +audacity down into the green valleys, for there were always bands of +sturdy outlaws in the woods between them and danger--outlaws, who snared +game, which literally swarmed in the woods, or cut their timber for +their bows and arrows. For these men the Normans were no match in the +solitudes which were familiar to them, and they soon learnt to have a +semi-friendliness with them, and to court relationships with the +hill-men, all of which decidedly made for peace. But to a tacit +acknowledgment of these outlaws the Norman leaders were bitterly +opposed. De Montfort feared that this thing would grow until it became a +menace to his own position, though he remembered most vividly the words +used by Oswald on that memorable night when he confronted him in his own +house as though he had dropped from the clouds, when, in burning words, +the Saxon told him that they wished to be at peace, but would assert +their right to pasturage, and to freedom. De Montfort also feared the +effect this thing would have upon William, if once he learnt that his +subject was conniving at an incipient rebellion, which might ultimately +threaten the peace of the kingdom. So, what between the pleadings of his +daughter Alice for peace towards the harassed Saxons, and the sharp +lesson they had taught him once before, that they were an enemy not to +be trifled with on ground of their own choosing, the days and weeks sped +on in delays and hesitation as to how this defiance on the part of a +handful of desperate men, who defended themselves with such vigour when +attacked, should be met; seeing also that they were, upon the whole, +non-aggressive and peace-loving when left alone to the pursuit of +peaceful avocations. + +The Saxons encamped were, nevertheless, a strange and motley company, +and nothing less than the sagacity, watchfulness, and marvellous +forbearance of Oswald, coupled with the matchless valour and firmness +which he displayed, would have served to restrain the undisciplined and +heterogeneous company over whom he ruled. There was a moiety of +desperate and blood-thirsty men who were almost incapable of restraint, +and who were so blinded by their hatred of the Normans that motives of +prudence or of policy were most hateful to them, and Oswald's efforts to +enforce self-restraint upon his own followers, and to cultivate friendly +relations with the enemy, were gall and wormwood. + +Sigurd was the acknowledged leader of these, and they, by their dense +ignorance and superstitions, fittingly represented the dark heathenism, +and plunder, and bloodshed, characteristics of their Norse ancestors. +They were utterly unable to realise the fact, which Oswald saw most +distinctly, that all hope of wresting the kingdom from the Normans by +force of arms was an idle dream, unless the Normans should be involved +in a struggle with other foes. They clung to their heathenish religion, +encouraged by their grim old priest Olaf, who, periodically quitting his +cave in an adjacent valley, haunted the settlement like a hyena on the +scent of blood, and found little difficulty in stirring up the ferocious +passions of his followers, often to the verge of open revolt and mutiny. +Oswald surveyed the situation with the eye of a statesman; but the +reconciling of these turbulent factions to his ideal was a task which +required the utmost efforts of wisdom and valour too, and which +perpetually threatened the peace of the camp. + +These desperate complications were further intensified into a private +and personal cause of enmity and hatred on Sigurd's part--as we shall +presently see--by reason of his strange and fierce love for the fair +Saxon, Ethel. Despite his passionate endeavours to cast out the deep +impression made upon him at his first interview with Ethel, we need +scarcely say such efforts were utterly vain and futile. She was a +beloved and familiar figure to every one in the little colony, and he +was necessarily brought frequently into intercourse with her; and day by +day he became more deeply involved. The love of the fierce Viking had +this quality in common with more ordinary mortals; it was like a +quagmire, in which, being once fairly entangled, the more he struggled +to get free of it the deeper he sank, until all hope of extrication +therefrom became perfectly impossible. + +"Ethel, girl," said he, addressing her one day with the bluntness which +was a characteristic of his whole nature and disposition; and his +love-making was of a piece with his whole disposition, "I have no skill +in the art of making love, or, what is pretty much the same thing, a +make-believe of love, and I much fear me my rough manners and rough-hewn +limbs commend me not to fair maidens like thyself. But since I saw thee +first, feelings have been kindled in my breast which I thought were +dead, and utterly out of place in these times. But scorn me not, Ethel. +Thou art as surely of Viking extraction on thy father's side as I am; +and though I have no gentle manners, there is no honied falseness in my +nature, and perhaps through thy gentle influence I may come to love the +ways of peace." + +This confession of love on the part of Sigurd was the very thing Ethel +had been dreading to hear; and her confusion and sickness of heart were +pitiably manifest. + +"Alas! my lord," said she, "these are times when the funeral rites for +our dead are more opportune than the marriage rites. I could not think +of wedlock in times like these, when children born may well-nigh curse +the day when they first saw the light." + +"But I will carry thee to the court of Malcolm of Scotland, where thou +shalt dwell in safety. My sword will receive a hearty welcome by him. +Then, if peace should come, we may return to our own land." + +"My lord, you know not what you ask. These are not times for love. With +my country laid desolate, and my people scattered, I can indulge no +affection but for these." + +"My love for my country is as great as thine, and wedlock between us two +need not diminish our love for our country." + +"Say no more, my lord. You know not what you ask. 'Tis painful to me, +for I am not free to love." + +Sigurd started as if stung by a serpent. + +"Ah! what a dolt I must be, not to see it! How could a maiden come in +contact with _him_, and not love him. Well, Ethel, Sigurd would throw no +shadow across thy path. Happy be thy love, and its consummation timely!" + +"My lord, I have no lover!" said Ethel, hastily leaving the room. + +Sigurd slowly paced the room, in profound meditation. The memorable +occasion when he found Oswald and Wulfhere in the company of the two +Norman women passed in review before his mental vision, and its +significance laid hold upon his mind as it had never done before. + +"Can it be," said he, "that _he_ should be insensible to such a +treasure, and should add to his culpable blindness the base treachery of +seeking an alliance with the Norman supplanter?" + +The thought of this stirred his passions into fury, and he nervously +grasped the hilt of his sword, as though he meditated vengeance on some +foe. "I will watch this thing, and if it be as I fear I will no longer +ally myself with him; but woe be to him if my arm be stronger than his, +for so base a betrayal can only be washed out in blood!" + +So saying, he sallied forth, pacing round the fortifications in quest of +Oswald, where he learnt that he and Wulfhere had betaken themselves +towards the valley. Away he sped him, intent on probing this matter to +the bottom; and instinctively his footsteps turned toward the spot where +once before his ire had been roused at the conduct of the two he sought. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +A VILLAIN DEMANDS HIS WAGES. + + "Oh pilot! 'tis a fearful night; + There's danger on the deep." + + _The Pilot._ + + +Count De Montfort strolled leisurely to and fro on the rising ground in +front of the castle, rapt in admiration of the fine scenery and noble +woods which environed it on all its sides. Then he turned to take a +leisurely survey of the massive proportions of the castle, and, with a +veteran soldier's instincts, fell to a planning of additional +fortifications, so as to increase its impregnability. Whilst thus +engaged, a figure seen in the distance, caused the complacent smile to +vanish from his countenance, and his visage grew dark with a frown. The +intruder was none other than Baron Vigneau, who, after salutations, +said,-- + +"When may I expect the fulfilment of the promise made to me at York, +Count? Lady Alice has now had some months of preparation, and now the +time has come when our nuptials should be celebrated." + +"Well, what says the lady, Baron? If you have her consent there need be +no further delay. I have no opposition to offer, though, as Alice's +father, and wishing her happiness, I am bound to say I wish you would +eschew the wine-cup. I note with pain and concern this most unwholesome +habit grows apace." + +"Tut, tut, Count! Many thanks for your homily! But to the point in hand. +I have no recollection that the lady's consent had aught to do with the +bargain. Soldiers usually dispense with ceremonies of that description, +and, by your consent, we will still consider it apart from her +ladyship's wishes or whims. 'Twas, I think, a part of the wages of +services rendered." + +"But, as a soldier and a knight, making professions of gallantry and the +rest of it, you would not think of forcing a lady's hand? Surely you +have opportunities of winning her as a soldier should. I have expressly +stated that such are my wishes. What more can you expect of me?" + +"Finely spoken no doubt! But I would remind you of a matter which you +know well enough without a reminder, that I have not the manners of a +simpering gallant, nor am I used to chanting love-songs beneath my +lady's window. I am a soldier, a blunt and unpolished one maybe. Alice +has been thoroughly well spoiled, that is plain enough, by prating nuns +and her convent life. Her head has been filled with their silly notions +of romance, and religious scruples. My rough life does not fit me for +playing the part of a dangling fop, or uttering canting lies about +religion. Bah!" + +"I cannot force my daughter into this marriage, Baron. Win her if you +can," said the Count peremptorily. + +"A bargain is a bargain, force or no force, and I'll have it kept. Any +canting parade of virtue will not go down with me; I'm too familiar with +your antecedents. If this promise is not ratified promptly, I'll +straight away to the king and expose your foul conspiracy, and I shall +have the pleasure of seeing your head dangling from the gate within a +week. Then the haughty wench, your daughter, will rue the day she vented +her scorn on me." + +"Cowardly villain!" said the Count. "Come with me to yonder copse, and +I'll measure steel with you." + +"Not quite so fast, master. I keep my mettle for other purposes. We'll +try steel as a last resort. But in the meantime, I'd rather have your +daughter than your blood; and nothing prevents but the lack of your +commands. Let these be forthcoming, and all is well; but I'll not be +trifled with, mark me!" + +So saying, he strode away, leaving De Montfort beside himself with rage +and fear. + +The same evening, as he and Alice sat together, he said,-- + +"Alice, I told you some time ago that I had betrothed you to Baron +Vigneau, and I told you some other matters connected therewith, which I +trust you have not forgotten. He has been claiming the fulfilment of my +promise, and becomes very wroth and threatening. I trust you are +prepared now to accept him at once." + +"I cannot say that I am, father; the acquaintance I had with him in +Normandy before the wars caused me to form but a poor opinion of him. I +find that the life he has been leading since the wars began has +brutalised him. His sottish habits, also, have become most outrageous. +If you wish me to marry, let me make my choice. Or, better still, let me +stay with you in singleness. You need some one to keep house for you, +I'm sure." + +"Alice, I told you I had betrothed you to Vigneau, which is a matter +binding upon my honour; and 'tis a debt you must discharge. The Baron is +not worse than many others whose life has been cast in these troublous +times. He is also famous at the joust; his deeds of arms, also, and his +personal prowess, are known throughout the land. Pray what would you +have in a husband?" + +"Father, I have no feelings but of abhorrence for him. If I may, I would +very much prefer retiring to a convent, as I have said before, to +spending my life with one so besotted and utterly lost to human feeling. +If this will relieve you of your bond, pray give me permission, and I +will prefer no other request." + +"Alice, it does not suit me that you should retire to a convent, or do +anything but _obey me_. Let me tell you, once for all, these mock +heroics, these school-girl sentiments and bookish whims, cannot be +tolerated. Your mother was betrothed to me by her parents, who never +thought of asking her consent. I tell you once for all, this marriage +shall be consummated this day three months. So let this suffice." + +Alice retired to her room well-nigh heart-broken at her father's +harshness and the hateful prospect of a union with Vigneau. She laid her +face in her hands and sobbed most distressingly, defying Jeannette's +utmost efforts to console her. + +"What shall I do, Jeannette? I shall never wed Vigneau! I shall be +sweetly sleeping in that still pool beneath the hazel trees, where we +met the Saxon the other day, on the morning that Vigneau claims me for +his bride." + +"Hush, my lady! don't say that. Let us go again in the morning. Perhaps +we may meet those Saxons again, and they will advise us what to do." + +Jeannette dared not give utterance to the thing that was uppermost in +her own mind. But as a simple matter of fact, the well-developed manhood +of Wulfhere the Saxon had never been wholly absent from the waking +thoughts of this coquettish damsel since that romantic interview she had +had with him, when her ears tingled with a newborn delight, as she +listened to his flattery in the wood by the riverside. She was, as a +matter of fact, ready for any desperate enterprise or expedient that +would result in another interview. + +"We will, Jeannette. Perhaps we shall see the Saxon knight again. I had +been taught to believe these Saxon chieftains were loutish boors. But I +can assure you I found him anything but that." + +"Yes, lady; and the other chieftain, who was with me, was a very +handsome man, and spoke so pleasantly to me. I have heard, too, lady, +they have built a fortress on the mountains. He asked me to be his wife, +but I thought we should have to run wild in the woods, and sleep in +caves; but if they have a fortress to live in, I would run away and be +his wife, if you would run away with the other chieftain." + +Alice smiled, in spite of herself, at Jeannette's willingness, +evidently, to take Wulfhere pretty much on trust. But, nevertheless, the +morrow found them wending their way to the river, where, getting out the +boat, they pulled away up stream. + +"I wonder if the Saxon, will see us, Jeannette?" + +"If he should come, he will be sure to have his comrade with him. Don't +you think he will?" + +"I think you are in love with that tall bondman of the Saxon +chieftain's, Jeannette." + +"He is not a bondman of any one's my lady, for he told me so himself. He +is a Saxon freeman." + +"A 'freeman,' Jeannette. What does that mean, prithee?" + +"A freeman is next to a knight, I believe; at least, they have lands of +their own." + +"Oh, is that so? Well, we shall soon reach the spot where we landed +before. Shall we get out of the boat, think you?" + +"I think we had better not, my lady, until we see them. What should we +do if that fierce Saxon should catch us?" + +"The Saxon earl told me his people would not harm us--any of them; but +we must not be overbold. We are now completely out of sight of the +castle; let us pull gently, and keep a sharp look-out." + +So steadily they glided underneath the long arms of the trees, sending +the water-hens scurrying away into the thick recesses of foliage, or +diving beneath the surface, and coming up again on the other side with a +plash; whilst the snipe and lovely kingfishers, on fleet wing, skimmed +over the surface into the solitudes ahead. + +"Surely," said Alice, "this is a slice out of Paradise." + +"Yes," said Jeannette; "it is lovely. And that's the fallen tree where +the Saxon and I sat together." + +"Not the Saxon, Jeannette; his follower, you mean." + +"Oh, but I don't think he is merely a follower, my lady. I believe they +are equal; leastways, he is only a little lower in rank." + +It is, perhaps, needless to say that since Oswald's recovery, scarcely +had a sunny day passed when the placid bosom of the river had not been +anxiously scanned by the other two persons most interested in a second +meeting with these fair Norman women. It is scarcely necessary to say +also that two stalwart individuals had seen the slim boat gliding slowly +up the stream, and, for the last quarter of an hour, had been rapidly +clearing the distance which separated them from it. We may also say, +without exaggeration, that these frail women met these stalwart Saxons +with much less of perturbation than when they last met; though if we +were to say that there were no fluttering of hearts, and no crimson +blushes mounting to the face and neck, and no trembling of limbs, as +they reached out their hands to be helped on to the embankment; or if we +were to say that Jeannette did not utter a little scream, and clutch +Wulfhere most tenaciously, as the boat gave a treacherous lurch as she +stepped from it; we should not be faithful chroniclers. Again Wulfhere +and Jeannette sat on the fallen tree and watched by the boat; whilst +Oswald and Alice sauntered by the river's side, and Alice told her tale +of coming disaster. We know she did not resist as Oswald's arm lovingly +encircled her, and he bade her be of good cheer. In low, earnest tones +they talked of all that lay in their hearts; and Oswald was able to +convince her that the dark cloud ahead would be found to have a silver +lining. It was truly passing strange that this high-born lady should +yield herself so unreservedly to this Saxon. There was no reason, or +prudence, or wisdom in it possibly. But the divine instinct of love, +which is born in--not acquired--but born in and indigenous to every pure +and unsullied woman's heart, ventured, with sheer and utter abandonment, +to give her heart to him. The same instinct which revolted in utter +abhorrence at the thought of contact with the brutal Norman, drove her +irresistibly to the sheltering arms of the pure-minded and valorous +Saxon. They laid their plans for further interviews, all the while +unconscious that eyes, glistening with fury, were peering through the +brushwood, and mad hate was rankling in the breast of an unseen foe, who +scarce could forbear to rush in and execute vengeance on the spot. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +THE TRYST. + + "The curfew tolls the knell of parting day. + The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea. + The ploughman homeward plods his weary way, + And leaves the world to darkness and to me." + + Gray. + + +From the flagstaff on the tower of the castle was to be seen for a +little while at midday a pennant, with long streamers fluttering in the +breeze. There was no one on the tower at the time but Alice. What is the +significance of this? Nothing, apparently, but a freak of fancy. But any +one sufficiently observant would notice that Alice takes her stand on +the north side of the tower, and, leaning her elbows on the battlements, +looks long and eagerly towards yonder grim mountain looming blackly in +the hazy distance, whose scarred limestone precipices seem fearful to +look upon. But presently there became visible to any one possessed of +strong, keen vision, a dark speck of something which had sprung into +sight against the clear background of heaven's blue. It seemed perfectly +motionless in the air, and might be some bird of prey hovering on poised +wing, and watching for its prey. But it was no bird of prey. Alice gave +an exclamation of surprise. + +"He sees it," she said; "he will be here to-night. Speed away laggard +hours that separate me from him! There is music in his voice, and refuge +in his strong arms and loving heart!" + +She piously uttered a prayer to the saints to guide him. But perhaps, +wise one, that prayer was breathed into the idle April breeze--a +contribution of nothingness--an impalpable seedling, flung out of a +needy human soul, but deposited nowhere, and having fruition never--I +trow not, for prayers, like curses, have an assured harvest, and are as +surely reaped by the sowers, no inspired vision being requisite to see +it done from day to day. + +The laggard hours quickly passed, and the lingering twilight deepened +into sombre night. The thrushes which carolled to each other from tree +to tree as the deepening gloom gathered about them, as though loth to +say good-bye to the joyous day, had long since sought their +resting-place for the night. Standing beside the old oak in the wood +might be seen the form of Oswald, listening intently for sound of human +voice or human footfall. Nothing disturbs the silent night air that +gives uneasy thoughts to the listener, though there are many sounds +distinctly audible to one so familiar with nature, and the woods are +most alive now that man has gone to his rest. There is the hurried +pattering here and there and everywhere, of game and vermin, or the +unhurried crawl of the urchin as he issues from his bed in quest of +food. Overhead the bats are flitting in and out amongst the branches of +the trees, followed by the heavy beat of the owlet's wing, whose eyes, +catlike, are gleaming like live coals in the darkness. In the distance +the sharp yelp of the fox proclaims Reynard also to be abroad and busy. + +None of these sounds give uneasiness to Oswald. On the contrary, they +are to him most reassuring. He turns his gaze towards the tower, the +outlines of which are clearly marked against the starlit sky. Soon he +sees a dark figure move towards the battlements, and peer over on the +side on which he stands. Perhaps some sentinel keeps watch from the +lonely heights whilst his comrades below are resting in peace. No; that +is no sentinel, for the figure waves something to and fro for a moment +or two, then slowly sinks behind the battlements. On witnessing the +signal, Oswald quickly mounts the tree, and disappears in its cavernous +recesses. The journey along the underground passage is quickly +traversed, and he emerges on the battlements, and the muffled figure is +folded in his arms, and a loving kiss is implanted on her cheek. + +"What ails you, Alice, dear? No ill news, I trust?" + +"Alas! I have only ill news for you, dearest, and I know you are hard +beset without my adding other troubles to your perplexities." + +"Hush, darling! Never think _your_ needs add to my perplexities. I never +feel so like surmounting everything as when I think I live for you; to +champion your cause against all comers, and flaunt defiance in the face +of your enemies." + +"I fear the championing of my cause will bring you into deadly peril, +perhaps to death." + +"If it does, dearest, you gave me my life when an ignominious death +awaited me. If I die in defence of you, well, I am willing, aye, more +than willing. But let us not cherish thoughts like these, for I think a +merciful Providence will always reserve a blessing for one like you; so +let us have faith, and never doubt the future. I am full of faith and +hope. Come, tell me what new trouble distracts and disturbs your mind." + +Then they sat together on an abutment, and Alice, nestling close to her +virtuous knight, told of the new complications which had arisen. + +"My father has been very wroth to-day, chiding me roughly because I make +not preparations for my nuptials, and threatening my marriage to Vigneau +by force." + +"He is still determined, then, to press on this hateful and heathenish +alliance?" + +"Yes; but judge him not too harshly, dearest. I am well assured he loves +me dearly, in spite of this seeming harshness. I have seen again and +again a frown on his brow, and heard bitter words break from his lips at +the intrusion of Vigneau. I am satisfied that if it were not for the +hateful power he wields over my father, I should not be forced into this +alliance. But Vigneau claims my hand as the price of peace." + +"You still hate this man, and abhor a union with him, Alice, dear? Is it +not so?" + +"I loathe him with my whole heart, and would rather die a hundred deaths +than marry him. But what it may be my duty to do, for my father's sake, +I know not." + +"And will it come to this, that, as the price of peace, you are to be +offered to this devil incarnate--to one whose hands are red with the +blood of murdered men and women, and whose life is one coarse round of +brutal indulgence?" + +"The prospect is most sickening. But what can I do in an extremity like +this?" + +"Rest assured, my love, you will not do that," said Oswald, drawing his +sword. "Here is a trusty friend which will cut this Gordian knot, if it +be not unloosed by more peaceable means. This Vigneau owes his +villainous life a hundred times told, for the foul crimes he has +committed, and is committing from day to day, upon my helpless +countrymen. The sword has been hanging over him a long time, and it will +fall before he claims you as his bride. Though he live to stand at the +altar with you, he shall not compass his vile ends, for I will confront +him there; and rest assured I will make sure of _him_ if it be the last +stroke my trusty sword shall ever make. Drive the matter to the utmost +verge of delay, and if relief come not in the meantime, it will come ere +the extremity. But come now, let us think of other things, for this +matter, I see, sits like a grievous nightmare upon your spirits. I am +pleased to be able to report upon the forward state of the fortress on +the hill." + +"But, alas! I have ill news for you with regard to that matter. It was +partly on that account I summoned you from the hills to-night." + +"What is it, dearest? Come, unburthen your mind of all troublesome +matters. I can assure you, nevertheless, that we are now very +indifferent as to what steps may be taken." + +"But I am afraid this will be serious. The king is now at York with a +large contingent of his men-at-arms, and a number of mercenaries, intent +on quelling any attempts at insurrection on the part of the Saxons. One +of his Bodes[2] arrived here this morning, asking for all information +with regard to the attitude of your people. My father is having a +parchment writing made out, with full particulars of your doings, and +asking for help to reduce your fortress, and slay your rebellious +followers. I fear me if William exerts himself he will not desist, until +he has captured your stronghold; and he will give no quarter to those +who try to thwart him." + +[Footnote 2: Messengers.] + +"This is, indeed, serious news, and we must move heaven and earth to +prevent this despatch reaching its destination. Do you know when the +messenger will depart?" + +"The day after to-morrow, I heard my father say. See, I have here a copy +of the despatch. I drew it up at father's dictation." + +"Many thanks, my dear. We must devise some expedient to meet this +emergency. I think I know a sly rogue who will, either by hook or crook, +circumvent the king's messenger. But no time must be lost. Give me a +parting kiss. Ah! get you to bed, you trembling puss, and may sweet +sleep enfold you in his gentle arms! Adieu, adieu, for a little while." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +BADGER CRACKS THE NORMAN'S PATE. + + "Those who in quarrels interpose + Must often wipe a bloody nose." + + _The Mastiffs._ + + +A few miles down the valley from the Norman headquarters at the castle, +and following the trend of the river--because there was on its banks to +be found a path, or track, very irregular, it is true, but which was +made to serve the purposes of pedestrians, and which was little +frequented--a Norman runner, or messenger, the bearer of De Montfort's +despatch to the Conqueror, was steadily pressing on towards his +destination. He had had a sharp walk along a road none of the best, and +the springiness was beginning to disappear from his tread. He carried a +sword by his side. Over his shoulder there was fastened a wallet +containing provisions, and a long bow with a small quiver of arrows. In +his right hand he carried a quarterstaff, which he used as a +walking-stick. This latter weapon was much affected by the Normans, they +having learnt its use from the Saxons, and it was now inseparable from +their rough games and amusements, it being singularly adapted to call +forth the powers of strength and dexterity of the wielders of it, whilst +its vigorous application seldom resulted in anything worse than bruises +and ruffled tempers. Ahead of this Norman, and quite unobserved by him, +there was patiently lying in wait a remarkable being, who was quietly +peering over the top of a knoll which commanded a view of a turning in +the road. His dress plainly proclaimed him to be a child of the forest +and the chase, his weird and outlandish appearance being simply +indescribable. He sprang to his feet with remarkable agility as the form +of the Norman runner rounded the corner into view. He fell into the +path, and affected to journey as the stranger did, though as yet the +Norman had not got a glimpse of him. As he went slowly trudging along, +he burst into a merry ditty, trolling it right lustily. The burden of +his doggerel ran something like the following:-- + + "My song is of a palmer bold, + Who footed it o'er the lea. + A monkish buck to him stepp'd up, + 'What's the news, my man?' quoth he. + + "'Bad news! Why, wine is getting scarce, + And venison, too, I trow. + And this I know the Normans vow; + They are eat and drunk by you. + + "'And paunches measuring a cloth-yard's girth, + They tap them with lance or spear; + For good old sack is kept in stock + By such, the Normans swear.' + + "'Then take my bottle, thou palmer bold, + My venison pasty too. + I'll fast and pray, and hair-shirt wear, + As a pious monk should do.'" + +The strange singer affected to be totally oblivious of the approach of +the Norman, for he accompanied his song by a vigorous twirling of his +quarterstaff, ever and anon flinging it into the air and catching it +again. So he kept trudging along all the while, as merrily as a cricket. +He was apparently greatly startled when the Norman accosted him in the +following unceremonious fashion:-- + +"Hilloa, old weazen-face! you appear to be in a wonderfully merry mood +this morning. What is't makes you wag your tail at such a rate this +morning, eh?" + +"I give you good morning, fair sir. My obedience to your honour. Give me +a moment; you quite startle me. What was your honour saying to me?" + +"What is it makes you so merry, pray?" + +"Why, it is better to be merry than sad; and, begging your pardon for +being so bold, but I have that about me would make a man merry if he had +a foot in the grave." + +"Oh, aye, that is it makes you so merry, old bogskipper, is it? I +thought you were going sweethearting." + +"Marry, no! Did you ever see as old a dog as I am amuse himself by +catching his tail. Mark me, I have in my wallet good barley-bread, and a +stout collop of venison; and in my case I have a stiff supply of old +Flemish wine," said he, tapping a huge leathern bottle he carried. "So I +will be merry while it lasts, anyhow." + +"I warrant, too, you have had that snout of yours to the neck of that +bottle pretty frequently, old fellow, eh?" + +"Thou art in error, friend; grossly in error. Such words are a grave +reflection upon my character for sobriety. But it is only fair to say +that I have smelt at it occasionally as I came along; but I never drink +except I'm thirsty, begging your pardon, fair sir--only when I'm +thirsty." + +"Thirsty, eh? And how oft does that sensation come on? Not a week +between, I'll go bond." + +"No, I grant you this much. I always seem to have a parched sensation at +the pit of my stomach when wine or ale is about; and I have noticed this +frequently, good wine seems to go straight to the spot. It is a very +soothing medicine if it be applied regularly, and pretty oft, so as to +keep my stomach nice and moist." + +"Well, I think you might ask a thirsty comrade to have a taste of your +wine, anyhow, old sucker. 'Tis a very small favour, that." + +"Not so fast, my buck; don't jump your fence afore you come to't! First +fee your priest, then have your shriving. How should I know whether thou +beest a comrade or no. Dost thou see, to give good wine to a bad fellow +were to waste good liquor, and there is no sin in the calendar half so +bad as to waste good liquor. Marry, 'twere mortal sin." + +"Ho, ho, my master's all! Dost thou know, old fellow, when an ass kicks +his heels he inquires for the cudgel. Come, now, what if I lay siege to +thy weazen carcase, and carry off thy bottle, and flay thy carcase for +thee into the bargain. How then?" + +"Easy there, my hearty!" said the stranger, twirling lustily his staff. +"I trow I would flatten thy crown with my staff ere thou take my bottle; +though 'twere pity truly to flatten thee any more above thy shoulders, +for, gramercy! I take it thou would be welcome where flats are wanted." + +"I perceive thou art a stout rogue enough when driven to a push, and +saucy into the bargain. But I can stop thy brag, my cock-a-loup, pretty +handy, I doubt not." + +"That may be, or that may not be, which signifies nothing. But just let +me point out to thee, by way of caution, that my staff is harder than +thy pate, anyhow. So, in a friendly sort of way, I would advise thee to +take no unnecessary risks." + +"Risks, eh? Ha, ha, ha! And from such a swag-belly as thou art! There +are not many risks, I flatter me." + +"Very well, then; since thou wilt not be advised, take thy staff for a +friendly bout," said the Saxon, unstrapping his wallet and leathern +bottle, and laying them on the ground. "If I crack thy pate, thou shalt +have half my wine; and marry, if thou crack mine thou shalt have the +whole, for I love a bout with the staff almost as well as I like Flemish +wine." + +Now the Norman prided himself upon his prowess with the staff. He was +also a span taller than the Saxon. The uncouth garments of the latter, +also, made him appear as though much beyond the time of youth, and so +disguised his stout limbs that the Norman could scarcely conceal his +contempt for such an opponent. So he readily accepted the challenge, and +at once the pair were toe to toe, and dealing blow or parry with right +good will. The Saxon did not appear to very great advantage at the +commencement of the fray. Frequently he received slight blows here and +there, at which the Norman was visibly elated, and he led the attack +with much vigour, and equal recklessness. The Saxon seemed to shrink +from the onset, but there was a sly humour lurking about his wicked grey +eye which was very ominous. Eventually taking a mild blow, without +parrying, from his foe, the Saxon put a giant's strength into his arm, +and like a thunderbolt his staff came down with a crash upon the +Norman's skull, cutting open his head, and knocking him senseless on the +ground. + +"Poor fellow!" said Badger, for it was he. "You don't know how sorry I +feel to have to give you a crack like this; but less would hardly do the +business." + +He quickly undid the Norman's doublet, and took from an inside pocket +the sealed message from De Montfort. Then he deposited a similar one in +its place. Next, he went down to the river and steeped a cloth in the +water, then gently bathed the Norman's head, and staunched the bleeding, +also carefully drawing the hair over it to hide the wound as much as +possible. He next poured down his throat some of the Flemish wine he +carried. The Norman slowly opened his eyes, and stared about him with a +dazed, unmeaning look. + +"All right, my gallant fellow," said Badger. "Here you are. Have another +taste of my bottle." + +The Norman took a good long pull, which seemed to revive him +considerably. By degrees the whole scene came back to his stunned +senses, and mechanically he put up his hand to his head, and felt the +wound. + +"You hound!" said he. "You've cracked my skull!" + +"Not a bit of it, my hearty! Your skull is not so easy to crack. The +skin is peeled a little, that is all, and a day or two will put it right +again." + +"I trow not, nor a week or two either. You villain! You meant to brain +me, I do believe!" + +"Not a bit of it, comrade. Why, if I meant you harm, what so easy whilst +you have been lying here? The fact is, you beat me black and blue. My +limbs will be sore for many a day after this. It was the first time I +had touched you; and you were so eager to knock me out of it that you +left your head unguarded. Why, man, you had the best of it up to the +last stroke." + +By touching up the Norman's vanity by such artful speeches, and by +pouring good wine down his throat, the pair were speedily on good terms, +and they parted the best of friends, Badger chuckling to his heart's +content as he struck off on a short cut for the hills. + +In the meantime, Oswald waited anxiously at an appointed place for the +coming of Badger, profoundly hoping that his mission would be +successful. He knew that, excepting some untoward accident had happened, +Badger would hang on to the heels of his man until, by either fair or +foul means, he secured the despatches. But he himself had prepared for +drastic means, if stratagem had failed. For failure to intercept the +message would probably mean disaster to the little Saxon colony on the +hill. His mind, however, was greatly relieved as he beheld Badger in the +distance with beaming countenance, hurrying towards him. + +"Well, I'm glad to see you, Badger. How has the business gone? No +miscarriage, I hope?" + +Badger made no reply, but, quickly hauling out the parchment from his +bosom, he handed it to Oswald. + +"I trust this will make better answer than I can muster, my lord." + +Oswald took the parchment, and quickly tore it open, and ran his eyes +over its contents. + +"All right, Badger. How came you by it? Does the messenger know that you +have relieved him of his message?" + +"He has not the slightest idea. He trudged off, after carefully +ascertaining, as he thought, that his packet was safe." + +"You are the slyest rogue in the world, Badger, I do declare. Come, let +us hear the news, how you came by this paper?" + +So, as the pair journeyed on together, Badger, in high glee, told how he +had circumvented the Norman, and sent him on his journey with a cracked +skull into the bargain, all of which Oswald highly relished. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +SAXON AND VIKING AT THE SWORD'S POINT. + + "Who overcomes + By force hath overcome but half his foe." + + Milton.. + + +The burning and rankling feeling of hatred and contempt engendered in +the breast of Sigurd against Oswald (as the result of his spying a +second time upon the Saxon chieftain and Alice de Montfort) was of such +a consuming nature that he must needs force himself into the presence of +Ethel at the very first opportunity. In tones fierce and rancorous, he +told her the story of Oswald's secret and unprincipled love--as he +considered it--for the fair Norman. + +"Ethel, girl," said he, "I have dogged this renegade myself, and know of +a truth that he holds illicit intercourse with this dark-eyed Norman +hussy, and that he keeps tryst with her o' nights when honest men are +abed, deceiving Saxon and Norman alike." + +"What have I to do with this, my lord? I pray you pursue this matter no +farther," said Ethel. + +"All honest men, whether Saxon or Norse, have to do with traitors to +their country. This deceiver professes undying enmity against our common +foe, but does not hesitate to betray his country and the Saxon cause to +win a smile from this temptress." + +"My lord," said Ethel, in firm tones, "I cannot listen to your harsh +judgments of him. He is our chosen leader, and I do not hesitate to say +in your hearing, he is our only possible leader. He is sagacious as +brave, and if _he_ cannot rally our scattered and dispirited people, +then our cause is hopeless. I do not believe he is a renegade, as you +say. He is no traitor to his country, but her most valorous and faithful +defender." + +"I tell thee, girl, he is in league with this siren! I know of what I +speak! How can he prostrate himself before _her_ without despising and +betraying his own people?" + +"My lord, what is this to _me_? If he loves this fair Norman, it is not +to be wondered at; she gave him his life. She is surpassingly beautiful; +and she is virtuous and good as well. Listen, my lord, to what the +palmers tell us of her benefactions, and her kindness to those in +distress." + +"She supplanted thee, girl, dost thou think of that? She hath stolen +what of right should be thine--what would have been thine, but for her! +How canst thou find excuses for this she-wolf and her base paramour?" + +"My lord, such words are an affront to me. A Saxon maiden does not need +to go a-begging for a lover." + +"Ethel, thou dost tantalise me! Thou art blind. Thy love for him doth +make thee mad! But I will be avenged on them both, whether thou approve +of it or not." + +"My lord," said Ethel, drawing herself to her full height, whilst her +eyes flashed fire, "who told you I loved him? Are you going to make a +palmer's song about me, and sing it through the whole camp? I will not +have you assuming what I have not told you. Let me tell you, once for +all, a Saxon girl will love where she pleases, and only where she +pleases. Your references are an insult to me!" + +This was said with all the energy she could command. Then, rising, she +passed hastily from the room. But scarcely had she closed the door +behind her when her strength failed, and she sank exhausted into a seat. + +"Mercy on us!" shrieked Eadburgh, rushing off for a mug of cold water, +and dashing it over her face with her fingers. "Whatever is the matter? +That loutish fellow has been making love again, I'll warrant! He'll +drive the poor body clean mad if he does not let her alone. Such a great +mountain of flesh would frighten anybody, let alone a wee bit of a +lady-like creature as my mistress." + +Sigurd, we need not say, was still further maddened by this additional +repulse, and in a rage which would brook no further control, he hurried +off in quest of Oswald, whom he found superintending the efforts of the +workmen. Oswald saw that he was greatly agitated and evidently in a +terrible passion. + +"A word in thine ear," he hissed fiercely to Oswald, as he passed. + +Oswald followed him until they were beyond the hearing of others. + +"What is thy business this morning, pray?" said Oswald, who saw quite +plainly that a rupture was imminent. + +"My errand is to unmask a traitor, and either make an honest man of him, +or else make an end of him." + +"If thou hast business of such import as this--and thy looks betoken +it--it were best to speak plainly, and come to the point at once." + +"My business is with thee, for thou art a renegade, and a trickster; +dancing attendance on a Norman woman, and bartering thy country's cause +and thy people's liberties, to win a smile from a trumpery Norman jade. +Now thou hast it in plain terms." + +"Thou liest, Jarl. And once more thy madness passes the bounds of +toleration. Let me tell thee I will have no more ebullitions of thy +ungovernable temper, or any more of thy intriguing and sowing of discord +amongst my people. So be pleased at once to betake thyself to thy own +domain, or anywhere thou likest, so that thou cross my path no more. +There thou art at liberty to act thine own part without let or +hindrance." + +"Ah, finely spoken, no doubt! and smoothly as any Norman courtier could +mouth it! Thou hast the trick of it, truly. But thou mayest save thy +fine speeches, and lisp them to thy lady-love, for they win not upon me. +I will tell thee further,--to put a few leagues of honest Saxon soil +between thee and me will not heal our differences. Nor will I try such a +remedy unless more wholesome methods fail me." + +"There are no differences between us, saving such as are hatched in thy +muddy brain, Jarl; and what may be the methods of healing them which +thou hintest at, I know not. But I see that madman's look in thy eye, +with which I am too familiar, and I opine that mischief, aye, deadly +mischief, is designed by thee, if thy ability to work mischief fail thee +not." + +"The curse of Skuld be upon thee, traitor! Thou hast guessed rightly, so +draw at once and stand upon thy guard, or I will run thee through with +as little compunction as I would a dog," said the Viking, wildly +brandishing his sword, and advancing on Oswald. + +Whilst this war of words was proceeding, the whole camp was thoroughly +aroused, and curious eyes from every nook and corner anxiously peered +out to see what this fateful altercation would lead to. But when weapons +were unsheathed, the churls eagerly thronged about their respective +chieftains in feverish excitement. Oswald would fain have settled this +quarrel without appeal to arms; or if that could not be, then he would +have preferred it apart from the clamour and partizanship of the camp. +Sigurd's unbridled rage, however, put this out of the question. Being, +therefore, forced into this appeal to the sword, he unsheathed his +weapon; and the two broadswords, in the grip of two as powerful +antagonists as the sea-encircled lands of Britain contained, came +together like the shock of lances in knightly charge. + +Oswald, unlike his opponent, was perfectly cool, though not by any means +blind or indifferent to the momentous issues involved in this +life-and-death struggle. He knew that any yielding, or declining of the +combat, either in the interest of peace, or for any other reason, meant +the loss of supremacy in the camp. He knew also that Sigurd meant it to +be to the death. Now, Oswald fell little short of Sigurd in sheer brute +strength and force; and in coolness of temper, agility, and skill, he +was much more than a match for his opponent. He saw clearly also that +this was to be no child's play, but dead earnest. The look in the black +and louring visage of Sigurd, and the unmitigated ferocity of his +onslaught, told more plainly than words that he, at least, would give no +quarter. Oswald fought a purely defensive battle, having no desire to +injure his foeman, but steadily parrying, with masterly skill, the +thundering blows of Sigurd, steadily giving ground before his eager and +impetuous onslaught. None knew better than he, however, that vital +exhaustion must follow quickly on the heels of such dire rage; and it +soon became very evident to him that the pace was telling upon his +adversary. The rush and eagerness of his attack, and the consuming +passion within him, told their tale very speedily, for the perspiration +poured from him in streams, and his countenance became deadly pale. This +was soon followed by a palpable weakening of the strength of his wrist; +and Oswald, watching carefully every stroke of his adversary, awaited +his chance. Soon it came; and with one powerful blow he sent the weapon +from Sigurd's grasp. Then, in a climax of senseless rage at losing his +weapon, Sigurd rushed on Oswald, in the vain endeavour to close with +him. But Oswald, turning the flat of his sword, dealt him a powerful +blow on the head with its broadside, which knocked him senseless and +bleeding to the ground. He quickly rose to his feet again, however. + +"There," said Oswald, coolly sheathing his weapon, "take thy sword. I +have given thee thy life. Be advised, and cross my path no more whilst +thou art in thy present mood, for, Saxon or no Saxon, there will be but +one more passage-at-arms between me and thee; and thou mayest fare worse +at our next meeting." + +"I offer thee no thanks for thy clemency, nor do I abate one jot of my +hatred of thee and of thy womanish philandering with Norman wenches, +when thy countrymen's blood cries aloud for vengeance. I warn thee to +take heed lest, next time we meet, fortune may not be on thy side." So, +with a scowl, he hurried off. + +Oswald remained for a long time with folded arms and bowed head, pacing +to and fro on the sward, in anxious and troubled thought, which found +vent in audible words. + +"Too well I understand that foul menace, and well I understand the +untamed and implacable nature of this foe in my own household. When our +forefathers broke upon this land, wild and daring, counting human life +as nothing, and ruthlessly trampling underfoot their fallen enemies, +none more fierce and cruel in all the savage crews were there than he. +But this is the question to be settled: were those old days of +heathenish rites and savage valour the prime days of our race? Our +forefathers braved all hazards, and they were a conquering people. What +are we? Are we not abjectly ground down--a subject race, and serfs of a +braver people? Is this lingering type of our ancient race in the right? +What are books; and music; and chivalry? What is this lately born love +of mercy, and justice, and righteousness? Tell me, is it merely a +debilitating southern wind come this way, transforming heroes into +effeminate dreamers, and weaklings? Can I be again a Saxon of the old +type?--for I must make my choice here, and now. A Viking, with savage +instincts, and implacable, undying hatred of my enemies; indulging in +ruthless butchery and indiscriminate massacre of helpless women and +children. Can I see eye to eye with this man? This question I must +settle once for all!" + +He took a turn, in deep mental conflict. + +"No!" said he, with concentrated energy; "it cannot be, come what may. I +abominate his savagery! I despise his ignorance, and his boorish habits! +He and I can never be one in aim and action. Then, I owe my life to this +fair Norman; such a debt upon my honour calls aloud for a full requital. +Besides all this," said he, whilst his broad chest heaved with the +powerful emotions which stirred within him, "waking I hear continually +the music of her voice, and I see the love-light in her dark eye. +Sleeping I commune with her, and I dream of days of peace and happiness +to come. The die is cast, and my path is marked out for me! Perilous it +is in very truth, with Norman foes destitute of mercy, and, added to +them, a foe in this mad Norseman, cruel and revengeful as death. I will +follow the light! Let God judge between me and this people he hath given +me to defend." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +JEANNETTE AND WULFHERE, OR LOVE'S COMEDIES. + + "Loving she is, and tractable, though wild; + And innocence hath privilege in her + To dignify arch looks and laughing eyes, + And feats of cunning...." + + Wordsworth. + + +Lest it should be imagined that our coquettish little Frenchwoman, +Jeannette, had been perfectly quiescent all this time, we proceed to +give particulars of some little exploits in which she acted an important +part. Hers was not the disposition to act the _rôle_ of a lay figure, it +will be easily imagined. No. To be engaged in some little romance on her +own account was as essential to her existence as the breath of her +nostrils; and the more romantic and unconventional the part she played, +the keener the zest with which she entered into it. She had managed to +subsist on a little flirtation with Paul Lazaire when nothing better +presented itself; but now, the tall and handsome Saxon, Wulfhere, had +fired her inflammable little heart with such a passion as she had never +experienced before. Her scanty knowledge of Saxon heraldry and Saxon +customs, coupled with Wulfhere's constant comradeship with the great +Saxon earl, had caused her to think highly of this doughty Saxon lover +of hers. It must be confessed, too, that Wulfhere's fine presence, his +undoubted valour, and the unflagging goodnature and ready wit with which +he alternately bantered, flattered, or caressed her, quite carried her +by storm; and over head and ears in love, at a stroke almost, went this +born coquette. + +Right skilfully had she woven many a Cupid's net for others, and, with +tantalising inconsistency, frowned to-day and smiled to-morrow upon her +hapless victims. The truth was, none hitherto had fired her imperious +imagination sufficiently. But at last Cupid had transfixed her +unmistakably; and Jeannette was not the one to stand on ceremony, or be +a slave to petty prudencies. Not she, indeed! + +To have a brush with the chapter of accidents, to set wise +heads and slanderous tongues a-wagging; added piquancy to the +romance, and was quite to her liking. Hate has its plots and +counterplots, its subterfuges and scheming, its dogged persistence in +malevolence; but love also has its expedients, its inventions, its +circumlocutions, which, for ingenuity, and for that final grace of all +plotters--_audacity_, will circumvent its hateful opposite any day. Love +also has this final advantage; it dares to be found out, and is never a +whit abashed when its devices are discovered. + +Upon Wulfhere, too, the advent of this pretty and coquettish little dame +had burst like a revelation. The saucy pertness, the mischief and +merriment which glanced in her sparkling eye, the feminine gracefulness +of form and figure, the pretty devices with which she was wont to adorn +herself, and set off her charms, and the sheer _abandon_ with which she +rushed into this love affair with him, completely carried him away, and +he was speedily as helpless as a slave in her hands. The contrast +between this dainty Frenchwoman, and the Saxon women of the lower orders +was simply inexpressible, and Wulfhere, in his Saxon simplicity, was +charmed beyond measure. + +Upon poor Paul Lazaire the altered demeanour of Jeannette towards +himself operated somewhat hardly. Being quite in the dark as to the +existence of a new disturbing factor, he was wont to obtrude his +presence as heretofore upon Jeannette. But alas! Jeannette had now lost +the little interest which aforetime she had manifested in Paul. She had, +in past time, deigned occasionally to bestow a smile, amid her many +frowns, on his pretensions; and this occasional smile and ray of +sunshine had refreshed him, and given him hope. Now, alas! the smiles +had all vanished, whilst the frowns deepened in intensity, and were +frequently accompanied by a perky toss of the head, and little scornful +speeches. 'Tis just like poor human nature, though, the world over; when +once enmeshed in Cupid's net, the shaking-off process makes one cling +the tighter, and it made poor Paul more and more desperate in his +endeavours to win a smile from his lady-love. It had become, however, +not only unpleasant to Jeannette, but vastly inconvenient, too, to have +her footsteps dogged as she sauntered through the woods, or by the +river's side, as any one who has had experience of these things will +easily understand. No matter, if Paul caught a glimpse of Jeannette's +golden hair as she slid away at still eventide for a quiet walk in the +woods, why, poor short-sighted mortal, he was sure to consider his +presence and protection indispensable; and though he had had latterly +some very unpleasant experiences of the fact that Jeannette neither +considered his presence indispensable nor agreeable, yet he persevered +most desperately. + +Seeing this infatuation on Paul's part, it had occurred to another +participator in these sylvan _tête-à-têtes_ that more drastic expedients +would have to be resorted to in order to disillusionise him. So a slight +rebuff was administered to poor Paul, which had the happy effect of +somewhat disenchanting him. + +It was at the still eventide. Jeannette had laid aside the duties of the +day, and had ascended to the tower. Why? Well, perhaps to see the +sunset. It was somewhat strange, but somehow, like her mistress, she had +acquired the habit of reconnoitring at odd hours from the tower of the +castle. Probably she and Alice had confidences in these matters. But, be +that as it may, a very hasty survey of the beauties of nature on this +occasion made her hurry off for a closer scrutiny. Paul's vigilant eye +espied the fair form making for the path by the river's side, and, on +the assumption that "faint heart never won fair lady," he would venture +again. So he started off in pursuit. It must be confessed he did not +approach this imperious fair one without many tremblings and +forebodings. The keen edge of her saucy tongue had greatly dismayed him +in many a wordy tussle lately, and it had begun dimly to dawn upon him +that this waspish habit had something of dislike for him. Poor fellow! +These very quakings of heart presaged coming trouble and defeat. 'Twas +in his case pretty much as the old saw has it:-- + + "Tender-handed touch a nettle, + And it stings you for your pains. + Grasp it like a man of mettle, + And it soft as silk remains." + +Never, my dear Paul, should you have approached a saucy, perky dame like +this, in the character and with the attitude of a milksop. "Buxom dames +will have a buxom wooing." "He who goes trembling will come back +shambling." + +"My dear Jeannette," began Paul, most humbly, as he caught up to her, "I +wonder how you dare venture in these woods alone." + +"Humph! I dare do anything I like to. And pray what have you got to do +with it, Master Lazaire? I didn't invite you, I know!" + +"Well, I thought you ought to have some protection, and I would +accompany you if you didn't mind." + +"But I do mind; so get off with you to that Saxon hussy I caught you +kissing. You may tell her to wash her face, and comb her hair; and if +she could tighten the bands about her skirts to make herself a waist, it +would greatly improve her appearance. But she is good enough for you, +anyway. So be off with you!" + +"I never speak to those Saxon wenches. I love you alone, Jeannette; you +know that well enough. But you seem now as though you hated to see me." + +"I know I caught you kissing a Saxon wench, and a precious dirty one +too. I know that well enough, Paul Lazaire. And I'll not have you +following me at all. So be off, you softhead, and don't be told again!" + +This style of rebuff was more than poor Paul had calculated upon, +dubious though he had been, and his temper was considerably ruffled in +consequence. His eye assumed an unnatural fierceness as he took in the +lonely surroundings of the forest, and desperate resolves were quickly +forming in his breast. Jeannette all the while kept her eye steadily +fixed on a certain trysting-place, a little ahead, and her nimble feet +were on the lilt ready for flight if necessary. + +Paul laid his hand on her shoulder somewhat roughly, and said,-- + +"Stop a bit, _ma grande dame_. You give yourself too many airs for me +altogether." + +Jeannette shook him off and at the same time dealt him a stinging slap +in the face; then she took to her heels like a deer, with Paul in hot +pursuit, in an ungovernable rage. + +"_Voulez vous_ slap me in the face, _vous renarde_? _Vous serez_ taught +different when I catch you!" + +Just as he was about to lay hands on the fugitive, out sprang Wulfhere +from the thicket, and seizing Paul by the throat, he well nigh shook the +life out of him. + +"You villain!" said Wulfhere. "You assault defenceless women, do you, +you undersized little imp? I'll screw your neck round before I've done +with you! It is well I was near, you wretch, you!"--the sentences and +the shakings alternating with equal vigour, until poor Paul scarcely +knew whether he was on his head or his heels. During this operation, +Wulfhere was steadily backing him to the river's brink, which, having +reached, he gathered him up and pitched him in, head foremost. Paul came +floundering out again, like a half-drowned rat. + +"There!" said Wulfhere, catching him again by the scruff of the neck; +"you may thank your stars I haven't drowned you altogether. Now be off +with you;" administering at the same time a hearty kick to the baser +parts of Paul's anatomy, which considerably accelerated his retreat. + +Paul was not slow to take advantage of this privilege, and he quickly +put a safe distance between himself and the Saxon. Suddenly, however, it +occurred to him that he was possessed of a sword. Whipping it out +savagely he turned to make a tremendous lunge at the foe, when, oh +horrors! he was just in time to see in the distance the long arm of the +Saxon fondly entwining the slender waist of Jeannette, and the perky +little face, all smiles and blushes, upturned to receive a spanking kiss +from the "beast of _a Saxon_!" + +"_Le diable!!_" he screamed with rage, whilst the veins of his face and +neck were distended almost to bursting. Off he started in pursuit, sword +in hand, and bent on executing summary vengeance on the perfidious pair. +Just at that moment, however, the Saxon gave a backward glance over his +shoulder, and this had the effect of bringing Paul to a stand instantly. +No; he decided, upon second thoughts, that he would not slay them +himself, but bring a troop down upon them promptly. So he turned again +and rushed off towards the castle for reinforcements. But having time on +the way to become fully sensible of the pickle he was in, and of the +very inglorious part he had played in this encounter, he decided +otherwise. Discretion would be the better part of valour; for if his +comrades but set eyes on him in his present state, or heard the story of +this exploit, his peace was gone for ever. So he decided, upon mature +reflection, to say nothing about it for the present, but nurse his wrath +for some more favourable opportunity of wreaking vengeance upon them +both. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +A GRIM TEMPLE, A GRIM PRIEST, AND A SAD HEART. + + "When true hearts lie wither'd + And fond ones are flown, + Oh! who would inhabit + This bleak world alone?" + + Moore. + + +Ethel, deeply muffled and disguised, passed through the little +postern-gate of the fortress. A word in the ear of the sentinel who +paced to and fro before it on guard, secured instant obedience. Ethel's +position in the fortress was thoroughly understood by all. Her +self-denial, her patience, and her burning patriotism, were well known +in this camp of Saxon outlaws. The readiness with which she undertook +positions involving fatigue and privation, for the cause, was a constant +inspiration to the common people. They watched her come and go with +veneration--almost with awe and superstition. They whispered one to +another of her strange journeyings by night and day; and many regarded +this young chieftainess as a special favourite of the gods. As she +glided through the gate in the early morning hours, the sentinel thrust +his head forth and watched her swiftly descend the slope, like a ghost +in the darkness. When her form was no longer visible, he closed the +door, and secured it with bolt and bar. + +"Whatever can she be after so early in the morning, and before the day +dawns? There's something very uncanny about her, tramping over hill and +dale by night and day like any wolfshead, or wicca-hag.[3] I saw the +fiery lights in the heavens two hours ago. I wonder what it all means. I +almost wish I was safely out in the Bruneswald, where I could hop about +like a bird from tree to tree, and where never a Norman could corner +one. This being cooped up like a rabbit in a hole I don't relish. I like +room to ply my heels. Howsomever, I'll stick, and stand my chance, for +the women can't be whisked through the air; and the children, too, they +must have a nest." So the sentinel continued his watch, and ruminated on +these things. + +[Footnote 3: Witch.] + +Meanwhile, Ethel sped with quick step over the rugged limestone hills, +flying before the fastly pursuing dawn like a fugitive who dreaded his +revealing power. Ever and anon she turned to measure with her eye the +distance she had traversed. The shadowy outlines of the fortress she +left behind began to take shape in the distance, and she quickened her +pace. "I shall soon be beyond the reach of vision," she muttered to +herself. "I would not have Oswald know my errand to-day for worlds. My +mind is dark, I know not what I do; but my hope dies, and my heart +breaks. Perhaps the Norseman's gods may help me, for the Christian's God +fails me. 'Tis a dread alternative; but I would know, if I could, what +Fate has decreed for me." + +For three weary hours she sped over dreary moors and scraggy, +precipitous valleys, which were often little better than ravines. +Presently she turned into a declivity running between two banked-up, +precipitous sides. A little ahead, the two sides curved inwards and came +together, and to all appearance this strange gorge came to an end. Ethel +marched forward with unfaltering step, evidently straight at the blunt +face of the joined limestone rock. But when she reached the extremity, +there became visible, what at a very short distance could not be seen, +an obscure opening behind a jagged projection of rock. It might be, to +all appearance, merely an entrance to a fox's or wolf's den. Into this +opening, however, Ethel crept, without halt or questionings of any kind. +Presently the narrow entrance became larger, and she stood upright, but +continued to descend a rough and precipitous path, until she reached a +level piece of ground. Looking up--the place was simply a stupendous +slit in the limestone rock, broadening downwards into a considerable +area. The trees and shrubs growing at the top interlocked from side to +side, and the light came streaming through a network of branches. +Desolate and awe-inspiring was the place. At the farther end were two +mounds of earth, or tumuli, where the grim priests of Thor and Woden +were sleeping the long sleep of death--lives which had been literally +burnt out by the fierce fires of fanaticism, and savage asceticism. +Ethel paused to look around, but everything was still as death; she +shuddered and drew her cloak tighter about her. + +"The last time I came to this spot my father brought me. I feel his +untamed Norseman blood stir within me. The fierce gods of war and +revenge and death his Viking ancestors and he worshipped, I dare to +consult to-day. 'Tis a cruel necessity, and jars my woman's instincts--I +feel it petrifies my heart with unlovely savagery; but the followers of +this Christ have slain my people with a wicked and unsparing slaughter. +They differ in no way in their wanton cruelty to Norseman and Dane. +Their women, too, with their fair faces, dainty fingers, and courtly +manners, have stolen the heart of Oswald, and I am slighted and +disdained; nothing in my beauty--and suitors of noble lineage have +sought me ere now for my beauty; nothing in my rank--and it is but +yesterday that I might have stood amongst the proudest of the land. No; +I am a withered leaf, battered, bruised, and trampled upon. My love is +unrequited! My misfortunes are compassionated, but that soothes not my +wounded spirit, and is but a hateful substitute for the love I crave. +Alas! nothing avails me, for I am only a heathen woman and an outcast. +So, hard driven by my misfortunes and my wounded love, I will consult +the gods of my father. The Norseman's gods may help me perhaps. Yet," +said she, pausing for a moment, whilst her breast heaved with strange +and powerful emotions which struggled for the mastery within her, "my +mother was Christian and Saxon. She was a follower of this Christ. She +was gentle, and taught me to pray to Him. I remember it well, though I +was but a child. 'Our Father which art in heaven.' Ah, that is +wonderfully soothing to me, and not like the prayers I was taught to +offer to Thor and Odin. But my mother could not have known this Jesus; +for if He was merciful and gentle, why do His blood-thirsty followers +delight in treachery and bloodshed. 'Twas a part of my cruel fate that +she should die in my infancy, for had she lived I might have learned of +her more perfectly. O ye gods!" said she, wringing her hands in agony +above her head, and looking up to the vaulted roof with tear-blinded +eyes and with agonised entreaty,--"have pity on me in my +friendlessness!" + +Then she sped on with a quick, determined tread. Down each side of this +weird retreat there were standing out, like grim, ghostly sentinels in +the uncertain light, a long line of runic stones, on which were carved +many strange devices; rude figures of uncouth and unearthly animals and +reptiles. She had been taught that these strange hieroglyphics and signs +had marvellous potency for good or ill. They could cause passionate +love, or undying hatred, in the breasts of those over whom their spell +was thrown. Indeed, the power of life and death was wielded by them. +Strange supernatural agencies and powers were their messengers, and did +their bidding. Starting from the rock, or planted here and there, were +many of the ominous rowan trees, or witch-wood. The hemlock and the +nightshade clustered together, and the nodding cypress dropped sombrely +over the runic stones beneath them. Ethel glanced nervously round, but +not a living thing was visible; not a sound broke the death-like silence +of the place. Quickly gliding beneath the drooping branches of one of +the cypress trees, she fell on her knees before the frowning pillar of +stone. She had knelt there before by the side of her father, who had +remained heathen to the last. But to kneel alone, in this very vestibule +of the Place of Darkness, and to pour out her passionate entreaties to +powers which she knew were the Powers of Darkness, strange to mercy, and +which had but the attributes of fiends; the ordeal was terrible indeed. +With feelings tumultuous and frenzied, she apostrophised the weird and +forbidding emblem before her. + +"O ye gods of my fathers, whether ye be Powers of Light or of Darkness I +know not. Pity my ignorance, and my apostasy, for I have turned to this +Jesus whom the Christians worship, and He has failed me, and turned my +joy into mourning. My father and my brother have been slain by the +followers of this Jesus. My home is made desolate, and I flee for life +and honour from these Christian fiends. There is one also who might have +been my lover, who is bravest amongst the brave, and most chivalrous +amongst the chivalrous; who is gentle as a sunbeam, and tender as my own +lost mother, yet strong as any tower in the storm. He is lost to me +through the subtle arts of their women. My life has become to me but a +living torment. Can ye turn again the heart of Oswald to me? 'Tis said +ye can turn even hatred into love. I know it is unmaidenly to plead for +a love I cannot inspire, but I can bear this burden no longer alone, and +I would ye could give me favour in his eyes, or give me a long home in +one of these sepulchral mounds." + +She started to her feet with a shriek, as a deep voice saluted her from +behind,-- + +"Waes hael, Viking's daughter!" + +She hastily turned, and behold there stood before her Olaf, the aged +priest of this Vikings' temple, to whom for a couple of generations the +heathenism and savagery of the countryside had repaired for ghostly +consolation, and into whose ears had been poured the secrets of fierce +loves and fiercer hatreds of these descendants of the Norsemen. He had +been the grim dispenser of dark and mystic rites and potent spells to +weirdly savage and credulous votaries. A strange being surely to claim a +place in times so advanced as these! He was a living embodiment and +personification of a bygone era, and so totally destitute of all +humanising instincts that he might have slid down the ages, +glacier-like, from prehistoric times--when men dwelt in caves, and +gnawed the flesh from the bones of their prey like wild beasts--without +ever having come in contact with the outermost fringe of civilisation; a +Viking of the Vikings in savagery and blood. His head was uncovered, and +his long and matted grey hair fell over his shoulders. His form was +shrunken and racked with rheumatic pains, from his long exposure and +unlovely life. Long, deep furrows ploughed his face, and the long, +powerful, and uncleanly teeth stood away from the shrunken cheeks, +whilst his sunken eyes gleamed like the eyes of some savage beast of +prey. He was a visible and concentrated embodiment of the _war spirit_ +in its unrelieved and unredeemed essentials. No touch of pen or pencil, +however graphic, could depict, in all his hideous grimness, this +stranded relic of a bygone age of savage lawlessness and force, who +seemed to be but half a dozen removes from the tooth-and-claw methods of +wild beasts. + +"Ha! ye are come at last, are ye?" he hoarsely croaked. "Ye are come +now, when ye find that this strange God, this Christ of whom the +Christians speak, has proved to be no God, and cannot save ye! But the +gods of your fathers have given ye over to desolation because ye have +forsaken them. Ha, ha, ha! I could laugh at ye now! Ye despised the old +priest, did ye not? ha, ha, ha!" + +As the harsh, grating voice of the priest fell upon her ears, Ethel +almost cowered in terror before him. At sight of her terror, the old +priest somewhat relented his fierceness. + +"Hist to me," said he. "Ye are a Viking's daughter, after all, and come +of a stock whose deeds our Sagas tell of, though the Christian taint has +mixed too freely with your father's blood. It does my old tired bones +good, nevertheless, to see ye come back again to me once more. I have +been very lonely and forsaken, for my fellow priests are all lying +beneath these mounds. I buried the last myself not a month agone. See! +the mound is newly heaped. I shall soon be gone also, and there will be +never a priest at hand to give me back into the arms of mother earth, to +reveal to ye the dark mysteries of Valhalla, or to call from the land of +the dead the Sein-loeca,[4] to speak with you. Viking's daughter, are +ye now aweary of following this strange God of the Christians?" + +[Footnote 4: Apparition.] + +"Alas! I know not what to do, priest! I am as desolate and forsaken as +ye are. I would have the heart of Oswald, the Saxon chieftain, turned +towards me. If ye have any charm that will give me favour in his eyes, I +covet it, priest." + +"Ah, but this Oswald is Christian; ye do not well in seeking thus to +further dilute the Viking blood that flows in your veins. Is there no +hardy Norseman ye can mate with? and I can help ye." + +"None, father! I gave my heart to this valiant Saxon long ago; but alas! +a Norman woman has won his love, and when he comes into my presence now, +I see that there is always a far-away look in his eye, and I know he is +looking in imagination upon the dark-haired Norman he loves more than +me. He shuns his couch to keep nightly tryst with her. I have dogged his +steps, and watched them in the starlight nights, pacing the battlements +of the castle in loving converse, and in loving embrace. He is kind and +gentle to me, but there is none of the subtle tones of love so dear to +us women when once our heart is won. Men say I am fair; but have ye any +charm to make me fair to _him_? It matters not what men may say, or what +the multitude may say. There is but _one_ man in all the world, and if I +am not fair to _him_, why then the sun goes down on all my hopes, and +leaves naught behind but the long black shadows of despair! Ah! I fear +me, priest, it is in my spirit! There is no charm for him in the passion +and frenzy, the fire and restlessness, of my Viking spirit. This +voluptuous southern maiden, with her courtly manners and her gentle +speech, has touched a chord in his heart which never responds to the +Saxon maiden!" + +"Girl, ye are no Saxon maiden! ye are a Viking's daughter! I claim ye +for the old race that has swept every sea, and made the Viking name a +terror to all lands. I will not have ye despise the fierce spirit of +your race that lives in ye! Listen. I know a Viking of the old stock, a +true descendant of our heroes whose mighty deeds our Sagas tell. He hath +a passion for ye deep and fierce, and pure as a Viking's love should be. +'Tis Sigurd of Lakesland, who was here but yestere'en. Let me plight +your troth with him, and there shall spring a progeny like unto our +forefathers, who will sweep the infamous Norman brood into the sea, and +make the cowardly Saxon cower at the feet of the Norseman, as in the +days gone by." + +"Ye speak, priest, as though a maiden's heart were like a willow bush, +to veer about as any idle wind may blow, or so gross a thing that it may +be huckstered for a consideration, or be cast as a mere makeweight into +the scale of policy. Never dream, priest, that this is a possible +remedy; for I have nothing to offer Sigurd or any other. If ye cannot +tell me that I shall be Oswald's bride, then I will be wedded to my +people, and I will serve my country till death comes to free me." + +"A curse on the evil times I have lived to see, girl!" said the priest +savagely. "This simpering sentiment is not like the love of a Viking +maiden at all! The sturdiest and fiercest warrior was wont to be the +choice of our maidens in the old days. What charm would ye have? There +is but one charm will serve the Viking cause in love or war. It never +failed them, in the past, and will not fail them now if 'tis wielded +fearlessly." + +"What is this spell--this charm ye speak of? Tell it me at once!" said +Ethel eagerly. + +The priest slowly withdrew from his bosom a bright-bladed dagger, at +sight of which Ethel shuddered and drew back. + +The priest scowled, and said angrily, "If ye shrink at this ye are not +fit to be a Viking's daughter. This will serve you if ye are resolute, +for 'tis easy to get an audience of this Norman that hath bewitched +Oswald, and then it were easy to plunge this dagger into her heart; and +what then were thy hated rival? Take the blade in thy hand, nor shrink +from it; the touch of steel will fire thy heart, and purge away the +accursed leaven of effeminacy which is creeping over our Viking race. +There is a magic in the touch of cold steel; my fingers tingle as I feel +it. It has served the Viking's cause as nothing else could do for a +thousand years." + +As he spoke he pressed the fearsome weapon into her unwilling hand. + +"But how then, priest, when I have taken the life of this innocent lady? +Will that bring back the heart of Oswald? Nay, he will loathe me then, +and I shall be as a 'daughter of perdition' unto him." + +"Idle scruples, daughter!" said the priest, testy and irritable. "Who +shall tell him it was your hand did this deed? Be resolute, and fear +not; the Vikings' gods will help ye if ye be bold." + +"But after I have done this deed, priest, and if Oswald should never +know it was I that did this foul, this desperate deed, I can never rid +me of the loathsome memory, nor the clinging horror, of +blood-guiltiness. What after that? when self-respect, womanhood--nay, +when the last shred of my _humanity_ is gone--what would remain that +were worth the having? What should I be, and how could I look to mate +with his upright and chivalrous nature? What daily horror would be mine! +for each look of his unsuspecting eye would damn me! Nay, priest, take +back this dagger, for such means as these can never help me. My +innocence is my heaven, and I will keep it while I may; for when this is +lost, then all is lost. I thought ye might have gentler means." + +At this the old priest fairly roared with impotent rage. + +"Avast!" he cried. "'Tis this Christ hath done it all! Why do ye come to +the Vikings' gods until ye have renounced Him? How can I summon spirits +from Valhalla to your help, or send the wicca-hag skirling on the wind +to ply her sorceries on Oswald, that his heart may be turned to ye, if +ye are Christian?" + +Then, dropping into a gentler and more persuasive tone, as he saw Ethel +fairly cowering in terror before him, he said,-- + +"Go, Viking's daughter. Ye know my heart is sore for ye and for my race; +but it must be either Odin or Jesus. Go renounce this Christ, and then I +can help ye. Nay, nay! keep the dagger, for it hath wondrous virtue in +it. It was with this dagger that Thore Hund slew the Christian renegade +Olaf Haraldssen on the bloody field of Sticklarstad, and Odin proved +himself a mightier than this Christ. It shall be so again, for the +Viking race shall be a terror to all lands. Why should ye be fearful and +afraid? Why should ye hesitate and shrink at this act of revenge? Surely +ye have suffered enough at the hands of this accursed race. How can ye +be so scrupulous, when ye think of the vengeance ye owe these Norman +tyrants and usurpers for a father and brother slaughtered, for your +sadness, and your homelessness? Think of the love this Norman woman hath +stolen from ye. Nurse these thoughts, and be courageous, Viking's +daughter." + +Ethel slowly climbed from the weird retreat, where for generations these +savage priests of Thor and Odin had exercised a dread and mystic sway +over the descendants of the Norsemen conquerors, who in past times had +swooped down on Northumbria, peopling it with rough and hardy warriors; +and still the barbarous rites and crude beliefs held extensive sway, in +spite of the leavening influences of the Saxons' Christ. Ethel had +entered this nature's temple with dim hopes that by some exercise of +supernatural powers the heart of Oswald might be influenced so as to +turn to her; and if not this, that she might know the worst. Alas! the +sad heart and the wounded love had met with no amelioration of its +sadness and despair; but the dormant passion and frenzy which ran in her +Viking blood had been stirred in its lethargy into a madness of revenge, +the extent and power of which she had never felt before. + +"What is to be the end of this?" she said to herself, as she sped over +the wild hills. "Either I must conquer or be crushed. There is no middle +course; either it is hell or heaven. I cannot cast off or change my +love; that is given unreservedly and beyond recall. This Viking, Sigurd, +is a warrior true as steel, and his love is as sincere and true. But +what of that? To wed him were a suggestion most gross, and impossible as +gross. How could I crouch beside the ingle of an untamed Viking husband, +and in all unloveliness mother a rude progeny, and blur out, in the +grossness and savagery of it, the vision of better things, and of the +nobler love I have seen? Question. Shall I tamely submit to the +usurpation of a love that might have been mine, but of which I have been +despoiled by a Norman woman? Or shall I fling to the winds my Christian +trammels and scruples, and, Viking-like, take the Viking's remedy?" and +she drew forth from her bosom the unlovely and murderous weapon the +priest had given her. "The priest said this was my only remedy. 'Tis a +grim alternative. But why should I suffer this for a love too readily +given? I never told my heart to dote on Oswald. 'Twas a wild freak of +affection I could not bridle; and I cannot undo it now, so that change +is impossible. It was without effort of mine, also, that he has filled +my eye so fully that I cannot see another. Shall I tamely suffer this +eclipse at the hands of this southern woman? This priest tells me what a +Viking woman would do, and surely, if foul wrongs call for fierce +revenge, then I should not timidly shrink from this avenging act. +Madness and despair nerve my arm and steel my heart, and I will act as a +Viking woman would act!" + +But just at that moment, as the fierce spirit of revenge assumed the +mastery, there flitted before her mental vision a scene of long ago, +when, as a child, she knelt at her mother's knee, and heard the wondrous +story of the Redeemer's mercifulness and love for his enemies. The +revulsion of feeling was instant and overpowering. Stretching her +clenched hands heavenwards, she shrieked, in an agony of prayer, "Jesu, +_God of mercy_, help!" + +Overwrought nature could bear no more, and she sank in insensibility to +the ground, her fair countenance convulsed with agony. Speedily, +however, the shadows of despair gave place to a placid smile of sweet +content. Again she was a child, and her mother's form was bending over +her, but wondrously ennobled and beautified; and she spoke words of +comfort and of hope. "Daughter, be of good courage, and remember the +words of the Master that I taught you: 'Come unto Me all ye that labour +and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest'; 'Lo, I am with you +always, even unto the end of the world.'" Then, with a smile angelic in +its sweetness, the heavenly vision faded away. + +Slowly Ethel staggered to her feet, for her physical strength was +exhausted; but the look of blank despair had passed away, and her +countenance was transfigured until it shone like the countenance of a +saint of God. And drawing the dagger from her bosom she hurled it over a +precipice, shuddering as she did so. Then she slowly turned her +footsteps towards the fortress on the hill. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +EDGAR ATHELING. + + "Oh how wretched + Is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours!" + + Shakespeare. + + +Sigurd, after the rebuff he had received at the hands of Oswald, sped +him on his way to Scotland, aflame with a wrath which was about equally +divided between Oswald and the Normans. He was accompanied by some +half-dozen of his followers. And there, at the court of Malcolm of +Scotland, he laid before the Prince Atheling his scheme for the recovery +of the kingdom. + +Now, Prince Edgar was a weak, voluptuous prince, who spent his days in +dissipation, and surrounded by foreign parasites; but he was universally +acknowledged to be the legitimate heir to the throne of England. Every +one who knew him intimately had little hope of his ever winning it by +force of arms, or of his worthily filling it, if it should ever be +wrested from the grasp of the astute William. The Conqueror well knew +the weakness of this princeling, and with consummate policy he kept him +well supplied with money, knowing that if he had the means to gratify +his vicious and effeminate disposition, he would not be easily moved to +undertake any dangerous or arduous enterprise. + +But the Atheling, like all weak and vacillating natures, could be false +or fickle to his master William at very short notice. He was capable +also, in a vain and feeble sort of way, of grasping at the English +sceptre, for no better or nobler motive than the desire to gratify his +childish vanity, and to further indulge his voluptuous and sensual +habits. + +There was nothing in common between the fierce and fiery descendant of +the Vikings, Sigurd, and this weathercock of princely descent. Sigurd +was as valorous and uncompromising as the Atheling was ease-loving and +cowardly. Still, it was quite easy for this enthusiast to infuse into +the Prince's mind most exaggerated ideas of the rally of the Saxons +under Oswald, and to lead him to believe that the prospect of regaining +the throne of England was easy of achievement. He also managed to fan +into a flame the petty jealousies of which the prince was capable, by +representing to him that Oswald was intent on asserting his own claims +to the kingdom. + +It was a matter of profound surprise to us, and not a little +consternation also, when scarcely a month had elapsed from the date of +Sigurd's expulsion from the camp, to find that Saxon runners everywhere +throughout the kingdom were conveying the Prince's summons to all Saxon +leaders, outlaws, and ecclesiastics, together with a certain number of +freemen, and churls, who, according to Saxon laws, had the right to +attend these parliaments, or witans, of the nation. The witan was +summoned to meet in Lakesland, one of the wildest and most inaccessible +parts of Northumbria. Oswald and I were summoned, and a number of those +who owned Oswald's chieftainship. + +We weighed carefully this matter, and we could not rid ourselves of the +apprehension that Sigurd somehow was at the bottom of it, seeing that +the _bodes_ who bare these summonses were followers of the Jarl. + +Personally, I was much averse to the project, being unable to see what +good could come of it, in our present feeble and distracted state. But +Oswald considered it desirable that we should obey this summons as loyal +Saxons. Accordingly, a company of us, under the leadership of Oswald, +started for this rendezvous amid the Lakes. We were compelled to use the +utmost secrecy in our movements, and travel by night, as the Normans +were still thickly posted throughout the north. It would certainly have +been most dangerous to travel by day, even with so small a company as +ours. We were practically but two days march from the place of +rendezvous. So we started after nightfall on the first day, and, by +steadily pressing on, we covered one-half the distance, arriving ere it +was daylight at a place of refuge evidently well known to our leader, +but which came as a revelation to me, for we came upon a band of Saxons +near to an inlet of the sea, which ran into a thickly wooded headland. +Here were a company of hardy men, partly fisherman, and partly traders +and freebooters, who owned a vessel capable of carrying a considerable +cargo; which bare sometimes Saxon refugees to foreign lands, at other +times engaged in peaceful trading with distant ports, and had frequently +been employed by armed bands of Saxons for the purpose of making swift +descents upon their foes in various parts of the kingdom. From this +source I found that wines and breadstuffs, as well as munitions of war, +had systematically been supplied to the Saxon outlaws. I was told +voyages were frequently made, not only to Ireland and Scotland, but even +to ports on the Mediterranean sea. + +Here we rested for the day, and at nightfall we went aboard this vessel; +and, the wind being favourable, in a couple of hours they ran us across +the bay of Morcam, landing us in sight of the Westmoreland hills, and +certainly saving us more than a twenty miles' trudge. We were now within +some eight miles of our destination, and still had the most of the night +before us. Our sailor friends were able to tell us, also, that there was +no encampment of Normans within many miles of our route; so we continued +our march for an hour or two at a steady pace, without the slightest +alarm or molestation. At last, our path lay through a narrow pass or +defile in the mountains, and we were rapidly drawing near to the +rendezvous. We now found it necessary to move with the utmost caution, +for the path was rugged and narrow, and there was an eeriness about the +place which was suggestive of anything uncanny. Huge boulders frequently +confronted us, looming up out of the darkness so suddenly as quite to +take my breath away. Oswald and I were a trifle ahead of the others, and +were discussing to ourselves as to what could be the purpose of the +Prince, in summoning at so unpropitious a time the Saxon witan. + +"Does the Prince intend to take up arms, think you, my lord?" said I to +Oswald. + +"I expect little from the Atheling, Father, of that sort of thing. He is +fickle, cowardly, and dissolute into the bargain. He dallied at the +court of Malcolm at our last effort at York, until the cause was lost; +and he sped him back again, and never stayed to strike a single blow. I +am afraid some hare-brained purpose moves him, or some petty ambition +which is unworthy of a prince, and which he will not back with any force +of character, or any persistence. He will simply provoke a revolt which +cannot be successful, whilst at the very first repulse he will vanish, +and leave his unhappy followers to the relentless extermination policy +of William." + +"You have no faith in revolt, I think?" + +"None whatever. It is absolutely hopeless. If we had but had a leader at +York, brave and skilful as our last King Harold, and one who could have +united us, the thing was half assured. But now Saxon graves hold +prisoner for ever the flower of our people; and to attempt to offer an +organised opposition to the Norman forces--why, it were sheer madness. +The only two points in the kingdom where any show of resistance is made, +is our own little colony, and in Lincolnshire, where Hereward still +precariously holds out." + +"But does not the Prince know this, think you? Or is he incapable of +grasping the situation?" + +"The Prince, I have already intimated, is not a factor worth considering +for a moment. I very strongly suspect that Sigurd is at the bottom of +this. He, I believe, has stirred the Prince up either to ambition or to +jealousy, and I should not wonder if I were arraigned as traitor as a +preliminary to some madcap exploit of Sigurd's. Do not be in the least +surprised if this gathering ends in dire mischief and disunion." + +"What is that?" we both exclaimed in a breath, as we saw the figure of a +man dart from behind a huge boulder, and swiftly run along the pass +ahead of us. + +"I like not that," said Oswald. "He has no friendly motive, I warrant;" +and he at once drew his sword, and called Wulfhere. "Your Grace had +better take second rank," said he to me. Then, halting a moment till the +company drew near, he addressed them. + +"Men, have all your weapons ready." + +Immediately every swordsman's blade gleamed in the darkness, and every +archer's bow was unslung, and an arrow affixed. + +"Rear guard!" said he, in an undertone. + +"Aye, aye!" responded two gruff voices, which I knew to be Badger's and +Bretwul's. + +"Beware! and be ready; and keep close up. Now, men, let us move steadily +forward." + +So we pressed slowly and steadily forward, Oswald and Wulfhere passing +no boulder or obstruction without first carefully peering behind it to +see if any foe ambushed there. Suddenly there was a halt, the sword of +Oswald was uplifted, and I could descry a muffled human figure standing +in the centre of the path. + +"Who art thou?" said Oswald. "Speak, or I will cleave thee from head to +foot." + +"Listen!" said the figure. "I am the shadow of a vanishing race. When +Saxon hates Saxon and is greedier than greedy hawk for Saxon's blood; +and when Saxon loves Norman habits, and makes friends of the hated +oppressor; what hope is there of a restoration of the old race! If the +Fates have decreed it, well--'tis enough. I only ask for a grave in some +lonely spot, where the groans of my people will not disturb my long +repose. But beware, Saxons! there are fierce enemies abroad--Saxon, too. +Beware! The would-be avenger has a sharp sword, and will not stay his +hand. So beware! the swoop of the eagle is swift and strong, and his +talons are sharp." + +With that, the strange figure turned and fled along the pass with the +speed of a mountain roe. + +"That is a strange visitant," I said. "The voice might be the voice of a +woman. I almost fancied I had heard it before." + +"In any case, it is the voice of a friend. The warning is unmistakable; +the enemy to be dreaded is Saxon also," said Oswald. + +I began to wish most devoutly that the night were past. My nerves were +quite unstrung, and the yelp of a fox, or wolf, in the vicinity, the +flap-flap, of the night-owl's wing, or the scurrying footsteps of the +rabbits, set me in a violent tremble. Oswald headed the party forward, +though I would most gladly have called a halt, and waited for the clay. +We quickly found that our troubles were not yet past, for not a quarter +of a mile had been traversed since our last visitant, when suddenly, and +without warning, we were beset behind and before by armed men, who +hurled themselves upon us with the fury of wild beasts. Oswald had only +time to raise his shield to save himself from the furious stroke of some +powerful enemy. Before I had time to realise it, friend and foe were +laying about them with the fury of madmen. No sooner did I grasp the +situation than immediately I rushed to the front, though it was at the +imminent peril of my life. Lifting up the sacred emblem of my office, I +cried,-- + +"Peace! In God's name, I charge peace!" + +At the sight of the blessed cross the assailants recoiled a pace or two. + +"Who are you?" I cried. "Saxon or Norman?" + +"They are Saxon," said Oswald. "I know well who aimed the blows at my +life. 'Tis Sigurd, one professing to be of our nation." + +"I am not of thy nation, dastardly renegade, dancing attendance upon +Norman wenches, and warring in silken hose." + +"If I warred with as little sense and as little skill as thyself, I +should soon be as impotent as thou art, and have never a Saxon left me +to lead to battle." + +"Sigurd," said I, in as authoritative tone as I could command, and still +holding up the emblem of peace and goodwill to men, "I charge you, in +God's name, that you call off your men, and cease this fratricidal +strife." + +"What care I, monk," said he fiercely, "for thy God? He is the God of +cowards, and not of warriors." + +But having breathed out this defiance, he gathered up a wounded comrade +who had felt the keenness of Wulfhere's sword, and, without uttering +another word, he headed his men for the hills. + +"Now, my lord," said I, "what is to be done? This, I fear, is only a +precursor of trouble and discord at our witan. I would you were willing +even now to beat a retreat, nor take further risks to yourself and men, +in so bootless an errand. + +"The Prince professedly has summoned me, and I would not draw back until +fully assured that mutual council is profitless," said Oswald. + +"Let me go forward, my lord, and meet the Prince. I think my sacred +office will protect me. If I think good will come of this gathering, I +will communicate with you." + +"No, Father; no man shall ever say I failed to respond to the call of my +Prince, despisable though I believe him to be. Nor will my duty to my +race and to my country permit me to stand aloof from this witan, for God +knows we have need both of council and of all the wisdom left to us. +But, nevertheless, I have no faith in this gathering. The Prince, I +doubt me, is an indolent sensualist, and, like all weak-minded men, most +easily provoked into jealousy. The ominous figure we have just met is +deeply involved in this scheme, I am now sure. A sturdy, valorous man, +and a foeman of direst sort, but utterly incapable of moderation. He +cherishes a mortal hatred of me, and I now know that I shall take my +life in my hand when I enter the council; but that is a risk which gives +me no uneasiness. So let us advance, for the light, I see, is breaking +over the tops of the mountains, and very soon we shall have the day." + +So, nerving ourselves for any contingency, we continued our march. This +had now become much pleasanter, and infinitely easier, in consequence of +the approach of day. + +By-and-by we drew aside into a sheltered dell, in order to partake of +our morning meal, which we despatched as hastily as possible, in order +that we might reach the rendezvous early. We had not journeyed far, +however, before we were accosted by a man, who emerged from behind a +heap of stones at the head of the pass, and surveyed us narrowly. + +"Saxons?" said he. + +"Aye, Saxons all," we replied. + +"What say ye?" + +"Down with the Normans!" we replied. + +"Right," said he. "Down with the Normans!" Then he gave us sundry +directions as to the nearest route to the place of meeting. We found +this route to be again somewhat difficult; for such a stern, wild +country it is difficult to imagine, much more to describe. We again +entered a narrow defile between two frowning and rugged hills, and in a +little while this defile opened out into a magnificent, +amphitheatre-like vale, enclosed with lofty peaks and rugged hills on +every hand, whilst below us there lay a magnificent sheet of water in +the centre of the valley, with thick woods running around it; the bald +and boulder-strewn hills towering high above all, most imposing in their +rugged grandeur and might. Underneath them, the valley was most +bewitching in the loveliness of its umbrageous woods. As outlets to this +beautiful valley, there were but the pass we had descended, and another +narrow defile at the foot of the lake, where the water made its exit. +Involuntarily we came to halt. Indeed, the prospect before us was at +once so wild, and yet so charming, that we could not but stand and gaze, +enchanted with the scene. + +"Now, Father," said Oswald, "what think you of Lakesland?" + +"Well," said I, "lovely as our beloved Craven is, it pales before this +magnificent country." + +"Yes; and the strength of it! Had Sigurd but a tithe of moderation and +self-restraint, there are no Norman forces in this Northumberland that +could drive him out." + +Well, we resumed our march by rounding the head of the lake by a +difficult and tangled forest path. This done, we continued our journey +down the opposite side of the valley and along the side of the lake, +until eventually we were taken in hand by one of a group of men, +evidently set for the purpose, and by him we were conducted to a +yeoman's dwelling, embowered in trees of massive girth on all sides. The +habitation was similar to the rough but substantial dwellings we were +all familiar with. There were some considerable outbuildings and an +enclosure carefully fenced round by a lofty wall, and evidently intended +for the protection of the sheep and cattle at night, during the winter +months; for the wolves were wont to pack, sometimes in considerable +numbers, and become very daring and vicious, when the pinch of hunger +was upon them. + +As soon as we entered this enclosure, we found there was assembled +already a goodly company of men of various grades, all of them armed to +the teeth. Many of them were evidently Saxons who had held considerable +positions in the land prior to the coming of the Normans, though now +evidently much broken. The scared and suspicious looks with which they +scrutinised every new-comer, told plainly that they were much used to +treachery, and familiar with double-dealing. There were also numbers who +were clearly men of war. The look of defiance on their countenances, and +the well-stocked quivers over their shoulders, told plainly they were +chiefs of the bold outlaws who lived by the might of their trusty +swords, and their long bows. No one could misunderstand their fierce and +daring attitude. + +There were some also who, by their armour, had evidently learned +something of the methods of war pursued by the Normans. Indeed, as we +have said, before the coming of William, large numbers of the Normans +had thronged the court of the pious Edward, and Saxon noblemen in goodly +numbers had practised the joust at tournaments, adopting Norman weapons, +affecting a budding errantry, and talking Norman French. There was here +also a goodly number of the humbler ranks; for, according to old Saxon +law, not only freemen, but even villeins and churls had the right of +representatives at the witanagemot, or council. Oswald immediately +joined himself to a company of these men of knightly appearance, many of +whom he knew, having fought side by side with them at York. + +Sigurd I quickly espied, standing with another group of the old stock, +rude, unlettered, and primitive in habit and dress. I could easily see, +without seeming to notice or observe them narrowly, that these men +viewed with no favourable eye what they were wont to call the pranking +of Norman manners and dress on the part of Oswald and the others I have +spoken of. It was plainly to be seen, also, that Sigurd had done +something to inflame their minds against Oswald, for they eyed him +savagely and suspiciously. + +I proceeded, however, at once to the house place, to make my obedience +to Prince Edgar, who, with certain of his personal friends, awaited the +assembling of the members of the witan. The Prince was dressed in a rich +velvet dress, with elaborate fringing of silk, and for a head-dress the +hat and feather worn by Norman courtiers. He was also accompanied by a +Norman favourite, a most truculent parasite, of a vain and dissipated +appearance, and, as I thought, a very unsuitable companion for a prince +who preferred claims to the Saxon throne. + +Elaborate arrangements had evidently been made for display, and for the +comfort and luxury of the Prince. He was accompanied by his cook, his +valet, and several serving-men; whilst he had, with infinite trouble to +the servants, brought with him wines, and delicacies, and dainties, +which were to me no good augury, and which, do as I would, I could not +but despise in one who made pretence of so desperate an enterprise as +the overthrow of the Norman rule in England. For, view it as we might, a +most desperate enterprise it most surely was. + +At the appointed hour for the council to begin, a chair was brought out +of doors, and placed in such a position that its occupant could command +a view of the whole company. Over this chair a richly-embroidered cover +was thrown, and the Prince immediately took possession of it; whilst the +Norman favourite came behind, and ostentatiously placed a crown upon his +head. This burlesque of royalty was expected to produce a shout of loyal +enthusiasm from the assembled company; but, with the exception of his +own followers, not a whisper of applause greeted it, though the marks of +derision on the countenances of many of the Saxons were open and +undisguised. + +Now, as the senior ecclesiastic present, it became my lot to read what +the Prince was pleased to call the "Royal Proclamation," calling this +meeting of the witan, which being done, the Prince next addressed the +company. In pompous and affected tones he said,-- + +"Reverend fathers, valiant knights and liegemen, I have called together +my faithful witan to consider the state of our unhappy country, and what +may best be done for the recovery of my rights as the lawful King of +England. To this end I seek your advice; and not only so, but I further +lay my commands upon you, as my faithful subjects, liegemen, and +vassals, to help me in this enterprise. To this end I would further +insist that it is necessary that you should lay aside all purposes of +individual self-assertion, and join yourselves and your forces to the +general movement. Now, whilst speaking on this head, I may say, with +shame and regret, it has been reported to me that sundry knights, of +whom I expected better things, are not true to our cause, but are acting +without regard to the claims of myself as the lawful King of England, +and are setting up a separate authority; warring according to methods +not sanctioned by me or my faithful witan. I hear there are those who +are willing to forfeit their allegiance to me, and, for their own +personal ends, going even so far as to seek a servile alliance with our +foes, to the betrayal of the Saxon cause. Now let it be known to you +that I claim the undivided allegiance of all Saxons, and that I purpose +with rigour to punish all traitors to my cause and to my kingdom. I have +been too long slighted and set at naught by my lieges and vassals, and I +would know what of it? There are loyal men and true in your ranks, I +know, who despise and hate such factious conduct as much as I do myself; +and I call upon all who can bear testimony to this flagrant disloyalty +on the part of certain of my subjects, to stand forth and declare it at +this council, for I purpose with utmost rigour to punish all factionists +and traitors who are cringingly seeking alliances with the Norman foe." + +At this invitation Sigurd stepped from the ranks, and said,-- + +"Puissant Prince, if it be your will, I have a charge to make against +Oswald the Ealdorman, son of Ulfson, who is now present. As he well +knows, I have made this charge to his face, that he has built a fortress +for himself and all such churls and freemen as are willing to +acknowledge his chieftainship. I charge him also with speaking +slightingly of your Highness's valour, and your ability to regain your +rightful throne. I charge him also with endeavouring to enter into +cowardly alliance with the Norman foe--promising, if certain meagre +concessions be made to him, he will withhold his followers from +rebellion, and all endeavours to resist the Normans. I charge him with +attempting to gain a dishonourable alliance with the house of De +Montfort. Which several charges I have attempted to make good at the +sword's point. And I call upon him now to answer for it with his life, +as all traitors and trucemakers should." + +"If Oswald the Ealdorman be present, I call upon him to make such answer +as best he can against the charges preferred by our valiant and trusty +knight, Sigurd the Saxon Dane, who, by his fealty to us and his zeal for +the Saxon cause, has won our hearty trust and confidence." + +At this summons Oswald stepped forth a pace or two, and, removing his +helmet and visor, said, in firm and unfaltering tones,-- + +"Sire, may I be bold enough to ask if this is the purpose for which +valiant knights and lieges have been summoned from far and near?" + +"Silence, dog! and answer the charges made against thee! Then we shall +consider the weightier matters appertaining to our realm. But we will +have an answer to these charges." + +"The charges, sire, made against me by the Jarl, are the creation of his +own heated brain; and the reason he has brought them hither is because +he failed ignobly to make them good with his weapons. I decline +altogether to wrangle out with him this petty personal quarrel in +presence of this assembly. If we are to consider matters of greater +moment, matters which concern our country and the present desperate +state of the Saxon cause, then I am prepared to offer my poor services, +either in this council or in face of our common foe." + +"Well said, Sir Knight!" cried a gruff voice, which belonged to the +leader of a party of knights who had entered the enclosure during the +foregoing dialogue, and whose seedy and travel-stained garments, and +rusty arms and accoutrements, bore ample token of much exposure and much +rough usage. + +"Sirrah!" shouted the Prince, waxing wroth at the bold front and +fearless language of Oswald, "dost thou presume to answer thy King after +this fashion? By my halidame, if this continues there will be never a +scurvy clown in my kingdom who will not think he may beard his Prince +with impunity. But I will know whither all this is tending. I have long +had my eye upon that boorish and untamed son of Earl Leofric, whom men +call Hereward, who is carrying on warfare in the Fen country--palpably +for his own ends and his own glory, for he never so much as acknowledges +my sovereignty or sends his dutiful submission to me. Now thou dost +presume to imitate the conduct of the braggart Hereward, and must needs +collect an army for thy own personal advantage, and not for the glory of +thy Prince. Men of my faithful witan, I call upon you to note this, for +I have determined I will rid the Saxon cause of all such disloyal +traitors." + +"'Tis pity, sire," said Oswald, in tones in which anger and contempt +were mingled, "that you never thought it worth your while to collect an +army for yourself, or at least to place yourself at the head of one +collected for you. We would fain see what kind of stuff our Prince is +made of. Will you tell this witan, Prince, where you were when so many +good lives were lost at York in your cause?" + +"Well spoken, sir!" shouted the gruff voice, with even more emphasis +than before. + +"Dost thou call in question my valour, villain!" roared the Prince. "By +our Lady, I'll have no more of thy effrontery, dog! Disarm him, loyal +knights!" + +Immediately half a dozen of the Saxon leaders sprang forward at the +bidding of the Prince; but they quailed before Oswald as they saw the +broadsword whipped from its scabbard, and perform a swift circle in the +air. + +"Here's to thee, with all my heart, Sir Knight! I like thy metal!" said +the stranger knight, as he sprang to Oswald's side, brandishing a huge +sword; whilst his followers quickly ranged themselves on the same side, +ready for the fray. + +"Treason! treason!" almost screamed the Prince, in abject terror, +starting from his seat and preparing to beat a retreat. + +I gently laid my hand on his shoulder, and said, "Have patience, sire. +These men mean no harm, only they are not wont to receive such harsh +rebukes." + +This seemed to reassure him, for, addressing the unknown knight, he +said,-- + +"Who art thou who thus boldly takes sides with this traitor to my +cause?" + +The stranger made no answer, but slowly removed his headgear. +Immediately a score of voices shouted, "The Wake! the Wake! 'Tis +Hereward!" + +"Yes," said Hereward. "I am the Wake, whom thou hast been cowardly +charging with treason. Hark! Dost thou think Hereward is going to peril +life and limb, or waste precious lives, to set such a dolt on the throne +of England as thou hast proved thyself this day; and on the former +occasion, when we met at York, for instance? Marry, no! A niddering who +flies for his life at the first approach of danger is not fit to wield a +sceptre in these lands. A Prince who fosters faction, and is pettishly +jealous of braver men than himself, had better turn monk; a _shaven_ +crown would better become thee than the Crown of England." + +"By the blessed Virgin, I vow I will humble thy pride, dog, ere I have +done with thee! I will not be bullied in my own witan, though thou be a +son of Earl Leofric!" + +"Ah, well," said Hereward, with a sneer, "thou art of the wrong metal +thyself, but if thou hast a knight brave enough to cross a sword on thy +behalf, let him stand forth, and I will oblige him with a bout; 'twould +be a little diversion in this fool's errand of ours." + +"I will champion the Prince, braggart; with a curse on thee for thy +base-hearted treachery to thy wife Torfrida!" shouted the brave and +choleric Sigurd, rushing forward and brandishing his sword in the face +of Hereward. + +Instantly there was such a clamour of voices, clash of swords, and dire +confusion, in the arena, that I was terrified at this tumult of fierce +and angry passions. Oswald and I rushed in between these fierce +combatants and called aloud for peace, which with the utmost difficulty +we obtained. Seeing the strange state of frenzy in which most present +were, I urgently requested that all further discussion should cease for +the day. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +PRINCE AND PARASITE. + + "Eternal smiles his emptiness betray, + As shallow streams run dimpling all the way." + + Pope. + + +"I say, Alred!" exclaimed the Atheling to the Norman parasite who had +accompanied him hither, as they sat drinking wine the same evening, +"what sayest thou to the baiting thy Prince has had to-day? I have no +stomach for more. Malediction on them!" + +"Heyday, so say I! Scrambling over moor and bog hither was bad enough, +but parleying with quarrelsome thanes and with vulgar braggart churls +such as these, I would not endure with a kingdom thrown into the +bargain. Your Majesty probably thinks different." + +"Whew! Not I, Alred! These garlic-bred swine have no more regard for the +person of a prince than for a scurvy villein. A malediction on them! +They would pick my bones within a week, were I to attempt to rule them. +By the bye, that huge Danish boor stood by me. I wish he had been at the +bottom of the sea, for all that, when he enticed me on this fool's +errand. What is the lout's name? Sigurd?" + +"The same, my lord. But be advised, for at bottom he's as loutish and as +snarling as the very worst of them, and I would not trust my head in his +jaws for a moment; for as we passed him but yesterday, in our courtly +attire, I heard him under his breath snorting and grumbling like a boar +with a spear between his ribs. The churl! Would he have his Prince dress +like a scurvy swineherd?" + +"Beshrew me, Alred, I never could make pretence of ruling such unwashen +clowns. And then, into the bargain, every snarling villein elects to be +king over his own starveling crew, and there would be a king for every +rood of land in England. I'll no more of it, Alred! I thank Heaven my +skin is whole to go back to Scotland with." + +"A wise resolve, I swear. Make further oath of fealty to William, and +take his subsidies. Then heigho! for a jolly life at the court of +Malcolm! or, what is better still, to Rouen, where summer's sun tarries +longer, and winter's frosts pinch not the daintiest fingers. There +dark-eyed beauties are kinder, and easier in the wooing. That is Alred's +philosophy. Canst thou gainsay the wisdom of it, my Prince?" + +"Alred, thou know'st well the joints of my armour; thou hast pierced a +vulnerable spot. I vow thou hast waked one pleasant memory, sweet Alred; +and there is but one sunny spot in this dreary wilderness of +insubordination and braggadocia." + +"What is it, my Prince? Has some nymph awoke the tender passion of love +in thy breast?" + +"Rightly guessed, Alred! Did'st thou mark the fair Saxon, whose fiery +zeal for our cause has been so marked. I did not fail to notice she +marked me much and often, and I flatter myself her admiration extends +not only to our cause, but also to our royal person. How sayest thou? By +our Lady, a prize like that would be some recompense for our sickening +and intolerable journey over the wretched moors atween us and Scotland." + +"Thou hast the eye of an eagle, puissant Prince, or, to be more correct, +the eye of a vulture. I had hoped this pretty bird would fall to my net. +But alas! thy eye has seen this comely virgin, and I am undone, I trow. +Why, I have already pranked myself before her with some success; but now +I shall lose my quarry." + +"Come, come, my jackal! don't despise thine office. Why, man, I never +grudge thy picking the bones, when our royal self hath fed." + +"Small thanks is enow for what is left when your gorge rises at +it,--with my humble submission." + +"Enough, enough! Canst thou get speech of her? Thou canst bear a message +which should be gratefully received. Tell her her Prince would like to +tender her his special thanks for her great zeal and devotion to his +cause; and invite her hither." + +"Have a care, my Prince, and bait your hook daintily. Think you you will +catch your fish with the bare hook? By all the saints, I tell you I saw +forked lightning playing about her eyes when I incautiously gave play to +a little premature pleasantry. Nothing but an imperturbable and brazen +countenance prevented my being transfixed with a thunderbolt. It would +be better to make a great show of bravery, and talk of plans for the +recovery of the kingdom; throwing in battles, sieges, and valorous +hotch-potch of that sort, by the bushel. You will have to tie this filly +with a pretty long tether, or you are undone, for she's high-spirited +and mettlesome enough for anything." + +"Good, my ambassador-in-chief; thy wisdom never fails. Would I had my +kingdom, sweet Alred, if 'twere only that I might make thee lord high +chancellor! To be forewarned is to be forearmed: the net shall be a +silken one. But now not another word, for expectancy is on tiptoe. Do +thine errand, and I will bestow on thee further tokens of my regard if +good luck go with thee." + +"Pardon me, sire! If I am qualified to be lord high chancellor, I am +qualified to give a little further advice in this matter." + +"What is it, Alred? Prithee, come to the point at once: none of thy +sermons. When I am king thou shalt be court preacher, if thou affect +that office; but spare me now, an' thou lovest me." + +"Well, here it is. When fair maids of this quality have favours to +grant, mark me, they will have it done daintily. Faugh! What do you take +her for? Don't trust to second-hand dealings too much. Vulgar eyes +looking on at it! Pshaw! What a stomach you credit her with! Listen. +This must be a grand passion; you are entranced, bewitched, dying for +very love of the matchless queen of your heart! Mark me, pitch your +notes high if you would have this pretty bird come fluttering to your +bower. Why, canst thou not rhyme a maudlin verse or two? Come, cudgel +thy brains, and I will help thee with a stave; here are writing +materials." + +"Ha, ha, ha! I like thy notions. Come, thou shalt draw us up a rhyme, +such as the gallant knights of Normandy address to their lady-loves. By +my soul, I am three parts Norman, and the other part is not Saxon. So +I'll superscribe no screeching Saxon verse. I declare 'tis a language +which is a cross between the screech of a witch and the grunt of a hog. +Something elegant, or I'll none of it, mark me, Alred." + +"Well, it shall be something lofty, I warrant, as becomes a prince. So +here goes:-- + + "Fair maid of the flaxen hair, + And eyes of the heavenly blue,"---- + +"Bravo! Ha, ha, ha! Go it, sweet Alred? 'Tis fine! I'll sing that at my +lady's tent door. Get me thy guitar." + +"Pray don't interrupt me, my King. The poetic fire is burning; don't let +us miss the glow of it. + + "Fair maid of the flaxen hair, + And eyes of the heavenly blue, + Whose graces bewitchingly rare + Have sweetly enchanted my view. + + "Oh! haste to thy Prince ever true, + Whose adored one ever thou art. + Thy presence shall sweetly renew + The joy to my languishing heart." + +"Bravo! By my soul, Alred, I swear 'tis fine! 'Twould fetch St. +Elizabeth from her pedestal." + +"Well, if it will do, draw us up your proposal atop of it, sire, and +I'll try its effect upon this dainty bird of a Saxon." + +"Nay, marry! not I, Alred. I'll not spoil thy elegant rhyme by adding +to't my bungling prose. Finish up thy letter handsomely, as 'tis begun, +and I'll affix my seal." + +"By our Lady, I'll promise many things, then, which thou wilt not +perform, I warrant. Here it is; listen to't,-- + + "'FAIR SAXON,--Thy Prince is entranced, bewitched, by thy + incomparable loveliness. My throne, my kingdom, were nothing + compared with thee. Come to me; I vow to make thee the proudest + dame in England. Fly to the arms of your impatient, expectant + lover, + + "'EDGAR THE ATHELING.' + +"Now affix your sign-manual, sire. I warrant this would make the hearts +of half the damsels at the court of Malcolm frantic with delight. Mark +me, this falcon will strike his quarry quick; if not, I vow I will not +fly another this side Martinmas. Wish me luck, and a share in the spoil +anon, my Prince." + +So saying, Alred buttoned up his doublet, buckled on his sword, and, +with the rakish air of an unprincipled Norman gallant, he swaggered off +to the tent of Ethel. There, after many foppish grimaces, and much +foolish adulation, he delivered the missive into her hands; adding to it +suggestions and explanations which Ethel scarce comprehended, and we +cannot chronicle. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +PRINCE AND VIKING. + + "This hand, to tyrants ever sworn the foe, + For freedom only deals the deadly blow; + Then sheathes in calm repose the vengeful blade, + For gentle peace in freedom's hallowed shade." + + John Quincy Adams. + + +My vespers were done, and I was bethinking me of retiring to rest, when +I heard the plaintive voice of Ethel beseeching me to let her come +within my tent. I had scarce time to reply when the poor child came +rushing into my tent, bathed in tears, and in great distress. I soothed +her as best I could. Then I gently inquired as to the cause of her +grief, when, without answering me, she thrust into my hand the letter of +the Prince. "I scarce know what he means," she said, burying her face in +her hands. + +I read the letter with a burning sense of shame and indignation, and my +heart ached for this poor child who, in the purity of her patriotism and +her unquenchable love for her country and the Saxon cause, had braved +this rough journey and its exposure, in the hope that her woman's +devotion might nerve the arms of the remnant of Saxon leaders still left +to the cause. But this ghastly unmasking of a Prince who was false, +fickle, shameless, and altogether worthless, was a cruel wound to her--a +wound that would fester and rankle, but was destined never to heal +again. She quietly lifted her tear-stained face, and timidly inquired, +"Is it as I feared, Father?" + +"Alas! my child," said I, "'tis a vile, dishonouring missive, and +altogether without excuse. To come from a prince, and from a would-be +king also--'tis sad to think of it." + +"My country! my unhappy country! what will become of thee?" was the +heart-broken exclamation as she fell at my feet, her long, fair hair +falling in dishevelled tresses around. + +"Comfort thee, my poor child," said I, though I scarce had heart or hope +for anything. I endeavoured to calm her with such soothing, hopeful +words as I had at command; but I saw that words were in vain. + +"Father," said she, "my life is a weary burden. My people's woes are +breaking my heart. I had vainly hoped that our scattered and hunted +people might have been rallied by the presence amongst them of their +Prince--that factions would have come together, and a bold stand might +have been made for liberty; but to find my Prince so poor in valour and +so rich in all cowardly and licentious feeling--so bereft of honour and +chivalry as to offer dishonourable proposals to a forlorn and wretched +girl like myself--this is more than I can bear. I have watched and +prayed these two nights, hoping that favouring Heaven would smile upon +us again, and upon this council. But as I watched in lonely vigil, I +could hear no answering voice, saving the soughing of the night-winds in +the passes of these lonely hills; and they seemed to bear no message to +me, saving a message of desolation and death. Is there any rest, any +joy, for one like me in life, Father? Surely the grave is the only hope +for me!" + +"My poor child," said I, "let us not think of death until He who gave us +life shall say 'It is enough.' Let us obey, and submit to the chastening +hand of our Father in heaven. Perhaps we err greatly in cherishing +thoughts of resistance and of bloodshed. Let us rejoice that there is a +kingdom which is stable, and which shall know no end; whose Prince is +the Prince of Peace. Angels are its heralds, and saints its warriors. +Love and mercy are the twin pillars of our Prince's throne; and gentle +hands and loving hearts may battle for His supremacy. 'Tis a Kingdom in +which torn and bleeding hearts may find the herb called heartsease, and +sweet content. Into this Kingdom let us press, my child, and for it let +us contend, for the kingdoms of this world are fickle, and built up on +fraud and wrong; and they will ultimately shrivel up and pass away like +the mists of the morning, and be no more." + +"I fear me, Father, that the fierce war-spirit of my ancestors reigns in +my heart. I am more than half heathen, it seems to me. I have been +hoping for revenge for a murdered father and brother, and for a ravished +country. They tell me the fair Torfrida, forsaken by her lord, this +Hereward, has taken shelter in the monastery of Crowland. Shall I join +her there? This fierce agitation is more than I can bear." + +"What does thy heart say, Ethel?" + +"My heart is not to be trusted, Father, for 'tis wayward and wilful, and +there is strong need for some curb, some overmastering restraint, to +crush its fierce revolt." + +"Thine, I fear, Ethel, is not the nature to bear easily the constraints +of the cloister, unless it were first schooled by the iron rod of +discipline. Listen to nature's own prompting; I fancy it declares +strongly for the freer life of the camp and the field. There is scope +for activity, and I think a fair measure of protection, where Oswald is. +On his virtue, wisdom, and valour, much depends, and I believe he will +be equal to winning many privileges for us." + +"Father, may I confide a maiden's secret to thee? I love him whom thou +hast named. 'Twere heaven, indeed, to share his toils and +privations--nay, even to be near him. But 'tis _agony_, and soon I fear +it will be _sin_. His heart has fallen captive to a Norman lady who +saved his life, and I know he cannot be mine. Advise me, Father, in this +sore strait, I beseech you." + +"Thy love is unknown to him, my child, is it not?" + +"He knows not; I could not bear it for one hour if he knew it." + +"'Tis a hard lesson, my poor child, but thou mayest have to learn that +the _essence_ of love is _sacrifice_. The human heart will not be +hindered here, but will raise its own altar, free of all dictation. +Alas! full oft it must offer itself, and be both priest and victim. Many +are the sad hearts that here have offered sacrifice before thy day. +Alas! many here will offer a hopeless, heart-consuming sacrifice when +thou art gone. If it should be that there is demanded of thee a painful +act of self-renouncement, strength and fortitude are always given us +when we are minded to do a brave deed. I shall be near, my child; let us +await what Providence has in store for us calmly. Lie down upon my +couch, and rest. I will lay this matter before our people, and I will +not be long." + +I immediately gathered up the letter, which had fallen at my feet, and +betook myself to the yeoman's dwelling-house, and knocked at the door. +There was immediately a hush of voices, and some one under his breath +said, "Who knocks?" "Adhelm," said I. My voice was well known to many +who were inside, and the door was opened without more ado. Gathered +here, evidently in secret conclave, were Sigurd and a number of the +followers of the Prince. Their lowering brows told me plainly that +mischief was brewing; nevertheless, I determined to execute my purpose, +come what might. The Prince said,-- + +"What wouldest thou have with us, reverend Father? We are now discussing +purposes of bloodshed, unfitted, I fear, for saintly ears. But if thou +wilt be brief, our royal pleasure shall be at thy service." + +"I am afraid my message is one which can scarcely be welcome to your +Highness's ears; nevertheless, it is enjoined upon a bishop that he be +found faithful." + +"Well, be faithful an' thou wilt, Bishop; but let not thy exordium be +drawn out any longer than is necessary. So to the point without further +prevarication, an' it please you." + +"Well, to the point then, Prince," said I. "I hold in my hands an +epistle, which purports to have come from your Highness, and is +addressed to the Saxon maiden, Ethel. I would fain know if it is indeed +from yourself." + +"What have I to do to answer thy impertinent questions, priest?" said +he, snatching the letter from my hands. + +"Since it is so, and as I feared, I have to denounce thee, Prince, as +becomes my office; and I say fearlessly that the offering of +dishonouring proposals such as these to a virtuous and gentle maiden, is +an act of unblushing infamy, and I disown thee and thy cause." + +"I am a thousand times thy debtor, dog of a priest, if thou wilt rid me +of thy presence, and of all such eavesdropping carrion, who worm +themselves into the secrets of silly wenches, to the annoyance of their +betters." + +"Stay a moment, sire," said Sigurd, who was evidently in a towering +rage. "I would know further of this matter. If thou hast offered an +insult to this girl, to this Ethel, _I_ have something to say to thee, +as well as this priest. Let me see that letter," said he, striving to +take it from the Prince's hand; but the Prince hastily drew back, and +attempted to tear it in pieces. Sigurd instantly grasped him with his +iron fists, and wrung the letter from him as though he were a child; +then, handing it to me, he said, "Read it for us, priest. I have no +scholar's gear." + +I took the epistle and read it in the hearing of the assembled company. +When I had finished it, Sigurd drew his sword, and stalking up to the +Prince, he said,-- + +"I will cut thy craven soul from thy craven body for offering this +insult to the daughter of Beowulf." + +Half a dozen hands, however, immediately grasped him, and kept him from +his purpose; but, standing like a tiger at bay, his words coming hissing +through his foaming lips with tumultuous rage, he shouted,-- + +"I disown thee, too, dastardly villain, for I perceive there is not a +drop of honest blood, either Saxon or Skald, in thy craven body! Get +thee gone quickly, for I warn thee to pollute no longer Saxon soil with +thy loathsome, cowardly presence. And beware, too! for if to-morrow's +sun finds thee within reach of my arm, I will avenge this insult in thy +coward's blood." + +I confess I could not but look with admiration on this sturdy descendant +of the Viking rovers. Though he was rough and uncouth as the wild hills +of Westmoreland, over which he had hunted and fought from his youth, yet +he loved the beautiful Ethel with a love as deep and pure as a +mother's--a love so utterly unselfish that he would willingly renounce +his hope and his claim, nor murmur if Ethel's love should find its +requital in the love of Oswald. But he was beside himself with rage when +he found that this fair Saxon, whose love was of priceless value to him, +should be deemed a fitting object of this princeling's insults. It is +needless to say that this unprincipled act alienated finally the small +remnant of Saxons who hitherto had hoped to see Edgar occupy the throne, +last filled by the valorous Harold. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +BADGER ON THE ALERT. + + "A thing of shreds and patches." + + Shakespeare. + + +After the incidents narrated in the foregoing chapter, there followed a +scene of complete disorder. Many of those who were well affected towards +the Prince and his cause, fell away from him, and quitted the dwelling +with Sigurd and myself; and speedily the Atheling was left quite alone, +saving his personal friends, who had journeyed with him from Scotland, +and who were mostly foreigners. + +Whilst this had been transpiring, most of the camp was wrapped in +profound slumber. The followers and housecarles who had accompanied +their masters, had found resting-places in the outhouses, amid the hay +and bracken which had been accumulated for the fodder and bedding of the +cattle during the winter months. But Badger was ill at ease amid it all. +Some presentiment of evil disturbed his slumbers, and he turned uneasily +again and again; finally he sprang bolt upright, and grasped his sword, +at the same time giving Wulfhere a rough shake, which thoroughly roused +him also on the instant. + +"What is the matter, Badger? Anything amiss?" + +"Hush! there are men astir in the camp. I warrant there is some mischief +abroad, and I'll know the bottom of it." + +At that moment two men entered stealthily at the farther end, where the +horses were stalled. Wulfhere and Badger drew their swords, and +instinctively ran their fingers down the blades in the darkness. The +movements of the two men were plainly visible to the watchers, for the +moonlight streaming in through the open door showed their outline very +distinctly as they moved to and fro. Immediately the men began to saddle +several horses belonging to the Prince, and then they led them out. + +"There is a move of some sort, Wulfhere, and I warrant mischief is in +it, for there are snakes about. A murrain on them! I am determined to +know what it means. You stay here," said Badger--he, at the same time, +stealing noiselessly out at the opposite end of the building. + +As soon as he reached the open air, he saw, across the enclosure, that +there were lights in the dwelling; so he nimbly dodged round, keeping in +the shadow of the buildings, until he reached the rear of the house. +There, peering through a crazy, patched window, he not only saw what was +going on inside, but he overheard this conversation between the Atheling +and his favourite Alred:-- + +"My stomach will stand no more on't, sweet Alred. Such a ruffian, +boorish crew are not fit company for a prince. Then I believe that huge, +over-grown Norse clown would carry out his threat, and take my life in a +moment, if he got the chance. Curses on them all! Upon my soul, I wish +the Normans would swoop down upon them, and cut the vile hogs into +mincemeat." + +"Bravo, Prince! That is a Heaven-sent suggestion, upon my soul!" +interjected Alred. "I match you against any one of the seven sages. +Whew! it just jumps with my humour. The Normans are in force, too, not +more than half a dozen miles away. What a _tour-de-force_ to bring the +Normans down upon them by the morning! 'Twould be a stroke of policy +William could not excel. Ah! look here--speaking of William: he would +load you with favours, and replenish your royal treasury bountifully; +then, heigho! there would always be a flowing bowl of Rhenish, or good +Canary, and the sweet blue eyes of my lady-love would sparkle again. A +fig for a kingdom, and the toiling and moiling of it! Give me the jolly +life where care sits lightly, and my own sweet will can be indulged. To +Rouen, say I again, with William's goodwill and his gold pieces!" + +"Let us away, Alred! Upon my soul, revenge is sweet. You say right, too; +when one does a service for William, there follow royal gifts enow. I +would rather have a double purpose than a bootless errand, any day? +Where are the churls who are saddling the horses?" + +Having overheard this speech, Badger darted back to his comrade, who was +awaiting his return impatiently. + +"Heigho, Wulfhere! this princeling plots mischief. He will betray the +camp, the hound, I do believe. Come along; let us dog his footsteps." + +So the pair sallied out of the enclosure in the wake of the Prince, his +parasites, and several serving-men. The party slowly threaded their way +through the woods and entered a narrow defile between precipitous hills +on either side; all the while being steadily followed by the two Saxons. +Suddenly, on one side, the mountain range came to an abrupt termination, +ending in a bold promontory running up to a point. At this juncture the +valley broadened out into magnificent proportions, and a spacious lake +of water gleamed in the darkness. Turning to the left, they skirted the +lake for a couple of miles or more. Suddenly, however, they were +confronted by a pair of Norman sentries, who challenged the party, and +some time was spent in _pourparlers_; then one of the sentries +accompanied them to the Norman encampment, not more than a quarter of a +mile away, the lurid light of their fires making visible some portions +of the Norman quarters. + +Wulfhere and Badger were obliged to come to a halt, for the remaining +sentry barred their further progress, even if they dared come nearer the +encampment of the enemy. They waited and watched until they saw the +forms of the Prince and his followers come within the circle of light +thrown off by the blazing wood fires. + +"Now," said Wulfhere, "there is nothing more to be done, Badger, I +think. Let us go back now, and promptly warn our friends." + +"Hold there, Wulfhere; there is something more to be done. Get _thee_ +back, and do thine errand. I have a little further business here, I can +see. Tell the Earl I shall be rounding the great Nab's Head about break +of day." + +"What hast thou in the wind, Badger? Thou wilt be hazarding one prank +too many some of these days." + +"Never fear, comrade, I know my way about, whether it be light or dark. +Besides, my business is such as would disgrace a half-bred knight like +thyself. Dost thou see, Grizzly here, and myself, have no dignity to +uphold? so we may do anything either boldly or slily, as it suits our +humour, if it only brings grist to the mill. Well, now be off. There is +no time to talk, for it only hinders business. Come, Grizzly," said +Badger, addressing his hound as soon as the form of Wulfhere was lost to +view. "You know, Grizzly, you and I are not supposed to be above +borrowing a few head of cattle, or to be too proud to do our own +droving, at a pinch." + +The fact was, the lynx eyes of Badger had espied a herd of cattle lying +together under the trees by the side of the lake, although the darkness +was so deep that none but keen eyes would have detected their presence. +He had seen them at once, and instantly his nimble brain began revolving +some scheme for carrying them off. + +"The cackling and talking has come to naught, as it mostly does," said +he grunting to himself; "but beshrew me if I like a bootless errand. +I'll try a cast of my own net, whether there is aught to it or not." + +Now there was but one formidable obstacle in the way, and that was the +solitary sentinel who still stood at his post, and who continued slowly +pacing to and fro in a limited space. + +Badger turned to the hound and addressed him, for he was in the habit of +having sundry conferences with his favourite, who had partnered him in +many a daring exploit. + +"Well, Grizzly, what is to be done now? Eh, sir? We must have yon +cattle, Grizzly, come fair or come foul. There is this scurvy Norman in +the way. What are we to do with him? I think we can dispose of him +somehow or other. What say you?" + +Grizzly answered by a vigorous attempt to lick Badger's chops. + +"Eh, sir? I don't doubt but we can finish him off easily enough, you and +I together, Grizzly. But what will our Abbot say? Are you aware, sir, +that you and I have a sacred calling--that we belong to the monastic +order? Don't you remember the many sermons we have from our Abbot, on +loving our enemies? I don't quite see the turn of the wit in the case of +these Norman dogs, somehow or other. No doubt it is sound doctrine +enough, but bad to practise. Well, let that pass. I have a feeling, +though, I would rather not brain this fellow, if another turn will serve +as well. Now it would certainly ease my mind to do it if I caught him, +_flagrante delicto, flagrante delicto_. Grizzly, did you note, that is +the _monk_ that is speaking? You see I can mouth my Latin when it +pleases me, Grizzly. There is many a scurvy monk knows less. But I say, +Grizzly, I fancy the fellow's knees are knocking together already with +fear at being left alone, and that is very suggestive. Let us try +playing ghost with him." + +So saying, Badger divested himself of his upper garments, leaving his +shoulders and the upper parts of his body exposed. Then he took the +garments and tied them deftly about the shoulders of Grizzly, giving him +a most strange and uncouth appearance. Having done this, and without +exposing themselves to view, Badger commenced to give forth, in a low +tone, the most dismal groans, and varying this by most piercing shrieks +of pain. + +The Norman turned a terrified gaze in the direction from whence these +strange noises came, evidently in great trepidation and fear. Then he +darted off a few paces, as though about to beat a hasty retreat. This +was enough. Badger saw at once that the ruse would answer. So, without +more ado, he dropped down on all fours, and, accompanied by the dog, +each of them presenting a most unearthly and fantastic appearance, they +started off in the direction of the sentinel, the groans and shrieking +of Badger deepening, and becoming most diabolical in tone and intensity. + +The Norman for one moment turned a scared gaze on the advancing figures, +which appeared to him to be none other than the Saxon devil Zernebock, +of which many Normans went in mortal dread. Then, with the speed of the +wind, he took to his heels and dashed off towards the camp. Quick as +thought, Badger freed the dog from his trammels, and bade him fetch the +cattle. In a very few minutes he was making off, all speed, with the +herd. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +DOG ROBS DOG. + + "I am but a gatherer and disposer of other men's stuff." + + Sir Henry Wotton. + + +Badger, with his valuable plunder, had four good hours start ere +daybreak, which was as early as the Normans would be likely to discover +their loss. It was slow and tedious work driving cattle through the +passes, and the wooded country, and the most that he could hope for in +the way of start would be eight or ten miles. But there was considerable +probability that the enemy would plan a night attack upon the Saxons, +and in that case, if the loss was discovered by those remaining in camp, +they would be quite unprepared for pursuit; and if no start could be +made by them before the return of the expedition, then he would have his +prize safely aboard the schooner. + +In the meantime, Wulfhere, summarily dismissed by his comrade, returned +to the Saxon camp, ruminating upon the strange vagaries of Badger's wit. +He nothing doubted but that some sufficient purpose, if not some daring +exploit, dictated his erratic movements. When he reached the encampment, +he lost no time in rousing his chieftain, Oswald. After a brief +consultation, they decided at once to rouse the whole camp. Then a +council of war was held by the leaders. Hereward and Sigurd were for +forming an ambush, and trying a brush with the foe; but the more prudent +were very doubtful about the success of such a movement, seeing the +Normans were far more numerous than they. Ultimately, it was decided not +to risk an engagement. So hasty preparations were made, and in less than +an hour's time the camp was broken up, and each party chose its own +route for retreat. + +"Wulfhere," said Oswald, when we had collected our little party, and had +started home. "I miss Badger. Is he on before?" + +"Well, I almost think he will be, my lord, though I left him lurking +within a bowshot of a Norman sentinel, and within sight of their camp +fires. What he had in his head I know not. Some crank, I warrant, by +means of which he will get the best of the enemy." + +"He will be venturing too far, I doubt, some day, and he will find he +has got his head in a noose which all his ingenuity will not enable him +to slip." + +"No fear, my lord. It will take all the wit in the Norman camp to put +him in a corner where there is not room enough for him to wriggle out. +There is something in that old pate of his which will make him a match +for them all, and something to spare. I have an opinion he will +circumvent grim Death with some dodge or other." + +"Well, he will know that we shall be bound homewards, I suppose, and he +will follow when it suits his humour to do so." + +"Nay, I fancy he will be ahead of us even now. He gave me instructions +that he would be rounding the Great Nab's head at daybreak, so we may +hope to meet with him ere long." + +Thus we kept steadily pressing on through the darkness, and ere long the +beams of the morning sun shot up athwart the eastern sky, and our march +became much more easy and pleasant. By-and-by we rounded the bluff +promontory indicated by Badger, and known as the "Great Nab's head;" and +shortly we espied Badger, and his comrade Grizzly, seated most +contentedly on a mossy bank, Badger regaling himself with a hunch of +bread, and salt beef, whilst Grizzly, foraging for himself, was putting +the finishing touches to a rabbit he had killed. + +"Well, Badger," said the Earl, "alive and well, I see. What exploit have +you been perpetrating? Reconnoitring the Norman camp, eh?" + +"Reconnoitring, my lord? Mercy on us, no!--if that means sitting on a +boulder like a moulting fowl, and gazing at nothing in particular. I +never reconnoitre; that means _can_ anything be done. I always _know_ +something can be done if one sets about it." + +"Very good philosophy, Badger--well to the point. What have you been +_doing_, then? What is the trick this time? and have you been found out +for once in a way?" + +"Just come with me, my lord, and we'll see." + +So saying, he led us over the shoulder of the hill, revealing to us a +lovely little dell where there was a stream of fresh water and an +abundance of fresh green herbage. Here, also, were about twenty head of +cattle browsing lustily. + +"There, my lord. I thought we should have a bootless errand, for the +wagging of tongues and the cackling of geese I never could understand; +they are both pointless, and equally profitable. I never was a great +hand at crooning since I was a baby, so I give that business up. But I +owe a grudge to the Normans, and I borrowed these few cattle from them. +They will be of service, I trow, on the top of the hill. And if you find +you don't need them, why, there's no harm done--send them back again." + +"Well, every man wields his own staff best, Badger. You do credit to +yours. But I think we had better be moving, or the Normans may fetch +them before they get to their journey's end." + +"Quite ready, my lord. We can now reach the boat without another halt, +if the Normans do not dock our tails in the meantime. Come, Grizzly, the +drover's trade is a thriving trade in these times. The thieving Scot and +the robber Dane have turned over their business to honester men. I never +dreamed it was so respectable and well-spoken a trade as I find it to be +now." + +So saying, Badger and his hound set about collecting the beasts, and +soon we were able to resume our march with as much celerity as we could +command. Everybody seemed anxious to hear Badger's recital of his +exploit, which he told us with much grim humour, and evidently much +inward relish. + +We were able to reach our destination without molestation from the +enemy, their energies being fully occupied by other matters until we had +got clear away. It was thought desirable not to embark until nightfall, +unless we were compelled to do so; for it was more than probable, had we +put out to sea, the movements of the vessel would have been observed by +the enemy. A gangway, however, was laid ready for emergencies, whilst +scouts were posted at points of observation, thus making it impossible +for us to be surprised. During the day, the cattle were permitted to +graze in the wood near, and when the shades of night gathered about us, +they were driven aboard, and we weighed anchor and stood across the bay. +Ultimately we reached our destination without mishap, though we had, in +consequence of our cattle, to travel with the utmost circumspection. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +WILD DARING OF SIGURD THE VIKING. + + "When Greeks joined Greeks, then was the tug of war." + + Nathaniel Lee. + + +It was a most grievous disappointment to Sigurd when the Saxon leaders +finally decided not to attack the Normans, and thus checkmate them as +they sought to capture the Saxons whilst in council. When he saw that +there was no hope of the Saxons uniting in this, he appealed most +importunately to Hereward to join him, but in vain. When everything +failed, so insatiate was his thirst for vengeance that he determined to +attack them single-handed, trusting to his prowess, and his familiarity +with the passes and the mountain retreats, to secure for himself +immunity from capture. + +"If I had but a dozen of my hardy mountaineers, I would lead these +Normans a dance before this day was done!" he muttered, as he saw the +remnant of the Saxons departing. His hatred of the Normans had so eaten +into his soul, that every opportunity to attack them was a favourable +one, and he was ready for any scheme of wild daring if only Norman blood +could be spilled. So, alone, he grimly and resolutely strode up the +pass, until he reached a spot he deemed suitable for his purpose. +Boulders and bushes intermingled thickly on one side; on the other was a +precipice--a sheer drop of twenty feet into a trout-stream, which +threaded its way amid limestone boulders. + +Behind him the gaunt, gloomy mountains shot up far away, their lower +parts covered thickly with bracken, bushes, and boulders; behind and +amid which a retreating figure need never be exposed for more than a +second at a time. Looking around for a second or two, he gave a grunt of +satisfaction, and then he climbed a few yards from the path, and laid +himself down amid the bracken and deep grass, with his broad sword +unsheathed and laid by his side, ready for the fray. Thus he waited for +the oncoming Norman soldiery. For more than an hour he lay thus in +ambush, with wild and turbulent passions fermenting in his breast, and a +wild look in his eyes--reason for the moment dethroned by this one +overmastering passion. + +Presently on the still night air was borne the sound of stealthy +footsteps. Sigurd bounded to his feet as the first sounds broke upon his +ear. He fixed tightly his helmet, closed his visor, and adjusted his +coat of link-mail, which had swung a little awry. Then, grasping his +powerful broadsword, he made a vigorous lunge at an invisible foe, and +then, with a grunt of satisfaction, he took his stand behind a massive +boulder, flanked on the side next the advancing foe with a thick network +of shrubs, through which, however, he could watch the movements of the +Normans. The darkness was ebbing away fast. Already the morning's sun +had smitten the head of mighty Helvellyn in the distance, and bathed his +kingly head in a halo of golden glory; but substantial remains of +laggard night still hung moodily about the bottom of the pass, as though +nature, in shame and sadness, would fain cast her mantle over this mad +strife of men, and over the deed about to be enacted before her eyes. +Slowly, with hushed voices and stealthy tread, on came the unsuspecting +foe. The head of the column threaded its way past the lurking-place. +Sigurd clenched his sword with an impatient grip, for the sight of +Norman foemen, within reach of his sword, was well nigh more than he +could resist. On they passed, all unconscious that a human tiger was +lurking near and making ready for his spring. File after file of the +Normans strode on, mostly afoot, but some were leading their horses. Now +the rear men are abreast. A second more, their backs are seen. A spring +and a blow, and the hindmost Norman is cloven to the waist, and drops +with scarce a groan. There is a wild shriek, and consternation is +rampant amongst the rearmost ranks. + +Sigurd, in mad rage, hacks and hews at the panic-stricken crew, cutting +down man after man with terrific celerity, whilst some, in their efforts +to escape his onslaught, fall over the precipice. Presently the Normans +discover that but one solitary Saxon attacks them. A shout goes up, "The +mad Saxon! Cut him down! Down with him! Run him through!" Immediately a +hundred swords are whipped from their scabbards, and a united rush is +directed towards him. Sigurd sees his chance is gone; he dashes along +the path in swift retreat, followed by the yelling foe. Presently he +darts from the path and makes for the hills, tearing through bracken, +furze, and brushwood, and leaping boulders with an agility none but a +mountaineer and a hunter who had been wont all his life to go swinging +over these mountain sides, until the sinews of his legs had become like +thongs of steel, could make pretence to imitate. Presently he turns to +glance at the crew behind, and he laughs a savage laugh as he sees them +huddling together like sheep at the bottom of the pass, some afraid to +follow, and all of them conscious of the hopelessness of it. With an +exclamation of contempt, he catches up a fragment of rock and hurls it +with terrific energy amongst them, striking one of them on the shoulder, +and knocking him to the ground with a broken shoulder-blade. Then, with +a hysterical laugh, and a fierce brandish aloft of his sword, he dashes +off again towards the summit. With wondering gaze the Normans watch him +scaling, ridge after ridge, the beetling brow of the hill far above +them, like a stag bounding from the hunter. Presently he darts over the +topmost ridge, and is lost to view. He halts in a tiny hollow of the +mountain's brow, and, pulling out his sword, dripping with gore, he +wipes it on the sward. + +"Aha!" he cried, apostrophising the fearsome weapon; "One more taste of +blood! Norman blood, too. I love to see Norman blood. It drips, too; +that means more will soon be shed."[5] Then, running his hand along its +edge, he exclaimed, "Nothing blunted, my trusty friend Tyrfing,[6] ready +as ever for the fray!" he shouted in frenzy, and commenced to hack and +hew as though in deadly conflict with an invisible foe, the perspiration +pouring off him in streams. But human nature, though it be never so +strong, has its limits. This frenzied, this almost maniacal outburst, +was followed by complete physical exhaustion. Like a stone, he dropped +flat upon the ground, and there he lay without motion or any sign of +existence whatever for a full hour or more. Had the Normans but known of +the wild drama being enacted beyond the brow of the mountain, it would +have been a fatal day to Sigurd, for the Normans had had so many tastes +of his prowess, and of his mad daring, that they would have given large +treasure to have this dreaded foe within their power. But this was not +destined to be the last time when he should strike terror into their +ranks when they least suspected him. + +[Footnote 5: It was a Norse superstition that if the blood flowed, more +would soon be shed.] + +[Footnote 6: The foe hater.] + +The sun had performed a considerable part of his day's journey when +Sigurd began to manifest signs of returning consciousness. First there +were sundry stretchings of the muscles, followed by a momentary +unclosing of the eyelids. Then he sat up and gazed around, as though +bewildered with his surroundings. By-and-by he seemed to recover a +recollection of the incidents preceding the stupor he had been passing +through. By an effort he rose to his feet, and staggered rather than +walked to a cool spring of water, which, born of the clouds which +constantly encircled these lofty peaks, was hurrying away with musical +ripple to the lowlands. He drank a hearty draught of the ice-cold water; +then he bathed his throbbing temples with it. Sitting down then, and +taking from a wallet slung behind him a substantial piece of roast kid's +flesh and a hunch of bread, he ate a hearty meal, and washed it down +with another copious draught of water. Much refreshed by this, he next +mounted to the topmost ridge. There, lying at full length, he ran his +eye most minutely over every inch of the valleys on either side, +carefully noting every suspicious object that came within the sweep of +his vision. Then, with equal care, he searched the adjacent hills. The +Normans he could see hurrying to and fro near their camp, some five +miles away. But apparently there was nothing at all menacing to his +position. + +Rising to his feet, he strode along the ridge for a mile or two, then +commenced to descend for another mile or two, in an oblique direction, +until he disappeared from view in a dense wood, which covered the lower +reaches of the valley on either side. Holding a downward course, and +pushing aside the brushwood, he came ultimately to a stream of water, +which, with one gigantic leap, started from its rocky bed and leaped +unimpeded full eighty feet, falling into a deep, surging pool, where the +waters, finding a level, flowed sluggishly away. The vast amphitheatre +appeared to have been worn away by this leap of the waters, and by the +crumbling away of the softer shale below, which had undermined and +brought down the rocks from above. + +This untamed warrior stood on the brink of the precipice with folded +arms. There was something in the scene which consorted with his rude and +rugged nature, and wonderfully soothed his warring passions. The daws, +with cawing clamorousness, flew to and fro across the abyss, and crept +into the crevices of the rock where their nests were. The swallows +skimmed along the surface of the waters, ever and anon darting upwards +to some skilfully made nest of baked clay, clinging to the rocky sides, +and from which little black heads were anxiously peeping, and twittering +lustily. Bird life here seemed to have found a veritable paradise, and +they literally thronged bush and tree, and rock and bank, everywhere. +Sigurd stood gazing down the ravine through an interminable labyrinth of +foliage-laden trees. Here was a grand solitude such as his soul loved, +and he regarded every tree in the forest as a personal friend. Presently +he turned to one side of this abyss, and steadfastly regarded three +stones which were laid side by side for a moment or two; then he altered +the position of one of them, and immediately dropped down on to a +shelving rock, and from that to another, and so on, until he had +descended a considerable distance. Then suddenly he disappeared on hands +and knees into an aperture of the rock which was completely hidden from +the view of any one standing above. As soon as this portal was passed, +he found himself in a spacious cavern, where evidently men were wont to +resort, for there were many things denoting human occupation. Sigurd +hastily threw off his armour and reared his sword, with the belt +appended, against the rock. Then he threw himself upon a couch of dried +bracken and grass, and was soon fast asleep. + +Presently two wild-looking men appeared on the scene. One carried a +brace of rabbits, and the other had over his shoulder a young fawn; +whilst at their heels there followed a couple of fierce-looking hounds. +They looked at the three stones, and one of them exclaimed,-- + +"The Jarl is here!" + +"Doubtful luck that," growled the other. + +They, however, changed the position of the other two stones, and then +they followed their chieftain to his retreat. No sooner did they enter +than one prepared to light a fire, and the other to skin and dress the +animals they had brought. As soon as this was done, a huge iron pot was +suspended on cross-poles over the fire, with about a gallon of water. In +this were thrown a couple of haunches of venison with the rabbits. Then +one of them turned to a vessel in which a quantity of corn was steeping +in water. Two or three pounds of this, along with some savoury herbs and +roots, and a quantity of salt, were deposited in the pot. Then the pair +sat down to await the cooking of this substantial and savoury mess. +Whilst this was being done, Sigurd slept soundly, and the pair carried +on a conversation in a low tone, and interspersing their talk with +sundry nods and motions towards the sleeping chieftain. + +"There will be stirring times again, now, I warrant," said one. + +"Yes; plenty of blood-letting, and plenty of scurrying over the +mountains with the Normans at our heels," said the other. + +"There will soon be none of us left, either for fight or aught else. +There has been a desperate thinning going on." + +"Well, it won't be a cow's death, anyhow, and that is some comfort for +us." + +Soon the boiling-pot began to send forth a most savoury and appetising +smell, to these half-famished men. + +"Wake the Jarl," said one to the other; "he must first break his fast." + +So one of them gave Sigurd a rough shaking, and he presently sat up and +rubbed his eyes; then he saluted his men. + +"Skalds, how fare ye?" + +"The hawks have not been so much abroad of late, so we have fared +tolerably." + +"But ye'll soon have to be on the alert, for the old eagle has been +playing havoc with the hawks down in the pass yonder; a dozen of them at +least will swoop upon their prey no more. But I'll taste your stew. Hot +victuals have not been plentiful lately. Where are your comrades?" + +"Scattered a good deal. There are a dozen lurking among the pikes. Some, +the family men, have snug quarters near Deepwaters." + +"Make signals for them. We have been idle long enough. We must bestir +ourselves, for the Norman gets a tighter grip upon us every day we are +idle." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +THE SAXON DEVIL AND THE WICKED ABBOT. + + "When night + Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons + Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine." + + Milton. + + +Most humiliating and distressing to us _Saxon_ monks was the state of +lax morality in which these foreign monks lived. One of the worst vices +imported into England by the Normans was that of uncleanness, a vice +practically unknown amongst Saxons, and looked upon by them with great +abhorrence. This was an offence, too, which the hardy Norsemen regarded +with loathing. Fierce and blood-thirsty as they were, seduction, +adultery, and the violation of the sanctity of blood-relationship, they +detested. Amongst the Normans, not only the wild troopers, but the monks +also, lived loose, irregular lives; and the chief and vilest offender, +in this respect, was our new Abbot. Many were the outrages perpetrated +by this man. Night by night, under cover of the darkness, he issued from +the Monastery with lascivious intent, often accompanying his outrages by +crime and bloodshed if he met with opposition. In vain I sought the +assistance of Alice, who entreated the Count, her father; but he was +either powerless, or cynical and indifferent--probably both. Sometimes a +fierce check was given to these scoundrels by a sudden outburst of rage +and revenge on the part of the Saxons; but for the most part, the Saxons +who meekly submitted to serfdom were the most abject of their race, +being often so broken in spirit that they submitted to unfathomable +indignities, rather than face the consequences of opposition. Indeed, +any display of spirit, and any act of retaliation or revenge, was sure +to be followed by the most cruel vindictiveness, and most sweeping +punishment. I stay to note one act of retaliation done to our Abbot by +Badger, on one occasion, when the Abbot was bent on carrying his +unscrupulous violence to the cottage of one of the serfs. I note it +because of its comicality, as well as its effectiveness in punishing the +vicious priest. + +Now the Abbot, though it will scarcely be believed, was, in spite of his +turbulent wickedness, a most abjectly superstitious man, as indeed most +ignorant and wicked people are. Of this fact Badger, who was a most +observant and shrewd judge of character, quickly became aware; and, +taking advantage of this weakness, he used it to teach the Abbot a most +valuable and salutary lesson. One of the serfs had frequently made most +doleful complaints to Badger of the violation of the sanctities of his +home by this man. Now Badger most cordially hated the Abbot, as indeed +any one who knew the man could not fail to do; and on the other hand, +his sympathies, either openly or veiled, were always extended to his +countrymen, and he frequently wrought substantial amelioration in their +lot. Badger turned this matter over in his mind, and at last hit upon a +plan which he conceived would have the desired effect if successfully +carried out. So, making use of his old expedient, he decked himself most +fantastically as the Saxon "Zernebock" or devil. He expended much skill +and ingenuity in the manufacture of some wondrously grotesque apparel, +introducing a pair of horns and a tail after the orthodox fashion. In +addition to this, he had also decked out one of the most savage of his +hounds in a most fantastic garb, and, so disguised and ludicrously +tricked out, they sallied forth at eventime, intent on frustrating the +Abbot's vile intentions. Having selected their place of ambush, they +patiently lay in wait for the object of their enterprise, bent both on +terrifying and worrying him into a relinquishment of his devilish +purpose. + +The night selected as fitting for Badger's enterprise was moonless and +somewhat dark, especially so within the added shade of the forest. +Having selected a suitable place, Badger lay quietly in wait until he +heard the approaching footsteps of the Abbot; then he strode into the +path with the hound by his side, and together they fronted the object of +their quest. Great was the consternation of the Abbot when he confronted +this awful apparition. His knees smote together, and his teeth chattered +in his head, as the awful voice of the fiend accosted him in angry +tones. + +"Abbot, I know thy errand; I am the Saxon devil 'Zernebock,' and this is +my Hel-hound. I have come to kill thee, and my hound will tear thee in +pieces, for thy cup of wickedness is now full; I give thee, therefore, +two minutes in which to prepare for death." + +So saying, the fiend uplifted a mighty sword, which seemed to the Abbot +to tower almost to the height of the trees. It was a wooden one, but the +night was too dark for this to be perceived, even if the victim had not +been too terror-stricken to note it. + +In a terrible fright he fell on his knees and began to call upon all the +saints to protect him, writhing and groaning piteously. + +"Silence!" said the fiend in still more awful tones. "Thou must die! I +have been waiting long for permission to slay thee! The saints will not +protect thee any longer, for thou hast professed to be a holy man, and +thou art bent this night on an errand of wickedness, and I have +permission to kill thee at last. Thy life is now in my hands. Art thou +ready?" again roared the fiend in savage tones, whilst the hound, seeing +the threatening attitude of his master, waxed furious, snarling and +growling savagely, and making many half-executed attempts to fly at the +Abbot, which half a word of encouragement from the fiend would have +completed. "Speak!" said the fiend, "thy time is now expired." + +And the uplifted sword began most ominously to sway to and fro, as +though about to fall. + +"Have mercy on me, fiend!" screamed the Abbot, "and I will make a vow to +thee that I will repent me of my sins, and I will cease from fleshly +lusts! I will set about mortifying my flesh this very night! I vow to +abstain from meats and strong drink for the space of twelve months if +thou wilt have mercy on me." + +"Silence when I bid thee!" again roared the fiend. "I know thee for a +hypocrite, and thou wilt not abide thy vow. Art thou ready? Quick! bow +thy head, so that I cut it off clean." + +Quick as thought in this dire strait the Abbot sprang to his feet, and +fled with miraculous energy for one so stout and pursy. + +"Hist! hist!" said the fiend to his hound. + +There was a fierce growl and a few long, slouching strides, and the +hound grasped the Abbot's nether parts in his powerful jaws; and with a +yell of pain his reverence fell prone upon his face, writhing, groaning, +wriggling, and yelling, as though ten thousand fiends clutched him. But +the hound clung to him like a vice, chawing his struggling prey the more +lustily as he tried to shake him off. At last the fiend called off his +hound; but at the same time he lifted his sword over the prostrate +Abbot. + +"It is no use thy attempting to fly; thy doom is come, and I am here to +kill thee. Choose at once whether thou wilt be torn in pieces by my +hound or slain by my fiery sword; there is no escape for thee." + +"Have mercy, fiend!" groaned the Abbot piteously; "thy hound hath +well-nigh killed me already. His teeth are red hot, as thou well +knowest. I shall surely die now, after the savage manner he hath torn +me. In mercy leave me the little time left me for repentance. Think of +my poor soul." + +"I am the foul fiend, and there is no mercy now for thee. Thy soul is +forfeited and given into my hands; but what of thy body? decide quick! +Shall I kill thee, or wilt thou be devoured by my hound?" + +Just at that moment, however, the fiend was interrupted, for footsteps +and voices were heard approaching, and presently a couple of troopers, +attracted by the terrible howling of the Abbot, drew near. As they did +so the fiend and his hound promptly disappeared in the wood. + +As these troopers timidly and fearfully advanced to the spot, to their +consternation they beheld the Abbot lying flat along, and bellowing like +any bull of Bashan, and calling upon the saints to come to help him. At +once he was recognised by the pair. + +"Ho, your reverence! what is this? What ails you?" + +"Now the saints be praised! the foul fiend is fled; the Blessed Virgin +hath sent me help, but too tardily, for I am surely done for. The +mischief is ended, and I shall surely die. Had ye tarried but one minute +more, my poor body would have been devoured also." + +"What is it, your reverence! Have you been attacked by wolves?" + +"Alas! I have been set upon by the wolf of hell; I have met face to face +in this very spot the foul fiend. 'Twas the Saxon devil Zernebock, for +he spoke Saxon. He and his furious Hel-hound hath set upon me together. +The fiend was about to kill me with his fiery sword when ye drew near so +opportunely; and his hound hath torn me dreadfully. His teeth were red +hot, and he spouted fire out of his fearful mouth. Can ye lift me up? +for I hardly know whether he hath left me any legs to stand upon. Oh! +not there! not there! did I not tell you he had torn me fearfully +behind. Lift me by the shoulder, but do not touch me behind. Steady, ye +maudlin villains! did I not tell ye to be steady?" he roared most +savagely. + +"I think your reverence had better let me go for help; my comrade will +stand by ye till I come again," remarked one trooper. + +"Stay ye where ye are, villain! Ye do not stir from me, either of ye, +not a yard! If the fiend come again the other one will run also, and I +shall be slain and devoured. Lift me up, ye lazy louts! ye are well +able." + +By dint of tugging and lifting, eventually they set the Abbot on his +legs; but he could not bear to walk, neither could he bear to be +carried; and he would not be left for a moment. Slowly he made an effort +to shamble along, but every step was torture to him, and he swore at the +two troopers as roundly as in his extremity he had prayed to the saints. +It was a most painful and protracted home-coming to all of them; for the +Abbot clutched his deliverers most tenaciously, terrified almost into +frenzy if there was a rustle in the bushes, and conjured up visions of +the fiend and his hound in every object that met his gaze; whilst all +the while he vented upon the two his spleen and rage, sometimes for +their clumsiness and want of sympathy, and at other times for their +having been so long in coming to his aid. + +With infinite trouble they at last reached the Abbey, and the Abbot was +put to bed; but when there he was obliged to lie upon his stomach, for +the hound had severely mauled him behind. Two of the monks were set +apart to nurse him by night, and two by day. The rest of the monks were +commanded to spend so many hours of each day in prayers and in +invocations, whilst penances and fasting were imposed upon all. + +In time, by dint of careful nursing, the Abbot was restored. But he +could not so easily forget the painful lesson he had learnt; and as he +still firmly believed that it was indeed the Saxon devil Zernebock and +his Hel-hound that had set upon him, he never dared venture abroad after +dark until he had banished the fiend from the adjacent woods. + +Then ensued the most comical part of the whole affair. A procession of +the monks to the place of adventure was organised. One headed the solemn +procession bearing a crucifix on which our blessed Lord was impaled. +Others followed next in order bearing the sacred relics, most of which +had been brought from Normandy, and consisted of bones of eminent saints +of the order, also a shred of the garment of our Saviour, the identical +one for which the soldiers cast lots. One carried a front tooth of the +apostle Peter, said to have been broken out at the last supper of our +Lord; and another had a small vial containing a portion of the tears +which Peter shed at the denial, when "he went out and wept bitterly"; +the last had possession of a pair of straps or leathern thongs, said to +have been used to fasten the sandals of the Apostle John when he dwelt +in the lonely isle of Patmos. But most laughable it was to see Badger +and several of the lay brothers of the monastery following behind, with +large ewers containing holy water, with which the monks plentifully +besprinkled the path and its surroundings; all the while chanting psalms +and repeating prayers for the exorcism of the devil and all evil spirits +that haunted the woods. + +One can imagine the uncontrollable delight with which Badger assisted at +this solemn function. And I confess when he told me the whole story I +could not help but laugh most immoderately, though such levity scarcely +became my office, especially when I remembered that our sacred things +had been associated with so ridiculous an exploit. Though I can scarcely +undertake to excuse the deception practised upon this occasion, yet it +had a most salutary effect upon the Abbot, for seldom after that +incident did he venture, under cover of the night, to prosecute his +villainies; though, like most vile and wicked persons, he found other +means of giving rein to his lusts, which were infamous and cruel. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +LOVERS PLOTTING. + + "Good-night, good-night; parting is such sweet sorrow, + That I shall say good-night, till it be morrow." + + Shakespeare. + + +The day appointed for Alice's ill-starred nuptials draws near with +ill-omened celerity. Anxious consultations and meetings at the +trysting-place with her Saxon lover become most frequent as the fatal +day approaches. To-night, as she climbs the rough stone stairs which +lead to the tower, her heart seems to grow lighter in the toilsome +ascent. When she reaches the top night has already asserted its sway +over the face of nature, and deep silence broods solemnly everywhere +around. On the turret she paces to and fro in deep meditation, whilst +occasionally she steps upon the stone platform and peers anxiously +towards the adjacent wood, and waves her handkerchief. But the night is +dark, and she knows not whether any one is there to heed her signal. +Then she steps down and listens at the head of the stair for the sound +of the welcome footsteps. Though this most serious and portentous crisis +in her life is approaching, and dark-browed Fate seems from day to day +to frown more darkly upon her path, and though she recognises most +vividly the perilousness of the enterprise which Oswald is entering upon +for her deliverance, yet to-night none but pleasant thoughts dance +through her mind, and ever and anon also pleasant smiles persist in +wreathing her countenance in sweet hopefulness, for she conjures up some +pleasing dream of a possible escape from the dreaded union designed for +her. But the wonderful secret of this hopeful spirit is this: her +champion, the Saxon chieftain, will be here to-night. Here it must be +confessed was the chief inspiration of those pleasant thoughts and +pleasant smiles. When he was nigh fear and doubt and dismay never +oppressed her. But alas! this buoyancy of hopefulness was just as surely +followed by cruel depression of spirit, and a dread sense of loneliness +and helplessness, when he was far away--when the hated presence of +Vigneau was obtruded upon her especially. Worst of all, as the appointed +time of marriage drew near, he presumed more and more to thrust himself +upon her; and she must needs hide, as best she could, the feelings of +abhorrence and deep loathing with which she regarded him. She had come +to see the futility of resistance, and of manifesting dislike to him; +for she had no hope that he would abate one jot of his determination to +force the fulfilment of this marriage contract. + +Presently, as she listens, a feeble grating sound strikes her ear, and +she strains anxiously to hear further. Soon a distinct sound of movement +in the winding stair is heard. She rushes to the spot where the steps +reach the platform of the tower, and anxiously peers into the dark +beneath. One moment more and Oswald clasps her to his heart. + +"Ah, you lonely watcher," said he, tremulous with emotion. "How long +have you been waiting here alone? are you not afraid to watch here in +the darkness?" + +"I am not afraid to-night, dearest. I am only a woman, you know, with a +woman's weakness; but I have always fortitude enough to dare anything +for you. Why should I be afraid of darkness, which is only God's +coverlet, drawn with infinite gentleness over tired and sleeping +nature?" + +"Ah! there is a good angel watching over you, Alice dear, whether 'tis +dark or light, and whether I am near or far. So be of good courage." + +"I have faith in God, and I have faith in my Saxon lover; but alas! my +heart fails me often as the fateful day draws nigh. Sometimes I am +almost paralysed with fear, lest some cruel fate should, after all, doom +me to a hated meeting of Vigneau at the altar; but I have a little +friend which I keep sharp and bright, and there is a step beyond which I +go no farther with him." + +"Hush, dearest! such thoughts are cruel; that dreadful alternative you +will never resort to. Vigneau, in his gross attempt to force your hand, +in the face of earth and heaven, will rush upon a fate he recks not of, +but which he richly merits. No more of this, dearest; this hour we will +dedicate to more welcome topics. So a truce to all unpleasant thoughts. +How does the question of questions wear apace? Have you become more +reconciled to my project?" + +"Dearest, do not think me foolish; but since you intimated your +intention of appearing in the lists, I have been engaged in a little +enterprise of my own. I have still my forebodings that you will be +discovered if you venture to enter the lists of the tournament, without +some more effectual disguise than you seem to possess. So, excuse me, I +have been taxing my poor woman's wit in the matter. Would it be wrong to +practise a little ruse upon my father, think you? I have a cousin, who, +some years ago, joined the ranks of the king of Spain, and has gone to +war with him against the Moors in the south. He is much commended by the +king of Spain for his valour. If we could dare to convey to my father a +message that this knight would be present at the festival, and take part +in the joust and feat of arms, you yourself might then assume this +disguise. You would, I think, pass easily for this valiant southern +knight, providing you could arrive opportunely, so as to preclude as +much as possible previous intercourse. Your followers also might be +prepared to enact their part. It would disarm suspicion effectively, I +think." + +"Ah! to be sure, set love a-plotting and the thing is done at once." + +"Nonsense! you jest with me. Now listen! I have already set about +embroidering you handsome trappings for your horse, with quaint, +southern devices, which I learnt under the tuition of the good sisters +of the convent. Now, don't laugh, you think it a mad whim, I can see." + +"Nay, nay! my Lady Suspicion," said Oswald, stooping and kissing her, +and giving her a tighter squeeze. "I almost begin to fear you as I think +of the dark plots you are capable of weaving. I never for a moment +dreamed I had found such a subtle schemer. Now, go on; you have got your +finger on the weak point in the plot. I certainly feared the ordeal of +exposure on the field myself; and you have been taxing your 'poor +woman's wit,' and have anticipated my one difficulty. Now for the rest, +dearest." + +"Come down with me to my room. All is perfectly quiet." + +So together they descended the winding stair, and sought Alice's room. +Here she and Jeannette had been deftly plying their fingers in +embroidering most quaint devices upon the trappings of the horses of the +knight and his esquire, and a couple of men-at-arms. Oswald's were most +gorgeously embroidered with silk and gold, upon the finest Bayeaux +cloth, by the fingers of Alice alone. Most beautiful and chaste was the +workmanship, for she had lavished not only her skill, but her love in +the equipment of her champion. The figures were so quaint, the design so +original, and the whole so rich in quality, that no prince could hope to +ride with more tasteful and imposing housings for his steed. Jeannette +also had done her best, it can easily be imagined, to equip her valiant +squire like his master. + +Oswald took the garments in his hands. + +"Well, dearest," said he, "no one will expect a boorish Saxon outlaw to +appear like a Norman prince, that is certain; and I dare warrant no +curious eyes will penetrate a disguise so complete as you are preparing. +Love is not blind in this case, Alice dear, I avouch it; but it has the +gift of prevision also. There remains but one condition to give point +and consummation to this, and it is that your valiant cousin shall prove +himself worthy of such a lady love. But, darling, can you answer this +question,--if Vigneau should be overthrown ignominiously, will the +spoils of war, the fair queen of this high festival, be the lawful prize +of the victor? Now, beware! if you escape the toils of Vigneau, there is +another ominous figure hovering near, who is ready to pounce down upon +you and carry you off." + +"So, I suppose, like an unhappy maiden, I may sing-- + + "'Then woe is me! a bride I'll be, + Whether I will or no; + For 'tis a law of chivalry-- + Victors will have it so.' + +"Well, if only the 'fair queen' may have the option of choice, I think +in that case the Norman cousin will have it. But do not cherish any vain +hopes; I am sure that Vigneau will gulp down his humiliation, if he +cannot avenge it; and there is no hope of his relinquishing any claims +to myself, though I believe malignant hatred is the only feeling he +cherishes towards me." + +"It were an easy matter to sweep him out of the way; that would be an +easy task; but here comes in a tax upon my conscience, for in spite of +the fact that he richly merits it, to compass his overthrow in cold +blood is abhorrent to my feelings. If I should worst him in the +encounter, he will probably claim satisfaction, and if he does not, but +persists in his determination to claim you as his bride, then, in +accordance with the laws of chivalry, I also will claim your hand, and +challenge him to mortal combat. So, honour and my conscience will be +appeased. May Heaven nerve the arm that battles for the right!" + +"I am afraid the complications will not end even if Heaven rid us of the +Baron, for his brother at the Abbey is fully conversant with my father's +ill-starred confidence." + +"Well, enough, dearest; one step at once. Are there many knights +expected in this tourney?" + +"I scarcely think there will be many. My father is very half-hearted in +the matter, and you may be sure he has no encouragement from myself. The +fewer who are witness of my humiliation the better." + +"Well, I am sure that so far as Vigneau is concerned, the feebler the +opponents the better he will like it; I daresay, though, he counts upon +an easy conquest in any case. Well, now, dearest, don't be discouraged; +I must be away, but I shall look daily for the signal. May happier days +soon dawn for you, and for this unhappy country. _Au revoir_, darling." + +So saying, with a parting kiss Oswald sped him for the home on the +hills. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +THE JOUST, SAXON AND NORMAN. + + "The age of chivalry is gone. That of sophisters, economists, + and calculators has succeeded."--Burke. + + +The time had now come about on which De Montfort had promised his +daughter to Vigneau. As was the wont invariably of the Normans, the +ceremony must be preceded by the usual festivities, the most marked of +which was the tournament, or feat of arms. During the reign of our late +king Edward, this was one of the things in which the idle and dissolute +Norman nobility who came over in swarms spent their time. To my very +great sorrow and disappointment, the Saxon nobility copied only too +slavishly this vain and foolish propensity, many of the Saxons being +quite a match for the most skilful of the Normans. For some weeks before +the marriage festivities were to begin, messengers had been sent out to +the various Norman encampments situate within a reasonable distance; and +many knights were expected to take part in the joust. The place which +was selected for this spectacle was near to the castle, and well adapted +for the humbler people, who never failed to gather in considerable +numbers. The tournament would take place in a considerable hollow, with +green hillsides and dense copses around, where a multitude might witness +the wondrous pageantry and the struggle for the honours of the day. The +central arena, where the knights were to contend, was a spacious +enclosure, railed round to the height of about four feet, having two +means of entrance and exit, one at each side, directly opposite each +other, the one used as an entrance solely. There knights, squires, +marshals, judges, etc., were to enter in all the panoply of war and +glittering accoutrements. The other opening was used exclusively for +purposes of exit. Here discomfited knights, disabled horses, and others +who wished to retire might emerge. To the right of the main entrance was +a raised platform, covered with rich tapestry, and capable of seating +some fifty persons. Upon this platform was a dais, or raised central +platform of small dimensions, on which the throne, an elegantly +upholstered chair, was placed, and designed for the occupation of the +"Queen of Beauty." The crowd were kept waiting considerably after the +appointed time, in anticipation of an expected knight from over the sea; +from whom a messenger had been sent, announcing his intention of taking +part in this knightly fray. Eventually, however, Count de Montfort, amid +a flourish of trumpets, issued from the gates of the castle, with his +daughter leaning upon his arm, followed by two of her maids and a +formidable retinue of invited guests, amongst whom was the Abbot +Vigneau, and one or two other ecclesiastics, and a number of Norman +guests. De Montfort escorted his daughter to the throne, and Jeannette +occupied a seat to the right of her. Most fascinatingly lovely was Alice +as she sat in the place of honour, with the victor's chaplet by her +side. Pale, nervous, and anxious, but a veritable queen withal she +looked--her lustrous dark eyes, and masses of dark wavy hair flowing in +graceful undulations over her shoulders, and down to her girdle; her +head crowned with a coronet of beautiful flowers, and one solitary gem +in the centre. All eyes were upon her. Men of gentle blood marvelled at +her surpassing loveliness. Norman men-at-arms and Saxon churls turned +dazed and dreamy eyes towards her, with a persistent gaze as of +fascination. Most of those present, whether gentle or simple, knew well +the manner of man her betrothed was; for Vigneau was notorious in the +camp and the cot for his gross villainy; and most knew, or surmised, +that to-morrow's nuptial tie would be to her a most hateful tie, and a +most unhappy union. + +Jeannette sat close to her mistress; but no dark cloud frowned ominously +over her as over her mistress. Volatile and mercurial to a degree, she +never courted trouble, or recognised his unwelcome visage until it was +thrust upon her; though, like most natures of a like temperament, when +once fairly cornered, as we have seen, the collapse was pitiable and +complete. There, however, she sat, perfectly self-possessed, with an +irrepressible flutter of expectation in her heart and unfaltering +confidence in her star, which was the wonderful and valorous Wulfhere, +whom that day she should see companying with knights and men of renown. +There was more than a wonted animation in her eye, and the roses on her +cheek had taken a deeper and a rosier tint. All agog with the pleasing +promptings of her fluttering little heart, she ran her eyes along the +ranks of the common people who lined the enclosure, or stood together in +groups, discussing the merits of the combatants who were to take part, +and the spectacle which every one looked forward to with such zest. But +Saxon and Norman alike of inferior station were to her contemptible; and +as her eyes fell upon Paul Lazaire, who with despondent gaze looked at +her, she could not restrain a saucy and coquettish smirk of laughter, +which Paul, who thought she never looked half so lovely before, put a +favourable construction upon, and was greatly comforted. + +"Jeannette," said Alice, turning to her anxiously, "I fear the day will +be disastrous, and the Saxon knight will be discovered. That would be +most fearful; I don't think I could survive it." + +"Don't be alarmed, my lady; I am not in the least. Wulfhere and the Earl +will be a match for them all, I'm sure." + +"But, Jeannette, what could a single knight do, contending with so many +foes?" + +"One knight truly would not do much; but you forget, my lady, that he is +sure to be accompanied by his valiant squire." + +"But a solitary esquire would not be of much use. If the Earl be +discovered, he would be surrounded and cut to pieces." + +"Never fear, my lady, you will see Wulfhere will protect him. He'll soon +make an end of a score of this beer-drinking crew." + +"Really, Jeannette," said Alice, smiling in spite of herself, "you have +a good deal of faith in this Wulfhere." + +"Why should I not? He is as pretty a man, and just as valiant as his +leader, and I never intend to halt for want of faith, or starve for want +of hope. Besides, don't you know there has been given to me an +_omen_?--and I have noticed that they always come true if you have faith +in them." + +"Oh, indeed! Pray, what is the _omen_ you have had, Jeannette?" + +"Well, last night when I went to bed it was not quite dark, and I have a +little window in my room which overlooks a certain spot in the wood +which I shall not tell you about, for it is my _tryste_." + +"Your _tryste_, Jeannette? I am afraid you will never cease your +coquetry and foolishness. But your _omen_, Jeannette?" + +"Well, I was telling you. It was not dark when I went to bed, so I sat +down in front of this window which faces the place where the Saxon and I +meet." + +"_The Saxon_, Jeannette?" + +"Yes, my lady, the Saxon Wulfhere. Well, in front of the window I told +my beads for a full hour or more." + +"Told your beads, Jeannette I Why, was that to Wulfhere, or to our +Blessed Lady?" + +"To our Lady, of course, though I was thinking about Wulfhere. But I +said my _aves_ and _paters_ to our Blessed Lady most dutifully. Then, +when I went to bed, I put my beads under my pillow as usual, and I soon +fell asleep. Then I dreamed such a strange and wonderful dream. I dreamt +that I was walking through the woods all alone, when I was startled by a +horrid, howling noise behind me, and, turning round, I beheld a number +of fierce wolves pursuing me. I ran for my life, but they ran faster +than I did, and just as the first one was about to grasp me with its +fearful teeth, who should come to my rescue but Wulfhere. I sprang into +his arms, and just as he clasped me safely the wolves all turned tail +and ran off into the wood as though they had been whipped, for they ran +as fast as they could scamper, and howled fearfully. Then I saw there +was a holy man with Wulfhere, with whitened beard, and bearing a +crucifix with our Blessed Lord thereon. This holy man took my rosary +from my hand, and he placed it around my neck. Then he took my hand and +joined it with Wulfhere's. After this, Wulfhere kissed me and placed a +ring on my finger, and I was his wife. Then the holy man placed his +hands on us as we kneeled before him, and he gave us his blessing. But, +wonderful to tell, in the morning when I awoke, I knew it had all taken +place as I dreamed; for I found the rosary was indeed around my neck, +though I am almost certain I put it under my pillow the night before. I +also felt most distinctly Wulfhere's kiss upon my cheek; and, when I +looked in the glass, sure enough there was a little rosy spot around +this little dimple on my cheek where he kissed me." + +Jeannette's invaluable optimism and unflagging hopefulness, though +simple almost to the verge of childishness, did much to fortify Alice +for the trying ordeal before her. In spite of her anxiety, she laughed +outright at the recital of Jeannette's dream. Presently, at the sound of +the trumpet the castle gates were again thrown open, and forth issued a +gaily dressed cavalcade; heralds, marshals, judges, leading the way, and +followed by eight or ten knights armed _cap-à-pié_, each one being +attended by his esquire. Alice scrutinised closely each knight as they +severally filed past her, and dipped the point of their lances in +salutation. + +"The Saxon is not here. Some accident, I fear, has happened," she +tremulously whispered to Jeannette. + +"Don't agitate yourself, my lady; they will not fail us. Wulfhere said I +should see his face this day; but I was to be careful not to show my +recognition of him, or I should probably betray them." + +Now the scene presented an animated appearance, as the knights and their +esquires ranged themselves on opposite sides of the enclosure, whilst +the heralds, marshals, and judges rode between the ranks, examining the +points of each combatant's lance, to see that each one was blunt, and +such as was allowed by the laws of the tourney. + +Meanwhile, Norman soldiers crowd round the enclosure, whilst here and +there groups of Saxons are wedged amongst them. Some half-dozen Saxon +churls have been stood together on the outskirts of the crowd for some +time, engaged in eager conversation. A careful observer would perceive +that, despite their cowed and woe-begone appearance, they have some +common purpose in view. They each of them carry a quarter staff,--not a +formidable weapon, it is true; but no formidable weapon would be +permitted them. At one end of those staves they have deftly inserted +stout steel goads, which no casual observer would detect. I was first +attracted to this group, in particular, by having observed them obey +certain signals given by their leader. But my eyes turned on all +occasions naturally and sympathetically to the Saxon portion of the +crowd; and the result of my diligent scrutiny of this little band was +quickened by my discovery of the fact that the leader was none other +than Badger. Presently they divide themselves into couples and take +their stand equidistant from each other, along with the spectators who +line the enclosure. Soon, by dint of pushing and wriggling, they force +their way close to the railings' side. + +Now, at a signal the trumpet again sounds, and a marshal rides into the +centre of the arena, and reads the proclamation and rules of the +tourney. Just at that moment, however, a piercing blast from a horn in +the distance makes the greenwood ring again. Immediately from the leafy +bower there emerges a knight tall of stature, and mail-clad from head to +foot. On his shield he bears a device of the rising sun on a field vert, +and as the rays of the midday sun smite upon his helmet and +breast-plate, the refulgence thereof is as of molten gold. He rode a +handsome charger, whose trappings and housings were richly embroidered +and resplendent with many strange devices. In close attendance rode his +squire, bearing his lance and shield; he also was of brawny and athletic +build, like his master. He had on a helmet with harness of link mail. +His face and hands, which were uncovered, seemed deeply tanned, as +though they had been subjected to long exposure in some sunny clime. +Behind the knight and his esquire there rode a couple of men-at-arms, +bronzed and brown as the squire. + +It was soon buzzed about amidst the crowd that this was the foreign +knight for whose advent the tourney had been delayed a full hour. The +knight and his squire were admitted into the enclosure at once; but the +couple of men-at-arms stood without. There was a brief consultation with +the stewards in the Norman tongue, and the explanations were evidently +satisfactory, for the knight rode on. And as he passed the dais, where +sat the Queen of Beauty, he dipped the point of his lance and bowed low. + +The crimson flood mounted to Alice's face and neck, as she, with great +nervousness, acknowledged the salute. This momentary flush, followed by, +if possible, a still deeper pallor and greater agitation, did not escape +the notice of our Abbot, who turned keen and scrutinising glances, first +on the knight, and then on Alice. He was suspicions as usual. Could it +be possible that there was some love entanglement between these two +which boded evil to his brother the Baron? Hitherto, none had appeared +in the lists, saving knights who would probably be easily overthrown by +Vigneau. Though this was but a joust of courtesy, yet the ignominy of +being unhorsed, he knew, would exasperate his brother into desperation. +This knight of commanding stature, and of warlike appearance and renown, +introduced an element of grave uncertainty into the day's contest. There +was, further, the gravest suspicion that this stranger knight was +imported on purpose to frustrate his brother's union with Alice, a union +which, he knew, was cordially detested by both father and daughter. The +Baron also, suspicious by disposition, with lowering brow glared upon +the stranger from behind his visor, and hated him at sight. + +Not that he feared being overthrown, for his self-confidence was +unlimited. His great weight and personal strength and skill had borne +him to victory in many a famous joust in times past, and he was +contemptuous of any rival he might chance to meet. But a knight young, +handsome, and well-appointed as this stranger, might yet, with De +Montfort's connivance, wrest the prize from his grasp. He swore a deep +oath under his breath, and grasped his lance with a keener clutch. +Clearly he meant mischief. + +The preliminaries being now over, the knights wheeled into line and +faced each other, ready for the signal to charge, their squires being in +close attendance behind. Vigneau and the stranger knight found +themselves opposed by antagonists much smaller in stature, and +indifferently horsed. The trumpeter stood at the head of the lists, +bugle in hand, ready to sound the onset at a signal from De Montfort. +Excitement was visibly expressed in every countenance, the clamour of +voices having given place to a hushed suspense, which was painful and +sickening to Alice; though she saw that Vigneau and the "Knight of the +Sun" would not antagonise each other in the first shock. Now the trumpet +sends forth a shrill blast, and on the instant spurs are driven into +each charger's side, and, with a snort of pain, they dash across the +sward. There is a loud shock, and a confused and struggling mass of men +and horses. Vigneau had thrown the whole weight and strength of himself +and a powerful horse upon a feeble opponent, and both man and horse +rolled over together before him. Then, with a contemptuous oath, he +wheeled again to his place, utterly regardless of his fallen antagonist, +whose horse had kicked him severely in its plunges to regain its feet. +The "Knight of the Sun," on the other hand, rode steadily at his +opponent, and seemed rather to push him over the horse's croup than to +strike him with unmeasured force. Immediately, also, he sprang to the +ground and chivalrously assisted the fallen knight to rise, exclaiming, +as he did so,-- + +"None the worse, I trust, Sir Knight?" + +"Only my pride hurt a little," was the reply; "but it was gallantly done +and by a worthier knight, so I yield my steed and wish you further +success; which you will have, I trow, whether I wish it or not, or I am +no judge of your mettle." + +"Take your horse, Sir Knight, I have no need of him, for there is a +better in the lists, I perceive," said the stranger. + +"You have my hearty wishes in the winning of it, if they will do you any +good. Just a word in your ear, nevertheless," said he, drawing close to +the "Knight of the Sun," and uttering in an undertone, whilst he +professed to be adjusting his sword-belt, "You are a stranger, Sir +Knight, but I have known Vigneau a round dozen years at least, so let me +warn you. Beware your man, and doubly so if you throw him. His ugly +carcase is charged with venom from head to foot, and no treacherous +villainy will be too mean, in order to compass his revenge." + +"Thanks for your good wishes, and I will not neglect your advice; but if +he be wise, he will look to himself or he will rue it." + +At the blast of the bugle, the knights who had proved victorious wheeled +into line again; one pair had failed to unhorse each other; but +evidently they were not consumed with a desire to try further their +prowess in the mimic war, for both of them retired from the fray. So +there were but four knights called upon to take part in the next +encounter and brave again the fortunes of war. The stranger knight was +now brought side by side with Vigneau, who surveyed him from head to +foot, then turned sneeringly away, growling to himself, "If length of +limb counted for anything, why, then, he would be formidable enough." + +At the signal calling for the _ready_, each lance was laid in rest, and +each knight braced himself afresh. Springing again at the call to the +charge, the turf flew from the horses' hoofs, and the shock, in more +than one instance, was enough to throw the horses on their haunches. The +"Knight of the Sun" and Vigneau were again victorious; but the latter +had met a doughtier opponent than he had bargained for, for he had +received a vigorous and well-aimed blow at the pit of his stomach, +discomposing most unpleasantly its contents, and causing his head to +swim with sickly qualms. He recovered his balance quickly, however, much +more quickly than he recovered from the fury of his temper; for, as he +faced about to meet the "Knight of the Sun," he poured out a volley of +fierce oaths at Pierre, who was too slow in his attentions to him. The +tall squire of the stranger dismounted and ran his eyes over the +trappings of his master's steed, tightening a girth here and there, and +whispering to his master as he did so, "He is strong and heavy; it were +better policy to dodge his blow, I think, for he is unmistakably clumsy +and slow." + +"That is the very thing I have been turning over in my mind, and I think +I will try it. Hand me a shorter lance, will you?" + +The squire immediately reached him a lance shorter by some feet; and the +bugle sounded again for the ready amid breathless silence. The whole +scene floated dimly before the sickened gaze of Alice, who was but half +conscious of what was passing in the lists; though she realised with +painful vividness that Vigneau and the stranger were now opposed to each +other. Jeannette put her arm around her mistress and held a small silver +flask of rich scents to her nose, whispering gently to her,-- + +"Courage, lady! all goes well, never fear. The stranger will be the +victor." + +Now the combatants brace themselves for the final charge and for +victory. The "Knight of the Sun" grasps his short lance with sinews of +iron, whilst his gaze is intent upon the weapon of his antagonist. The +signal is given, and the chargers bound like an avalanche across the +intervening space. There is a quick swerve of the stranger's body, and +Vigneau's lance passes like a flash over the mailed arm of the knight, a +clear miss. Righting himself as deftly as he had swerved, and without +permitting the point of his lance to deviate one iota from its mark, he +closed in a deadly shock with the bulky Norman. The lance he held was so +short that they seemed almost to rush into each other's arms; but the +point was direct for his antagonist's chest. Vigneau, with an oath at +the failure of his stroke, let go his lance, and aimed a blow with his +clenched fist at his antagonist; but his act of blind fury was utterly +futile and vain; with unerring aim the stranger struck him full on his +steel breast-plate. There was a loud crash of tearing girths, and +Vigneau rolled ignominiously to the ground amid a motley heap of horses, +harness, and trappings. + +Alice's head dropped on Jeannette's shoulder as she faintly asked, +"Who's victor, Jeannette?" + +"The stranger, lady; courage, courage! Vigneau is ignominiously +overthrown." + +"Thank God!" she ejaculated feebly, and her eyes closed in +insensibility. + +All eyes were now turned with a strange fascination towards the two +antagonists, for Vigneau sprang to his feet, drew his broadsword, and +brandishing it in the air like a demon, shouted "_Joûte à l'outrance!_ +Come on, varlet! it is to the death!" + +The Abbot rushed into the arena, vainly endeavouring to restrain the +blind fury of his brother; but with an oath the Baron threw him off, and +rushed at his antagonist, who by this time had dismounted and stood on +his guard. Fiercely exasperated, Vigneau rained blow upon blow, with the +fury of a madman, whilst the stranger contented himself with coolly +parrying or receiving on his shield the frantic blows of his assailant. +The volcano-like rage of Vigneau quickly expended itself uselessly; soon +limp, and spent, and utterly blown, he aimed a last blow with greatly +diminished force. The stranger received it on his shield, whilst with +concentrated energy he sprang upon Vigneau; his broadsword divided the +air like lightning, and descended on the nape of Vigneau's neck, cutting +clean through his armour, and well-nigh severing his head from his body. +Vigneau threw up his arms wildly in the air as he dropped into his +brother's arms, and shrieked frantically in his death agony, "_The +Saxon! 'Tis the Saxon!_" + +The cry acted like magic upon the whole multitude. Men sprang into the +arena shouting madly to each other they knew not what. Horses reared and +snorted, and plunged in dire confusion. The ruse also so consummately +planned by Badger, in case of any hitch or exposure, was vigorously +acted out. On the instant he and his comrades leaped into the arena, and +deftly dodged in and out amongst the horses, and vigorously applied +their goads to their flanks and sides, increasing the disorder and +confusion a hundredfold. + +Meantime, whilst the vengeful and sanguinary combat between the +champions had been going on, the stranger's squire had seized the reins +of Vigneau's charger as the spoil of the victor; but Pierre sprang at +him in fierce resistance, and immediately the two squires also became +engaged in a passage of arms as fiercely and as determinedly as their +masters. Promptly Badger gave Wulfhere a vigorous push, which separated +the pair. Then in a low tone, but unmistakably in earnest, he said, +"Zounds, man! what are you doing? and where are your eyes? Can you not +see there is not a moment to lose? Do you not see the Norman has +detected your master? Fly, man, quick! or you're a dead man, and Oswald +also." + +Wulfhere, thus suddenly awakened to the peril of the situation, promptly +took Badger's advice and vaulted into his saddle. But his blood was up, +and as he did so, he turned to Pierre, and said,-- + +"I'll take care we meet again, villain, never fear. Then we will see +whether aught will save thee from the fate which has befallen thy +master, and which has been dogging thy heels this many a day." + +Oswald, the stranger knight, also by this time fully comprehended the +peril of the situation, and that if they would save their lives flight +was their only resource. So promptly he sprang into the saddle, and +immediately made for the gate, followed by Wulfhere. The two men-at-arms +without the arena had been watching the movements of Oswald and Wulfhere +with feverish anxiety, irresolute whether to rush in to effect a rescue +or not. But no sooner did they see them make for the entrance than they +pushed their horses amid the spectators, and vigorously plying the flats +of their swords upon the shoulders of the churls who thronged and choked +the way, they quickly cleared a passage; whilst Badger and his party +continued to maintain a state of dire confusion in the enclosure. As +soon as the entrance was passed the safety of the Saxons was assured, +and at once falling into the rear of their leader, they dashed across +the plain, and were lost in the woods ere any one comprehended for +certain what strange things had happened. + +Then the Abbot Vigneau strode up to De Montfort, the veins of his neck +standing out with rage and his face livid with passion, and he hoarsely +shouted,-- + +"I arraign thee traitor to thy king! and I will have thy head for this +treacherous act! I tell thee if thou hast successfully conspired to +murder my brother, I myself hold the letters thou wouldest give thy +right hand to possess! I will use them to the full, nor rest till thou +hast atoned with thy blood for thy treachery!" + +Meantime, the scene which followed baffled description. The assembled +company could not comprehend the charges made by Vigneau, and were +bewildered at the tragic ending of what was designed for a day's +festivities. + +The condition of Alice was pitiable in the extreme. With returning +consciousness she had seen the fiendish attitude of the Abbot as he +fronted her father. She had heard the wild threats of vengeance, and a +dim sense of uttermost calamity, hanging over her and her father, sent +her back again into a swoon. I roused Jeannette and her companion from +the state of helplessness into which they seemed to have relapsed, and, +under my directions, Alice was carried to her room and laid upon her +couch, whilst such restoratives as were at hand were applied to +stimulate the laggard consciousness, which seemed as though it would +never return. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +THE SAXON'S REVENGE. + + "E'en these, when of their ill-got spoils possess'd, + Find sure tormentors in the guilty breast." + + Homer. + + +The same night, following the tragic ending of the tournament, and about +two hours after Curfew had rung out its warning to churls, housecarles, +and Saxons, all and sundry, who should be caught abroad after the bell +had voiced the hour, there were seated in the Abbot's room two +individuals engaged in a most earnest conversation. The look of deadly +malignity on their countenances, and the low, fierce oaths with which +they frequently emphasised their speech, was palpable evidence that they +plotted mischief. Though one of them had partially divested himself of +his attire, there was that about his dress which betokened that it was +strangely out of keeping with the language he was using, and the +business he was engaged in. The other was dressed in soldier's attire, +and in the sturdy figure we easily recognise Pierre, confidante and +willing tool of Baron Vigneau, and the sharer in most of his villainous +exploits. The Abbot's room was spacious and lofty, and he had had it +hung with costly silken hangings, and rich Turkish carpets covered the +floor. The furniture also was of carved oak, delicate in workmanship, +and of priceless value; for many handicraftsmen of great skill and +experience came over with the Normans, or followed in the wake of the +soldiery. On an exquisitely carved cabinet had been hastily thrust the +remains of a substantial repast of boiled capon and venison cutlets; +whilst on the table between them were two silver tankards containing +good Rhenish wine, and from which libations, copious and frequent, were +poured down two throats which it seemed impossible to effectually slake. +Several letters on parchment, with the massive seal of De Montfort +impressed upon them, were lying on the table betwixt them, the contents +of which had been duly read over to Pierre by the Abbot; and the +following conversation was proceeding:-- + +"No doubt," said the Abbot, "the whole thing was arranged by the cunning +old fox De Montfort and his daughter. The make-believe of a foreign +cousin was a ruse to prevent the exposure of the Saxon villain. His +advent, also, was so timed that not the slightest opportunity was given +to any one to see through his disguise; and he spoke the Norman language +well." + +"Well, I have often wondered at De Montfort's leniency to those Saxon +wolves on the hills. He professed to send for help to William when he +was at York last; but there has been no help forthcoming," said Pierre. + +"I don't believe he ever sent such message; but the devil himself is not +more cunning than De Montfort, and, unless we act promptly, he'll +circumvent _us_." + +"Well, what's the business? Are you going to make use of those letters, +and have him brought to book promptly?" + +"That is it. What I wish, is that you, Pierre, should take this matter +in hand; for it must be done by some one with sufficient courage and +determination. I should like you to proceed forthwith to the court of +his Majesty William, and lay before him these damning proofs of De +Montfort's treachery. If you will undertake this, I confidently +anticipate that within three months the traitor's head will be suspended +over the gates of his castle. That done, I shall urge my suit for the +possession of his forfeited lands, with well-assured success. Then, +trust me, I will humble the pride of his haughty and scornful daughter. +She shall know promptly, for I will teach her, that though Vigneau is +dead, Vigneau still lives. I love her, and I hate her, and when she is +in my power I will have my fill of both love and hate, mark me! I will +have quits for all I owe her, for she has not only compassed the death +of my brother, but she has thwarted me here constantly, by taking under +her protection that old hypocrite Adhelm (meaning myself). I'll be +revenged on both of them at a blow, mark me, Pierre!" + +"Humph! This sounds well and good, your Reverence, no doubt, from your +standpoint; but, if you will excuse me, I didn't see very clearly at +what point Pierre came in when these good things were to be distributed. +Now, it appears that I shall figure very prominently in the work of +scotching this snake. So, so! well and good, revenge may be very sweet +to you, and maybe it will be sweet to me; I'll not deny I like the +flavour of it, but, after that, what additional? I shall want either the +skin or the carcase, certainly, if I shoot the deer; if not, why, marry, +I'll never bruise my shins in the chase. So, will you please point out +where this thing is to be profitable to me? Devil's work, you know, +should be well paid, for we must scorch for it by-and-bye, must we not, +eh?" + +"Thou shalt have everything I am able to bestow, Pierre; and thou shalt +find that in my exalted position my powers of promotion will be equal to +thy deserts. How sayest thou? wilt thou try the monk's calling? Nothing +easier! I was a soldier ere I donned the _hair shirt_, eh! and took to +mortifying the flesh, as thou well knowest I have done most rigidly at +all times." + +"Marry, 'tis quite true, the devil himself would vouch for it; and a +merry jest it is. And now, after your Reverence's example, there's no +saying, but we may expect the devil himself to turn monk some day; and, +in faith, by copying your Reverence closely, he'd make more sinners +in't, than he would by his old tricks;" and Pierre laughed most +immoderately. + +"Thou hadst ever a sharp tongue, Pierre, and little regard for thy +betters; but I absolve thee. Nevertheless, I advise _thee_ to the _holy_ +calling also. Then what could hinder me bestowing upon thee my Abbot's +office? The best of all things would be at thy command--ease, wine, +wenches, and a jolly fat trencher at all times. I warrant thee there is +no life so merry and so bountiful as the command of a good fat +monastery." + +"Bravo!" shouted Pierre, who was immensely tickled by the Abbot's +suggestion; and, bursting again into a roar of laughter, he cried, +"well, this is too rich for anything! Pierre turned _Saint_; ha, ha, ha! +'Twould be after the most godly example of your Grace, I trow. Ha, ha! +good! I'll wash it down, anyhow;" and he raised the tankard to his lips, +and cried, "Drink to't, your Reverence. Here's to _Saint Pierre of pious +memory_;" and promptly he drained the tankard to the bottom; then, +bringing it down again with a bang upon the table, he fairly roared with +laughter. + +"Thou art an ass, Pierre! An arrant ass!" said the Abbot, who was +considerably nettled at the freedom with which Pierre made a jest of him +and his office. "Canst thou not see that after the Baron's death De +Montfort will soon be quit of us if we cannot checkmate him? To jest +under the gallows, and end it by swinging on them, is fool's work." + +"Well, well, I'll turn the matter over carefully, I think," said Pierre +a little more soberly. "Your Grace has done it, and I think there is +something in it. I don't know how the sneaking method of doing things, +after the dare-devil manner familiar to me, will suit my stomach. I have +always liked the chase better than the game, and I confess I would +rather fight it through, come what may. + +"But," said he, bursting into a loud guffaw, as the ludicrousness of his +turning monk thrust itself upon him, and relapsing again into the +jocularity and bitter sarcastic tone familiar to him,-- + +"Now that _you_ recommend it so strongly, I think I will retire from +_active duties_, and grow fat and wheezy like yourself. Anyhow, it +stands to reason, the bigger the paunch the more good sack wine it will +hold, and that is an item. True, too, a lazy life and a lascivious +appetite are bound to go together. Less force to labour, and more to +lechery; that's the sum of it. I think I come to't, your Reverence. +Beshrew me! what would any man have? for if he lust lustily, and be a +jolly trencherman to boot, with his fill provided to him, what can he +wish for more? My hand on it, your Reverence! I'll undertake the +venture. It is a mad hazard, but I like it none the worse for that!" + +"Then when wilt thou start on thine errand, Pierre? Time is precious. +The Count knows I have possession of those letters, and, mark me, he +will circumvent us if he can." + +"Line my pocket with gold pieces and I'll start at cock crowing, and De +Montfort may catch me if he can, when once I get the start of him." + +Slowly at that instant the door opened behind them, and Oswald, Wulfhere +and a couple of attendants, armed to the teeth, entered, and closed the +door behind them, whilst one stout yeoman set his back against it. The +countenance of Vigneau fell on the instant as though a sword had pierced +him, and he became livid as death. Hastily clutching at the letters +lying on the table, he endeavoured to thrust them into a recess of the +cabinet, and he fairly cowered in abject terror before these strange +visitants. On the contrary, Pierre whipped out his broadsword, and +fiercely stood at bay; his savage valour being in striking contrast to +the crouching cowardice of the Abbot. + +"Give place, master," said Wulfhere, advancing on Pierre; "this fellow +is mine. You have already had your revenge. Now, blood-thirsty villain," +said he, addressing Pierre, "I told thee, did I not, that the time would +come when thou shouldest answer to me for thy cruelties and murders? the +time has come now; and thou canst no longer shirk the fate that has long +awaited thee." + +"Did I ever shirk meeting thee, or any churlish Saxon in Britain? Give +me fair play, and I'll give thee a speedy passage to the devil, sirrah!" +said Pierre savagely, striding towards Wulfhere. + +So the two stood upon their guard. The Abbot shrinking in mortal terror +in one corner, whilst Oswald and his followers looked on in anxious +suspense; for they knew well the strength and brutal valour of Pierre, +who was ever foremost in any fray, and equally an adept at either stroke +or thrust. Wulfhere also was second to none amongst the Saxon outlaws in +skill and strength, or personal bravery. Toe to toe for a moment they +stood eyeing each other with lips set, and mortal enmity in their eyes. +Then stroke and thrust and parry followed each other in rapid +succession. The rapid advancing or retiring, as each one gave or +received a stroke, by these powerful gladiators, wrought the spectators +to such a pitch of excitement that they held their breath almost to +suffocation. But the climax came in a totally unexpected manner. +Wulfhere drove at his antagonist a powerful sweep of his sword, but +Pierre effectually interposed his sword and parried the blow. Such was +the force of the blow, however, that the treacherous weapon flew in two, +the point striking the opposite side of the room, and the hilt, with +half the broken blade, remaining in Wulfhere's hand. Ere Oswald could +interpose between them, Pierre shouted,-- + +"Aha! Now I have you!" and rushed in with a furious lunge at Wulfhere's +body. + +The words were true enough, but not in the sense in which Pierre had +uttered them; for with lightning-like agility Wulfhere sprang aside, and +the glittering weapon slid harmlessly into the empty air beyond him. So +confident, however, had Pierre been of the helplessness of his opponent, +and so confident of the deadliness of his thrust, that he took no +precaution whatever of his own body. The eager rush also of his own +onslaught, coupled with the force with which Wulfhere drove the broken +blade at him, caused it to pass clean through his body, and, with a +groan and a half-uttered oath, he fell forward on his face, dead. + +The Abbot, as he witnessed the close of the tragic scene, literally +crawled to the feet of Oswald, begging piteously for mercy. One of the +men-at-arms who accompanied Oswald, advanced upon him, and said,-- + +"Leave him to me, master. Now, dastardly fiend!" said he, addressing the +Abbot, "there has come a reckoning day even for you. You remember the +little cot out yonder befouled by your infamous presence. You know the +boy murdered by you in cold blood, and waiting to be avenged until this +hour. The time has come at last." + +"Have mercy upon me," moaned the Abbot, "and I will recompense you +liberally. Take this gold chain," said he, removing a massive gold chain +from his neck, "it is very valuable, and I will give thee more." + +"If you think a gold chain will recompense me for my dead child, base +hound, you are greatly mistaken. His blood cries for vengeance, and I +will exact it now." + +As he spoke he raised his sword, and at a blow he severed the Abbot's +head from his body. + +"This is most ghastly work," said Oswald, "and to be done within the +sacred precincts of this edifice it is most deplorable. But surely +iniquities such as these men have constantly and unblushingly +perpetrated call for most drastic remedies. Men, gather up these bodies, +and bury them deep in the woods before the dawn." + +The two men-at-arms called in some of their fellows who were watching in +the corridors outside, and, swathing the bodies in the Abbot's robes, +they hurried along the corridors and out of the grounds, bearing their +ghastly burden to secret burial in the forest. + +Oswald and Wulfhere remained behind engaged in diligent search. + +"There are certain documents possessed by this man which are of vast +importance to some one I would like to serve," said Oswald. "We must +find them, if possible, ere we quit this place. I saw the Abbot hastily +remove some papers as we entered, as though he was exceedingly anxious +to conceal them. I strongly suspect they are the letters I would fain +lay hands upon." + +So saying, he advanced to the cabinet, and throwing it open, almost +immediately drew forth the letters which had well-nigh had such dire +effects upon the life and happiness of Alice De Montfort. Oswald gave an +exclamation of pleased surprise as the seal of De Montfort caught his +eye, and, hastily unfolding them, he eagerly ran over their contents one +by one, and, as he gathered their import, he said to Wulfhere,-- + +"These are indeed a treasure more precious than gold. They bear evidence +of one fatal mistake on the part of one whose astuteness is otherwise +marvellous; and they have been an instrument of terror to the author of +them for a long time. Now this dread secret will henceforth be sealed +for ever. Sealed it is in the death of those who knew and used it so +unscrupulously; and it will soon be sealed in the destruction of these +documents." + +So he hastily thrust them into his bosom, and they continued their +search. But nothing further that had any bearing upon the subject could +be found. + +"Our work in this place is evidently at an end for the present," said +Oswald. "So let us be gone, for I would finish this day's work. I wot +there are some who at this moment are in terrible suspense, and are +awaiting in well-nigh mortal terror for the further development of this +tragedy. So let us away, the night is still young, and there is a voice +eagerly calling for me." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + +BEWARE THE VIKING. + + "O'er bog or steep, through strait, rough, dense, or rare, + With head, hands, wings, or feet, pursues his way, + And swims, or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or flies." + + Milton. + + +We left Sigurd and his two followers in the cave in the mountains. +Sigurd, as usual, was restless and eager for further attacks upon the +Normans. So, early next morning, one of his men, in obedience to his +commands, climbed to the top of the mountain for the purpose of +signalling the scattered band, who, since the departure of their leader, +with the wounded chieftain Oswald--narrated previously--had been in +hiding in small companies, or singly, with their wives and children. +This messenger laboriously scaled peak after peak until he mounted the +loftiest eminence of all; from whence, far away in the hazy distance, +summit after summit towered heavenwards, with scarred weird valleys +lying between them, and the placid wood-encircled lakes in goodly number +shining like burnished silver, looking up to heaven, reflecting sun and +cloud in their still depths. The man, ignorant, unlettered, and +uncultured as he was, felt the mighty inspiration; and he stood +passively for a few minutes surveying the scene lying before him. Then +slowly he turned upon his heel until he had faced every point of the +compass, taking in the mighty distances within the circle of these +mountain sentinels, with the magnificent and inspiring solitudes around +on every hand. The cool mountain breeze stirred his long, unkempt locks +and beard; and the air, pure as the unsullied breath of heaven, like an +inspiration thrilled through his lungs, and poured its vitalising energy +through every vein in his body. Not a sound, however, broke from his +lips betokening any sense of admiration or appreciation of what he +looked upon. Only some half-articulated guttural sounds betokened +intense inward satisfaction. But now, in a moment, quick as thought, his +brawny arms unfolded from across his broad chest, and a fierce fire of +rage kindled in his eye; a savage expression also escaped his lips, for +the deep baying of a hound broke upon his ear, and turning, he saw down +in the valley yonder, Norman soldiers putting bloodhounds on the trail +of his chieftain, Sigurd. Instantly, without staying to rear aloft the +beacon, which was to speak to comrades hiding in distant valleys or on +the distant hills, he darted over the shoulder of the hill, and with +long, fleet strides, seemed almost to fly towards the cave, where, in +hiding, he had left his master. On reaching the cave he hurriedly +explained to Sigurd the position of affairs. With a savage exclamation +the chieftain said,-- + +"Ha! they hunt me with dogs again, as though I were a wolf or a hog. +Well, let them beware! the wild boar of the mountains will find them +more sport than will be pleasant, as he has done many times before! I +suppose it will be a long race, for these Norman sleuthhounds are sure +of scent, and will not be easily shaken off! Forward ye up the burn; we +will go over the head, for there is a trap laid for them up yonder. From +thence we go down into Deepdale, keeping along round the head of +Ulleswater. Ye will get a good start, and may take it easy." + +"What will ye do, Jarl? If ye mean to attack these Norman dogs, we would +rather stand by you and share the risk." + +"I shall be ruled by fate. Skuld, the Viking's friend, has me in his +keeping; I shall not be slain; but one thing I must do, I must show +myself to them, so as to divert the scent from this place. We must not +let the hounds lead them to our lair here, for it is a snug port in a +storm, and we shall need it for rest many times yet, I fear. When I have +showed myself to them, I shall follow after you. As ye scale the summit +ye may look out; if I need you I will signal, but it is not likely." + +Buckling on their swords alone, so as to be lightly equipped, the two +men followed the water-course which marked the dividing line betwixt the +hills on either side, and which, in its turn, was flanked on each hand +by the dense wood stretching for more than a mile further up the burn, +until the inhospitable Zone was reached, where tree and shrub were +pinched and stunted into barrenness by the chill mountain air, and where +shelter only could be obtained by the innumerable and gigantic limestone +boulders, which grimly stood sentinel over the leaping and tumbling +waters. Sigurd hastily stowed away some provisions in a leathern case, +which he strapped over his shoulders. Then, buckling on his belt, from +which his broadsword was suspended, he crept from his hiding-place and +strode upwards through the tangled undergrowth, making for the clear on +the mountain side. His purpose, as we have already said, being to throw +the hounds off the old scent which led to the cave overlooking the tarn, +and to draw them directly after himself; for he was very little dismayed +at the prospect, so confident was he of his own power to keep them at a +safe distance, and weary out, if need be, the Norman band. Having +cleared the wood, he climbed up the hillside for a little way, scanning +carefully the course along which the enemy must come. All was quiet as +yet, so he sat him down to await events. He had not long to wait in this +position, however, ere the cry of the hounds and the shouting of men +smote upon his ear, and he started to his feet. Yonder in the distance, +and coming along the mountain side, he espied a couple of men, each +leading a hound, and a company of thirty or forty Norman men-at-arms +followed after. Climbing upon a knoll, professedly to survey the party, +but in reality to attract attention to himself, he stood for a moment, a +conspicuous figure on the barren hillside, and speedily he was seen by +the Normans, who set up a great shout of exultation as they beheld the +burly figure of their dire foe so nearly in their power. Sigurd waved +his sword defiantly in their faces, and then turned and sped him after +his men, towards the valley's head. Eagerly the Normans followed after, +having Sigurd almost constantly in view; and, as they deemed, soon to be +run down and captured. + +As they followed after Sigurd up the valley it grew gradually into a +most desolate and awe-inspiring solitude. All along the mountain summits +the limestone rocks jutted out clear of every vestige of verdure--bare, +bold, ominous, and frowning. The slow, but persistent disintegrating +influences of climate and atmosphere had, through the centuries, slowly +diminished their beetling heads; and all adown their scraggy sides layer +upon layer of rocky fragments testified most eloquently that rugged and +strong as were these rocky eminences, there was a despoiler strong +enough even to cope with their might; whilst in the bottom of the glen +were huge rocks lying where Nature's invisible fingers had toppled them +from the summit. Few living things haunted the place. Yonder, over the +crest of the mountain, a pair of golden eagles were wheeling in circles, +delighting in the strength of their matchless pinions. Here and there a +rabbit might be seen stealing in and out amongst the boulders. Several +carrion crows, with hoarse croak, flitted from boulder to boulder in +ominous expectation of coming carnage. Rich and plentiful had been their +fare since the coming of the Normans, and, with true instinct, these +flying Saxons and pursuing Normans, they knew, were prophetic of +gratification to their base appetites. + +On the Normans came, their following after being greatly expedited by a +constant sight of the quarry. For there was no need to be careful, or +anxious lest their hounds lost the trail. Sigurd was not a quarter of a +mile ahead, but in consequence of the ascent, and the rough ground to be +traversed, it represented a good start. He was also a much more powerful +and skilful mountaineer than they were, and with the utmost ease he held +the distance. As they progressed the ascent became steeper and steeper, +wilder and more rugged. Frequently they lost sight of the Viking chief, +as he disappeared behind huge boulders or frowning rocks, only to see +him reappear again on some promontory still higher, from which he would +watch them for a minute or two as they struggled after him, the savage +defiances he shouted falling easily upon their ear. Nearer and nearer, +however, they came towards the head of this rugged and water-furrowed +gorge. Running along the topmost ridge of the hill on either side of the +cleft, down which the water rushed, was a long line of steep beetling +crags, bare, jutting, verdureless rocks, well-nigh impossible to scale, +and involving a wide circuit to outflank. The waters, through countless +generations, with unceasing rush and swirl, had shorn these flinty +limestone rocks asunder in one steep slit from top to bottom; and to +track the "mad Saxon"--as Sigurd was called by the Normans--through this +weird crevice, was to penetrate a mere fissure between steep and +overhanging rocks on either side, and so full of twists that the path +was frequently completely hidden a couple of yards in advance. The Saxon +knew his ground well. + +Not so these Normans; but, enough for them, their foe was a flying foe, +and they were numerous and consequently valorous. Ignoring completely +the many lessons of personal valour and mad daring this man had taught +them in the past, without pause they boldly followed after, the hounds +foaming at the mouth and tugging at the leash. 'Twas a fearsome gap to +enter, and they had not proceeded far when a jutting crag projected, and +the waters were compelled to make a circuit in order to flow round it. +With a deep bay, and an eager plunge in the turbid, rushing waters--for +he scented blood--the hound which led the party dashed past the +projection, eagerly dragging the Norman who followed after and held him. +But a blow of Sigurd's sword cut the hound clean in two, and a second +blow clave the Norman who held him. With a great shriek, a +terror-stricken cry, and without pretence of defence, they turned in an +eager scrambling retreat, each caring only for himself, and leaving the +rearmost to the mercy of the savage giant who followed after. When they +reached the open ground, where in numbers they could assail their foe, +no foe was in sight. Sigurd had exhausted his opportunity and was gone. +Who now would be first to enter again, and force this wild man from his +lair? Alas! not one! There was, however, no time to lose, and the +Normans were consumed with impotent rage. So some of them hurried round +by the end of the crags, whilst some scaled the face of the cliff, each +and all endeavouring, with utmost speed, to come upon the rocks above. +This was done eventually, and, swarming to the brink of the rift, many +heads endeavoured cautiously to peep over and down into the +water-course, intensely hoping, but almost fearing, to set eyes upon +their foe. But no Saxon was to be seen. They then rushed along the sides +of the fissure, peeping down as they ran, and making sure that their +victim was safely entrapped in his lair after all. But there was not a +trace of him. On and on they rushed, over-lapping each other in turns, +until, eventually, they came to the very summit, where the water-course +had completely run out into a mere hollow, a deep, spongy marsh or bog. +Hastily overtopping the hill, they eagerly looked down into the valley +beyond. With wild execrations of rage they beheld the object of their +direst hatred and fear moving down the mountain side with long, swinging +strides, nearly a mile ahead, and immediately he disappeared in a dense +wood, which seemed to stretch out its sheltering arms to the fugitive. + +Sigurd was now joined by his two comrades, and together they pushed on +for two or three miles through the forest, eventually rounding the head +of Lake Ulleswater, and patiently climbing the steep headland on the +opposite side of the lake. Here they halted for a while to rest and eat; +but they were soon again roused to action by the voices of men and hound +persistently following after. For the Normans were enraged, and, with +the remaining hound, they continued mile after mile to track their arch +enemy. Sigurd and his men, at a steady trot, continued to lead the +chase, covering another five or six miles down the side of the lake +without halting. + +"Shall we keep up the race until we weary them out, Jarl?" remarked one +of the men to Sigurd. + +"No, I have another purpose in view; but this long race, with the taste +of steel in the middle of it, will do them good." + +"Ye do not purpose making for the cave, Jarl, do ye? There are not half +a dozen men there, and we are no match for this company. Then there are +the women and children to be thought of." + +"No, that will not do at present. The boat will be safely moored at the +foot of Hawks' Cliff, will it not, think ye?" + +"Yes, I doubt not," was the reply. "I see now, Jarl. It is very good. To +slip the noose so deftly when the Normans think to hang us is well +thought of." + +On for a little while the three continued, until coming to the +rendezvous known to them as Hawks' Cliff--stupendous rocks shorn down +with well-nigh a perpendicular face and overhanging the lake. Down these +rocks, which required a cool head, deft feet, and a knowledge of the +giddy path, these three swiftly descended, until the water was reached, +where a boat was found snugly moored beneath the sheltering arms of the +trees which fringed the water's edge. Into this boat the three stepped, +and as the pursuers drew near they pulled away from the shore, making +for the opposite side of the lake. Here was a masterly manoeuvre, +completely foiling the enemy. For whether they went round by the bottom +of the lake, or retraced their steps by the head, it meant a start of +ten or twelve miles to the fugitives; and with the day wearing on, and +the pursuers wearied and fagged, the chase was manifestly closed for the +day, with one more futile attempt to destroy this redoubtable enemy, who +unweariedly persisted in exacting bloody tribute from their ranks, +disdaining every overture of reconciliation, and defying their utmost +efforts to subdue him. + + + + +CHAPTER XL. + +THE HOUR BEFORE THE DAWN. + + "What outward form and feature are + He guesseth but in part; + But what within is good and fair + He seeth with the heart." + + Coleridge. + + +Through the woods with sure-footed fleetness their powerful horses bore +Oswald and Wulfhere on the fateful night of their visit to the +monastery. Matters of most momentous importance to Oswald at least, as +well as to Alice and the Count her father, called for urgency, and would +brook no delay. Presently the pair stood together in the wood, hard by +the place of the mysterious passage. "Hold the horses, Wulfhere, and +await my return; our rest will be more welcome, and much sweeter when we +have brought peace unto others, and disburthened our minds of the +momentous issues following on this day's work." So saying, he swung +himself aloft, and speedily disappeared in the cavernous recesses of the +giant oak. + +Meanwhile, on the turret a lonely figure paced round and round its +battlemented heights in the shivering cold, but all unconscious, and +insensible to its chilling influences. It was Alice De Montfort who +waited and watched in the loneliness of the night, hoping, yet +despairing of hearing the welcome voice, or seeing the welcome form of +her Saxon lover. Ever and anon, as she paced to and fro, she lifted up +her tear-stained eyes in voiceless prayer to the heavens above her; but +the driving clouds as they scudded across the face of the sky, seemed to +shut out hope, and all response from the vaulted blue, toward which she +looked for succour and for comfort. Then in mute agony she turned from +the Omnipotent, whose form she could not see; and whose voice she could +not hear, but who, though as yet there was no token, had nevertheless +heard her prayer ere it was uttered, and in His own way was sending +fleet messengers of hope. + +Was there hope and help in man? She mounted the parapet and peered long +and anxiously over the bastions into the cheerless night, listening with +strained attention for sound of voice or human footfall. But the teeth +of the driving wind bit with piteous severity her wan cheek, and she +sank down again beneath the shelter of the wall. + +"Will he come to-night?" she yearningly asked of the empty air. + +Her faint heart gave the answer to the question. + +"No, he is a fugitive and a hunted Saxon; a wolfshead and an outlaw; and +after this day's vengeance he must hide himself as best he can. But I +love him all the more for that, for he is brave and true, and I will +gladly share poverty and exile with him. What would I not give this +moment to know that he is safe? to feel the grasp of his strong arm; to +hear his voice, resolute as a hero's should be, yet withal so tender, +that a little babe would be hushed to sleep by its gentleness, as though +'twere a mother's lullaby. How danger seems to fly from me, and dark, +overhanging fate is fronted by silver-winged hope when he is nigh! But, +alas! vain are all my hopes, for he comes not. Perhaps already the +traitorous minions have avenged themselves in his blood, and I shall +never see him more. I must fain get me to my chamber and weep, and pray +the night away, in the hope that with to-morrow's light there may come +some tidings of him. Just one last look from the bastion ere I descend." + +So saying, she rose to her feet. Ah! a footstep on the stone stair +arrests her attention. Some spy upon her movements--she is discovered! +Her heart beats feverishly, and she sinks to the ground with the day's +carnage flitting indistinctly before her mental vision. Ah! what is +that? The tall form of the Saxon chieftain is outlined in the dim light, +and with a cry of uncontrollable delight, and with supernatural energy +she bounds across the intervening space, and flings herself into his +strong arms in sweet insensibility. + +"You are my own now, sweetheart," said Oswald, folding her to his +breast, and imprinting a kiss upon her cold brow. "You anxious one; +whatever have you been doing? watching in this chill night air all +alone, and so scantily clad too." + +The ears into which he uttered his loving words were deaf; and the eyes +into which he vainly strove to look were closed. + +"Poor child," said he, "this is too bad." + +Then he folded her tightly in his arms and rested his warm cheek against +hers. Her eyes slowly unclosed, and for a moment she gazed up into his +face. Then slowly they closed again, and a sweet smile passed over her +features, the revulsion of feeling from despair to the joy of hope was +delicious. Like a little child waking in agony from some horrid dream, +and finding its mother's form bending over it, and forthwith dropping +once more into sleep, and peace, and rest. + +For a minute or two she was perfectly passive, whilst the new joy seemed +to be saturating her whole being. + +"I am so glad you have come," she said, rousing herself. "I was filled +with most dreadful forebodings of disaster to you, to my father, and to +all of us. Excuse my silence, but the joy was so great I could do +nothing but quietly drink it in. This horrid day has nearly killed me. +Even now I am more afraid of the future. After you fled the Abbot boldly +charged my father with disloyalty, and with having planned the day's +slaughter of his brother. His rage and his threatenings were dreadful to +hear, for he vowed that he would forthwith lay the matter before the +king." + +"Fear not, dearest, the worst is past. Everything has this day been +purged away in blood. I care not to think about it, much less to talk +about it. But after all, only the barest justice has been done, and I +know of nothing that calls for repentance. Has the Count retired to +rest?" + +"No. I fear there will be little rest for him to-night. I left him some +time ago pacing his room in despair, and revolving in his mind various +plans for frustrating the malicious intentions of the Abbot." + +"Other hands have already frustrated the evil designs of that most +wicked and loathsome representative of the Church. The avenger has met +him face to face, and he is no more. Come, let us go down to the Count. +I am the bearer of news which will make him look kindly upon even a +Saxon outlaw. Come with me, one telling of the story will suffice." + +So together they descended the turret stair and sought De Montfort's +room. Alice gave a gentle knock upon the heavy oaken door, but there was +no response. Then she gently pushed open the door, and the pair entered +together. The Count was sat with his elbows on the oaken table, his face +buried in his hands, and totally oblivious of their entrance. + +"Father!" said Alice gently. + +The Count gave a start and raised his head, and immediately started to +his feet at the spectacle which met his sight; for the stalwart Saxon +once more stood before him: his astonishment being still more inflamed, +as he witnessed his fair daughter lovingly clinging to the outlawed +chieftain's arm, and radiant with smiles. + +"Alice!" + +"Father, give this noble Saxon a hearty welcome, for he richly merits +it. A long time since I unwittingly gave him my heart, or rather he took +it, and he has proved himself our bravest and truest friend. He is +bearer also to-night, I believe, of most welcome news." + +So saying, she led her Saxon lover to the Count, and Oswald, dropping on +one knee, said,-- + +"Noble sir, your lovely daughter some time ago, in pure pity, gave me my +life. On the night of the taking of this castle she opened the prison +doors, and with her own hands undid my shackles----" + +"Alice, I little thought that it was your doing!" + +"Wait, father, till you hear this noble Saxon's story, and you will +chide me no more for that act of mercy." + +"Noble sir," said Oswald, "we Saxons never permit a debt of honour to go +unrequited. I have endeavoured as best I could to discharge the debt of +honour so nobly laid upon me; but the fair creditor has taken possession +of my heart. I cannot eject her, if I would; and I would not, if I +could, eject so lovely and so winsome a tenant." + +"Pray be seated, Saxon; I confess I do not understand the language used +by either you or my daughter, nor do I know how far it is permissible +for me to hold friendly intercourse with one whom my king expects me to +be at deadly enmity with. But Saxon or not, you deported yourself to-day +as a brave man and a true knight should do. The disguise was well +planned and complete, and your advent timely. It was most daring, but +what its purpose was I am at a loss to know." + +"Its purpose was to rid you and yours of a most deadly viper, and to rid +our race of a blood-thirsty tyrant." + +"I divine thou knowest more of my concerns than it is meet a stranger +should. But, be that as it may, I know not whether I am indebted to thee +or not, for one viper laid low has given birth to others, whose venom I +dread even more, and whom I have no means of appeasing. + +"It is better I should explain, sire. It is true I became possessed of +your secret, but the gratitude I owed to your daughter for the life +given back to me from the jaws of death, as well as for the love I bore +her, also for the fierce retribution I and my people owed to the +brothers Vigneau, for numberless cruelties and outrages dealt out to our +people, caused me to watch with scrupulous care, that I might serve you +and yours and rid my people of a deadly terror. I have news for you, +sire. Not only is Baron Vigneau dead, but also the Abbot, his brother, +has fallen by the avenging hand of an outraged countryman of mine, and +has been carried to his burial in the silent woods. Furthermore, here +are the fatal letters," said Oswald, drawing them from his bosom and +handing them to the Count. + +"No living man, save ourselves, I believe, is aware of the nature of +them, so it is easy to end their potency for mischief." + +At the sight of the fatal letters which had for so long a time hung over +him like the sword of Damocles, the countenance of the Count lighted up +as though it were by magic, and, reading them over carefully, one by +one, he ejaculated, "Thank God!" Then rising from his seat he walked to +the huge fireplace, in which were the smouldering remains of a wood +fire, and he dropped them into the embers, and watched the quick flame +as it sped up the chimney. After this he most carefully raked over the +filmy remains a pile of burning charcoal; then he returned to the table, +and turned a satisfied and kindly look upon Oswald. + +"Did I understand you to say, Saxon, that the Abbot was dead also?" + +"Yes, sire, I knew well that the work was but half done and the +deliverance half accomplished whilst the Abbot lived. I knew also that +the least delay would be fatal, so I and a few followers made bold to +force an entrance to the monastery, where we found the Abbot in close +consultation with one Pierre, whom doubtless you have met." + +"Yes, yes, Pierre--I know him well--a brave man, but an arrant villain +withal. I trust he is not acquainted with this foolish act of mine." + +"We found the Abbot communicating the whole matter to him, and by bribes +and promises inciting him to proceed at once to London, and lay the +letters before William. He hoped to bring down upon you the King's +vengeance, and then to possess himself of your lands and possessions." + +"And what of Pierre? then, is he at large, and in possession of this +information?" + +"No, sire. The stalwart fellow who acted the part of squire to me in the +tournament had cause of quarrel with him personally, as well as a long +catalogue of crimes against our people to avenge. He challenged Pierre, +and single-handed, and in fair fight slew him; so he also is no more." + +"Saxon, 'tis well done, whilst I have been moping and irresolute how to +act, you have planned and executed. It is well done, as I have said, and +I am a life-long debtor to you. But what is this betwixt yourself and my +daughter? I am bewildered. Alice, are you two lovers?" + +"Yes, father." + +"And this thing has been going on for some time evidently, and under my +very nose, and I as blind as a bat. This is passing strange; I confess, +almost with shame, my obtuseness." + +Alice rose from her seat, threw her arms about her father's neck, and +affectionately imprinted a kiss upon his cheek, saying, + +"Forgive us, father; we meant you no wrong, and we dared not confess +until the circumstances were favourable; but all the while have we been +carefully planning how we might extricate you from the power of your +enemy." + +"I have nothing to forgive, truly, you silly child. But was it wise to +turn your heart adrift like a rudderless boat on a tempestuous sea, and +leave the errant winds to drive it into port whenever they listed. A +kindly providence, however, has watched over you, and you deserved it. +Blindly, humanly speaking, your love has been placed, but it has been +well placed, in the keeping of a brave man and true, though he be not of +our race. But whither will all this tend, and how will imperious William +receive the tidings--that the daughter of De Montfort has a Saxon +lover?" + +"Father, let us have patience and faith; all fear of disaster is now +removed. This valiant Saxon lover of mine can wait the pleasure of our +liege lord; and I--my happiness is so complete, I scarcely know whether +I shall be, happiest as a lover or a wife. There remains much to be +done, and I doubt not but William will know how to estimate the value of +an ally and friend, who is at once wise and brave, even though he be a +Saxon." + + + + +CHAPTER XLI. + +NOBILITY IN CONTRAST. + + "Shall show us how divine a thing + A woman may be made." + + Wordsworth. + + +After the stirring episode which ended in the removal from the scene of +the brothers Vigneau, and their henchman Pierre, the relationship +between the outlawed Saxons and the Normans,--as it related to the +domains owned by De Montfort and those contiguous,--became much more +amicable and peaceful. The Saxon colony on the mountains boldly advanced +to the valley, and took up without molestation the tilling of the soil. +The sturdy outlaws whose home had been the greenwood, and their +sustenance the chase and plunder, now many of them returned to the +peaceful calling they had pursued before the Normans drave them from +their homes, and the plots of ground they lived upon. Intercourse +between the races became regular and uninterrupted; intermarrying being +of frequent occurrence. The Norman lost in great measure his haughty and +overbearing manner, and the Saxon hatred of the Norman accordingly +abated. The language also began to be a compound of Saxon and Norman, +for each nation was driven by the exigencies of combined intercourse to +learn a little of the other's language; and before my eyes daily did I +witness the interblending of peoples. This was a joy to me, to Oswald, +and to Alice; and indeed no one who thoroughly grasped the situation +could ever again look for the overthrow of the Normans; and whilst there +were wild, untamed, and irreconcilable Saxons, who fomented strife and +rebellion, and on the other hand Normans proud, overbearing and cruel, +yet there were to me palpable signs that the two races would eventually +become one people, to their mutual advantage. + +Happy am I also to relate that, through the interposition of Alice, and +the kindness and confidence of De Montfort, I was once more restored to +the rule of this monastery, and with its privileges and emoluments but +little curtailed. Thus was I able to do much towards the reconciling of +these two peoples. Thankful also I am to relate that, amid the multitude +of claims upon me, I yet had strength and leisure sufficient to write +these chronicles. + +The kind reader I hope will pardon me this digression, and the little +egotism I have indulged in, and I will proceed once more with this +history. + +De Montfort made no attempt to ignore the deep obligations that Oswald +had laid him under; nor did he attempt to interfere with the plighted +troth of these two lovers. Still many misgivings arose in his mind, with +regard to the attitude his sovereign would assume towards this union. He +knew well that if William disapproved of it, his will would have to be +law. He debated long with himself the question, whether it would be best +to first obtain William's consent to the marriage, or boldly solve the +difficulty by uniting the pair and then presenting them to the king. The +bolder course was finally adopted, and the day of the nuptials fixed. By +the unanimous wish of all concerned, it was determined that the marriage +should be celebrated without pomp and wholesale merriment, as was so +often the case; but that there should be the rustic games and rural +sports so dear to the common people. + +So accordingly on the eventful morning the bridal party wended their way +through the forest to this sanctuary, which we had decorated for the +occasion. As the party passed through the forest with light hearts and +joyous, there were others to whom these nuptials had most tragic +results. Secreted in the thicket and watching the party go by was one, +to whom every note of the joyous bells rang out a knell. Secreted also +in another part was one to whom this nuptial act was infamous, and +basest treachery; and like a wild beast he waited for an opportunity to +spring upon the pair, and with one more wild deed of revenge to +accentuate his undying hatred towards the Norman usurper. Soon after the +party passed on their way and came near to the Abbey gates, Ethel, +muffled and disguised as a peasant woman, stepped from the thicket from +which she had watched the party go by, and slowly followed them. But she +had not proceeded very far, ere some movement in the thicket attracted +her attention, and turning more attentively to observe, she espied +Sigurd's stealthy figure gliding amongst the trees with his naked sword +in his hand, and evidently dogging the footsteps of the bridal party. A +few fleet footsteps brought her abreast of him. + +"My lord!" she said, addressing him, "what does this mean?" + +"Ethel, is that you? I little thought to see you here," said he, +ignoring altogether the question addressed to him. + +"I am here, and opportunely my lord, too, if your attitude does not +deceive me. What means that naked sword when there are no enemies +present?" + +"Do you not know," he said in low fierce tones, "what deed is to be done +to-day? Oswald completes his infamy by wedding this Norman woman, and I +will kill him before this day is done, or henceforth ye shall brand me a +coward." + +"My lord," said Ethel placing herself before him, "what madness is this +that you purpose? Put up that sword, and mark me well! if any evil +befall him, and if you dare to injure him or his bride, either now or +henceforth, you make of me a mortal enemy, and I will not rest until +your crime be punished." + +"Ethel, 'tis ye are mad! or else your love at sight of this would be +turned to mortal hatred! Would I had not met you this day, then would I +have wiped out this stain from the Saxon race." + +The power wielded by this beautiful Saxon woman over this untamed +warrior was unbounded, and bore eloquent testimony to the depth and +purity of his love for her; for without another word of remonstrance he +sheathed his sword, and strode away into the depths of the forest. + +Then Ethel pursued her journey, following the bridal party into the +chapel, and sitting down, quite unnoticed, amid a motley throng of +peasant women and Saxon churls, who had gathered to witness the +nuptials. The marriage ceremony was designed to be carried out with +great privacy, nevertheless there were a few Normans of note gathered +there to witness it. There were also some Saxons, who had claim to +honoured names and substantial estates, were it not for the greed of +these usurpers; but most of these were now at best but fief-holders of +their conquerors, and with cowed and brow-beaten looks, they were +content to herd with their still more degraded countrymen. + +It was manifest to any careful observer also that, amid the few Normans +gathered, there was great disapprobation of the rite about to be +celebrated; and as the tall muscular Saxon, who had maintained his +independence and defied them all, advanced to the altar, they could not +forget that the glamour of this man's name had given heart to the +Saxons, and that, on innumerable occasions, he had vigorously interposed +himself between these tyrants and the objects of their tyranny. To see +him now standing side by side with one of the noblest, and one of the +most beautiful of their race, was to them bitter as gall. And I could +hear distinctly ominous muttering, and the handling of weapons. This, I +must confess, was what I had dreaded, and others also, I found, had +foreseen it; for at that moment Wulfhere and a sturdy band of Saxons, +armed to the teeth, entered the chapel, and boldly took their stand near +to the bridal party. At this the exasperation of the Normans was +increased, but nevertheless they were distinctly overawed by it, and no +further demonstrations of disapproval were made. + +Ere the marriage ceremony was completed, and as the monks chaunted the +Benedicite, Ethel glided noiselessly from her place in the chapel, and +hurried from the grounds. As soon as she was clear of them she turned +into an unfrequented path, which led to the heart of the forest. Sigurd +had been secreted near, watching for her return, and immediately she was +obscured from the gaze of others he joined her. + +"Has this Saxon traitor completed his dishonour, by wedding a daughter +of the Norman tyrant?" said he. + +"Oswald has wedded the fair Norman, and I bestow my blessing on them, +for 'tis the herald of peace to our downtrodden race, and an augury of +the coming union of our people and the Norman." + +"My curses on him and the coward brood of Saxons, who have betrayed +their country and, by their submission to the tyrant usurper, have +helped to rivet the fetters of bondage upon our race for generations to +come!" + +"My lord, this is most distasteful to me. I will hear no more of it. You +are utterly incapable of understanding them or their motives, it is +plain; so desist, once for all, from your unreasoning hatred." + +"Whither go ye now, Ethel? and may I go with ye?" said Sigurd humbly. + +"I am bound for the Monastery of Crowland, my lord." + +"_Monastery of Crowland! Never say it, girl!_ What do ye mean? Ye cannot +go _there_, Ethel! _Say ye will not go there, Ethel!_" he shrieked, in +agonised tones. + +"It is quite true, my lord," said Ethel firmly. + +"It cannot be, Ethel! Ye' cannot leave us thus! We are undone if ye +leave us! Say ye will not go to Crowland! _anywhere but there!_ I +thought ye would now forget my fierce and boorish habits, and be my +wife. Oswald is wedded, and ye cannot be his. What hinders ye from being +my wife? I will be anything ye ask of me, Ethel! I am quite broken now; +my spirit is broken. I will make my peace with the Normans, and wear a +serf's collar, and let them _whip me, cuff me--anything_! only say ye +will not leave me," he pleaded piteously. + +"Alas! my lord, that can never be! My love is dead, and will never more +have resurrection in this world. I have no capacity for a new affection. +A maiden's heart can be won but once. Do not importune me, my lord, +further. The end has come; 'tis a new epoch, and in it there is no place +for you and me, and 'tis best we should quietly vanish from the scene." + +"Is there no _hope_, Ethel, that ye will be my bride? Ye'll maybe change +some day. I can wait twenty years, if ye bid me." + +"There is no hope, my lord. There can be but one other change for me, +and that will be when I don the cerements of the tomb." + +"_No hope, Ethel? No hope?_" he slowly and painfully ejaculated, as +though each word was a dagger thrust at his heart. "Then I am lost!" + +Slowly he drew himself up, expanded his broad chest, and threw abroad +his brawny arms, as though about to grapple with an enemy. + +"Then," said he, "I'll have a sweet revenge on the Norman foe. I'll give +my blood again to the soil I love so well, and get me a warrior's grave. +Then, welcome Valhalla! Odin! Odin! Norseman's god!" he cried; "I am +coming soon to join the hero spirits, awaiting me in the land beyond the +dark and troubled sea." + +His head drooped upon his chest, and he covered his face with his hands, +whilst his whole frame quivered with emotion. It was the cry of a blind +faith, but it was the cry of the soul, and it grappled him to the loving +heart of infinite mercy. + +Ethel trembled violently at the bitterness of soul displayed by this +noble Viking, and the unbidden tears coursed down her cheeks in sympathy +with his sorrow. + +"Adieu, my lord! May God have mercy upon you," she said in broken and +tender accents. + +"Nay, Ethel! I'll go with you, I would like to see the door close upon +you safe, if it must be. 'Tis not fitting ye should take this journey +alone. These Norman dogs are abroad everywhere, and 'tis full of peril +for ye to journey alone; they will not respect ye as I do. These Normans +have no respect for such as you." + +"I am sorry to say I cannot permit this, my lord. It would be both at +your peril and my own. Do you not know what a heavy price these Normans +have put upon your head?" + +"Ah! they have made me a wolfshead truly, but they have not done with me +yet, Ethel; not done with me, they will find! Broken in spirit, as I am, +I do not fear them; nor do I care what price they have put upon my head. +I have nothing to live for, but I will _die like a Viking_. If it will +be a peril to you if I go with you, well, let it be so; but 'tis bitter +parting, Ethel." + +"Do not fear on my account, my lord. The Abbot Adhelm has made +arrangement for two of the monks to bear me company; and their sacred +office and my vow will protect both them and myself from the violence of +the Normans." + +"Shall I never see ye more, Ethel? _Never more?_ Won't ye come +_sometimes_ just to have a look at the _old hills_ again? and I'll meet +ye, and we'll see how the world fares with you and me. Promise me ye'll +come sometimes, Ethel, and let me look upon your sweet face. I've nought +to live for but you!" + +Ethel was deeply moved at Sigurd's importunity, but she said,-- + +"My lord, I cannot hope to meet you any more on earth; but I will +venture to hope and pray that, when our God, who is a God infinite in +mercy and compassion, shall strike the balance betwixt right and wrong, +between high ideals and a grovelling ambition--in short, when He shall +'judge the world in righteousness,' He will find that the recording +angel has made many an entry to your account, and blurred out many a +fault with his tears; and that after all it will be found that your +erring but sturdy virtues outweigh by far your many faults, and the +limitations of your life. Then we shall meet again beyond the grave, +where we shall see eye to eye, and 'where the wicked cease from +troubling and the weary are at rest.' Once more adieu, my lord!" So +saying, she sped on her way. + +Sigurd stood silently watching her retreating form until she disappeared +from view, and for several minutes he still stood gazing after her like +one bereft, whilst his massive frame was shaken with powerful emotions. +Then slowly he muttered to himself: "The sun is set upon all my hopes; +my day is done, and all is lost, save love of country and revenge. I +cannot, like this Oswald, bend and crouch. A Viking once a Viking for +ever." Then, turning round, he crashed into the forest. + + + + +CHAPTER XLII. + +VIKINGS ALL! AN OLD TIME SAGA. + + "Sonorous metal, blowing martial sounds; + At which the universal host upsent + A shout, that tore hell's concave, and beyond + Frighted the reign of Chaos and old Night." + + Milton. + + +Not many months after the foregoing, Sigurd, followed by a score of his +wild Vikings, sought the cave of the priest Olaf, and they received of +the old priest a very hearty but a very grim welcome. + +"Welcome, Jarl! welcome, skalds! all of ye. Ye are the bonniest warriors +I have seen for many a day," he croaked. Truly the sunken eyes of the +gnarled old Viking sparkled with strange delight, at the sight of so +many hardy-looking warriors. He went round to every man of them, and +felt severally the stoutness of their limbs, examined their weapons, +capering gleefully at the old-style weapons he was so familiar with, and +grunting and muttering gibberish all the time of his inspection. Such a +display of force, unmistakably of the old stock, seemed almost to make +him young again; and he mumbled snatches of old time sagas, and weird +folk-talk of bygone generations. + +Truly they were a desperate, and a desperate-looking band,--wild, +daring, and uncouth; having all the instincts of wild beasts,--recking +nothing of life, unless it were accompanied by some wild triumph over +their enemies, and caring nothing for death; for it meant to them an +entrance into Valhalla, the Viking's heaven. + +"Priest," said Sigurd, "have ye any message of _forth-telling_ for us? +We are hotly pursued by these foreign dogs; they have hunted us out of +our mountain fastnesses, and now they tread on our heels closely. They +are encamped for the night in a neighbouring valley, and we cannot shake +them off, for they are tracking us with sleuthhounds. Shall we give them +battle to-night? Our stomachs are empty, and we shall be sore pressed on +the morrow." + +"Skalds, tarry ye here a little while and eat, and I will inquire for +ye. Skuld is our friend, and he rules all _man slaying_. He will hear me +this night, and if he ride with you to battle, woe will be to these +Normans--ye shall sweep them before ye. We will set up the +_Skaldstong_[7] also, presently, and invoke our ancient god Odin, that +he may send his '_Maidens of Victory_,' the '_Valkyrias_,' and if they +help, what shall hurt ye? Ye shall hurl your enemies to the ground and +slay them every one. Come into my cave, the night falls in." + +[Footnote 7: Imprecation pole.] + +So saying, the old priest led the way into a spacious cavern, which +opened out from the vast cleft where they stood. To the right of the +cave a wood fire was burning low, and along the edge of it there were a +number of natural seats, formed by ledges of the rock. Olaf bade his +visitors be seated, then he lighted several torches at the fire, and +suspended them against the rocky sides of the cave. In their flickering +and fitful light the cave presented a very weird appearance. Here and +there the white and jagged surfaces of the limestone rock seemed like +human figures standing in the shadows, whilst the dark recesses threw +them out like sentinels on guard. + +Evidently it was a great occasion for the priest Olaf,--his ghostly +office had fallen greatly into disuse of late years, to his great grief +and chagrin. But troublous times had come, and men, unable to cope with +their enemies, came now humbly to him for aid in their dire distress; +and as he rambled about the cave, his mumbling, muttering and chanting +never ceased. First he ransacked the cave for food for these famishing +guests, and whilst they were eating he mended his fire. Then, from a +stone coffin in one of the recesses, he fetched the whitened bones of +some famous chieftain who had led them in the olden time. These he +proceeded to fasten around his neck and body. Next he fetched from +another recess a long pole with runes carved upon it. This he erected, +and made it to stand by inserting its lower end in a hole evidently +prepared for it. This was the "_Skaldstong_" or _Imprecation pole_: its +use being to invoke the curses of Odin upon their enemies, and to invoke +the help of the "Valkyrias," whom warriors often saw riding on fiery +steeds to their help. + +All this time Olaf never ceased the horrid chant, or song. Strange +gibberish indeed--sometimes running into metric verse, which he chanted +in a rude sing-song voice--at other times it was wild imprecations and +interjections, which he flung out with frenzied gestures, and in +thrilling tones and loud. + +Whilst this proceeding was confined to himself, it acted with electrical +effect upon these wild men. Slowly at first, then with accelerated pace, +they were worked up into a strange frenzy; first giving utterance to low +passionate interjections, then, as the infection became more feverish, +they seemed completely carried away,--shouting, starting to their feet, +and brandishing their swords, as though in deadly combat. Ere long every +man, Sigurd included, was in a state of overwhelming excitement, +capering round the Skaldstong, holding aloft their weapons in the air, +and making the cave ring again with their shouts and shrieking. + +The following is a sample of the rude and uncouth song which Olaf +chaunted:-- + + "Odin, the Norse god, + Skaldstong we rear; + Curse us the foe near, + Cold-ribbed[8] and foul. + Nithing[9] is the Saxon, + Marrowless his bones; + Jötun,[10] we call thee, + Loose us the watch-dogs. + Snarls the fierce wolf, + Creeping light[11] bearing; + Gyg, woman of Jötnar, + Haste on before; + Gird on the Hel-shoes,[12] + Freeze up the blood. + Terror-full and shaking, + The sallowy kite hovers; + The wolf digs his fangs, + Drinks up the blood. + Skuld[13] has gotten him + Vedrfölnir's[14] prey; + Told o'er the corpses + Fattened with gore. + Water sprinkled heroes, + Nornir hath life fated; + Valkyrias hath guarded, + Shout for the prey." + +[Footnote 8: Cold-hearted.] + +[Footnote 9: Coward.] + +[Footnote 10: Race of gods.] + +[Footnote 11: Lantern.] + +[Footnote 12: The dead were fitted with Hel-shoes.] + +[Footnote 13: Ruler of man-slaying.] + +[Footnote 14: fabled Hawk.] + +Gibberish it seems to modern ears; but upon these rude men,--with +grossly over-grown superstitions, and dwarfish reasoning +faculties,--this song, jerked out in frenzied exclamations and fanatical +intensity, the effect was electrical and intensely contagious. + +Whilst the excitement was at its height, above the din the priest's +voice was heard as he shouted,-- + +"_Skalds, hoi! I scent the battle_; I smell the blood of the Normans. +"Gyg,[15]" the woman of Jötun race, has gone before ye, to confound the +foe. _Scalds, hoi!_ Arise! scatter your enemies!" + +[Footnote 15: Witch.] + +As he said this he handed to every man a small piece of wood, with runes +carved upon it, and each one hid it under his garment. It was a sure +protection against wounds and death. Then, catching up an image of Thor +and carrying it before him, he cried,-- + +"Follow me." + +So saying, he led the way, followed by Sigurd and the rest in a state of +intense excitement. Together they scrambled out on the limestone hills +above them. It was quite dark, saving as the boisterous wind sent the +broken and ominous-looking clouds scurrying before it, across the face +of the heavens, and permitting the stars to look down to earth. The +elements seemed, indeed, to have caught the fierce infection, for the +wind howled and whistled against the huge boulders, and the bare +limestone precipices on the hillside; and it soughed and roared through +the woods below, rocking and tossing the tree-tops until they seemed +possessed by the furies. The fierce band of men responded in savage glee +to this tempest of the elements; every man amongst them believing that +this fierce raging of nature was the work of the supernatural agencies +invoked, and already hastening to help them in this work of revenge. The +old priest's vigour and animation was marvellous: he seemed to have +shaken off the infirmities of age; the wild fanatic spirit within +achieving a complete triumph over the weak and shattered body. He led +the band at a brisk pace, chanting as he went the same weird song. Ere +long, the downward trend which they had followed led them within sight +of the Norman camp fires, at the sight of which they could not resist +the impulse to shout and savagely brandish their swords. But the state +of the elements was such that scarcely any liberties of that sort would +betray them. + +The Normans were encamped in an open glade, with the wood all around +them and within twenty yards of their camp fires. Previous bitter +experience, however, had taught them extreme caution. Two or three +sentinels paced to and fro, and several fierce dogs lay curled up in the +glow of the fire. Besides this, every sleeper, as he lay wrapped in the +arms of peaceful sleep, grasped the hilt of his sword. + +Presently one of the dogs raised his head and listened, then he started +to his feet with a fierce growl. + +"What is the matter, Gripper?" said one of the sentinels stooping and +patting him on the head. "'Tis only the shrieking of the wind amid the +trees." + +The dog listened intently with his eyes on the wood, and gave one or two +impatient snarls as though somewhat appeased, but not satisfied. + +"Lie down again, sir," said the sentinel, again patting him. + +The dog very reluctantly obeyed this command, stretching himself again +with a low, fierce growl, and placing his nose between his forepaws, +whilst his eyes shone in the darkness, and rolled from side to side most +ominously. Not a minute had elapsed before he sprang to his feet again; +this time sending forth a loud, fierce bay, which woke the echoes and +effectually roused every sleeper in the camp. Immediately the dog sprang +towards the adjacent thicket with savage fierceness. But just as quickly +he beat a cowardly retreat with his tail between his legs, like a +whipped spaniel, for he had fronted the weird and unearthly form of the +priest Olaf bearing the image of Thor before him, and the bones of the +dead hero dangling from his neck and girdle. + +With a savage yell and impetuous rush the Vikings burst into the centre +of the camp, sending up their fierce war cry--SKALDS HOI!--to the utter +terror and bewilderment of the half-awakened Normans. Like infuriated +demons they laid about them with terrible effect; and as the Normans +realised the position, many of them sprang forward on the instant, sword +in hand, only to recoil abashed with terror as they faced the weird form +of the old priest, who, without weapon, or implement of war of any kind, +headed the fierce onslaught. In their terror and superstition they +thought that the devil himself fought for the Vikings, and they gave +back in mortal terror. Meantime their assailants made good use of these +moments of abject consternation of their enemies, yelling frantically, +and cutting down the Normans wholesale; they themselves being thoroughly +possessed with the belief that the supernatural powers fought for them. +The onslaught was so furious that the Normans staggered and reeled +before them, and hovered for a moment on the verge of an utter rout and +stampede. But one Norman in this desperate strait broke the spell, for +he sprang towards Olaf shouting,-- + +"_Witch or devil, have at thee!_ I'll try cold steel upon thy pate," and +with a blow he cleft the skull of the old priest. + +The effect of this was magical, the Normans sent up a shout which made +the greenwood ring again, and the echoes in the distant hills to send +back long reverberations. + +Now the Normans laid about them with vigour, and to some purpose. They +outnumbered the Saxon by two or three to one, but fully one-third had +been cut down ere they had courage to face the foe. Now the battle raged +with more equal fortunes. Blow upon blow, no quarter, no mercy given or +taken. At a terrible pace the ranks of each party dwindled, and ere long +Sigurd alone of the Saxons was left to do battle with three of the +Normans. A giant he was in strength compared with his antagonists. +Better equipped also he was for defence, for he wore a coat of mail, and +on his head a spiked helmet, with a shield of bronze upon his arm. But +his antagonists wilily beset him behind and before. With a spring and a +blow he cut down the man who fronted him; but whilst doing it, one of +the others cut a deep gash in his thigh from behind, and the third drave +the point of his sword between two of his ribs. Furiously Sigurd turned +upon them, and with a blow cut down another of his assailants. But again +a cowardly stroke from behind severed the sinews of his left arm, and +his shield dropped immediately from the powerless limb. So these two +alone remained of two stalwart bands of men, who a quarter of an hour +ago revelled in the pride of health and vigour. Sigurd was fearfully +wounded, with a deadly faint coming over him from pain and loss of +blood. He still, however, retained his sword arm unimpaired. Had the +Norman fought an evasive battle, time was in his favour, and the burly +giant would have been helplessly at his mercy. But the Norman was not +sufficiently alive to this fact, though he knew Sigurd was deeply +wounded. On he came, furiously attacking his man, and the battle was +ended, for with one sweep of his long broadsword Sigurd cut him down. +Then for a moment he swayed to and fro, with strength all gone. Next, he +staggered forward a step or two, rolling his eyes around as though in +quest of further foemen. Stumbling eventually over the corpse of a +fallen enemy, he fell forward amid a heap of mangled corpses; and, with +a deep groan, consciousness was gone. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIII. + +THE CONQUEROR CONQUERED. + + "Proceed my son! this youthful shame expel: + An honest business never blush to tell." + + Homer. + + +Not many days were permitted to elapse after the marriage of Oswald and +Alice, ere De Montfort, accompanied by his Saxon son-in-law, proceeded +to London. The Count knew well that, if the resentment of William was +once aroused, it would be a difficult matter to appease him. He was well +aware also of the fact that there were Norman neighbours, who were +exasperated at his conduct in bestowing his daughter upon a Saxon rebel; +even though that rebel had but maintained a defensive attitude, and used +his influence to calm the fierce passions which had been aroused in this +strife of races. They knew he had effectually barred them in the +barbarous policy on which they were bent; for which they gave him no +thanks. If these malcontents but got the ear of the Conqueror, grievous +complications might possibly ensue. + +When De Montfort reached London the king was at Winchester; so to that +place he and Oswald at once repaired. They proceeded to the castle +together, but De Montfort alone sought an audience of the king. + +It should here be stated that Northumbria, as the north of England +generally was termed, was a grievous thorn in the side of William. To +keep in check this people, and to suppress the ferocious outbursts of +the downtrodden Saxons which were constantly taking place, was a most +harassing and costly business; so he was keenly anxious to have reliable +information and advice, with regard to the turbulent north. Thus De +Montfort was welcomed heartily. As fortune would have it, Odo, who was +De Montfort's chief enemy, was away in Normandy, and there was nothing, +consequently, but the jealousy of Fitz-Osborne, that was likely to +interfere with the success of his suit; and this nobleman alone was +present at the audience which De Montfort had with the king. + +The Count was ushered into the audience chamber without delay. There, +the king occupied a chair of state in the centre of the wall opposite to +the entrance, with a richly embroidered canopy above his head, and side +hangings drooping to the wall and floor on either side. + +As De Montfort prostrated himself to the floor, the king rose from his +seat and, bidding him rise, shook him by the hand. + +"Ye did well for our cause at Hastings, De Montfort, and should not be +forgotten by us; but how comes it we have had so little of your presence +at court since then? I trow ye have been over busy scaring Saxon rooks +from their nests, and preparing yourself a roost in them. 'Tis an +occupation my valiants knights have much busied themselves in since that +day. Natheless, I mind me I have set my scribes to make a _book_, so I +may know where all the fat manors lie; my liegemen and barons know their +business well enough, and are going scot free of taxes; whilst the king +has got nothing yet but hard blows and a beggar's dole. Howsomever, I +will hear thy plaint. Thou would'st have more lands, or royal warrant +for what thou hast already grabbed, I suppose; for that is the usual +thing." + +"I crave your pardon, sire, but it is not for lands I ask, for I fought +my way into savage Northumbria, and ventured to lay hold of a tolerable +demesne there, and----" + +"'Twill be passing fair, I warrant, De Montfort, if thou think it +tolerable. Fat, fertile, and ample. Well, proceed! proceed! I make a +note of it thou didst not deem it necessary to say to thy king, May I? +But no matter, that has come to be a mere formality." + +"My purpose, sire, if your majesty will hear me, is to report the state +of the land and its prospects; as well as to acquaint your majesty with +an alliance which I have formed with one of the ablest of the Saxon +chieftains of the north." + +"By my halidame, De Montfort! hast thou ventured to form an alliance +_too_, with the Saxon dogs? Truly thou art over bold. Much too bold. I +think also thou hast forgotten the example of the countryman who warmed +the snake by the fire. I'll none of this setting at nought of my +authority, De Montfort, mark me!" + +"Hear me patiently, your majesty," said De Montfort, alarmed at +William's testiness. "I have brought this Saxon to court, and he will, +if permitted, make oath of fealty to your majesty, and there is no Saxon +leader north of the Humber whose influence is so great as his." + +"Aye, aye! make oath of fealty readily enough! like the rest of them, +and with as much honesty also. Truly, he matches thy boldness, De +Montfort, in venturing hither after the tumult which has taken place at +Durham. Natheless, we will see him, we will see him nevertheless; for +such boldness is catching. But if he be advised, he will be somewhat +careful how he deport himself, for he ventures into the jaws of the +lion; and some of these Saxon boors are too loud of the mouth, and think +it fine to 'beard' me, as they call it. Thou hast brought him hither +thou sayest?" + +"Yes, sire, he awaits your majesty's pleasure." + +"Let him be ready, and we will call him presently, when we have +considered the matter for a little while." + +So De Montfort vanished from the presence chamber, and the king grasped +Fitz-Osborne's arm, and together they paced the room in earnest +conversation. + +"What thinkest thou Fitz-Osborne, of this conduct of De Montfort? I +would our brother Odo, who is now in Normandy, were here; for he hath +somewhat against the Count, though I know not of a certainty what it is. +I have myself heard some whisper of his playing fast and loose in his +loyalty to me, but nothing of it has ever come to head. Knowest thou +ought of this?" + +"H--m!" said Fitz-Osborne warily, and craftily, "there are whispers +about, as your majesty says, but I would advise your majesty to hear him +and his Saxon ally, as he calls him. Northumbria is a wild part, and if +he can, through this Saxon caitiff, exercise any substantial influence +over that part of the country, it may be worth while to use him for the +purpose; but I would not trust overmuch to either." + +As a matter of fact, Fitz-Osborne was pleased at the prospect of having +De Montfort removed so far from the councils of the king; for he was +jealous of the ascendency he had acquired, and feared greatly any +division of the royal favour. + +"Thou sayest right. Tis best to hear the whole matter; though 'tis +characterised by too much boldness to be to my liking. However, if there +be a fox in the bag he cannot help but stink; and thou hast a sharp +nose, Fitz-Osborne, and will smell him out promptly, I warrant." + +So the king ordered the suppliants to be brought in. + +William still clung to the arm of Fitz-Osborne when De Montfort was +ushered in, followed by Oswald; and together they stood at the entrance, +awaiting the king's command to advance. But no sooner did William set +eyes on Oswald than he convulsively clutched the arm he held, and +hoarsely whispered, "_Notre Dame!_ What is this, Fitz-Osborne? 'Tis +Harold come to life again! Did we not find his corpse at Hastings?" + +"Be calm, Your Majesty. This is a much younger man than Harold, though +he belikes him wonderfully." + +The king calmly surveyed Oswald for a minute or two, and his composure +returned. Then he motioned De Montfort to draw near, and the Count and +Oswald advanced together, and bent their knees before the conqueror, De +Montfort saying,-- + +"If it please Your Majesty, this loyal subject of yours is Oswald, Saxon +Ealdorman, son of Ealdorman Ulfson, chieftains of Northumbria under +Saxon rule." + +"Rise, De Montfort," said William. + +Then he motioned them to a seat opposite to his chair of state, which he +resumed. + +"Saxon," said he, addressing Oswald, "thou hast come, I understand, to +make oath of fealty to me, and to swear in presence of myself and my +chamberlain to be my faithful liegeman unto death." + +"I have come with that purpose, sire, if it be your royal pleasure." + +"If thou art minded to be both hypocrite and knave, first swearing +fealty to me, and then proceeding straightway to stir up my subjects to +rebellion, thou wilt have many illustrious examples before thee, truly. +How long hast thou been of thy present mind? 'Tis a late-found +repentance, I warrant me! Didst thou oppose me at Hastings?" + +"I did oppose Your Majesty at Hastings, I confess." + +"At York, also, I doubt not, if thou art minded to confess it, Saxon!" + +"I opposed Your Majesty at York, too," said Oswald fearlessly. + +"Tut, tut, dog!" said William, grinding his teeth vehemently, and +grasping the hilt of his sword. "A very promising liegeman, truly, De +Montfort!" turning savagely to the Count. Then addressing Oswald, he +said, "Thou art to the fore, I perceive, when half a chance offers to +overthrow my authority, and to kill my men, Saxon dog! How comes this +whining for peace now? Thou hast had the Norman grip upon thy throat, I +opine. 'Tis that has changed thy mind." + +"I fear not the Norman, sire, for, if needs be, I am prepared to die for +my country; but I have duly weighed the whole matter, and I recognise +the futility of further resistance. I have also steadily, and for some +time, counselled peace in our witan. If Your Majesty is pleased to +extend your royal clemency to me, you will find me a loyal subject." + +The frank and fearless tone and bearing of the Saxon chieftain evidently +impressed the king, for he surveyed Oswald steadily for a minute or two, +measuring him from head to foot, and studying his face as though he +would read him through and through. Then addressing De Montfort, said,-- + +"Wait in the ante-room; we will consider this." + +No sooner had the pair retired, than William started from his seat, and +grasping Fitz-Osborne's arm, he exclaimed,-- + +"By the splendour of God![16] this Saxon is a pretty fellow, +Fitz-Osborne! Got character in him! A demon, I warrant me, as an enemy, +but to be sought after as a friend. Didst thou mark how he stood up like +a man to me? By the holy rood! he looked me in the face without wincing, +and there was none of that hypocritical whine in his tone, which I hate +above all. Didst notice also how he out with the truth boldly, in a +please God and dare the devil sort of way that I like? If he be really +friendly disposed, we will conciliate him by all that lies in our power. +How sayest thou, Fitz-Osborne?" + +[Footnote 16: William's favourite oath.] + +"He looks like a man who could be of service if he be minded to do so. +Though, I confess it, there is an independence about him, which would be +better if it were taken out of him. He looks as though he could make +mischief. But I would question De Montfort further about this alliance +he speaks of. It would be better if we had further light." + +"Gramercy! Fitz-Osborne, I forgot about this alliance altogether. Call +De Montfort alone!" said he, addressing one of the attendants. + +When the Count again entered the room the king said,-- + +"What is this alliance thou hast formed with this Saxon, De Montfort?" + +"I drove him, sire, in the first instance from his castle; but he built +himself a stronghold on one of our mountains, from which the force I had +at hand utterly failed to dislodge him; it is a wild and mountainous +part, sire." + +"Then thou shouldest have applied to me for help, and not have permitted +a nest of vermin to thrive under thy nose." + +"I crave Your Majesty's pardon; but, if you can call it to mind, I +communicated with you at York the last time you came north, and then set +forth fully the position of this Saxon and his followers." + +"But thou asked no help! I remember it well; thou didst say how +peaceably disposed this man was; and that he might safely be left +alone." + +"I think Your Majesty slightly mistakes the tenor of my message. +Nevertheless, friendly intercourse was opened between us. He visited me +at the castle with overtures of peace, which he has loyally kept. He is +also at this present time at deadly feud with another Saxon chieftain, +one Sigurd; because he refused to join an organised insurrection. Also +in a secret assembly of the Saxon witan, which was summoned and presided +over by the Atheling, he boldly advocated peace." + +"Hold there! Thou saidst the Atheling summoned an assembly of the Saxon +witan? My despatches say that the Prince gave secret information to my +forces of this traitorous assembly, and protested his loyalty; and he is +now at Rouen at my charges." + +"True, Your Majesty, he did; but not until this Oswald denounced him as +a coward to his face, and declared that he was unfit to reign in +England. Many others then, following this Oswald's lead, declared they +would not follow such a prince. Then, in the darkness, he sneaked away +to a neighbouring encampment of Normans and gave information." + +"Hearest thou this, Fitz-Osborne? By the splendour of God! But we must +know more of this. But no matter," said he with an impatient gesture. +"Proceed. What further about this alliance which thou hast formed with +the Saxon?" + +"We have dwelt together in a neighbourly way, having little trouble with +the numerous bands of outlaws ranging the bruneswald; for his authority +is acknowledged as far south as Sherwood Forest. If it please Your +Majesty, I have likewise given him my daughter in marriage." + +"Gramercy! De Montfort; but thou shouldst be king! Thou dost act right +royally! I lose my breath discoursing with thee! Is this the lovely +Alice we admired so much, now years agone, thou hast given him then?" + +"My only daughter, Alice, Your Majesty." + +"Were there none of my barons thou couldst have bestowed the hand of thy +daughter upon? Dost thou not know I claim to be consulted in such +matters?" + +"'Twas a love match, Your Majesty. These two plighted their troth in +true romance fashion, without consulting me. I was satisfied, however, +that it would greatly strengthen Your Majesty's authority in the north +of England." + +"Tut, tut! Ha! that was deftly put, De Montfort; but I have too many of +my knights, who make loud professions of strengthening my authority, +whilst all the while they deliberately set it at naught. A precious +loyalty it is. Now wait a little while, till thou hearest our commands." + +"Now Fitz-Osborne, the cat is out of the bag! what thinkest thou? De +Montfort is a wily dog, and has not told the whole story, I warrant me. +I like not this setting me at naught in my own kingdom; 'tis passing +strange, but I like this Oswald, Saxon though he be, better than my own +countryman. I like the look of him, and I think good will come out of +him. What sayest thou?" + +"If this Saxon can be depended upon, it will do good doubtless, sire. +His Norman wife, too, should influence him aright." + +"So think I, Fitz-Osborne. Call De Montfort and the Saxon." + +On the entrance of the pair, William said,-- + +"De Montfort, thy conduct has been most irregular, but, I condone it on +conditions, which I will name presently." "Saxon," said he, addressing +Oswald, "I congratulate thee on winning one of our most accomplished +Norman maidens. I am further, upon a consideration of the whole matter, +disposed to trust thee; and upon thy taking the oath of fealty, I will +confer upon thee lands ample for thy needs. De Montfort, I create thee +Earl of Northumberland; upon thee and thy Saxon son-in-law, I lay my +charges for the welfare of that province. If ye do well, well will come +of it; but I will have you beware, for if I find you unfaithful, I will +root you out of the land, root and branch." So saying, with an imperious +wave of his hand he dismissed them from his presence. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIV. + +THE LAST OF THE VIKINGS. + + "An old man broken with the storms of state, + Is come to lay his weary bones among ye; + Give him a little earth for charity!" + + Shakespeare. + + +One chill December morning, as certain lay brothers of the monastery of +Crowland were engaged gathering faggots in the woods to feed the fires +of the Abbey, they came across a strange-looking figure, sitting on a +fallen tree and leaning heavily against another. His cheeks were +blanched like the snow, and his long red hair and beard was falling +unkempt and matted over his shoulders and chest. He seemed sadly worn +and helpless, with strength utterly exhausted; but beneath his shaggy +eyebrows his eyes glowed with a strange, unnatural light. Beside him sat +a half-starved hound whining piteously, and licking the cold and +emaciated fingers of his master. The churls gazed upon the stranger in +abject terror, thinking him to be some satyr or spirit of the wood, who +would surely work them ill; but as the figure beckoned them feebly to +approach nearer, with much trembling and irresolution they drew near +enough to hear his voice. + +"Can you tell me if I am near the monastery of Crowland?" said he +feebly. + +"You are not many bowshots from thence," they replied. + +"Can you tell me whether Ethel the Saxon, daughter of Beowulf, dwells +there?" + +"Torfrida, wife of Hereward, and Godiva, wife of Leofric, are here; and +there is a younger one called Ethel, with the flaxen hair. She is a holy +woman, much given to penances and fasting, and she is very good to the +poor; is it her you seek?" + +"I have come a long way to seek this Ethel, and I am sorely wounded and +very faint. Could ye, for love or charity, carry me in your bullock +cart, for I have no further strength, and must perish shortly if ye +leave me here." + +So, assured by the evident helplessness of this strange being, the +churls came a little nearer, and asked him some further questions +concerning his strange quest. Eventually, they unloaded their rude cart +of its burden of wood; then they hastily pulled some tall grass, and +scraped together some dead leaves. Of these they made a rough sort of +bed to ease the jolting of the rude cart over the rough ground. With +much difficulty they lifted the stranger in, for he was of burly build, +though sorely wasted. Then, slowly and tediously, through the windings +of the forest, they returned to the Abbey. Nourishments and cordials +were administered to him, his untended wounds were washed and dressed, +and he was put to bed. + +"Ye are very kind to me, but have ye not a maiden called Ethel here? Let +me but speak with Ethel, daughter of the Saxon thane, Beowulf," pleaded +the stranger. + +"Be patient, stranger," said Torfrida, who bent tenderly over him, +moistening his parched lips. "Ethel is on an errand of mercy to the sick +poor." + +"Ah! ye know not how I love this Ethel--things might have been different +if Ethel had not left me." + +As soon as Ethel returned from her mission, she was informed that a +wounded stranger had come from far in quest of her. Immediately she +hastened to the bedside of the sick one, wondering, and tremulous with +agitation, and with many strange misgivings of heart. + +It was as she feared--there lay Sigurd in pain and great weakness, his +broad frame shattered and wasted almost to skin and bone. It was +palpable also, that the fierce, restless spirit was hopelessly and +rapidly consuming the small remnant of vitality still spared to him. His +eyes were deeply sunken, and shining with unnatural light, telling but +too plainly that another grim and unwelcome visitor was lurking near, +and that no human skill could long keep _him_ at bay. + +Ethel sat down beside him in her convent habit. What a transformation +was here! Sigurd uttered a deep groan when he set eyes on her. The long +flaxen locks, once the crown and glory of her youth, were cut short, and +the remnant hidden by her hood. The blue eyes, so tender and expressive, +and the fine, regular features were still there. The soft, fair skin was +a shade paler, and the short time which had elapsed had palpably aged +her, or else it was the cloister habit which made her seem so much +older. One thin hand was immediately grasped by the worn and attenuated +fingers of Sigurd, as he looked up most reverently into her face. This +fair Saxon had long been to him _St. Ethel_, and her form was enshrined +in his heart. He proceeded to question her in serious tones. + +"I am well nigh hunted to death, as you see, Ethel--dead beat--dead beat +at last. What think ye, Ethel; shall I get well?" + +Ethel shook her head. + +"I am afraid not in this world, my lord." + +He responded with a low groan. + +"But I can't be spared now, Ethel; the old cause is desperate now, and +sorely in need of me. What will become of my oppressed countrymen, with +never a leader to look to?" + +"God alone knows, my lord, but all things are in His hand; and I trust +that through this fiery ordeal, and through the long struggle, He will +bring profit to the nation. Already signs are manifest that the hatred +of William is abating, and Saxons here and there are being received into +favour." + +"Ah! Saxons being received into favour by the tyrant usurper! Then, I +wot the renegade Oswald, and sycophants and timeservers generally, will +thrive. My curses on the cowardly brood!" + +"Call them not renegade, my lord, neither curse them. Oswald will best +serve his countrymen by frankly accepting what was inevitable in any +case." + +"Nothing was inevitable, if he had but had the mind to stand by his +country. We would have followed him anywhere, for there was none of us +with a head to command like he had; and he wielded a powerful sword. No +other man ever got the better of me in single combat, and I could have +worshipped him had he stood by us. 'Twas the Norman woman bewitched him, +and I hate him for saving his coward's skin and betraying his country, +because a dark-eyed siren and temptress beckoned him." + +"My lord, no more of this! He was the wisest amongst us, and saw +farthest; and if you and others had been guided by him, there would have +been less of Saxon blood shed. I think I see clearly in this revolution +the hand of a wiser and a mightier than he--One who has seen fit to cast +your Viking hardihood and valour, and stern, severe virtues, and the +Saxons' milder traits, along with Norman chivalry and refinement, into +the eternal crucible. You and I and ours, it is true, may lose our +identity; but all that is best will reappear in the ages to come." + +"Ye speak in riddles, Ethel. Do ye think the Viking race will lose its +identity? Never!" said he, with fierce emphasis. "Vikings, who have +sailed every sea and conquered everywhere, to be swallowed up by this +womanish people--never! This will not do! Get me my sword, Ethel; if I +but feel it I shall be strong again." + +"The sword is resting in its scabbard, my lord. It has long since drunk +in its fill of blood--let it rest for ever." + +"Why have ye taken my sword from me, Ethel? I can wield it yet. I tell +thee, Ethel"--making a vain effort to raise himself--"there's marrow in +the Viking race yet, and we shall sweep the seas again as of old! I will +not lie here. Let me to the Bruneswald; I have men left yet, and we'll +make a fight for it to the end!" + +"My lord, you will never handle sword again. The Viking's cause--the +_reign of force_--has received its mortal wound. 'Twill linger probably +through centuries of darkness, and amid the twilight of the days still +later; for men, benighted men, here and there, will give it a spasmodic +and fitful revival; but never more in the ages of the world will the +gaunt and hateful reign of force be paramount." + +"Ethel! Ethel! Ye embitter my death. What will ye have, girl? Are our +gods dead, think ye? Where are our Sagas? Bethink ye, there is the +Viking race beyond the North Sea, and they'll come again; and do ye +think these sleek and well-fed Normans will drive them out? The hardy +warriors from the mountains and fiords over the fierce sea are coming. +Hist!" he shouted, half delirious, "do ye hear their shouts? Will ye +reach me my sword, Ethel? I must be up and meet them!" Then he sank back +exhausted once more. "Tut, tut, we deserve this for our folly. What am I +doing; going to die in a bed? The sea is the Viking's home. Why did we +ever take to land, except for plunder? Accursed ease and effeminacy have +undone us. But we'll to the sea again. Wait awhile, Ethel; ye shall see +who will be masters." + +"Calm yourself, my lord, and think of other things, for time is short. +The Viking's gods _are_ dead if ye ask me, or what is more true, they +never had an existence, and were only the creation of a wild and +barbarous fancy." + +Sigurd looked at her steadily. + +"Oh, ye are a Christian now, Ethel! Ye should not have left the old +faith; ye take the heart out of me; ye should have stood by the old +faith, then we should have met again in Valhalla, you and I. Ye know not +how ye make the Viking's death hard to bear: ye take my staff from me as +I ford the stream." + +"We shall never meet in Valhalla, my lord! but we may meet again in the +kingdom of our God." + +"Not me, Ethel! ye do not mean that I may go to the Christian's +heaven--bethink you what I am." + +"Yes, you may go, my lord. I am not without hopes that even you may be +found there. Certain you shall, if you are willing." + +"Will you be there, Ethel?" + +"Through the mercy of God I hope to be there." + +"But ye say He is a Prince of Peace?" + +"Yes, He is the Prince of Peace." + +"Ye know I am a Viking; what could I do in the Christian's heaven? +Should I have my trusty sword?" + +"No, my lord, you would need no sword there, for hatred, oppression, and +wrong, are unknown in heaven." + +"Will ye be my bride then, Ethel?" + +"They neither marry, nor are given in marriage, my lord." + +"Should I be near _you_, Ethel, always?" + +"I should like to be near you, if I may, my lord." + +"Ah, then I would like to go to the Christian's heaven if I might be +near _you_. There will be no Normans there, will there, Ethel?" + +"Yes, my lord, I hope there will be Normans there also." + +"Norman's there! Ah! that would spoil it, Ethel. What would a Skald like +me do with my heart on fire with hatred of these Normans? It will not +do, Ethel! It will not do! The Christian's heaven will not do for the +Viking!" + +"But our God will give you a new heart. He takes our heart of stone and +gives us a heart of flesh, so that we _love_ our enemies." + +Sigurd responded with a deep groan. "But Ethel, girl, what madness is +this? I should not be a Viking! what should I be, then? Should I wear +silks, and strut about in feathers and fringeing and be a flabby +courtezan? If so, I think I would prefer the Viking's Valhalla, after +all; it suits the Viking best. Why won't ye go with _me_, Ethel, girl? +Let the Norman and the slaves of Saxons have their heaven. Perhaps ye +think I should drag ye over the wild hills, or through the greenwood; +but I would be gentle to ye. Ye little know how I love ye, Ethel." + +"My lord, your mind is very dark; I will send a priest who will instruct +you in these things." + +"I want never a priest, Ethel; ye can tell me best. Do ye know, Ethel, +the old priest Olaf is dead? What evils have befallen our race! I fear +ye prophesy rightly; the end is indeed come." + +"I have no news, my lord; but I expected this." + +"Yes, he is dead; he would drag his crazy limbs after us in our last +struggle with the Normans; he said the gods would protect him, for he +had a charmed life, and that they would fight for us and give us the +victory; but we were outnumbered, my followers were all slain to a man; +but the Normans were also, for I cut down the last of them. Olaf, our +old priest, was also hacked to death by the enemy." + +"He was the last priest of the old heathen line, and he will have no +successor. The old heathenism is gone for ever, my lord." + +Sigurd groaned deeply, and called in frantic tones upon the spirits of +Valhalla. "Odin! Norseman's god! Can't ye help us in this pinch? can't +ye help us, I say?" Then with a deep groan he sank back in complete +exhaustion. + +"Calm yourself, my lord, or I must leave you," said Ethel. "But Sigurd +heard her not, his eyes were closed and he was evidently spent. With a +feverish start, however, he opened his eyes again, and sought eagerly +for the loved form of Ethel. + +"Ah, I thought ye had left me. The end has come, Ethel; I shall not get +well again, but I have one request; let me be buried near the _sea_, for +I know the Vikings will come again, and I'll hear their shouts of +victory and the shock of their onslaught; and, Ethel, let me be _mound +laid_, mound laid, mark me, Ethel! then they'll know 'tis a Viking +chief's grave, and the Skalds will sing of my exploits. Ethel, have my +sword also laid under my head, ready, my trusty sword 'Tyrfing,' +(foe-hater), we must not be parted. It's very dark, Ethel." Slowly his +eyes closed, and for a little while he lay quiet; then he started up and +shouted. "Down with the Normans! Ho, men! carry me out of the cave; I +cannot breathe here." After this fashion for a little while the fitful +struggle continued, and then in quietness the contest ended; and the +last of the Vikings closed his eyes with the loved form of Ethel bending +over him. + + + + +CHAPTER XLV. + +SUNSHINE HAS ITS SHADOWS. + + "Man's love is of a man's life a thing apart, + 'Tis woman's whole existence." + + Byron. + + +We must now make an end for the present of our extracts from these +somewhat interesting chronicles. Sigurd, when we last saw him, was lying +in the arms of death, overborne by many wounds and hard circumstances. +He closed life's fitful career, clasping tightly the hand of Ethel; and +his great wish anent his burial was conscientiously carried out by her. +Saxon hands bore him by stealthy night-marches to a silent spot where +the fierce North Sea waves break upon the lonely Fen-country shore. They +dug for him a grave overlooking a wind-sheltered bay, where ofttimes the +Viking rovers had anchored their vessels of war, and from thence burst +like an avalanche over the country, sweeping it bare of its cattle and +its treasures. They dug deep his grave and laid his trusty sword beneath +his head; and Ethel was there--a sincere mourner at his burial. Then +they heaped the mound high, as Vikings were wont to bury their chiefs, +and as Sigurd wished it. Now, silently he awaits the great awakening, +and not without hope; for, according to his light, he had a great ideal, +and with rare courage, unselfishness, and devotion he struggled to +accomplish what was beyond him, and that which the march of the ages had +decreed should come to an end, but which should never be forgotten so +long as men long to know what races were the important factors in the +history-making peoples of the world. + +It is scarcely necessary to say that Oswald's being received into favour +by the king, had a most beneficial effect upon the Saxon portion of the +population; and it did much to mitigate the rigours of that race +ascendency which the Normans strove to maintain. Our part of the country +began gradually to assume the wonted appearance of cultivation it had +worn prior to the troublous times of the Conquest. The lazy and +overbearing manners of the conquerors received a salutary check, and +Norman men-at-arms gradually settled down to peaceful occupations. +Wulfhere, the stalwart freeman, resumed possession of his ancient +patrimony, and in company of his charming little wife, Jeannette, was +more than content. Soon there began to play about his doors stout-limbed +youngsters, who, for enterprise and daring, bid fair to contribute +vigorously to the perpetuation of the stalwart race of _freemen_, which +had been such an important factor in English history for many +generations prior to the Norman Conquest. + +The only other incident we need mention happened many years after the +events recorded in these pages. + +One bright autumnal day, several of the children of Oswald were at play +in the woods near the castle, alternating their play by gathering the +walnuts and chestnuts which had fallen from the trees, or pelting the +squirrels as they leaped from tree to tree overhead, happy as only +children can be, when surrounded by bounteous and beautiful nature. +Suddenly there emerged from the thicket a woman, in the habiliments worn +by those who had renounced the world and devoted their lives to the +service of the church. The children were somewhat startled at the advent +of this strange figure; but her sweet face and winning smile completely +reassured them. She went up to the eldest boy and asked him his name. +"Oswald" was the reply. Then she took from her neck a beautiful crucifix +of gold, chastely and tastefully engraved, and to which was attached a +gold chain. This chain she put around his neck, depositing the crucifix +in his bosom. Then she removed his cap from his head, displaying a +profusion of curly locks, saying as she did so, "God bless thee, my +son!" Next she turned to the other children, inquiring their names, and +kissing and blessing them also. This done, she turned from them, and +stood gazing upon the castle in the distance for a minute or two; then, +as abruptly as she came, she disappeared in the wood, and was seen no +more. The children hastened home to show to their parents the beautiful +crucifix the stranger woman had given them, and to relate the strange +incident. Oswald pondered over the matter a long time, but with the +strange obtuseness which had marked the whole of his intercourse with +the beautiful Saxon, Ethel, he was utterly unable to identify the +strange visitant with any one he had known or remembered. A shade of +sorrow and sadness passed over Alice's face; and a tear trembled on her +eyelid, and fell unobserved to the ground. But she hinted not at the +personality of the stranger, though she understood the sad mystery, and +comprehended the tragedy which had been slowly and painfully enacted +through the years, in which a noble and virtuous woman's love had been +crucified. + + +THE END. + + + + +BRAILSFORD: + +A Tale of West Riding Life. + +BY JOHN BOWLING. + + +"'Brailsford' is a capital book, and, to those who can master the +Yorkshire dialect, it will give a great deal of pleasure. The excellent +teaching it contains makes it a most suitable book for a Sunday School +Library. If it once gets into a library, I feel sure it will be in great +demand. It is a thorough boy's book, and I wish every boy could read +it."--_Rev. Charles Garrett._ + +"Brailsford: a Tale of West Riding Life."--"This story ... is written in +a wholesome moral tone, and strikingly portrays the temptations which +assail young men in the business life of a large town. The hero of the +story is a draper's apprentice, who, by steadfast fidelity to duty, +rises to success; and the incidents are related with vigour, introducing +the reader to some curious phases of town life ... the book may be +safely placed in the hands of youths about to enter the commercial +world."--_Leeds Mercury._ + +"There is about this book a simplicity which charms, and an interest +that will carry the reader through every page. As pointing a moral, and +affording a stimulus to honest work, despite adverse circumstances, the +little volume will be of great value, and we trust it will have a wide +sale."--_Wharfedale and Airedale Observer._ + +"Our readers will recognise this as a reprint of a story which appeared +in serial form in the _Wesleyan Methodist Magazine_. At the time of its +original appearance we noticed it from time to time. In its new and more +convenient form it will greatly delight all lovers of the racy Yorkshire +dialect, and will at the same time prove instructive. It is a story of +the good and idle apprentice type, well told and satisfactorily ended. +The moral, of course, is unexceptional.... We heartily commend this +venture."--_Methodist Recorder._ + +"'Brailsford,' by John Bowling, is a tale of West Riding life, written +with animation and a keenly observant eye to various phases of character +that manifest themselves in rural districts. There is much humorous +dialogue in the book, bringing out several traits of Yorkshire life +excellently. There are, moreover, pathetic passages in this story, and +the author does not fail to inculcate some useful and noble +lessons."--_Methodist Times._ + +"... A most thrilling story.... We have the utmost pleasure in +recommending the book to our readers as one well worthy of a place in +every home.... The lessons which it sets forth are bound to make a deep +impression on every reader. We therefore earnestly wish the author every +success."--_Hunslet News._ + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAST OF THE VIKINGS*** + + +******* This file should be named 36054-8.txt or 36054-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/6/0/5/36054 + + + +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. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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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 <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Last of the Vikings</p> +<p>Author: John Bowling</p> +<p>Release Date: May 7, 2011 [eBook #36054]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAST OF THE VIKINGS***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Chris Curnow, Lindy Walsh, Mary Meehan,<br /> + and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + +<div class="figleft"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/spine.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h1>THE LAST OF THE VIKINGS.</h1> + +<h2>BY JOHN BOWLING</h2> + +<h3>AUTHOR OF "BRAILSFORD: A TALE OF WEST RIDING LIFE," ETC.</h3> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + + +<h3>LONDON:</h3> + +<h3>SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KENT & CO.</h3> + +<h3>LEEDS: HENRY WALKER, BRIGGATE.</h3> + +<h3>Printed by Hazell, Watson, & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury</h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus1" id="illus1"></a> +<img src="images/illus1.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>SAXON AND VIKING. "THE CURSE OF SKULD BE UPON THEE, TRAITOR!"</h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> +<p> +<a href="#NOTE">NOTE.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I. ETHEL</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II. STORM CLOUDS</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III. TRAITORS IN COUNCIL</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV. DEFEAT</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V. DESPERATE RESOLVES</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI. BARON VIGNEAU</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII. ALICE DE MONTFORT</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII. VILLAINS PLOTTING</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX. VILLAINS OUTWITTED</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X. A FRUITLESS EMBASSY</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI. OSWALD'S DEFENCE OF HIS CASTLE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII. ALICE DE MONTFORT SETS FREE THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII. BARON VIGNEAU BALKED OF HIS REVENGE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV. THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN CONFRONTS DE MONTFORT</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV. OUTLAWS AND WOLFSHEADS</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI. SIGURD THE VIKING</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII. EVIL COUNSELLORS</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII. LOVE IS STRONGER THAN HATE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX. ALICE DE MONTFORT AND THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX. WAR'S VICISSITUDES</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI. VIKING CHIEF AND SAXON MAIDEN</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII. A VIKING'S LOVE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII. A VILLAIN DEMANDS HIS WAGES</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV. THE TRYST</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV. BADGER CRACKS THE NORMAN'S PATE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI. SAXON AND VIKING AT THE SWORD'S POINT</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII. JEANNETTE AND WULFHERE; OR LOVE'S COMEDIES</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII. A GRIM TEMPLE, A GRIM PRIEST, AND A SAD HEART</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX. EDGAR ATHELING</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX. PRINCE AND PARASITE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI. PRINCE AND VIKING</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII. BADGER ON THE ALERT</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">CHAPTER XXXIII. DOG ROBS DOG</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV">CHAPTER XXXIV. WILD DARING OF SIGURD THE VIKING</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXV">CHAPTER XXXV. THE SAXON DEVIL AND THE WICKED ABBOT</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVI">CHAPTER XXXVI. LOVERS PLOTTING</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVII">CHAPTER XXXVII. THE JOUST: SAXON AND NORMAN</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVIII">CHAPTER XXXVIII. THE SAXONS' REVENGE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIX">CHAPTER XXXIX. BEWARE THE VIKING</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XL">CHAPTER XL. THE HOUR BEFORE THE DAWN</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XLI">CHAPTER XLI. NOBILITY IN CONTRAST</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XLII">CHAPTER XLII. VIKINGS ALL! AN OLD TIME SAGA</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XLIII">CHAPTER XLIII. THE CONQUEROR CONQUERED</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XLIV">CHAPTER XLIV. THE LAST OF THE VIKINGS</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XLV">CHAPTER XLV. SUNSHINE HAS ITS SHADOWS</a><br /><br /> +<a href="#BRAILSFORD">BY JOHN BOWLING</a><br /> +</p> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + +<p><a href="#illus1">SAXON AND VIKING. "THE CURSE OF SKULD BE UPON THEE, TRAITOR!"</a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus2">ALICE DE MONTFORT SETS FREE THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN.</a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus3">THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN CONFRONTS DE MONTFORT.</a></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="NOTE" id="NOTE"></a>NOTE.</h2> + + +<p>From "Smith's History of Old Yorkshire" we learn that one Arthur Clapham +in the year 1066 was possessed of several hides of land near Lambeth in +Surrey, and also of the domain of Clapham in Yorkshire. But by opposing +the Conqueror he lost his lands in the South of England. He then fled +into the wilds of Craven in Yorkshire, and built a stronghold, on the +brow of Ingleboro', (the remains of which are still visible) and he +founded the village of Clapham in the valley beneath. In 1068, however, +the said Arthur by marrying a daughter of Robert, Earl of +Northumberland, was restored to the confidence and favour of William, +and had lands granted to him in Lonsdale.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/title.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>(<i>From the Monastic Chronicles of ——.</i>)</h3> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>ETHEL.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">"Be just and fear not.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Let all thou aim'st at be thy country's,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thy God's, and truth's."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Shakespeare.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>I, Adhelm, Abbot of this monastery of ——, being eye-witness, and +likewise participator in the unhappy times my beloved country was +subjected to, in consequence of the Norman Conquest and the troublous +times which followed, it occurred to me to make a record of these things +after the example of the beloved Bede, whose "Chronicles" are so justly +esteemed by those who are concerned in the history of our ancient race.</p> + +<p>I would have it known, then, by all those who are interested in the +matter, that this ancient monastery was founded by that wise and good +king, Alfred, who assigned unto it, for revenue, one hundred and twenty +hides of land; all of which was well wooded and watered, being fertile +and free. That is, with sack and sock, toll and team, and infang-thief. +It pleased him also, in furtherance of his purpose, to lay charges upon +certain thegns and nobles, who had lands adjacent to this monastery +assigned to them by him, that they should annually pay to the monastery +for the maintenance of the brotherhood, and for the purpose of defraying +the cost of its extensive charities and hospitalities, one hundred and +fifty loads of wood, and twenty-five loads of faggots; together with +thirty-five tuns of pure ale; seventy beasts, ready for slaughter; +twelve hundred loaves; fifty-six measures of Welsh ale; sixteen butts of +wine; six horses; and one hundred and thirty pounds, ten shillings, of +money. Now, as to all other matters, such as the particulars of lands +and farms, church and cloister, granges, Abbot's and Prior's lodgings, +which may be of interest to some, but which are not material to this +narrative; I refer all such to our carticularies, in which all these +particulars were carefully noted by our sacristan. Enough, however, has +now been said to show that in the merely worldly point of view, this +monastery was, when in peaceful enjoyment of its emoluments, a +foundation of no mean order. In consequence also of its bounties it +attracted palmers, minstrels, newsbearers, from all parts of the +kingdom. Thus I had exceptional opportunities of learning how the +kingdom fared.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Adown the valley one bright September morning, in the year 1066, was +speeding Ethel, the only daughter of the Danish thane Beowulf, who is +lord of the domain of Rivenwood, and whose hall looks down from the +wooded heights in the distance like a grim sentinel. This fair girl +Ethel was probably not more than fifteen years of age—just at the +juncture where coy and blushing maidenhood, with its unconscious +assumptions of grace and dignity, joins issue with the freer and bolder +manners of girlhood, and when the wholesome, innocent, and graceful +blending is wholly interesting, and often most piquant. Most piquant +indeed, at all events, was this graceful specimen of budding womanhood. +Her brow was open and expressive, her countenance somewhat broad, in +sympathy with her manner of life; the free, unfettered, and merry +out-of-door life of sylvan England. Her blue eyes glanced, and sparkled, +and glowed, betokening a mind responsive and alert as the falcon which +perched upon her embroidered leathern gauntlet. Her nose was perfectly +straight, but had just so much of an upward trend as to indicate the +point positive, and the attitude—"beware all." Upon her head she wore a +sort of cap of blue silk, broad at the crown and drooping over the broad +scarlet band with which it was bound. In the front of this head-dress +stood erect a couple of eagles' feathers; whilst from underneath it the +flaxen curls, like the fetterless things they were, burst luxuriantly, +and circled across her forehead and over her ears; and though the wanton +tresses were captured again at the back of her head, yet they burst away +again and ran riot over her shoulders and down to her girdle. Of +jewellery, she wore a handsome gold torc which encircled her neck, on +which, and on the pendants attached thereto, were skilfully engraved +strange mystical runic devices. She wore a mantle trimmed with fur, +which on this occasion flowed loosely down her back, leaving free her +arms, but which, at needs be, became a cloak covering the upper parts of +her body entirely. Her under dress was of woollen material and +tight-fitting, whilst her sandals had a stout sole of leather with +toe-piece and overstraps of prepared deer skin. Accompanying this fair +girl was a favourite maid, and one of her father's housecarles who +filled the office of ranger and provider for the household, in the +matters of fish and game. At his heels there followed a couple of dogs, +whilst on his left arm there perched a falcon with all his furniture on. +On Ethel's arm also there perched another falcon, ready for flight.</p> + +<p>"Let the dogs go now, Bretwul, for we should have good sport hereabouts, +and have a capital view of it too, on this hillside," said the maiden.</p> + +<p>At a word of encouragement from Bretwul the dogs, with wagging tails, +immediately clapped nose to ground, and commenced threading in and out +amongst the gorse and brushwood to start the game. Presently a loud +fluttering of wings and a scream, sent the hawks into a violent +agitation, and a handsome-plumaged pheasant took to wing. Ethel +immediately whipped off the hood of her hawk, and quick almost as a +flash of lightning it covered the helpless quarry. Then down it swooped, +and a struggling mass of feathers and mingled plumage came fluttering to +the ground.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that is wretchedly poor, Bretwul!" exclaimed Ethel impatiently. "I +like a good long chase which puts master Grey-eye thoroughly upon his +mettle. Such sluggard creatures as that one are poor sport. Come, let us +climb higher, for amid yon gorse and bracken on the hill we shall meet +with partridge, moorfowl, or perhaps, better still, a woodcock. Then we +shall test the mettle of little Grey-eye." So together they clambered +through the brackened steep, until they reached the fringe of the +heather which crowned the brow of the hill. Soon they espied a covey of +grouse racing along before them stealthily amid the cover; but promptly +these sprang aloft with whirring sound of wing, and loud, peculiar +cries. Ethel again unhoods her favourite falcon, Grey-eye, and flings +him towards the game. But the falcon has another matter in hand than +that of bringing down a sluggard pheasant; for moorfowl, when fairly on +the wing, scud along like the wind. Immediately also when they perceived +the enemy in pursuit they changed their tactics, and, quitting the +mountain side, made a dart for the valley, where shelter was to be had. +Plump and heavy, the descent suits them more than the falcon; and with +impetuous whirl they rush along with incredible speed. It seems as +though the hawk will never head them! The valley is reached, and the +moorfowl, flying low, are hidden from view by the tops of the trees; but +the hawk can be seen scudding along above them.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my poor Grey-eye, you are beaten this time, I do believe!" cried +Ethel. But just at that moment there was an arrow-like swoop. "Bravo!" +she shouted. "He has struck his quarry, for he never swoops to miss! +Come along, Bretwul, or he will gorge himself, and then he will fly no +more to-day, the greedy little glutton!" Then away she raced down the +rough declivity, leaving her maid panting and trembling far behind.</p> + +<p>"There she goes! there she goes! Plague on the girl!" ejaculated +Bretwul. "Did ever mortal see such a girl? She's like a two-year-old +filly that has never had bit in mouth or harness to back; and if she +throw out a splint or strain a fetlock, why then the old thane will +cozen my back with a cudgel, and call me a lazy lout of a churl. Come +along, Eadburgh, my buxom lass, I have finished my wattled cote in the +dell yonder, and if we come well out of this, we'll get the girl to +wheedle the master for us, and then it will be done in a twinkling; for +he's ready enough when Dame Ethel lays on the butter." So together they +stumbled after their mistress with might and main.</p> + +<p>But the girl mood was uppermost in the damsel now, and away she flew +down the hill with her long hair streaming behind her, giving never a +thought to man or maid. She came to a halt, however, when she reached +the spot where apparently Grey-eye had made his swoop. But not a trace +of either falcon or victim was to be seen. In vain she blew a tiny +silver whistle with which she was wont to call her hawks. There was no +response. "The greedy fellow is gorging himself I doubt not, Bretwul," +cried Ethel impatiently. "If you feed him before flying he is too lazy +to exert himself, and if he hunt on an empty stomach he must needs turn +glutton after this fashion."</p> + +<p>At that moment the clear blast of a hunter's horn in the distance broke +upon the ears of the three seekers, and Ethel, hastily turning in the +direction, exclaimed, "Oh, dear me! Eadburgh, straighten my hair for me, +quick. Do I look a gowk? Do be quick! Straighten my cloak out. Those +gallant gentlemen are returning who would not let me take part in the +boar hunt because I was a <i>girl</i>, honest Beowulf was pleased to say. But +Master Oswald was no better, though he has spent so much time about the +court, and, I am told, carried off the Queen's favour at the tilt ground +at Westminster, and that too against the picked squires of Normandy. I +suppose I was only a <i>girl</i> in his eyes too, though he was not pleased +to say it, like Beowulf. Never mind, I will let them see I can amuse +myself, and find good sport too, without them."</p> + +<p>Presently a couple of horsemen issued from the forest, clad in hunters' +attire, with a green baldric over their shoulders and down to their +waists, from which was suspended a hunter's horn. These two were quickly +followed by a retinue of rangers, serving men, and hounds, with the +weapons of the chase—boar spears, javelins, and short swords; whilst +over the backs of a couple of horses were thrown the carcasses of a pair +of wild boar, the fruit of their morning's chase.</p> + +<p>No sooner did these young chieftains set eyes on Ethel than the +countenance of the younger of them was wreathed in smiles, and snatching +his bugle from his belt he blew a mocking blast in the ear of the +damsel; then, in the blandest of tones, and with an assumption of mock +gallantry, he saluted the maiden: "Bon matin, madame. Are you taking a +little <i>gentle</i> exercise in company of your maid?" and he doffed his +hunter's bonnet and made a most pretentious bow.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, gallant sir," retorted Ethel, with a gracious +inclination, parodying with inimitable grace and humour his mock +gallantry, "but if it please you, sir, I am not taking a little <i>gentle</i> +exercise in company of my maid, I am hawking, as you may easily see if +you care to."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I see quite easily, madame. So you determined to have a little +sport all to yourself because we disdained the company of a lady at our +boar hunt?" said the young man, with a twinkle in his eye.</p> + +<p>"You have hit it quite wonderfully, sir; which is very remarkable. We +take note of your behaviour, for, although we do not go to court, we +hear about your pranking it about with grand Norman dames and knights +errant, and we expected something quite different from you than from +Beowulf here. But I have lost my hawk hereabouts, so make amends for +your past conduct. Get down, brother Beowulf; and you too, sir; you have +travelled in France, so show your chivalry and your gallantry by getting +down and helping me seek my hawk."</p> + +<p>"I bow most humbly to your imperious commands, noble lady," said Oswald +again, doffing his bonnet in mock humility.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, honest Beowulf sat almost dumbfounded whilst this passage of +wit was proceeding, though he only dimly comprehended what this +new-fangled jargon meant; but his choler was rising rapidly during the +process. "Now, drop it fooling, you two!" he at length broke out. "You, +Ethel, would imitate Master Oswald and be off to court too, for all your +japes and jokes about his pranking and parading it with the grand folks, +if we did not tie a clog about your neck for you. I know very well what +passes in that jay's noddle of yours, though you think I'm a numskull, +Mistress Ethel."</p> + +<p>This outburst of sturdy Beowulf's was greeted by the pair with a shout +of hilarious laughter.</p> + +<p>"Now don't make asses of yourselves," grunted brother Beowulf. +"Whereabouts did you lose your hawk, Ethel?"</p> + +<p>"Why, hereabouts, Beowulf. Did you not hear me? He was pursuing moorfowl +from the hill, and he appeared to strike his quarry just in this place."</p> + +<p>"If that be so, I warrant the headlong flight of the stricken bird would +carry them much farther down the slope," said Oswald.</p> + +<p>"A bright idea, I do declare, Master Oswald," exclaimed Ethel. "We never +thought of that, Bretwul. You will gain some repute for wit, neighbour +Oswald, if you brighten up like this."</p> + +<p>"I am much obliged for your condescension, lady; I feel highly honoured +and greatly flattered by your compliment;" and again he made pretence of +a low obeisance.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't take it too seriously, sir; but we will take your hint, +nevertheless." So the party extended their search, and presently they +discovered the falcon and his prey beneath a tree—the hawk having +improved the time by stripping the bird of its plumage, and gorging +himself with the flesh and blood of his victim.</p> + +<p>"There, you greedy creature," exclaimed Ethel, as she set eyes on the +falcon. "You will fly no more to-day, I suppose, you glutton! I think +you had better hood him at once, Bretwul, and take him home; and I will +join this party of gallants—by their permission, of course—and if they +should now deem it quite safe for a lady to do so."</p> + +<p>So the two young chieftains and Ethel headed the company, and steadily +they pressed homeward to the rough and primitive, but nevertheless +hospitable hall of Beowulf the Dane.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>STORM CLOUDS.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Yet the first bringer of unwelcome news<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hath but a losing office; and his tongue<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sounds ever after as a sullen bell,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Remembered knolling a departed friend."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Shakespeare.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>"Whilst the cooks are busy with our spoil, Beowulf, I propose we +practise at the joust," said Oswald. "Rumour hath it this Count William, +of Normandy, is collecting an army in order to eject our rightful Saxon +king, Harold, from the throne, and ere long we may have these Norman +knights tilting through the ranks of our simple yeomen, who are unused +to this method of warfare; and King Harold and his brothers would be +pleased to have sturdy comrades who would be a match for the Norman at +his own weapons," remarked Oswald.</p> + +<p>"Leave the joust to Norman fops, say I, neighbour Oswald, and their +tilting methods to our hardy pikemen, who will know how to deal with +them, never fear. The honest Saxon broadsword is a match for any weapon, +I warrant you. As for this new-fangled Norman joust, as they call it, +why I despise it. Playing at war, with women looking on, and waving +their 'kerchiefs, and simpering, and whimpering about—bah! I wonder +you'll meddle with such stuff, neighbour!" growled Beowulf +contemptuously.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Beowulf, for your compliments, but if I am permitted to +witness your feat of arms, I'll endeavour not to 'simper and whimper +about' if it annoys you. But you men folk can find nothing better to do +than play at war, I know, and therefore I rule it shall be with both the +broadsword and lance," said Ethel.</p> + +<p>"Agreed!" cried Oswald; "and our fair cousin Ethel shall be queen of +beauty <i>à la joute</i>."</p> + +<p>"Mind you don't make a fool or a dolt of yourself, neighbour Oswald, +with your Norman fooleries. But I'll humour you in your folly for the +sake of a bout with the broadsword, in honest Saxon fashion," growled +Beowulf.</p> + +<p>When they reached the hall the two young men retired to the armoury, and +presently reappeared clad in complete armour, several lances being borne +by the housecarles. The pair then sprang into their saddles, and Oswald, +partly to joke his opponent, careened round in a circle, mimicking the +gallantry of the Normans, displaying the paces of his charger and his +skill in horsemanship. As he passed Ethel, in mock seriousness he dipped +the point of his lance in salutation of her as queen of beauty. Ethel +endeavoured to disguise it, but the crimson blushes suffused her +countenance for an instant; but there was a quick revolt of maidenly +dignity; her eye flashed, and her foot beat the ground impatiently, as +she exclaimed under her breath,—"I presume he thinks I am but a child +to tease and joke."</p> + +<p>Presently the pair took up a position some twenty paces apart, and +prepared to charge. Ethel, fearful of her brother's temper, which was +most uncertain, cried to them, "Will you remember this is but play, and +see you two don't come to blows in good earnest? for I know by +experience that brother Beowulf flies into a rage with me if I poke fun +at him, and what he will do if you poke him in the ribs with that ugly +weapon, Master Oswald, I know not."</p> + +<p>"Go to, wench, your tongue is too ready! You would be better seen +superintending the wenches who are roasting hogsflesh, than wagging your +tongue in the presence of men." Then, turning to his friend and comrade +Oswald, he said, "Now, sir, are you ready? Let us be done with this +Norman folly as soon as maybe."</p> + +<p>So they laid their lances in rest, and prepared to tilt. Oswald was much +more tall and lithe than his opponent, and much more skilful in the +handling of his charger. Indeed, it seemed almost as though one mind +animated the pair. Beowulf was rather older, bulkier in build, and +better set up, being twenty-three. But he cherished a deep-rooted +aversion and contempt of the Norman leaven which had been stealing over +the land during the late reign of Edward the Confessor, and his pet +aversion was the mode of warfare current amongst Norman gentlemen; and +so he never practised it, except on occasions like the present.</p> + +<p>"Now, sirs," iterated Ethel, still fearful, "and especially you, +Beowulf, don't get mad and knock each other's heads off, I tell you +again!"</p> + +<p>"Hold your tongue, chattering magpie, and go inside as I bid you! That +is where petticoated jades like you should be when weapons are about," +said Beowulf. "Now, come on, sir. If we listen to her she'll prate like +a half-fed fowl by the hour together."</p> + +<p>So the tilt commenced, and continued for some time, more in play than in +dead earnest, Oswald showing his superior skill by striking Beowulf how +and where he pleased, at the same time handling his horse so perfectly +that Beowulf found no opportunity of striking him squarely. The rough +knocks which he receives, and his want of skill, are most exasperating +to Beowulf, especially so when at last by a skilful manœuvre Oswald +flings his charger's flank round, bringing his head broadside on of his +opponent, and then ignominiously tilts him out of his saddle to the +ground. Beowulf sprang to his feet, mad with rage, and shouted,—</p> + +<p>"Come down from that perch! I'll soon give you quits with a better +weapon!" and away he marched for a couple of broadswords.</p> + +<p>Forgetting her dignity in her anxiety over Beowulf's temper, Ethel +tripped up to Oswald and with girlish freedom grasped his arm. "Now, +Master Oswald, you have driven Beowulf mad, as I thought you would. If I +may use his not very complimentary term, I would say, Will you, to +please a <i>jade</i> like me, take care to come off second best in this +sword-play, if it be only to mollify him? for if you don't I am afraid +he will be quite furious."</p> + +<p>Oswald laughed and stroked the fair hair of the maiden as he remarked, +"It is well advised, my bright-eyed little dame; I do believe that fair +face is index to a kindly and wholesome mother-wit."</p> + +<p>Presently Beowulf returned with a couple of broadswords, but his temper +had abated nothing in the interval. The quick-witted and irrepressible +Ethel noticed this at once, and she banteringly called out to him, "Now, +brother Beowulf, remember this is only sword-play. Don't go and cut +Master Oswald's head off!"</p> + +<p>"What! you are still there, are you, jade? I saw you titter when Master +Oswald pushed me out of the saddle. When I've dealt with him, I'll give +you a taste of an ash sapling, since you won't mend your manners when +told."</p> + +<p>Ethel burst into a most provoking, merry laugh. "Thank you, brother +Beowulf, for your good intentions; but haven't I told you many times +before, that ash sapling hasn't grown yet?"</p> + +<p>"Go to, you chit, you provoke me past endurance!" and he made for her in +an ungovernable rage; but Ethel turned and fled like a gazelle, and +Beowulf knew by past experience that to catch the fleet-footed maiden +was a hopeless task, so he returned to his sword-play.</p> + +<p>The diversion of Beowulf's wrath, however, did good, and especially as +Oswald took Ethel's hint, and was clearly second best. So Beowulf's good +humour was completely restored when Ethel pronounced Oswald victor at +the joust, and Beowulf at sword-play. Then Ethel grasped Beowulf's arm, +and they adjourned to the hall.</p> + +<p>"How shocking of you, brother Beowulf, to talk of using an ash sapling +to a young lady! You quite humiliated me in Master Oswald's eyes."</p> + +<p>"Now go to, Ethel! If you don't give up teasing me I shall do something +to you I shall have to repent of some time."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, you won't, brother Beowulf, I know better than that," said +Ethel, with true sisterly affection.</p> + +<p>The castle, or what is more correct, the hall of the Thane Beowulf made +no pretension to architectural style or beauty. It was like its master, +rough, but stout and of massive build. One saw the stoutness of its +walls by a glance at its deep mullion windows, and its massive doors, +formed of double layers of oak, securely fastened and strengthened by +iron bands and bolts. In the large hall there was set a long table down +the centre, loaded with viands and large jugs of ale. Down each side of +the hall also there were side tables, where the housecarles and villeins +fed. But the centre table was reserved for guests, and the more favoured +retainers of the thane. A glance round the hall told at once that +Beowulf still held by the heathenish customs which his viking ancestors +brought over with them. For, conspicuous everywhere, upon wood and stone +and vessels, were carved the characters and devices of their +superstition, known as runes. Here and there also there looked down upon +the banqueters the carved images of Thor and Woden.</p> + +<p>On the thane's right hand sat his daughter Ethel, who, since the death +of her mother many years ago, had become a greatly privileged object of +his affection. On his left sat Oswald, son of a Saxon chieftain who had +extensive lands in a neighbouring valley. At the foot of the table sat +his son, who took his own name of Beowulf.</p> + +<p>"I hear you have been out hawking to-day, Ethel girl," said the grizzled +old thane, turning to his daughter.</p> + +<p>"Yes, father, brother Beowulf said it wasn't fitting for a girl like me +to go to the boar hunt, and Master Oswald then, to his shame, never +spoke a word in my favour, so I must needs perforce stay at home. +Therefore I went out hawking; for brother Beowulf kindly allows that."</p> + +<p>"Ha, ha!" giggled the old thane gleefully; "thou art a wild slip of a +girl; too much wit for honest Beowulf. But curb thy tongue," he +continued, stroking her fair hair. "He means thee well. He is honest, is +Beowulf, and brave too. He will do! He will do! Like his old father +maybe, not overloaded with wit, but honest, and never turned back on +friend or foe."</p> + +<p>The banquet proceeded in very hearty fashion, which atoned for its +roughness. But there seldom sat at the thane's table any guest afflicted +with a squeamish appetite. So beef, venison, pork, and sundries, along +with wheaten cake and ale, disappeared at an alarming rate.</p> + +<p>Whilst the banquet was proceeding, one of the housecarles drew near and +whispered to the thane that Saxon runners had arrived with messages from +the king which permitted no delay.</p> + +<p>"Have them ushered in. Kings will be obeyed," said the thane; "and +truly, if they rule well, honest men will never be slack to obey."</p> + +<p>So these messengers were ushered in, and the thane addressed them: "What +be your message, gallant fellows, that will not tarry till we have fed, +and ye yourselves have tasted our hospitality? Speak out, men! we have +no secrets here!"</p> + +<p>"If it please you, worthy thane, the king hath sent round the war arrow, +and summons all loyal gentlemen, together with their men-at-arms, to +repair to him at York instantly; for the Danes be landed in the Humber +under King Hardrada. Also, Count William, of Normandy, hath prepared him +a fleet of vessels, a thousand in number, and threatens an invasion of +the southern coasts."</p> + +<p>"Ye bear a sorry message, my worthy fellows, truly, but ye have only +done your errand. But if two overladen mountain torrents join their +forces in one pent-up little burn, there follows desolation in their +wake. A sorry day for merry England, this, gentlemen—north and south +together distraught."</p> + +<p>Then, addressing his guests and retainers, he said, "My guests are their +own masters in this matter. But the men of my household—my son, my +retainers and vassals—most of us come of viking stock; and it may be +sorry work to march against these Danes. But we live on the land, and we +must defend the land."</p> + +<p>Immediately a wild shout of approval greeted that saying.</p> + +<p>"Further, these greedy plunderers will treat us as Saxons, nor spare +aught we have of goods or cattle; or even our lives. So in this quarrel +we are Saxons, and we will prove it at the sword's point."</p> + +<p>This also was greeted with shouts of approval. So the feast came +abruptly to an end. The guests withdrew, to meet again within a week to +do battle with the Danes at Stanford Bridge, since known as +Battle-bridge, and from thence to Hastings' bloody field.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>TRAITORS IN COUNCIL.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Treason doth never prosper. What's the reason?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Why, if it prosper, none dare call it treason."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Epigram.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>We pass over the details of the sturdy struggle and victory over the +Danes at Battle-bridge, and the disastrous defeat of Hastings, except +just to note that the young chieftain Oswald left his father dead on the +battle-field. The next three years were ones of immunity from the +rapacity of the Normans, so far as we were concerned, for they never +ventured so far north. But in the year 1069, whilst William was absent +in Normandy, there was a powerful conspiracy entered into for the +purpose of wresting the kingdom from him. The Danes landed in the +Humber. The Saxons rallied throughout the North. York was taken, and its +garrison of three thousand Normans put to the sword.</p> + +<p>Immediately after the wonderful successes which attended the +insurrectionary movement, the leaders of the rebellion hastily called +together at York what was known as a "Thing," or council. All the +leaders of note were summoned. A somewhat motley company they were, +their aims being far from identical, and the elements of disruption and +disunion were on the surface. All of them were excessively elated and +flushed with the complete and wonderful victories achieved—I am sorry +to say, also, very much demoralised by them. The Danish leaders in +particular were so, for they had taken much spoil, plundering friend or +foe pretty much as they listed—plunder being, in fact, their sole +reason for taking part in the movement. Very conspicuous, both by their +dress and demeanour, were these Danish leaders. They were deeply bronzed +and hardy-looking, rough and fierce as warrior seamen who had been wont +all their lives to do battle with foes on land, and often with the +fiercer and still more deadly foe of old ocean. They carried daggers at +their belts, and heavy swords dangled by their sides. The young +chieftain Oswald, whom we have already introduced to the readers, was +there. The few years of stress and struggle since last we met him had +had a marked effect upon him. He had stood by Harold's side at Stanford +Bridge, and marched with him to Hastings, and stood in the forefront of +that historic "wedge" of sturdy Saxons, who defied the utmost efforts of +William's horse and foot to dislodge them. The playfulness of youth had +given place to the stern thoughtfulness of manhood; whilst the tall +figure had broadened in sturdy proportions. He was of commanding +presence, young, handsome, and daring, yet wise as any elder, known +intimately by me, and a very great favourite with me also, and destined +to figure prominently in these records. By his side, as a near +neighbour, as well as a compatriot, sat the young Thane +Beowulf—aforementioned—of another lineage, but still identified with +the Saxon cause, being native born, though by his father's side a +descendant of the Danes who settled in the north of England three +generations earlier. Other leaders also there were, of whom it is not +necessary to speak, as they occupy no further place in these pages.</p> + +<p>At the appointed hour Waltheof, the leader of the Saxon forces, entered. +He was a man gifted by nature with the physical proportions which +attract attention. But there was a hesitancy, irresolution, and lack of +force depicted in his countenance, and a wariness and suspicion about +his small, shrinking grey eyes, that were the reverse of reassuring. +Accompanying Waltheof was a Norman knight at whose appearance many +sprang to their feet in amazement. Seeing which, Waltheof introduced the +Norman to the company.</p> + +<p>"Worthy thanes and nobles," said he, "this gallant Norman is Baron +Vigneau, one of William's bravest knights, who has been assigned some +lands bordering on the Fen country, and had tacked on to the beggarly +gift, the duty of defending that coast against our allies the Danes, as +well as to assist in keeping in check our brave countryman Hereward. A +weighty charge, I warrant, for such a beggar's dole of barren acres. +This gallant knight comes as emissary of a still more famous Norman, the +Count de Montfort, whose lance wrought such havoc in our ranks at +Hastings. Count de Montfort has good and weighty reasons against the +king, or his councillors, for the base ingratitude with which his +services have been rewarded; and he offers to join hands with us, and +will lead into the field seventeen knights, fully equipped and +accoutred, together with three hundred of foot; all of them men-at-arms, +trained and stout. This worthy knight, Baron Vigneau, of whose prowess +also I have ample proof, is bearer of letters—which I have carefully +examined—from the Count de Montfort, duly signed and sealed, and +bearing ample evidence of good faith. Under the circumstances, I have +taken the liberty to introduce this worthy knight to our council."</p> + +<p>This speech was received by many in blank astonishment, and there was +loud and angry murmuring amongst the company, but no one seemed willing +to voice the discontent. Oswald, however, sprang to his feet and said, +"Noble sir, no doubt the credentials presented by this Norman knight are +such as meet with your approval, but I would respectfully urge that no +one should sit at our Council who has not attested his fidelity to our +cause by services rendered in the field of battle; for when this is the +case we have pledges which cannot be shaken off at pleasure."</p> + +<p>"A plague on your impudence, boy! You are too ready of the tongue! Let +the elders speak if they have any objections to make!—but I am not in +the habit of having my conduct called in question by a mere youth; and +what is sufficient for me must be sufficient for such as you, and +without cavil. What say our Danish allies? No objection, I see. Then let +us proceed to business." So saying, he took his place at the head of the +board, and the bulky Norman slid into a back seat.</p> + +<p>The question to deliberate upon was how to prosecute the war so +auspiciously begun. The Council, however, proceeded to discuss the +question in a very unpromising fashion, the discussion being +characterised by a good deal of blatant braggadocio, and accompanied by +a very free use of the wine-cup.</p> + +<p>The chief of the Danes reared aloft his stalwart form and said,—</p> + +<p>"My lord, we Danes are wanting to know when we are to make a move south? +We have wasted four good days in drivel and talk, when we should have +been making good our vantage. We might by this time have sacked +Shepfield, Leacaster, and Birmingam, where they tell me the +gold-smiths', armourers', and weavers' crafts are flourishing, and +where, to boot, the Normans have built themselves many pretty house +places full of dainty stuff. All of which we might have pouched whilst +this dog's whelp is abroad!"</p> + +<p>"Worthy thane," replied Waltheof, "we are waiting for Malcolm of +Scotland and the young Prince Atheling, for we expect the Saxons of the +south will rally to the standard of the Prince. We also have to remember +that the Normans are more thickly posted farther south, and we must +therefore have all our forces up."</p> + +<p>"Tut, tut! Cowardice is at the bottom of it all, as I thought. But what +care we for the Norman dogs? and what care we for a baby prince who +cannot be brought to the fray? We want the spoils, and there is none to +be had cowering here like a fox in his hole. If we are not to move south +at once, why then we take the tide the morn's even, and leave you to +face the bear when he comes to his lair as best you can."</p> + +<p>At this juncture the attention of every member of the council was +suddenly arrested by the advent of a messenger who suddenly burst into +the room, with the perspiration pouring off him by reason of the hot +haste with which he had ridden.</p> + +<p>"How now, fellow! what news hast thou which calls for such haste?" said +Waltheof.</p> + +<p>"My lords," exclaimed the messenger, "I have ridden all speed to make +known unto you that the Norman is back again in England, and that he is +rapidly marching northwards at the head of an army; he being not more +than two days' march to the south."</p> + +<p>If a thunderbolt had dashed into the room instead of this messenger, the +effect could not have been greater. Waltheof turned pale as death, and +peered nervously about the room, as though he expected to be instantly +confronted by the dreaded presence of the king. Several also rose from +their seats and promptly slid out of the room in dismay at the tidings. +The Danish rovers were not slow to note this arrant cowardice, and one +of them immediately jumped to his feet in fierce exasperation at this +conduct, and sneeringly shouted, "Ha, ha! the Saxon caitiffs are +slinking off at the mention of this dog of a Norman! Never mind, let the +cowards go. I pledge me a health to the Danish warriors, who will dare +to fight the cowardly Saxons' battle for them; but we'll see to't that +the Danish war-ships shall bear away the spoil," and as he spoke he +gulped down a huge draught of wine.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, worthy thane," said Oswald, the young Saxon chieftain, +starting to his feet at these taunts; "let me tell you the Saxons have +their virtues, and valour too, not one whit behind that of your +countrymen."</p> + +<p>"Whew! Virtues say you?" bawled the quarrelsome and half-drunken Dane. +"Aye, marry! Saxons can preach you a homily with any shaveling priest in +the land, or simper as chastely as any wench. Virtues! Ha, ha! Ho, ho! +<i>Maugre!</i> Virtues by the bushel, I warrant you, sirs. Marry, anything, +in fact, but fight. Ha, ha! Virtues! Thou hast well said it, and aptly +too, young suckling! If I were a Saxon I'd don my mother's petticoats."</p> + +<p>"Hear me, thane," retorted Oswald, repressing with great difficulty the +rising choler. "You are our ally, and that shall be some excuse for your +unseemly mouthing; but hark you to this for a moment. Your memory does +not seem quite long enough to remember Battle-bridge and the precious +figure cut by your countrymen on that occasion against the Saxon; and +yet it is not more than four years agone. Hark you to this also, friend; +I warrant you will find, ere this war be done, that Saxons can fight as +bravely as any Dane that ever wielded sword."</p> + +<p>But the Dane persisted in his irritating and quarrelsome jesting. +"Saxons fight?" he bawled, "Why, come, that is a joke, anyhow! I say, +young Milkfed, tell me, if you can, what of this? How comes it to pass +that either Norman or Dane, or even the tricky Scot, come when they list +to crow on the Saxons' dunghill? How comes it also, my valiant Saxon +cub, that you should ask us to come and help you fight this dog of a +Norman? Read me that riddle, can you, boy? You besought us to come and +help you, and here we are. I wish you joy of it. You'll be well rid when +we go; for if we get not Norman booty, I warrant we will have Saxon, if +we skin every Saxon churl in the island for it. What think you to that, +young Sixfoot, eh?"</p> + +<p>The altercation seemed likely to develop into a serious quarrel, but at +this juncture a Danish messenger crept slily into the room, and, nudging +his leader's elbow, whispered something in his ear, at which he jumped +to his feet and turned to his comrade, and between them a brief and +excited conversation was carried on in an undertone; the result being +that immediately the pair hurriedly withdrew from the room. Oswald, who +had been watching these Danes with a suspicious eye, immediately turned +to the leader, Waltheof; but he beheld with astonishment that the +leader's chair was empty; Waltheof, amid the clamour of voices, having +noiselessly slipped out of the room.</p> + +<p>"Ah, ah! what now?" he ejaculated, leaping to his feet and dragging his +comrade Beowulf to the door. "There is something ominous in all this, +Beowulf. It bodes no good to the Saxon cause, mark me."</p> + +<p>"What is it, think you, Oswald, that breeds this fear and distrust in +the breasts of our leaders?"</p> + +<p>"I know not, Beowulf, but, by the rood! I cannot believe that the mere +mention of the Norman's name breeds this cowardice and panic in the +breasts of our leaders. 'Tis not fear that has overtaken these Danes, +mark me, but something more potent. They are at best but hirelings, and +are as treacherous as the foul fiend. They will not scruple to betray us +for a paltry bribe if it be offered; and this Norman is astute enough to +know that they have their price."</p> + +<p>"That is not the extent of the mischief, Oswald. I marked this Waltheof +closely, and I like not his looks at all. The coward's blood forsook his +cheek instantly at the mention of the Norman's name. I warrant him a +coward and traitor at heart, or I know not a coward when I see him."</p> + +<p>"What is to be done, Beowulf!"</p> + +<p>"We must stand to it like men. We know our duty, and to turn tail like a +whipped hound ere we have seen this Norman's face would be worse than +cowardice."</p> + +<p>"Then we must place ourselves at the head of our men forthwith; for if +any idle rumours reach their ears, I would not answer for it. Indeed, if +William be within striking distance we must bestir ourselves, for if he +find us unprepared, he knows well how to push his vantage against an +unready foe."</p> + +<p>Thus this ill-starred Council came to an end, and it left the Saxons as +a rope of sand, without cohesion, without any definite plan of attack or +of defence—a ready prey for a wily and daring commander. In bitter +dejection, and with forebodings of impending disaster, one by one the +members passed out, each one to pursue his own course.</p> + +<p>When the Saxon members of the Council had one and all left the room, +then uprose the bulky and sinister-looking figure of the Norman +emissary, from a seat in a shaded corner, where, unobserved, he had been +quietly taking note of the wretched divisions of the Saxon Council. As +he came forward he burst into a hoarse and derisive laugh, and +exclaimed, "Here's a go anyhow—ha, ha! A precious revolt it is! A man +would be an ass to pin his fortunes to a quarrelsome rabble like this. +Why, I warrant me they would cut one another's throats at a word! And +then how the bubble burst up at the mere mention of the Conqueror's +name! But where are my precious letters?" said he, fumbling in his +doublet for something, and eventually pulling out a packet carefully +folded with a silken band, and sealed in several places by a huge seal +with the crest and quarterings of the famous Count De Montfort. "Ha, ha, +my precious!" said he, turning the missive over and eyeing it with +savage delight. "I'm glad I kept possession of you. You are a treasure! +I'll not part with you yet awhile," and he carefully thrust the letter +back again within his doublet. "Ha, ha!" said he, scowling demoniacally, +"De Montfort will finger that missive no more until he makes good his +bargain with me. I'll have his proud daughter as the price of this, or +we'll see what will come to pass. I have my own belt to buckle as well +as De Montfort; and I'll do it now after my own humour. I'll no longer +dangle like a moonstruck suitor at my lady's skirts, and wag my tail +like any spaniel if I should chance to get a word or a smile. I have +been meek and humble long enough; but now Vigneau shall be first, for I +have got him! Trapped, by ——! He thought he would play the traitor, +did he? fool and dolt that he is! One would have thought him wiser than +to do his treason second-hand. He makes pretence of wisdom, but he acts +the fool at times as roundly as any clown. But I'll no more of this +anyhow. I do believe the Saxon clowns have scurried off to their holes +like a parcel of rats already. I must be off too, for if the <i>tanner's</i> +son should catch me at my present business, it will go bad with my hide +I'm feared; and I should like to keep my skin whole a little longer, +come what may. Ho, ho!" said he, bursting again into hoarse laughter. "I +wonder what Odo or Fitz-Osborne would give to know of this little freak +of De Montfort's! The wily Odo has ousted him from William's councils +already, and if he had possession of this"—thumping his chest where the +missive lay—"he'd have De Montfort's head in a trice. Enough! that will +do for me." So saying, he vanished from the hall.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the second messenger, at whose communication the Danish +sea-rovers had vanished from the Council, proved to be an emissary of +the wily Conqueror—his purpose being to negotiate with the Danes, and +with Waltheof, conditions on which they would retire from the fray. +Scarcely were they outside than he said to these Danes,—</p> + +<p>"My master offers to you five hundred ounces of beaten gold, and a free +passage for your vessels, together with such plunder as you can wrest +from the Saxons."</p> + +<p>"Five hundred ounces of gold is a sorry price for a wealthy king like +your master to offer for such a service," said one of the Danes. "But +come now, if your master will make it one thousand ounces, to be +delivered over by sunset to-morrow; together with our plunder, and such +as we can further gather; why then, within twenty-four hours our vessels +shall be ploughing the northern seas for home."</p> + +<p>"Done!" said the messenger. "My hand on it. The gold shall be delivered +over to you by sunset to-morrow, as you say."</p> + +<p>No sooner was this bargain made than the spy turned his attention to +Waltheof, a man treacherous by instinct, and cowardly by nature. It is +scarcely necessary to say, he grasped only too eagerly at the promised +free pardon, coupled as it was with large grants of land and estates. +With the Saxon forces thus weakened and demoralised, William knew the +remnant of this powerful conspiracy would be crushed with the utmost +ease by him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>DEFEAT.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"What though the field be lost?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All is not lost."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Paradise Lost.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Oswald the Saxon, and Beowulf the Saxon Dane, passed out into the night, +and continued their course beyond the gates of the city, which were so +broken down that they served no longer the purpose for which they were +erected. The walls also for considerable distances were thrown down, and +in a state of disrepair. The insurrectionary forces had determined to +push forward in the king's absence, but in the meantime they were +halting, waiting for Malcolm of Scotland, and for further counsel. They +were encamped some miles away on the banks of the river running between +York and the head of the estuary of the Humber, where the Danish +war-vessels were anchored. The Danes held the head of the estuary, +throwing out their forces Yorkward, but encamped sufficiently near to +cover their vessels, in the event of an attack upon them. Waltheof, the +leader and commander-in-chief of the Saxon forces, occupied a central +position, having under his command the bulk of the rebels; whilst +Oswald, Beowulf, and others, occupied the right wing, which to a certain +extent covered the city. On the news of William's landing, the bridges +were thrown down, but in many places the river was fordable, during dry +weather, both for man and horse. But to effect this in the face of +sturdy enemies was a most formidable task, and the Saxons were +sufficiently numerous to guard the river effectually wherever it was +fordable.</p> + +<p>Early in the morning, after the breaking up of the council of war, the +scouts brought in the intelligence that William had arrived within six +miles, and ere nightfall the pennants of the Normans were flying within +sight of the Saxon forces.</p> + +<p>Very little of that night was spent by Oswald in rest. Twice he +patrolled the whole length of the river under his command, visiting and +cheering every outpost. But judge how great was his consternation, and +that of his forces also, when, with the dawning of the morning, the +fraction of the Saxons commanded by him were made painfully aware of the +fact that the Normans had passed the river, unopposed, in the night; and +worse than that, there began to be ominous rumours that this had arisen +through the treachery of Waltheof—that he, having been bribed by the +Conqueror, had left the remnant to their fate. In these straits time was +precious, for the Normans were advancing up the river, doubling up the +Saxon outposts, and throwing them back on the main body. Hastily a +council of war was called, and not a few, in face of the danger and the +hopelessness of their cause in the midst of such treachery, were for +dispersing without a blow; but Oswald, addressing them, said,—</p> + +<p>"I fear it is too true that there is treachery in our ranks; but as yet +we know not its extent. If Waltheof has succumbed to William's bribes, +there are still the Danes, who will be able to harass the rear of our +enemy. Hourly, also, we are expecting Malcolm of Scotland and the +Atheling, so that we need not despair. Let us make a bold stand; the +battle is by no means lost if the Danes stand firm. Now, with our +handful of men it is utterly impossible to meet the Normans in the open +country; for they will double our left flank easily and surround us. But +on the fringe of yonder dense wood, with our line extended under cover +of the thicket, and where the enemy's horse will be absolutely +useless—where also our men will be quite in their element and be able +to ply their long bows with deadly effect, and their spears or swords at +close quarters—we shall surely avoid, in any case, the wholesale +slaughter of our men; and we shall administer a severe check to +William's march."</p> + +<p>The force of this sage advice was seen at once by the leaders, and the +forces accordingly retired to the wood in their rear, and took up their +fighting attitude just within its shelter. The Saxons, who were brave +individually, were still undisciplined and incapable of acting together +with precision in the open; but they were wonderfully heartened by this +movement, which gave them shelter from the onslaughts of the enemy's +horse—a mode of warfare which has at all times had a demoralising +effect upon untrained soldiers. So, having their right flank resting on +the river, and in consequence shielded from any flank movement there, +they threw out their left considerably, so as to prevent, if possible, +any over-lapping by the Normans. They were the better able to do this, +seeing that the enemy's horse were totally unable to charge through +their attenuated lines; the jungle being an effectual barrier to this. +Oswald arranged his men in two fighting lines. The foremost ranks, with +spear and sword, were to resist the advance of the Normans. The second +were bowmen, who were to cover the front ranks by letting fly their +arrows in the faces of the foe; a most ingenious and effective +expedient. To Beowulf he entrusted the command of the left wing, with +instructions to in no case permit the Normans to outflank them, but, if +necessary, to double in the left flank also, until it rested on the +river.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had Oswald time to make this careful disposition of his men ere +the vanguard of the Normans were upon them. But a shower of arrows from +the Saxons at close quarters thoroughly disconcerted them. So fiercely +were they met, and by a force whose numbers they had no means of +gauging, that they deemed it prudent to retire beyond bowshot until the +remainder of the forces advanced to their support. Then came a more +determined assault on the Saxons' position. But, from behind trees and +shrubs, the concealed defenders drave their short spears through each +assailant, or clave them with their short Saxon swords or battle-axes. +Oswald and others, who were clad in armour, boldly fronted them in every +gap, making great havoc in the ranks of the men-at-arms, or singling out +the Norman leaders and engaging them.</p> + +<p>In the midst of the fray, one noteworthy incident occurred. Oswald, to +his amazement, saw the burly Norman, Vigneau, who had come with +professions of help, now fighting fiercely against them. Immediately his +blood was fired, and pressing steadily towards him, eventually they met +face to face.</p> + +<p>"Ah, treacherous villain!" said Oswald. "This is your friendship for our +cause, is it? I have a particular message for tricksters and sneaking +traitors like you."</p> + +<p>"Come on, varlet of a Saxon, and don't stand prating like some gowky +wench, and I'll quickly give thee thy quietus," said Vigneau savagely.</p> + +<p>Instantly there ensued a most desperate encounter between these two +powerful combatants. Each of them, however, wore a suit of armour, and +carried a shield, and each one was most skilful in the use of his +weapons, so that, desperate and determined as they both were, no +conclusive blow resulted. But whilst the duel progressed, the general +body of the Normans made steady progress, in spite of the valour of the +Saxons, and speedily Oswald was quite surrounded, though totally +oblivious of the fact. One stalwart Saxon, however, who had fought by +Oswald's side—by name Wulfhere—saw the imminent danger in which his +leader was placed, and he rushed to his rescue, quickly cleaving his way +through; and seizing Oswald, he exclaimed,—</p> + +<p>"Master, you will be cut off if you don't keep in fighting line with +us!"</p> + +<p>This fierce reminder awoke Oswald to the peril of his position, and he +said to his antagonist, "Another time, villain, will come, when I hope +we may effectually finish this quarrel."</p> + +<p>"Sooner and better, churl; but for the present your better plan is to +run away," retorted Vigneau.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, although the Saxons had extended their lines to the +utmost limits which the sparsity of their men would permit, the Normans +surged round and completely overlapped them. So Beowulf was compelled to +initiate the movement ordered by Oswald, and the left wing was gradually +doubled back until it also converged on the river; and thus the line of +battle was in the form of a semicircle. The Saxons fought with +desperation, disputing every inch of the ground, and strewing the +ground, yard by yard, with the Norman slain. The masterly skill with +which their ground had been chosen and their defence planned, gave them +great advantage, and enabled them to maintain the unequal contest for +nearly an hour. But ultimately the quivers of the archers were emptied +of every shaft, and the battle could no longer be maintained with +advantage, but would probably end in complete massacre. So Oswald +selected a spot where the river was fordable; then, he and a hundred +stalwart Saxons stood shoulder to shoulder, keeping the enemy at bay +whilst the rank and file crossed the stream. Then, gradually narrowing +their own circle until every one had taken the river, the last +half-dozen, with their faces to the foe, fought their way across.</p> + +<p>When they had reached the opposite side, the order was given for +dispersal, and the gallant band melted away, and severally, or in bands, +sought their distant homes. Thus ended in total failure, through +cowardice and treachery, what at one time seemed, in its very marked +success, a conspiracy that would ultimately wrest the kingdom from the +usurper.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>DESPERATE RESOLVES.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Cowards die many times before their death<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The valiant never taste of death but once."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Shakespeare.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>"The Saxon cause is lost, Wulfhere, by base-hearted cowardice and +treachery," said Oswald, turning to the stalwart "freeman" already +introduced to the reader. "Look to the rear, though I think the Normans +have had such a taste of our quality that there will be no pursuit for +the present; but henceforth we may look to it, for there will be—unless +I greatly misjudge the Norman king—a bitter revenge exacted from us, +and untempered in the least degree by mercy. We have our broadswords +left to us, and we have proved this day that they have a keen edge and +bite as sharp as ever. We have a few bowmen, also, who can shoot +straight; but for our shelter I fear me we shall have but the dense +forest, and the rugged hills of our native Craven for our defence. But +they are a defence familiar to us, and no battering-ram or assault of +besiegers will avail our foe. Let them drive the wolf to bay if they +dare, and they shall find he has sharp teeth. Well, to me, Wulfhere, a +life of valorous freedom is better than servile slavery and degraded +serfdom."</p> + +<p>"I join you there, my lord. A ceorl born, a ceorl for ever. That is my +charter. I will maintain it to the death," said Wulfhere.</p> + +<p>The conclusions of Oswald, with regard to the revenge which the Normans +would exact, proved only too true. Like a conflagration, the sanguinary, +mercenary host spread themselves over the northern part of the kingdom, +and desolation and death spread their ghastly wings over the land. +William's aim evidently was to decimate the population, and thus make +any further revolt utterly impossible.</p> + +<p>I forbear, however, to enter into the details of the wholesale slaughter +which followed after the Saxons were put to the rout at York, in mercy +to the reader.</p> + +<p>So, at the word of command, the followers of Oswald moved away from the +fatal field, with celerity, but in perfect order. The close of the +second day brought them home again. Bitterly sad our hearts were at the +tidings they brought us, and at sight of the thinned ranks of stout and +hardy yeomen who went out from us on this last desperate venture. The +Earl addressed the following words to them, as we stood together in the +monastery grounds: "My trusty followers, my faithful friends,—We have +probably not more than forty-eight hours before we shall be face to face +again with the hated Norman foe—on our own lands, and at the thresholds +of our own homes. Do not let us, because of this short respite, close +our eyes to what will inevitably follow. Neither age nor sex will be +spared, though we should crawl at their feet, and grovel in the dust. +The only thing these Normans will respect is the broadsword, as it +flashes at their breast, or the arrow, glancing unerringly through the +branches of the trees in the forest fastnesses. I advise you to take to +the hills; the caves will form in some respects a shelter for your wives +and little ones. Carry your cattle along with you to the hills and +mountain gorges. Your corn, your cooking utensils—in short, everything +of value and of service—take along with you. There are men here from +every corner of our domain. Tell your neighbours, and make haste; even +the minutes are precious. I shall contrive, if I live, to protect you +for the present, and until my castle is taken you will be absolutely +safe."</p> + +<p>As the men moved slowly away to their homes in the distant hamlets, +bearers of the sorrowful news, the Earl turned to Wulfhere.</p> + +<p>"Well, Wulfhere, my resolve is taken. I shall not cower before, or +servilely beg for freedom at the hands of the proudest Norman of them +all. Further, I shall not fly over sea, and sell my sword to a foreign +potentate. Yonder, in the distance, I can descry the turrets of my +castle. I was born there, and I shall defend it to the last; and when +driven from it, it will still be a joy to sit on the hillsides and gaze +upon the old home. There are likewise these followers of mine, who have +followed me everywhere and blindly done my bidding. It were dastardly +conduct to give them over now to sanguinary massacre. When, as a boy, +with falcon on my arm and hound at my heel, I hied me o'er these lands, +my faithful yeomen welcomed me everywhere, and their good wives brought +out their daintiest morsel and their sweetest mead. We shall stand or +fall together. Who knows? The Saxon star may some day be in the +ascendant again, and we may push the Normans from our shores. What +sayest thou, Wulfhere?"</p> + +<p>"Your purpose, my lord, if I understand you aright, is to defend the +castle so long as you can, and then try to hold the Normans at bay by +means of the shelter which the woods and the hills afford."</p> + +<p>"That is my present purpose. I can scarcely hope to hold the castle, +except for a little while, but I may thus materially check the +desolating march of the Normans. But ultimately I look to the woods and +the hills for permanent safety. We are more fortunate than our +countrymen in other parts of the kingdom. If we look to the north we see +the stately Hanging-brow mountain, lifting itself to the sky and girdled +with the clouds, and those dense woods, which, like a vast army +clambering up its sides, will fight for us in our onslaught, and shield +us in our flight. The waters also shed on its brow by the clouds which +nestle well-nigh perpetually on its shoulders, and go leaping down its +sides with the fierceness of a cataract, have ploughed into the +mountain's seamy sides gorges impassable to untrained feet. Look, to the +east a few miles we have the scarcely less remarkable Weirdburn hills. +To the south, Baldby heights. Think also of the dense woods which +everywhere abound in this Craven of ours. Then, like myself, you will +see that in no other part of the land has Nature so combined to shelter +the friendless and protect the oppressed. Further, we are quite two +hundred and fifty miles from London. Though the Normans will come very +surely to despoil the land, William will speedily draw off his forces, +and we shall have but to cope with the Norman who usurps my lands and +castle, holding it probably with a slender garrison. For the present we +are unequal to the task of contending in open warfare with our foe. We +will contend with him with the most effective weapons we possess; and +these are cunning and evasion. There shall be no solid front presented +to him at which he can aim an effective blow. But when the Normans have +overrun the land, and the bulk of them gone hence, then we will present +a bolder front, and assert our right to share the land, and cultivate +the soil."</p> + +<p>"What do you purpose in this dire emergency, reverend Father?" said he, +turning to me. "Have you any purpose of defending the Abbey?"</p> + +<p>"No, my lord," said I; "we are the disciples of the Prince of Peace, and +we must follow His example. And indeed, carnal weapons would not protect +us if we were minded to use them, and this sacred edifice would suffer +irreparably by our resistance. Perhaps these untamed and bloody men may +have some regard for the sanctity of these walls. We will throw open our +gates to receive them. Those of our servants and followers who prefer to +trust to the woods and the hills, as you advise, are free to do so. +Those who prefer to stay—together with any unhappy fugitives who have +fled hither for shelter—will join the monks in prayers and +supplications, in the sanctuary. Perhaps God will give us favour in the +eyes of our enemies."</p> + +<p>"Give us your blessing, Father," said Oswald, falling on his knees and +meekly uncovering his head, all his followers humbly following his +example.</p> + +<p>"Adieu, my son," said I, laying my hand upon his head. "May the God of +our fathers nerve thy arm for the protection of thy humbler fellows, and +give thee wisdom and discretion in this terrible day of thy country's +visitation!"</p> + +<p>With tearful eyes I watched the receding form of this noble Saxon. No +carnal offspring could be dearer to an earthly parent than he to me. I +had watched over him from infancy, educated him, travelled with him in +many foreign lands; and I hoped he would be a great leader in +statesmanship, in learning, and in all the arts of peace. Now, alas! I +fear circumstance will make him a man of war, and a stern leader of +bloody and desperate men.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>BARON VIGNEAU.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"All is lost save honour."<br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Early on the morrow, strange rumours and stories, which made the blood +curdle, were brought to the monastery by refugees from far and near. +Both gentle and simple fled hither, being buoyed up by the widespread, +but in this case delusive notion, that sanctuary walls would be sacredly +respected. Amongst the number was the lovely daughter of the worthy +Thane Beowulf, who, along with his son, had been slain in resisting the +advance of the Normans. My heart sank within me as I looked upon her +great beauty, realising with painful vividness how helpless and impotent +I was to protect her—well knowing that lust and rapine, let loose, +would not be awed or restrained even by the sanctity of the Church.</p> + +<p>I had commanded the monks, with all refugees, to repair to the chapel +for prayer, whilst I at the first summons repaired to the gate with some +of the housecarles and lay brothers, and commanded the gates to be +thrown open, when in poured a motley crowd of soldiers and men-at-arms, +evidently bent on plunder, and totally uncontrolled by any sort of +discipline. The crowd surged by me and carried me along, deriding my +entreaties to be heard. One leader, in complete armour, and whom I +afterwards ascertained to be Baron Vigneau, I appealed to in vain. He +rudely pushed me aside with an oath, bidding me say my prayers to the +devil, for he would soon have me and my monkish crew.</p> + +<p>One party made a dash for the northern extremity of the enclosure, where +were the outbuildings, in which our cattle, sheep and goats, and +numerous attendants were housed. These servants, however, made their +exit, with all speed, from the northern gate, as they saw the Normans +enter at the south. One, Badger as he was called by his companions, who +was keeper of the hounds and hawks—a mighty hunter, who kept our larder +well stocked with venison, and fish, and game of every kind—held his +ground. A sly rogue was Badger—so called from his propensity for +hunting these animals and clothing himself in their skins. For hunting, +hawking, and fishing, he was a prodigy. He was well-nigh fleet as a +hare, and could swim like an otter; and had wherewithal so sly a humour, +and such shrewdness, that he was a great favourite with me, and I had +taken pains to add such instruction as I thought would be serviceable to +him. The reader will pardon me this digression. But this Badger was such +an active agent in the subsequent troublous times, and served the Saxon +cause so well, both by his matchless cunning and his rare valour, that I +have taken the trouble to introduce the reader to him at such great +length. A most grotesque figure he presented on this fateful morning, +clothed as he was from head to foot in skins.</p> + +<p>"Hilloa!" roared one trooper to another, as they set eyes upon him. +"What the deuce kind of an animal is this?"</p> + +<p>"The foul fiend, or one of his imps, by Moses!" rejoined the other.</p> + +<p>"Who are you, Satan?" said the first one, riding up to him and giving +him a hearty thwack across the shoulders with the flat of his sword; at +which Badger set up a most hypocritical howl. "Stash that, will you, you +lump of hog's-flesh, or I'll make pork of you in a twinkling! Where are +your cronies? Have you buried them, you old grave-digger?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, hang him, Jaques!" chimed in the other impatiently. "Don't bother +with the slobbering clown! But I've a notion it is a dry shop in this +quarter; you had better get back again to the jolly friars, if you would +have venison pasties and old ale. But I'm going to have a look round, +and see if they have left a hack or two better than mine. They haven't +left a worse, I'm blowed! I don't believe he is a horse. He's only a +shadow and a half; the wind was just going to carry him off when I took +him: so I committed no robbery when I stole him. I vow it's only my +weight which keeps him in this world at all. Gee up, old marrow-bones! +Your old backbone will do to shave the monks with. I wonder I'm not +split up the middle by this. I verily believe my trunk is shorter by a +good six inches than my legs, and I've only been perched on your old +razor-rig these three days. Heigh-up! Jaques," continued he, suddenly +wheeling round, "if you find a tap of good old ale before I get back, +hold on to it till I come! I'm as thirsty as a sponge that hasn't had a +soaking for twenty years. I could suck up half a hogshead easily. My +soul is oozing away through the pores in my body, and all for lack of +moisture."</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the monks, together with numerous refugees, chiefly women, +were gathered in the church, vainly trusting to the sanctity of the +place for protection. I had no faith in this, however, and had taken the +precaution to have our most valuable and costly treasures of silver and +gold and books conveyed to the sacristy, a barrel-vaulted apartment near +the south transept, led down to by a flight of stone steps, which were +cunningly covered over by the flagging of the floor. This had been +designed expressly for the hiding of our valuables when a raid was +anticipated by the Scots or Danes.</p> + +<p>Many of the Normans, I noticed, made at once for the church. No doubt +they fancied the richest booty would there be found. They rudely burst +open the doors, and I pressed in with them. At once the fierce and +undisciplined soldiery commenced to break and plunder everything. I +advanced towards the leader, Vigneau, and prostrated myself before him +to beg for mercy for the refugees. Alas! He furiously spurned me with +his heavy boot, and cried to his men, "Ho, men! here are a lot of scurvy +monks! Kill the rats in their hole!" Prompt to obey, the soldiers let +fly a volley of arrows amongst the helpless throng huddled about the +altar steps, and wounded many of them. Unhappily, Vigneau at that moment +espied the lovely Ethel crouching amongst them. "Stay, men!" he shouted. +"By Jupiter, here's the loveliest Saxon wench my eyes have seen. You may +take the gold and silver baubles and melt them into zechins. Here's my +share of the plunder!" Immediately he seized Ethel and dragged her from +the steps of the high altar. "Nay, nay, wench," said he, "never be so +shy! Thou wert intended for better company than simpering monks and +friars. Damnation!" he roared, suddenly releasing her, staggering back a +pace or two and staring aghast at her; for she had sprung at him and +driven with all her force at his chest a small dagger she held in her +hand. The dagger rattled upon his mailed chest, but left him scathless. +Still she stood confronting him, like a panther at bay.</p> + +<p>"By Jove!" he roared, as soon as he had recovered from his astonishment. +"Here's mettle anyhow! I little thought there was so much spirit behind +that pretty face. All the better however, for milk and water is no good +even in a wench. Here goes for another embrace, my bantam!" So saying, +he seized her with his mailed hands, and wrested the dagger from her, +pitching it across the church. Then he literally tucked her under his +arm, all the while roaring with laughter at her frantic but ineffectual +efforts to release herself, and away he marched down the aisle of the +church. I seized his arm, and was imploring him to have pity, when he +called to a rough-looking soldier. "Here, fellow, run this shaveling +priest through with thy sword, quick!" I gave myself up for a dead man, +for I felt that I could not let him carry off Ethel, when suddenly there +was a hush of voices, and looking round I beheld a Norman lady, of +majestic port and bearing, pressing forward towards us, whilst close +behind her there followed a score of armed men. I perceived at once that +she was a lady of rank by her rich apparel and jewelled head-dress. She +was also of surpassing loveliness and commanding figure. As she beheld +the brutal Norman, I saw the fire flash in her rich dark eyes, as with +quick step she marched boldly up to him and accosted him in words almost +of fire. "I think this is another evidence, Baron, of your base and +unchivalrous regard for the distressed of my sex, by the brutal way in +which you are treating this helpless Saxon lady! You afford me ample +opportunities of testing your gallantry, and better opportunities, too, +than listening to your false and honeyed words, which you are pleased to +pour into my ears."</p> + +<p>"These are but Saxon varlets, Alice; and Saxon varlets, whether male or +female, are not fitting objects of chivalry to a Norman knight."</p> + +<p>"Chivalry is for the oppressed and weak of any nation. So be pleased to +release this lady, and cease harrying these holy and unresisting men."</p> + +<p>"Take care what you are at, madame!" savagely hissed the Baron, between +his teeth, "or your meddlesome interference with business which does not +concern you will be at your peril. Mark that, <i>ma grande dame</i>!"</p> + +<p>"Let go the arm of this lady, I say, and leave this sanctuary at once, +or I shall report your conduct to the Count forthwith."</p> + +<p>"Tell the Count, madame, if he dare, to look in the wolf's mouth and +count his teeth, and he'll not do it twice, you may mark that!"</p> + +<p>He let go of Ethel, however, and, muttering savagely many fierce oaths, +he strode out of the church, followed very reluctantly by his men.</p> + +<p>"Jules Reynard," said the lady, addressing the leader of her men, "do +your best to protect this holy place, and the lives of these monks." +Jules Reynard acquiesced by a low obeisance. "Lady," she said, +addressing Ethel, "I grieve very much at the rude treatment and +mishandling you have been subjected to at the hands of these savage men. +If you like to accept my protection, I think I can protect you from +further annoyance and insult."</p> + +<p>"I thank you, madame," said Ethel, "but this cannot be. Your people have +burnt my home, basely slaughtered my father and my brother, and I +prefer, whether living or dying, to company with my own people."</p> + +<p>The Norman lady heaved a deep sigh. "Alas! I daresay it is but too true, +and I can well understand your feelings; but I will strive to be a +sister to you, if you will come with me."</p> + +<p>"Say no more, lady; this cannot be."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, we must part. But, mark me—though it is hard to say it of +one's people—look for no compassion at the hands of my people, and +beware especially of him from whom you have just escaped, for 'his +tender mercies are cruel.'"</p> + +<p>"I look for no compassion at the hands of the Normans, nor will I seek +it or suffer it. The hands that are red with my kinsmen's blood, cannot +be grasped in amity by me. There is a deep and bloody barrier betwixt me +and thee, which a lifetime cannot erase," said Ethel bitterly.</p> + +<p>"Alas! alas! Nevertheless, adieu, lady; we may meet again. If I can +befriend you in any way, how gladly will I do it, to the very utmost of +my power!" With that she hastily left the chapel—as I learnt +afterwards, to try and stay as much as possible the fierce bloodshed and +rapine of the soldiery. But it is needless to say her efforts were to +little purpose, for though she managed to have them cleared out of the +sanctuary, ere long they were back again, and, like greedy hawks, they +pounced upon everything, no matter how sacred the purpose to which +articles of value were devoted. They carried off the silver table of the +high altar, the silver cups, dalmatics, censers of silver; in fact, +everything ornamented with silver or gold. Speedily the whole of our +possessions were at their mercy, excepting the things I had secreted as +aforesaid. To complete this sad day's work, when nothing more of value +could be had, they turned their attention to our cellarer's store of +wines and ale, and the rest of the day, and the night also, was spent in +drunkenness and carousing. The whole of the night was spent by the monks +in prayer and fasting, whilst for the most part our refugees were glad +to escape to the woods, being thankful if only they could do so with +their lives. A sad day's work this for the sanctuary which had taken +generations to bring it to its high state of usefulness and piety!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>ALICE DE MONTFORT.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"And thus I clothe my naked villainy<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With old odd ends, stol'n out of holy writ,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And seem a saint, when most I play the devil."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Shakespeare.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>My readers, I am sure, will pardon me for passing over the bitter +sufferings and humiliation I and the members of our Order had to endure, +and the still more harrowing cruelties and bloodshed heaped upon the +common people, who, despite the Earl's advice, still clung to their +homes and their patches of land.</p> + +<p>We therefore proceed to follow the fortunes of certain characters who +are the central figures in our history. In reality the history of our +time was made by the important actors, the common people playing a very +ignoble part, and being little better than chattels and instruments of +the leaders' wills.</p> + +<p>The Normans overran the adjacent country like a flood let loose, leaving +desolation behind them. Indeed, if the Saxons had not fled before, and +secreted themselves, their wives, their children, and their cattle, +there would have been nothing but annihilation and utter extermination. +The main body of the Normans swarmed forwards like locusts as soon as +they had devastated one part. But the castle of the youthful Ealdorman +Oswald could not be taken without siege operations. Its splendid +situation and rich lands attracted the cupidity of the De Montfort +already mentioned, and he sat down before it with the determination to +take possession of it and the splendid domain belonging thereto.</p> + +<p>Carefully De Montfort reconnoitred the castle from all points, and +though it had no pretension to invulnerability, yet it was plain to him +that some days must elapse before he would be sufficiently prepared to +venture an assault upon it.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, however, he despatched heralds to summon Oswald to +surrender. The Saxon paced the walls, clad in complete armour, and in +person directed the labours of the housecarles who laboured at +strengthening and repairing the fortifications; whilst a score or so of +his choicest bowmen, with well-stocked quivers, were set apart for the +defence of those who toiled.</p> + +<p>The heralds, three in number, rode up to the walls, and, after blowing a +blast from their bugles, they accosted Oswald thus:—</p> + +<p>"What ho, there, Saxon!"</p> + +<p>To which Oswald responded,—</p> + +<p>"What ho, there! What message have ye from your master?—I perceive ye +are messengers."</p> + +<p>"Our master, the valiant Count de Montfort, of great renown and valour, +giveth thee summons to deliver up to him, within the space of +twenty-four hours, without let or hindrance, this castle, with the +appurtenances thereof."</p> + +<p>"What conditions doth your master tender if we yield to his wishes, and +without resistance obey his summons?"</p> + +<p>"De Montfort hath given us this message: 'Yield thee forthwith without +conditions, and trust to our clemency.' Defiance of our summons is +torture and death."</p> + +<p>"Tell your master that we have too many illustrations of his clemency, +and that of Norman tyrants generally, to put any trust or reliance in +his word. If he would fain have possession of this castle, tell him he +must first take it, for we put no faith in his professions of clemency; +and that we defy him and his myrmidons to wrest this castle from us."</p> + +<p>These were brave words, and intended to inspire his own followers; but +no one knew better than he where victory must inevitably rest. Many +times had he told over the number of the Norman tents pitched little +more than a bowshot away. With sinking heart he had noted the masses of +archers and men-at-arms who swarmed around the camp by day. In the +stillness of night he had crept within earshot of wary sentinels in +company of Wulfhere the freeman, in the hope that some chance, or some +overweening confidence on the part of the enemy, might afford the +opportunity for some desperate deed of valour. But de Montfort was far +too wise and experienced a soldier to permit negligence or +over-confidence to prevail. The pickets at all points were thickly +posted and kept on the alert by patrols.</p> + +<p>The tents of the Count de Montfort and his daughter, Lady Alice de +Montfort, were pitched on a knoll in the centre of the encampment, which +was sufficiently elevated to overlook every other tent and beyond them +on every side. The tents of the maids and personal attendants were +situated to the rear, and were intercommunicable by a covered way. The +entrance to Lady Alice's tent was hung with richly embroidered curtains, +whilst costly figured velvet carpets from the looms of Rouen were spread +over the soft carpet of nature. As already stated, Lady Alice had been +affianced to Baron Vigneau by her father, for the most ignoble reason of +policy and personal ambition, Alice's wishes or preferences not being +consulted in the least. But a union more abhorrent to her feelings could +not possibly be imagined.</p> + +<p>Indeed, to one much less refined and gentle than Alice, this union would +have been most distasteful. Vigneau was at once drunken, licentious, and +boorish, his habits being such as befitted the company of the besotted +and brutal troopers whom he led, rather than that of one of the gentlest +ladies of Normandy. True, he had won for himself a large measure of fame +on the battle-field, and in the lists at tournaments. He had undoubtedly +a large measure of reckless valour, and enormous physical strength; but +he was utterly destitute of that chivalry and knightly courtesy which +was reckoned only second to personal prowess. His chief recommendation +in De Montfort's eyes was that he commanded a "free company" of +mercenaries as reckless and blood-thirsty as himself. De Montfort +cherished a lofty ambition: he aspired to, and in fact held, an exalted +position in the estimation of William; and this he well knew was due in +great part to the number of lances in his retinue, and the men-at-arms +who followed his standard.</p> + +<p>Need we say that Alice scorned this hateful yoke; for the warm current +of romance which ran in her southern blood demanded a nobler and +courtlier knight than Vigneau as the object of her love. Through a vista +in the noble line of beeches and oaks which studded the park she had a +full view of the castle and its defenders, and she shuddered as she +contemplated the impending carnage and bloodshed which hovered over the +camp and the castle alike. Thus, often as she sat in her tent did she +watch the mailed Saxon chief, as he paced his walls and directed the +housecarles as they laboured at the fortifications—far too often, +indeed, for her peace of mind; for the contrast between Oswald's mien +and Vigneau's was most glaring. Then the fact that Oswald was fighting +against fearful odds, and for dear life, awoke the keenest interest in +him, whilst the stories current in the camp of his prowess threw around +him a glamour most piquant.</p> + +<p>Often Alice would turn to her favourite maid and confidante, Jeannette, +for confirmation of her thoughts.</p> + +<p>"Methinks he is a comely knight, this Saxon, and valiant withal. +Jeannette, how sayest thou? is it not so?"</p> + +<p>"He is a comely knight, my lady, and brave too, the fighting men say."</p> + +<p>"Didst thou notice, when he removed his visor to answer the Count's +summons, his handsome visage? 'Twas, I thought, so like the statue of +Mars in the old home in Normandy. The same curly locks; the same +inflexible cast of features, as though ready to front a host. Didst thou +notice this, Jeannette?"</p> + +<p>"I marked it much, my lady."</p> + +<p>"Yet, didst thou notice, there was a nobility about the open brow which +bespeaks a magnanimity which wondrously beseemeth brave men?"</p> + +<p>"I noticed all this, my lady."</p> + +<p>"Ah me, Jeannette, I read those old romances in my father's hall, and +listened to the stories of Christian knights and warriors told me by the +good sisters of St. Justin's, until I came to think that all knights and +soldierly men must be brave to avenge the oppressed, and magnanimous to +the fallen and the weak, scorning to wreak vengeance upon helpless men +and women. I thought all brave men must be at least chivalrous to my +sex. I thought all brave men must be virtuous, too; for how could they +be brave to conquer their enemies, and yet be the slaves of their own +over-grown lusts like this Baron Vigneau?"</p> + +<p>"These are evil times, lady. I much fear me that nothing good thrives +now; and the Baron may not be much worse than others, though I go in +daily fear of him. His gloating eyes are ever upon me, and once he +caught me in his arms. But let him beware! I carry that in my bosom will +teach him a lesson he will not need to learn over again!" and she +displayed the flashing blade of a small stiletto.</p> + +<p>"Listen, Jeannette! I saw the Baron lay hold upon a young and beautiful +lady, who had found shelter with the monks down at the abbey. I heard +his lascivious, gloating words, and I looked into his greedy eyes, and +his steely gaze made me shudder as though it were the gaze of a serpent. +I hate him, but I fear him beyond expression!"</p> + +<p>"Hush, lady! Perhaps you will think better of him when these horrid +times have passed."</p> + +<p>"Never, Jeannette! My heart's revolt is complete. Let death come, and +welcome, but never wedlock with him. He is but a huge mountain of +evil-smelling carrion. I shall hie me to Normandy, and there in my books +I'll find a worthy knight, all brave and pure, and I'll wed him in +imagination. But I will never share my young life with a knight besotted +and cruel as Vigneau."</p> + +<p>"Hush, lady. He comes to your tent. Shall I retire?"</p> + +<p>"No, no! Stay by me, Jeannette. I shall feign sickness; let me lean my +head upon you."</p> + +<p>Baron Vigneau unceremoniously brushed aside the curtains and stalked +into the tent. His gait was unsteady, and his eyes bloodshot; +unmistakable evidences of a recent debauch.</p> + +<p>"What, Alice, how is this?" said he, taking her hand in his. But it +involuntarily shrank from his grasp. "What! aren't we friends yet? I did +but drag the fair Saxon from among those monkish scoundrels to save her +life."</p> + +<p>"You seemed loth to part with her, Baron."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, we'll take a goose till we can get our swan. But no great +harm would have been done. They're jolly fellows, those monks, and know +what's what, I warrant. The wench wouldn't have suffered, exchanging +sniffling priests for a valiant knight."</p> + +<p>Alice shuddered, and made haste to change the subject.</p> + +<p>"What says the Saxon knight to your latest summons?"</p> + +<p>"'Saxon whelp,' is much more like it, I trow. Well, he struts himself +upon his trumpery battlements like a valiant scarecrow. I would he were +a true knight and worthy of my prowess, I would challenge him to single +combat, and you should see how he would fare when matched with Norman +valour. But let him boast himself a day or two until we get our gear +ready; then, if he does not get a short shrift in the <i>mêlée</i>, we'll +have a little sport with him and make him dance to the music these +Saxons like least best."</p> + +<p>"Have you offered him honourable terms?"</p> + +<p>"Honourable terms to a dog of a Saxon! He'll get the same terms as other +Saxons, a sudden exit at the sword's point, or a slower process but a +rougher passage. I am hoping we shall see sport yet."</p> + +<p>Alice shuddered, for she knew too well that instruments of torture were +meant; and she well knew that the Baron would not only use them, but +would derive positive pleasure in watching the agonies of his victim.</p> + +<p>"I don't care about such practices; they are hideous and barbarous. What +good it can do to massacre and torture helpless men and women I can't +tell; indeed, I cannot help despising those who indulge in such +detestable things."</p> + +<p>"You have been trained in too gentle a school to relish these rough +times, Alice. We must exterminate these Saxon pests, especially the +leaders, and those who have spirit in them. The churls may serve some +useful purpose, when we have knocked their freemen manners out of them. +But they will need to be well knocked about, and ground into shape."</p> + +<p>"When will it all end? And if this castle is taken is it to be our +resting-place? I am aweary of being dragged at the heels of a soldiery +thirsting like wild beasts for blood and plunder."</p> + +<p>"Ha, ha! Softly, softly, my sweet one! This is to be the end of it for +us. Then comes love and downy pillows—eh, my queen, is it not so?" said +he, endeavouring to chuck her under the chin.</p> + +<p>Alice hastily fled, followed by her maid; for, sickening as was +Vigneau's general conversation, his amorous advances begat in her an +overpowering disgust.</p> + +<p>A horrible scowl spread itself over Vigneau's base countenance, and he +stood as though petrified with rage. Then his tongue gave vent to this +pent-up storm, and, with a volley of oaths and threatenings, he strode +out of the tent, demoniacal hatred of his betrothed raging in his heart.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>VILLAINS PLOTTING.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"And my imaginations are as foul<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As Vulcan's stithy."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Shakespeare.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>The same day, a little before nightfall, Baron Vigneau strode across the +greensward to the spot where his own followers were bivouacking beneath +some huge beech trees. "Pierre," said he, calling to a stalwart and +villainous-looking soldier, who was engaged in a noisy chaffering with +some comrades, "I have a dainty bit of work for you, Pierre. Just such a +commission as you love next best to swilling old Saxon ale."</p> + +<p>"What is it your lordship has in the wind now? It has some connection +with wine or wenches, I stake my rosary on it."</p> + +<p>"Thou had better throw thy rosary into the first ditch thou comes +across; for if thou tell thy beads in proportion to thy sins, thou can +find no time for anything else; and if thou do penance for half thy +sins, and be d—d for the other half, why, marry, thou might as well be +d—d for the whole. But I warrant <i>that</i> the end of thee in any case, +villain; so there's an end on't. But I want none of thy scurvy +impudence, mark me! I want thy ears, and the best discretion thou hast. +I have a delicate mission for thee to perform—a mission well suited to +thy tender and susceptible disposition."</p> + +<p>"Many thanks for your lordship's highly valued appreciation. But truly, +when I quit my sins I'll have to quit your service; for how a saint will +manage the devil's business I cannot tell. Indifferently well, I fancy."</p> + +<p>"Silence, sirrah, or I'll crop thy ears! Listen to me! Down at the +monastery there is a Saxon wench—a gem of the first water. None of your +bare-legged slotch-puddles, with a figure as shapely as an ill-made +wine-butt. She is a genuine offshoot of the Saxon nobility, I am told. I +want thee to do a little delicate negotiation for me, such as thou art +justly famous for. If thou do it well, thou shalt rise even higher in my +esteem."</p> + +<p>"Ah, I see; a delicate mission truly!"</p> + +<p>"Stop the wagging of thy tongue, knave, and take heed to what I say. +This is not the daughter of a villainous churl, bred and reared on a +midden, take note. So I will have this business done accordingly."</p> + +<p>"Ah, I comprehend it all. This is potter's ware, that must not be soiled +in transit. All damage and defacement must be reserved for your +respectable self."</p> + +<p>"Just so! Don't poke thy villainous phiz—which reminds me of a keg of +wine gone sour—beneath her hood for kisses on thy own account. I'll +have none of it! Just do thine errand as a Christian should, and——"</p> + +<p>"Christian, forsooth, I think you said just now, Baron?"</p> + +<p>"Eh? Stop thy chatter, dog, when I am speaking! Thy tongue will cut thy +throat some day, villain, if thou sharpen it a little more, now mark +that! Thou art getting much too ready with thy scurvy impudence. Just +attend to me and shut thy mouth. I have these further instructions for +thee. This business, understand, must be done in the dark, and thy +tongue must not wag of it—or any of thy comrades' either, mark me. Her +ladyship, over yonder," said he, jerking his thumb over his left +shoulder in the direction of Alice's tent, "tosses her head a little too +much for my stomach already, and she has worked herself up into a devil +of a fume, just because I took a fancy to this same wench a little time +ago. So let there be no hullaballoo over it, mind that. I know what I'm +about," said he, with a brutal chuckle. "When your game's afield you +must tread softly, that's my point, but when it's bagged—ha, ha! you +may skin it anyhow you please. So, so! wait awhile; my turn will come +by-and-by, and when I get the bit within her teeth—well, never mind +that just now. There's no need to tell all one's mind to a scurvy +trooper," he muttered, under his breath. "There, now thou knows thy +business; but don't bring her to the camp, and don't get drunk and +bungle the whole thing."</p> + +<p>Pierre was both a ready and a capable tool of the Baron's, and +indispensable to him in the life of brutality and villainy which he led. +So promptly he set about selecting some half a dozen of his comrades to +assist him in carrying out his master's behests. As the shadows of +evening began to gather about the camp, they mounted their horses and +stole away from the encampment at a brisk trot, reaching the monastery +just as the evening twilight had deepened into the sombre gloom of +night. "Let us dismount here," said Pierre, "and leave our horses +outside the grounds; for the less row there is in this business the +better it will suit the Baron. I suppose as usual it will be a +screeching affair, and if we do not be careful we shall have the whole +brood of pious gentry at our heels in a trice." So, hastily dismounting +and leaving their horses in charge of one of their number, they strode +up to the entrance gates, which they found in charge of two of the +Norman soldiery, by whom they were promptly admitted.</p> + +<p>"I say, Jaques," said Pierre, addressing one of the guard, "can you tell +us whereabouts this Saxon wench called Ethel may be found?"</p> + +<p>"You will find her in the monks' quarters sure enough," said Jaques; +"but I would advise you to get one of the kitchen scullions to lead the +way for you; that will be your best plan."</p> + +<p>So, stealthily wheeling round the main building, they entered the +refectory kitchen, where they found several of the meaner lay brothers +occupied in the menial tasks of that department, whilst a number of +half-starved and ragged mendicants sat round the spacious hall, drinking +the small ale and munching the bacon and bread with which they had been +provided. With abject consternation and fear they beheld the advent of +these troopers; but Pierre immediately laid hold of one of them.</p> + +<p>"Varlet," said he, "where is the Saxon wench Ethel to be found?"</p> + +<p>The Saxon, clown as he was, took in the situation at once, and tried, by +affecting even greater silliness than his clownish looks betokened, to +evade the question. Pierre whipped out his sword and, grasping him by +the throat, said,—</p> + +<p>"None of thy lying, churl! Lead the way. I'll follow; and if thou +mislead me I'll run my sword through thy body in a twinkling. Stop here, +two of you men, and see these skulking villains do not make a hubbub. +Let the others follow me. Now march, hound!" said he, giving the Saxon a +vicious prod with the point of his sword. The Saxon led the way with +much greater alacrity of body than of mind, but it did the business +effectively, for they quickly reached Ethel's room.</p> + +<p>"Now for it!" said Pierre. "Diplomacy will ruffle this pretty bird's +feathers the least, so I'll oil my tongue for the occasion. But have you +the cloak ready, men?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye! all's ready!"</p> + +<p>Pierre knocked at the door, and without further ceremony entered. But no +sooner did Ethel set eyes on his unsavoury visage than she knew that +mischief was meant, and she started to her feet and slid her hand into +her bosom.</p> + +<p>Pierre doffed his helmet, and assuming a bland and hypocritical tone, +said that "he had been commissioned by the Norman lady who had showed +her a kindness the other day, to bid the Saxon lady come to her in the +Norman camp, where she would be protected and cared for with every +regard to her noble extraction and gentle blood."</p> + +<p>But Ethel was not deceived. There is a subtle force in the tones of +sincerity which the most accomplished liar can never successfully +simulate. We are far oftener convinced by this indefinable something in +a man's eye, and in his tones, than by the words he utters. When we have +flung away this quality of candour and truthfulness, liar and knave will +ring out in our utterances, though we use the utmost art of a magician +to hide it. Ethel saw through this ruse, though she dare not show it. So +she manœuvred to gain time.</p> + +<p>"If you will kindly wait until morning, I shall have a little time to +prepare. Some of the servants will find you comfortable quarters for the +night. If you call me early I shall be ready."</p> + +<p>"I dare not disobey my lady's orders, who has sent horses and an escort. +I will wait a few minutes for you. But my lady requested me to ask you +to come right away, for her ladyship's ample wardrobe would be at your +service."</p> + +<p>"I will acquaint the Abbot first, as I am afraid he will be much +distressed if I depart without his knowledge. I shall be but a few +minutes."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry I cannot allow this. My orders are very explicit, and I must +obey. If I have to use force to execute them, I shall be sorry; but I +must ask you to accompany us forthwith," said Pierre, dropping into his +usual menacing and rasping tone of voice, and advancing towards Ethel.</p> + +<p>"Yes, villain, I am not deceived by you, nor by any of your villainous +crew!" said Ethel, drawing from her bosom a brightly shining blade and +springing at him like a wild cat. Instantly half a dozen strong hands +were laid upon her, the dagger was wrested from her, and a soldier's +cloak muffled thickly over her face to stifle her screams. Then Pierre +gathered her up in his strong arms and bore her, struggling, along the +passage, and over the greensward, and through the entrance gates.</p> + +<p>Immediately the Normans' backs were turned the news spread, I being +apprised at once of the outrage which had been done. As I stumbled along +in the darkness I met with Badger, who, with a stout cudgel in his hand, +and bow-and-arrows slung over his shoulders, was rushing eagerly to the +fray.</p> + +<p>"Ah, is that your Grace?" said he. "Where are those Norman carrion? Have +they cleared the ground?"</p> + +<p>"I am afraid they have got clear away. Is not that the clatter of their +horses' hoofs I hear beyond the walls?"</p> + +<p>"It is, without a doubt. I'll track them as easily as a hound tracks a +deer."</p> + +<p>"Go after them, Badger, and see what becomes of the maiden. I will away +to the Norman camp. If I can get speech of the fair Norman perhaps these +men may be made to disgorge their prey. But, Badger, be not too ready +with those carnal weapons, for it will greatly exasperate them; and +remember they that take the sword shall perish with the sword."</p> + +<p>"The application must be for the Normans, Father, for I take but my bow +and my quiver, and just a splinter of timber. But if I tickle not their +flanks with a shaft or two before the night is out, why then the witches +of Addergyll may take me for a dolt and a coward."</p> + +<p>So saying, he glided off like an arrow; but I saw in the darkness that +he went not by the way of the entrance, but to an oaken tree which grew +near the wall, and, hastily climbing it, he slid along a branch which +overran the wall, and from thence I heard him drop to the ground +without.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>VILLAINS OUTWITTED.</h3> + +<blockquote><p>"Drunk? and speak parrot? and squabble? swear? and discourse +fustian with one's own shadow?"—<span class="smcap">Shakespeare.</span></p></blockquote> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>In the meantime, the darkness had gathered quickly and deepened into +night. This was greatly intensified along the forest path by the lofty +and overhanging branches of the trees. The road also had its twists and +turns innumerable, here to avoid a massive tree, and there to avoid a +huge boulder; and it was little better than a cattle path at any time, +and totally impassable, even to the rude Saxon carts, except at broad +daylight. In these circumstances Pierre and party moved with extreme +difficulty, having frequently to stop to make sure of the road, their +oaths and execrations in the meantime resounding through the wood. But +Badger, who was as familiar with the forest as the deer which roamed in +it, sped swiftly and noiselessly after them, catching up with them +quickly. "Ah, ah!" said he, as he caught sight of the black and moving +mass in front of him; "one good Saxon is equal to the half-dozen of you +here, my hearties! Some of you will have a cold bed in the damp grass +to-night for your pains, or else my shafts will go mightily astray!" +Then, sticking his thorn cudgel in his belt, he took his bow from his +back and adjusted an arrow, and then he crept stealthily near to them. +Raising his bow, he drew the arrow to its head; then he withdrew it. "My +fingers," said he, "are in a hurry to make a cur of a Norman the less in +the world. But where is the use in bagging one of their carrion +carcasses and losing the game? To kill a Norman is a luxury; but I must +rescue Ethel. Let me see whether my purpose cannot be served best by +joining my wits to my weapons. There are three couples—two abreast; and +Ethel is in charge of the centre one to the right. I can send a shaft in +the nape of the last one's neck. That is <i>one</i> certain. Then there will +be a stampede probably: I may get another one. Shall I get the villain +who has charge of Ethel? Can't make sure; and if I do, Ethel will come +to the ground with him, and perhaps be badly bruised. Well, some risk +will have to be taken, for I am but one." So saying, he stole nearer to +them. Suddenly, ahead of the party, there was a wide opening in the tops +of the trees directly in the line of vision, the outlines of the figures +in front showing boldly against the starlit sky. "Now is my time," said +Badger, planting his foot firmly, and drawing back the string until it +touched his shoulder—when suddenly a hurried footfall in the path +behind him arrested his attention, and he darted into the thicket, +keeping his arrow in position. When the runner drew near, Badger sprang +forward and faced the new-comer, with his shaft still in position. +"Who's this?" said he. "Speak, or I'll let fly my shaft!"</p> + +<p>"Steady, Badger," said the stranger. "Don't shoot a friend."</p> + +<p>"Well timed, Bretwul, I have just been wishing for a Saxon or two! What +has brought you?"</p> + +<p>"The very purpose that brought you here. I heard of that Norman's +attempt to carry off my young mistress, and I knew the wolf, having +scented prey like that, would never drop the trail until he ran it down. +I watched the abbey night by night, in the hope of frustrating his +purpose; but the villain has got clear off with her."</p> + +<p>"Not quite so fast, comrade. If you had been a minute or two later, my +shafts would have overtaken one or more of them. But it is better as it +is, for two of us will make a better fight of it than one. But enough of +this; they are not two hundred yards ahead of us. There are six +horsemen, and the second horseman at the right side has charge of Ethel. +Now, how are we to effect a rescue?"</p> + +<p>So the pair debated the matter as they followed on the heels of the +party.</p> + +<p>"Well, Bretwul," said Badger, "as I was telling you, I was just going to +try a rough-and-ready method when your footsteps arrested me. I knew it +to be a risky venture, but I little expected any help in the business. +Now I am inclined to think a more favourable opportunity will turn up +by-and-by."</p> + +<p>"Well, I am inclined to think so myself, Badger. There is the risk that +the game would carry the shaft, unless it were hit very squarely; and +the odds are the other way in the darkness. Any failure would make it +bad for the young mistress, it is certain."</p> + +<p>"That we must prevent, if possible. But now, what are the chances? These +Normans have no strong place near in which they can shut her. I can +promise you they'll not dare to carry her to the camp; there is a lady +there who rescued her before, and was desperate savage with the brute +who offered her violence then. But they will find a place elsewhere; +probably leave her for the night in charge of half their number."</p> + +<p>"There's reason in it, Badger. Anyway, it is better to wait awhile, and +see if some better chance is forthcoming."</p> + +<p>So the pair continued to dog the steps of their adversaries, until, +emerging from the wood, they struck across an open glade, or clearing, +in the forest, formerly cultivated by a Saxon yeoman. Soon they reached +the fringe of the forest again, where, embowered within its shelter, was +the house of this Saxon; but it was deserted and plundered of +everything. Here they dismounted, Pierre lifting Ethel down and carrying +her into the house. The cloak was removed, and, lighting a torch, its +flickering blaze made visible a two-roomed dwelling, rude and damp in +its tenantless condition. The inner room was doorless, and the outer +door was thrown back and dilapidated. The floors were of earth trodden +hard. There was a rude attempt at a fireplace in the first room; it was +built entirely of rough, unhewn stone, whilst its huge, gaping chimney +was such, that a man would have had no difficulty in ascending it. Into +the inner room Pierre led, or dragged, Ethel; then he fetched a rough +stone from the fireplace for her to sit upon.</p> + +<p>"Now, fair one," said he, "this is rather a cold place to call home, but +we'll soon make it a bit more comfortable. I can see no further +advantage in lying in this matter—and I keep a conscience, and don't +make a practice of lying for nothing—so I may as well tell you at once +that my master admires that pretty face of yours. It is a weakness he +has. The more fool he; for it spoils his chances of higher game. Well, +that's a riddle you need not puzzle out. But my master is a knight +renowned for valour, and for some other things not recommended by the +worthy Order of Cistercians, or indeed any strict Orders of the pious +gentry. That, of course, is neither here nor there. But my master, when +he hears of your distress, is bound, I believe, by his oath, to succour +you; and he is well able to do so. It is the highest wisdom on your part +to be friends with him. But heigho! no more of that! A fig for doing +another man's wooing; 'tis worse than carving for another's eating!"</p> + +<p>Happily, much of this jargon was perfectly unintelligible to Ethel.</p> + +<p>"Here, men," said he, turning to his comrades in the other room. "One of +you must mount guard inside the house, and another outside. We will to +camp, and return soon with both eatables and drinkables; so make the +best of a bad bargain for a little while. Come, men, let us cut the tail +off this business as quickly as we can." So saying, they mounted their +horses, and, leading the disengaged ones, their forms were speedily lost +in the darkness.</p> + +<p>"My fingers itch most dreadfully to try the effect of a shaft upon the +carcass of the big lubberly villain who leads the party," said Badger, +raising his bow with the arrow directed towards the hazy forms +disappearing in the night.</p> + +<p>"Stay, Badger!" said Bretwul, laying his hand on him. "The game's in the +net; don't rend it."</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye. The fool acts on the thought as it is made, but the wise man +when it is weighed. But as surely as the gallows nods when the rogue +goes by, so his time will come!"</p> + +<p>"Well, Badger, what is to be the next move? We must get to business +whilst our chance lasts."</p> + +<p>"Right, Bretwul. Well, we shall have to work round from the rear of the +house, and we shall thus get close on them if we move stealthily. I +doubt not but we can brain the one outside before he knows where he is; +then, two to one is more than the other will be prepared for."</p> + +<p>So saying, the pair stole to the rear of the house, and crept round by +the gable, until Badger peered round the corner at the fellow on duty +outside. Fortunately, he had his back to them, and was talking through +the open door to his comrade within.</p> + +<p>"Are you ready, Bretwul?" said Badger, in a whisper to his companion, +who followed closely at his heels.</p> + +<p>Bretwul made no reply, but brandished his Saxon broadsword aloft in +token of his readiness. Then, with the agility of a panther, Badger +sprang round the corner of the hovel, and, delivering a powerful blow +with his cudgel upon the back of the Norman's head, he felled him in +insensibility to the ground, whilst another spring quick as lightning +landed him within grappling distance of the other Norman. He also, it is +needless to say, was quite unprepared for any attack, and had barely +time to spring to his feet and raise his arm to ward off Badger's first +stroke, which sent him staggering against the wall; and Bretwul being in +close attendance at that instant, with a sweep of his sword effectually +cut short all further resistance. Then, returning to the door where the +other soldier was lying prostrate, he quickly finished the work of +revenge.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Ethel from within witnessed the scuffling going on, but +without comprehending in the least the import of it; she improved the +opportunity for flight which the struggle afforded her, by bounding +through the open door, and fled like a Will-o'-the-wisp across the open +glade in a frantic effort to gain the shelter of the forest, whilst her +rescuers followed full chase in her wake. Very quickly, however, +Badger's nimble feet caught up to her; when, to her infinite relief, she +discovered that they were faithful friends, who had risked much to free +her from the custody of the brutal Norman troopers.</p> + +<p>Whilst this was transpiring, Pierre and the remainder of his troop +stumbled along through the darkness of the forest, all unconscious that +their footsteps had been dogged, and their evil purposes frustrated, +just when they thought they had been crowned with perfect success.</p> + +<p>"This has been neatly done, men," said Pierre. "Now, I wonder what the +Baron will do for us in the shape of reward!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess none of our pouches will burst with gold pieces, Pierre. +I expected better pay or more plunder when I took service, I promise +you; but his scurvy humours are even worse than his pay. Why don't you +take the lead? The whole company is ready for a new master."</p> + +<p>"Hold hard a bit. There are others who are getting as tired of his +humours as yourself; and if you hear the clash of steel between us you +need not be very much surprised, for my temper is none of the smoothest, +and he may play the bully some day until nothing will settle it but cold +steel."</p> + +<p>When they reached the camp, Pierre alone carried the news to his master. +No sooner, however, had he put his head within the tent than he gave a +grunt of infinite disgust as he set eyes upon the Baron; for he was far +gone in his cups.</p> + +<p>"Hilloa, Pierre! What now, you scowling villain! What has brought you?" +he bawled, with drunken incoherency; but, drunk as he was, he had +noticed Pierre's disgust.</p> + +<p>"We have executed your order, Baron," Pierre replied.</p> + +<p>"Executed my order? Who? What have they done?"</p> + +<p>"The commission you gave me about the Saxon lady down at the monastery."</p> + +<p>"The wench that all the pother's about?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, the same."</p> + +<p>"Ah, I remember. Have you got her, Pierre?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, as snug as anybody could wish. Not a whisper has got abroad."</p> + +<p>"Bravo, Pierre! You are a gentleman. Pierre, do you hear? You are a +gentleman, or a thief, I don't care which," giving a drunken chuckle. +"Drink, Pierre," said he, handing him a flagon of wine with a trembling +hand.</p> + +<p>Pierre took the goblet and drained it to the last drop.</p> + +<p>Vigneau took it again, and looked into it for a moment with maudlin +pensiveness, as though he could scarcely realise that it was really the +bottom he gazed at. But the quarrelsome humour in him was never so +rampant as when he was in his cups.</p> + +<p>"There's a pint of good Rhenish gone, Pierre. Gone, too, into a stomach +that must be about rotted out with Saxon ale by this time."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll bring them round with soothing draughts of Rhenish, +master."</p> + +<p>"Eh, dog? Not with mine, Pierre. With swill if you like, Pierre! Swill +will do for a hog like you, Pierre! Eh! Do you hear me? Swill will do +for you!" said the Baron, becoming quarrelsome with drunken excitement.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, Pierre was sober, or matters would speedily have become +serious. Checking the rising choler, he said,—</p> + +<p>"What is to be done with this Saxon—Ethel, as she is called?"</p> + +<p>"What do you know about Ethel, eh? Have you got her, scurvy villain? I +say, have you got her? Answer me that."</p> + +<p>"I told you we had, not a minute since."</p> + +<p>"Eh? Then speak civilly, varlet! Do you know who I am? D—— me, I allow +thy tongue too much licence. I'll not have such impudence from a scurvy +trooper as I've taken lately. I'll teach you I'm a gentleman. Now mark +me, Pierre. Keep a civil distance. I'll not have it," and he began +fumbling for the hilt of his sword.</p> + +<p>"Pshaw!" said Pierre, assuming both a look and a tone of disgust.</p> + +<p>"Eh, churl, what now?" roared Vigneau, in a towering rage, with great +effort staggering to his feet, and after prolonged exertion getting out +his sword, and lunging furiously at Pierre. But the act was too much for +him. Lurching head foremost, the sword's point came ignominiously to the +ground with his weight upon it, to prevent his falling flat. The result +was, his great weight forced it a foot into the ground, from which his +utmost efforts failed to extricate it, Pierre, meanwhile, vanishing from +the tent with a horse-laugh. Vigneau dropped into his seat and stared +vacantly at the point where Pierre had vanished, then at the sword +standing upright in the ground. But his efforts to recall what it was +all about were a total failure. Slowly his bleared eyes closed, and soon +after he slid from his seat to the ground, to sleep off the effects of +the night's debauch.</p> + +<p>"The Baron is drunk and quarrelsome as usual to-night," said Pierre to +his comrades, as he issued from the tent. "Nothing can be done with him +till morning, and if he be not in a pleasanter humour in the morning, +and come down handsome for us, you will have to be led by another, I +trow. Well, we'll finish the business we have begun. Let us take +victuals and a few other things down yonder. It will be a little more +like a habitation, and not so like a sty."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>A FRUITLESS EMBASSY.</h3> + +<blockquote><p>"A bold, bad man."—<span class="smcap">Spenser.</span></p></blockquote> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>To return to myself. I paced to and fro in the abbey grounds in anguish +and suspense, waiting for Badger's return, yet almost dreading it, lest +he should bring ill news. But midnight passed, and the small hours of +the morning came on, with no tidings of Ethel. I feared for her personal +safety, and I feared also the effects upon her mind. For I must state +here, for the benefit of the reader, that Ethel's surroundings had been +such as to strongly imbue her mind with the heathenish beliefs of her +ancestors. Her father came of an old viking stock, and rigidly adhered +to the superstitions of his forefathers. He had likewise given to Ethel +a large measure of his stern and aggressive temperament, and had striven +to instil into her mind his own religious beliefs. I had seen also at +times the strange flashing of the fierce fire within her, when deeply +stirred. Yet I saw there were elements of gentleness and delicacy in her +composition, inherited in all probability from her mother, who was +Saxon, and a devout Christian. With my whole energy I had striven, at +the request of her dying mother, to train her in the Christian faith: +but my opportunities had been of a most desultory nature. Then when I +began to hope that my work would be accomplished, this terrible invasion +occurred. Thus efforts to show her how the fierce passions and reckless +bloodshedding of the Norsemen—her father's ancestors—were cruel and +heathenish, and their religion a gross superstition, were frustrated by +this war of usurpation inflicted upon us by a Christian nation, with the +approbation and blessing of the Pope, whilst at the head of their army +they carried sacred banners and holy relics of saints. Thus the +Christian religion was made to sanction bloodshed and massacre, +unsparing and fiendish in its extent and in its mercilessness. In the +train of these professedly Christian soldiery also, there followed +nameless horrors and offences, which outdid the excesses of Norseman and +Dane tenfold. But, worse than all, her father and her two brothers had +been massacred—their home levelled—and she, having to fly to the +shelter of the sanctuary, only found that the sanctuary was no sanctuary +to her, and no protection against violence and brutality. It is utterly +impossible to imagine any one more completely shorn of every prop and +stay than she was; and I feared much also for her faith. I knew that +there was that in her which would not permit her to tamely submit to +indignities. But where would her revolt end?</p> + +<p>Well, feeling that it would be better to be doing something to effect +her rescue than to be absorbed in these painful cogitations, I decided I +would start at once for the Norman camp. It was a long and a weary tramp +in the darkness through the forest, but still, I hoped, by patient +plodding forward, I should reach the camp by daylight. Happily I found I +had not overrated my powers. As I drew near, I was challenged by the +outpost. There was a considerable parleying, and a determination evinced +to prevent my farther advance. But my sacred calling, coupled with the +fact that I was unarmed, and that it was now broad daylight, ultimately +prevailed, and I was conducted to a tent not far from the one occupied +by Lady Alice de Montfort, with whom, after some time, I received an +audience, and whom we will in future call Alice. To her I related all +that I knew of the outrage, with such description of the persons taking +part in it as I had been able to gather. From my description of the +leader, she had no difficulty in identifying Pierre as the man.</p> + +<p>"Well, Father, I may as well tell you at the outset, that this is what I +expected. I warned this Saxon lady of the risks she ran by staying at +the monastery, but I could not persuade her to accept my protection."</p> + +<p>"She has been a great sufferer, gracious madame," I replied, "during +these wars; and she was, no doubt, greatly afraid. Probably, also, she +was greatly averse to joining your camp; though it was unquestionably a +generous offer on your part."</p> + +<p>"Well, reverend Father, I am not saying this to excuse my inaction now, +but I assure you from what I know, and what I suspect of the +participants in this outrage, that it would have been far easier to keep +the prey from the jaws of the lion than it will be to force his den and +wrest it from him. I will do my utmost, I assure you. Jeannette," said +she, turning to her maid, "let our guest have some refreshment, for he +will be weary and faint, I am sure." So saying, she departed I know not +where.</p> + +<p>She returned in the course of half an hour; but she gave me little hope +of success, though she said the Count, her father, had gone out in quest +of the persons whom he suspected. She was most gracious to me, and asked +most anxiously as to whether we were treated properly by the soldiers +quartered upon us. I suspected very strongly that the comparative +immunity from personal molestation we had hitherto enjoyed arose in +great part from her goodwill and protection. She asked many questions +with regard to our books; to our endowments; especially to the great +relief we had been able to extend to the poor, and to strangers. I was +highly impressed, not only with the charms of her person, but with her +highly cultivated mind, and gracious demeanour.</p> + +<p>I hastened my departure with as little delay as decency would permit; +for to tell the truth, I was driven back upon my first hopes, that +Badger's cunning and prowess would be equal to the emergency. I was thus +extremely anxious to get me back to the monastery, that I might learn +how he had fared. So I hurried over the open plain, and gat me into the +forest as quickly as I could. For in very deed I felt myself anything +but safe, as I noticed jealous eyes watching me narrowly. But I had +scarcely entered the forest when I found myself in the presence of the +ungodly Norman who had desecrated the sanctuary, and endeavoured to +carry off Ethel—whom, also, I strongly suspected of being at the bottom +of this latest outrage. I involuntarily crossed myself, and uttered a +prayer for help, for I felt instinctively that I had myself in very +truth fallen into the jaws of the lion.</p> + +<p>"Well, shaveling," said he, "thou hast said thy prayers, I perceive. +Thou hast done well to be prepared, lest the devil should get thee. What +has been thy errand to the camp so early? Be explicit and prompt, or +thou wilt rue it."</p> + +<p>"I have had particular business there, my lord."</p> + +<p>"I knew that already, dolt! Let us have details. With whom hast thou had +business?"</p> + +<p>"With Lady de Montfort."</p> + +<p>"So I thought. What was the matter that disturbed your saintly bosom, +old smooth-pate? Out with it!"</p> + +<p>"There has been an outrage committed upon us, and one of our refugees +carried off by force from the monastery."</p> + +<p>"Ah! that was terrible! So you first despatched a posse of your +bog-trotting Saxon churls to murder two of my men; then you dragged your +battered old shins through the woods, to raise a hullaballoo at the +camp. It was well done. Now, what shall I give you for your trouble? I +think a broken neck is about your deserts."</p> + +<p>So, without more ado, he laid violent hands upon me, and tore my cloak +from my back. Then he tried to strangle me; but I had been stout of +limb, and agile as any of my fellows, when I was young, so I resisted +with all my might. I was delighted to find, in spite of the disadvantage +of a score of years, he was more blown than I was. Eventually, I was +able to slip from his grasp, and immediately took to my heels. He was +younger, but stout and bulky; and I found in this point, also, I was +greatly his superior, and quickly increased the distance between us. So +he gave up the chase, and permitted me for the time being to go in +peace. For this wonderful deliverance I gave God thanks.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>OSWALD'S DEFENCE OF HIS CASTLE.</h3> + +<blockquote><p>"Cry 'Havock!' and let slip the dogs of war."—<span class="smcap">Shakespeare.</span></p></blockquote> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>In the meantime, the Normans had made diligent preparation for an +assault on the castle. Now the castle could not be described as a very +formidable stronghold, or one designed to withstand a regular siege. It +had been built mainly to resist the incursions of the Scots, who +periodically raided in force into these parts, their purpose being +plunder and cattle-lifting. They overran the country quickly, getting +them back as speedily as possible, before the Saxons had time to +concentrate, so that no very great powers of resistance were needed to +repel them, or weary them. Occasionally also the Danes carried fire and +sword to our parts; but since the conquest of Northumbria and the north +of England generally, by Halfdane, and the settlement of so many of his +followers in the land, we had not been afflicted much with their +incursions in this part of the kingdom, during my lifetime. Thus, the +strength of the castle being sufficient for our hereditary foes, it +still was not such as would be likely to long resist the experienced and +numerous foes now pitched before it. The castle itself stood on an +eminence; was built of good solid masonry, with a battlemented tower +rising from its centre, but without any special design. It was +strengthened by a wall which ran completely round, forming a spacious +enclosure, in which cattle could be speedily and safely housed in cases +of emergency. This wall was lofty and fairly proportioned, but its great +length made it difficult to man by the handful of Saxon defenders. It is +well also to note that, as in the case of nearly all the strongholds of +the land, it was provided with a secret passage, known only to the +trusted followers of Oswald—a passage which could be entered by the +initiated at a certain place in the circular stair which led to the +turret. This underground passage had an emerging place, carefully +concealed in a dense wood some distance away.</p> + +<p>In a very few days the Normans had prepared themselves with scaling +ladders, and had cut long poles from the forest for the purpose of +pushing the defenders from the wall. Mantelets were prepared of boards +fastened together, behind which the attacking parties could advance on +the defenders, without exposing themselves to the arrows and javelins +which would be hurled at them. The leaders also had pavises, or large +shields, which covered the person from head to foot. The time had now +come when the assault might be made, it was believed, with impunity, so +the Norman forces were put into battle array, a small number only being +appointed to the task of protecting the women and the camp.</p> + +<p>It was a fine sight to see these disciplined men as they moved to the +attack in orderly array. Everything bore evidence to the fact that the +plan of attack, and the marshalling and disposition of the forces, was +the work of a competent general, one who was well versed in the art of +war.</p> + +<p>The Norman bowmen were thrown out in companies on either flank, for the +protection of the forces who were to conduct the assault, and also for +the purpose of distracting and harassing the defenders as they strove to +repel the attack of the besiegers.</p> + +<p>It needed little military knowledge to see that the issue could not be +doubtful. The meagre band of Saxons, stretched in thin line over the +extent of wall, could never hold it against the multitude who swarmed to +the attack. Oswald alone, of all the Saxons, was fully equipped for the +resistance of the clouds of barbed arrows about to be poured amongst +them. His second in command, Wulfhere, was partly clad in a light coat +of mail; but, for the most part, leathern jerkins were the only +protection they had. Had it been an attack in the open, in which the +forces were equal, these rough Saxons would have given a good account of +themselves. Any one of them could have been depended upon to bring down +a stag at a hundred paces. Whilst, if it had been a hand-to-hand +struggle with their broadswords, or their pikes, they would have fought +with the ferocity of tigers. But here they were outnumbered by ten to +one, and so circumstanced that they could not hurl themselves upon their +adversaries, and by sheer bravery strike terror into their ranks. They +must wait to be attacked, and for every arrow they shot, and for every +javelin they flung, there would be half a dozen returned.</p> + +<p>Vigneau, Reynard, Jules Reynard and other leaders, were grouped together +with De Montfort, who gave orders for successive movements of the +besiegers, as though, with the prevision which comes of a carefully +matured plan, he could see every act of the stirring drama about to be +enacted.</p> + +<p>Now the order for assault is given. The attacking party, with their +mantelets mounted on rude wheels, steadily advance across the plain, the +archers disposing themselves to the right and left in advance of the +main body, giving the attacking forces the form of a crescent. The +archers, dodging adroitly beneath the trees, were able to get near the +wall, thus threatening to put the defenders between a cross fire. The +Saxons, with bow in hand and pike at their feet, but without a shout or +the wasting of a single arrow, stood grimly awaiting the onset. The +Norman archers commenced the attack by letting fly a volley of arrows, +but at too great a distance to be effective. Some of them fell short, +and the others were easily dodged by the Saxons, who, as yet, had no +pressing call upon their attention. But now the attacking party draw +near, and, as they do so, they become more exposed. At a signal from +Oswald a stinging volley of arrows from the Saxons come hissing amongst +them with galling effect. At this the pace of the besiegers is +quickened, and their archers are quickly within distance to do deadly +execution with their arrows.</p> + +<p>The Saxons, too, find it necessary to let go their bows, and grasp their +javelins and spears to deal with foes in close contact, who by this time +have begun to scale the wall. The foremost Normans were met with a +merciless slaughter, and it is probable that never a Norman that day +would have kept a foothold on the wall had it not been for the support +of their archers. These, being now at close quarters, pour their arrows +in pitiless showers into the ranks of the defenders, and many a stout +Saxon falls with dozens of these barbed messengers of death in his body. +Where the attack is hottest, the Saxons reel and stagger, a foothold on +the wall is gained, and the Normans are swarming upon it. Oswald +immediately dashes to the spot and his battle-axe descends in thunder +strokes. Right and left the Normans are beaten down before him; and, +with a shout, the Saxons signal the wall clear again.</p> + +<p>But the respite is brief, for quickly Oswald's attention is directed +elsewhere by the loud shouts of the Normans. He turns a hurried glance +thitherward, only to see that the Normans there have gained a foothold +on the wall, and are rapidly overbearing his handful of men, though +Wulfhere manfully stems the tide, and deals out to the Normans many a +deadly blow. In a moment, Oswald also is on the spot to the rescue, and +once more the tide of victory smiles upon the Saxon cause. Again it is +only for a brief span, for like an oncoming and resistless tide the +Normans surge upon the wall, and beat back the slender ranks of the +Saxons. One advantage, however, the Saxons now reap; the combatants are +so mingled in one deadly hand-to-hand struggle, that the Norman archers +dare not let fly their shafts, and can only stand, and, with bated +breath, watch the sanguinary struggle.</p> + +<p>In the distance yonder, and at the entrance to the tent, there stand +Alice and her maid Jeannette, who shudderingly watch the carnage +proceed. Oswald and Wulfhere are now fighting back to back, with shield +on arm, and having exchanged their axes for their broadswords. Together +they cleave down the ranks of the enemy, until like sheep they quail +before these stalwart Saxons.</p> + +<p>"What matchless valour this pair of Saxon chieftains display, Jeannette! +If ever heroism and valour deserved to win a battle, surely this is the +time!"</p> + +<p>"How frightened our men-at-arms seem to be!" said Jeannette. "Do you see +how frantically the Baron raves there at the foot of the wall, and +shouts at the men? He boasts him of his valour. Why does he not mount +the wall and face this Saxon?"</p> + +<p>"What human lives are being sacrificed! 'Tis most dreadful! May God send +us peace quickly!" murmured Alice, shading her eyes at the spectacle +before her. "These are our people, Jeannette, but I must confess my +sympathies are with the Saxons. This leader, too, defends his home with +the courage of a hero. God grant he may not fall into the hands of our +men alive, or he will be tortured with fiendish brutality for this day's +work!"</p> + +<p>The struggle still proceeds with gathering intensity and fierceness. +Baron Vigneau, indeed, as Jeannette had described him, does rave and +gesticulate frantically. "Down with him! Now, men, rush on him two or +three together! Close with him! Push him from the wall! Hurl something +at him!" But nevertheless he makes no effort to mount the wall himself.</p> + +<p>De Montfort also stands there nervously directing the attack. "Here, +man," said he, to a stalwart soldier by his side, "heave up this long +pole and aim a blow at the Saxon." The man heaves up the pole, and, with +a run and a powerful blow, he struck Oswald on the head. The blow +completely staggers the Saxon; for a moment or two he hovers on the edge +of the wall endeavouring to recover his balance; but, alas! it is all in +vain, and he drops, with his heavy harness on, down into the castle yard +a dozen feet or more.</p> + +<p>At this untoward event the Saxons, in a perfect panic, rush for the +drawbridge thrown across to the wall from one of the barbicans, and +intended as a means of retreat by Oswald in the last resort. But the +Normans have intercepted them and cut them off from this, and the +custodians, seeing that this would be seized by the Normans, immediately +withdraw it. Then the Saxons wildly leap from the wall, and for dear +life's sake, rush like hunted hares, for the neighbouring thicket.</p> + +<p>For a little while attention is distracted from the fallen chieftain by +the efforts of the Normans to cut off these flying Saxons. But down +there in the castle yard lies Oswald, stunned, bleeding, and insensible; +helpless to fight or to fly. Wulfhere witnesses the helpless condition +of his leader, and down he leaps and lifts him up and detaches his +visor. As he does so, a deep sob escapes from the parted lips of Oswald; +but there is no further sign of life or returning consciousness.</p> + +<p>Whilst this has been transpiring, the attention of the Normans has been +distracted from the leaders by the necessity to clear the walls of the +few Saxons who, disdaining to seek safety in flight, die fighting most +determinedly at their posts. Now, however, the Normans turn their +attention to the two Saxon leaders entrapped within the castle yard. +Immediately they send up a yell of fiendish delight, as they behold the +almost frantic efforts of Wulfhere to arouse his unconscious master, and +restore him to his senses.</p> + +<p>But 'twas in vain. Oswald's head had been rudely jammed by the steel +helmet in the shock of falling; and it was soon apparent to Wulfhere +that the brief respite was now exhausted, without bringing any signs of +returning consciousness. He threw his left arm around the waist of his +helpless chieftain, and drew him, harness and all, upon his hip, and, +grasping his broadsword in his right hand, he made with all the speed he +could command for the door of the castle, hoping by this manœuvre to +gain time.</p> + +<p>But the stalwart and muscular form of Oswald, encumbered as it was by +heavy armour, made progress painfully slow. In the meantime, the Normans +reversed their scaling ladders and slid down into the quadrangle, and +came trooping after the fugitives. Wulfhere saw his task was hopeless, +and with a cry of pain like a wounded deer he dropped his helpless +burthen on the greensward, and, furious as some wild beast, sprang at +the yelling foe, cutting down the foremost at a blow. Following up the +others, who quailed before him, he quickly laid half a dozen corpses in +a ghastly circle round his master. But there was no end to the stream of +furious assailants who were fast surrounding him. "'Tis in vain!" he +pitifully exclaimed. "Oh, had I here but a score of stout men to make a +rampart of steel, we would defy the yelling crew! God forgive me for +this coward's act, my master! I would gladly die with you, but I know I +shall better do your will by reserving my worthless life for service to +your followers."</p> + +<p>So saying, he bounded over the prostrate form of Oswald, and across the +sward, mounting the half-dozen steps at the terrace entrance at a +spring, and dashing through the open door.</p> + +<p>The Normans followed him in concert; but when it became a question of +single file to pass the portal, without knowing whether Wulfhere was +lurking within, why then they in "honour preferred one another," with +the result that they one and all ceased following Wulfhere, and +courageously returned to help their fellows to heap indignities upon the +prostrate Earl.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the gates had been burst open and the Norman soldiers, camp +followers and all, had pressed into the enclosure, Alice and Jeannette, +with the women, bringing up the rear.</p> + +<p>"Whatever are they clambering and yelling so about, Jeannette? Is it the +dead chieftain?"</p> + +<p>"I think so, my lady. They are like wolves worrying their prey."</p> + +<p>"It is a pity so brave a man should perish. If he be not dead I will +beseech my father for his life; though I am afraid it will be to little +purpose."</p> + +<p>"See, my lady, he is not dead; he is standing up."</p> + +<p>Oswald had recovered consciousness, and, stripped of his helmet, looked +around, though deathly pale and half-dazed.</p> + +<p>"Do not kill him, men!" roared Vigneau. "We'll have some sport +to-morrow, and then you may cut his throat if he survives."</p> + +<p>"Do you hear what that beast in human form is saying, Jeannette?"</p> + +<p>"It is horrible, my lady. Let us go away; I am quite sickened."</p> + +<p>"Stay a minute, Jeannette. Let us have a good look at him. How pale he +is! But look at his noble countenance—handsome and expressive as a +hero's should be! Such countenances have men only who live temperately +and think purely. Contrast, Jeannette, the blotched and bleared +countenance of Vigneau. There is a tell-tale and an index at once to the +beastly life and foul imagination. How my heart revolts at the sight of +him! I would prefer the touch of a vampire."</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Wulfhere threaded his way by a path familiar to him, until he +reached the foot of the circular stair which led to the turret, +ascending which, and watching through a loophole, he heard the command +to spare Oswald's life until the morrow.</p> + +<p>"Thank Heaven! Whilst there is life there is hope. If a desperate effort +to rescue him will succeed, I count upon a few daring spirits to venture +it."</p> + +<p>But the tramp of heavy feet resounding through the corridors warned him +to delay no longer. Turning his face towards a farther ascent, he ran +his hand along the wall in the darkness until the feel of a certain +stone arrested his attention, applying his strength to which, it slowly +revolved, disclosing an aperture into which a man might drop.</p> + +<p>Into this aperture Wulfhere disappeared; and the stone revolved to its +place again.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>ALICE DE MONTFORT SETS FREE THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"O woman! lovely woman! nature made thee<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To temper man; we had been brutes without you."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Otway.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>It was only by the exercise of the utmost energy that the soldiery and +camp followers of the Normans were prevented from looting the castle. +They were somewhat appeased by an unlimited supply of ale from the +cellars, and promises of money. Bonfires were lit in the enclosure, and +carcasses of sheep and oxen roasted thereat, the whole resolving itself +into a grand carousal of drinking, singing, and rough jollity. A certain +number of the better class were admitted to the castle, where the same +kind of thing was repeated in much the same fashion.</p> + +<p>In the large hall the leaders feasted and drank with little more of +refinement and seemliness than the vulgar people, except that they drank +wine and mead.</p> + +<p>"Well, Captain Reynard!" said the Count. "Is all well?"</p> + +<p>"All well, sire; the gates secured, the place explored, and, I think I +may add, the Saxons so thoroughly routed and cowed that they will have +little stomach for more fighting yet awhile."</p> + +<p>"That may be; but I fancy we should be found very unprepared if they +dared venture an attempt to rescue their leader."</p> + +<p>"You may depend upon me, Count, to keep a sharp look-out; I shall not +close my eyes in sleep until the sun rises to-morrow. But I have no fear +the Saxons will attempt a rescue. As I said, they are so thoroughly +beaten, and the remnant so glad to be able to escape with their lives, +that they will venture no more."</p> + +<p>An exceedingly busy and anxious time was spent by Alice and her maids in +their efforts to protect the domestics left in charge from the drunken +frolics of both officers and men-at-arms. This would have been a task +utterly beyond their powers but for the watchful eye and stern +discipline of the Count, who, despising the drunken excesses of his +lieutenants, with ceaseless care and watchfulness kept watch and ward +within and without the castle.</p> + +<p>Alice and Jeannette, too, with the curiosity of their sex, and with +ever-increasing interest, explored the rooms of the castle, marvelling +greatly at the many tokens of taste and refinement manifested therein, +and which they little expected to find in the castle of a Saxon +chieftain.</p> + +<p>Said Alice, "My interest grows strangely from day to day, Jeannette, in +this Saxon chieftain. I see no evidence of the boorishness I have always +associated with the lives of the Barons of England. Now also that he is +in such sore distress, and hath so sad a fate before him, my heart +grieves sorely for him."</p> + +<p>"Yes, my lady, I cannot help thinking that these Saxons would despise +the beastly orgies proceeding under this roof, and outside."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Jeannette; but what will it be on the morrow, when this Saxon is +given over to their cruelty? It makes my blood curdle! Would I knew how +to set him free! My heart tells me it would be an act of mercy done to +my own people as well as to him; for to spare my people the humiliation +and degradation of the morrow's inhumanity were indeed a good deed, +whether they would appreciate it or not."</p> + +<p>"My lady, if you wish it, I warrant we can do it. I know how to set +about it. Paul Lazaire mounts guard, and I can coax the simpleton into +obeying me. I declare if I had to bid him stand on his head he would do +it."</p> + +<p>"But, Jeannette, that would probably get Paul into trouble. Perhaps it +would cost him his life. That would not do."</p> + +<p>"Well, if you will not let me manage Paul, I cannot tell how to help +you."</p> + +<p>"But cannot we manage it without implicating Paul. I could make a +sleeping draught which would put him to rest speedily."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that would be fine, my lady! Just the very thing! Put it in some +mulled ale, and I will dose him."</p> + +<p>"But how then, Jeannette? Have we courage to open the prison doors? I am +afraid our nerves would fail us down in those damp and ghostly cells."</p> + +<p>"Not at all, my lady. I will go; my heart will not fail me, for it would +just suit me to do it."</p> + +<p>"Well, it sounds strange we should thus plot to deceive our people; but +my heart prompts me to do this deed, come what may."</p> + +<p>"Yes, let us do it; but, as I said, let it be mulled ale, for I declare +ale is never too muddy for them, and they will drink it, no matter what +stuff you put in it."</p> + +<p>"But how shall we convey it to him when it is made? That is our next +difficulty, Jeannette."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll convey it, never fear for me, lady. The little soft is fool +enough to think I admire him. It will be such fun! I shall almost burst +with laughter when he gulps it down. I'll take him a tit-bit also, for +his supper. The simpleton will be overjoyed, and I expect he'll begin +maundering something about love," and Jeannette clapped her hands and +skipped about gleefully. This was a matter that just jumped with her +madcap humour, and her high spirits could any time carry her through a +frolic of this sort; but when fairly cornered, her nerves were subject +to complete collapse, and she became as helpless as any bird before the +swoop of a hawk, unable to do anything but cower and helplessly flutter.</p> + +<p>"Really, Jeannette, I think you treat this poor fellow rather too +badly," said Alice.</p> + +<p>"It's only a joke, my lady. I like to tease him, he amuses me so!"</p> + +<p>"Well, get him some supper, then, and I will make him some mulled ale. +For this once, at least, we must ignore our consciences; but indeed, I +almost think the end will justify the means, for this worthy Saxon +deserves some better fate than the one awaiting him, and I care not if I +permit the claims of humanity and of chivalry to triumph, even though it +be at the expense of my own people, of whose cruelty and greed I am +heartily ashamed."</p> + +<p>The evening hours were advancing rapidly towards the twelfth. Much of +the clamour of the early hours of the night was effectually hushed in +the drunken slumbers of both officers and men, and at the dread hour the +attempt at rescue was to be made; so Jeannette, fortifying herself for +her humorous but somewhat daring feat, tripped boldly along the +corridors, torch in hand, bearing the repast prepared for her would-be +lover.</p> + +<p>"There, you false man, that is a great deal too good for you!" she said, +accosting Paul Lazaire, who was mounting guard over the cell in which +Oswald was confined, and who, in great trepidation and fear, shrank +before the ghostly advent of an unknown and muffled visitant at the +dread hour of night.</p> + +<p>"Oh! goodness me, my pretty Jeannette, is it you? I was quite startled. +I thought it was a ghost, and I declare it's an angel."</p> + +<p>"You thought it was that ugly Saxon wench I caught you kissing, you +false man! That is what you thought."</p> + +<p>"Tush, tush, Jeannette! Whenever will you forget that? You know I love +only you. Give me a kiss, and let us be friends. I vow I will never look +at another Saxon wench as long as I live."</p> + +<p>"Now, get off with you, if you please. You make a mistake if you think I +am going to be kissed by you, when you are so fond of kissing any dirty +hussy you meet."</p> + +<p>"Now, don't, my fiery little wife! This is too bad—too bad for +anything, Jeannette! You never have done with it."</p> + +<p>"Don't you imagine you will have me for a wife unless you mend your +manners very greatly. You shall have that dirty hussy of a Saxon for a +wife, and I will have Jaques Leroux. He is a smarter man than you are, +any day; and if I but put up my finger to him, he will run after me."</p> + +<p>"You don't mean it, Jeannette! Now, don't be cruel! You might just as +well say that you love me, for I know you do at heart, and you are only +teasing me, as usual. I know you wouldn't have brought me this nice +supper if you hadn't thought something of me. Now, isn't it so, +Jeannette? Just give me a kiss, and say you forgive me for that Saxon +wench, and then I shall be happy;" and Paul endeavoured gallantly to +plant a kiss on Jeannette's rosy cheek.</p> + +<p>"Here, get off, will you, or else I'll scratch you!" said Jeannette, +violently pushing Paul away. "I'm not going to go shares with a dirty +Saxon. Mark that, Paul Lazaire! You will have to mend your manners +before you kiss me, I can tell you that much!"</p> + +<p>"There you go again, Jeannette. You never will forget about that Saxon +wench, I do believe; and you know it was only a joke."</p> + +<p>"Now, just get your supper, and give up fooling, will you? or your ale +will be cold, and I shall go away and leave you," was the very +irresponsive reply of the dame.</p> + +<p>Paul was really madly in love with Jeannette, but still he had to spare +a considerable amount of affection for the steaming tankard of mulled +ale and the victuals, which she had brought him. So he raised the +tankard to his lips, and gave a hearty drink.</p> + +<p>"Bravo, Jeannette!" said he, smacking his lips. "What a lovely brew it +is to be sure! How it warms the pit of my stomach! You'll make me a +happy man some day, I do declare, Jeannette."</p> + +<p>"Now you are fooling again!" said Jeannette, giggling most immoderately +at the gusto with which, unsuspectingly, he swallowed the potion. "Now, +get your supper. I cannot spend the whole night with you here. So be +quick, or I shall be missed."</p> + +<p>Thus exhorted, Paul fell on the victuals with right good will, and +drained to the dregs the tankard of spiced ale, all the while +interspersing his feeding by casting pitiful glances at Jeannette, which +made that mercurial young damsel giggle more immoderately still.</p> + +<p>"Don't go, Jeannette," said he beseechingly, as Jeannette was about to +turn away. "It is a long time to the next watch, and you can't imagine +how creepy I feel in this passage, with that fearful Saxon inside +clanking his irons, and tearing about, and not a soul within call if he +should break loose."</p> + +<p>"Is that the cell in which he is confined?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but he is very quiet just now. Perhaps he hears us talking; but I +can hear him tugging at the chains sometimes as though he would tear the +place down. He makes me feel as if next moment he'd burst open the door, +and murder me. He is a most desperate fellow. You should have seen how +he fought on that wall; and there was another one who escaped, a fearful +man, too, at his weapons."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I saw them, and I noticed how frightened you all were into the +bargain. But are those the keys you have at your girdle?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; this is the one for the door, and this other one for the +manacles," said Paul, holding up a pair of rusty keys to Jeannette's +view. "I wish the watch was over," he added, shuddering, "or I had <i>un +bon camarade</i>."</p> + +<p>"Eh, bien! bon nuit, mon bonhomme," said Jeannette, gathering up the +empty tankard, and flitting along the lonesome corridors back again to +her mistress, who was waiting with feverish impatience for her return.</p> + +<p>"What news have you, Jeannette? Did all go well?"</p> + +<p>"Beautiful, my lady. He drank the ale, and praised it finely. I knew he +would do that, for those horrid men always praise ale. But the wonder to +me is that the beastly stuff did not turn his stomach."</p> + +<p>"Did you see the cell, then, in which the Saxon is confined?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; and Paul showed me which is the key for the door, and which is for +the manacles; for he is chained fast to the wall, it appears."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear, I wish it was over, for I tremble from head to foot. It is a +desperate enterprise, and would be both rash and indelicate if the +mercifulness of it did not demand the sacrifice. Dost thou fear to +venture it, Jeannette?"</p> + +<p>"Not a bit, my lady; I like to outwit those men folk, for they count us +nothing, and it will be such a joke to see their blank looks in the +morning! And won't the Baron rage and swear at the men-at-arms?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, do hush, you foolish child, it is far too serious to jest about. I +wish your courage and lightheartedness may not fail you before our task +is accomplished! If a merciful Heaven do not help us, I fear me we shall +never accomplish our purpose."</p> + +<p>"Let us make vow to Notre Dame, before we venture, that we will repeat +fifty Aves and Credos if she help us, and give twenty silver pennies to +the holy Father at the next gathering of the Romescot."<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p> + +<p>"Well, we will see about that; but we had better get ready, for the +draught will soon take effect upon this sweetheart of yours."</p> + +<p>"Stuff, my lady! He is a little finikin fellow, and simple to boot. I do +but tease him. He amuses me so much I really cannot help joking him."</p> + +<p>Ere long these two frail women stole along the lonesome passages, having +fortified themselves as best they could for their task. Alice was +dreadfully nervous, but determined of purpose. Jeannette, however, was +jaunty enough at starting, and had it been the congenial task of +tricking poor Paul Lazaire, her volatile temperament would have carried +her through; but she soon began to manifest, by many hysterical starts, +that this dramatic adventure, which might become a tragedy, was telling +powerfully upon her nerves.</p> + +<p>They soon reached the place, however, where, as they anticipated, Paul +was found in a state of blissful insensibility to either friend or foe. +He had speedily felt the soothing effect of the drug, and had sat down +with his back to the wall. But he had quickly slidden from that position +and was now lying flat along, in a sound sleep, and breathing heavily.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear!" almost shrieked Jeannette, as she witnessed Paul's +insensible condition. "He's not dead, is he, my lady?"</p> + +<p>"No, he is not, you simpleton! Now let us be quick, Jeannette! Reach the +keys from his girdle. May Heaven help us!" said Alice, devoutly crossing +herself. But she dared not give utterance to her fears in presence of +her maid, whose condition was plainly visible to her.</p> + +<p>Jeannette snatched the keys from Paul's girdle, and Alice thrust the +clumsy piece of metal into the door; but she had to apply her utmost +strength ere the rusty bolt shot back with a loud snap. Then, applying +her strength to the heavy oaken door, it recoiled slowly on its rusty +hinges, with a horrid, creaking noise which grated fearfully on the +excited nerves of the pair. Immediately, as the torch's flickering light +fell dimly across the cell, their eyes fell upon the captive chief, who +was chained to the wall by heavy chains, but nevertheless stood erect, +with distended nostrils, clenched hands, and threatening attitude. He +was evidently expecting a midnight assassin, and though manacled and +bound hand and foot, he would fight it out to the end. Alice started +back, trembling violently, as she beheld the fierce attitude of Oswald; +and the last spark of Jeannette's courage disappeared, for, with a +shriek, she clutched the arm of her mistress and tried to drag her away.</p> + +<p>"Hush, Jeannette! Be still," cried Alice beseechingly; "we shall be +discovered if you do not be quiet."</p> + +<p>The scene was a graphic one truly. The two timid women stood on the +threshold of the cell, cowed by the savage attitude of the captive, and +afraid to advance a step, though bent on doing a deed of mercy. Oswald +also was strangely bewildered at the sight of such gentle visitors; for, +as the torch was held aloft, the uncertain light revealed to him the +forms of two timid and graceful women, and one of them, at least, +bearing evidence of gentle blood and gentle manners. His muscles relaxed +and his manacled hands fell to his side, and the heavy irons clanked +horribly in the vaulted cell. This still further terrified the visitors, +and Jeannette, whose nerves were at their utmost tension, with a shriek +involuntarily bounded over the sleeping form of Paul Lazaire, and fled +like the wind along the corridors, leaving her mistress alone with the +captive chieftain. The awful silence was broken by Oswald, who said, "Be +not afraid, gentle lady. I was expecting some red-handed murderer and +the cold steel; but methinks so fair a messenger should bear a message +of mercy."</p> + +<p>"We have at least a merciful intent, Saxon. We saw your brave defence of +the castle, and we would fain set you free if we can, for we know the +brutal designs of some of our people, and we would save our own people +from dishonour, and you from a cruel death."</p> + +<p>"Ah! then pity still exists in the breast of woman! I thought the world +was emptied of such things."</p> + +<p>"This can never be, sir knight, whilst honour and chivalry inspire the +deeds of knights and warriors; for such can never fail to inspire the +sympathies of us weak women."</p> + +<p>"Will you dare, then, fair lady, to carry out your beneficent purpose, +and give me my liberty again, enemy though I be to thy people?"</p> + +<p>"I have counted all costs, sir knight; and I dare, if so be that my +woman's strength can effect it."</p> + +<p>"Here is my right hand, then. Ten thousand blessings on your woman's +heart if you can set it free once more!"</p> + +<p>As he spoke he stretched out his right arm, loaded with the heavy and +rusty fetters.</p> + +<p>Alice boldly advanced and thrust the key into the lock, but her utmost +strength was insufficient to force back the catch, whilst Oswald's +fetters prevented him from reaching one hand with the other. Alice +unloosed from her shoulders a collarette of rich lace, and wrapped it +round the rusty key, the angles of which hurt her hand. Then, applying +again her utmost strength, happily she succeeded in forcing back the +stubborn bolt, and thus liberating Oswald's right hand.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus2" id="illus2"></a> +<img src="images/illus2.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>ALICE DE MONTFORT SETS FREE THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>"Thank Heaven for a limb at liberty! My good right hand, too," said he, +stretching it to its utmost length for very joy. "Give me the key, now, +fair lady, for I can myself undo the rest." Soon, one by one, the +fetters were stripped off from his cramped and lacerated limbs, and he +bounded from them free. Falling on his knees before Alice, he seized her +hand and pressed it to his lips, exclaiming, "Tell me the name of my +benefactress, lady, for it shall be enshrined in my memory for ever."</p> + +<p>"I am Alice de Montfort, and that was my maid," said Alice timidly, and +blushing crimson.</p> + +<p>"Alice de Montfort!" said Oswald, starting to his feet as one bewildered +at the avowal. Then, seizing the other trembling hand, he passionately +exclaimed, "Nay, never blush, lady! So noble a name, so fair a form, and +so generous a deed are worthily associated."</p> + +<p>"Alas! I fear me, sir knight, some men, if they knew that I thus acted +falsely to my father and to my people, would despise me; but I have +learnt to despise the opinions of men, when the cause of humanity and of +chivalry claims my feeble help. We noticed your brave defence of your +home, and the evil fortune which befel you; and we two weak women were +overtaken with pity, which is our woman's weakness. Thus we have +ventured this deed. I would you should accept it as some atonement for +the violence and greed of my people. But tarry not, sir knight, I +beseech you, lest this act be marred ere it be accomplished."</p> + +<p>"How can I express my gratitude to you, gentle lady, for adventuring so +much in order that you might give me my life! But I would that the curse +of Heaven may be upon me as an ingrate, if I forget, even for an hour, +the debt I owe to you, and, if opportunity serve, I return not with +interest to thee and thine this act of mercy done to me in my extremity. +But the time is urgent, as you say. So adieu, lady."</p> + +<p>"Stay, sir knight; there is one other point—how will you make good your +escape? Had you not better go with us to our women's quarters? Then we +may devise with greater leisure some further means to ensure your +escape."</p> + +<p>"If you will but lend me your cloak, lady, to disguise my form, I know +this castle's resources, and I shall not fail to make my escape. As a +token of this, I will leave the cloak at the foot of the stair leading +to the tower. Adieu, lady! We shall meet again under happier auspices."</p> + +<p>So saying, he bounded from the dungeon and disappeared in the darkness.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>BARON VIGNEAU BAULKED OF HIS REVENGE.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Midnight brought on the dusky hour,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Friendliest to sleep and silence."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Milton.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>The pall of darkness is spread over the face of Nature, and the bold +outlines of the mountains are shrouded in its embrace. Under cover of +the darkness, a cordon of vigilant and daring sentinels are closing in +upon the castle and its carousing inmates. One stealthy figure glides +peeringly from tree to tree amongst the clump of towering chestnuts, +until he reaches one near the wall, when, throwing his legs around it, +and catching hold of the tough and sinewy shoots in the bole, he mounts +aloft, and perches daringly amid the branches of the tree, watching the +remnant of the Normans who still are able to keep up the orgie. But most +of them are now fast in the arms of a sodden sleep.</p> + +<p>Another figure, on hands and knees, with snake-like motion has left the +thicket of laurel, hazels, and flowering currants at the foot of the +slope in front, and wriggles his way up the rising ground on which the +castle is built, until he comes daringly close to the wall; whilst the +short, sharp scream of the night-owl, issuing from first one point and +then another, tells that concerted action is afoot. The secret of it is, +that Wulfhere has rallied a band of the hardiest Saxons, if needs be, to +dare a desperate deed of rescue on behalf of their captive chieftain. +Many a fierce Saxon, with naked sword and eagerly listening ear, is +lurking around, ready for any deed that may be required of him.</p> + +<p>Wulfhere and a trusty comrade are standing together at the foot of a +gigantic oak in an adjoining wood. The capacious trunk tells that for +many centuries it has looked down upon its contemporaries. The decayed +and verdureless branches, clustered around its centre, tell also that +the process of decay has been progressing for a longer span of time than +is permitted in the life of mortals. If we ascend it for a few yards we +shall find that, just where its stout limbs divide themselves from the +bole, a yawning cavern has taken the place of its once stout heart, into +which a man would find no difficulty in descending.</p> + +<p>"I think there are none of the enemy on the alert, and we may venture," +said Wulfhere to his companion. So saying, he mounted the tree and +disappeared in the recess, and, sliding down until he reached the +ground, he quietly removed some leaves and other <i>débris</i>; then there +was visible a trap-door, which he raised, revealing a flight of steps, +which he descended, followed by his companion. Drawing forth a horn +lantern, with tinder-box and flint, he struck a light, and the pair +began slowly marching along in the direction of the castle. But they had +not proceeded very far before they were saluted by a familiar voice.</p> + +<p>"What ho, Wulfhere! what are you venturing?"</p> + +<p>After the first violent consternation, Wulfhere found his tongue.</p> + +<p>"We essayed a rescue, my lord, but you have saved us the trouble. How is +this? We scarcely hoped to find you alive at this time, much less a free +man."</p> + +<p>"A miracle, Wulfhere! I account it a miracle, for I am as one given back +from the dead. But more anon. Let us haste for the present, for I +tremble lest it should turn out that it is but a dream, and that there +will follow a horrid awakening."</p> + +<p>The trio quickly retraced their steps, and stood together in the wood, +Wulfhere uttering a series of peculiar calls well known to every Saxon +comprising the band of rescuers. Quickly, one by one, they rallied to +the spot; and when they saw their chieftain safe and well their +demonstrations of joy were most exuberant—almost frantic—many of them +dancing round him like satyrs in the dim light of the wood, each and all +most anxiously demanding by what strange chance he had obtained his +liberty. As they hastily retreated to the hills, Oswald briefly related +to his followers the circumstances of his release by two Norman women, +who at dead of night had boldly opened the prison door and unfettered +him—Oswald carefully laying upon his followers the injunction that no +harm should be done to the Norman women, and that special regard should +be paid to the Norman lady, daughter of Count de Montfort. He also +enjoined upon them the strictest secrecy as to the agents who had taken +part in it.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Early on the morrow there was a grand muster of the Norman men-at-arms +in the castle yard. Many of them who had taken part in the assault on +the castle were not followers of the Count, but mercenaries, who were +eager for further advance in quest of plunder. To this multitude who had +fought for him, and stayed their hand from plunder and burning, at his +request, a liberal donative of gold was distributed; and presently +three-fourths of the soldiery shouldered arms and marched northwards to +swell the ranks of the desolating host which carried fire and sword +throughout the north of England, and to the borders of Scotland. +Blood-curdling were the dreadful scenes of slaughter that were enacted; +not less than two hundred thousand Saxons perishing in that ruthless +massacre.</p> + +<p>Alice and Jeannette were astir betimes in the morning also; in fact, +Alice had not closed her eyes during that night of suspense. With +considerable daring, in the morning she and Jeannette passed from room +to room, from basement to roof, in search of evidence that the Saxon had +made good his escape, starting and trembling violently as the wild +shouts of the men fell upon their ears, lest it should be but the herald +of Oswald's recapture.</p> + +<p>"There remains but the tower, Jeannette," said Alice, after they had +explored, as best they could, the various rooms of the castle. So +towards the dismal winding stair of the tower they hastened, and there +in the semi-darkness they came across the cloak which Alice had lent the +fugitive. Then Alice remembered the parting words of the Saxon,—that +'she would find the cloak at the bottom of the stair.' Slowly they +scrambled up these stairs, often-times having literally to grope their +way. When they reached the top they peered anxiously around, but no +trace of Oswald was to be seen. Looking over the battlements, they +beheld Vigneau, Pierre, and a number of men making preparation for what +they considered a morning's sport. Some had fenced round a small +enclosure, and others had kindled a large fire, in which were heating +pincers and long iron spikes wherewith they purposed torturing the Saxon +chieftain. Vigneau, casting a glance up at the castle, perceived Alice +and Jeannette peering over the battlements and watching the fiendish +preparations.</p> + +<p>"Pierre," said Vigneau, "do you see <i>la grande dame</i> watching us? We +shall find her sport soon the mawkish damsel will sicken at, I warrant. +I would like to tie her to the spot and make her look on whether she +will or no."</p> + +<p>"You will win no gracious smiles by this work, I doubt, my lord; it +would have been better done farther away," said Pierre.</p> + +<p>"I neither care for her smiles nor her tears. I have got the hook in her +gills and I'll land her in my own fashion, and she may struggle and +flounder as she will. I can bring her ladyship or her precious sire to +their knees as I like. You shall see presently. But come along, bring +half a dozen of your men with you; we'll have Samson up now."</p> + +<p>So away they hastened to the cells to fetch their prisoner.</p> + +<p>"Jeannette," said Alice, "I am ready to faint! Do you think the Saxon +has escaped? I fear he could never scale that horrid wall; and if he be +but hiding on the roof or in the cells he will be surely caught."</p> + +<p>"If I could push these huge stones upon the Baron's head I would do it +freely," said Jeannette.</p> + +<p>Just at that moment a wild shout came pealing up the stair.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Jeannette," said Alice, "let me sit down! They have found him, I +fear! This is sickening!"</p> + +<p>Just at that moment a soldier was seen to dash from the door of the +castle and fly across the enclosure and through the gate. This was the +sentinel who had taken Paul Lazaire's place; and who, as soon as he +found the prisoner gone had himself fled for life and was seen no more.</p> + +<p>Speedily a hue and cry was raised. The castle was searched within and +without with the utmost minuteness. Vigneau's violence and rage were +fearful, and his demeanour that of a wild beast baulked of his prey.</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is needless to say that I was well-nigh overjoyed when +Badger brought me the wonderful news of Oswald's deliverance. I +gave God praise, for truly it was little less than a miracle. +Badger, by some means or other, seemed to be constantly in +possession of all information as regarded the movements of the +Normans as well as the Saxons. Truly, he seemed ever on the +alert. By night he was constantly in conference with the +outlaws. Marvellously, also, he gained the goodwill of the +Normans, and he became a repository of all their secrets. +Unfortunately for us, Vigneau and his men quartered themselves +at the abbey; and, fearful for Ethel's safety, I made Badger +the bearer of the following letter to Oswald, who had, I was +pleased to hear, found a retreat which promised some prospect +of immunity from molestation; and, as I said, I had become most +nervously anxious for the welfare of Ethel now that Vigneau had +taken up his abode so near to her retreat.</p> + +<p>"To the most noble and valiant Ealdorman Oswald, +greeting.—Having been assured by yourself that you purpose +devoting your great wisdom and undoubted valour to the most +worthy cause of protecting and succouring your unfortunate and +distressed countrymen, in these most perilous times, I would +fain bring to your notice that most evil times have befallen +the house of your late neighbour, the Thane Beowulf, in that +his lands, like your own, have become forfeit. But, what is +even more distressing, he, along with his son, has been slain +whilst endeavouring to prevent the spoliation of their +possessions by the Normans. His lovely and accomplished +daughter Ethel had fled to these cloisters for safety; but +inasmuch as this most holy sanctuary is involved in the general +ruin, being seized by violent hands, and remains at this +present in possession and under the control of beings who are +little better than fiends—men who have no regard for sacred +things, and who in their cruelty and lust spare neither age nor +sex—violent hands have been laid upon Ethel, but happily she +hath been delivered out of their hands as a 'bird from the +fowler,' by the combined address and valour of the bearer of +this message. Unfortunately there is no place of safety for +her, for the remnant of her father's housecarles and fiefs are +a scattered band, and outlaws. She hath for the present, +however, found a temporary place of shelter in the dwelling of +one of her father's rangers, who hath a rude abode in 'Hooded +Crow's Gyll.' But this is at best a precarious refuge, for, as +soon as the Normans muster courage to explore the forest, she +will inevitably fall into their hands again. If thou canst +befriend this orphaned one, the God of the friendless and +distressed bless thee! If thou canst offer her a more secure +shelter, the bearer of this missive—whom doubtless thou wilt +know—may be safely trusted to guide thee to the herdsman's +hut. Most sorrowfully I salute thee.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">"Adhelm, Abbot,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Monastery of ——.</span> [symbol: cross]<br /></span> +</div></div></blockquote> + +<p>This epistle duly reached Oswald, who, as I surmised, lost no time in +setting about a rescue. Calling Wulfhere, three horses were quickly +saddled—one for Oswald, one for Wulfhere, and one for Badger, who was +to act as guide.</p> + +<p>"Lead the way," said the Earl; "and keep by the hills as far as +possible, for the Normans as yet have had no time to spare from their +eating, drinking, and plundering, to explore the hill country, and, I +doubt not, we shall go unmolested."</p> + +<p>With these directions, the three horsemen started off, keeping to the +hills, where their vision could sweep the valleys and lowlands with so +much accuracy that it would have been impossible for an enemy to come at +any time within a couple of miles of steep climbing without being +perceived. A little more than an hour's ride brought them to the point +from whence they must strike the forest and lowlands. They paused for a +minute or two, calmly surveying the hillsides, and minutely scrutinising +every object which had any indefiniteness or uncertainty about it. But +the curlews swept the long circle of the hills, uttering their plaintive +cries, and the hawks glided over the tops of the trees, or darted in and +out amongst them to start their prey into the open, or, on poised wing, +they rested motionless in the air, scanning with keen vision the ground +beneath them, and ready to pounce like a flash upon any luckless mouse +or tiny rabbit that had ventured on an excursion from its hole.</p> + +<p>"The presence of man—or, at least, of men—is not here," said Oswald, +"or these shy denizens of the solitudes of Nature would betray it by +their unrest. Lead on, Badger; we shall not be molested, I trust."</p> + +<p>So Badger struck out for the lowlands at a rapid pace, presently +plunging into the head of the wood which ran up the valley some +half-mile beyond the unbroken forest. In the bottom of this valley or +gorge, a water-course was speeding away from the hills, occasionally +leaping over falls of several yards. But, amongst the unsolvable +mysteries of Nature, trout in goodly numbers had penetrated beyond them, +and in every pool or temporary resting-place of the waters, these +enterprising denizens of the flood abounded. The three followed a rough +path by this water-course for a considerable distance, until it merged +in the well-nigh interminable forest.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Badger diverged from the path, and, dismounting, led his horse +through the thicket, putting aside the branches as he passed. Presently +a rude dwelling became visible, with a little clearing around it. This +was the spot where the herdsman, or, more properly speaking, the ranger, +dwelt. It was a rough and primitive sort of building, made of wood. +Stout oak limbs, deeply inserted into the ground, and from which the +bark had been removed, formed the main supports, whilst the arched roof +and interspaces of the sides were interlaced in most fantastic shapes by +smaller branches of the oak, all carefully peeled. Upon this framework +of oaken branches the roof and sides were dexterously thatched by +heather from the neighbouring moor, and over all a rude daubing of mud +and lime mixed; the whole making a rude, but, nevertheless, a warm and +dry abode. Around the entrance there was a few yards paved with smooth +limestone pebbles gathered from the neighbouring brook. Amid these were +interspersed most fantastically the knuckle-bones of deer, sheep, +wolves, and other animals. Grotesque and whimsical all this seemed, but +it jumped with the fancy of the architect, who was literally a child of +the forest. Badger, as he drew nigh, heard hasty scuffling of feet and +barricading of the door. But when he gave a knock all was as still as +death in a moment.</p> + +<p>"Hillo, within there!" shouted Badger. "There is nothing but good Saxons +here."</p> + +<p>The ranger's wife recognised at once the voice of Badger, and undid the +door; and the three entered, leaving their horses standing together. +Ethel, meanwhile, was listening within in great trepidation, but when +she discovered that their unexpected visitants were Saxon, she emerged +from an inner room. As her eyes rested upon Oswald, who had removed his +helmet, the burning blushes mounted in a deep crimson glow to her face +and neck, and she cast an anxiously nervous look at her disarranged +toilette.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Oswald, taking her hand and raising it to his lips, "is this +the sweet little Ethel who used to watch us rough boys play at the +joust, and fence with our broadswords?—whom we used to accompany +through the Bruneswald on her hawking expeditions? Why, how you have +grown, too! To be sure, these terrible times have left no opportunities +for neighbourly amenities. Why, 'tis three years since I last set eyes +upon you. Ah, I know 'tis very sad," said he, as he saw the tears start +into her eyes; "but dry those eyes, timid one, we will endeavour to find +a covert where you may hide; and we will put about it a girdle of steel, +and woe shall be to the Norman who obtrudes his hated presence near."</p> + +<p>But these gentle words only seemed to open the floodgates still wider, +and the frail frame of the fair girl quivered with emotion. Recently she +had passed through sufferings, privations, terrors innumerable; but as +she looked upon the mailed warrior before her, it seemed as though a +very tower of refuge had been found. The most casual observer would have +been powerfully impressed by the striking contrast in these two human +beings—Ethel, with her fair complexion, deep blue eyes, and rich +tresses of fair hair falling with unkempt gracefulness over her +shoulders, being a picture of maidenly grace, and an ideal high-born +Saxon maiden; whilst the Earl's tall, muscular frame, well-shapen head, +and curly locks, seemed like a modern Hercules made for the times, and +equipped by Nature to play a conspicuous part in a troublous +epoch,—times, in which personal prowess, dauntless courage, and a +commanding presence were essential qualities in one who aspired to be a +leader of men.</p> + +<p>We can scarcely wonder that there should be a touch of more than wonted +gentleness in the tone of his voice, as he spoke to this fair and +sorrowing maiden.</p> + +<p>"We heard of your misfortunes, fair one," said Oswald, "and we have come +to offer you such succour as a dispossessed Saxon can still offer. I +fear me it will be but a rude shelter for so gentle a guest. It may be +precarious, and subject to alarms, too; but I warrant it shall have a +measure of safety, if you will accept of it."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, my lord. Alas! that is all that I have to offer for your +great kindness. I will gladly accept your offer, and I will try not to +be altogether a burden to you."</p> + +<p>"Now, my worthy dame," said Oswald, addressing the ranger's wife, "you +have done a good deed in sheltering this lady."</p> + +<p>"We have but done our duty. She is our lawful mistress. We have fed on +her father's bounty, and enjoyed his protection, and the sorrow is to +see her brought to this pass."</p> + +<p>"Where is thy husband?"</p> + +<p>"He is adown the Gyll on the watch."</p> + +<p>"Canst thou call him?"</p> + +<p>"Presently, my lord, if you wish to see him."</p> + +<p>"Yes, let us see his face. We may be able to befriend him, and he us."</p> + +<p>The woman reached from the side of the dwelling a small whistle, made +from a branch of the plaintain tree, and, going to the door, she blew a +low and peculiar note, then listened for a second; but there was no +response. Then a little louder she blew the same note. Immediately there +came trembling through the wood a response.</p> + +<p>"He will be here soon," said the woman, coming back to the dwelling.</p> + +<p>Presently, the ranger pressed through the bushes into the enclosure; in +one hand a dish of fine trout dangled on a string, and in the other hand +a pheasant. But there was no mark of surprise on Bretwul's countenance +as he beheld his visitors.</p> + +<p>"How now, friend. Thou art not alarmed, I see," said Oswald.</p> + +<p>"No; I have one eye for the hills, and another for the dales, and I know +a Saxon any gait, and my old comrade Badger in any guise."</p> + +<p>"So thou hast busied thyself in securing these dainties for thy +mistress, I presume?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have sent one of my trusty shafts after this dainty bird, and I +have poked under a few stones in the brook for these trout. Here," said +he, throwing his quiver on the floor, "are a score of cloth-yard shafts, +and every one a trusty friend, and never fails. I have taken great pains +in the rearing of them. I have tried them all at a mark, and I have all +their peculiarities logged up in my brain-pan. I have taken the swerve +out of them, as nearly as I can, by paring their heads, and twisting +their tails; but they have all a mind of their own at the finish. But I +know their minds as well as they know themselves, and I can allow, to a +shadow, what they require and I can shoot a Norman's eye out at +fourscore paces with any of them. Look, also; all these heads have been +made by Sweyn, the Sheffield armourer; all of them forked ye see, and +make a dainty little slit between a Norman's ribs as they enter; but +gramercy! getting them out, there's the rub! I have been watching for +many a day down the Gyll, for the Normans have been getting bold, +ransacking the forest in quest of Saxon refugees. A slice of luck, and a +crumb of comfort, has fallen to me this morning."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Hast thou had some of them within reach of thy cloth-yard shafts, +then, this morning?"</p> + +<p>"Marry, that I have! and I have tickled one or two of them with a long +stick; but they didn't laugh, mark you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, then, we'll have thy story, Bretwul, for we are all anxious to hear +how they like messages from our woodsmen."</p> + +<p>"Well, it came about thus. There is a little path from the valley leads +up to our cot. 'Twas worn, before these dogs came, be assured, for we +shall make no further tracks, yet awhile. As I was out this morning, on +the rough side of my cottage—that is, the side turned to the foe—and +on the look-out for them, three or four of these Normans had come across +the track, and, of course, they naturally thought there would be +something at the end on't. Well, there was something in the middle that +satisfied them. No sooner did I see them coming, than I says to myself, +'Come on, my bucks! I've got something warm for you, and you can have it +for nothing but love.' I planted myself in the bush not forty paces +away, and I selected my choicest shaft. This is him," said he, pulling +one out of the quiver, still red with blood. "I'd trust my life on this +shaft, master, for he never fails. Well; on they came, and I gave him +all the strength of my arm, and plump in the throat my arrow struck the +foremost Norman, and he dropped in the path. Gramercy! His fellows +didn't even stop to say to him, 'Are you much hurt?' or even to inquire +if there was any more of the same sort about; but they turned tail, +master, if you believe me, and they ran—why, Badger here couldn't have +overhauled them, and he's the nimblest fellow in these parts. Well, I +says to myself, 'I should not like you to go empty away, any of you, if +I can help it.' So I lodged another of my shafts pretty securely, I +warrant, in the buttocks of the last one, and the fellow never halted +for a moment to inquire what it was, but he carried off my shaft. I +suppose they will be busy now inviting it to come out; but, depend upon +it, it will hold its own as closely as any Norman could stick to a +Saxon's goods. I've lost a good shaft over him, but it will tickle him +for many a day yet; and he'll want nobody to scratch the place, either. +There, marry! it's bad manners to stand prating before my betters, but a +bit of news of this sort I like, either to hear or tell it."</p> + +<p>"It is news good either to hear or tell," said Oswald, "and we shall be +glad to hear more of thy stories when thou hast any as good as this. But +prithee, my good fellow, what is this bundle of shafts in the corner?"</p> + +<p>"These, master, are my youngsters, and they haven't quite finished their +schooling. They are trusty shafts enough when you come to close +quarters, but, like an unbroken colt, a trifle skittish when accurate +work has to be done. I'll make them steady goers by-and-bye. Wife +haven't you a drink of mead or a bite of anything for our guests? This +is Oswald, our only chieftain in these parts. Don't you remember his +coming to the hall and playing joust and broadsword with Master Beowulf? +A stout rogue he was, too, in those days. This is Wulfhere, Folkfree and +Sacless (lawful freeman); Badger, too, a merry fellow—like myself, +though, thrall and bondman, but as trusty a knave, I trow, as breathes."</p> + +<p>"I like thy mettle, Bretwul, if such be thy name; but what dost thou +purpose to do? Wilt thou stay here and take thy luck single-handed, or +dost thou intend to make terms with the Normans, and accept such mercies +as they may bestow?"</p> + +<p>"'Down with the Normans,' is the Saxon's good word now, and it has been +mine from the first. The Bruneswald, and the company of the merry +outlaws who range it, would suit me best; but hopping about in the +woods, like a squirrel from tree to tree, does not suit the womenfolk +and my toddlers. But shift I must now; after to-day's business there +will be no staying here. I left yon fellow across the path as a sort of +warning to trespassers, but it won't act long, for the Normans will come +again in larger numbers, and the game will soon be up."</p> + +<p>"Maybe thou hast heard that we have made a stand on the hills yonder?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, ay! that I have, master."</p> + +<p>"If thou likest to bring thy wife to Tarnghyll, where we are sheltering +for the present, she and the little ones will be much safer, and thy +wife Eadburgh will be useful to Lady Ethel. By-the-bye, thou hast a +brace of falcons and some fishing gear, I see; and I warrant there is a +ferret or two in that hutch outside. Every man to his craft, and marry, +thine is a serviceable one just now. If thou wilt do thine office for +thy mistress and the rest of us, why then bring thy tackle, and thou +shalt ply thy craft for us, and be assured we shall not grumble if thou +waste an occasional shaft upon the buttocks of any bold or prying +Norman. Hast thou any of thy comrades, servants of the worthy Thane +Beowulf, hiding hereabouts who are willing to take a new master? If +there are, bring them along with thee, for any one sturdy enough to +despise the Norman yoke, and anxious to loose a shaft in defence of the +Saxon's cause, will be heartily welcomed, for we purpose a venture in +which a man who can shoot straight will do us good service."</p> + +<p>"That will be blithe news, I trow, for there are a number of the +housecarles of the worthy Thane, my late master, who are casting about +for something more settled-like than the wolf's-head life of the forest. +In truth, there will be a merry gathering of stout outlaws at the +hermit's cave on Crowfell at nightfall. I would be keen to carry your +message to this trysting. At our last gathering the talk ran much on +your defence of the castle, and some of these are forest men and outlaws +who range the woods as far south as Sherwood. Anyway, I warrant me the +natives of these parts will hear the news with rare glee, for a dalesman +likes to keep in the shadow of his hills and fells. Stout men at a push +you'll find them, and ready to stand to their weapons with the best, and +as slippery as eels when they must shift for themselves. Say the word, +and I'll see it runs through these parts like a heather-fire in a stiff +breeze."</p> + +<p>"Good! Bretwul, stir up these fellows, the more the merrier, for we are +not going to play hide-and-seek with these Normans, and the stouter the +mustering the better we can deal with them."</p> + +<p>Bretwul's wife set before the visitors a stout repast—spoils of the +chase and the flood—for Bretwul was an adept at his vocation. The +visitors also were well supplied with hunger-sauce, and they did rare +justice to it.</p> + +<p>"Well, Badger," said Oswald, "you seem to have taken such a liking to +your new friends that you could not bear parting with them on any terms, +so we must leave you behind, and wish them joy of their friend."</p> + +<p>"Gramercy, master, it is true! I am such a simple fellow that I can wag +a paw with these Normans in all meekness and humility; but I have a +snare or two set on my own account, and the game always finds its way +fellward. Leave me alone, I'll wriggle through it somehow; and, by our +Lady, I've had no broken bones thus far."</p> + +<p>So Oswald, Wulfhere, and Ethel sped them on their way—Ethel being +accommodated with the spare horse.</p> + +<p>"Come, Ethel, my girl, you must dry those eyes, for I shall take note +each day, be assured, to see how the sunshine comes back again to your +countenance," said Oswald, pleasantly.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid I shall prove to be a great burden, and very little of a +help to you in your struggles."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; you will be just such a burden as the wild flowers, as little +tending and as fragrant and beautiful as they."</p> + +<p>Ethel blushed scarlet, and made haste to change the subject. "Do you +think, my lord, this Norman Count is bent on exterminating all Saxons +who do not yield them vassals to him?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, Ethel girl, why this formality? I used to be Master Oswald; I pray +you let the honest Saxon name suffice. I cannot tell what De Montfort +intends, but I fear he will let nothing slip that he can by any means +grasp; but I have determined I will know the best or the worst of his +intentions. I shall open negotiations with him, and ascertain, if +possible, if he purposes we shall dwell in peace and as freemen."</p> + +<p>"But you will not venture so far as to put yourself in his power? I pray +you, trust them not, for they are insatiable in their cruelty," said +Ethel anxiously.</p> + +<p>"No fear, Ethel, of my putting myself in his power. Having once tasted +the horrors of captivity I shall not risk its repetition rashly; but I +have a plan, and I shall speak with him face to face. I may tell you, +despite the many reasons we have for undying hatred and no compromise, I +have a deep-rooted conviction that for the present, at all events, a +truce on reasonable and honourable terms will be immeasurably best for +the Saxon cause."</p> + +<p>"The land is undoubtedly prostrate, and time is urgently needed ere it +can rally once more," said Ethel.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3>THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN CONFRONTS DE MONTFORT.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Then crouch no more on suppliant knee,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">But scorn with scorn outbrave;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A Briton even in love should be<br /></span> +<span class="i2">A subject, not a slave."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Wordsworth.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Count de Montfort and his daughter Alice were seated together one +evening in what was known as the crimson parlour, a comfortable and +somewhat elegant room for the period. It was wainscoted in dark oak, +with carpets and hangings of richly-figured crimson cloth from the looms +of Avignon. They were enjoying a temporary respite from the incessant +bustle and turmoil which had been their daily accompaniment since the +day they first occupied the Saxon chieftain's patrimony. Even here, +their quiet was unpleasantly disturbed by the roystering merriment of +their followers in the distant kitchen, who stoutly maintained their +freedom to carouse and drink pretty much as they listed. I take the +liberty here to introduce the reader to a more intimate acquaintance +with the Count and his beautiful and accomplished daughter. The Count +was considerably past middle life, probably not less than fifty-five. +His sunburnt countenance, and the stern lines about his mouth and +forehead, told eloquently the tale of a soldier's life. For the habits +of a rough and unscrupulous life had lent a grim and unfeeling hardness +to a visage which had strong evidence of force and character depicted in +it. There was also palpable evidence of a spirit ill at ease and clouded +with doubt, which made him irritable sometimes to a degree positively +cruel to friend or foe. His once jet-black locks were silvering rapidly; +but his tall form had lost none of its erectness, and his haughty and +imperious demeanour proclaimed him a man used to ruling arbitrarily, and +little accustomed to brooking opposition, or the frustrating of his +purposes. His daughter, Lady Alice de Montfort, was extremely like him +in general appearance. Tall and elegant in carriage, her profuse raven +tresses were gathered in silken bands, and from thence fell over her +shoulders well-nigh to her girdle. Her face was pale; her features +regular, as though chiselled. A pair of lustrous dark eyes glowed from +between darker lashes, proclaiming her southern extraction. She was +indeed a model of queenly beauty. Like many of her countrywomen of +exalted station, her youth had been spent in the seclusion of the +convent, where alone an education worthy of the name could be obtained. +This secluded life—despite her fiery extraction—had toned down her +disposition; whilst the culture and refinement had made her a typical +example of the romance and troubadour spirit of song, which we Saxons +knew to be developed in the maidens of sunny France. For her, the rough +life of the Norman occupation, with its scenes of blood and cruelty, was +a daily horror.</p> + +<p>"Alice," began the Count, "I told you some time ago that I had affianced +you to Baron Vigneau. He has followed my fortunes, and lent the prowess +of himself and his mercenaries in furthering my interests, in return for +which he was to receive your hand in marriage; and I gave him my solemn +promise to that effect. His recent conduct has not pleased me, and his +addiction to the wine-cup has become inordinate. But I lay the fault of +this to the rough times we have had, and I doubt not when peaceful times +come again he will become a sober and a virtuous Norman Baron. Anyway, I +gave him my promise, and he has fulfilled the obligation. He now presses +for the fulfilment of this promise. Much time has already been allowed +you to prepare, so I would have you bethink yourself when it can be +redeemed. As you know, it rests solely with yourself as to when this +event shall be, and my pledges made good. I pray you despise him not, +for though he is a landless mercenary, he is brave, and has powerful +friends."</p> + +<p>"Father, this marriage is most distasteful—I may say, most abhorrent to +me. The Baron is a man I cannot possibly love; and if my fortune is what +he would have, let him take it and welcome—I care not if I am +penniless, if I have my liberty. Nay, I would much rather take the veil +if I have no other choice than to marry him."</p> + +<p>"Alice, this cannot be; I cannot break my promise. Once for all let me +tell you I dare not. This man has obtained a fatal advantage over me, +and it is a question of life and death for me. Listen!" said he, rising +and pacing the room with quick nervous tread. "Fool that I was, when +this last insurrection of the Saxons broke out I was deeply smarting +under the rebuffs I had received at the hands of my mortal enemies Odo +and Fitz-Osborne, and the base ingratitude of William. I counted the +forces of the rebels, and noted their wonderful successes; and foolishly +imagining the Danes and Scots would stand firm, I thought that William's +time had come at last. Madman that I was! to think ought could thwart +the iron will and marvellous resource. But I had many things to be +revenged upon, and I was blinded by it. I thought, now is the time. But +worst of all, in sheer madness and infatuation I entrusted +letters—deadly compromising letters—to this Vigneau for the leaders of +the insurrection. These letters Vigneau never delivered, and he now +holds them over my head, the villain! and threatens to divulge the whole +thing to William. If he does this, I know well, with the enemies I have +at court, that nothing will appease the self-willed tyrant but my head. +These letters contain such ample proof of my treasonous intentions that +my life literally hangs in the balance if I cannot gratify Vigneau. Fool +and dolt that I was to place myself in the power of so unscrupulous a +villain!</p> + +<p>"I have told you this much that you may think less hardly of me. But the +thing is absolute and irrevocable. I can no longer put him off by my +excuses on your behalf, for he becomes clamorous and threatening. There +is nothing further to gain, I perceive, by remonstrances and promises, +so the sooner this marriage takes place the better; for I am hopelessly +involved in the toils of this snake."</p> + +<p>A dead silence of some minutes followed this, and a sickening sensation +almost to fainting crept over Alice. How long the death-like stillness +would have lasted I know not, but just at that juncture, in silence +profound, the massive oaken door swung back unbidden, and a snatch of a +Bacchanalian chorus pealed along the corridors and burst unbidden on the +ears of father and daughter. But the rising temper of the Count at this +ill-timed jollity and carousing gave way on the instant to profound +astonishment and alarm, as Oswald the Saxon, armed with shield and +buckler, with his drawn sword in his hand, strode into the room; whilst +the dim form of an armed accomplice was visible for a moment in the +darkness ere the door swung back to its place, shutting out the sounds +of revelry and riot, and the three were alone together. The Count sprang +to his feet, whipped out his sword, and savagely stood at bay, awaiting +the onslaught of the sturdy Saxon. Alice also sprang to her feet with a +startled cry, and a strange panic seized her. Had this Saxon, who owed +his life to her, sought this interview with murderous intent? His +appearance betokened it most surely, and she began to upbraid herself +most keenly.</p> + +<p>"Quiet you, lady," said Oswald, with a low obeisance, and in tones which +belied the warlike attitude and arms which he bore. "I have none but +peaceable intentions, gentle lady, though in these times we must be +prepared for any eventualities. I hope you will let this excuse my +weapons and my untimely visit."</p> + +<p>"What doest thou here, Saxon? and how darest thou intrude thyself so +recklessly?" said the Count.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus3" id="illus3"></a> +<img src="images/illus3.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN CONFRONTS DE MONTFORT.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>"As to intrusion, noble sir, you will pardon me, but my father built +this castle, and I was born here, and inherited it from him; so I would +fain point out, if you will allow me, that I am not the intruder. You +have usurped my lands, appropriated my home, and slain my vassals; +whilst I am homeless, landless, and an outlaw."</p> + +<p>"Lucky, too, art thou, Saxon, to escape with thy life, and wondrous +venturesome withal, in thrusting thy neck a second time into the +halter."</p> + +<p>"I have not come to bandy threats, but it is not my neck that is in the +halter just now, and if thou wert not shielded by a protector more +potent than thy armed minions thy life would soon be forfeit—mark that, +Norman! and be a little more merciful."</p> + +<p>"Thou liest, Saxon dog! I fear thee not, nor any Saxon boor in the +land!" said the Count, brandishing his sword, whilst Alice rushed +frantically between them.</p> + +<p>"Excuse my hastiness, fair lady," said Oswald, "and permit me to say +that I have not come to shed blood, but the reverse; I am come to +solicit a truce, an honourable truce, and to treat for a cessation of +hostilities and hatred; and I would fain you should be umpire between us +this night, gentle lady."</p> + +<p>"What truce dost thou expect, Saxon?" said the Count. "There can but be +one truce between the conqueror and a foe routed and beaten; and that +is, that he should lay down his arms unconditionally and accept the +clemency of the conqueror."</p> + +<p>"That is a condition which we shall not accept. We shall maintain our +liberty at all hazards, and the Norman had better beware of harassing +desperate men."</p> + +<p>"If thy arrogance were equalled by thy power, Saxon, thou wouldst do +great things. But be thou well assured that I will root every mother's +son of you out of your holes in the mountains within a month, if there +is not unconditional surrender. But if thou and thy vassals return, and +accept these terms, ye shall be entitled to my protection as my vassals +and villeins. For thyself, if thou subscribe the oath of fealty, I will +assign to thee certain lands, which thou shalt atone for by such +services rendered to me as I please, as thy feudal lord."</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, noble sir; but these are impossible terms. In the first +place, I am not going to submit to be a grovelling feudatory, wearing +clumsy brogues and a vassal's collar, coming cringingly to thee for +permission to make a journey or shoot a stag—to ask humbly if I may +keep a dog; catch a fish; or marry a wife! I am not going to hold the +stirrup for beggarly Norman adventurers, and say, Your most humble +servant, By your leave, puissant sir, Crave your pardon, my lord, and +all the rest of servile rigmarole, being afraid to breathe the breath of +heaven, or tread mother earth; or say that I am a man; content to be +numbered with thy cattle, or thy goods and chattels, and be spoken of as +the loutish Saxon clown. Never! Let that be understood once for all. No +drop of vassal's blood courses through my veins. No part of a vassal's +spirit animates me. I have not looked upon the face of any man, Saxon or +Norman, that I fear, and I will be vassal to no man. Leave me alone, +with the handful of Saxons who follow me. Thou hast my lands and my +home—take them as the spoils of war, but be content. There is land +enough, and thou mayest leave us in peace. We will not come nigh thee, +but be content to till a little land for sustenance; and we may be of +service as thy allies. Probably many of the serfs will be willing to +return to their lands and to vassalage; and all who are willing may do +so freely."</p> + +<p>"Thou hast come to dictate terms, not to supplicate them, Saxon. Dost +thou think it probable I shall tolerate a petty Saxon chieftain holding +sway close to my doors? or harbour on my lands a brood of villeins who +will render the service of fear to me and that of fealty to the Saxon +near, so that in any pinch they will treacherously fail me? Thou hast a +low estimate of my wisdom, truly. But listen once for all, Saxon; if +there be not immediate surrender I will hunt you from your holes in the +hills, as I have already said, within a month, and few will escape +me—mark that!"</p> + +<p>"Father," said Alice, "you do this noble Saxon grievous wrong in +rejecting so rudely his amicable overtures. You may surely mingle mercy +with your designs. I myself will be bond, these Saxons will reciprocate +any acts of generosity done to them. Besides, consider this: you saw the +forms of armed men at the door just now. They have stayed their hand +when it was at the throat of their victims, and they may do so again."</p> + +<p>"Tush! tush! you speak like a school-girl. These boorish Saxons will +count mercy as weakness; so no more of it."</p> + +<p>"Many thanks, lady," interposed Oswald. "Gentle means are strongest when +we deal with human beings, whether they be gentle or simple. But adieu! +If my mission fails, the responsibility rests not with me, for I have +now offered peace—a peace which is abject in its terms." So saying, he +turned and struck the oaken door with the pommel of his sword, which on +the instant sprung open and as quickly-closed behind him, whilst the +massive bolt was shot from the outside.</p> + +<p>The Count sprang to the door, and tried to force it open, but to no +purpose. "Jules! Jules!" roared he. "What ho there! Treachery!" But the +only response he received to his frantic cries was the fragment of a +rollicking song and chorus, trolled more lustily than musically by rough +voices in the distant kitchen, the substance of which ran something like +the following:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Old Bacchus was a merry dog,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And kept good company;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He loved good wine and a jovial song,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">So his days sped merrily.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Chorus.</i>—Ho, comrades all, we'll drink and sing,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">So pass the bowl along.<br /></span> +<span class="i6">If a better cask the morrow bring,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">We'll greet it with a song."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"What ho there, you drunken brutes! What ho, Jules!" shouted the Count, +frantic with rage. But again the response was in a similar strain:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"We're freemen all, but have our liege,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">For William is our lord;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We've wine and ale and venison<br /></span> +<span class="i2">To crown our festive board.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Chorus.</i>—Ho, comrades, all," etc.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"What ho there!" roared the Count, more lustily than ever, and furiously +beating the door with an oaken footstool. But all in vain, the song ran +its course oblivious of all beside, and with, if possible, an increase +in its roystering loudness:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"No foemen can our arms withstand,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">The Saxons are our scorn.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We'll drink and laugh, and sing at eve,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And chase them in the morn.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Chorus.</i>—Ho, comrades all," etc.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3>OUTLAWS AND WOLFSHEADS.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"To be forewarned is to be forearmed."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Proverbial Saying.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Count de Montfort, the born autocrat, it may be inferred, was not the +man to permit any remnant of the conquered Saxons to assume an +independent authority, or to defy him in his exercise of unlimited +power. Nor did he relish the fearless tone in which Oswald had addressed +him. Such an affront must not be tolerated for a moment; so he +determined to organise an expedition which should explore the hills and +root out any incipient rebellion which might be afoot. It is needless to +say that the mysterious escape and reappearance of Oswald also caused +increased vigilance in guarding the castle to be resorted to.</p> + +<p>Now Badger had manifested a wonderful tact in ingratiating himself with +the rough Norman troopers. It was much more common to see him sallying +forth cheek by jowl with some of these, fishing, hawking, or +boar-hunting, than to see him companying with his Saxon comrades. But +there was method in it all, for he was always possessed of their plans +and purposes; and when he communicated to me this determination of +theirs we made haste to apprise our countrymen of it. That night Badger +quietly issued from the postern gate of the Abbey, leading his mountain +pony Shaggy, and followed by his faithful wolf-hound Grizzly. Every +light was extinguished. Not a sound fell on the stillness of the night +air, saving the horrid braying of a stag in the distant wood, and the +screeching of owlets as they fluttered amid the branches of the trees in +quest of prey. No sooner had they passed through the gate at the +northern extremity of the Abbey's ground than Badger mounted Shaggy's +back, and they steadily threaded their way through the forest, making as +quickly as possible for the hill country. Steady riding for half an hour +brought them to the first spur of the mountain, when Badger threw +himself from the pony's back, and led the way at a brisk walk. Soon they +reached the top of this lower promontory, when, again mounting Shaggy, +they dashed along, sending the rabbits by hundreds scurrying away to +their holes. But Badger steadily forged ahead towards the huge +eminences, which seemed to rise out of utter darkness, and throw their +black and ominous outlines against the starlit sky. Half an hour's more +riding and patient climbing, and he neared the top. Choosing as the +easiest path a deflection between two peaks, he was proceeding at a +rapid pace, when, of a sudden, two men on horseback came bearing down +upon him like a whirlwind, and drew up in front of him with swords +drawn. "Saxon or Norman?" sang out one of them in a tone of inquiry.</p> + +<p>"Saxon!" shouted Badger. "Down with the Normans!"</p> + +<p>As the well-known voice was heard, the swords were sheathed, and the two +horsemen greeted him with a loud laugh.</p> + +<p>"Why, you are living yet, then, Badger!" said one. "We have been +calculating your chances; and we had come to the conclusion you would be +killed and eaten by this time. You would be worth money, Badger, for +your <i>skins</i> alone, this cold weather."</p> + +<p>"Better shed every extra skin, Badger, or you'll lose your own, I'm +thinking," said the other.</p> + +<p>"Yes, his skins are valuable, but his carcase is good for nothing. +Badgers are just carrion, and nothing more."</p> + +<p>"We are right glad to see you, however," said the pair. And indeed they +seemed inclined to hug him in the exuberance of their delight.</p> + +<p>"Well, and Shaggy's living too! What next, and next. These Normans are +becoming most merciful," again broke out the first one.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," retorted the second one, "that's right enough. But they +aren't human beings either of them, or they'd have been murdered before +this."</p> + +<p>"What news, Badger? I declare he's gone in a trance. Have they burnt the +castle down? Are they murdering everybody?"</p> + +<p>"They'll have a mighty job to murder some of you," retorted Badger, +finding his tongue at last, "unless they could fly. You take mighty good +care of your skins. And i' faith, you've only one to take care of. But I +wager that will be whole at the finish, unless you should happen to +tumble and break your neck with running away."</p> + +<p>"Hold there!" said the pair, bursting into a loud laugh at Badger's +retort. "When the time comes we shall be amongst the first at the +Normans' throats."</p> + +<p>"All in good time, my hearties. They are coming in the morning to +disturb your roosts, so there will be a chance for you; but come along, +I can't stand here, I must see Oswald forthwith about this matter."</p> + +<p>"This is our station for the night, Badger. This valley would almost +certainly be selected for a night attack, or day attack either, for the +matter of that. So we must watch until daybreak."</p> + +<p>"Oh, come along, I know everything is perfectly quiet. Not a Norman +astir, I will be bond for it. You will be useful, so come along."</p> + +<p>"If you will take the responsibility, Badger."</p> + +<p>"That I will readily, so come along."</p> + +<p>Then the pair turned their horses' heads round, and joined Badger in his +errand. As they sped across the moor they heard to the right of them a +fierce baying; and presently some half-dozen wolves came bearing down +upon them. The horses began to tremble in every limb, and show evidences +of bolting. So the three dismounted, and stood at the horses' heads with +Grizzly fiercely growling in front. This seemed to reassure the horses; +but as the wolves drew near they were evidently mistaken in their prey, +for they turned tail and fled. But Grizzly with a terrific growl dashed +after them, throwing himself on the haunches of the hindmost, and +rolling him over. Then, seizing him by the throat, he would speedily +have made an end of him, if the horsemen had not come up and dispatched +him with their swords. The monster turned out to be a large gaunt dog +wolf, who would have been an ugly customer for an unarmed man to meet +when the pinch of hunger was upon him.</p> + +<p>"I hope they've got the sheep, and cattle, and swine all trim and tight, +or I'm feared they'll be missing some of them in the morning, with these +beasts prowling about," remarked one horseman.</p> + +<p>"They're getting too plentiful to be at all pleasant. There's been +little time for wolf-hunting since these Normans came; they are getting +bold too, and are beginning to pack," remarked the second horseman.</p> + +<p>"I wish they were the worst foes we had to deal with," said Badger; "I +should be a happier man by a good deal. But these dastardly Normans, I +fear me we shall never more shake them off. The villainous brood are +swarming all over the land, and there will soon be never a patch of soil +that a Saxon can call his own. We shall all either have to be slaves or +feed on the wind ere long."</p> + +<p>"Not me, Badger," said one. "I have neither child nor chick, and a +freeman I'll be at all costs. The limestone caves and the greenwood +shall make me shelter. As for feeding on air, I'll not want something +more substantial if any Norman this side Baldley Heights or Whernside +Fell has a sheep in the fold or an ox in the stall."</p> + +<p>"Well, don't be downhearted, comrades," said Badger. "When the wind +shifts, the cloud lifts. It's a broad ford that can't be bridged. The +strongest bow soonest relaxes, and the spent arrow falls lightly. Our +time will come, for these Normans are not Viking rovers, but like fat +living, and that breeds laziness; and we shall be able to shake +ourselves down comfortably if we can't push them out of the bed."</p> + +<p>Whilst this conversation was proceeding the three were rapidly pressing +on, Badger having by this time put eight or ten miles between himself +and the Norman foe. But in the vast distance before them there seemed to +loom an unending stretch of moorland, vast and drear and dark. In the +pale moonlight the mists could be seen climbing the heights, or creeping +lazily along the hollows, where damp and bogs abounded. Like huge +repositories of old-world histories these grim old hills +seemed—dwarfing human nature into nothingness in their +presence—"everlasting hills," broad-based and firm; defying the storms +of winter, and bathing their heads in the golden sunshine of summer; +unmoved amid the changes, transformations, and fierce race struggles +which were being fought out with relentless cruelty around their base; +and offering a cold, unsympathetic shelter to fugitives flying to them +for safety.</p> + +<p>"Keep to the left, Badger. We must keep on the outskirts of that vapour, +or we shall be speedily up to the knees in a bog. We have not far to go. +Do you see the tops of those fir-trees just peeping over those boulders? +That is our headquarters, and Oswald will be there."</p> + +<p>Presently the persons of two scouts could be seen moving amid the +stones, and evidently reconnoitring the new-comers. A low, shrill +whistle is given by one of them, and is answered by Badger's friends; at +which signal they drew near to interview the strangers. Then it was seen +that the tops of the fir trees were but the outermost ring of a dense +wood, which lined the sides of a mammoth ravine, with a still lake of +water, or tarn, lying placidly in its hollow.</p> + +<p>"Is Oswald here to-night?" was the first inquiry.</p> + +<p>"Yes. What news?"</p> + +<p>"All right so far; but there will be a lively time to-morrow. Badger, +here, has brought the news. Let him have speech with the Earl +forthwith."</p> + +<p>So the three dismounted, and began slowly to thread their way by a path, +winding and difficult, with branches hanging low, and brushwood closing +up, so as to make progress impossible except in single file. By-and-bye +the bottom is reached, and before them there stands—what was totally +concealed from any one skirting the wood on the outside—a spacious +one-storied building near the head of the tarn. As they drew near, a +fierce growling of a watch-dog was heard, and a challenge was addressed +to them by some one hid from view by the dense brushwood. The answer +being satisfactory the horses were tied to the trees, and the stranger +led them by a winding path to the rear of the dwelling. A gentle tap +being given to the door, a woman's voice challenges the visitors; but +soon the bolts are withdrawn, and the party enters what was evidently +the kitchen quarters.</p> + +<p>"Has the Earl retired?" said Bretwul to his wife.</p> + +<p>"Yes, long ago. There has not been a sound in the house these two +hours."</p> + +<p>After consulting together it was deemed a matter of sufficient +importance to summon Oswald, and to him Badger briefly related the news +which had brought him.</p> + +<p>Then ensued a council of war, some advocating evasive tactics. But this +brought them face to face with the fact that the Normans were all aware +that they were hiding not far away, and they would be sure to persevere +until they had unearthed them. So it was decided that a lesson in +retaliation was necessary. Word was sent round at once for all cattle +and non-fighters to keep especially close, also for the able-bodied men +to meet the Earl at daylight at the cave on Deepdale Head.</p> + +<p>Badger's errand being now accomplished, he led his pony to the clear. +There mounting, and accompanied by Grizzly, the return journey commenced +at a steady trot, which was never broken until the monastery was +reached; and soon each one was at rest. He had thus given a timely +warning to the outlawed Saxons, from which it will be seen they were not +slow to profit.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3>SIGURD THE VIKING.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">"Beware<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of entrance to a quarrel; but being in,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bear 't that the opposed may beware of thee."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Shakespeare.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Hanging-Brow Scaur, to which allusion has been made, is a huge peak +towering high above the Pennine Range, out of which it springs. A rude +cultivation obtains to its very summit—such a cultivation as the bleak +winds and perpetual cold permit. Ere the advent of the Normans small +mountain sheep with the single lamb at their heels had swarmed over its +hoary sides, browsing amid its moistureless grass, nipping the fresh +shoots during the summer time, and retreating to the lowlands at the +advent of winter. The husbandman who reared his humble dwelling beneath +its shoulders had frequent need to beware the cold north wind, the +drifted snow, and not unfrequently the rushing avalanche. A sluggish, +unromantic life was lived, and a precarious livelihood obtained by these +hill-folk. The woods ran up the gorges to the foot of the loftiest peak. +Coming downwards they spread over the tops of the lower hills until, +from gorge to gorge, the forest trees join hands, and an unbroken forest +sweeps downwards, gathering density and luxuriousness until it sweeps +over the valleys and up the sides of the hills beyond. Inexpressibly +lovely especially are these wooded gorges in the summertime, when the +fragrant breath of foliage and flower, of moss and lichen, is in the +nostril, when the music of rushing cataract and waterfall is in the ear. +Buoyant and bracing as an elixir of life is the cool air on these +mountain-sides, when the hot breath of July is enervating the dwellers +in the valley below. How delightful was my task at this season to carry +the consolations of my office to the lonely scattered folk on the hills! +How often have I felt my heart expand with lowly adoration when, from +the lofty summit of Hanging-brow, I have turned my gaze westward, and +far away in the distance my sweep of vision has taken in the coast-line +of the Irish sea; whilst north, and east, and south there lay before me +a mighty vista of hill and dale and rugged peak! Then, how lovely the +magnificent stretch of forest too!—a rich unbroken canopy of green, +many-tinted and beautiful, the oak, the ash, the elm, and many others +blending their various tints in the lowlands; whilst the fir, the pine, +and the mountain-ash belted the forest in the higher reaches. The +fleet-footed red-deer might be seen threading their way through the +tangled undergrowth, or browsing amid the boulders in the clear, keeping +ever a wary eye on the stealthy hunter. Sly Reynard here abounded, and +might be seen gliding warily along; and occasionally his fiercer cousin +the wolf prowled in fierce loneliness; whilst ceaselessly the woods rang +with the songs of her feathered denizens. Birds of rare plumage, too, +and shy, such as the jay, the magpie, the thrush, the curlew, the +wood-pigeon, with many specimens of the hawk family, were here; whilst +the golden eagle wheeled in airy flight round the crown, or moodily +perched on some boulder, while his mate patiently hatched her young in +the fissures of the rocks, which, steep and high, lined the pathway of +the descending waters. But on this eventful day, as the sun reared its +blood-red visage above the horizon, and kissed the mountain peak into a +ruddy twilight, two Saxon warriors, with broadswords by their sides and +battle-axes at their girdles, rounded the peak on the side which +overlooked the castle and broad fertile acres which had been +comparatively cleared around it. Just the dimmest outlines of this scene +were visible; but as the sun mounted higher in the heavens, and his rays +swept down from the hills into the lowest valleys, the whole landscape +was spread in beauty before them. The castle's noble proportions, here +and there also the river's sinuous course, as it threaded in and out +amongst the trees, could be seen; whilst farther down the valley the +gorgeous masonry of the Abbey peeped through the tops of the trees. With +rapt vision, but with very sad hearts, the pair stood together, and +watched the marvellous transformation taking place before them.</p> + +<p>"Was ever man called to yield so fair a possession before, Wulfhere?" +said the chieftain to his comrade.</p> + +<p>"Well, truly it is a fair spot—finer, I think, than ever I thought it +before. But it may be yours again, and I may get my little patrimony +also. So let us not despair."</p> + +<p>"Well, we know not what may happen, but it seems very unlikely at +present. But come, we will go over the summit and consider our plan for +the stronghold. It will be some time yet ere our enemies are astir, I +dare say. The scouts will bring us timely word."</p> + +<p>So the pair climbed to the summit, and again considered their plans for +the fortress which had already been decided upon. Now the summit was a +remarkably level plateau of five or six acres in extent. Round the outer +edge of this plateau the ground sank away steep and suddenly for fifty +yards, and it was only by the utmost exertions that a man could scramble +up this last steep brow. The pair walked around the outer fringe +together.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Oswald, "the hand of man could never have raised so +impregnable a rampart, and if gallantly manned it can never be carried +by assault. There is but one danger: we may be starved out, for the +provisioning of it is most difficult with our scanty resources."</p> + +<p>"It is as you say, my lord, matchless as a site for defence; for the +provisioning we must make strenuous efforts whilst the respite lasts; +and if we can by any means give them this day such a taste of our +quality as we ought to, they will never, unless greatly reinforced, +attempt to force our stronghold."</p> + +<p>"How bountiful, Wulfhere, nature has been in providing material for +building. Stones ready to our hand and inexhaustible in quantity, and +timber near to hand also."</p> + +<p>At this juncture a horseman was seen coming over the mile of gently +rising ground which stretched away from the forest.</p> + +<p>"He bears a message," said Oswald; "come, we will descend and meet him."</p> + +<p>By the time they had scrambled to the bottom of the declivity the +horseman drew near, bringing the news that evidently something more than +usual was afoot, by the number of men who were actively mustering at so +early an hour of the morning; this thing being quite an unusual one with +the Normans, who loved to carouse well into the night, and then sleep +off the effects in the morning.</p> + +<p>"Well we may be sure, if these besotted louts are moving thus early, +that there is something which has stirred the hornet's nest, so we will +to our rendezvous." Then turning to the scout, he said, "You know the +cave at Deepdale Head?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, I know it well!"</p> + +<p>"You will find us there from now: keep us well informed, you and your +comrades, so that we may make our dispositions."</p> + +<p>Then the two rapidly descended until they came to the head of a deep +gorge, where was one of the many limestone caves to be found in the +district. It had an obscure and unpretentious entrance; but once well +within it, it assumed lofty proportions, and ran away into many cavities +roomy and weird. In past times no one would have dared to enter its +gloomy precincts, as it was considered to be the abode of pixies, +witch-hags, and the powers of evil and darkness generally. But now these +superstitious and ignorant people had dared to force the abode of evil +spirits, rather than face the still more cruel and hated Norman.</p> + +<p>Gathered around the entrance to this cave, and sitting on the hillside +were a number of men all armed, and evidently anticipating a conflict +with the enemy. They were a very miscellaneous company, some of them +being fierce, ragged, wild and most unsavoury looking. At the head of +some ten or fifteen was one Sigurd, who had been a chieftain in +Lakesland, some fifty miles distant; but so desperate had been his +conflict with the Normans, and so incessant his attacks and so daring in +character, that the Normans had found it necessary to put in motion +numerous forces to capture or slay this man and his desperate band. This +they had not been able to do; but so incessant had their harrying been, +that he had been driven from his native hills, with the result that this +opportune moment he was found swelling the ranks of Oswald's men.</p> + +<p>"Your coming is timely, Jarl," said Oswald. "Men who can wield a sword, +or fling a javelin, as I perceive you and these hardy warriors can, are +doubly welcome at this pinch."</p> + +<p>"You are right, master, I am Viking every inch of me; these men are +skalds every one also, so we need not tell you we like the ring of +steel. Give us a corner where there is room to fight and none to fly, +for we like it best."</p> + +<p>Just then another horseman hot with haste arrived with the tidings that +the Normans had divided themselves into two bands, and were ascending by +the water-courses. This was as Oswald had anticipated, for these +water-courses alone afforded what by compliment could be considered +continuous paths, the forest being very dense and tangled, and a +hopeless labyrinth. Now the Normans had made the somewhat common but, +nevertheless, often fatal mistake, of underrating the enemy—or rather +the hunted fugitives they sought. It had never occurred to them for a +moment that the Saxons would present a bold front, and even dare an +issue with them in force. They regarded the matter with a very light +heart; although they had had a taste of Oswald's prowess, they believed +that he had but few to stand by him. They little thought as they +scrambled jauntily along up the gorge with no precautions against an +ambush, or sudden assault, that they were forcing the hiding places of +desperate men, who, when hard driven were capable of desperate deeds.</p> + +<p>By-and-by the scouts came in bringing definite information as to +numbers, and the routes the Normans were pursuing. They had, as already +said, divided themselves into two parties; each one purposing to +thoroughly scour one of the two paths along the water-courses, and +intending to join together again when the hills should be reached.</p> + +<p>Now Sigurd, of whom more anon, had command of one company of the Saxon +forces at the head of one of the ravines, and he was duly apprised of +the number of Normans he would have to contend with. Oswald with +Wulfhere as second in command, had charge of the other contingent, and +they slowly drew away down the ravine to a spot which had been selected +by Oswald for the attack. The most numerous company of the Normans +struck the water-course which Oswald defended. The stream had there +reached the valley where the mighty slit in the mountains down which it +boisterously tumbled had broadened into a lovely dell, green as an +emerald, and studded with flowers. Here the waters moved placidly along; +but the innumerable foam-caps which slowly sailed away on its bosom, +bore ample evidence of its tumultuous descent from the mountains. Here +the Normans drew together and took council with regard to their further +movements. Eventually they took the left bank, and with long and +attenuated ranks they commenced the ascent. All this was duly noted, and +nimble feet carried each several movement speedily to the waiting +Saxons.</p> + +<p>The place selected by Oswald was where the limestone rock seemed to be +shorn down with a perpendicular face to the bed of the stream. On the +opposite side Wulfhere with a company of archers were ambushed. The +steep and lofty face of the rocks precluded any possibility of their +being dislodged, whilst the position of the Norman foe across the ravine +would expose them mercilessly to their shafts. Oswald, with some dozen +of the stoutest of his followers, barred the path at a point where it +took an upward trend, and a huge boulder blocked the vision of the +approaching foe. He had also thrown forward a party of men up the steep +and wooded ravine side, in advance of himself, who were completely +obscured by the trees. These were, at the signal, to roll down the +boulders and huge stones which abounded in the rough and scraggy +hillside. The position and the method of attack were matchlessly +planned. If these desperate Saxons only stood each one unflinchingly to +his post, victory was certain, for the enemy was entrapped, and flight +alone could save them.</p> + +<p>"Wulfhere," said Oswald, "you understand my plan, I think. The path on +our side is so narrow and rough, the enemy will be obliged to move +pretty nearly in single file. Your men must hide in the brushwood until +I give the signal; then pour into them volleys of arrows. If they should +be seized with panic, which assuredly they will, and beat a headlong +retreat, then rush down, and meet them at the neck of the gorge and cut +off their retreat. Remember, battle-axes are best for the thicket, and +broadswords for the open. Strike swiftly, strike hard, and victory is +certain."</p> + +<p>So Wulfhere crossed the stream with his men, and clambered up the steep +bank on the opposite side. Then abreast, but on each side the stream, +the two companies marched downwards. Presently they reached the spot +selected for the attack. The disposition of the men was quickly +effected. Then Wulfhere, keeping in the shelter of the trees, advanced +to the brink of the precipice, where his position commanded a view of +the enemy, who were swarming forward. From thence he could easily hold +converse across the chasm with Oswald, who, with battle-axe firmly +grasped in his right hand, and bronze shield on his left, like a fierce +lion was grimly waiting for his prey; behind him, a dozen stout yeomen, +who from their youth had been taught to wield either weapons of war or +implements of husbandry, men who had proved their valour against both +Norman and Dane on many occasions. As the enemy drew near, their numbers +and every movement was minutely described to Oswald, until they drew so +near that further parleying must cease. Then Wulfhere retired a few +steps into the thicket where his men were lurking, with arrows affixed, +ready for the fray. Meanwhile, the loud oaths, coarse laughter, and +unchecked speech of the Normans told plainly the feelings of contempt +they entertained for the foe, and the little apprehension they had of +the onslaught awaiting them. Soon their scrambling footsteps drew quite +close, amid a death-like stillness in the ranks of the lurking foe. The +Saxon war-cry, "Ahoi!" in thunderous tones burst from the lips of Oswald +and his men. "Ahoi!" shouted Wulfhere's men. "Ahoi!" shouted the men +ambushed aloft. At that instant also, a dozen arrows with deadly aim +came hissing across the defile; down also came the boulders from aloft, +leaping with gathering velocity into the ranks of the foe, whilst Oswald +dashed from behind the boulder, and closed with the Norman leader. Their +gleaming eyes met for a second; the Norman dealt a hurried forceless +blow with his sword, which the Saxon received on his shield; then his +ponderous battle-axe came crashing down with irresistible force. The +Norman interposed his shield, but the axe bore it down and, glancing +therefrom, came full upon his cranium, tearing away his helmet, and +felling him through the shrubs down into the water-course in the bottom +of the glen. As the Normans witnessed the overthrow of their leader, +they were completely panic-stricken, and helplessly huddled together +like sheep, unable to strike a blow. The Saxon dominated the path in +front, cutting down the foremost with marvellous celerity; whilst on one +flank the deadly arrows were being poured into them, and on the other +flank the huge stones clashed through their ranks and decimated their +numbers. This hesitancy lasted but for a minute or two; very speedily +the discomfiture became an abject panic, and each one for himself made a +rush for the valley. The Saxons followed them swiftly, relentlessly, and +cut them off in numbers, as they impetuously rushed away towards the +valley and the castle. At a signal from Oswald, the Saxons ceased their +harrying of the scattered and flying foe, and with swift footsteps they +regained the head of the gorge and over the shoulder of the hills, to +the help of their comrades, who barred the advance of the second band of +Normans.</p> + +<p>Now, whilst Oswald, with sagacity and conspicuous valour, had routed one +contingent of the Normans, the sturdy Viking Sigurd, with a dozen of his +own reckless and desperate band, reinforced by less than a score of +Oswald's followers, pressed eagerly on to the fray with the other band +of Normans. Sigurd possessed none of the qualities of generalship, +beyond a desperate and headlong valour, which always bore him into the +thickest of the fight. His personal strength was prodigious, and no +other man could wield his ponderous sword; in a rough and desperate +struggle where strength and valour were everything, and skill of little +avail, he had no equal in all Northumbria. His own followers, too, in +thicket warfare, with their short but heavy swords in one hand, and a +long, gleaming knife or dagger in the other, were unrivalled in such an +encounter as the one they challenged to-day. In Oswald's struggle, the +place and plan of attack had more to do with the complete demoralisation +of the Normans, than the desperate valour with which it was carried out. +In Sigurd's case, it is true, the surprise, the thicket, and the rough +and precipitous ground, were stout allies of his. But otherwise, +everything depended on the vigour and valour of himself and men. Now +Pierre led this second company, and he was a sturdy rogue who had to be +reckoned with when it came to a tussle with weapons; and any one who +counted on Pierre succumbing to panic or to fear would be grievously +mistaken.</p> + +<p>On, however, the Normans pressed, like their routed compatriots, never +dreaming that the Saxons would be prepared for them; and, as a matter of +fact, despising them, in any case. Right into the ambush they marched, +recklessly and unheeding. Instantly the Saxon war-cry rends the air, and +the wood is alive with men who frantically hurl themselves upon the +astonished foe. The Normans stagger and reel at the fierce onset, and +some fly, coward-like, without striking a blow. But the presence of mind +and personal bravery of Pierre stands them in good stead at this +juncture. In stentorian tones he shouted, "Notre Dame! Have at the dogs! +Follow me!" And whipping out his sword he headed the onset, laying about +him lustily and encouraging his men. But the burly Viking, Sigurd, finds +none to withstand him, and he makes sad havoc amongst the men-at-arms, +who quail and cower before him; whilst his followers, like mountain +goats, dart from behind trees and boulders, dealing stealthy and +effective strokes, completely nonplussing the Normans with their +organised methods. Pierre quickly perceives, however, that they number +five to one of the Saxons; and, if the burly Viking's arm can be +arrested for ten minutes, victory will come speedily. There is none but +he to do it. So boldly he dashes off on the instant and confronts the +giant. No mean foeman is Pierre in point of physical strength and +courage; but, when to that was added his superb skill in handling his +weapon, he is not to be trifled with, even by so doughty a foe as +Sigurd.</p> + +<p>"Ha, ha!" roared the Viking chief, as he witnessed the temerity of this +Norman in courting battle with him, and with reckless vigour he smites +at Pierre. But the Norman plies shield and sword in defence, and +dexterously shifts his ground to get an advantage. In swift succession +the thunder-strokes fall, and gleams of fire dart from Pierre's shield +and sword as he parries the blows. Scathless, however, he endures the +ordeal.</p> + +<p>"Bravo, Pierre!" his comrades shouted. "Hold <i>him</i> in play a little +while, and we will make short work of these churls."</p> + +<p>Truly everything points to this conclusion, for the Normans have +gathered courage wonderfully, and by sheer numbers the Saxons are being +rapidly overborne. At the instant, however, the Saxon battle-cry, Ahoi! +Ahoi! Ahoi! wakes the echoes in the hills, and Oswald and his men dash +into the flanks of the Normans. The effect is electrical. +Panic-stricken, they fly before the onrush of the avenging Saxons. The +retreat was a regular stampede; and Pierre and his men, along with the +stragglers from the first company, rushed into the castle yard +breathless with haste, never having made attempt to rally.</p> + +<p>De Montfort and Vigneau, who had received the former troop with rage and +dismay, were little less than frantic at this double disaster and +ignoble defeat.</p> + +<p>"Pierre, you scurvy villain, what is this? I wish thou hadst left thy +ugly carcase with those Saxon dogs yonder, ere thou disgraced thy +calling thus!" roared Vigneau at his henchman.</p> + +<p>"You will take care that fat carcase of yours is put in no manner of +danger, master!" rasped out Pierre, in fierce retort.</p> + +<p>"How now, villain!" said Vigneau, drawing his sword and advancing on +Pierre. "I'll put a stop to thy unmannerly insolence, dog!"</p> + +<p>"Stand back!" said Pierre fiercely, and whipping out his sword. "You +will have to take your chance, mark me, if you put not up that weapon. +I'll have no more of your bullying! My weapon is as good as yours any +day, whether I have won my spurs or no."</p> + +<p>"Stop that!" said De Montfort, authoritatively, and stepping between +them. "How is this, Pierre? What has happened?"</p> + +<p>"Treachery, my lord! The Saxons were well advised of our purpose, depend +upon it, for they were prepared for us, lying in ambush to receive us. +But in spite of this we should have worsted them; but when we were just +getting the mastery, the Saxon Oswald and fifty others dashed into our +rear and demoralised us entirely. A burly monster, huge as a bull, led +the first company. Look at my shield! cut through in several places by +his weapons. Depend upon it, we were betrayed by some one; they were +evidently awaiting us, everything prepared."</p> + +<p>Wonderfully elated and heartened these Saxons were at the day's +successes; for this was the first encounter since the Normans' +disastrous march through the north when, matching force with force, they +had gained so signal a victory. The fame and prowess of Oswald spread +like wildfire amongst the hunted refugees, who were lurking, like beasts +of the forest, in any hiding-place they could find. Salutary also was +the lesson the arrogant and vindictive oppressors learnt, for both their +respect and their fears were marvellously increased by it.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h3>EVIL COUNSELLORS.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"All good to me is lost.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Evil, be thou my good."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Milton.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Great was the chagrin and rage manifested by Vigneau, Count de Montfort, +and the Normans generally, at this unexpected rebuff; and increased +cruelties and indignities were heaped upon the hapless and degraded +Saxons who had accepted the yoke of villeinage. Indeed, the lives of +these Saxons were of no account whatever; and the honour of the Saxon +women was at the mercy of besotted and degraded Norman troopers. Very +few indeed were there amongst the Saxons who had not grievous cause to +cherish the most deadly hatred against these ruthless oppressors and +usurpers, the Normans.</p> + +<p>It was too much to expect that, amid the general confiscation, the +monastery should continue to be governed by myself, and that monks of +Saxon origin should minister to the poor and the sick, and have control +of our endowments. So, as I had expected, one fateful day, my office was +taken from me and bestowed upon a Norman Father, who, with a number of +monks, had followed at the heels of the conquerors, and were as greedy +for the emoluments of the Church, as their brethren-in-arms were for the +possessions of the Saxon laymen. So one Father Vigneau, who was a +brother of Baron Vigneau, became our Abbot, and degradation and much +oppression was meted out to us Saxons, with the object of driving us +forth to other shelter, or to become mendicant friars or mere hedge +priests. Some of my subordinates went forth, like Abraham, to seek a +country. Some cast in their lot with their outlawed countrymen, and, I +am sorry to say, not unfrequently became as great adepts at the wielding +of carnal weapons as they were at saying Mass or burying the dead. But I +had so many ties, and such affection for my flock, that I resolved to +stay and bear the heavy yoke; counting it no small honour to be found +worthy to suffer like my Master.</p> + +<p>I was also greatly fortified in this my resolve by the friendship and +help which I received at the hands of Alice De Montfort, who proved to +be a real friend, not only to myself, but to all who were in suffering +and distress.</p> + +<p>Our new Abbot, I found, had not been trained to the service of the +Church, but had been, at one time, a soldier by profession. Latterly he +had taken to the Church, as I suspect because he found the sacred +calling less arduous, and could be made to serve his inordinate desire +for idleness and good living. His god was indeed his belly, and his life +loose and irregular to great excess. He was a man of florid countenance, +and much too pursy for a man whose first duty was to crucify the flesh. +His garments, also, ill became a man in the sacred office he had +assumed. He was an exceedingly vain man, and loved to adorn his person, +and affect the airs and swaggering gait of a young gallant. By his side +he constantly dangled a sword, and under his monk's robes he usually +wore a coat of link-mail—which, I suspected, arose from a cowardly fear +of assassination; for, despite his swaggering deportment, I ever found +him to be an arrant coward, and, like every coward, relentless and +cruel, loving to oppress and to insult those whose position made it easy +for him so to do.</p> + +<p>Amongst the monks who came with him I found not one truly holy and +devoted man. Most of them were so ignorant as to be totally unable to +read the sacred books in the Latin tongue. These men, like their +superior, lived loose, irregular lives; habitually neglecting prayers, +fasting, and abstinence from carnal indulgences. Indeed, of most of +them, if it had not been for their dress they could not have been +distinguished from the riotous and disorderly soldiery.</p> + +<p>Our new Abbot and his brother, Baron Vigneau, were spending the night +together, indulging in one of those nightly carousals which were a +disgrace and a crying scandal to our ancient and holy monastery, which +had earned itself a good repute by the piety and learning of the +brotherhood, and by the wise and charitable administration of the +princely revenues which appertained to it. Never had it been known, in +times past, that any palmer, or wandering minstrel, had been turned away +from its hospitable doors, unhoused and unfed; and any distressed or +suffering peasant was sure to have sympathy in trouble, and relief in +want. But since the advent of the Normans, its revenues were dissipated +by rioting and drunkenness, chambering and wantonness, and in +entertaining Norman riff-raff and debauching Saxons, who were willing to +sell themselves for the gluttonous eating and drinking to which they +were treated. In vain it was for us Saxons to preach virtue and chastity +to the poor peasantry, whose cattle, implements of husbandry, and homes, +had been destroyed, and who could not till the ground, knowing that they +would be despoiled of their harvest. The poor were at best half starved, +and subjected to most gross and cruel treatment.</p> + +<p>To-night, however, more than ordinarily weighty matters were being +discussed over their wine by the brothers.</p> + +<p>"What progress, then, have you made in the matter?" said the Abbot.</p> + +<p>"Well, I have, by a most determined effort, forced the Count, much +against his will, to name a day for the fulfilment of his promise. But +the jade, his daughter, takes high ground, and I fancy to get her nose +to the grindstone will be no easy task."</p> + +<p>"I suppose it is the old excuse the vixen makes?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; my tongue is not smooth enough, and my manners do not suit her +dainty notions. She's in a precious dudgeon just now over a Saxon wench +I took a fancy to; and she's as flighty as a two-year-old filly, and as +proud as Lucifer. In fact, she gets more stately and arrogant from day +to day. Never mind!" said he, bringing his fist down upon the table. +"I'll take her ladyship down a peg or two by-and-bye. I scarcely know +whether I love or hate her most, now. She's got a pretty face and +figure, or I'd as soon try steel upon her as wed her."</p> + +<p>"Well, I must confess she's a very handsome wench, brother—not a finer +in Britain; but I never see her without feeling that I would give +something to humble her pride. You think the Count would be out of it if +he knew how to get, do you?"</p> + +<p>"Not a shadow of a doubt of it. He would murder me at a minute's notice, +if he could get possession of those letters I told you about. But he +knows you are fully informed about them, and of his treachery to +William, and he dare not resort to violence until he knows how to secure +the letters by his effort. I have come to the conclusion to hand them +over to you; they will be safer than in my possession."</p> + +<p>"They contain conclusive evidence of his treachery, don't they?"</p> + +<p>"No mistake about that. They are in his own handwriting, and sealed with +his own crest and coat-of-arms. They make offer upon certain +considerations, to sell his influence and his men to the Saxons during +William's absence. He was also fool enough to give me a written promise +of his daughter's hand, in consideration of my fidelity to him. Nothing +in the world could be clearer and straighter than the whole thing. He +sees now pretty clearly that <i>his</i> game is up; but I'll show him that +<i>my</i> game is not up, or likely to be, until he hands over his stately +daughter."</p> + +<p>"He must have greatly miscalculated the odds when he put his head into a +noose like that."</p> + +<p>"Yes; he's not played many false cards in his life, but that was one, +and he will lose his head by it if he does not play up square with the +remainder. I'll promise him that much at least."</p> + +<p>"What cause had he to quarrel with the king?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, jealousy. He prides himself upon the services he has rendered to +William, and he expected in consequence to be high in the king's favour, +and in his council. He expected to have some fat lands too, near to +London. William, however, did not think so highly of his services, or +else he had been prejudiced against him by some courtezan, which is more +probable. Anyhow, no sooner was William firmly seated on the throne than +he gave De Montfort the cold shoulder. He made Odo, Lanfranc, and +Fitz-Osborne his chosen counsellors.</p> + +<p>"Now, a mortal feud existed between Odo and De Montfort, and he quickly +got the cold side of his master's favours. He had given to him a paltry +estate in the Fen country, where he had that Saxon devil, Hereward, +hanging on to his skirts, and foraging all over his possessions, +whenever hunger drove him from his infernal den in the marshes. The +slight which he received rankled, I can promise you; and when the +insurrection broke out whilst William was in Normandy, and when the +Saxons took York, and put to the sword the garrison of three thousand +Normans, with the Danes swarming into the Humber ripe for plunder, and +the Atheling trooping in from Scotland—why, the cunning of the wily one +was at fault for once. He thought the thing would succeed; and succeed +it would have done, sure enough, if it had not been levelled against +that devil's own favourite, William. He sent me with letters to Waltheof +and the others, offering to put his men into the field on condition that +he received ample reward. He hoped no doubt, also, that he would get a +little revenge upon his enemies at Court.</p> + +<p>"When I got to York I was not foolish enough to rush into the thing +until I saw how matters looked. I had a bit of respect for my own neck, +whether I had for De Montfort's or not. If he was willing to risk his +head to gratify his spite, the prospect was not alluring enough for me. +Well, I did not like the look of Waltheof, and whilst I waited, William +hurried across the Channel, and, with a stroke of matchless craft, he +bought off the rascally Danes. The double-dyed traitor and coward, +Waltheof, very soon succumbed to the same influences; and away also went +the Atheling, full speed, for Scotland. I saw the thing was burst up. A +few of the smaller chieftains, like this Saxon Oswald, held their ground +and fought it out; but it was a nine days' wonder, and nothing more.</p> + +<p>"Well, I thought I would try a cast of my own net. I had followed the +fortunes of De Montfort to very little profit as yet. I had thought by +following the fortunes of a leader like him, I should get a tolerably +fair share of the spoils; and I had an understanding that I should have +the hand of his daughter. But, I had already begun to notice that the +damsel was not made altogether of pleasant humours, and probably she +would require a good deal of persuading to complete the bargain. So I +told him I had handed the letters to a brother of mine who was in the +Church, and held in favour by Lanfranc; and, brother, that accounts for +your being installed in such a snug crib as this. I flaunt these +letters, metaphorically speaking, pretty regularly before him, to keep +him to the mark. The operation makes him wince; but, whether he likes it +or not, it will be done, and to greater purpose, I can assure you, if +his word is not made good shortly, and his friskish daughter brought to +her senses."</p> + +<p>"Well, take the letters," said the Baron, tossing them across to his +brother. "Pour out a flagon of good old sack; preaching is dry +throat-work. I say, what has become of that pretty Saxon wench I found +here at first? Have you any idea? I had no notion they bred cattle of +that quality amongst these louts of Saxons. You have not seen anything +of her about, have you, since you came?"</p> + +<p>"No. I heard of that little stroke of yours, but I've not seen the wench +at all; but I have a notion that old Saxon snake, Adhelm, knows all +about it. I would have made an end of him long before this, but that +minx Alice has taken him under her protection. I would take an oath he's +in league with those rats on the hill, and he is making mischief among +our own brotherhood! One fellow, who has half the brains of the +monastery, has given utterance to sundry remonstrances which I shall not +tolerate; and I find that he and Adhelm are very friendly."</p> + +<p>"Well, take care of the letters anyhow; I shall feel safer when they are +out of my custody."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<h3>LOVE IS STRONGER THAN HATE.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"True love's the gift which God has given<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To man alone beneath the heaven:<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">It is the secret sympathy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The silver link, the silken tie,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Which heart to heart, and mind to mind,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In body and in soul can bind."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Scott.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>It is a lovely morning in August; the hush of perfect restfulness is in +the air. The cattle have retired from the heat and glare of the sun, and +are quietly chewing the cud beneath the sheltering foliage of the +plantain trees; whilst here and there, through the long vistas between +the trees, may be seen a tall stag with two or three hinds at his heels, +venturing within sight of the haunts of men, as though timidly inviting +man's protection against the foes of the forest. This lovely morning has +tempted forth from the castle the two females who are directing their +steps to a rustic house on the banks of the river, where there are +housed a couple of boats. One boat is of delicate trim and dainty +workmanship. The oars are small and carefully made, the handles having a +rich silken covering, showing they are intended for delicate hands to +wield.</p> + +<p>This is Alice's favourite recreation, and dearly she loves to have a +quiet hour on the still bosom of the river, with Jeannette to row, and +she, book in hand, to sit and read or sit and muse in quiet rapture as +she gazes on the noble scenery around. The dip and plash of the oars, as +Jeannette beats up against the current, is as the soothing tones of +delicate music. Then to float slowly and in perfect stillness down +stream, beneath the tall trees that line the banks, where busy insects +dance and sing, and where the trout leap to catch their prey; to catch +the scents from the wooded bank, where breathing shrub, and plant, and +flower, and tree, load the air with their perfumed exhalations. Truly to +the lover of Nature the smell of a wood is "as the smell of a field +which the Lord hath blessed!" On this day everything seems exceptionally +lovely, and, slowly as Jeannette is pulling, the confines of the park +are quickly overpassed, and the castle is cut off from view by +embowering woods.</p> + +<p>"We are already past the limits of the park, my lady," said Jeannette. +"Shall I put the boat about now, and drift back with the stream?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, not just yet, Jeannette. Let us go a little farther to-day. It +is such a charming morning, and I have been longing for a great while to +explore a little more of this delightful river."</p> + +<p>"But you are forgetting the Count's express commands, my lady. You know +he bade us be very careful not to go beyond sight of the castle."</p> + +<p>"Never fear, Jeannette. I think we may safely venture a little farther. +You know we have never so much as seen any human being in these +excursions."</p> + +<p>"No, my lady; but you know what horrid, wild people these Saxons are; +and they may be lurking in the woods and shoot their arrows at us, and +wound or kill us before the least help could reach us."</p> + +<p>"I don't think we have any enemies amongst the Saxons, Jeannette. You +and I, at least, do not merit their vengeance, and I am quite prepared +to trust them."</p> + +<p>"But it is really dangerous, my lady," remonstrated the maid. "And Paul +Lazaire has told me that they really kill and eat people, do these +horrid Saxons!"</p> + +<p>"Fie, fie, Jeannette! What a coward you are, and a simpleton to boot, to +believe all the silly tales you hear about the Saxons! Look how +exquisitely lovely the river is ahead of us. Pull a little farther up +stream."</p> + +<p>Truly it was as Alice said, exquisitely lovely. The huge mountains on +either side spread out their bases down to the water's edge, whilst +deep, dense woods clothed the river's brink with well-nigh impenetrable +depths of undergrowths and foliage. The huge trees on either side spread +out their long arms across the river as though anxious to shake hands +with their giant neighbours on the opposite bank. Ahead, each bend of +the river through the tortuous hills was obscured from view; and it +looked in the distance as though it was issuing from the bowels of the +mountain promontory in front, through a thick bower of foliage, whilst +here and there, as they voyaged on, the bare and frowning limestone +crags jutted out through the slender covering of the green fir-tree tops +which vainly strove to hide them—lonesome, fearsome, and grand, the +solitude all around. The strange wildness and grandeur of the scene +stirred the soul of Alice to its very depths, and it is needless to say +she was perfectly oblivious to everything save the sweet voice of +Nature.</p> + +<p>As the boat and its occupants moved slowly up stream, numbers of +water-hens rushed off into the impenetrable recesses of foliage and +undergrowths, or dived hurriedly beneath the roots of trees or +overhanging embankment.</p> + +<p>Yonder in the distance, in the bared and tortuous roots of a huge tree +overhanging the water, an otter is sitting, warily watching his finny +prey disporting themselves beneath; but at sight of these unwelcome +visitors he drops from the root of the tree on which he sits, with hasty +plunge, leaving no trace of his whereabouts saving the streaming +headline in the water indicating the direction in which he hastes for +safety.</p> + +<p>Fearlessly also, ahead, a flock of wild-duck are floating regally on the +limpid waters, unconscious of danger, and gabbling in utmost glee and +content; but at this unlooked-for intrusion they set up a startled cry, +take hurriedly to wing, and are quickly lost in the distance.</p> + +<p>Looking carefully, also, at the entrance of yon water-course, which +comes tumbling over its rocky bed from the hills, a heron stands +pensively watching for any incautious trout that, quitting the deep +waters, comes to the lips of the mountain stream for food; but, +disturbed, he utters a scream, and spreading out his long wings, with +low and measured beat mounts into the air, probably to rest not until +the far-away sea-coast is reached.</p> + +<p>Kingfishers too—haunters of quiet river-stretches—in coats of the +loveliest green and gold, flit over the bosom of the water with quiet +assurance. Snipe, also, in goodly numbers, with swift, arrow-like +flight, dart ahead up stream, or, rising high over the tops of the +trees, circle back again to the rear of the boat.</p> + +<p>Alice is in raptures, and Jeannette's cautions and remonstrances alike, +fall on ears which are preoccupied with other sounds, and are quite deaf +to everything but the peaceful harmonies of nature.</p> + +<p>"Look, Jeannette, at those fine hazel nuts, which hang in ripe and ruddy +clusters there! Pull to the side at once, and let us gather them!"</p> + +<p>Jeannette's caution is completely upset at this tempting sight, and the +order is scarcely given ere it is executed. Eagerly the pair stand up in +the boat to reach the brown clusters, totally oblivious and regardless +of danger and molestation. Presently, with increasing boldness, they +fasten the boat's chain round the bole of a tree, and clamber upon the +bank. With nimble feet and nimble fingers they rush from tree to tree, +stripping them of their dainty burden, and coming again and again with +their hands full of nuts, and showering them into the bottom of the +boat.</p> + +<p>But they would not have been so content and composed had they but known +that two pairs of Saxon eyes had been watching intently the progress up +stream of the frail bark, and the fair Norman women who occupied it. +One, at least, has determined, if chance offers, he will have a word of +thanks with them for his deliverance. These Saxons are Oswald and his +almost inseparable comrade, Wulfhere. So the two slowly push aside the +foliage and, unnoticed, emerge in close proximity to the eager nutters. +Jeannette utters a scream, and narrowly escapes an attack of hysterics.</p> + +<p>"Calm your fears, ladies," said Oswald. "We are too much your debtors to +wish you ill. Allow me, fair lady, to tender to you on this, the first +opportunity I have had, my undying gratitude for the life you so +magnanimously gave me a while ago. Though we Saxons, I am afraid, must +appear to you as rude and uncivilised islanders, I assure you we are not +insensible to, or ungrateful for, any favours bestowed upon us—much +less such favours as you have conferred on myself."</p> + +<p>"Sir Knight," said Alice, much assured by the sincere and courteous tone +in which the valiant and virtuous Saxon chieftain had addressed her, "we +did but do what pity and admiration combined moved us to. Heaven made us +two weak women, and we played a woman's part. But we have not repented +in that we did an act prompted by those intuitions of mercy which are +our woman's heritage."</p> + +<p>"I am made a life-long debtor, fair lady, for that womanly act, and I +trust I may find opportunity to repay so generous a loan."</p> + +<p>"I am glad we have met a Saxon who is our debtor, or we should have +fared badly for our boldness this morning."</p> + +<p>"My people, lady, will not injure a hair of your head, nor permit any +one else to do so. You may roam at will; far or near, you are perfectly +safe."</p> + +<p>"This river scenery is perfectly enchanting, Sir Knight. If I may +presume upon the friendship and goodwill of your people, I should like +to explore it thoroughly?"</p> + +<p>"The river, lady, becomes even finer as you push into the solitudes. If +that craft were not so frail, we two would give you a merry spin for a +mile or two. Indeed, if you dare trust yourself with a Saxon, let me +pull you up stream. I think I can promise you a rare treat. Wulfhere, my +comrade, will take care of your maid until we return."</p> + +<p>"I dare venture. It would not be knightly conduct to betray a woman's +confidence. But will it be safe to leave Jeannette?"</p> + +<p>"Perfectly! Wulfhere and the hound are a pair of faithful and valiant +defenders."</p> + +<p>"No, no!" almost shrieked Jeannette. "You must not go! You will be +killed and eaten! I have heard for certain that these horrid Saxons eat +people!"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, Jeannette! Don't be foolish, and don't listen to such silly +tales!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear! I shall be eaten if you aren't! Holy Mother protect me!" said +she, crossing herself; and, pulling her rosary out of her bosom, she +began counting her beads most violently.</p> + +<p>"Come, my pretty," said Wulfhere, in his blandest tones. "If I were a +cannibal I wouldn't eat you. Sit on this fallen tree; I and the hound +will keep a respectful distance." So saying, he retreated half a dozen +paces from her, and began putting the dog through some capers.</p> + +<p>"If you eat Jeannette, Wulfhere, I shall call you to account when I come +back," said Oswald laughingly, as the boat sped away.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, Jeannette sat rocking herself in great distress, +watching the receding boat, and telling her beads at a great pace, +whilst Wulfhere continued his play with the hound, quite oblivious—or +apparently oblivious—of the tearful maiden. But nothing to this pretty +Frenchwoman was so insupportable as to be ignored. So, after bemoaning +her distressing circumstances without finding any special calamity +happening, she began casting furtive glances at her Saxon comrade, and +she gradually dropped her cries and tears, at his nonchalant behaviour, +and her beads began to pass much more slowly through her fingers. To her +coquettish fancy there was something piquant in the indifference of this +stalwart Saxon. Her curiosity was excited, and this speedily passed into +admiration for the muscular limbs and well-developed frame of Wulfhere. +For it is not in the disposition of many daughters of Eve—much less in +such as this coquettish Frenchwoman was—to look upon such a fine piece +of muscular anatomy as Wulfhere's, without falling into admiration of +it. This did not pass unmarked by him, despite the hypocritical +indifference which he had assumed. Presently he turned his gaze upon +Jeannette, and a good-humoured grin spread over his features, developing +into a broad smile, as he ventured to break the silence.</p> + +<p>"I say, pretty one, you'll not run away whilst I'm gathering a few +sticks to make the fire with, will you, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Fire!" exclaimed Jeannette, clutching her beads, which had dropped into +her lap. "What do you want a fire for?"</p> + +<p>"Want a fire for! Why, I couldn't think of eating you raw!" and he +twirled on his heel, to laugh.</p> + +<p>Jeannette uttered an inimitable little scream. "You horrid man, I shall +jump into the water if you stir! I'm sure I shall!" Then, bursting into +a little laugh, all the more bewitching as it came, rainbow-like, +betwixt smiles and tears, she said, "You are trying to frighten me, I +know; but all the same you Saxons do eat people. I've heard it said +hundreds of times. And once, as we came along, we saw a pile of bones, +and Paul Lazaire said they were the bones of people whom the Saxons had +eaten. So you see we know all about you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but that's all fudge, pretty one. You shall be my sweetheart, and +then you'll soon learn quite different."</p> + +<p>"But I'm not going to be your sweetheart. So you see. I wouldn't have +any one for a sweetheart with hair and beard as long as yours. Normans +have more sense than to wear horrid beards."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but you shall cut my hair, and trim my beard; and I would try to +look like a little Norman ninny of five feet six. Then you wouldn't be +frightened in the least, would you?"</p> + +<p>Jeannette thought to herself she would rather take him as he was, though +she kept the matter to herself. The upshot of the whole was this: +Wulfhere found himself sitting by her side on the fallen tree, with the +hound in front, and neither party very anxious for the return of the +boat and its occupants.</p> + +<p>"So they say we eat such as you, do they, sweetheart?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, they do. And they don't call me 'Sweetheart,' either. And don't +you think I don't know you, for I saw you fighting on that wall."</p> + +<p>"Well, don't be offended now; but what do they call you?"</p> + +<p>"They call me Jeannette—and that's nothing to you."</p> + +<p>"Oh dear, no! nothing whatever. And do they really say that we eat such +as you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, they do! And it's quite true besides! for everybody says so."</p> + +<p>"Well, that's dreadful, anyhow. And how many do you suppose I shall have +eaten like you?"</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't have to eat <i>one</i> like me. If you did, Paul Lazaire would +kill you for it."</p> + +<p>"Paul Lazaire? Oh, I suppose Paul Lazaire will be a sweetheart of yours. +Is that so, Jeannette dear?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is my sweetheart. But I'm not going to marry him for all that! +So you see."</p> + +<p>"No, I wouldn't have <i>him</i>, I'm sure. Tell him you have got a better +now—a Saxon."</p> + +<p>"Fancy! That is fine, to be sure! Don't you think it! I'm not going to +have a husband at all. They are horrid things, for they are never happy +but when they are swilling ale. Just to think of my marrying a Saxon! +That would be fine indeed!"</p> + +<p>"Really now, my pretty Jeannette, I really am over head and ears in love +with you; and if you were my wife, why, I should take great care of +you."</p> + +<p>"Wife, to be sure! The wife of a Saxon? Just think of it! I suppose I +should have to run about in the woods all day, clothed in sheepskins; +then I suppose I should have to creep into a hole in the earth at night. +That would be nice, wouldn't it?"</p> + +<p>Wulfhere burst into a horse-laugh. "Perhaps you would prefer sleeping up +a tree to creeping into a hole, would you?"</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to do either. Besides, I daresay you have got a Saxon +wife somewhere, for you are all deceitful—Norman and Saxon alike."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, Jeannette! I have no wife, or sweetheart either, and I have +made up my mind now, that my wife shall be Norman—just such a wife as +yourself, Jeannette."</p> + +<p>"Why, what would such a giant as you want a wife like me for?"</p> + +<p>"Why? Well, I can hardly answer that question, I declare. But something +must be put down to your pretty face, something to your slender waist, +and a good deal to something I can't explain; but I never felt anything +like it before, for no sooner did I set eyes upon that pretty face of +yours than I felt I should like to kiss it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you horrid, naughty man!" said Jeannette, slipping her slender hand +into Wulfhere's huge paw, and unconsciously hitching closer to him on +the log, "to try and deceive me with such nonsense! I know you are +deceiving me! Why, where should we live? I don't know where <i>you</i> live +now. I should die if I had to live in the woods, and had no home. I +should like a home of my own, where I could play my guitar and spin my +wool, and make you some better garments than those coarse ones you +wear."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you shall not be my wife until I can find you a home, and protect +you! We shall probably have to teach the Normans another lesson or two. +Then they will listen to reason. When we have got a settlement of our +own, then you shall be my wife, Jeannette."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but I dare not! I should be frightened to live amongst the Saxons. +But you wouldn't harm a little woman like me? That would be cowardly."</p> + +<p>"I think it would, Jeannette," said Wulfhere, passing his arm around her +slim waist, drawing her to him, and planting a kiss on her sunny cheek. +"When I go to war I should like a sturdier foe to wreak my vengeance +on."</p> + +<p>"But would you be a serf, and wear one of those horrid iron collars the +serfs wear? I shouldn't like a husband who was a bondman."</p> + +<p>"No, my pretty one, I have never been a bondman; and, what is more, I +never shall. I am a Saxon freeman."</p> + +<p>"A 'freeman'? What is a 'freeman'?"</p> + +<p>"A freeman is one who tills his own land, and is no man's vassal or +bondman. I shall remain a freeman, and my sons shall be freemen after +me."</p> + +<p>At this juncture the hound gave a start, and threw back his head, at the +same time giving utterance to a low, fierce growl. Presently a footstep +is heard, not approaching stealthily, but crashing through the trees and +underwood. Wulfhere springs to his feet; his bow is unslung, and an +arrow affixed in a moment. The hound also starts to his feet, his +eyeballs glitter, and the veins of his neck and body are distended +almost to bursting. The low branches are put aside, and the burly form +of Sigurd, the dispossessed viking chieftain, emerges before them. His +lowering brow and impetuous manner tell but too plainly that there is a +tempest raging within him.</p> + +<p>"Wulfhere," said he, "what does this mean?"</p> + +<p>"What does what mean, my lord?"</p> + +<p>"Why, the drivelling folly I have witnessed for the last half hour or +more! Fitter stuff for a Norman libertine than for a Saxon freeman, and +one who makes pretence of valour!"</p> + +<p>"I am at a loss to know what you mean, my lord."</p> + +<p>"I mean? Why, I mean that whilst I and others of thy countrymen are +lurking near the haunts of these French dogs, that we may have revenge +upon them, thou and thy master are toying and fooling with their women. +But enough of this! Make an end of this woman, and an end of thy folly +at a blow, and thou hast then made amends."</p> + +<p>"Indeed I shall do no such thing. This maiden and her noble mistress +gave my chief his life, and it will be woe to the man who dares injure +either the one or the other."</p> + +<p>"What care I for thy master's scruples? These Normans owe us +satisfaction for a thousand Saxon lives they have taken. So stand aside; +I'll do my own business."</p> + +<p>"Indeed you will do no such thing, until you have disposed of me;" and +Wulfhere threw himself boldly in front of Sigurd.</p> + +<p>"Ah, art thou insolent into the bargain, dog? I will chastise thy +bravado out of thee if thou stand not aside;" and he grasped the hilt of +his sword.</p> + +<p>Wulfhere, seeing the movement, and having no sword, sprang upon him and +dealt him a stinging blow with his clenched fist. So violently was this +given that, sturdy as he was, Sigurd reeled back several paces.</p> + +<p>"Ah, is that it, my buck? Then I'll have thee with thine own weapon, for +I do not need to take any advantage of a varlet like thyself!"</p> + +<p>So saying, he rushed on Wulfhere, with intent to come to close quarters. +But Wulfhere knew well the great personal strength of his bulky +antagonist, so he dodged with great agility every effort Sigurd made to +grapple with him. And he did not fail to deal him repeatedly heavy blows +with his clenched fists. This so exasperated Sigurd that he was as +furious as a mad bull, and for a considerable time it seemed to be a +battle between brute force and agility, the balance being much in favour +of the more agile. Unfortunately, a trip on the part of Wulfhere, over +the root of a tree, gave Sigurd the chance he had been vainly striving +for. Ere he could recover himself, Sigurd gripped him in his powerful +embrace, and gathering him up as though he were a child, he hurled him +to the ground, exclaiming, "Now I will kill thee, churl!" and he grasped +him by the throat. The hound, which had been dancing round the +combatants during the fray, with many furious and irresolute darts at +Sigurd, seeing Wulfhere in such desperate straits, sprang upon Sigurd, +and buried his teeth in the fleshy part of his arm.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h3>ALICE DE MONTFORT AND THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Shakespeare.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>The boat containing Oswald and Alice, impelled by the strong arms of the +Saxon chieftain, sped along swiftly through the magnificent scenery.</p> + +<p>"Now, lady, what think you? Did I speak truly when I praised the +scenery?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Truly it would be an earthly paradise if it were not for the greed +and cruelty of man. I think it richer and grander in these leafy +solitudes than anything I have seen; or else it is because it fits my +taste so wondrously."</p> + +<p>"Yes. I cannot say, lady, that I hope you and your people will long +enjoy the new home you have found, for I confess to you I cherish most +ardent desires to be its lord again; though I think I can renounce my +hopes, and well-nigh welcome exile if you are to be its mistress, and I +may be permitted to look with unsinning eyes upon a form which has +become even dearer to me than freedom and home. I doubt me, however, +this latter wish may not be, for I hear some Norman knight claims your +hand."</p> + +<p>"My father has affianced me to one of the knights of his retinue; but +this betrothal is without my consent, if I may be so bold as to confess +it to a stranger. Indeed, I care not to disguise the fact that it is a +most hateful alliance, and most abhorrent to me. I shall much prefer, if +I may be permitted, to retire to a convent in my native land, rather +than wed a man so incapable of inspiring either my love or my respect as +this Baron Vigneau."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid it is I who am too bold, in intruding in so delicate a +matter, and one so remote from my concerns. But I would fain think, and +hope, that the Count will not press a loveless marriage upon you; to do +such violence to your affections would be cruel."</p> + +<p>"My father is a soldier, Sir Knight, seared and blunted by his calling, +and sentiment has little place in his nature. Latterly, also, I have +noticed moroseness of disposition creeping over him; and upon this +question he is more stern and peremptory than ever he was wont to be, +and I lose heart and hope. Indeed, I am in sore straits. And your +intrusion—if intrusion it be—I recognise is dictated by sympathy; and +I stand much in need of this."</p> + +<p>"I would I could convey to you, lady, in adequate terms—terms in which +I should not be presumptuous—how honoured I should be if I could serve +you in any way whatever. My resources, my men—nay, believe me, lady, +for exaggeration would be most gross—my life is at your disposal, fully +and unreservedly."</p> + +<p>"I would fain accept of you as an ally and a friend, for I stand alone, +and have not even a confidante, saving my maid, and I find the iron +wills of my father and Vigneau completely bear me down; and if I escape +from the toils of Vigneau, some stronger arm will have to interpose a +rescue."</p> + +<p>"I am but a Saxon outlaw, lady, a wolfshead, landless, penniless, and +hunted; but if you can bethink you how I may serve you, my arm is +strong, and my sword's edge unblunted. If time but tarry a while, I am +confident something may be done to set you free from the life-long +misery of a union with Vigneau; and I know enough of him to convince me +that there is no community of taste or of disposition between you. I +dare not say more, for my presumptuous heart runs riot with my +understanding, and I may say things most unbefitting my present +desperate estate."</p> + +<p>"Make no apology, worthy knight," said Alice, blushing scarlet, then +pale and trembling, "for your worldly misfortunes. A knight despoiled, +but not disgraced, has no need to humble himself to me. Gold and lands +are at best but an accident, but virtue and nobility of character are +the slow growth of virtuous thinking and noble endeavour. And which, +think you, valiant Saxon, are most highly valued by a simple maiden like +myself? You are my debtor, you say; then here is an enterprise will tax +your wisdom—I fear your prowess also. Doughty knights have in past +times, it is said, effected wonderful deliverances for maidens in +distress. Is it only the language of romance? I will not affectedly +profess that I do not understand your language; but there is a challenge +for you. If lightly won, Sir Knight, I may be lightly worn."</p> + +<p>Now this high-born maiden was cultured, virtuous, womanly, and, +moreover, she was young—a matter to be taken note of, for maidens then +do not often dilute the gift of the heart with worldly considerations; +but only few men are capable of winning such love. Does it require great +tact, address, astuteness—such as men employ to catch some young colt, +unbroken, shy, and suspicious? No. Whenever such love is won, it is won +easily, without laying of siege, or clever generalship; in fact, +astuteness, or tactics of any sort, are fatal to success. It is not a +bargain, a huckstering <i>quid pro quo</i>. It is an inspiration, an +intuition. It is a rush of all that is holiest, truest, tenderest, and +trustful in woman towards the man who is capable of inspiring it, and of +setting free the abounding wealth of a woman's heart. What conditions +does it demand? Well, these are essentials: it asks for broad and ample +strength to lean upon without misgiving. It demands an integrity that +may be trusted to the uttermost, beyond the bounds where prudence, +discretion, and kindred virtues cry halt. It asks the frankness and +transparency of soul where nothing is hidden, and where there are no +dark corners, suspicious and unreadable, suggestive of things to be +disguised with care. When these qualities are present, they are +luminously visible to a woman's intuitions, and the citadel of her heart +is won easily and without capitulation terms. There are more hearts won +at short notice than cynics would allow; but it is the spontaneous +embrace of the divine that is in us, and alas! there is little of the +divine in most mortals.</p> + +<p>As the foregoing words fell from the lips of Alice, Oswald started +forward as though electrified, and laid his hand on the hilt of his +sword.</p> + +<p>"Believe me, lady," said he, "I never dared to dream such a cup of +blessedness would be held to my lips; and I assure you I needed no other +stimulus than the debt of gratitude I owe to you for my deliverance from +death, in order to brave anything and everything for you. But if there +be hope, however remote, of winning a place in your affections, as my +desperate estate has already moved your compassion, and that some day, +in happier circumstances, I may even dare to ask you to be my bride, +such an inpiration will nerve my arm and brace my energies, so that +difficulties shall be most desperate if I overcome them not."</p> + +<p>"I fear me, Sir Knight, if you undertake so desperate an enterprise as +this, with success, it will require matchless skill and daring, coupled +with deadliest peril. I fear, also, it will have to be a sharp sword +that severs so unholy and hated a bond."</p> + +<p>Alice hesitated a moment, as though feelings of delicacy forbade farther +advances; then, although the blushes on her countenance deepened, she +said,—</p> + +<p>"Having confided so much of the story of my sorrows—I fear at the peril +of my modesty—may I venture farther confidence?"</p> + +<p>"I dare not ask you for confidences you hesitate to give, fair lady, for +I am deeply conscious my worthiness to receive them has not been put to +the proof. Consult your own heart in this, for it is your best and +safest guide."</p> + +<p>"I think I may safely venture everything, and trust you, Saxon, even to +the uttermost and with all my heart. This involves my father's secret, +and his deadly peril also, for this Vigneau has obtained a fatal +ascendency over him. He holds documents most compromising to my father, +in addition to the promise given long ago; and which my father might +possibly have revoked with impunity had not Vigneau obtained possession +of these treasonable documents. These he uses with brutal terrorism to +enforce his claim to my hand. In an unhappy moment my father entered +into negotiations with the leaders of the late Saxon rebellion, and he +made use of Baron Vigneau as his intermediary. The Baron never delivered +those letters, but with brutal cunning he still holds them, and he uses +them with deadly effect to enforce his claims."</p> + +<p>"Ah! I have a distinct remembrance of this," said Oswald, as the +memorable scene at the Council, in York, presented itself to his mind. +"I remember too well this traitor entering our assembly, under pretext +of joining our ranks in opposition to the king; and I remember well, +also, I met him face to face in combat next day, and 'tis a quarrel +still unsettled, but which may be fought to the bitter end some day. +Take heart, lady; some means will assuredly be devised for circumventing +the purposes of this unscrupulous braggart, Vigneau. But if this should +not be accomplished by human agency, I would fain think and hope, if the +wisdom and the valour of man should fail, a kindly Providence has in +store a happier lot for one so fair, so virtuous, and so good. Let us +foster hopes of brighter days; these are troublous times, and one +revolution of Fortune's wheel may bring momentous changes. Perhaps the +asperities and hatreds of race, engendered by these cruel wars, may be +soothed and healed again, and Saxon and Norman may be blended in one +united people."</p> + +<p>"Alas! can this ever be? My people seem drunk with greed and blood, and +thy people given to fierce reprisals."</p> + +<p>"This reconciliation does not seem as though it were near, truly, lady. +Our peasantry have been massacred by scores. The more spirited of them +have taken to outlawry, and would as soon take the life of a Norman as +the life of a stag. We have also chieftains amongst us who have lost +all, and live only for revenge; fierce and implacable, they cherish mad +schemes of re-conquest, which are utterly futile. But all the same, it +will be woe to the man who argues for peace in the Saxon witan in the +presence of these implacable men."</p> + +<p>"Is there anything I can do to soothe these hatreds?"</p> + +<p>"You have begun well, and it seems marvellous to report, your deeds of +mercy and kindness are being talked about through the countryside where +Saxons meet together. These acts of kindness make for peace with +mightier force than deeds of arms or years of a rule of force."</p> + +<p>"But what is to be the solution of this race difficulty? Some of our +people speak and act as though there were no solution but the +extermination of all those who offer any resistance to their being +reduced to villeinage the most abject."</p> + +<p>"In a policy of force there is no other conclusion. If you were to take +yonder sapling and tie its head down to earth, there would be unceasing +resistance to the ignoble bond. And why? Because the Creator made it to +be free, to rear its head aloft, contemporaneous with its fellows. The +human spirit loves its freedom even better than yon sapling, and its +resistance to all tyranny is eternal. Force may fetter it, but perpetual +force will be necessary to keep it fettered. Mark me, lady, it is easier +to talk of extermination than to effect it. I command at present a band +of men who are the pick of my race for valour, who will defy thy people +with impunity, and are capable of striking fierce blows of revenge in +every unguarded moment. If ever the hour of thy nation's weakness should +come, terrible will be the revenge, if some strong hand curb not the +wild spirit."</p> + +<p>"This unholy strife between our peoples is madness. How may we avert +it?" said Alice.</p> + +<p>"I confess, lady, that but a little while ago I had no feelings but +those of undying hatred to thy race. But as I lay in that dungeon +beneath the castle, an angel in human form, by an act of pure mercy, +gave me liberty and life. 'Twas wonderful! The cold, frozen blood at my +heart turned, at a stroke, to warmth. I felt that there is a passion of +the human heart more potent than hatred, and some obligations more +binding than an oath. Let those who do not love strife, but love mercy, +work for mercy and reconciliation; and I think I see the day when there +shall be such a blending of races that each shall be strengthened by the +other."</p> + +<p>"I shall welcome the day, Sir Knight. But had we not better return? +Jeannette, I am afraid, will be in great trouble."</p> + +<p>"I am not a knight, lady; we Saxons are slow at learning the language of +chivalry. If it be not presumptuous to ask it, call me Oswald; 'twill +bring us so much nearer."</p> + +<p>"Then if you have not learnt the language of chivalry, you will be the +better able to call me Alice. Is it agreed?"</p> + +<p>"With all my heart, Alice. It is a compact. Let me again assure you that +you and your maid are perfectly safe in the woods or anywhere, so far as +my followers and vassals are concerned. There is just one thing I would +caution you about," said he, with a twinkle in his eye. "One Saxon has a +very great admiration for the very spots which you are likely to choose; +and I warn you, if he see a certain light in his lady's eyes, never more +look for peace."</p> + +<p>"Really this does sound like the language of our Norman gallants, after +all. But come, now, if you are really heart-hungry, just a crumb of +comfort will sustain you; for our Norman ballads declare very loudly +that valorous knights for their lady-loves will do and dare, or suffer +and wait,—well, really, without going through the list, it is wonderful +what valiant knights will do for love and chivalry—<i>in books</i>. I used +to see the said valiant knights in books, but latterly I have been face +to face with the reality; and alas! I find them most devoted to wine and +ale, and incontinence. So, Sir Knight,—for such I will call you once +more—he who wins Alice de Montfort will have a knightlier soul than +this."</p> + +<p>"Well, I will not sound a trumpet before me, as the hypocrites do, so no +more of this. Let time declare it. But did you learn how I made my +escape from the castle that fateful night?"</p> + +<p>"No. Pray tell me now? I am most curious to know it."</p> + +<p>"Wait a little. But let me tell you I can enter the castle when I like. +If you wish an interview with me at any time, you need but make some +signal from the tower, and at nightfall I will meet you there whenever +you wish."</p> + +<p>"But can you come with perfect safety?"</p> + +<p>"With absolute safety."</p> + +<p>"Then that shall be our trysting-place, to which I will summon my Saxon +ally when good news stirs—but I fear me more often when my sad heart +needs cheering. But I sorely fear your coming there will be full of +peril. Could I not meet you elsewhere?"</p> + +<p>"Courage, dear one! and take no thought for me. Let your heart be stout, +for the future is luminous with hope."</p> + +<p>As the boat rounded a bend in the river, Oswald beheld the fierce +struggle going on between the two Saxons, and, with an exclamation of +pain, he gave two or three lusty strokes which sent the boat flying +amongst the trees which lined the embankment. Hastily springing upon the +bank, he tore Sigurd from the prostrate form of Wulfhere.</p> + +<p>"Jarl!" said he, "how is this? Making war upon your friends! This will +not do, mark me!"</p> + +<p>"And how is this?" retorted Sigurd fiercely. "You and this +chicken-hearted slave making love to deadly enemies. This will not do, +<i>mark that</i>!"</p> + +<p>"Enough, enough!" said Oswald, gathering up the prostrate form of +Jeannette, who was in a dead swoon. He lifted her into the boat and +dashed a few drops of cold water in her face. "There, now," said he, +"she is all right." And in a whisper he said to Alice, "Pull away, +dearest. Remember the tryst, and be not dismayed. This man is a scion of +the untamed Vikings who linger in the land. I shall know how to deal +with him."</p> + +<p>Oswald watched the boat and its occupants glide away, and waving a last +adieu he turned to his companions, and said, "Let us go. Sigurd," he +continued, in tones of severity, "this fierce quarrel bodes no good to +the Saxon cause."</p> + +<p>"Does this dawdling with Norman women bode some good to the Saxon cause? +I wot Viking, or Dane, or old-time Saxon would not have warred like +this. Are we going to avenge ourselves upon our enemies by simpering to +their women? My ancestors have conquered with the sword, and I will +thrust through any Norman I can—aye, and their women, too! To spare the +dam to suckle cubs will not do for me!"</p> + +<p>"Sigurd, mark me, thy fierce, implacable temper will hurt the Saxon +cause more than ever thy sword will aid it. Kindly understand that I am +lord in these parts, and my will shall be law. If thou art not +satisfied, well, thou had better return to thy own domain of Lakesland, +and make war according to thy own notions. If thou succeed better than +us, well, then we may copy thy methods; but here we will have no slaying +of defenceless women and children. As for these two in particular, they +gave me my life, and whoever injures a hair of their heads is my mortal +foe. Let that suffice, Jarl."</p> + +<p>"Tut, tut! Fine, no doubt; but I like not such modes of warfare, and if +I cannot be allowed to spill Norman blood whenever I can, I'll none of +it."</p> + +<p>"I have my own plans for the protection of my people and for the +amelioration of their lot, and I think it is the best. As for thy +methods, and the hopes thou hast of driving out the Normans, I regard +them as worse than madness, and they will end in the annihilation of the +Saxon race. So be pleased to interfere no more with my plans," said +Oswald.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h3>WAR'S VICISSITUDES.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Hope tells a flattering tale,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Delusive, vain, and hollow.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ah! let not hope prevail,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Lest disappointment follow."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Miss Wrother.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p>The desperate repulse which the Normans received at the hands of the +Saxon outlaws, made them exceedingly chary of attempting again the +extermination of them. This afforded a welcome respite to the fugitives, +particularly to the women and children. But the vigilance of their +sentinels was never permitted to be relaxed. The retreat to which Ethel +had been conveyed was thus free from alarms, and lacked nothing in +picturesqueness and beauty. Oswald had taken care that it should be +furnished with some comfort and taste, for he had been wont in +summertime to spend often many days, and even weeks, in this secluded +and lovely spot. To Ethel, this home in the mountains was dearly +welcome. During the day she busied herself with the books of history, +travel, and romance which Oswald loved; and at even her countenance +brightened at his cheery words and pleasant greetings. But for some days +a strange feeling of anxiety and foreboding had clouded her happiness; +for more than a week Oswald had not so much as paid a hurried visit to +his favourite rendezvous.</p> + +<p>"Your master has not been here for more than a week, Bretwul," said she +one day, when her anxiety for tidings could no longer be resisted. "Do +you know what detains him? I fear me he has fallen into the hands of the +Normans."</p> + +<p>"He will not fall into the hands of the Normans so easily, lady. If he +does it will only be his body, though I am afraid he ventures on some +desperate enterprises."</p> + +<p>"Whither has he gone, Bretwul? Know you?"</p> + +<p>"I know not for certainty, lady, but I have belief he has gone with one +Sigurd, lord of Lakesland, for he has disappeared and taken his wild-cat +crew with him. Good riddance, I trow! and may my eyes never look upon +such starved, ill-clad, unsavoury mortals again!"</p> + +<p>"Who is this Sigurd you speak of, Bretwul?"</p> + +<p>"He is lord of the Lakes, but has had served out to him the same +treatment as every other Saxon chieftain has had; first wholesale +butchery of his followers, then death, or flight and exile, for +himself."</p> + +<p>"What has he been doing here?"</p> + +<p>"He has been hunted, harassed, and driven from one hiding-place to +another, until he had but a handful of followers left. Then he sought +respite in flight, and has been for a little while with us here, he and +a dozen of his housecarles. Now he hears the Norman army has gone south, +so he would fain return to the fray, and has craved the assistance of +the Earl and a dozen stout retainers, in return for the services he +rendered us."</p> + +<p>"I had a dream last night, Bretwul. I saw Oswald fighting desperately +with Norman foes, and then he was surrounded by them and sorely wounded. +Then I saw him borne by rough hands to a cave in the mountain side, and +I saw him swiftly bleeding to death, and no one there knew how to +staunch his wounds or cool his feverish brow; and I heard him cry +'Ethel!' And as I stretched out my hands to help, I awoke."</p> + +<p>"It was but a dream, lady. Do not let your mind run on such thoughts as +these. You are looking pale and ill. My master will be angry when he +returns, if he knows I told you of his purpose."</p> + +<p>"Can we not go to-night? I do not care to spend my time in idleness and +ease while he thus braves danger and death for his country. By hard +riding we can reach Lakesland ere the sun is up, and I am sure I can be +of service."</p> + +<p>"Beshrew me if I dare budge a stone-throw from this place until he gives +the word! I like not lying to rust, like the Earl's old swords hung +there, in idleness; but I would rather not face him after disobeying +orders."</p> + +<p>"But he may be wounded, and no one near to nurse him but these rough +men, whilst I am worse than useless here, with nothing to do but burden +others!"</p> + +<p>"Set your fears at rest, lady. These rough men know how to lay a +splintered bone, or close a wound, like any practised leech. But if you +let your mind run on these things you will be miserable. I have no fear +for him. The Normans will find their match, I trow, and give him a wide +berth. I have seen them cut down churls like myself with vigorous +strokes, and strike halting blows at him, through sheer terror at his +appearance."</p> + +<p>"But they are many to one, and better armed, and he will be overborne by +the numbers of them. I am sure I could be of service, and I should like +to be near; I don't mind the rough life at all. Saddle us a pair of +horses, and let us start to-night."</p> + +<p>"I warrant the Earl would slit my ears if I dared do any such thing! But +these are idle fears. I forget me, though; I have a message from the +Abbot Adhelm. But, by our Lady! he is no longer abbot, but a humble +friar, with no more power in his own abbey than any scullion priest. He +was a worthy Father, and never turned a lean dog of a Saxon away without +crumbs and comfort. But, among the other bad things these Normans have +brought, are a lot of swag-bellied monks, who broach more ale-casks than +they say prayers; and, by the Mass! they drink the ale, too, for there +is never a drop, or a taste of venison, to bestow on a famishing palmer, +or starving yeoman. I wish I could stick a nettle under their tails and +make them trot, the whole brood of them. The Church will never make much +out of my prayers, beshrew me! but I would with right good will rid her +of these shaveling carrion who have come swarming at the heels of the +fighting men."</p> + +<p>"But you said you had a message from Adhelm, did you not, Bretwul?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, lady!" said Bretwul, highly gratified at the diversion he had +effected. "When my tongue is set a-wagging, it is as long as my dog's +when he is dead beat in chasing a hare; there's no hauling it in. Well, +Adhelm has found some pity in a wolf's den. Whoever would have looked +for a she-wolf having compassion on the sheep?"</p> + +<p>"I have not the slightest idea what you are talking about Bretwul."</p> + +<p>"Marry, no! there's no sense in an ass's braying; but bringing him to +the end on't is another matter. Well, gramercy! this fire-eating Norman +count has got a daughter who belies her own father."</p> + +<p>"Belies her own father? What may that mean?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, marry, it's true enough—belies her own father. I take the liberty +to dodge about a bit amongst the churls who have submitted to these +Normans, to see what encouragement there may be to feed at the same +trough as these broken-spirited cattle. Well, an iron collar about my +neck is an ornament I don't covet, and kicks and cuffs always did bruise +my flesh, and, what is even more painful, they bruise my mind; so a +Norman serf I will not be. But they tell me this count has a daughter +who has compassion, and visits them, carrying dainties to such as are +sick. Adhelm also and she are great friends, and he says she occupies +herself much in this sort of work."</p> + +<p>This colloquy was cut short by a sharp knock at the door and the hurried +entrance of one of the Earl's retainers.</p> + +<p>"Bretwul!" said he; but, his eye alighting on Ethel, he suddenly paused. +"I crave your pardon," said he, hastily doffing his cap. "Matters of +importance, which stand not on ceremony, have brought me."</p> + +<p>"What are they, my man?" said Ethel, eager and apprehensive.</p> + +<p>"The Earl is slightly unwell," said the stranger, noticing Bretwul's +cautioning gesture; "and I have ridden hard to request that a bed may be +prepared."</p> + +<p>"My dream! my dream!" almost shrieked Ethel, starting from her seat. "He +is not dead yet! Say he is not dead?"</p> + +<p>"Calm yourself, lady," said Bretwul, giving the stranger another +significant look.</p> + +<p>"No, no, lady; a mere scratch. A few weeks of your nursing will set him +on his feet as sound as a rock. But you will make ready, Bretwul? They +are not far behind."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<h3>VIKING CHIEF AND SAXON MAIDEN.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">"He beheld<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A vision, and adored the thing he saw."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Wordsworth.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Ere long, the hum of voices and the scrambling sound of approaching +footsteps were heard. Then hurried orders, given in an undertone, +muffled footsteps, as of persons bearing a burden, accompanied by a low, +deep groan, broke upon the anxious ear of Ethel, who was listening with +nerves in a state of utmost tension and alarm. These sounds gradually +abated as the party retired to a more distant room, and doors were +softly closed behind. By-and-bye her anxious suspense was abated by the +entrance of Bretwul and his wife, accompanied by Sigurd, the lord of +Lakesland. A cold tremor ran through her blood as her eyes rested for +the first time upon the burly figure of the stranger; and she tried to +evade the rivetted gaze which he turned upon her, by turning to Bretwul.</p> + +<p>"I think the Earl is much worse than the messenger would have us +believe, Bretwul. Can I go to him? I may be of use. I have some skill in +nursing, thanks to my instructions and the terrible times upon which our +land has fallen."</p> + +<p>"Do not be alarmed," said Sigurd, trying to infuse as much of gentleness +as he could into the gruff tones which issued from the deep, broad +chest. "Oswald is put to bed, and his wound is a mere nothing—a +flesh-wound, which ought to have healed itself; but his body has been +pampered and daintily housed, and the merest cuts tell on such. The +wound has cankered and brought on a touch of fever. Pity that men, who +ought to know better, swathe their limbs, and pamper their bodies, and +live in cunningly decorated houses, and spend their time toying with +such finikin things as these"—pointing to sundry books and musical +instruments. "Women's things, and baby's toys!"</p> + +<p>"I think I had better go with you, Eadburgh," said Ethel, anything but +assured by the unsympathetic words of the strange visitant.</p> + +<p>This was just what Eadburgh was anxious to say; and the two immediately +disappeared.</p> + +<p>"Be seated, my lord," said Bretwul to Sigurd, "and I will find some +eatables. I doubt not you are well-nigh famished."</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye. We have ridden eight hours continuously in the darkness, and +you well say we are famishing."</p> + +<p>No sooner had the door closed behind Bretwul than Sigurd's astonishment +at the vision his eyes had just seen, found vent.</p> + +<p>"What is this I have looked upon?" he murmured to himself. "Some +inhabitant of Valhalla, where our gods and heroes have gone? Surely our +priests have told me of nothing so fair as she, even there! I would +covet a hero's grave this very hour, and the dark beyond, if they who +dwell there get them wives so fair as she."</p> + +<p>Here, let me, for the further information of the reader, say that this +Sigurd, or "lord of Lakesland," as he was known, whom we have met with +before in these pages, was a typical example of many a Norse chieftain +who still held sway in the land, ruling their followers after the manner +of the rude past; and the important part which he plays in these +"Chronicles" calls for a more elaborate introduction than we have yet +accorded him. He was a man who rivetted the gaze at once, but it was a +fascination, and not a delight, to the beholder. Men could not forbear +to look, but they far oftener turned away from him with a shudder and a +sense of relief than otherwise. When Halfdane, the viking marauder, +pounced down upon Northumbria, and the north of England generally, he +divided a great part of the lands of the Saxons amongst his followers; +and they, settling amongst the Angles, intermarried with them; and thus, +in the course of time, the two became almost one people. But in some +districts there were clearly defined lines of separateness. Sigurd, in +unbroken line, was a descendant of one "Rollo, the Ganger" (or walker). +Wonderful traditions lingered amongst the people of the height and build +of this warrior: such fragmentary histories, or folk-lore, declared that +he was compelled to walk because no horse could bear his weight. Hence +his name, the "Ganger," or walker.</p> + +<p>As this Sigurd was in body and physical proportions, so he was in mind. +He was rough, rude in manners, tastes, and pursuits, but strong in the +sturdy virtues of honesty and chastity, his Viking heritage. In the case +of Oswald notably, and of Ethel, and many others of our Saxon chieftains +and chieftainesses, some measure of education had been sought after and +prized. Contact also with the Normans, who in goodly numbers dwelt in +England during our late King Edward's lifetime, had done much to modify +the vulgar tastes and habits of the English. But in the case of Sigurd, +the undiluted primitiveness of the marauding Norseman, untainted and +uninfluenced by the undoubted advance the world was making, was +embodied. He never travelled beyond the rugged hills and weird gorges of +his domain, unless it were to meet the hardy robbers from over the +Scottish border. To fish in the glorious lakes; to hunt in the +stretching forests and dense woods; to excel in the rude games of +wrestling, archery, putting the stone, and many other games which +constituted the sole recreations of vulgar churls, was his delight. He +had little sympathy and little intercourse with those members of his +class who were awaking to the presence of, and yielding to, the +civilising influences which were beginning to be felt in England, by its +increasing contact with the continent of Europe. Still, there was a +rugged honesty about this man altogether admirable. He loved deeply and +faithfully; but he hated just as fiercely and implacably. He was a man +of great, even gross extremes, magnificent in energy and force of +character. Happy was the man who shared his affection; but woe be to the +man who incurred his hatred. This first interview with Ethel had a +distinctly repellent influence upon her; her very blood seemed to freeze +under his ardent gaze. It seemed to her that she was face to face with +one of the unlovable gods or heroes, their sagas, or wise men, were +never tired of glorifying. The sense of shrinking and dread which Ethel +experienced at this first meeting might have been intensified by her +anxiety with regard to Oswald; but Sigurd was quick to notice the +involuntary start, the shrinking from him, and it cut him deeply, and to +the quick.</p> + +<p>When the door was closed he stood for some minutes like one petrified, +blankly staring at the closed door through which the fair vision had +disappeared. The form and features of the beautiful Saxon floated +indistinctly before his vision. "She shrank from me!" he fiercely +ejaculated, but the tones were half a groan as well. "Why this +ill-disguised dread of me?" he murmured. He slowly surveyed himself from +head to foot in the vain endeavour to discover what it was about him +which so startled and repelled Ethel. Then he strode across the room and +stood before a mirror which hung from the wall in an elaborately wrought +frame—an article he had never used before, and seldom met with, and +which he faced now with a scowl of contempt upon his face. His head and +face were faithfully reflected, and some of his muscular frame. His +visage was bronzed and brown, his beard unshaven and unkempt, whilst +from underneath his helmet there escaped masses of hair of an unlovely +red colour. "Ah!" he ejaculated, "I should better win me a bride as my +fierce Viking ancestors won theirs, with their swords, getting them as +the spoil of war, or winning them at Holmganga (duel), where valour and +prowess in arms were recognised. Any Norman gallant with a well-trimmed +beard would put me to the rout as wives are won in these degenerate +days! Any Saxon with a smattering of clerk's gear and book-learning, +would have me on the hip. One who could play at joust with foppish +Norman gallants, or lilt his heel to the sound of music, would be +preferred before me. Yet, what is there ails these sturdy limbs of mine? +Sturdy limbs counted for much in the days of our ancestors; but now +every dainty girl shrinks at them with contempt, as marks of +boorishness. Why should this girl shrink from me so? Hist to me, +Viking," said he, apostrophising himself, "and tell me this. Why should +this fair Saxon thus unhinge me? Why should I care for blue eyes, flaxen +tresses, and a sylph-like form? Viking warriors were not mothered by +girls like this. Then clearly, if Viking warriors cannot be mothered by +such, Viking warriors should not be wived by them. A wife of brawny +build, with hardihood enough to be a sea-king's consort, and nurse me +warrior sons, would surely mate me best. My home will have to be the +rugged hills where the eagle hath his eyrie, or the dense forest where +prowls the wolf, and where the lordly red deer roam at will. Yet I do +believe this fair Saxon hath bewitched me; she is comely beyond aught my +eyes have seen before. But what of that? 'Tis despisable—maudlin! Yet +those blue eyes of hers, and that comeliness of form, is quite new to +me. Those maidens of brawny build, and bold, unwomanly features—I never +bethought me to love them yet. Ah! I have been ever ready to fight the +bold, but I never could love it; 'tis the gentleness and maidenly grace +of this Saxon maiden hath done it. Her speech is gentle, and her manner +is coy and shy, and nothing forward. Out upon me for a dotard!" said he +savagely. "I'll no more on't! I will not sleep under this roof; 'tis +enervating! I'll get me out upon the heath, where I can hear the sough +of the night winds, and listen to the night-birds' screech. 'Twill bring +me back my Viking's mood, and scare away this flimsy dream of love. How +could I mate with a timid dove, except I shed my talons! A Viking sleek +and pursy, well fed, and ease-loving!—a monstrosity I should be! The +door of Valhalla would be closed against me. The gods and heroes in the +land beyond the deep sea, whose company I hope to join at death, would +disown me. My boast and pride, my Viking's race, would fitly come to end +with me."</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Ethel, accompanied by Eadburgh and Bretwul, repaired to the +room where Oswald had been laid at rest. Some knowledge of medicine and +the art of healing, happily, was possessed by all Saxon gentlewomen. +Also there were a few amongst the serfs, who were the lowest class of +the peasantry, that had some knowledge of herbs, potions, poultices, +bandages, and simple remedies and expedients, which were frequently very +effective, though sometimes mistaken.</p> + +<p>Oswald smiled a pleasant smile as they entered; but it required no great +skill or discernment to see that he was weak and suffering. The hectic +flush upon his countenance, and the short, hurried breathing told but +too plainly that the wound and the weakness were not the worst foes that +had fastened on him. He could not fail to note the dismay and alarm +depicted on the pale and anxious face of Ethel.</p> + +<p>"Ethel, girl," said he, putting as much pleasantness into his tone of +voice as he could command, "never let that sweet face wear so sad a +look. The case is not so bad as that—nothing worse than a mere +flesh-wound; but the damp and exposure on those mountain sides, and that +long and horrid home-coming on horseback, has taken the life out of me."</p> + +<p>But in spite of his efforts to be cheerful, he could not suppress a +groan and a painful contortion of his face.</p> + +<p>"Bretwul," said he, uncovering his shoulder, "for mercy's sake undo +those bandages! My arm swells, and they screw me tight as a vice, and +give me a sickening pain."</p> + +<p>Ethel, however, advanced, and with firm and nimble fingers undid the +clumsy bandages, cleaning and washing the festering wound wonderfully +gently, but resolutely, and without faltering. Without faltering or +hesitancy also, she bathed and salved, lotioned and bandaged it again. +Oswald, with the passiveness of a tired child, submitted to it all.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said he, "now I've got a chance."</p> + +<p>But this done, Ethel's culinary arts were called into requisition, and +delicacies from the mere, the flock, or the chase succeeded each other +with tempting regularity.</p> + +<p>"If the wound could have had but a week's start of the fever, I should +have been hopeful," said she to Eadburgh.</p> + +<p>But this was not to be, for next day Oswald became restless, with +occasional wanderings of the mind, and this was speedily followed by a +total relapse. Never for a moment, by night or by day, except for the +most necessary things, did Ethel quit his side; and never was there a +moment, by night or day, but either Bretwul or Wulfhere watched by his +bed. And when the fever was at its height, it was as much as the two +strong men could do to hold him in his bed.</p> + +<p>During this season of mental aberration, he would be at one time engaged +in mortal strife with his hated rival Vigneau. Anon, he was over seas +with Alice de Montfort, a refugee in a foreign land. Then the graphic +scene enacted in the dungeon beneath the castle, where Alice, torch in +hand, and alone, saved him out of the hands of her own countrymen, and +gave him liberty and life, was acted over again, with intense realism of +voice and gesture.</p> + +<p>Frequently he recoiled, with horror depicted in his countenance, as +Ethel gently smoothed his pillow, or moistened his parched lips. Then he +would call vehemently for the fair Norman with the dark eyes and raven +tresses.</p> + +<p>Ethel heard all this with agony at heart, and often the tear, unbidden, +dropped upon the coverlet as she bent over him. Often she would murmur +to herself,—</p> + +<p>"He thinks not of me. I am but a Saxon girl, to pet and speak gently to. +Would he were harsh and forbidding, like this stranger! But he is what +he is, and God made me a woman, and I will bear this burden, as too oft +a woman must; for he will never know, and that will make it bearable."</p> + +<p>So for many weary days and nights the resolute struggle of life and +death for victory went on, and the weary, anxious watchers looked on, +helpless, except to pray and hope that favouring Providence would give +the victory as they wished.</p> + +<p>At last the crisis passed. Thanks to the wonderful physique and +recuperative faculties of the patient, combined with the ceaseless care +and patient nursing of the Saxon maiden, the strong man vanquished, and +cast off the malignant foe. Then commenced the slow rallying from the +utter prostration, and the gradual regaining of strength.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<h3>A VIKING'S LOVE.</h3> + +<blockquote><p>"Love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the +grave."—<span class="smcap">Song of Solomon</span>, viii. 6.</p></blockquote> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>During the time that Oswald was recovering from the prostration +consequent upon the fever, he and Wulfhere drew carefully a plan for the +fortress already determined upon. Every detail was gone carefully over +and elaborated. In the meantime, also, messengers were despatched far +and near, and artificers and handicraftsmen rallied to the work. +Speedily the foundations were dug, and the outer walls encircling the +summit began to rise steadily and rapidly before the persistent and +energetic labours of the Saxon refugees. Each one wrought with a will, +knowing that life and freedom depended upon their ability to raise a +fortress strong enough to defy their enemies.</p> + +<p>Ere the Normans were aware of what was going on, a rampart had been +erected, which was soon to develop into a stronghold, impregnable, and +secure against assault. This first line of defence having been raised, +vigorous attention was given to the interior. Wells were dug, stables +were built, habitations also sprang up as by magic. Women and children +hurried into it, bringing everything they had saved from the desolation +of the past. Cattle were driven into it at night, and emerged in the +morning to feed around its shoulders, pushing their way in sheer +audacity down into the green valleys, for there were always bands of +sturdy outlaws in the woods between them and danger—outlaws, who snared +game, which literally swarmed in the woods, or cut their timber for +their bows and arrows. For these men the Normans were no match in the +solitudes which were familiar to them, and they soon learnt to have a +semi-friendliness with them, and to court relationships with the +hill-men, all of which decidedly made for peace. But to a tacit +acknowledgment of these outlaws the Norman leaders were bitterly +opposed. De Montfort feared that this thing would grow until it became a +menace to his own position, though he remembered most vividly the words +used by Oswald on that memorable night when he confronted him in his own +house as though he had dropped from the clouds, when, in burning words, +the Saxon told him that they wished to be at peace, but would assert +their right to pasturage, and to freedom. De Montfort also feared the +effect this thing would have upon William, if once he learnt that his +subject was conniving at an incipient rebellion, which might ultimately +threaten the peace of the kingdom. So, what between the pleadings of his +daughter Alice for peace towards the harassed Saxons, and the sharp +lesson they had taught him once before, that they were an enemy not to +be trifled with on ground of their own choosing, the days and weeks sped +on in delays and hesitation as to how this defiance on the part of a +handful of desperate men, who defended themselves with such vigour when +attacked, should be met; seeing also that they were, upon the whole, +non-aggressive and peace-loving when left alone to the pursuit of +peaceful avocations.</p> + +<p>The Saxons encamped were, nevertheless, a strange and motley company, +and nothing less than the sagacity, watchfulness, and marvellous +forbearance of Oswald, coupled with the matchless valour and firmness +which he displayed, would have served to restrain the undisciplined and +heterogeneous company over whom he ruled. There was a moiety of +desperate and blood-thirsty men who were almost incapable of restraint, +and who were so blinded by their hatred of the Normans that motives of +prudence or of policy were most hateful to them, and Oswald's efforts to +enforce self-restraint upon his own followers, and to cultivate friendly +relations with the enemy, were gall and wormwood.</p> + +<p>Sigurd was the acknowledged leader of these, and they, by their dense +ignorance and superstitions, fittingly represented the dark heathenism, +and plunder, and bloodshed, characteristics of their Norse ancestors. +They were utterly unable to realise the fact, which Oswald saw most +distinctly, that all hope of wresting the kingdom from the Normans by +force of arms was an idle dream, unless the Normans should be involved +in a struggle with other foes. They clung to their heathenish religion, +encouraged by their grim old priest Olaf, who, periodically quitting his +cave in an adjacent valley, haunted the settlement like a hyena on the +scent of blood, and found little difficulty in stirring up the ferocious +passions of his followers, often to the verge of open revolt and mutiny. +Oswald surveyed the situation with the eye of a statesman; but the +reconciling of these turbulent factions to his ideal was a task which +required the utmost efforts of wisdom and valour too, and which +perpetually threatened the peace of the camp.</p> + +<p>These desperate complications were further intensified into a private +and personal cause of enmity and hatred on Sigurd's part—as we shall +presently see—by reason of his strange and fierce love for the fair +Saxon, Ethel. Despite his passionate endeavours to cast out the deep +impression made upon him at his first interview with Ethel, we need +scarcely say such efforts were utterly vain and futile. She was a +beloved and familiar figure to every one in the little colony, and he +was necessarily brought frequently into intercourse with her; and day by +day he became more deeply involved. The love of the fierce Viking had +this quality in common with more ordinary mortals; it was like a +quagmire, in which, being once fairly entangled, the more he struggled +to get free of it the deeper he sank, until all hope of extrication +therefrom became perfectly impossible.</p> + +<p>"Ethel, girl," said he, addressing her one day with the bluntness which +was a characteristic of his whole nature and disposition; and his +love-making was of a piece with his whole disposition, "I have no skill +in the art of making love, or, what is pretty much the same thing, a +make-believe of love, and I much fear me my rough manners and rough-hewn +limbs commend me not to fair maidens like thyself. But since I saw thee +first, feelings have been kindled in my breast which I thought were +dead, and utterly out of place in these times. But scorn me not, Ethel. +Thou art as surely of Viking extraction on thy father's side as I am; +and though I have no gentle manners, there is no honied falseness in my +nature, and perhaps through thy gentle influence I may come to love the +ways of peace."</p> + +<p>This confession of love on the part of Sigurd was the very thing Ethel +had been dreading to hear; and her confusion and sickness of heart were +pitiably manifest.</p> + +<p>"Alas! my lord," said she, "these are times when the funeral rites for +our dead are more opportune than the marriage rites. I could not think +of wedlock in times like these, when children born may well-nigh curse +the day when they first saw the light."</p> + +<p>"But I will carry thee to the court of Malcolm of Scotland, where thou +shalt dwell in safety. My sword will receive a hearty welcome by him. +Then, if peace should come, we may return to our own land."</p> + +<p>"My lord, you know not what you ask. These are not times for love. With +my country laid desolate, and my people scattered, I can indulge no +affection but for these."</p> + +<p>"My love for my country is as great as thine, and wedlock between us two +need not diminish our love for our country."</p> + +<p>"Say no more, my lord. You know not what you ask. 'Tis painful to me, +for I am not free to love."</p> + +<p>Sigurd started as if stung by a serpent.</p> + +<p>"Ah! what a dolt I must be, not to see it! How could a maiden come in +contact with <i>him</i>, and not love him. Well, Ethel, Sigurd would throw no +shadow across thy path. Happy be thy love, and its consummation timely!"</p> + +<p>"My lord, I have no lover!" said Ethel, hastily leaving the room.</p> + +<p>Sigurd slowly paced the room, in profound meditation. The memorable +occasion when he found Oswald and Wulfhere in the company of the two +Norman women passed in review before his mental vision, and its +significance laid hold upon his mind as it had never done before.</p> + +<p>"Can it be," said he, "that <i>he</i> should be insensible to such a +treasure, and should add to his culpable blindness the base treachery of +seeking an alliance with the Norman supplanter?"</p> + +<p>The thought of this stirred his passions into fury, and he nervously +grasped the hilt of his sword, as though he meditated vengeance on some +foe. "I will watch this thing, and if it be as I fear I will no longer +ally myself with him; but woe be to him if my arm be stronger than his, +for so base a betrayal can only be washed out in blood!"</p> + +<p>So saying, he sallied forth, pacing round the fortifications in quest of +Oswald, where he learnt that he and Wulfhere had betaken themselves +towards the valley. Away he sped him, intent on probing this matter to +the bottom; and instinctively his footsteps turned toward the spot where +once before his ire had been roused at the conduct of the two he sought.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<h3>A VILLAIN DEMANDS HIS WAGES.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Oh pilot! 'tis a fearful night;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">There's danger on the deep."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>The Pilot.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Count De Montfort strolled leisurely to and fro on the rising ground in +front of the castle, rapt in admiration of the fine scenery and noble +woods which environed it on all its sides. Then he turned to take a +leisurely survey of the massive proportions of the castle, and, with a +veteran soldier's instincts, fell to a planning of additional +fortifications, so as to increase its impregnability. Whilst thus +engaged, a figure seen in the distance, caused the complacent smile to +vanish from his countenance, and his visage grew dark with a frown. The +intruder was none other than Baron Vigneau, who, after salutations, +said,—</p> + +<p>"When may I expect the fulfilment of the promise made to me at York, +Count? Lady Alice has now had some months of preparation, and now the +time has come when our nuptials should be celebrated."</p> + +<p>"Well, what says the lady, Baron? If you have her consent there need be +no further delay. I have no opposition to offer, though, as Alice's +father, and wishing her happiness, I am bound to say I wish you would +eschew the wine-cup. I note with pain and concern this most unwholesome +habit grows apace."</p> + +<p>"Tut, tut, Count! Many thanks for your homily! But to the point in hand. +I have no recollection that the lady's consent had aught to do with the +bargain. Soldiers usually dispense with ceremonies of that description, +and, by your consent, we will still consider it apart from her +ladyship's wishes or whims. 'Twas, I think, a part of the wages of +services rendered."</p> + +<p>"But, as a soldier and a knight, making professions of gallantry and the +rest of it, you would not think of forcing a lady's hand? Surely you +have opportunities of winning her as a soldier should. I have expressly +stated that such are my wishes. What more can you expect of me?"</p> + +<p>"Finely spoken no doubt! But I would remind you of a matter which you +know well enough without a reminder, that I have not the manners of a +simpering gallant, nor am I used to chanting love-songs beneath my +lady's window. I am a soldier, a blunt and unpolished one maybe. Alice +has been thoroughly well spoiled, that is plain enough, by prating nuns +and her convent life. Her head has been filled with their silly notions +of romance, and religious scruples. My rough life does not fit me for +playing the part of a dangling fop, or uttering canting lies about +religion. Bah!"</p> + +<p>"I cannot force my daughter into this marriage, Baron. Win her if you +can," said the Count peremptorily.</p> + +<p>"A bargain is a bargain, force or no force, and I'll have it kept. Any +canting parade of virtue will not go down with me; I'm too familiar with +your antecedents. If this promise is not ratified promptly, I'll +straight away to the king and expose your foul conspiracy, and I shall +have the pleasure of seeing your head dangling from the gate within a +week. Then the haughty wench, your daughter, will rue the day she vented +her scorn on me."</p> + +<p>"Cowardly villain!" said the Count. "Come with me to yonder copse, and +I'll measure steel with you."</p> + +<p>"Not quite so fast, master. I keep my mettle for other purposes. We'll +try steel as a last resort. But in the meantime, I'd rather have your +daughter than your blood; and nothing prevents but the lack of your +commands. Let these be forthcoming, and all is well; but I'll not be +trifled with, mark me!"</p> + +<p>So saying, he strode away, leaving De Montfort beside himself with rage +and fear.</p> + +<p>The same evening, as he and Alice sat together, he said,—</p> + +<p>"Alice, I told you some time ago that I had betrothed you to Baron +Vigneau, and I told you some other matters connected therewith, which I +trust you have not forgotten. He has been claiming the fulfilment of my +promise, and becomes very wroth and threatening. I trust you are +prepared now to accept him at once."</p> + +<p>"I cannot say that I am, father; the acquaintance I had with him in +Normandy before the wars caused me to form but a poor opinion of him. I +find that the life he has been leading since the wars began has +brutalised him. His sottish habits, also, have become most outrageous. +If you wish me to marry, let me make my choice. Or, better still, let me +stay with you in singleness. You need some one to keep house for you, +I'm sure."</p> + +<p>"Alice, I told you I had betrothed you to Vigneau, which is a matter +binding upon my honour; and 'tis a debt you must discharge. The Baron is +not worse than many others whose life has been cast in these troublous +times. He is also famous at the joust; his deeds of arms, also, and his +personal prowess, are known throughout the land. Pray what would you +have in a husband?"</p> + +<p>"Father, I have no feelings but of abhorrence for him. If I may, I would +very much prefer retiring to a convent, as I have said before, to +spending my life with one so besotted and utterly lost to human feeling. +If this will relieve you of your bond, pray give me permission, and I +will prefer no other request."</p> + +<p>"Alice, it does not suit me that you should retire to a convent, or do +anything but <i>obey me</i>. Let me tell you, once for all, these mock +heroics, these school-girl sentiments and bookish whims, cannot be +tolerated. Your mother was betrothed to me by her parents, who never +thought of asking her consent. I tell you once for all, this marriage +shall be consummated this day three months. So let this suffice."</p> + +<p>Alice retired to her room well-nigh heart-broken at her father's +harshness and the hateful prospect of a union with Vigneau. She laid her +face in her hands and sobbed most distressingly, defying Jeannette's +utmost efforts to console her.</p> + +<p>"What shall I do, Jeannette? I shall never wed Vigneau! I shall be +sweetly sleeping in that still pool beneath the hazel trees, where we +met the Saxon the other day, on the morning that Vigneau claims me for +his bride."</p> + +<p>"Hush, my lady! don't say that. Let us go again in the morning. Perhaps +we may meet those Saxons again, and they will advise us what to do."</p> + +<p>Jeannette dared not give utterance to the thing that was uppermost in +her own mind. But as a simple matter of fact, the well-developed manhood +of Wulfhere the Saxon had never been wholly absent from the waking +thoughts of this coquettish damsel since that romantic interview she had +had with him, when her ears tingled with a newborn delight, as she +listened to his flattery in the wood by the riverside. She was, as a +matter of fact, ready for any desperate enterprise or expedient that +would result in another interview.</p> + +<p>"We will, Jeannette. Perhaps we shall see the Saxon knight again. I had +been taught to believe these Saxon chieftains were loutish boors. But I +can assure you I found him anything but that."</p> + +<p>"Yes, lady; and the other chieftain, who was with me, was a very +handsome man, and spoke so pleasantly to me. I have heard, too, lady, +they have built a fortress on the mountains. He asked me to be his wife, +but I thought we should have to run wild in the woods, and sleep in +caves; but if they have a fortress to live in, I would run away and be +his wife, if you would run away with the other chieftain."</p> + +<p>Alice smiled, in spite of herself, at Jeannette's willingness, +evidently, to take Wulfhere pretty much on trust. But, nevertheless, the +morrow found them wending their way to the river, where, getting out the +boat, they pulled away up stream.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if the Saxon, will see us, Jeannette?"</p> + +<p>"If he should come, he will be sure to have his comrade with him. Don't +you think he will?"</p> + +<p>"I think you are in love with that tall bondman of the Saxon +chieftain's, Jeannette."</p> + +<p>"He is not a bondman of any one's my lady, for he told me so himself. He +is a Saxon freeman."</p> + +<p>"A 'freeman,' Jeannette. What does that mean, prithee?"</p> + +<p>"A freeman is next to a knight, I believe; at least, they have lands of +their own."</p> + +<p>"Oh, is that so? Well, we shall soon reach the spot where we landed +before. Shall we get out of the boat, think you?"</p> + +<p>"I think we had better not, my lady, until we see them. What should we +do if that fierce Saxon should catch us?"</p> + +<p>"The Saxon earl told me his people would not harm us—any of them; but +we must not be overbold. We are now completely out of sight of the +castle; let us pull gently, and keep a sharp look-out."</p> + +<p>So steadily they glided underneath the long arms of the trees, sending +the water-hens scurrying away into the thick recesses of foliage, or +diving beneath the surface, and coming up again on the other side with a +plash; whilst the snipe and lovely kingfishers, on fleet wing, skimmed +over the surface into the solitudes ahead.</p> + +<p>"Surely," said Alice, "this is a slice out of Paradise."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Jeannette; "it is lovely. And that's the fallen tree where +the Saxon and I sat together."</p> + +<p>"Not the Saxon, Jeannette; his follower, you mean."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but I don't think he is merely a follower, my lady. I believe they +are equal; leastways, he is only a little lower in rank."</p> + +<p>It is, perhaps, needless to say that since Oswald's recovery, scarcely +had a sunny day passed when the placid bosom of the river had not been +anxiously scanned by the other two persons most interested in a second +meeting with these fair Norman women. It is scarcely necessary to say +also that two stalwart individuals had seen the slim boat gliding slowly +up the stream, and, for the last quarter of an hour, had been rapidly +clearing the distance which separated them from it. We may also say, +without exaggeration, that these frail women met these stalwart Saxons +with much less of perturbation than when they last met; though if we +were to say that there were no fluttering of hearts, and no crimson +blushes mounting to the face and neck, and no trembling of limbs, as +they reached out their hands to be helped on to the embankment; or if we +were to say that Jeannette did not utter a little scream, and clutch +Wulfhere most tenaciously, as the boat gave a treacherous lurch as she +stepped from it; we should not be faithful chroniclers. Again Wulfhere +and Jeannette sat on the fallen tree and watched by the boat; whilst +Oswald and Alice sauntered by the river's side, and Alice told her tale +of coming disaster. We know she did not resist as Oswald's arm lovingly +encircled her, and he bade her be of good cheer. In low, earnest tones +they talked of all that lay in their hearts; and Oswald was able to +convince her that the dark cloud ahead would be found to have a silver +lining. It was truly passing strange that this high-born lady should +yield herself so unreservedly to this Saxon. There was no reason, or +prudence, or wisdom in it possibly. But the divine instinct of love, +which is born in—not acquired—but born in and indigenous to every pure +and unsullied woman's heart, ventured, with sheer and utter abandonment, +to give her heart to him. The same instinct which revolted in utter +abhorrence at the thought of contact with the brutal Norman, drove her +irresistibly to the sheltering arms of the pure-minded and valorous +Saxon. They laid their plans for further interviews, all the while +unconscious that eyes, glistening with fury, were peering through the +brushwood, and mad hate was rankling in the breast of an unseen foe, who +scarce could forbear to rush in and execute vengeance on the spot.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<h3>THE TRYST.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"The curfew tolls the knell of parting day.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The ploughman homeward plods his weary way,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And leaves the world to darkness and to me."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Gray.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>From the flagstaff on the tower of the castle was to be seen for a +little while at midday a pennant, with long streamers fluttering in the +breeze. There was no one on the tower at the time but Alice. What is the +significance of this? Nothing, apparently, but a freak of fancy. But any +one sufficiently observant would notice that Alice takes her stand on +the north side of the tower, and, leaning her elbows on the battlements, +looks long and eagerly towards yonder grim mountain looming blackly in +the hazy distance, whose scarred limestone precipices seem fearful to +look upon. But presently there became visible to any one possessed of +strong, keen vision, a dark speck of something which had sprung into +sight against the clear background of heaven's blue. It seemed perfectly +motionless in the air, and might be some bird of prey hovering on poised +wing, and watching for its prey. But it was no bird of prey. Alice gave +an exclamation of surprise.</p> + +<p>"He sees it," she said; "he will be here to-night. Speed away laggard +hours that separate me from him! There is music in his voice, and refuge +in his strong arms and loving heart!"</p> + +<p>She piously uttered a prayer to the saints to guide him. But perhaps, +wise one, that prayer was breathed into the idle April breeze—a +contribution of nothingness—an impalpable seedling, flung out of a +needy human soul, but deposited nowhere, and having fruition never—I +trow not, for prayers, like curses, have an assured harvest, and are as +surely reaped by the sowers, no inspired vision being requisite to see +it done from day to day.</p> + +<p>The laggard hours quickly passed, and the lingering twilight deepened +into sombre night. The thrushes which carolled to each other from tree +to tree as the deepening gloom gathered about them, as though loth to +say good-bye to the joyous day, had long since sought their +resting-place for the night. Standing beside the old oak in the wood +might be seen the form of Oswald, listening intently for sound of human +voice or human footfall. Nothing disturbs the silent night air that +gives uneasy thoughts to the listener, though there are many sounds +distinctly audible to one so familiar with nature, and the woods are +most alive now that man has gone to his rest. There is the hurried +pattering here and there and everywhere, of game and vermin, or the +unhurried crawl of the urchin as he issues from his bed in quest of +food. Overhead the bats are flitting in and out amongst the branches of +the trees, followed by the heavy beat of the owlet's wing, whose eyes, +catlike, are gleaming like live coals in the darkness. In the distance +the sharp yelp of the fox proclaims Reynard also to be abroad and busy.</p> + +<p>None of these sounds give uneasiness to Oswald. On the contrary, they +are to him most reassuring. He turns his gaze towards the tower, the +outlines of which are clearly marked against the starlit sky. Soon he +sees a dark figure move towards the battlements, and peer over on the +side on which he stands. Perhaps some sentinel keeps watch from the +lonely heights whilst his comrades below are resting in peace. No; that +is no sentinel, for the figure waves something to and fro for a moment +or two, then slowly sinks behind the battlements. On witnessing the +signal, Oswald quickly mounts the tree, and disappears in its cavernous +recesses. The journey along the underground passage is quickly +traversed, and he emerges on the battlements, and the muffled figure is +folded in his arms, and a loving kiss is implanted on her cheek.</p> + +<p>"What ails you, Alice, dear? No ill news, I trust?"</p> + +<p>"Alas! I have only ill news for you, dearest, and I know you are hard +beset without my adding other troubles to your perplexities."</p> + +<p>"Hush, darling! Never think <i>your</i> needs add to my perplexities. I never +feel so like surmounting everything as when I think I live for you; to +champion your cause against all comers, and flaunt defiance in the face +of your enemies."</p> + +<p>"I fear the championing of my cause will bring you into deadly peril, +perhaps to death."</p> + +<p>"If it does, dearest, you gave me my life when an ignominious death +awaited me. If I die in defence of you, well, I am willing, aye, more +than willing. But let us not cherish thoughts like these, for I think a +merciful Providence will always reserve a blessing for one like you; so +let us have faith, and never doubt the future. I am full of faith and +hope. Come, tell me what new trouble distracts and disturbs your mind."</p> + +<p>Then they sat together on an abutment, and Alice, nestling close to her +virtuous knight, told of the new complications which had arisen.</p> + +<p>"My father has been very wroth to-day, chiding me roughly because I make +not preparations for my nuptials, and threatening my marriage to Vigneau +by force."</p> + +<p>"He is still determined, then, to press on this hateful and heathenish +alliance?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; but judge him not too harshly, dearest. I am well assured he loves +me dearly, in spite of this seeming harshness. I have seen again and +again a frown on his brow, and heard bitter words break from his lips at +the intrusion of Vigneau. I am satisfied that if it were not for the +hateful power he wields over my father, I should not be forced into this +alliance. But Vigneau claims my hand as the price of peace."</p> + +<p>"You still hate this man, and abhor a union with him, Alice, dear? Is it +not so?"</p> + +<p>"I loathe him with my whole heart, and would rather die a hundred deaths +than marry him. But what it may be my duty to do, for my father's sake, +I know not."</p> + +<p>"And will it come to this, that, as the price of peace, you are to be +offered to this devil incarnate—to one whose hands are red with the +blood of murdered men and women, and whose life is one coarse round of +brutal indulgence?"</p> + +<p>"The prospect is most sickening. But what can I do in an extremity like +this?"</p> + +<p>"Rest assured, my love, you will not do that," said Oswald, drawing his +sword. "Here is a trusty friend which will cut this Gordian knot, if it +be not unloosed by more peaceable means. This Vigneau owes his +villainous life a hundred times told, for the foul crimes he has +committed, and is committing from day to day, upon my helpless +countrymen. The sword has been hanging over him a long time, and it will +fall before he claims you as his bride. Though he live to stand at the +altar with you, he shall not compass his vile ends, for I will confront +him there; and rest assured I will make sure of <i>him</i> if it be the last +stroke my trusty sword shall ever make. Drive the matter to the utmost +verge of delay, and if relief come not in the meantime, it will come ere +the extremity. But come now, let us think of other things, for this +matter, I see, sits like a grievous nightmare upon your spirits. I am +pleased to be able to report upon the forward state of the fortress on +the hill."</p> + +<p>"But, alas! I have ill news for you with regard to that matter. It was +partly on that account I summoned you from the hills to-night."</p> + +<p>"What is it, dearest? Come, unburthen your mind of all troublesome +matters. I can assure you, nevertheless, that we are now very +indifferent as to what steps may be taken."</p> + +<p>"But I am afraid this will be serious. The king is now at York with a +large contingent of his men-at-arms, and a number of mercenaries, intent +on quelling any attempts at insurrection on the part of the Saxons. One +of his Bodes<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> arrived here this morning, asking for all information +with regard to the attitude of your people. My father is having a +parchment writing made out, with full particulars of your doings, and +asking for help to reduce your fortress, and slay your rebellious +followers. I fear me if William exerts himself he will not desist, until +he has captured your stronghold; and he will give no quarter to those +who try to thwart him."</p> + +<p>"This is, indeed, serious news, and we must move heaven and earth to +prevent this despatch reaching its destination. Do you know when the +messenger will depart?"</p> + +<p>"The day after to-morrow, I heard my father say. See, I have here a copy +of the despatch. I drew it up at father's dictation."</p> + +<p>"Many thanks, my dear. We must devise some expedient to meet this +emergency. I think I know a sly rogue who will, either by hook or crook, +circumvent the king's messenger. But no time must be lost. Give me a +parting kiss. Ah! get you to bed, you trembling puss, and may sweet +sleep enfold you in his gentle arms! Adieu, adieu, for a little while."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<h3>BADGER CRACKS THE NORMAN'S PATE.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Those who in quarrels interpose<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Must often wipe a bloody nose."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>The Mastiffs.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>A few miles down the valley from the Norman headquarters at the castle, +and following the trend of the river—because there was on its banks to +be found a path, or track, very irregular, it is true, but which was +made to serve the purposes of pedestrians, and which was little +frequented—a Norman runner, or messenger, the bearer of De Montfort's +despatch to the Conqueror, was steadily pressing on towards his +destination. He had had a sharp walk along a road none of the best, and +the springiness was beginning to disappear from his tread. He carried a +sword by his side. Over his shoulder there was fastened a wallet +containing provisions, and a long bow with a small quiver of arrows. In +his right hand he carried a quarterstaff, which he used as a +walking-stick. This latter weapon was much affected by the Normans, they +having learnt its use from the Saxons, and it was now inseparable from +their rough games and amusements, it being singularly adapted to call +forth the powers of strength and dexterity of the wielders of it, whilst +its vigorous application seldom resulted in anything worse than bruises +and ruffled tempers. Ahead of this Norman, and quite unobserved by him, +there was patiently lying in wait a remarkable being, who was quietly +peering over the top of a knoll which commanded a view of a turning in +the road. His dress plainly proclaimed him to be a child of the forest +and the chase, his weird and outlandish appearance being simply +indescribable. He sprang to his feet with remarkable agility as the form +of the Norman runner rounded the corner into view. He fell into the +path, and affected to journey as the stranger did, though as yet the +Norman had not got a glimpse of him. As he went slowly trudging along, +he burst into a merry ditty, trolling it right lustily. The burden of +his doggerel ran something like the following:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"My song is of a palmer bold,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Who footed it o'er the lea.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A monkish buck to him stepp'd up,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">'What's the news, my man?' quoth he.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"'Bad news! Why, wine is getting scarce,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And venison, too, I trow.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And this I know the Normans vow;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">They are eat and drunk by you.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"'And paunches measuring a cloth-yard's girth,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">They tap them with lance or spear;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For good old sack is kept in stock<br /></span> +<span class="i2">By such, the Normans swear.'<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"'Then take my bottle, thou palmer bold,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">My venison pasty too.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll fast and pray, and hair-shirt wear,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">As a pious monk should do.'"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The strange singer affected to be totally oblivious of the approach of +the Norman, for he accompanied his song by a vigorous twirling of his +quarterstaff, ever and anon flinging it into the air and catching it +again. So he kept trudging along all the while, as merrily as a cricket. +He was apparently greatly startled when the Norman accosted him in the +following unceremonious fashion:—</p> + +<p>"Hilloa, old weazen-face! you appear to be in a wonderfully merry mood +this morning. What is't makes you wag your tail at such a rate this +morning, eh?"</p> + +<p>"I give you good morning, fair sir. My obedience to your honour. Give me +a moment; you quite startle me. What was your honour saying to me?"</p> + +<p>"What is it makes you so merry, pray?"</p> + +<p>"Why, it is better to be merry than sad; and, begging your pardon for +being so bold, but I have that about me would make a man merry if he had +a foot in the grave."</p> + +<p>"Oh, aye, that is it makes you so merry, old bogskipper, is it? I +thought you were going sweethearting."</p> + +<p>"Marry, no! Did you ever see as old a dog as I am amuse himself by +catching his tail. Mark me, I have in my wallet good barley-bread, and a +stout collop of venison; and in my case I have a stiff supply of old +Flemish wine," said he, tapping a huge leathern bottle he carried. "So I +will be merry while it lasts, anyhow."</p> + +<p>"I warrant, too, you have had that snout of yours to the neck of that +bottle pretty frequently, old fellow, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Thou art in error, friend; grossly in error. Such words are a grave +reflection upon my character for sobriety. But it is only fair to say +that I have smelt at it occasionally as I came along; but I never drink +except I'm thirsty, begging your pardon, fair sir—only when I'm +thirsty."</p> + +<p>"Thirsty, eh? And how oft does that sensation come on? Not a week +between, I'll go bond."</p> + +<p>"No, I grant you this much. I always seem to have a parched sensation at +the pit of my stomach when wine or ale is about; and I have noticed this +frequently, good wine seems to go straight to the spot. It is a very +soothing medicine if it be applied regularly, and pretty oft, so as to +keep my stomach nice and moist."</p> + +<p>"Well, I think you might ask a thirsty comrade to have a taste of your +wine, anyhow, old sucker. 'Tis a very small favour, that."</p> + +<p>"Not so fast, my buck; don't jump your fence afore you come to't! First +fee your priest, then have your shriving. How should I know whether thou +beest a comrade or no. Dost thou see, to give good wine to a bad fellow +were to waste good liquor, and there is no sin in the calendar half so +bad as to waste good liquor. Marry, 'twere mortal sin."</p> + +<p>"Ho, ho, my master's all! Dost thou know, old fellow, when an ass kicks +his heels he inquires for the cudgel. Come, now, what if I lay siege to +thy weazen carcase, and carry off thy bottle, and flay thy carcase for +thee into the bargain. How then?"</p> + +<p>"Easy there, my hearty!" said the stranger, twirling lustily his staff. +"I trow I would flatten thy crown with my staff ere thou take my bottle; +though 'twere pity truly to flatten thee any more above thy shoulders, +for, gramercy! I take it thou would be welcome where flats are wanted."</p> + +<p>"I perceive thou art a stout rogue enough when driven to a push, and +saucy into the bargain. But I can stop thy brag, my cock-a-loup, pretty +handy, I doubt not."</p> + +<p>"That may be, or that may not be, which signifies nothing. But just let +me point out to thee, by way of caution, that my staff is harder than +thy pate, anyhow. So, in a friendly sort of way, I would advise thee to +take no unnecessary risks."</p> + +<p>"Risks, eh? Ha, ha, ha! And from such a swag-belly as thou art! There +are not many risks, I flatter me."</p> + +<p>"Very well, then; since thou wilt not be advised, take thy staff for a +friendly bout," said the Saxon, unstrapping his wallet and leathern +bottle, and laying them on the ground. "If I crack thy pate, thou shalt +have half my wine; and marry, if thou crack mine thou shalt have the +whole, for I love a bout with the staff almost as well as I like Flemish +wine."</p> + +<p>Now the Norman prided himself upon his prowess with the staff. He was +also a span taller than the Saxon. The uncouth garments of the latter, +also, made him appear as though much beyond the time of youth, and so +disguised his stout limbs that the Norman could scarcely conceal his +contempt for such an opponent. So he readily accepted the challenge, and +at once the pair were toe to toe, and dealing blow or parry with right +good will. The Saxon did not appear to very great advantage at the +commencement of the fray. Frequently he received slight blows here and +there, at which the Norman was visibly elated, and he led the attack +with much vigour, and equal recklessness. The Saxon seemed to shrink +from the onset, but there was a sly humour lurking about his wicked grey +eye which was very ominous. Eventually taking a mild blow, without +parrying, from his foe, the Saxon put a giant's strength into his arm, +and like a thunderbolt his staff came down with a crash upon the +Norman's skull, cutting open his head, and knocking him senseless on the +ground.</p> + +<p>"Poor fellow!" said Badger, for it was he. "You don't know how sorry I +feel to have to give you a crack like this; but less would hardly do the +business."</p> + +<p>He quickly undid the Norman's doublet, and took from an inside pocket +the sealed message from De Montfort. Then he deposited a similar one in +its place. Next, he went down to the river and steeped a cloth in the +water, then gently bathed the Norman's head, and staunched the bleeding, +also carefully drawing the hair over it to hide the wound as much as +possible. He next poured down his throat some of the Flemish wine he +carried. The Norman slowly opened his eyes, and stared about him with a +dazed, unmeaning look.</p> + +<p>"All right, my gallant fellow," said Badger. "Here you are. Have another +taste of my bottle."</p> + +<p>The Norman took a good long pull, which seemed to revive him +considerably. By degrees the whole scene came back to his stunned +senses, and mechanically he put up his hand to his head, and felt the +wound.</p> + +<p>"You hound!" said he. "You've cracked my skull!"</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it, my hearty! Your skull is not so easy to crack. The +skin is peeled a little, that is all, and a day or two will put it right +again."</p> + +<p>"I trow not, nor a week or two either. You villain! You meant to brain +me, I do believe!"</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it, comrade. Why, if I meant you harm, what so easy whilst +you have been lying here? The fact is, you beat me black and blue. My +limbs will be sore for many a day after this. It was the first time I +had touched you; and you were so eager to knock me out of it that you +left your head unguarded. Why, man, you had the best of it up to the +last stroke."</p> + +<p>By touching up the Norman's vanity by such artful speeches, and by +pouring good wine down his throat, the pair were speedily on good terms, +and they parted the best of friends, Badger chuckling to his heart's +content as he struck off on a short cut for the hills.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, Oswald waited anxiously at an appointed place for the +coming of Badger, profoundly hoping that his mission would be +successful. He knew that, excepting some untoward accident had happened, +Badger would hang on to the heels of his man until, by either fair or +foul means, he secured the despatches. But he himself had prepared for +drastic means, if stratagem had failed. For failure to intercept the +message would probably mean disaster to the little Saxon colony on the +hill. His mind, however, was greatly relieved as he beheld Badger in the +distance with beaming countenance, hurrying towards him.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm glad to see you, Badger. How has the business gone? No +miscarriage, I hope?"</p> + +<p>Badger made no reply, but, quickly hauling out the parchment from his +bosom, he handed it to Oswald.</p> + +<p>"I trust this will make better answer than I can muster, my lord."</p> + +<p>Oswald took the parchment, and quickly tore it open, and ran his eyes +over its contents.</p> + +<p>"All right, Badger. How came you by it? Does the messenger know that you +have relieved him of his message?"</p> + +<p>"He has not the slightest idea. He trudged off, after carefully +ascertaining, as he thought, that his packet was safe."</p> + +<p>"You are the slyest rogue in the world, Badger, I do declare. Come, let +us hear the news, how you came by this paper?"</p> + +<p>So, as the pair journeyed on together, Badger, in high glee, told how he +had circumvented the Norman, and sent him on his journey with a cracked +skull into the bargain, all of which Oswald highly relished.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + +<h3>SAXON AND VIKING AT THE SWORD'S POINT.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">"Who overcomes<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By force hath overcome but half his foe."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Milton.</span>.<br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>The burning and rankling feeling of hatred and contempt engendered in +the breast of Sigurd against Oswald (as the result of his spying a +second time upon the Saxon chieftain and Alice de Montfort) was of such +a consuming nature that he must needs force himself into the presence of +Ethel at the very first opportunity. In tones fierce and rancorous, he +told her the story of Oswald's secret and unprincipled love—as he +considered it—for the fair Norman.</p> + +<p>"Ethel, girl," said he, "I have dogged this renegade myself, and know of +a truth that he holds illicit intercourse with this dark-eyed Norman +hussy, and that he keeps tryst with her o' nights when honest men are +abed, deceiving Saxon and Norman alike."</p> + +<p>"What have I to do with this, my lord? I pray you pursue this matter no +farther," said Ethel.</p> + +<p>"All honest men, whether Saxon or Norse, have to do with traitors to +their country. This deceiver professes undying enmity against our common +foe, but does not hesitate to betray his country and the Saxon cause to +win a smile from this temptress."</p> + +<p>"My lord," said Ethel, in firm tones, "I cannot listen to your harsh +judgments of him. He is our chosen leader, and I do not hesitate to say +in your hearing, he is our only possible leader. He is sagacious as +brave, and if <i>he</i> cannot rally our scattered and dispirited people, +then our cause is hopeless. I do not believe he is a renegade, as you +say. He is no traitor to his country, but her most valorous and faithful +defender."</p> + +<p>"I tell thee, girl, he is in league with this siren! I know of what I +speak! How can he prostrate himself before <i>her</i> without despising and +betraying his own people?"</p> + +<p>"My lord, what is this to <i>me</i>? If he loves this fair Norman, it is not +to be wondered at; she gave him his life. She is surpassingly beautiful; +and she is virtuous and good as well. Listen, my lord, to what the +palmers tell us of her benefactions, and her kindness to those in +distress."</p> + +<p>"She supplanted thee, girl, dost thou think of that? She hath stolen +what of right should be thine—what would have been thine, but for her! +How canst thou find excuses for this she-wolf and her base paramour?"</p> + +<p>"My lord, such words are an affront to me. A Saxon maiden does not need +to go a-begging for a lover."</p> + +<p>"Ethel, thou dost tantalise me! Thou art blind. Thy love for him doth +make thee mad! But I will be avenged on them both, whether thou approve +of it or not."</p> + +<p>"My lord," said Ethel, drawing herself to her full height, whilst her +eyes flashed fire, "who told you I loved him? Are you going to make a +palmer's song about me, and sing it through the whole camp? I will not +have you assuming what I have not told you. Let me tell you, once for +all, a Saxon girl will love where she pleases, and only where she +pleases. Your references are an insult to me!"</p> + +<p>This was said with all the energy she could command. Then, rising, she +passed hastily from the room. But scarcely had she closed the door +behind her when her strength failed, and she sank exhausted into a seat.</p> + +<p>"Mercy on us!" shrieked Eadburgh, rushing off for a mug of cold water, +and dashing it over her face with her fingers. "Whatever is the matter? +That loutish fellow has been making love again, I'll warrant! He'll +drive the poor body clean mad if he does not let her alone. Such a great +mountain of flesh would frighten anybody, let alone a wee bit of a +lady-like creature as my mistress."</p> + +<p>Sigurd, we need not say, was still further maddened by this additional +repulse, and in a rage which would brook no further control, he hurried +off in quest of Oswald, whom he found superintending the efforts of the +workmen. Oswald saw that he was greatly agitated and evidently in a +terrible passion.</p> + +<p>"A word in thine ear," he hissed fiercely to Oswald, as he passed.</p> + +<p>Oswald followed him until they were beyond the hearing of others.</p> + +<p>"What is thy business this morning, pray?" said Oswald, who saw quite +plainly that a rupture was imminent.</p> + +<p>"My errand is to unmask a traitor, and either make an honest man of him, +or else make an end of him."</p> + +<p>"If thou hast business of such import as this—and thy looks betoken +it—it were best to speak plainly, and come to the point at once."</p> + +<p>"My business is with thee, for thou art a renegade, and a trickster; +dancing attendance on a Norman woman, and bartering thy country's cause +and thy people's liberties, to win a smile from a trumpery Norman jade. +Now thou hast it in plain terms."</p> + +<p>"Thou liest, Jarl. And once more thy madness passes the bounds of +toleration. Let me tell thee I will have no more ebullitions of thy +ungovernable temper, or any more of thy intriguing and sowing of discord +amongst my people. So be pleased at once to betake thyself to thy own +domain, or anywhere thou likest, so that thou cross my path no more. +There thou art at liberty to act thine own part without let or +hindrance."</p> + +<p>"Ah, finely spoken, no doubt! and smoothly as any Norman courtier could +mouth it! Thou hast the trick of it, truly. But thou mayest save thy +fine speeches, and lisp them to thy lady-love, for they win not upon me. +I will tell thee further,—to put a few leagues of honest Saxon soil +between thee and me will not heal our differences. Nor will I try such a +remedy unless more wholesome methods fail me."</p> + +<p>"There are no differences between us, saving such as are hatched in thy +muddy brain, Jarl; and what may be the methods of healing them which +thou hintest at, I know not. But I see that madman's look in thy eye, +with which I am too familiar, and I opine that mischief, aye, deadly +mischief, is designed by thee, if thy ability to work mischief fail thee +not."</p> + +<p>"The curse of Skuld be upon thee, traitor! Thou hast guessed rightly, so +draw at once and stand upon thy guard, or I will run thee through with +as little compunction as I would a dog," said the Viking, wildly +brandishing his sword, and advancing on Oswald.</p> + +<p>Whilst this war of words was proceeding, the whole camp was thoroughly +aroused, and curious eyes from every nook and corner anxiously peered +out to see what this fateful altercation would lead to. But when weapons +were unsheathed, the churls eagerly thronged about their respective +chieftains in feverish excitement. Oswald would fain have settled this +quarrel without appeal to arms; or if that could not be, then he would +have preferred it apart from the clamour and partizanship of the camp. +Sigurd's unbridled rage, however, put this out of the question. Being, +therefore, forced into this appeal to the sword, he unsheathed his +weapon; and the two broadswords, in the grip of two as powerful +antagonists as the sea-encircled lands of Britain contained, came +together like the shock of lances in knightly charge.</p> + +<p>Oswald, unlike his opponent, was perfectly cool, though not by any means +blind or indifferent to the momentous issues involved in this +life-and-death struggle. He knew that any yielding, or declining of the +combat, either in the interest of peace, or for any other reason, meant +the loss of supremacy in the camp. He knew also that Sigurd meant it to +be to the death. Now, Oswald fell little short of Sigurd in sheer brute +strength and force; and in coolness of temper, agility, and skill, he +was much more than a match for his opponent. He saw clearly also that +this was to be no child's play, but dead earnest. The look in the black +and louring visage of Sigurd, and the unmitigated ferocity of his +onslaught, told more plainly than words that he, at least, would give no +quarter. Oswald fought a purely defensive battle, having no desire to +injure his foeman, but steadily parrying, with masterly skill, the +thundering blows of Sigurd, steadily giving ground before his eager and +impetuous onslaught. None knew better than he, however, that vital +exhaustion must follow quickly on the heels of such dire rage; and it +soon became very evident to him that the pace was telling upon his +adversary. The rush and eagerness of his attack, and the consuming +passion within him, told their tale very speedily, for the perspiration +poured from him in streams, and his countenance became deadly pale. This +was soon followed by a palpable weakening of the strength of his wrist; +and Oswald, watching carefully every stroke of his adversary, awaited +his chance. Soon it came; and with one powerful blow he sent the weapon +from Sigurd's grasp. Then, in a climax of senseless rage at losing his +weapon, Sigurd rushed on Oswald, in the vain endeavour to close with +him. But Oswald, turning the flat of his sword, dealt him a powerful +blow on the head with its broadside, which knocked him senseless and +bleeding to the ground. He quickly rose to his feet again, however.</p> + +<p>"There," said Oswald, coolly sheathing his weapon, "take thy sword. I +have given thee thy life. Be advised, and cross my path no more whilst +thou art in thy present mood, for, Saxon or no Saxon, there will be but +one more passage-at-arms between me and thee; and thou mayest fare worse +at our next meeting."</p> + +<p>"I offer thee no thanks for thy clemency, nor do I abate one jot of my +hatred of thee and of thy womanish philandering with Norman wenches, +when thy countrymen's blood cries aloud for vengeance. I warn thee to +take heed lest, next time we meet, fortune may not be on thy side." So, +with a scowl, he hurried off.</p> + +<p>Oswald remained for a long time with folded arms and bowed head, pacing +to and fro on the sward, in anxious and troubled thought, which found +vent in audible words.</p> + +<p>"Too well I understand that foul menace, and well I understand the +untamed and implacable nature of this foe in my own household. When our +forefathers broke upon this land, wild and daring, counting human life +as nothing, and ruthlessly trampling underfoot their fallen enemies, +none more fierce and cruel in all the savage crews were there than he. +But this is the question to be settled: were those old days of +heathenish rites and savage valour the prime days of our race? Our +forefathers braved all hazards, and they were a conquering people. What +are we? Are we not abjectly ground down—a subject race, and serfs of a +braver people? Is this lingering type of our ancient race in the right? +What are books; and music; and chivalry? What is this lately born love +of mercy, and justice, and righteousness? Tell me, is it merely a +debilitating southern wind come this way, transforming heroes into +effeminate dreamers, and weaklings? Can I be again a Saxon of the old +type?—for I must make my choice here, and now. A Viking, with savage +instincts, and implacable, undying hatred of my enemies; indulging in +ruthless butchery and indiscriminate massacre of helpless women and +children. Can I see eye to eye with this man? This question I must +settle once for all!"</p> + +<p>He took a turn, in deep mental conflict.</p> + +<p>"No!" said he, with concentrated energy; "it cannot be, come what may. I +abominate his savagery! I despise his ignorance, and his boorish habits! +He and I can never be one in aim and action. Then, I owe my life to this +fair Norman; such a debt upon my honour calls aloud for a full requital. +Besides all this," said he, whilst his broad chest heaved with the +powerful emotions which stirred within him, "waking I hear continually +the music of her voice, and I see the love-light in her dark eye. +Sleeping I commune with her, and I dream of days of peace and happiness +to come. The die is cast, and my path is marked out for me! Perilous it +is in very truth, with Norman foes destitute of mercy, and, added to +them, a foe in this mad Norseman, cruel and revengeful as death. I will +follow the light! Let God judge between me and this people he hath given +me to defend."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<h3>JEANNETTE AND WULFHERE, OR LOVE'S COMEDIES.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Loving she is, and tractable, though wild;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And innocence hath privilege in her<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To dignify arch looks and laughing eyes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And feats of cunning...."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Wordsworth.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Lest it should be imagined that our coquettish little Frenchwoman, +Jeannette, had been perfectly quiescent all this time, we proceed to +give particulars of some little exploits in which she acted an important +part. Hers was not the disposition to act the <i>rôle</i> of a lay figure, it +will be easily imagined. No. To be engaged in some little romance on her +own account was as essential to her existence as the breath of her +nostrils; and the more romantic and unconventional the part she played, +the keener the zest with which she entered into it. She had managed to +subsist on a little flirtation with Paul Lazaire when nothing better +presented itself; but now, the tall and handsome Saxon, Wulfhere, had +fired her inflammable little heart with such a passion as she had never +experienced before. Her scanty knowledge of Saxon heraldry and Saxon +customs, coupled with Wulfhere's constant comradeship with the great +Saxon earl, had caused her to think highly of this doughty Saxon lover +of hers. It must be confessed, too, that Wulfhere's fine presence, his +undoubted valour, and the unflagging goodnature and ready wit with which +he alternately bantered, flattered, or caressed her, quite carried her +by storm; and over head and ears in love, at a stroke almost, went this +born coquette.</p> + +<p>Right skilfully had she woven many a Cupid's net for others, and, with +tantalising inconsistency, frowned to-day and smiled to-morrow upon her +hapless victims. The truth was, none hitherto had fired her imperious +imagination sufficiently. But at last Cupid had transfixed her +unmistakably; and Jeannette was not the one to stand on ceremony, or be +a slave to petty prudencies. Not she, indeed!</p> + +<p>To have a brush with the chapter of accidents, to set wise +heads and slanderous tongues a-wagging; added piquancy to the +romance, and was quite to her liking. Hate has its plots and +counterplots, its subterfuges and scheming, its dogged persistence in +malevolence; but love also has its expedients, its inventions, its +circumlocutions, which, for ingenuity, and for that final grace of all +plotters—<i>audacity</i>, will circumvent its hateful opposite any day. Love +also has this final advantage; it dares to be found out, and is never a +whit abashed when its devices are discovered.</p> + +<p>Upon Wulfhere, too, the advent of this pretty and coquettish little dame +had burst like a revelation. The saucy pertness, the mischief and +merriment which glanced in her sparkling eye, the feminine gracefulness +of form and figure, the pretty devices with which she was wont to adorn +herself, and set off her charms, and the sheer <i>abandon</i> with which she +rushed into this love affair with him, completely carried him away, and +he was speedily as helpless as a slave in her hands. The contrast +between this dainty Frenchwoman, and the Saxon women of the lower orders +was simply inexpressible, and Wulfhere, in his Saxon simplicity, was +charmed beyond measure.</p> + +<p>Upon poor Paul Lazaire the altered demeanour of Jeannette towards +himself operated somewhat hardly. Being quite in the dark as to the +existence of a new disturbing factor, he was wont to obtrude his +presence as heretofore upon Jeannette. But alas! Jeannette had now lost +the little interest which aforetime she had manifested in Paul. She had, +in past time, deigned occasionally to bestow a smile, amid her many +frowns, on his pretensions; and this occasional smile and ray of +sunshine had refreshed him, and given him hope. Now, alas! the smiles +had all vanished, whilst the frowns deepened in intensity, and were +frequently accompanied by a perky toss of the head, and little scornful +speeches. 'Tis just like poor human nature, though, the world over; when +once enmeshed in Cupid's net, the shaking-off process makes one cling +the tighter, and it made poor Paul more and more desperate in his +endeavours to win a smile from his lady-love. It had become, however, +not only unpleasant to Jeannette, but vastly inconvenient, too, to have +her footsteps dogged as she sauntered through the woods, or by the +river's side, as any one who has had experience of these things will +easily understand. No matter, if Paul caught a glimpse of Jeannette's +golden hair as she slid away at still eventide for a quiet walk in the +woods, why, poor short-sighted mortal, he was sure to consider his +presence and protection indispensable; and though he had had latterly +some very unpleasant experiences of the fact that Jeannette neither +considered his presence indispensable nor agreeable, yet he persevered +most desperately.</p> + +<p>Seeing this infatuation on Paul's part, it had occurred to another +participator in these sylvan <i>tête-à-têtes</i> that more drastic expedients +would have to be resorted to in order to disillusionise him. So a slight +rebuff was administered to poor Paul, which had the happy effect of +somewhat disenchanting him.</p> + +<p>It was at the still eventide. Jeannette had laid aside the duties of the +day, and had ascended to the tower. Why? Well, perhaps to see the +sunset. It was somewhat strange, but somehow, like her mistress, she had +acquired the habit of reconnoitring at odd hours from the tower of the +castle. Probably she and Alice had confidences in these matters. But, be +that as it may, a very hasty survey of the beauties of nature on this +occasion made her hurry off for a closer scrutiny. Paul's vigilant eye +espied the fair form making for the path by the river's side, and, on +the assumption that "faint heart never won fair lady," he would venture +again. So he started off in pursuit. It must be confessed he did not +approach this imperious fair one without many tremblings and +forebodings. The keen edge of her saucy tongue had greatly dismayed him +in many a wordy tussle lately, and it had begun dimly to dawn upon him +that this waspish habit had something of dislike for him. Poor fellow! +These very quakings of heart presaged coming trouble and defeat. 'Twas +in his case pretty much as the old saw has it:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Tender-handed touch a nettle,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And it stings you for your pains.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Grasp it like a man of mettle,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And it soft as silk remains."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Never, my dear Paul, should you have approached a saucy, perky dame like +this, in the character and with the attitude of a milksop. "Buxom dames +will have a buxom wooing." "He who goes trembling will come back +shambling."</p> + +<p>"My dear Jeannette," began Paul, most humbly, as he caught up to her, "I +wonder how you dare venture in these woods alone."</p> + +<p>"Humph! I dare do anything I like to. And pray what have you got to do +with it, Master Lazaire? I didn't invite you, I know!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I thought you ought to have some protection, and I would +accompany you if you didn't mind."</p> + +<p>"But I do mind; so get off with you to that Saxon hussy I caught you +kissing. You may tell her to wash her face, and comb her hair; and if +she could tighten the bands about her skirts to make herself a waist, it +would greatly improve her appearance. But she is good enough for you, +anyway. So be off with you!"</p> + +<p>"I never speak to those Saxon wenches. I love you alone, Jeannette; you +know that well enough. But you seem now as though you hated to see me."</p> + +<p>"I know I caught you kissing a Saxon wench, and a precious dirty one +too. I know that well enough, Paul Lazaire. And I'll not have you +following me at all. So be off, you softhead, and don't be told again!"</p> + +<p>This style of rebuff was more than poor Paul had calculated upon, +dubious though he had been, and his temper was considerably ruffled in +consequence. His eye assumed an unnatural fierceness as he took in the +lonely surroundings of the forest, and desperate resolves were quickly +forming in his breast. Jeannette all the while kept her eye steadily +fixed on a certain trysting-place, a little ahead, and her nimble feet +were on the lilt ready for flight if necessary.</p> + +<p>Paul laid his hand on her shoulder somewhat roughly, and said,—</p> + +<p>"Stop a bit, <i>ma grande dame</i>. You give yourself too many airs for me +altogether."</p> + +<p>Jeannette shook him off and at the same time dealt him a stinging slap +in the face; then she took to her heels like a deer, with Paul in hot +pursuit, in an ungovernable rage.</p> + +<p>"<i>Voulez vous</i> slap me in the face, <i>vous renarde</i>? <i>Vous serez</i> taught +different when I catch you!"</p> + +<p>Just as he was about to lay hands on the fugitive, out sprang Wulfhere +from the thicket, and seizing Paul by the throat, he well nigh shook the +life out of him.</p> + +<p>"You villain!" said Wulfhere. "You assault defenceless women, do you, +you undersized little imp? I'll screw your neck round before I've done +with you! It is well I was near, you wretch, you!"—the sentences and +the shakings alternating with equal vigour, until poor Paul scarcely +knew whether he was on his head or his heels. During this operation, +Wulfhere was steadily backing him to the river's brink, which, having +reached, he gathered him up and pitched him in, head foremost. Paul came +floundering out again, like a half-drowned rat.</p> + +<p>"There!" said Wulfhere, catching him again by the scruff of the neck; +"you may thank your stars I haven't drowned you altogether. Now be off +with you;" administering at the same time a hearty kick to the baser +parts of Paul's anatomy, which considerably accelerated his retreat.</p> + +<p>Paul was not slow to take advantage of this privilege, and he quickly +put a safe distance between himself and the Saxon. Suddenly, however, it +occurred to him that he was possessed of a sword. Whipping it out +savagely he turned to make a tremendous lunge at the foe, when, oh +horrors! he was just in time to see in the distance the long arm of the +Saxon fondly entwining the slender waist of Jeannette, and the perky +little face, all smiles and blushes, upturned to receive a spanking kiss +from the "beast of <i>a Saxon</i>!"</p> + +<p>"<i>Le diable!!</i>" he screamed with rage, whilst the veins of his face and +neck were distended almost to bursting. Off he started in pursuit, sword +in hand, and bent on executing summary vengeance on the perfidious pair. +Just at that moment, however, the Saxon gave a backward glance over his +shoulder, and this had the effect of bringing Paul to a stand instantly. +No; he decided, upon second thoughts, that he would not slay them +himself, but bring a troop down upon them promptly. So he turned again +and rushed off towards the castle for reinforcements. But having time on +the way to become fully sensible of the pickle he was in, and of the +very inglorious part he had played in this encounter, he decided +otherwise. Discretion would be the better part of valour; for if his +comrades but set eyes on him in his present state, or heard the story of +this exploit, his peace was gone for ever. So he decided, upon mature +reflection, to say nothing about it for the present, but nurse his wrath +for some more favourable opportunity of wreaking vengeance upon them +both.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>A GRIM TEMPLE, A GRIM PRIEST, AND A SAD HEART.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"When true hearts lie wither'd<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And fond ones are flown,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh! who would inhabit<br /></span> +<span class="i2">This bleak world alone?"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Moore</span>.<br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Ethel, deeply muffled and disguised, passed through the little +postern-gate of the fortress. A word in the ear of the sentinel who +paced to and fro before it on guard, secured instant obedience. Ethel's +position in the fortress was thoroughly understood by all. Her +self-denial, her patience, and her burning patriotism, were well known +in this camp of Saxon outlaws. The readiness with which she undertook +positions involving fatigue and privation, for the cause, was a constant +inspiration to the common people. They watched her come and go with +veneration—almost with awe and superstition. They whispered one to +another of her strange journeyings by night and day; and many regarded +this young chieftainess as a special favourite of the gods. As she +glided through the gate in the early morning hours, the sentinel thrust +his head forth and watched her swiftly descend the slope, like a ghost +in the darkness. When her form was no longer visible, he closed the +door, and secured it with bolt and bar.</p> + +<p>"Whatever can she be after so early in the morning, and before the day +dawns? There's something very uncanny about her, tramping over hill and +dale by night and day like any wolfshead, or wicca-hag.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> I saw the +fiery lights in the heavens two hours ago. I wonder what it all means. I +almost wish I was safely out in the Bruneswald, where I could hop about +like a bird from tree to tree, and where never a Norman could corner +one. This being cooped up like a rabbit in a hole I don't relish. I like +room to ply my heels. Howsomever, I'll stick, and stand my chance, for +the women can't be whisked through the air; and the children, too, they +must have a nest." So the sentinel continued his watch, and ruminated on +these things.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Ethel sped with quick step over the rugged limestone hills, +flying before the fastly pursuing dawn like a fugitive who dreaded his +revealing power. Ever and anon she turned to measure with her eye the +distance she had traversed. The shadowy outlines of the fortress she +left behind began to take shape in the distance, and she quickened her +pace. "I shall soon be beyond the reach of vision," she muttered to +herself. "I would not have Oswald know my errand to-day for worlds. My +mind is dark, I know not what I do; but my hope dies, and my heart +breaks. Perhaps the Norseman's gods may help me, for the Christian's God +fails me. 'Tis a dread alternative; but I would know, if I could, what +Fate has decreed for me."</p> + +<p>For three weary hours she sped over dreary moors and scraggy, +precipitous valleys, which were often little better than ravines. +Presently she turned into a declivity running between two banked-up, +precipitous sides. A little ahead, the two sides curved inwards and came +together, and to all appearance this strange gorge came to an end. Ethel +marched forward with unfaltering step, evidently straight at the blunt +face of the joined limestone rock. But when she reached the extremity, +there became visible, what at a very short distance could not be seen, +an obscure opening behind a jagged projection of rock. It might be, to +all appearance, merely an entrance to a fox's or wolf's den. Into this +opening, however, Ethel crept, without halt or questionings of any kind. +Presently the narrow entrance became larger, and she stood upright, but +continued to descend a rough and precipitous path, until she reached a +level piece of ground. Looking up—the place was simply a stupendous +slit in the limestone rock, broadening downwards into a considerable +area. The trees and shrubs growing at the top interlocked from side to +side, and the light came streaming through a network of branches. +Desolate and awe-inspiring was the place. At the farther end were two +mounds of earth, or tumuli, where the grim priests of Thor and Woden +were sleeping the long sleep of death—lives which had been literally +burnt out by the fierce fires of fanaticism, and savage asceticism. +Ethel paused to look around, but everything was still as death; she +shuddered and drew her cloak tighter about her.</p> + +<p>"The last time I came to this spot my father brought me. I feel his +untamed Norseman blood stir within me. The fierce gods of war and +revenge and death his Viking ancestors and he worshipped, I dare to +consult to-day. 'Tis a cruel necessity, and jars my woman's instincts—I +feel it petrifies my heart with unlovely savagery; but the followers of +this Christ have slain my people with a wicked and unsparing slaughter. +They differ in no way in their wanton cruelty to Norseman and Dane. +Their women, too, with their fair faces, dainty fingers, and courtly +manners, have stolen the heart of Oswald, and I am slighted and +disdained; nothing in my beauty—and suitors of noble lineage have +sought me ere now for my beauty; nothing in my rank—and it is but +yesterday that I might have stood amongst the proudest of the land. No; +I am a withered leaf, battered, bruised, and trampled upon. My love is +unrequited! My misfortunes are compassionated, but that soothes not my +wounded spirit, and is but a hateful substitute for the love I crave. +Alas! nothing avails me, for I am only a heathen woman and an outcast. +So, hard driven by my misfortunes and my wounded love, I will consult +the gods of my father. The Norseman's gods may help me perhaps. Yet," +said she, pausing for a moment, whilst her breast heaved with strange +and powerful emotions which struggled for the mastery within her, "my +mother was Christian and Saxon. She was a follower of this Christ. She +was gentle, and taught me to pray to Him. I remember it well, though I +was but a child. 'Our Father which art in heaven.' Ah, that is +wonderfully soothing to me, and not like the prayers I was taught to +offer to Thor and Odin. But my mother could not have known this Jesus; +for if He was merciful and gentle, why do His blood-thirsty followers +delight in treachery and bloodshed. 'Twas a part of my cruel fate that +she should die in my infancy, for had she lived I might have learned of +her more perfectly. O ye gods!" said she, wringing her hands in agony +above her head, and looking up to the vaulted roof with tear-blinded +eyes and with agonised entreaty,—"have pity on me in my +friendlessness!"</p> + +<p>Then she sped on with a quick, determined tread. Down each side of this +weird retreat there were standing out, like grim, ghostly sentinels in +the uncertain light, a long line of runic stones, on which were carved +many strange devices; rude figures of uncouth and unearthly animals and +reptiles. She had been taught that these strange hieroglyphics and signs +had marvellous potency for good or ill. They could cause passionate +love, or undying hatred, in the breasts of those over whom their spell +was thrown. Indeed, the power of life and death was wielded by them. +Strange supernatural agencies and powers were their messengers, and did +their bidding. Starting from the rock, or planted here and there, were +many of the ominous rowan trees, or witch-wood. The hemlock and the +nightshade clustered together, and the nodding cypress dropped sombrely +over the runic stones beneath them. Ethel glanced nervously round, but +not a living thing was visible; not a sound broke the death-like silence +of the place. Quickly gliding beneath the drooping branches of one of +the cypress trees, she fell on her knees before the frowning pillar of +stone. She had knelt there before by the side of her father, who had +remained heathen to the last. But to kneel alone, in this very vestibule +of the Place of Darkness, and to pour out her passionate entreaties to +powers which she knew were the Powers of Darkness, strange to mercy, and +which had but the attributes of fiends; the ordeal was terrible indeed. +With feelings tumultuous and frenzied, she apostrophised the weird and +forbidding emblem before her.</p> + +<p>"O ye gods of my fathers, whether ye be Powers of Light or of Darkness I +know not. Pity my ignorance, and my apostasy, for I have turned to this +Jesus whom the Christians worship, and He has failed me, and turned my +joy into mourning. My father and my brother have been slain by the +followers of this Jesus. My home is made desolate, and I flee for life +and honour from these Christian fiends. There is one also who might have +been my lover, who is bravest amongst the brave, and most chivalrous +amongst the chivalrous; who is gentle as a sunbeam, and tender as my own +lost mother, yet strong as any tower in the storm. He is lost to me +through the subtle arts of their women. My life has become to me but a +living torment. Can ye turn again the heart of Oswald to me? 'Tis said +ye can turn even hatred into love. I know it is unmaidenly to plead for +a love I cannot inspire, but I can bear this burden no longer alone, and +I would ye could give me favour in his eyes, or give me a long home in +one of these sepulchral mounds."</p> + +<p>She started to her feet with a shriek, as a deep voice saluted her from +behind,—</p> + +<p>"Waes hael, Viking's daughter!"</p> + +<p>She hastily turned, and behold there stood before her Olaf, the aged +priest of this Vikings' temple, to whom for a couple of generations the +heathenism and savagery of the countryside had repaired for ghostly +consolation, and into whose ears had been poured the secrets of fierce +loves and fiercer hatreds of these descendants of the Norsemen. He had +been the grim dispenser of dark and mystic rites and potent spells to +weirdly savage and credulous votaries. A strange being surely to claim a +place in times so advanced as these! He was a living embodiment and +personification of a bygone era, and so totally destitute of all +humanising instincts that he might have slid down the ages, +glacier-like, from prehistoric times—when men dwelt in caves, and +gnawed the flesh from the bones of their prey like wild beasts—without +ever having come in contact with the outermost fringe of civilisation; a +Viking of the Vikings in savagery and blood. His head was uncovered, and +his long and matted grey hair fell over his shoulders. His form was +shrunken and racked with rheumatic pains, from his long exposure and +unlovely life. Long, deep furrows ploughed his face, and the long, +powerful, and uncleanly teeth stood away from the shrunken cheeks, +whilst his sunken eyes gleamed like the eyes of some savage beast of +prey. He was a visible and concentrated embodiment of the <i>war spirit</i> +in its unrelieved and unredeemed essentials. No touch of pen or pencil, +however graphic, could depict, in all his hideous grimness, this +stranded relic of a bygone age of savage lawlessness and force, who +seemed to be but half a dozen removes from the tooth-and-claw methods of +wild beasts.</p> + +<p>"Ha! ye are come at last, are ye?" he hoarsely croaked. "Ye are come +now, when ye find that this strange God, this Christ of whom the +Christians speak, has proved to be no God, and cannot save ye! But the +gods of your fathers have given ye over to desolation because ye have +forsaken them. Ha, ha, ha! I could laugh at ye now! Ye despised the old +priest, did ye not? ha, ha, ha!"</p> + +<p>As the harsh, grating voice of the priest fell upon her ears, Ethel +almost cowered in terror before him. At sight of her terror, the old +priest somewhat relented his fierceness.</p> + +<p>"Hist to me," said he. "Ye are a Viking's daughter, after all, and come +of a stock whose deeds our Sagas tell of, though the Christian taint has +mixed too freely with your father's blood. It does my old tired bones +good, nevertheless, to see ye come back again to me once more. I have +been very lonely and forsaken, for my fellow priests are all lying +beneath these mounds. I buried the last myself not a month agone. See! +the mound is newly heaped. I shall soon be gone also, and there will be +never a priest at hand to give me back into the arms of mother earth, to +reveal to ye the dark mysteries of Valhalla, or to call from the land of +the dead the Sein-lœca,<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> to speak with you. Viking's daughter, are +ye now aweary of following this strange God of the Christians?"</p> + +<p>"Alas! I know not what to do, priest! I am as desolate and forsaken as +ye are. I would have the heart of Oswald, the Saxon chieftain, turned +towards me. If ye have any charm that will give me favour in his eyes, I +covet it, priest."</p> + +<p>"Ah, but this Oswald is Christian; ye do not well in seeking thus to +further dilute the Viking blood that flows in your veins. Is there no +hardy Norseman ye can mate with? and I can help ye."</p> + +<p>"None, father! I gave my heart to this valiant Saxon long ago; but alas! +a Norman woman has won his love, and when he comes into my presence now, +I see that there is always a far-away look in his eye, and I know he is +looking in imagination upon the dark-haired Norman he loves more than +me. He shuns his couch to keep nightly tryst with her. I have dogged his +steps, and watched them in the starlight nights, pacing the battlements +of the castle in loving converse, and in loving embrace. He is kind and +gentle to me, but there is none of the subtle tones of love so dear to +us women when once our heart is won. Men say I am fair; but have ye any +charm to make me fair to <i>him</i>? It matters not what men may say, or what +the multitude may say. There is but <i>one</i> man in all the world, and if I +am not fair to <i>him</i>, why then the sun goes down on all my hopes, and +leaves naught behind but the long black shadows of despair! Ah! I fear +me, priest, it is in my spirit! There is no charm for him in the passion +and frenzy, the fire and restlessness, of my Viking spirit. This +voluptuous southern maiden, with her courtly manners and her gentle +speech, has touched a chord in his heart which never responds to the +Saxon maiden!"</p> + +<p>"Girl, ye are no Saxon maiden! ye are a Viking's daughter! I claim ye +for the old race that has swept every sea, and made the Viking name a +terror to all lands. I will not have ye despise the fierce spirit of +your race that lives in ye! Listen. I know a Viking of the old stock, a +true descendant of our heroes whose mighty deeds our Sagas tell. He hath +a passion for ye deep and fierce, and pure as a Viking's love should be. +'Tis Sigurd of Lakesland, who was here but yestere'en. Let me plight +your troth with him, and there shall spring a progeny like unto our +forefathers, who will sweep the infamous Norman brood into the sea, and +make the cowardly Saxon cower at the feet of the Norseman, as in the +days gone by."</p> + +<p>"Ye speak, priest, as though a maiden's heart were like a willow bush, +to veer about as any idle wind may blow, or so gross a thing that it may +be huckstered for a consideration, or be cast as a mere makeweight into +the scale of policy. Never dream, priest, that this is a possible +remedy; for I have nothing to offer Sigurd or any other. If ye cannot +tell me that I shall be Oswald's bride, then I will be wedded to my +people, and I will serve my country till death comes to free me."</p> + +<p>"A curse on the evil times I have lived to see, girl!" said the priest +savagely. "This simpering sentiment is not like the love of a Viking +maiden at all! The sturdiest and fiercest warrior was wont to be the +choice of our maidens in the old days. What charm would ye have? There +is but one charm will serve the Viking cause in love or war. It never +failed them, in the past, and will not fail them now if 'tis wielded +fearlessly."</p> + +<p>"What is this spell—this charm ye speak of? Tell it me at once!" said +Ethel eagerly.</p> + +<p>The priest slowly withdrew from his bosom a bright-bladed dagger, at +sight of which Ethel shuddered and drew back.</p> + +<p>The priest scowled, and said angrily, "If ye shrink at this ye are not +fit to be a Viking's daughter. This will serve you if ye are resolute, +for 'tis easy to get an audience of this Norman that hath bewitched +Oswald, and then it were easy to plunge this dagger into her heart; and +what then were thy hated rival? Take the blade in thy hand, nor shrink +from it; the touch of steel will fire thy heart, and purge away the +accursed leaven of effeminacy which is creeping over our Viking race. +There is a magic in the touch of cold steel; my fingers tingle as I feel +it. It has served the Viking's cause as nothing else could do for a +thousand years."</p> + +<p>As he spoke he pressed the fearsome weapon into her unwilling hand.</p> + +<p>"But how then, priest, when I have taken the life of this innocent lady? +Will that bring back the heart of Oswald? Nay, he will loathe me then, +and I shall be as a 'daughter of perdition' unto him."</p> + +<p>"Idle scruples, daughter!" said the priest, testy and irritable. "Who +shall tell him it was your hand did this deed? Be resolute, and fear +not; the Vikings' gods will help ye if ye be bold."</p> + +<p>"But after I have done this deed, priest, and if Oswald should never +know it was I that did this foul, this desperate deed, I can never rid +me of the loathsome memory, nor the clinging horror, of +blood-guiltiness. What after that? when self-respect, womanhood—nay, +when the last shred of my <i>humanity</i> is gone—what would remain that +were worth the having? What should I be, and how could I look to mate +with his upright and chivalrous nature? What daily horror would be mine! +for each look of his unsuspecting eye would damn me! Nay, priest, take +back this dagger, for such means as these can never help me. My +innocence is my heaven, and I will keep it while I may; for when this is +lost, then all is lost. I thought ye might have gentler means."</p> + +<p>At this the old priest fairly roared with impotent rage.</p> + +<p>"Avast!" he cried. "'Tis this Christ hath done it all! Why do ye come to +the Vikings' gods until ye have renounced Him? How can I summon spirits +from Valhalla to your help, or send the wicca-hag skirling on the wind +to ply her sorceries on Oswald, that his heart may be turned to ye, if +ye are Christian?"</p> + +<p>Then, dropping into a gentler and more persuasive tone, as he saw Ethel +fairly cowering in terror before him, he said,—</p> + +<p>"Go, Viking's daughter. Ye know my heart is sore for ye and for my race; +but it must be either Odin or Jesus. Go renounce this Christ, and then I +can help ye. Nay, nay! keep the dagger, for it hath wondrous virtue in +it. It was with this dagger that Thore Hund slew the Christian renegade +Olaf Haraldssen on the bloody field of Sticklarstad, and Odin proved +himself a mightier than this Christ. It shall be so again, for the +Viking race shall be a terror to all lands. Why should ye be fearful and +afraid? Why should ye hesitate and shrink at this act of revenge? Surely +ye have suffered enough at the hands of this accursed race. How can ye +be so scrupulous, when ye think of the vengeance ye owe these Norman +tyrants and usurpers for a father and brother slaughtered, for your +sadness, and your homelessness? Think of the love this Norman woman hath +stolen from ye. Nurse these thoughts, and be courageous, Viking's +daughter."</p> + +<p>Ethel slowly climbed from the weird retreat, where for generations these +savage priests of Thor and Odin had exercised a dread and mystic sway +over the descendants of the Norsemen conquerors, who in past times had +swooped down on Northumbria, peopling it with rough and hardy warriors; +and still the barbarous rites and crude beliefs held extensive sway, in +spite of the leavening influences of the Saxons' Christ. Ethel had +entered this nature's temple with dim hopes that by some exercise of +supernatural powers the heart of Oswald might be influenced so as to +turn to her; and if not this, that she might know the worst. Alas! the +sad heart and the wounded love had met with no amelioration of its +sadness and despair; but the dormant passion and frenzy which ran in her +Viking blood had been stirred in its lethargy into a madness of revenge, +the extent and power of which she had never felt before.</p> + +<p>"What is to be the end of this?" she said to herself, as she sped over +the wild hills. "Either I must conquer or be crushed. There is no middle +course; either it is hell or heaven. I cannot cast off or change my +love; that is given unreservedly and beyond recall. This Viking, Sigurd, +is a warrior true as steel, and his love is as sincere and true. But +what of that? To wed him were a suggestion most gross, and impossible as +gross. How could I crouch beside the ingle of an untamed Viking husband, +and in all unloveliness mother a rude progeny, and blur out, in the +grossness and savagery of it, the vision of better things, and of the +nobler love I have seen? Question. Shall I tamely submit to the +usurpation of a love that might have been mine, but of which I have been +despoiled by a Norman woman? Or shall I fling to the winds my Christian +trammels and scruples, and, Viking-like, take the Viking's remedy?" and +she drew forth from her bosom the unlovely and murderous weapon the +priest had given her. "The priest said this was my only remedy. 'Tis a +grim alternative. But why should I suffer this for a love too readily +given? I never told my heart to dote on Oswald. 'Twas a wild freak of +affection I could not bridle; and I cannot undo it now, so that change +is impossible. It was without effort of mine, also, that he has filled +my eye so fully that I cannot see another. Shall I tamely suffer this +eclipse at the hands of this southern woman? This priest tells me what a +Viking woman would do, and surely, if foul wrongs call for fierce +revenge, then I should not timidly shrink from this avenging act. +Madness and despair nerve my arm and steel my heart, and I will act as a +Viking woman would act!"</p> + +<p>But just at that moment, as the fierce spirit of revenge assumed the +mastery, there flitted before her mental vision a scene of long ago, +when, as a child, she knelt at her mother's knee, and heard the wondrous +story of the Redeemer's mercifulness and love for his enemies. The +revulsion of feeling was instant and overpowering. Stretching her +clenched hands heavenwards, she shrieked, in an agony of prayer, "Jesu, +<i>God of mercy</i>, help!"</p> + +<p>Overwrought nature could bear no more, and she sank in insensibility to +the ground, her fair countenance convulsed with agony. Speedily, +however, the shadows of despair gave place to a placid smile of sweet +content. Again she was a child, and her mother's form was bending over +her, but wondrously ennobled and beautified; and she spoke words of +comfort and of hope. "Daughter, be of good courage, and remember the +words of the Master that I taught you: 'Come unto Me all ye that labour +and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest'; 'Lo, I am with you +always, even unto the end of the world.'" Then, with a smile angelic in +its sweetness, the heavenly vision faded away.</p> + +<p>Slowly Ethel staggered to her feet, for her physical strength was +exhausted; but the look of blank despair had passed away, and her +countenance was transfigured until it shone like the countenance of a +saint of God. And drawing the dagger from her bosom she hurled it over a +precipice, shuddering as she did so. Then she slowly turned her +footsteps towards the fortress on the hill.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + +<h3>EDGAR ATHELING.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">"Oh how wretched<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Shakespeare.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Sigurd, after the rebuff he had received at the hands of Oswald, sped +him on his way to Scotland, aflame with a wrath which was about equally +divided between Oswald and the Normans. He was accompanied by some +half-dozen of his followers. And there, at the court of Malcolm of +Scotland, he laid before the Prince Atheling his scheme for the recovery +of the kingdom.</p> + +<p>Now, Prince Edgar was a weak, voluptuous prince, who spent his days in +dissipation, and surrounded by foreign parasites; but he was universally +acknowledged to be the legitimate heir to the throne of England. Every +one who knew him intimately had little hope of his ever winning it by +force of arms, or of his worthily filling it, if it should ever be +wrested from the grasp of the astute William. The Conqueror well knew +the weakness of this princeling, and with consummate policy he kept him +well supplied with money, knowing that if he had the means to gratify +his vicious and effeminate disposition, he would not be easily moved to +undertake any dangerous or arduous enterprise.</p> + +<p>But the Atheling, like all weak and vacillating natures, could be false +or fickle to his master William at very short notice. He was capable +also, in a vain and feeble sort of way, of grasping at the English +sceptre, for no better or nobler motive than the desire to gratify his +childish vanity, and to further indulge his voluptuous and sensual +habits.</p> + +<p>There was nothing in common between the fierce and fiery descendant of +the Vikings, Sigurd, and this weathercock of princely descent. Sigurd +was as valorous and uncompromising as the Atheling was ease-loving and +cowardly. Still, it was quite easy for this enthusiast to infuse into +the Prince's mind most exaggerated ideas of the rally of the Saxons +under Oswald, and to lead him to believe that the prospect of regaining +the throne of England was easy of achievement. He also managed to fan +into a flame the petty jealousies of which the prince was capable, by +representing to him that Oswald was intent on asserting his own claims +to the kingdom.</p> + +<p>It was a matter of profound surprise to us, and not a little +consternation also, when scarcely a month had elapsed from the date of +Sigurd's expulsion from the camp, to find that Saxon runners everywhere +throughout the kingdom were conveying the Prince's summons to all Saxon +leaders, outlaws, and ecclesiastics, together with a certain number of +freemen, and churls, who, according to Saxon laws, had the right to +attend these parliaments, or witans, of the nation. The witan was +summoned to meet in Lakesland, one of the wildest and most inaccessible +parts of Northumbria. Oswald and I were summoned, and a number of those +who owned Oswald's chieftainship.</p> + +<p>We weighed carefully this matter, and we could not rid ourselves of the +apprehension that Sigurd somehow was at the bottom of it, seeing that +the <i>bodes</i> who bare these summonses were followers of the Jarl.</p> + +<p>Personally, I was much averse to the project, being unable to see what +good could come of it, in our present feeble and distracted state. But +Oswald considered it desirable that we should obey this summons as loyal +Saxons. Accordingly, a company of us, under the leadership of Oswald, +started for this rendezvous amid the Lakes. We were compelled to use the +utmost secrecy in our movements, and travel by night, as the Normans +were still thickly posted throughout the north. It would certainly have +been most dangerous to travel by day, even with so small a company as +ours. We were practically but two days march from the place of +rendezvous. So we started after nightfall on the first day, and, by +steadily pressing on, we covered one-half the distance, arriving ere it +was daylight at a place of refuge evidently well known to our leader, +but which came as a revelation to me, for we came upon a band of Saxons +near to an inlet of the sea, which ran into a thickly wooded headland. +Here were a company of hardy men, partly fisherman, and partly traders +and freebooters, who owned a vessel capable of carrying a considerable +cargo; which bare sometimes Saxon refugees to foreign lands, at other +times engaged in peaceful trading with distant ports, and had frequently +been employed by armed bands of Saxons for the purpose of making swift +descents upon their foes in various parts of the kingdom. From this +source I found that wines and breadstuffs, as well as munitions of war, +had systematically been supplied to the Saxon outlaws. I was told +voyages were frequently made, not only to Ireland and Scotland, but even +to ports on the Mediterranean sea.</p> + +<p>Here we rested for the day, and at nightfall we went aboard this vessel; +and, the wind being favourable, in a couple of hours they ran us across +the bay of Morcam, landing us in sight of the Westmoreland hills, and +certainly saving us more than a twenty miles' trudge. We were now within +some eight miles of our destination, and still had the most of the night +before us. Our sailor friends were able to tell us, also, that there was +no encampment of Normans within many miles of our route; so we continued +our march for an hour or two at a steady pace, without the slightest +alarm or molestation. At last, our path lay through a narrow pass or +defile in the mountains, and we were rapidly drawing near to the +rendezvous. We now found it necessary to move with the utmost caution, +for the path was rugged and narrow, and there was an eeriness about the +place which was suggestive of anything uncanny. Huge boulders frequently +confronted us, looming up out of the darkness so suddenly as quite to +take my breath away. Oswald and I were a trifle ahead of the others, and +were discussing to ourselves as to what could be the purpose of the +Prince, in summoning at so unpropitious a time the Saxon witan.</p> + +<p>"Does the Prince intend to take up arms, think you, my lord?" said I to +Oswald.</p> + +<p>"I expect little from the Atheling, Father, of that sort of thing. He is +fickle, cowardly, and dissolute into the bargain. He dallied at the +court of Malcolm at our last effort at York, until the cause was lost; +and he sped him back again, and never stayed to strike a single blow. I +am afraid some hare-brained purpose moves him, or some petty ambition +which is unworthy of a prince, and which he will not back with any force +of character, or any persistence. He will simply provoke a revolt which +cannot be successful, whilst at the very first repulse he will vanish, +and leave his unhappy followers to the relentless extermination policy +of William."</p> + +<p>"You have no faith in revolt, I think?"</p> + +<p>"None whatever. It is absolutely hopeless. If we had but had a leader at +York, brave and skilful as our last King Harold, and one who could have +united us, the thing was half assured. But now Saxon graves hold +prisoner for ever the flower of our people; and to attempt to offer an +organised opposition to the Norman forces—why, it were sheer madness. +The only two points in the kingdom where any show of resistance is made, +is our own little colony, and in Lincolnshire, where Hereward still +precariously holds out."</p> + +<p>"But does not the Prince know this, think you? Or is he incapable of +grasping the situation?"</p> + +<p>"The Prince, I have already intimated, is not a factor worth considering +for a moment. I very strongly suspect that Sigurd is at the bottom of +this. He, I believe, has stirred the Prince up either to ambition or to +jealousy, and I should not wonder if I were arraigned as traitor as a +preliminary to some madcap exploit of Sigurd's. Do not be in the least +surprised if this gathering ends in dire mischief and disunion."</p> + +<p>"What is that?" we both exclaimed in a breath, as we saw the figure of a +man dart from behind a huge boulder, and swiftly run along the pass +ahead of us.</p> + +<p>"I like not that," said Oswald. "He has no friendly motive, I warrant;" +and he at once drew his sword, and called Wulfhere. "Your Grace had +better take second rank," said he to me. Then, halting a moment till the +company drew near, he addressed them.</p> + +<p>"Men, have all your weapons ready."</p> + +<p>Immediately every swordsman's blade gleamed in the darkness, and every +archer's bow was unslung, and an arrow affixed.</p> + +<p>"Rear guard!" said he, in an undertone.</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye!" responded two gruff voices, which I knew to be Badger's and +Bretwul's.</p> + +<p>"Beware! and be ready; and keep close up. Now, men, let us move steadily +forward."</p> + +<p>So we pressed slowly and steadily forward, Oswald and Wulfhere passing +no boulder or obstruction without first carefully peering behind it to +see if any foe ambushed there. Suddenly there was a halt, the sword of +Oswald was uplifted, and I could descry a muffled human figure standing +in the centre of the path.</p> + +<p>"Who art thou?" said Oswald. "Speak, or I will cleave thee from head to +foot."</p> + +<p>"Listen!" said the figure. "I am the shadow of a vanishing race. When +Saxon hates Saxon and is greedier than greedy hawk for Saxon's blood; +and when Saxon loves Norman habits, and makes friends of the hated +oppressor; what hope is there of a restoration of the old race! If the +Fates have decreed it, well—'tis enough. I only ask for a grave in some +lonely spot, where the groans of my people will not disturb my long +repose. But beware, Saxons! there are fierce enemies abroad—Saxon, too. +Beware! The would-be avenger has a sharp sword, and will not stay his +hand. So beware! the swoop of the eagle is swift and strong, and his +talons are sharp."</p> + +<p>With that, the strange figure turned and fled along the pass with the +speed of a mountain roe.</p> + +<p>"That is a strange visitant," I said. "The voice might be the voice of a +woman. I almost fancied I had heard it before."</p> + +<p>"In any case, it is the voice of a friend. The warning is unmistakable; +the enemy to be dreaded is Saxon also," said Oswald.</p> + +<p>I began to wish most devoutly that the night were past. My nerves were +quite unstrung, and the yelp of a fox, or wolf, in the vicinity, the +flap-flap, of the night-owl's wing, or the scurrying footsteps of the +rabbits, set me in a violent tremble. Oswald headed the party forward, +though I would most gladly have called a halt, and waited for the clay. +We quickly found that our troubles were not yet past, for not a quarter +of a mile had been traversed since our last visitant, when suddenly, and +without warning, we were beset behind and before by armed men, who +hurled themselves upon us with the fury of wild beasts. Oswald had only +time to raise his shield to save himself from the furious stroke of some +powerful enemy. Before I had time to realise it, friend and foe were +laying about them with the fury of madmen. No sooner did I grasp the +situation than immediately I rushed to the front, though it was at the +imminent peril of my life. Lifting up the sacred emblem of my office, I +cried,—</p> + +<p>"Peace! In God's name, I charge peace!"</p> + +<p>At the sight of the blessed cross the assailants recoiled a pace or two.</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" I cried. "Saxon or Norman?"</p> + +<p>"They are Saxon," said Oswald. "I know well who aimed the blows at my +life. 'Tis Sigurd, one professing to be of our nation."</p> + +<p>"I am not of thy nation, dastardly renegade, dancing attendance upon +Norman wenches, and warring in silken hose."</p> + +<p>"If I warred with as little sense and as little skill as thyself, I +should soon be as impotent as thou art, and have never a Saxon left me +to lead to battle."</p> + +<p>"Sigurd," said I, in as authoritative tone as I could command, and still +holding up the emblem of peace and goodwill to men, "I charge you, in +God's name, that you call off your men, and cease this fratricidal +strife."</p> + +<p>"What care I, monk," said he fiercely, "for thy God? He is the God of +cowards, and not of warriors."</p> + +<p>But having breathed out this defiance, he gathered up a wounded comrade +who had felt the keenness of Wulfhere's sword, and, without uttering +another word, he headed his men for the hills.</p> + +<p>"Now, my lord," said I, "what is to be done? This, I fear, is only a +precursor of trouble and discord at our witan. I would you were willing +even now to beat a retreat, nor take further risks to yourself and men, +in so bootless an errand.</p> + +<p>"The Prince professedly has summoned me, and I would not draw back until +fully assured that mutual council is profitless," said Oswald.</p> + +<p>"Let me go forward, my lord, and meet the Prince. I think my sacred +office will protect me. If I think good will come of this gathering, I +will communicate with you."</p> + +<p>"No, Father; no man shall ever say I failed to respond to the call of my +Prince, despisable though I believe him to be. Nor will my duty to my +race and to my country permit me to stand aloof from this witan, for God +knows we have need both of council and of all the wisdom left to us. +But, nevertheless, I have no faith in this gathering. The Prince, I +doubt me, is an indolent sensualist, and, like all weak-minded men, most +easily provoked into jealousy. The ominous figure we have just met is +deeply involved in this scheme, I am now sure. A sturdy, valorous man, +and a foeman of direst sort, but utterly incapable of moderation. He +cherishes a mortal hatred of me, and I now know that I shall take my +life in my hand when I enter the council; but that is a risk which gives +me no uneasiness. So let us advance, for the light, I see, is breaking +over the tops of the mountains, and very soon we shall have the day."</p> + +<p>So, nerving ourselves for any contingency, we continued our march. This +had now become much pleasanter, and infinitely easier, in consequence of +the approach of day.</p> + +<p>By-and-by we drew aside into a sheltered dell, in order to partake of +our morning meal, which we despatched as hastily as possible, in order +that we might reach the rendezvous early. We had not journeyed far, +however, before we were accosted by a man, who emerged from behind a +heap of stones at the head of the pass, and surveyed us narrowly.</p> + +<p>"Saxons?" said he.</p> + +<p>"Aye, Saxons all," we replied.</p> + +<p>"What say ye?"</p> + +<p>"Down with the Normans!" we replied.</p> + +<p>"Right," said he. "Down with the Normans!" Then he gave us sundry +directions as to the nearest route to the place of meeting. We found +this route to be again somewhat difficult; for such a stern, wild +country it is difficult to imagine, much more to describe. We again +entered a narrow defile between two frowning and rugged hills, and in a +little while this defile opened out into a magnificent, +amphitheatre-like vale, enclosed with lofty peaks and rugged hills on +every hand, whilst below us there lay a magnificent sheet of water in +the centre of the valley, with thick woods running around it; the bald +and boulder-strewn hills towering high above all, most imposing in their +rugged grandeur and might. Underneath them, the valley was most +bewitching in the loveliness of its umbrageous woods. As outlets to this +beautiful valley, there were but the pass we had descended, and another +narrow defile at the foot of the lake, where the water made its exit. +Involuntarily we came to halt. Indeed, the prospect before us was at +once so wild, and yet so charming, that we could not but stand and gaze, +enchanted with the scene.</p> + +<p>"Now, Father," said Oswald, "what think you of Lakesland?"</p> + +<p>"Well," said I, "lovely as our beloved Craven is, it pales before this +magnificent country."</p> + +<p>"Yes; and the strength of it! Had Sigurd but a tithe of moderation and +self-restraint, there are no Norman forces in this Northumberland that +could drive him out."</p> + +<p>Well, we resumed our march by rounding the head of the lake by a +difficult and tangled forest path. This done, we continued our journey +down the opposite side of the valley and along the side of the lake, +until eventually we were taken in hand by one of a group of men, +evidently set for the purpose, and by him we were conducted to a +yeoman's dwelling, embowered in trees of massive girth on all sides. The +habitation was similar to the rough but substantial dwellings we were +all familiar with. There were some considerable outbuildings and an +enclosure carefully fenced round by a lofty wall, and evidently intended +for the protection of the sheep and cattle at night, during the winter +months; for the wolves were wont to pack, sometimes in considerable +numbers, and become very daring and vicious, when the pinch of hunger +was upon them.</p> + +<p>As soon as we entered this enclosure, we found there was assembled +already a goodly company of men of various grades, all of them armed to +the teeth. Many of them were evidently Saxons who had held considerable +positions in the land prior to the coming of the Normans, though now +evidently much broken. The scared and suspicious looks with which they +scrutinised every new-comer, told plainly that they were much used to +treachery, and familiar with double-dealing. There were also numbers who +were clearly men of war. The look of defiance on their countenances, and +the well-stocked quivers over their shoulders, told plainly they were +chiefs of the bold outlaws who lived by the might of their trusty +swords, and their long bows. No one could misunderstand their fierce and +daring attitude.</p> + +<p>There were some also who, by their armour, had evidently learned +something of the methods of war pursued by the Normans. Indeed, as we +have said, before the coming of William, large numbers of the Normans +had thronged the court of the pious Edward, and Saxon noblemen in goodly +numbers had practised the joust at tournaments, adopting Norman weapons, +affecting a budding errantry, and talking Norman French. There was here +also a goodly number of the humbler ranks; for, according to old Saxon +law, not only freemen, but even villeins and churls had the right of +representatives at the witanagemot, or council. Oswald immediately +joined himself to a company of these men of knightly appearance, many of +whom he knew, having fought side by side with them at York.</p> + +<p>Sigurd I quickly espied, standing with another group of the old stock, +rude, unlettered, and primitive in habit and dress. I could easily see, +without seeming to notice or observe them narrowly, that these men +viewed with no favourable eye what they were wont to call the pranking +of Norman manners and dress on the part of Oswald and the others I have +spoken of. It was plainly to be seen, also, that Sigurd had done +something to inflame their minds against Oswald, for they eyed him +savagely and suspiciously.</p> + +<p>I proceeded, however, at once to the house place, to make my obedience +to Prince Edgar, who, with certain of his personal friends, awaited the +assembling of the members of the witan. The Prince was dressed in a rich +velvet dress, with elaborate fringing of silk, and for a head-dress the +hat and feather worn by Norman courtiers. He was also accompanied by a +Norman favourite, a most truculent parasite, of a vain and dissipated +appearance, and, as I thought, a very unsuitable companion for a prince +who preferred claims to the Saxon throne.</p> + +<p>Elaborate arrangements had evidently been made for display, and for the +comfort and luxury of the Prince. He was accompanied by his cook, his +valet, and several serving-men; whilst he had, with infinite trouble to +the servants, brought with him wines, and delicacies, and dainties, +which were to me no good augury, and which, do as I would, I could not +but despise in one who made pretence of so desperate an enterprise as +the overthrow of the Norman rule in England. For, view it as we might, a +most desperate enterprise it most surely was.</p> + +<p>At the appointed hour for the council to begin, a chair was brought out +of doors, and placed in such a position that its occupant could command +a view of the whole company. Over this chair a richly-embroidered cover +was thrown, and the Prince immediately took possession of it; whilst the +Norman favourite came behind, and ostentatiously placed a crown upon his +head. This burlesque of royalty was expected to produce a shout of loyal +enthusiasm from the assembled company; but, with the exception of his +own followers, not a whisper of applause greeted it, though the marks of +derision on the countenances of many of the Saxons were open and +undisguised.</p> + +<p>Now, as the senior ecclesiastic present, it became my lot to read what +the Prince was pleased to call the "Royal Proclamation," calling this +meeting of the witan, which being done, the Prince next addressed the +company. In pompous and affected tones he said,—</p> + +<p>"Reverend fathers, valiant knights and liegemen, I have called together +my faithful witan to consider the state of our unhappy country, and what +may best be done for the recovery of my rights as the lawful King of +England. To this end I seek your advice; and not only so, but I further +lay my commands upon you, as my faithful subjects, liegemen, and +vassals, to help me in this enterprise. To this end I would further +insist that it is necessary that you should lay aside all purposes of +individual self-assertion, and join yourselves and your forces to the +general movement. Now, whilst speaking on this head, I may say, with +shame and regret, it has been reported to me that sundry knights, of +whom I expected better things, are not true to our cause, but are acting +without regard to the claims of myself as the lawful King of England, +and are setting up a separate authority; warring according to methods +not sanctioned by me or my faithful witan. I hear there are those who +are willing to forfeit their allegiance to me, and, for their own +personal ends, going even so far as to seek a servile alliance with our +foes, to the betrayal of the Saxon cause. Now let it be known to you +that I claim the undivided allegiance of all Saxons, and that I purpose +with rigour to punish all traitors to my cause and to my kingdom. I have +been too long slighted and set at naught by my lieges and vassals, and I +would know what of it? There are loyal men and true in your ranks, I +know, who despise and hate such factious conduct as much as I do myself; +and I call upon all who can bear testimony to this flagrant disloyalty +on the part of certain of my subjects, to stand forth and declare it at +this council, for I purpose with utmost rigour to punish all factionists +and traitors who are cringingly seeking alliances with the Norman foe."</p> + +<p>At this invitation Sigurd stepped from the ranks, and said,—</p> + +<p>"Puissant Prince, if it be your will, I have a charge to make against +Oswald the Ealdorman, son of Ulfson, who is now present. As he well +knows, I have made this charge to his face, that he has built a fortress +for himself and all such churls and freemen as are willing to +acknowledge his chieftainship. I charge him also with speaking +slightingly of your Highness's valour, and your ability to regain your +rightful throne. I charge him also with endeavouring to enter into +cowardly alliance with the Norman foe—promising, if certain meagre +concessions be made to him, he will withhold his followers from +rebellion, and all endeavours to resist the Normans. I charge him with +attempting to gain a dishonourable alliance with the house of De +Montfort. Which several charges I have attempted to make good at the +sword's point. And I call upon him now to answer for it with his life, +as all traitors and trucemakers should."</p> + +<p>"If Oswald the Ealdorman be present, I call upon him to make such answer +as best he can against the charges preferred by our valiant and trusty +knight, Sigurd the Saxon Dane, who, by his fealty to us and his zeal for +the Saxon cause, has won our hearty trust and confidence."</p> + +<p>At this summons Oswald stepped forth a pace or two, and, removing his +helmet and visor, said, in firm and unfaltering tones,—</p> + +<p>"Sire, may I be bold enough to ask if this is the purpose for which +valiant knights and lieges have been summoned from far and near?"</p> + +<p>"Silence, dog! and answer the charges made against thee! Then we shall +consider the weightier matters appertaining to our realm. But we will +have an answer to these charges."</p> + +<p>"The charges, sire, made against me by the Jarl, are the creation of his +own heated brain; and the reason he has brought them hither is because +he failed ignobly to make them good with his weapons. I decline +altogether to wrangle out with him this petty personal quarrel in +presence of this assembly. If we are to consider matters of greater +moment, matters which concern our country and the present desperate +state of the Saxon cause, then I am prepared to offer my poor services, +either in this council or in face of our common foe."</p> + +<p>"Well said, Sir Knight!" cried a gruff voice, which belonged to the +leader of a party of knights who had entered the enclosure during the +foregoing dialogue, and whose seedy and travel-stained garments, and +rusty arms and accoutrements, bore ample token of much exposure and much +rough usage.</p> + +<p>"Sirrah!" shouted the Prince, waxing wroth at the bold front and +fearless language of Oswald, "dost thou presume to answer thy King after +this fashion? By my halidame, if this continues there will be never a +scurvy clown in my kingdom who will not think he may beard his Prince +with impunity. But I will know whither all this is tending. I have long +had my eye upon that boorish and untamed son of Earl Leofric, whom men +call Hereward, who is carrying on warfare in the Fen country—palpably +for his own ends and his own glory, for he never so much as acknowledges +my sovereignty or sends his dutiful submission to me. Now thou dost +presume to imitate the conduct of the braggart Hereward, and must needs +collect an army for thy own personal advantage, and not for the glory of +thy Prince. Men of my faithful witan, I call upon you to note this, for +I have determined I will rid the Saxon cause of all such disloyal +traitors."</p> + +<p>"'Tis pity, sire," said Oswald, in tones in which anger and contempt +were mingled, "that you never thought it worth your while to collect an +army for yourself, or at least to place yourself at the head of one +collected for you. We would fain see what kind of stuff our Prince is +made of. Will you tell this witan, Prince, where you were when so many +good lives were lost at York in your cause?"</p> + +<p>"Well spoken, sir!" shouted the gruff voice, with even more emphasis +than before.</p> + +<p>"Dost thou call in question my valour, villain!" roared the Prince. "By +our Lady, I'll have no more of thy effrontery, dog! Disarm him, loyal +knights!"</p> + +<p>Immediately half a dozen of the Saxon leaders sprang forward at the +bidding of the Prince; but they quailed before Oswald as they saw the +broadsword whipped from its scabbard, and perform a swift circle in the +air.</p> + +<p>"Here's to thee, with all my heart, Sir Knight! I like thy metal!" said +the stranger knight, as he sprang to Oswald's side, brandishing a huge +sword; whilst his followers quickly ranged themselves on the same side, +ready for the fray.</p> + +<p>"Treason! treason!" almost screamed the Prince, in abject terror, +starting from his seat and preparing to beat a retreat.</p> + +<p>I gently laid my hand on his shoulder, and said, "Have patience, sire. +These men mean no harm, only they are not wont to receive such harsh +rebukes."</p> + +<p>This seemed to reassure him, for, addressing the unknown knight, he +said,—</p> + +<p>"Who art thou who thus boldly takes sides with this traitor to my +cause?"</p> + +<p>The stranger made no answer, but slowly removed his headgear. +Immediately a score of voices shouted, "The Wake! the Wake! 'Tis +Hereward!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Hereward. "I am the Wake, whom thou hast been cowardly +charging with treason. Hark! Dost thou think Hereward is going to peril +life and limb, or waste precious lives, to set such a dolt on the throne +of England as thou hast proved thyself this day; and on the former +occasion, when we met at York, for instance? Marry, no! A niddering who +flies for his life at the first approach of danger is not fit to wield a +sceptre in these lands. A Prince who fosters faction, and is pettishly +jealous of braver men than himself, had better turn monk; a <i>shaven</i> +crown would better become thee than the Crown of England."</p> + +<p>"By the blessed Virgin, I vow I will humble thy pride, dog, ere I have +done with thee! I will not be bullied in my own witan, though thou be a +son of Earl Leofric!"</p> + +<p>"Ah, well," said Hereward, with a sneer, "thou art of the wrong metal +thyself, but if thou hast a knight brave enough to cross a sword on thy +behalf, let him stand forth, and I will oblige him with a bout; 'twould +be a little diversion in this fool's errand of ours."</p> + +<p>"I will champion the Prince, braggart; with a curse on thee for thy +base-hearted treachery to thy wife Torfrida!" shouted the brave and +choleric Sigurd, rushing forward and brandishing his sword in the face +of Hereward.</p> + +<p>Instantly there was such a clamour of voices, clash of swords, and dire +confusion, in the arena, that I was terrified at this tumult of fierce +and angry passions. Oswald and I rushed in between these fierce +combatants and called aloud for peace, which with the utmost difficulty +we obtained. Seeing the strange state of frenzy in which most present +were, I urgently requested that all further discussion should cease for +the day.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> + +<h3>PRINCE AND PARASITE.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Eternal smiles his emptiness betray,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As shallow streams run dimpling all the way."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Pope.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>"I say, Alred!" exclaimed the Atheling to the Norman parasite who had +accompanied him hither, as they sat drinking wine the same evening, +"what sayest thou to the baiting thy Prince has had to-day? I have no +stomach for more. Malediction on them!"</p> + +<p>"Heyday, so say I! Scrambling over moor and bog hither was bad enough, +but parleying with quarrelsome thanes and with vulgar braggart churls +such as these, I would not endure with a kingdom thrown into the +bargain. Your Majesty probably thinks different."</p> + +<p>"Whew! Not I, Alred! These garlic-bred swine have no more regard for the +person of a prince than for a scurvy villein. A malediction on them! +They would pick my bones within a week, were I to attempt to rule them. +By the bye, that huge Danish boor stood by me. I wish he had been at the +bottom of the sea, for all that, when he enticed me on this fool's +errand. What is the lout's name? Sigurd?"</p> + +<p>"The same, my lord. But be advised, for at bottom he's as loutish and as +snarling as the very worst of them, and I would not trust my head in his +jaws for a moment; for as we passed him but yesterday, in our courtly +attire, I heard him under his breath snorting and grumbling like a boar +with a spear between his ribs. The churl! Would he have his Prince dress +like a scurvy swineherd?"</p> + +<p>"Beshrew me, Alred, I never could make pretence of ruling such unwashen +clowns. And then, into the bargain, every snarling villein elects to be +king over his own starveling crew, and there would be a king for every +rood of land in England. I'll no more of it, Alred! I thank Heaven my +skin is whole to go back to Scotland with."</p> + +<p>"A wise resolve, I swear. Make further oath of fealty to William, and +take his subsidies. Then heigho! for a jolly life at the court of +Malcolm! or, what is better still, to Rouen, where summer's sun tarries +longer, and winter's frosts pinch not the daintiest fingers. There +dark-eyed beauties are kinder, and easier in the wooing. That is Alred's +philosophy. Canst thou gainsay the wisdom of it, my Prince?"</p> + +<p>"Alred, thou know'st well the joints of my armour; thou hast pierced a +vulnerable spot. I vow thou hast waked one pleasant memory, sweet Alred; +and there is but one sunny spot in this dreary wilderness of +insubordination and braggadocia."</p> + +<p>"What is it, my Prince? Has some nymph awoke the tender passion of love +in thy breast?"</p> + +<p>"Rightly guessed, Alred! Did'st thou mark the fair Saxon, whose fiery +zeal for our cause has been so marked. I did not fail to notice she +marked me much and often, and I flatter myself her admiration extends +not only to our cause, but also to our royal person. How sayest thou? By +our Lady, a prize like that would be some recompense for our sickening +and intolerable journey over the wretched moors atween us and Scotland."</p> + +<p>"Thou hast the eye of an eagle, puissant Prince, or, to be more correct, +the eye of a vulture. I had hoped this pretty bird would fall to my net. +But alas! thy eye has seen this comely virgin, and I am undone, I trow. +Why, I have already pranked myself before her with some success; but now +I shall lose my quarry."</p> + +<p>"Come, come, my jackal! don't despise thine office. Why, man, I never +grudge thy picking the bones, when our royal self hath fed."</p> + +<p>"Small thanks is enow for what is left when your gorge rises at +it,—with my humble submission."</p> + +<p>"Enough, enough! Canst thou get speech of her? Thou canst bear a message +which should be gratefully received. Tell her her Prince would like to +tender her his special thanks for her great zeal and devotion to his +cause; and invite her hither."</p> + +<p>"Have a care, my Prince, and bait your hook daintily. Think you you will +catch your fish with the bare hook? By all the saints, I tell you I saw +forked lightning playing about her eyes when I incautiously gave play to +a little premature pleasantry. Nothing but an imperturbable and brazen +countenance prevented my being transfixed with a thunderbolt. It would +be better to make a great show of bravery, and talk of plans for the +recovery of the kingdom; throwing in battles, sieges, and valorous +hotch-potch of that sort, by the bushel. You will have to tie this filly +with a pretty long tether, or you are undone, for she's high-spirited +and mettlesome enough for anything."</p> + +<p>"Good, my ambassador-in-chief; thy wisdom never fails. Would I had my +kingdom, sweet Alred, if 'twere only that I might make thee lord high +chancellor! To be forewarned is to be forearmed: the net shall be a +silken one. But now not another word, for expectancy is on tiptoe. Do +thine errand, and I will bestow on thee further tokens of my regard if +good luck go with thee."</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, sire! If I am qualified to be lord high chancellor, I am +qualified to give a little further advice in this matter."</p> + +<p>"What is it, Alred? Prithee, come to the point at once: none of thy +sermons. When I am king thou shalt be court preacher, if thou affect +that office; but spare me now, an' thou lovest me."</p> + +<p>"Well, here it is. When fair maids of this quality have favours to +grant, mark me, they will have it done daintily. Faugh! What do you take +her for? Don't trust to second-hand dealings too much. Vulgar eyes +looking on at it! Pshaw! What a stomach you credit her with! Listen. +This must be a grand passion; you are entranced, bewitched, dying for +very love of the matchless queen of your heart! Mark me, pitch your +notes high if you would have this pretty bird come fluttering to your +bower. Why, canst thou not rhyme a maudlin verse or two? Come, cudgel +thy brains, and I will help thee with a stave; here are writing +materials."</p> + +<p>"Ha, ha, ha! I like thy notions. Come, thou shalt draw us up a rhyme, +such as the gallant knights of Normandy address to their lady-loves. By +my soul, I am three parts Norman, and the other part is not Saxon. So +I'll superscribe no screeching Saxon verse. I declare 'tis a language +which is a cross between the screech of a witch and the grunt of a hog. +Something elegant, or I'll none of it, mark me, Alred."</p> + +<p>"Well, it shall be something lofty, I warrant, as becomes a prince. So +here goes:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Fair maid of the flaxen hair,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And eyes of the heavenly blue,"——<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"Bravo! Ha, ha, ha! Go it, sweet Alred? 'Tis fine! I'll sing that at my +lady's tent door. Get me thy guitar."</p> + +<p>"Pray don't interrupt me, my King. The poetic fire is burning; don't let +us miss the glow of it.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Fair maid of the flaxen hair,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And eyes of the heavenly blue,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whose graces bewitchingly rare<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Have sweetly enchanted my view.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Oh! haste to thy Prince ever true,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whose adored one ever thou art.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thy presence shall sweetly renew<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The joy to my languishing heart."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"Bravo! By my soul, Alred, I swear 'tis fine! 'Twould fetch St. +Elizabeth from her pedestal."</p> + +<p>"Well, if it will do, draw us up your proposal atop of it, sire, and +I'll try its effect upon this dainty bird of a Saxon."</p> + +<p>"Nay, marry! not I, Alred. I'll not spoil thy elegant rhyme by adding +to't my bungling prose. Finish up thy letter handsomely, as 'tis begun, +and I'll affix my seal."</p> + +<p>"By our Lady, I'll promise many things, then, which thou wilt not +perform, I warrant. Here it is; listen to't,—</p> + +<blockquote><p>"'<span class="smcap">Fair Saxon</span>,—Thy Prince is entranced, bewitched, by thy +incomparable loveliness. My throne, my kingdom, were nothing +compared with thee. Come to me; I vow to make thee the proudest +dame in England. Fly to the arms of your impatient, expectant +lover,</p> + +<p>"'<span class="smcap">Edgar the Atheling</span>.'</p></blockquote> + +<p>"Now affix your sign-manual, sire. I warrant this would make the hearts +of half the damsels at the court of Malcolm frantic with delight. Mark +me, this falcon will strike his quarry quick; if not, I vow I will not +fly another this side Martinmas. Wish me luck, and a share in the spoil +anon, my Prince."</p> + +<p>So saying, Alred buttoned up his doublet, buckled on his sword, and, +with the rakish air of an unprincipled Norman gallant, he swaggered off +to the tent of Ethel. There, after many foppish grimaces, and much +foolish adulation, he delivered the missive into her hands; adding to it +suggestions and explanations which Ethel scarce comprehended, and we +cannot chronicle.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2> + +<h3>PRINCE AND VIKING.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"This hand, to tyrants ever sworn the foe,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For freedom only deals the deadly blow;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then sheathes in calm repose the vengeful blade,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For gentle peace in freedom's hallowed shade."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">John Quincy Adams.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>My vespers were done, and I was bethinking me of retiring to rest, when +I heard the plaintive voice of Ethel beseeching me to let her come +within my tent. I had scarce time to reply when the poor child came +rushing into my tent, bathed in tears, and in great distress. I soothed +her as best I could. Then I gently inquired as to the cause of her +grief, when, without answering me, she thrust into my hand the letter of +the Prince. "I scarce know what he means," she said, burying her face in +her hands.</p> + +<p>I read the letter with a burning sense of shame and indignation, and my +heart ached for this poor child who, in the purity of her patriotism and +her unquenchable love for her country and the Saxon cause, had braved +this rough journey and its exposure, in the hope that her woman's +devotion might nerve the arms of the remnant of Saxon leaders still left +to the cause. But this ghastly unmasking of a Prince who was false, +fickle, shameless, and altogether worthless, was a cruel wound to her—a +wound that would fester and rankle, but was destined never to heal +again. She quietly lifted her tear-stained face, and timidly inquired, +"Is it as I feared, Father?"</p> + +<p>"Alas! my child," said I, "'tis a vile, dishonouring missive, and +altogether without excuse. To come from a prince, and from a would-be +king also—'tis sad to think of it."</p> + +<p>"My country! my unhappy country! what will become of thee?" was the +heart-broken exclamation as she fell at my feet, her long, fair hair +falling in dishevelled tresses around.</p> + +<p>"Comfort thee, my poor child," said I, though I scarce had heart or hope +for anything. I endeavoured to calm her with such soothing, hopeful +words as I had at command; but I saw that words were in vain.</p> + +<p>"Father," said she, "my life is a weary burden. My people's woes are +breaking my heart. I had vainly hoped that our scattered and hunted +people might have been rallied by the presence amongst them of their +Prince—that factions would have come together, and a bold stand might +have been made for liberty; but to find my Prince so poor in valour and +so rich in all cowardly and licentious feeling—so bereft of honour and +chivalry as to offer dishonourable proposals to a forlorn and wretched +girl like myself—this is more than I can bear. I have watched and +prayed these two nights, hoping that favouring Heaven would smile upon +us again, and upon this council. But as I watched in lonely vigil, I +could hear no answering voice, saving the soughing of the night-winds in +the passes of these lonely hills; and they seemed to bear no message to +me, saving a message of desolation and death. Is there any rest, any +joy, for one like me in life, Father? Surely the grave is the only hope +for me!"</p> + +<p>"My poor child," said I, "let us not think of death until He who gave us +life shall say 'It is enough.' Let us obey, and submit to the chastening +hand of our Father in heaven. Perhaps we err greatly in cherishing +thoughts of resistance and of bloodshed. Let us rejoice that there is a +kingdom which is stable, and which shall know no end; whose Prince is +the Prince of Peace. Angels are its heralds, and saints its warriors. +Love and mercy are the twin pillars of our Prince's throne; and gentle +hands and loving hearts may battle for His supremacy. 'Tis a Kingdom in +which torn and bleeding hearts may find the herb called heartsease, and +sweet content. Into this Kingdom let us press, my child, and for it let +us contend, for the kingdoms of this world are fickle, and built up on +fraud and wrong; and they will ultimately shrivel up and pass away like +the mists of the morning, and be no more."</p> + +<p>"I fear me, Father, that the fierce war-spirit of my ancestors reigns in +my heart. I am more than half heathen, it seems to me. I have been +hoping for revenge for a murdered father and brother, and for a ravished +country. They tell me the fair Torfrida, forsaken by her lord, this +Hereward, has taken shelter in the monastery of Crowland. Shall I join +her there? This fierce agitation is more than I can bear."</p> + +<p>"What does thy heart say, Ethel?"</p> + +<p>"My heart is not to be trusted, Father, for 'tis wayward and wilful, and +there is strong need for some curb, some overmastering restraint, to +crush its fierce revolt."</p> + +<p>"Thine, I fear, Ethel, is not the nature to bear easily the constraints +of the cloister, unless it were first schooled by the iron rod of +discipline. Listen to nature's own prompting; I fancy it declares +strongly for the freer life of the camp and the field. There is scope +for activity, and I think a fair measure of protection, where Oswald is. +On his virtue, wisdom, and valour, much depends, and I believe he will +be equal to winning many privileges for us."</p> + +<p>"Father, may I confide a maiden's secret to thee? I love him whom thou +hast named. 'Twere heaven, indeed, to share his toils and +privations—nay, even to be near him. But 'tis <i>agony</i>, and soon I fear +it will be <i>sin</i>. His heart has fallen captive to a Norman lady who +saved his life, and I know he cannot be mine. Advise me, Father, in this +sore strait, I beseech you."</p> + +<p>"Thy love is unknown to him, my child, is it not?"</p> + +<p>"He knows not; I could not bear it for one hour if he knew it."</p> + +<p>"'Tis a hard lesson, my poor child, but thou mayest have to learn that +the <i>essence</i> of love is <i>sacrifice</i>. The human heart will not be +hindered here, but will raise its own altar, free of all dictation. +Alas! full oft it must offer itself, and be both priest and victim. Many +are the sad hearts that here have offered sacrifice before thy day. +Alas! many here will offer a hopeless, heart-consuming sacrifice when +thou art gone. If it should be that there is demanded of thee a painful +act of self-renouncement, strength and fortitude are always given us +when we are minded to do a brave deed. I shall be near, my child; let us +await what Providence has in store for us calmly. Lie down upon my +couch, and rest. I will lay this matter before our people, and I will +not be long."</p> + +<p>I immediately gathered up the letter, which had fallen at my feet, and +betook myself to the yeoman's dwelling-house, and knocked at the door. +There was immediately a hush of voices, and some one under his breath +said, "Who knocks?" "Adhelm," said I. My voice was well known to many +who were inside, and the door was opened without more ado. Gathered +here, evidently in secret conclave, were Sigurd and a number of the +followers of the Prince. Their lowering brows told me plainly that +mischief was brewing; nevertheless, I determined to execute my purpose, +come what might. The Prince said,—</p> + +<p>"What wouldest thou have with us, reverend Father? We are now discussing +purposes of bloodshed, unfitted, I fear, for saintly ears. But if thou +wilt be brief, our royal pleasure shall be at thy service."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid my message is one which can scarcely be welcome to your +Highness's ears; nevertheless, it is enjoined upon a bishop that he be +found faithful."</p> + +<p>"Well, be faithful an' thou wilt, Bishop; but let not thy exordium be +drawn out any longer than is necessary. So to the point without further +prevarication, an' it please you."</p> + +<p>"Well, to the point then, Prince," said I. "I hold in my hands an +epistle, which purports to have come from your Highness, and is +addressed to the Saxon maiden, Ethel. I would fain know if it is indeed +from yourself."</p> + +<p>"What have I to do to answer thy impertinent questions, priest?" said +he, snatching the letter from my hands.</p> + +<p>"Since it is so, and as I feared, I have to denounce thee, Prince, as +becomes my office; and I say fearlessly that the offering of +dishonouring proposals such as these to a virtuous and gentle maiden, is +an act of unblushing infamy, and I disown thee and thy cause."</p> + +<p>"I am a thousand times thy debtor, dog of a priest, if thou wilt rid me +of thy presence, and of all such eavesdropping carrion, who worm +themselves into the secrets of silly wenches, to the annoyance of their +betters."</p> + +<p>"Stay a moment, sire," said Sigurd, who was evidently in a towering +rage. "I would know further of this matter. If thou hast offered an +insult to this girl, to this Ethel, <i>I</i> have something to say to thee, +as well as this priest. Let me see that letter," said he, striving to +take it from the Prince's hand; but the Prince hastily drew back, and +attempted to tear it in pieces. Sigurd instantly grasped him with his +iron fists, and wrung the letter from him as though he were a child; +then, handing it to me, he said, "Read it for us, priest. I have no +scholar's gear."</p> + +<p>I took the epistle and read it in the hearing of the assembled company. +When I had finished it, Sigurd drew his sword, and stalking up to the +Prince, he said,—</p> + +<p>"I will cut thy craven soul from thy craven body for offering this +insult to the daughter of Beowulf."</p> + +<p>Half a dozen hands, however, immediately grasped him, and kept him from +his purpose; but, standing like a tiger at bay, his words coming hissing +through his foaming lips with tumultuous rage, he shouted,—</p> + +<p>"I disown thee, too, dastardly villain, for I perceive there is not a +drop of honest blood, either Saxon or Skald, in thy craven body! Get +thee gone quickly, for I warn thee to pollute no longer Saxon soil with +thy loathsome, cowardly presence. And beware, too! for if to-morrow's +sun finds thee within reach of my arm, I will avenge this insult in thy +coward's blood."</p> + +<p>I confess I could not but look with admiration on this sturdy descendant +of the Viking rovers. Though he was rough and uncouth as the wild hills +of Westmoreland, over which he had hunted and fought from his youth, yet +he loved the beautiful Ethel with a love as deep and pure as a +mother's—a love so utterly unselfish that he would willingly renounce +his hope and his claim, nor murmur if Ethel's love should find its +requital in the love of Oswald. But he was beside himself with rage when +he found that this fair Saxon, whose love was of priceless value to him, +should be deemed a fitting object of this princeling's insults. It is +needless to say that this unprincipled act alienated finally the small +remnant of Saxons who hitherto had hoped to see Edgar occupy the throne, +last filled by the valorous Harold.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2> + +<h3>BADGER ON THE ALERT.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"A thing of shreds and patches."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Shakespeare.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>After the incidents narrated in the foregoing chapter, there followed a +scene of complete disorder. Many of those who were well affected towards +the Prince and his cause, fell away from him, and quitted the dwelling +with Sigurd and myself; and speedily the Atheling was left quite alone, +saving his personal friends, who had journeyed with him from Scotland, +and who were mostly foreigners.</p> + +<p>Whilst this had been transpiring, most of the camp was wrapped in +profound slumber. The followers and housecarles who had accompanied +their masters, had found resting-places in the outhouses, amid the hay +and bracken which had been accumulated for the fodder and bedding of the +cattle during the winter months. But Badger was ill at ease amid it all. +Some presentiment of evil disturbed his slumbers, and he turned uneasily +again and again; finally he sprang bolt upright, and grasped his sword, +at the same time giving Wulfhere a rough shake, which thoroughly roused +him also on the instant.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter, Badger? Anything amiss?"</p> + +<p>"Hush! there are men astir in the camp. I warrant there is some mischief +abroad, and I'll know the bottom of it."</p> + +<p>At that moment two men entered stealthily at the farther end, where the +horses were stalled. Wulfhere and Badger drew their swords, and +instinctively ran their fingers down the blades in the darkness. The +movements of the two men were plainly visible to the watchers, for the +moonlight streaming in through the open door showed their outline very +distinctly as they moved to and fro. Immediately the men began to saddle +several horses belonging to the Prince, and then they led them out.</p> + +<p>"There is a move of some sort, Wulfhere, and I warrant mischief is in +it, for there are snakes about. A murrain on them! I am determined to +know what it means. You stay here," said Badger—he, at the same time, +stealing noiselessly out at the opposite end of the building.</p> + +<p>As soon as he reached the open air, he saw, across the enclosure, that +there were lights in the dwelling; so he nimbly dodged round, keeping in +the shadow of the buildings, until he reached the rear of the house. +There, peering through a crazy, patched window, he not only saw what was +going on inside, but he overheard this conversation between the Atheling +and his favourite Alred:—</p> + +<p>"My stomach will stand no more on't, sweet Alred. Such a ruffian, +boorish crew are not fit company for a prince. Then I believe that huge, +over-grown Norse clown would carry out his threat, and take my life in a +moment, if he got the chance. Curses on them all! Upon my soul, I wish +the Normans would swoop down upon them, and cut the vile hogs into +mincemeat."</p> + +<p>"Bravo, Prince! That is a Heaven-sent suggestion, upon my soul!" +interjected Alred. "I match you against any one of the seven sages. +Whew! it just jumps with my humour. The Normans are in force, too, not +more than half a dozen miles away. What a <i>tour-de-force</i> to bring the +Normans down upon them by the morning! 'Twould be a stroke of policy +William could not excel. Ah! look here—speaking of William: he would +load you with favours, and replenish your royal treasury bountifully; +then, heigho! there would always be a flowing bowl of Rhenish, or good +Canary, and the sweet blue eyes of my lady-love would sparkle again. A +fig for a kingdom, and the toiling and moiling of it! Give me the jolly +life where care sits lightly, and my own sweet will can be indulged. To +Rouen, say I again, with William's goodwill and his gold pieces!"</p> + +<p>"Let us away, Alred! Upon my soul, revenge is sweet. You say right, too; +when one does a service for William, there follow royal gifts enow. I +would rather have a double purpose than a bootless errand, any day? +Where are the churls who are saddling the horses?"</p> + +<p>Having overheard this speech, Badger darted back to his comrade, who was +awaiting his return impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Heigho, Wulfhere! this princeling plots mischief. He will betray the +camp, the hound, I do believe. Come along; let us dog his footsteps."</p> + +<p>So the pair sallied out of the enclosure in the wake of the Prince, his +parasites, and several serving-men. The party slowly threaded their way +through the woods and entered a narrow defile between precipitous hills +on either side; all the while being steadily followed by the two Saxons. +Suddenly, on one side, the mountain range came to an abrupt termination, +ending in a bold promontory running up to a point. At this juncture the +valley broadened out into magnificent proportions, and a spacious lake +of water gleamed in the darkness. Turning to the left, they skirted the +lake for a couple of miles or more. Suddenly, however, they were +confronted by a pair of Norman sentries, who challenged the party, and +some time was spent in <i>pourparlers</i>; then one of the sentries +accompanied them to the Norman encampment, not more than a quarter of a +mile away, the lurid light of their fires making visible some portions +of the Norman quarters.</p> + +<p>Wulfhere and Badger were obliged to come to a halt, for the remaining +sentry barred their further progress, even if they dared come nearer the +encampment of the enemy. They waited and watched until they saw the +forms of the Prince and his followers come within the circle of light +thrown off by the blazing wood fires.</p> + +<p>"Now," said Wulfhere, "there is nothing more to be done, Badger, I +think. Let us go back now, and promptly warn our friends."</p> + +<p>"Hold there, Wulfhere; there is something more to be done. Get <i>thee</i> +back, and do thine errand. I have a little further business here, I can +see. Tell the Earl I shall be rounding the great Nab's Head about break +of day."</p> + +<p>"What hast thou in the wind, Badger? Thou wilt be hazarding one prank +too many some of these days."</p> + +<p>"Never fear, comrade, I know my way about, whether it be light or dark. +Besides, my business is such as would disgrace a half-bred knight like +thyself. Dost thou see, Grizzly here, and myself, have no dignity to +uphold? so we may do anything either boldly or slily, as it suits our +humour, if it only brings grist to the mill. Well, now be off. There is +no time to talk, for it only hinders business. Come, Grizzly," said +Badger, addressing his hound as soon as the form of Wulfhere was lost to +view. "You know, Grizzly, you and I are not supposed to be above +borrowing a few head of cattle, or to be too proud to do our own +droving, at a pinch."</p> + +<p>The fact was, the lynx eyes of Badger had espied a herd of cattle lying +together under the trees by the side of the lake, although the darkness +was so deep that none but keen eyes would have detected their presence. +He had seen them at once, and instantly his nimble brain began revolving +some scheme for carrying them off.</p> + +<p>"The cackling and talking has come to naught, as it mostly does," said +he grunting to himself; "but beshrew me if I like a bootless errand. +I'll try a cast of my own net, whether there is aught to it or not."</p> + +<p>Now there was but one formidable obstacle in the way, and that was the +solitary sentinel who still stood at his post, and who continued slowly +pacing to and fro in a limited space.</p> + +<p>Badger turned to the hound and addressed him, for he was in the habit of +having sundry conferences with his favourite, who had partnered him in +many a daring exploit.</p> + +<p>"Well, Grizzly, what is to be done now? Eh, sir? We must have yon +cattle, Grizzly, come fair or come foul. There is this scurvy Norman in +the way. What are we to do with him? I think we can dispose of him +somehow or other. What say you?"</p> + +<p>Grizzly answered by a vigorous attempt to lick Badger's chops.</p> + +<p>"Eh, sir? I don't doubt but we can finish him off easily enough, you and +I together, Grizzly. But what will our Abbot say? Are you aware, sir, +that you and I have a sacred calling—that we belong to the monastic +order? Don't you remember the many sermons we have from our Abbot, on +loving our enemies? I don't quite see the turn of the wit in the case of +these Norman dogs, somehow or other. No doubt it is sound doctrine +enough, but bad to practise. Well, let that pass. I have a feeling, +though, I would rather not brain this fellow, if another turn will serve +as well. Now it would certainly ease my mind to do it if I caught him, +<i>flagrante delicto, flagrante delicto</i>. Grizzly, did you note, that is +the <i>monk</i> that is speaking? You see I can mouth my Latin when it +pleases me, Grizzly. There is many a scurvy monk knows less. But I say, +Grizzly, I fancy the fellow's knees are knocking together already with +fear at being left alone, and that is very suggestive. Let us try +playing ghost with him."</p> + +<p>So saying, Badger divested himself of his upper garments, leaving his +shoulders and the upper parts of his body exposed. Then he took the +garments and tied them deftly about the shoulders of Grizzly, giving him +a most strange and uncouth appearance. Having done this, and without +exposing themselves to view, Badger commenced to give forth, in a low +tone, the most dismal groans, and varying this by most piercing shrieks +of pain.</p> + +<p>The Norman turned a terrified gaze in the direction from whence these +strange noises came, evidently in great trepidation and fear. Then he +darted off a few paces, as though about to beat a hasty retreat. This +was enough. Badger saw at once that the ruse would answer. So, without +more ado, he dropped down on all fours, and, accompanied by the dog, +each of them presenting a most unearthly and fantastic appearance, they +started off in the direction of the sentinel, the groans and shrieking +of Badger deepening, and becoming most diabolical in tone and intensity.</p> + +<p>The Norman for one moment turned a scared gaze on the advancing figures, +which appeared to him to be none other than the Saxon devil Zernebock, +of which many Normans went in mortal dread. Then, with the speed of the +wind, he took to his heels and dashed off towards the camp. Quick as +thought, Badger freed the dog from his trammels, and bade him fetch the +cattle. In a very few minutes he was making off, all speed, with the +herd.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2> + +<h3>DOG ROBS DOG.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"I am but a gatherer and disposer of other men's stuff."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Sir Henry Wotton.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Badger, with his valuable plunder, had four good hours start ere +daybreak, which was as early as the Normans would be likely to discover +their loss. It was slow and tedious work driving cattle through the +passes, and the wooded country, and the most that he could hope for in +the way of start would be eight or ten miles. But there was considerable +probability that the enemy would plan a night attack upon the Saxons, +and in that case, if the loss was discovered by those remaining in camp, +they would be quite unprepared for pursuit; and if no start could be +made by them before the return of the expedition, then he would have his +prize safely aboard the schooner.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, Wulfhere, summarily dismissed by his comrade, returned +to the Saxon camp, ruminating upon the strange vagaries of Badger's wit. +He nothing doubted but that some sufficient purpose, if not some daring +exploit, dictated his erratic movements. When he reached the encampment, +he lost no time in rousing his chieftain, Oswald. After a brief +consultation, they decided at once to rouse the whole camp. Then a +council of war was held by the leaders. Hereward and Sigurd were for +forming an ambush, and trying a brush with the foe; but the more prudent +were very doubtful about the success of such a movement, seeing the +Normans were far more numerous than they. Ultimately, it was decided not +to risk an engagement. So hasty preparations were made, and in less than +an hour's time the camp was broken up, and each party chose its own +route for retreat.</p> + +<p>"Wulfhere," said Oswald, when we had collected our little party, and had +started home. "I miss Badger. Is he on before?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I almost think he will be, my lord, though I left him lurking +within a bowshot of a Norman sentinel, and within sight of their camp +fires. What he had in his head I know not. Some crank, I warrant, by +means of which he will get the best of the enemy."</p> + +<p>"He will be venturing too far, I doubt, some day, and he will find he +has got his head in a noose which all his ingenuity will not enable him +to slip."</p> + +<p>"No fear, my lord. It will take all the wit in the Norman camp to put +him in a corner where there is not room enough for him to wriggle out. +There is something in that old pate of his which will make him a match +for them all, and something to spare. I have an opinion he will +circumvent grim Death with some dodge or other."</p> + +<p>"Well, he will know that we shall be bound homewards, I suppose, and he +will follow when it suits his humour to do so."</p> + +<p>"Nay, I fancy he will be ahead of us even now. He gave me instructions +that he would be rounding the Great Nab's head at daybreak, so we may +hope to meet with him ere long."</p> + +<p>Thus we kept steadily pressing on through the darkness, and ere long the +beams of the morning sun shot up athwart the eastern sky, and our march +became much more easy and pleasant. By-and-by we rounded the bluff +promontory indicated by Badger, and known as the "Great Nab's head;" and +shortly we espied Badger, and his comrade Grizzly, seated most +contentedly on a mossy bank, Badger regaling himself with a hunch of +bread, and salt beef, whilst Grizzly, foraging for himself, was putting +the finishing touches to a rabbit he had killed.</p> + +<p>"Well, Badger," said the Earl, "alive and well, I see. What exploit have +you been perpetrating? Reconnoitring the Norman camp, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Reconnoitring, my lord? Mercy on us, no!—if that means sitting on a +boulder like a moulting fowl, and gazing at nothing in particular. I +never reconnoitre; that means <i>can</i> anything be done. I always <i>know</i> +something can be done if one sets about it."</p> + +<p>"Very good philosophy, Badger—well to the point. What have you been +<i>doing</i>, then? What is the trick this time? and have you been found out +for once in a way?"</p> + +<p>"Just come with me, my lord, and we'll see."</p> + +<p>So saying, he led us over the shoulder of the hill, revealing to us a +lovely little dell where there was a stream of fresh water and an +abundance of fresh green herbage. Here, also, were about twenty head of +cattle browsing lustily.</p> + +<p>"There, my lord. I thought we should have a bootless errand, for the +wagging of tongues and the cackling of geese I never could understand; +they are both pointless, and equally profitable. I never was a great +hand at crooning since I was a baby, so I give that business up. But I +owe a grudge to the Normans, and I borrowed these few cattle from them. +They will be of service, I trow, on the top of the hill. And if you find +you don't need them, why, there's no harm done—send them back again."</p> + +<p>"Well, every man wields his own staff best, Badger. You do credit to +yours. But I think we had better be moving, or the Normans may fetch +them before they get to their journey's end."</p> + +<p>"Quite ready, my lord. We can now reach the boat without another halt, +if the Normans do not dock our tails in the meantime. Come, Grizzly, the +drover's trade is a thriving trade in these times. The thieving Scot and +the robber Dane have turned over their business to honester men. I never +dreamed it was so respectable and well-spoken a trade as I find it to be +now."</p> + +<p>So saying, Badger and his hound set about collecting the beasts, and +soon we were able to resume our march with as much celerity as we could +command. Everybody seemed anxious to hear Badger's recital of his +exploit, which he told us with much grim humour, and evidently much +inward relish.</p> + +<p>We were able to reach our destination without molestation from the +enemy, their energies being fully occupied by other matters until we had +got clear away. It was thought desirable not to embark until nightfall, +unless we were compelled to do so; for it was more than probable, had we +put out to sea, the movements of the vessel would have been observed by +the enemy. A gangway, however, was laid ready for emergencies, whilst +scouts were posted at points of observation, thus making it impossible +for us to be surprised. During the day, the cattle were permitted to +graze in the wood near, and when the shades of night gathered about us, +they were driven aboard, and we weighed anchor and stood across the bay. +Ultimately we reached our destination without mishap, though we had, in +consequence of our cattle, to travel with the utmost circumspection.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h2> + +<h3>WILD DARING OF SIGURD THE VIKING.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"When Greeks joined Greeks, then was the tug of war."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Nathaniel Lee.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>It was a most grievous disappointment to Sigurd when the Saxon leaders +finally decided not to attack the Normans, and thus checkmate them as +they sought to capture the Saxons whilst in council. When he saw that +there was no hope of the Saxons uniting in this, he appealed most +importunately to Hereward to join him, but in vain. When everything +failed, so insatiate was his thirst for vengeance that he determined to +attack them single-handed, trusting to his prowess, and his familiarity +with the passes and the mountain retreats, to secure for himself +immunity from capture.</p> + +<p>"If I had but a dozen of my hardy mountaineers, I would lead these +Normans a dance before this day was done!" he muttered, as he saw the +remnant of the Saxons departing. His hatred of the Normans had so eaten +into his soul, that every opportunity to attack them was a favourable +one, and he was ready for any scheme of wild daring if only Norman blood +could be spilled. So, alone, he grimly and resolutely strode up the +pass, until he reached a spot he deemed suitable for his purpose. +Boulders and bushes intermingled thickly on one side; on the other was a +precipice—a sheer drop of twenty feet into a trout-stream, which +threaded its way amid limestone boulders.</p> + +<p>Behind him the gaunt, gloomy mountains shot up far away, their lower +parts covered thickly with bracken, bushes, and boulders; behind and +amid which a retreating figure need never be exposed for more than a +second at a time. Looking around for a second or two, he gave a grunt of +satisfaction, and then he climbed a few yards from the path, and laid +himself down amid the bracken and deep grass, with his broad sword +unsheathed and laid by his side, ready for the fray. Thus he waited for +the oncoming Norman soldiery. For more than an hour he lay thus in +ambush, with wild and turbulent passions fermenting in his breast, and a +wild look in his eyes—reason for the moment dethroned by this one +overmastering passion.</p> + +<p>Presently on the still night air was borne the sound of stealthy +footsteps. Sigurd bounded to his feet as the first sounds broke upon his +ear. He fixed tightly his helmet, closed his visor, and adjusted his +coat of link-mail, which had swung a little awry. Then, grasping his +powerful broadsword, he made a vigorous lunge at an invisible foe, and +then, with a grunt of satisfaction, he took his stand behind a massive +boulder, flanked on the side next the advancing foe with a thick network +of shrubs, through which, however, he could watch the movements of the +Normans. The darkness was ebbing away fast. Already the morning's sun +had smitten the head of mighty Helvellyn in the distance, and bathed his +kingly head in a halo of golden glory; but substantial remains of +laggard night still hung moodily about the bottom of the pass, as though +nature, in shame and sadness, would fain cast her mantle over this mad +strife of men, and over the deed about to be enacted before her eyes. +Slowly, with hushed voices and stealthy tread, on came the unsuspecting +foe. The head of the column threaded its way past the lurking-place. +Sigurd clenched his sword with an impatient grip, for the sight of +Norman foemen, within reach of his sword, was well nigh more than he +could resist. On they passed, all unconscious that a human tiger was +lurking near and making ready for his spring. File after file of the +Normans strode on, mostly afoot, but some were leading their horses. Now +the rear men are abreast. A second more, their backs are seen. A spring +and a blow, and the hindmost Norman is cloven to the waist, and drops +with scarce a groan. There is a wild shriek, and consternation is +rampant amongst the rearmost ranks.</p> + +<p>Sigurd, in mad rage, hacks and hews at the panic-stricken crew, cutting +down man after man with terrific celerity, whilst some, in their efforts +to escape his onslaught, fall over the precipice. Presently the Normans +discover that but one solitary Saxon attacks them. A shout goes up, "The +mad Saxon! Cut him down! Down with him! Run him through!" Immediately a +hundred swords are whipped from their scabbards, and a united rush is +directed towards him. Sigurd sees his chance is gone; he dashes along +the path in swift retreat, followed by the yelling foe. Presently he +darts from the path and makes for the hills, tearing through bracken, +furze, and brushwood, and leaping boulders with an agility none but a +mountaineer and a hunter who had been wont all his life to go swinging +over these mountain sides, until the sinews of his legs had become like +thongs of steel, could make pretence to imitate. Presently he turns to +glance at the crew behind, and he laughs a savage laugh as he sees them +huddling together like sheep at the bottom of the pass, some afraid to +follow, and all of them conscious of the hopelessness of it. With an +exclamation of contempt, he catches up a fragment of rock and hurls it +with terrific energy amongst them, striking one of them on the shoulder, +and knocking him to the ground with a broken shoulder-blade. Then, with +a hysterical laugh, and a fierce brandish aloft of his sword, he dashes +off again towards the summit. With wondering gaze the Normans watch him +scaling, ridge after ridge, the beetling brow of the hill far above +them, like a stag bounding from the hunter. Presently he darts over the +topmost ridge, and is lost to view. He halts in a tiny hollow of the +mountain's brow, and, pulling out his sword, dripping with gore, he +wipes it on the sward.</p> + +<p>"Aha!" he cried, apostrophising the fearsome weapon; "One more taste of +blood! Norman blood, too. I love to see Norman blood. It drips, too; +that means more will soon be shed."<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> Then, running his hand along its +edge, he exclaimed, "Nothing blunted, my trusty friend Tyrfing,<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> ready +as ever for the fray!" he shouted in frenzy, and commenced to hack and +hew as though in deadly conflict with an invisible foe, the perspiration +pouring off him in streams. But human nature, though it be never so +strong, has its limits. This frenzied, this almost maniacal outburst, +was followed by complete physical exhaustion. Like a stone, he dropped +flat upon the ground, and there he lay without motion or any sign of +existence whatever for a full hour or more. Had the Normans but known of +the wild drama being enacted beyond the brow of the mountain, it would +have been a fatal day to Sigurd, for the Normans had had so many tastes +of his prowess, and of his mad daring, that they would have given large +treasure to have this dreaded foe within their power. But this was not +destined to be the last time when he should strike terror into their +ranks when they least suspected him.</p> + +<p>The sun had performed a considerable part of his day's journey when +Sigurd began to manifest signs of returning consciousness. First there +were sundry stretchings of the muscles, followed by a momentary +unclosing of the eyelids. Then he sat up and gazed around, as though +bewildered with his surroundings. By-and-by he seemed to recover a +recollection of the incidents preceding the stupor he had been passing +through. By an effort he rose to his feet, and staggered rather than +walked to a cool spring of water, which, born of the clouds which +constantly encircled these lofty peaks, was hurrying away with musical +ripple to the lowlands. He drank a hearty draught of the ice-cold water; +then he bathed his throbbing temples with it. Sitting down then, and +taking from a wallet slung behind him a substantial piece of roast kid's +flesh and a hunch of bread, he ate a hearty meal, and washed it down +with another copious draught of water. Much refreshed by this, he next +mounted to the topmost ridge. There, lying at full length, he ran his +eye most minutely over every inch of the valleys on either side, +carefully noting every suspicious object that came within the sweep of +his vision. Then, with equal care, he searched the adjacent hills. The +Normans he could see hurrying to and fro near their camp, some five +miles away. But apparently there was nothing at all menacing to his +position.</p> + +<p>Rising to his feet, he strode along the ridge for a mile or two, then +commenced to descend for another mile or two, in an oblique direction, +until he disappeared from view in a dense wood, which covered the lower +reaches of the valley on either side. Holding a downward course, and +pushing aside the brushwood, he came ultimately to a stream of water, +which, with one gigantic leap, started from its rocky bed and leaped +unimpeded full eighty feet, falling into a deep, surging pool, where the +waters, finding a level, flowed sluggishly away. The vast amphitheatre +appeared to have been worn away by this leap of the waters, and by the +crumbling away of the softer shale below, which had undermined and +brought down the rocks from above.</p> + +<p>This untamed warrior stood on the brink of the precipice with folded +arms. There was something in the scene which consorted with his rude and +rugged nature, and wonderfully soothed his warring passions. The daws, +with cawing clamorousness, flew to and fro across the abyss, and crept +into the crevices of the rock where their nests were. The swallows +skimmed along the surface of the waters, ever and anon darting upwards +to some skilfully made nest of baked clay, clinging to the rocky sides, +and from which little black heads were anxiously peeping, and twittering +lustily. Bird life here seemed to have found a veritable paradise, and +they literally thronged bush and tree, and rock and bank, everywhere. +Sigurd stood gazing down the ravine through an interminable labyrinth of +foliage-laden trees. Here was a grand solitude such as his soul loved, +and he regarded every tree in the forest as a personal friend. Presently +he turned to one side of this abyss, and steadfastly regarded three +stones which were laid side by side for a moment or two; then he altered +the position of one of them, and immediately dropped down on to a +shelving rock, and from that to another, and so on, until he had +descended a considerable distance. Then suddenly he disappeared on hands +and knees into an aperture of the rock which was completely hidden from +the view of any one standing above. As soon as this portal was passed, +he found himself in a spacious cavern, where evidently men were wont to +resort, for there were many things denoting human occupation. Sigurd +hastily threw off his armour and reared his sword, with the belt +appended, against the rock. Then he threw himself upon a couch of dried +bracken and grass, and was soon fast asleep.</p> + +<p>Presently two wild-looking men appeared on the scene. One carried a +brace of rabbits, and the other had over his shoulder a young fawn; +whilst at their heels there followed a couple of fierce-looking hounds. +They looked at the three stones, and one of them exclaimed,—</p> + +<p>"The Jarl is here!"</p> + +<p>"Doubtful luck that," growled the other.</p> + +<p>They, however, changed the position of the other two stones, and then +they followed their chieftain to his retreat. No sooner did they enter +than one prepared to light a fire, and the other to skin and dress the +animals they had brought. As soon as this was done, a huge iron pot was +suspended on cross-poles over the fire, with about a gallon of water. In +this were thrown a couple of haunches of venison with the rabbits. Then +one of them turned to a vessel in which a quantity of corn was steeping +in water. Two or three pounds of this, along with some savoury herbs and +roots, and a quantity of salt, were deposited in the pot. Then the pair +sat down to await the cooking of this substantial and savoury mess. +Whilst this was being done, Sigurd slept soundly, and the pair carried +on a conversation in a low tone, and interspersing their talk with +sundry nods and motions towards the sleeping chieftain.</p> + +<p>"There will be stirring times again, now, I warrant," said one.</p> + +<p>"Yes; plenty of blood-letting, and plenty of scurrying over the +mountains with the Normans at our heels," said the other.</p> + +<p>"There will soon be none of us left, either for fight or aught else. +There has been a desperate thinning going on."</p> + +<p>"Well, it won't be a cow's death, anyhow, and that is some comfort for +us."</p> + +<p>Soon the boiling-pot began to send forth a most savoury and appetising +smell, to these half-famished men.</p> + +<p>"Wake the Jarl," said one to the other; "he must first break his fast."</p> + +<p>So one of them gave Sigurd a rough shaking, and he presently sat up and +rubbed his eyes; then he saluted his men.</p> + +<p>"Skalds, how fare ye?"</p> + +<p>"The hawks have not been so much abroad of late, so we have fared +tolerably."</p> + +<p>"But ye'll soon have to be on the alert, for the old eagle has been +playing havoc with the hawks down in the pass yonder; a dozen of them at +least will swoop upon their prey no more. But I'll taste your stew. Hot +victuals have not been plentiful lately. Where are your comrades?"</p> + +<p>"Scattered a good deal. There are a dozen lurking among the pikes. Some, +the family men, have snug quarters near Deepwaters."</p> + +<p>"Make signals for them. We have been idle long enough. We must bestir +ourselves, for the Norman gets a tighter grip upon us every day we are +idle."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXV" id="CHAPTER_XXXV"></a>CHAPTER XXXV.</h2> + +<h3>THE SAXON DEVIL AND THE WICKED ABBOT.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">"When night<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Milton.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Most humiliating and distressing to us <i>Saxon</i> monks was the state of +lax morality in which these foreign monks lived. One of the worst vices +imported into England by the Normans was that of uncleanness, a vice +practically unknown amongst Saxons, and looked upon by them with great +abhorrence. This was an offence, too, which the hardy Norsemen regarded +with loathing. Fierce and blood-thirsty as they were, seduction, +adultery, and the violation of the sanctity of blood-relationship, they +detested. Amongst the Normans, not only the wild troopers, but the monks +also, lived loose, irregular lives; and the chief and vilest offender, +in this respect, was our new Abbot. Many were the outrages perpetrated +by this man. Night by night, under cover of the darkness, he issued from +the Monastery with lascivious intent, often accompanying his outrages by +crime and bloodshed if he met with opposition. In vain I sought the +assistance of Alice, who entreated the Count, her father; but he was +either powerless, or cynical and indifferent—probably both. Sometimes a +fierce check was given to these scoundrels by a sudden outburst of rage +and revenge on the part of the Saxons; but for the most part, the Saxons +who meekly submitted to serfdom were the most abject of their race, +being often so broken in spirit that they submitted to unfathomable +indignities, rather than face the consequences of opposition. Indeed, +any display of spirit, and any act of retaliation or revenge, was sure +to be followed by the most cruel vindictiveness, and most sweeping +punishment. I stay to note one act of retaliation done to our Abbot by +Badger, on one occasion, when the Abbot was bent on carrying his +unscrupulous violence to the cottage of one of the serfs. I note it +because of its comicality, as well as its effectiveness in punishing the +vicious priest.</p> + +<p>Now the Abbot, though it will scarcely be believed, was, in spite of his +turbulent wickedness, a most abjectly superstitious man, as indeed most +ignorant and wicked people are. Of this fact Badger, who was a most +observant and shrewd judge of character, quickly became aware; and, +taking advantage of this weakness, he used it to teach the Abbot a most +valuable and salutary lesson. One of the serfs had frequently made most +doleful complaints to Badger of the violation of the sanctities of his +home by this man. Now Badger most cordially hated the Abbot, as indeed +any one who knew the man could not fail to do; and on the other hand, +his sympathies, either openly or veiled, were always extended to his +countrymen, and he frequently wrought substantial amelioration in their +lot. Badger turned this matter over in his mind, and at last hit upon a +plan which he conceived would have the desired effect if successfully +carried out. So, making use of his old expedient, he decked himself most +fantastically as the Saxon "Zernebock" or devil. He expended much skill +and ingenuity in the manufacture of some wondrously grotesque apparel, +introducing a pair of horns and a tail after the orthodox fashion. In +addition to this, he had also decked out one of the most savage of his +hounds in a most fantastic garb, and, so disguised and ludicrously +tricked out, they sallied forth at eventime, intent on frustrating the +Abbot's vile intentions. Having selected their place of ambush, they +patiently lay in wait for the object of their enterprise, bent both on +terrifying and worrying him into a relinquishment of his devilish +purpose.</p> + +<p>The night selected as fitting for Badger's enterprise was moonless and +somewhat dark, especially so within the added shade of the forest. +Having selected a suitable place, Badger lay quietly in wait until he +heard the approaching footsteps of the Abbot; then he strode into the +path with the hound by his side, and together they fronted the object of +their quest. Great was the consternation of the Abbot when he confronted +this awful apparition. His knees smote together, and his teeth chattered +in his head, as the awful voice of the fiend accosted him in angry +tones.</p> + +<p>"Abbot, I know thy errand; I am the Saxon devil 'Zernebock,' and this is +my Hel-hound. I have come to kill thee, and my hound will tear thee in +pieces, for thy cup of wickedness is now full; I give thee, therefore, +two minutes in which to prepare for death."</p> + +<p>So saying, the fiend uplifted a mighty sword, which seemed to the Abbot +to tower almost to the height of the trees. It was a wooden one, but the +night was too dark for this to be perceived, even if the victim had not +been too terror-stricken to note it.</p> + +<p>In a terrible fright he fell on his knees and began to call upon all the +saints to protect him, writhing and groaning piteously.</p> + +<p>"Silence!" said the fiend in still more awful tones. "Thou must die! I +have been waiting long for permission to slay thee! The saints will not +protect thee any longer, for thou hast professed to be a holy man, and +thou art bent this night on an errand of wickedness, and I have +permission to kill thee at last. Thy life is now in my hands. Art thou +ready?" again roared the fiend in savage tones, whilst the hound, seeing +the threatening attitude of his master, waxed furious, snarling and +growling savagely, and making many half-executed attempts to fly at the +Abbot, which half a word of encouragement from the fiend would have +completed. "Speak!" said the fiend, "thy time is now expired."</p> + +<p>And the uplifted sword began most ominously to sway to and fro, as +though about to fall.</p> + +<p>"Have mercy on me, fiend!" screamed the Abbot, "and I will make a vow to +thee that I will repent me of my sins, and I will cease from fleshly +lusts! I will set about mortifying my flesh this very night! I vow to +abstain from meats and strong drink for the space of twelve months if +thou wilt have mercy on me."</p> + +<p>"Silence when I bid thee!" again roared the fiend. "I know thee for a +hypocrite, and thou wilt not abide thy vow. Art thou ready? Quick! bow +thy head, so that I cut it off clean."</p> + +<p>Quick as thought in this dire strait the Abbot sprang to his feet, and +fled with miraculous energy for one so stout and pursy.</p> + +<p>"Hist! hist!" said the fiend to his hound.</p> + +<p>There was a fierce growl and a few long, slouching strides, and the +hound grasped the Abbot's nether parts in his powerful jaws; and with a +yell of pain his reverence fell prone upon his face, writhing, groaning, +wriggling, and yelling, as though ten thousand fiends clutched him. But +the hound clung to him like a vice, chawing his struggling prey the more +lustily as he tried to shake him off. At last the fiend called off his +hound; but at the same time he lifted his sword over the prostrate +Abbot.</p> + +<p>"It is no use thy attempting to fly; thy doom is come, and I am here to +kill thee. Choose at once whether thou wilt be torn in pieces by my +hound or slain by my fiery sword; there is no escape for thee."</p> + +<p>"Have mercy, fiend!" groaned the Abbot piteously; "thy hound hath +well-nigh killed me already. His teeth are red hot, as thou well +knowest. I shall surely die now, after the savage manner he hath torn +me. In mercy leave me the little time left me for repentance. Think of +my poor soul."</p> + +<p>"I am the foul fiend, and there is no mercy now for thee. Thy soul is +forfeited and given into my hands; but what of thy body? decide quick! +Shall I kill thee, or wilt thou be devoured by my hound?"</p> + +<p>Just at that moment, however, the fiend was interrupted, for footsteps +and voices were heard approaching, and presently a couple of troopers, +attracted by the terrible howling of the Abbot, drew near. As they did +so the fiend and his hound promptly disappeared in the wood.</p> + +<p>As these troopers timidly and fearfully advanced to the spot, to their +consternation they beheld the Abbot lying flat along, and bellowing like +any bull of Bashan, and calling upon the saints to come to help him. At +once he was recognised by the pair.</p> + +<p>"Ho, your reverence! what is this? What ails you?"</p> + +<p>"Now the saints be praised! the foul fiend is fled; the Blessed Virgin +hath sent me help, but too tardily, for I am surely done for. The +mischief is ended, and I shall surely die. Had ye tarried but one minute +more, my poor body would have been devoured also."</p> + +<p>"What is it, your reverence! Have you been attacked by wolves?"</p> + +<p>"Alas! I have been set upon by the wolf of hell; I have met face to face +in this very spot the foul fiend. 'Twas the Saxon devil Zernebock, for +he spoke Saxon. He and his furious Hel-hound hath set upon me together. +The fiend was about to kill me with his fiery sword when ye drew near so +opportunely; and his hound hath torn me dreadfully. His teeth were red +hot, and he spouted fire out of his fearful mouth. Can ye lift me up? +for I hardly know whether he hath left me any legs to stand upon. Oh! +not there! not there! did I not tell you he had torn me fearfully +behind. Lift me by the shoulder, but do not touch me behind. Steady, ye +maudlin villains! did I not tell ye to be steady?" he roared most +savagely.</p> + +<p>"I think your reverence had better let me go for help; my comrade will +stand by ye till I come again," remarked one trooper.</p> + +<p>"Stay ye where ye are, villain! Ye do not stir from me, either of ye, +not a yard! If the fiend come again the other one will run also, and I +shall be slain and devoured. Lift me up, ye lazy louts! ye are well +able."</p> + +<p>By dint of tugging and lifting, eventually they set the Abbot on his +legs; but he could not bear to walk, neither could he bear to be +carried; and he would not be left for a moment. Slowly he made an effort +to shamble along, but every step was torture to him, and he swore at the +two troopers as roundly as in his extremity he had prayed to the saints. +It was a most painful and protracted home-coming to all of them; for the +Abbot clutched his deliverers most tenaciously, terrified almost into +frenzy if there was a rustle in the bushes, and conjured up visions of +the fiend and his hound in every object that met his gaze; whilst all +the while he vented upon the two his spleen and rage, sometimes for +their clumsiness and want of sympathy, and at other times for their +having been so long in coming to his aid.</p> + +<p>With infinite trouble they at last reached the Abbey, and the Abbot was +put to bed; but when there he was obliged to lie upon his stomach, for +the hound had severely mauled him behind. Two of the monks were set +apart to nurse him by night, and two by day. The rest of the monks were +commanded to spend so many hours of each day in prayers and in +invocations, whilst penances and fasting were imposed upon all.</p> + +<p>In time, by dint of careful nursing, the Abbot was restored. But he +could not so easily forget the painful lesson he had learnt; and as he +still firmly believed that it was indeed the Saxon devil Zernebock and +his Hel-hound that had set upon him, he never dared venture abroad after +dark until he had banished the fiend from the adjacent woods.</p> + +<p>Then ensued the most comical part of the whole affair. A procession of +the monks to the place of adventure was organised. One headed the solemn +procession bearing a crucifix on which our blessed Lord was impaled. +Others followed next in order bearing the sacred relics, most of which +had been brought from Normandy, and consisted of bones of eminent saints +of the order, also a shred of the garment of our Saviour, the identical +one for which the soldiers cast lots. One carried a front tooth of the +apostle Peter, said to have been broken out at the last supper of our +Lord; and another had a small vial containing a portion of the tears +which Peter shed at the denial, when "he went out and wept bitterly"; +the last had possession of a pair of straps or leathern thongs, said to +have been used to fasten the sandals of the Apostle John when he dwelt +in the lonely isle of Patmos. But most laughable it was to see Badger +and several of the lay brothers of the monastery following behind, with +large ewers containing holy water, with which the monks plentifully +besprinkled the path and its surroundings; all the while chanting psalms +and repeating prayers for the exorcism of the devil and all evil spirits +that haunted the woods.</p> + +<p>One can imagine the uncontrollable delight with which Badger assisted at +this solemn function. And I confess when he told me the whole story I +could not help but laugh most immoderately, though such levity scarcely +became my office, especially when I remembered that our sacred things +had been associated with so ridiculous an exploit. Though I can scarcely +undertake to excuse the deception practised upon this occasion, yet it +had a most salutary effect upon the Abbot, for seldom after that +incident did he venture, under cover of the night, to prosecute his +villainies; though, like most vile and wicked persons, he found other +means of giving rein to his lusts, which were infamous and cruel.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXXVI.</h2> + +<h3>LOVERS PLOTTING.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Good-night, good-night; parting is such sweet sorrow,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That I shall say good-night, till it be morrow."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Shakespeare.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>The day appointed for Alice's ill-starred nuptials draws near with +ill-omened celerity. Anxious consultations and meetings at the +trysting-place with her Saxon lover become most frequent as the fatal +day approaches. To-night, as she climbs the rough stone stairs which +lead to the tower, her heart seems to grow lighter in the toilsome +ascent. When she reaches the top night has already asserted its sway +over the face of nature, and deep silence broods solemnly everywhere +around. On the turret she paces to and fro in deep meditation, whilst +occasionally she steps upon the stone platform and peers anxiously +towards the adjacent wood, and waves her handkerchief. But the night is +dark, and she knows not whether any one is there to heed her signal. +Then she steps down and listens at the head of the stair for the sound +of the welcome footsteps. Though this most serious and portentous crisis +in her life is approaching, and dark-browed Fate seems from day to day +to frown more darkly upon her path, and though she recognises most +vividly the perilousness of the enterprise which Oswald is entering upon +for her deliverance, yet to-night none but pleasant thoughts dance +through her mind, and ever and anon also pleasant smiles persist in +wreathing her countenance in sweet hopefulness, for she conjures up some +pleasing dream of a possible escape from the dreaded union designed for +her. But the wonderful secret of this hopeful spirit is this: her +champion, the Saxon chieftain, will be here to-night. Here it must be +confessed was the chief inspiration of those pleasant thoughts and +pleasant smiles. When he was nigh fear and doubt and dismay never +oppressed her. But alas! this buoyancy of hopefulness was just as surely +followed by cruel depression of spirit, and a dread sense of loneliness +and helplessness, when he was far away—when the hated presence of +Vigneau was obtruded upon her especially. Worst of all, as the appointed +time of marriage drew near, he presumed more and more to thrust himself +upon her; and she must needs hide, as best she could, the feelings of +abhorrence and deep loathing with which she regarded him. She had come +to see the futility of resistance, and of manifesting dislike to him; +for she had no hope that he would abate one jot of his determination to +force the fulfilment of this marriage contract.</p> + +<p>Presently, as she listens, a feeble grating sound strikes her ear, and +she strains anxiously to hear further. Soon a distinct sound of movement +in the winding stair is heard. She rushes to the spot where the steps +reach the platform of the tower, and anxiously peers into the dark +beneath. One moment more and Oswald clasps her to his heart.</p> + +<p>"Ah, you lonely watcher," said he, tremulous with emotion. "How long +have you been waiting here alone? are you not afraid to watch here in +the darkness?"</p> + +<p>"I am not afraid to-night, dearest. I am only a woman, you know, with a +woman's weakness; but I have always fortitude enough to dare anything +for you. Why should I be afraid of darkness, which is only God's +coverlet, drawn with infinite gentleness over tired and sleeping +nature?"</p> + +<p>"Ah! there is a good angel watching over you, Alice dear, whether 'tis +dark or light, and whether I am near or far. So be of good courage."</p> + +<p>"I have faith in God, and I have faith in my Saxon lover; but alas! my +heart fails me often as the fateful day draws nigh. Sometimes I am +almost paralysed with fear, lest some cruel fate should, after all, doom +me to a hated meeting of Vigneau at the altar; but I have a little +friend which I keep sharp and bright, and there is a step beyond which I +go no farther with him."</p> + +<p>"Hush, dearest! such thoughts are cruel; that dreadful alternative you +will never resort to. Vigneau, in his gross attempt to force your hand, +in the face of earth and heaven, will rush upon a fate he recks not of, +but which he richly merits. No more of this, dearest; this hour we will +dedicate to more welcome topics. So a truce to all unpleasant thoughts. +How does the question of questions wear apace? Have you become more +reconciled to my project?"</p> + +<p>"Dearest, do not think me foolish; but since you intimated your +intention of appearing in the lists, I have been engaged in a little +enterprise of my own. I have still my forebodings that you will be +discovered if you venture to enter the lists of the tournament, without +some more effectual disguise than you seem to possess. So, excuse me, I +have been taxing my poor woman's wit in the matter. Would it be wrong to +practise a little ruse upon my father, think you? I have a cousin, who, +some years ago, joined the ranks of the king of Spain, and has gone to +war with him against the Moors in the south. He is much commended by the +king of Spain for his valour. If we could dare to convey to my father a +message that this knight would be present at the festival, and take part +in the joust and feat of arms, you yourself might then assume this +disguise. You would, I think, pass easily for this valiant southern +knight, providing you could arrive opportunely, so as to preclude as +much as possible previous intercourse. Your followers also might be +prepared to enact their part. It would disarm suspicion effectively, I +think."</p> + +<p>"Ah! to be sure, set love a-plotting and the thing is done at once."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! you jest with me. Now listen! I have already set about +embroidering you handsome trappings for your horse, with quaint, +southern devices, which I learnt under the tuition of the good sisters +of the convent. Now, don't laugh, you think it a mad whim, I can see."</p> + +<p>"Nay, nay! my Lady Suspicion," said Oswald, stooping and kissing her, +and giving her a tighter squeeze. "I almost begin to fear you as I think +of the dark plots you are capable of weaving. I never for a moment +dreamed I had found such a subtle schemer. Now, go on; you have got your +finger on the weak point in the plot. I certainly feared the ordeal of +exposure on the field myself; and you have been taxing your 'poor +woman's wit,' and have anticipated my one difficulty. Now for the rest, +dearest."</p> + +<p>"Come down with me to my room. All is perfectly quiet."</p> + +<p>So together they descended the winding stair, and sought Alice's room. +Here she and Jeannette had been deftly plying their fingers in +embroidering most quaint devices upon the trappings of the horses of the +knight and his esquire, and a couple of men-at-arms. Oswald's were most +gorgeously embroidered with silk and gold, upon the finest Bayeaux +cloth, by the fingers of Alice alone. Most beautiful and chaste was the +workmanship, for she had lavished not only her skill, but her love in +the equipment of her champion. The figures were so quaint, the design so +original, and the whole so rich in quality, that no prince could hope to +ride with more tasteful and imposing housings for his steed. Jeannette +also had done her best, it can easily be imagined, to equip her valiant +squire like his master.</p> + +<p>Oswald took the garments in his hands.</p> + +<p>"Well, dearest," said he, "no one will expect a boorish Saxon outlaw to +appear like a Norman prince, that is certain; and I dare warrant no +curious eyes will penetrate a disguise so complete as you are preparing. +Love is not blind in this case, Alice dear, I avouch it; but it has the +gift of prevision also. There remains but one condition to give point +and consummation to this, and it is that your valiant cousin shall prove +himself worthy of such a lady love. But, darling, can you answer this +question,—if Vigneau should be overthrown ignominiously, will the +spoils of war, the fair queen of this high festival, be the lawful prize +of the victor? Now, beware! if you escape the toils of Vigneau, there is +another ominous figure hovering near, who is ready to pounce down upon +you and carry you off."</p> + +<p>"So, I suppose, like an unhappy maiden, I may sing—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"'Then woe is me! a bride I'll be,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Whether I will or no;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For 'tis a law of chivalry—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Victors will have it so.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"Well, if only the 'fair queen' may have the option of choice, I think +in that case the Norman cousin will have it. But do not cherish any vain +hopes; I am sure that Vigneau will gulp down his humiliation, if he +cannot avenge it; and there is no hope of his relinquishing any claims +to myself, though I believe malignant hatred is the only feeling he +cherishes towards me."</p> + +<p>"It were an easy matter to sweep him out of the way; that would be an +easy task; but here comes in a tax upon my conscience, for in spite of +the fact that he richly merits it, to compass his overthrow in cold +blood is abhorrent to my feelings. If I should worst him in the +encounter, he will probably claim satisfaction, and if he does not, but +persists in his determination to claim you as his bride, then, in +accordance with the laws of chivalry, I also will claim your hand, and +challenge him to mortal combat. So, honour and my conscience will be +appeased. May Heaven nerve the arm that battles for the right!"</p> + +<p>"I am afraid the complications will not end even if Heaven rid us of the +Baron, for his brother at the Abbey is fully conversant with my father's +ill-starred confidence."</p> + +<p>"Well, enough, dearest; one step at once. Are there many knights +expected in this tourney?"</p> + +<p>"I scarcely think there will be many. My father is very half-hearted in +the matter, and you may be sure he has no encouragement from myself. The +fewer who are witness of my humiliation the better."</p> + +<p>"Well, I am sure that so far as Vigneau is concerned, the feebler the +opponents the better he will like it; I daresay, though, he counts upon +an easy conquest in any case. Well, now, dearest, don't be discouraged; +I must be away, but I shall look daily for the signal. May happier days +soon dawn for you, and for this unhappy country. <i>Au revoir</i>, darling."</p> + +<p>So saying, with a parting kiss Oswald sped him for the home on the +hills.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXXVII.</h2> + +<h3>THE JOUST, SAXON AND NORMAN.</h3> + +<blockquote><p>"The age of chivalry is gone. That of sophisters, economists, +and calculators has succeeded."—<span class="smcap">Burke.</span></p></blockquote> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>The time had now come about on which De Montfort had promised his +daughter to Vigneau. As was the wont invariably of the Normans, the +ceremony must be preceded by the usual festivities, the most marked of +which was the tournament, or feat of arms. During the reign of our late +king Edward, this was one of the things in which the idle and dissolute +Norman nobility who came over in swarms spent their time. To my very +great sorrow and disappointment, the Saxon nobility copied only too +slavishly this vain and foolish propensity, many of the Saxons being +quite a match for the most skilful of the Normans. For some weeks before +the marriage festivities were to begin, messengers had been sent out to +the various Norman encampments situate within a reasonable distance; and +many knights were expected to take part in the joust. The place which +was selected for this spectacle was near to the castle, and well adapted +for the humbler people, who never failed to gather in considerable +numbers. The tournament would take place in a considerable hollow, with +green hillsides and dense copses around, where a multitude might witness +the wondrous pageantry and the struggle for the honours of the day. The +central arena, where the knights were to contend, was a spacious +enclosure, railed round to the height of about four feet, having two +means of entrance and exit, one at each side, directly opposite each +other, the one used as an entrance solely. There knights, squires, +marshals, judges, etc., were to enter in all the panoply of war and +glittering accoutrements. The other opening was used exclusively for +purposes of exit. Here discomfited knights, disabled horses, and others +who wished to retire might emerge. To the right of the main entrance was +a raised platform, covered with rich tapestry, and capable of seating +some fifty persons. Upon this platform was a dais, or raised central +platform of small dimensions, on which the throne, an elegantly +upholstered chair, was placed, and designed for the occupation of the +"Queen of Beauty." The crowd were kept waiting considerably after the +appointed time, in anticipation of an expected knight from over the sea; +from whom a messenger had been sent, announcing his intention of taking +part in this knightly fray. Eventually, however, Count de Montfort, amid +a flourish of trumpets, issued from the gates of the castle, with his +daughter leaning upon his arm, followed by two of her maids and a +formidable retinue of invited guests, amongst whom was the Abbot +Vigneau, and one or two other ecclesiastics, and a number of Norman +guests. De Montfort escorted his daughter to the throne, and Jeannette +occupied a seat to the right of her. Most fascinatingly lovely was Alice +as she sat in the place of honour, with the victor's chaplet by her +side. Pale, nervous, and anxious, but a veritable queen withal she +looked—her lustrous dark eyes, and masses of dark wavy hair flowing in +graceful undulations over her shoulders, and down to her girdle; her +head crowned with a coronet of beautiful flowers, and one solitary gem +in the centre. All eyes were upon her. Men of gentle blood marvelled at +her surpassing loveliness. Norman men-at-arms and Saxon churls turned +dazed and dreamy eyes towards her, with a persistent gaze as of +fascination. Most of those present, whether gentle or simple, knew well +the manner of man her betrothed was; for Vigneau was notorious in the +camp and the cot for his gross villainy; and most knew, or surmised, +that to-morrow's nuptial tie would be to her a most hateful tie, and a +most unhappy union.</p> + +<p>Jeannette sat close to her mistress; but no dark cloud frowned ominously +over her as over her mistress. Volatile and mercurial to a degree, she +never courted trouble, or recognised his unwelcome visage until it was +thrust upon her; though, like most natures of a like temperament, when +once fairly cornered, as we have seen, the collapse was pitiable and +complete. There, however, she sat, perfectly self-possessed, with an +irrepressible flutter of expectation in her heart and unfaltering +confidence in her star, which was the wonderful and valorous Wulfhere, +whom that day she should see companying with knights and men of renown. +There was more than a wonted animation in her eye, and the roses on her +cheek had taken a deeper and a rosier tint. All agog with the pleasing +promptings of her fluttering little heart, she ran her eyes along the +ranks of the common people who lined the enclosure, or stood together in +groups, discussing the merits of the combatants who were to take part, +and the spectacle which every one looked forward to with such zest. But +Saxon and Norman alike of inferior station were to her contemptible; and +as her eyes fell upon Paul Lazaire, who with despondent gaze looked at +her, she could not restrain a saucy and coquettish smirk of laughter, +which Paul, who thought she never looked half so lovely before, put a +favourable construction upon, and was greatly comforted.</p> + +<p>"Jeannette," said Alice, turning to her anxiously, "I fear the day will +be disastrous, and the Saxon knight will be discovered. That would be +most fearful; I don't think I could survive it."</p> + +<p>"Don't be alarmed, my lady; I am not in the least. Wulfhere and the Earl +will be a match for them all, I'm sure."</p> + +<p>"But, Jeannette, what could a single knight do, contending with so many +foes?"</p> + +<p>"One knight truly would not do much; but you forget, my lady, that he is +sure to be accompanied by his valiant squire."</p> + +<p>"But a solitary esquire would not be of much use. If the Earl be +discovered, he would be surrounded and cut to pieces."</p> + +<p>"Never fear, my lady, you will see Wulfhere will protect him. He'll soon +make an end of a score of this beer-drinking crew."</p> + +<p>"Really, Jeannette," said Alice, smiling in spite of herself, "you have +a good deal of faith in this Wulfhere."</p> + +<p>"Why should I not? He is as pretty a man, and just as valiant as his +leader, and I never intend to halt for want of faith, or starve for want +of hope. Besides, don't you know there has been given to me an +<i>omen</i>?—and I have noticed that they always come true if you have faith +in them."</p> + +<p>"Oh, indeed! Pray, what is the <i>omen</i> you have had, Jeannette?"</p> + +<p>"Well, last night when I went to bed it was not quite dark, and I have a +little window in my room which overlooks a certain spot in the wood +which I shall not tell you about, for it is my <i>tryste</i>."</p> + +<p>"Your <i>tryste</i>, Jeannette? I am afraid you will never cease your +coquetry and foolishness. But your <i>omen</i>, Jeannette?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I was telling you. It was not dark when I went to bed, so I sat +down in front of this window which faces the place where the Saxon and I +meet."</p> + +<p>"<i>The Saxon</i>, Jeannette?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, my lady, the Saxon Wulfhere. Well, in front of the window I told +my beads for a full hour or more."</p> + +<p>"Told your beads, Jeannette I Why, was that to Wulfhere, or to our +Blessed Lady?"</p> + +<p>"To our Lady, of course, though I was thinking about Wulfhere. But I +said my <i>aves</i> and <i>paters</i> to our Blessed Lady most dutifully. Then, +when I went to bed, I put my beads under my pillow as usual, and I soon +fell asleep. Then I dreamed such a strange and wonderful dream. I dreamt +that I was walking through the woods all alone, when I was startled by a +horrid, howling noise behind me, and, turning round, I beheld a number +of fierce wolves pursuing me. I ran for my life, but they ran faster +than I did, and just as the first one was about to grasp me with its +fearful teeth, who should come to my rescue but Wulfhere. I sprang into +his arms, and just as he clasped me safely the wolves all turned tail +and ran off into the wood as though they had been whipped, for they ran +as fast as they could scamper, and howled fearfully. Then I saw there +was a holy man with Wulfhere, with whitened beard, and bearing a +crucifix with our Blessed Lord thereon. This holy man took my rosary +from my hand, and he placed it around my neck. Then he took my hand and +joined it with Wulfhere's. After this, Wulfhere kissed me and placed a +ring on my finger, and I was his wife. Then the holy man placed his +hands on us as we kneeled before him, and he gave us his blessing. But, +wonderful to tell, in the morning when I awoke, I knew it had all taken +place as I dreamed; for I found the rosary was indeed around my neck, +though I am almost certain I put it under my pillow the night before. I +also felt most distinctly Wulfhere's kiss upon my cheek; and, when I +looked in the glass, sure enough there was a little rosy spot around +this little dimple on my cheek where he kissed me."</p> + +<p>Jeannette's invaluable optimism and unflagging hopefulness, though +simple almost to the verge of childishness, did much to fortify Alice +for the trying ordeal before her. In spite of her anxiety, she laughed +outright at the recital of Jeannette's dream. Presently, at the sound of +the trumpet the castle gates were again thrown open, and forth issued a +gaily dressed cavalcade; heralds, marshals, judges, leading the way, and +followed by eight or ten knights armed <i>cap-à-pié</i>, each one being +attended by his esquire. Alice scrutinised closely each knight as they +severally filed past her, and dipped the point of their lances in +salutation.</p> + +<p>"The Saxon is not here. Some accident, I fear, has happened," she +tremulously whispered to Jeannette.</p> + +<p>"Don't agitate yourself, my lady; they will not fail us. Wulfhere said I +should see his face this day; but I was to be careful not to show my +recognition of him, or I should probably betray them."</p> + +<p>Now the scene presented an animated appearance, as the knights and their +esquires ranged themselves on opposite sides of the enclosure, whilst +the heralds, marshals, and judges rode between the ranks, examining the +points of each combatant's lance, to see that each one was blunt, and +such as was allowed by the laws of the tourney.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Norman soldiers crowd round the enclosure, whilst here and +there groups of Saxons are wedged amongst them. Some half-dozen Saxon +churls have been stood together on the outskirts of the crowd for some +time, engaged in eager conversation. A careful observer would perceive +that, despite their cowed and woe-begone appearance, they have some +common purpose in view. They each of them carry a quarter staff,—not a +formidable weapon, it is true; but no formidable weapon would be +permitted them. At one end of those staves they have deftly inserted +stout steel goads, which no casual observer would detect. I was first +attracted to this group, in particular, by having observed them obey +certain signals given by their leader. But my eyes turned on all +occasions naturally and sympathetically to the Saxon portion of the +crowd; and the result of my diligent scrutiny of this little band was +quickened by my discovery of the fact that the leader was none other +than Badger. Presently they divide themselves into couples and take +their stand equidistant from each other, along with the spectators who +line the enclosure. Soon, by dint of pushing and wriggling, they force +their way close to the railings' side.</p> + +<p>Now, at a signal the trumpet again sounds, and a marshal rides into the +centre of the arena, and reads the proclamation and rules of the +tourney. Just at that moment, however, a piercing blast from a horn in +the distance makes the greenwood ring again. Immediately from the leafy +bower there emerges a knight tall of stature, and mail-clad from head to +foot. On his shield he bears a device of the rising sun on a field vert, +and as the rays of the midday sun smite upon his helmet and +breast-plate, the refulgence thereof is as of molten gold. He rode a +handsome charger, whose trappings and housings were richly embroidered +and resplendent with many strange devices. In close attendance rode his +squire, bearing his lance and shield; he also was of brawny and athletic +build, like his master. He had on a helmet with harness of link mail. +His face and hands, which were uncovered, seemed deeply tanned, as +though they had been subjected to long exposure in some sunny clime. +Behind the knight and his esquire there rode a couple of men-at-arms, +bronzed and brown as the squire.</p> + +<p>It was soon buzzed about amidst the crowd that this was the foreign +knight for whose advent the tourney had been delayed a full hour. The +knight and his squire were admitted into the enclosure at once; but the +couple of men-at-arms stood without. There was a brief consultation with +the stewards in the Norman tongue, and the explanations were evidently +satisfactory, for the knight rode on. And as he passed the dais, where +sat the Queen of Beauty, he dipped the point of his lance and bowed low.</p> + +<p>The crimson flood mounted to Alice's face and neck, as she, with great +nervousness, acknowledged the salute. This momentary flush, followed by, +if possible, a still deeper pallor and greater agitation, did not escape +the notice of our Abbot, who turned keen and scrutinising glances, first +on the knight, and then on Alice. He was suspicions as usual. Could it +be possible that there was some love entanglement between these two +which boded evil to his brother the Baron? Hitherto, none had appeared +in the lists, saving knights who would probably be easily overthrown by +Vigneau. Though this was but a joust of courtesy, yet the ignominy of +being unhorsed, he knew, would exasperate his brother into desperation. +This knight of commanding stature, and of warlike appearance and renown, +introduced an element of grave uncertainty into the day's contest. There +was, further, the gravest suspicion that this stranger knight was +imported on purpose to frustrate his brother's union with Alice, a union +which, he knew, was cordially detested by both father and daughter. The +Baron also, suspicious by disposition, with lowering brow glared upon +the stranger from behind his visor, and hated him at sight.</p> + +<p>Not that he feared being overthrown, for his self-confidence was +unlimited. His great weight and personal strength and skill had borne +him to victory in many a famous joust in times past, and he was +contemptuous of any rival he might chance to meet. But a knight young, +handsome, and well-appointed as this stranger, might yet, with De +Montfort's connivance, wrest the prize from his grasp. He swore a deep +oath under his breath, and grasped his lance with a keener clutch. +Clearly he meant mischief.</p> + +<p>The preliminaries being now over, the knights wheeled into line and +faced each other, ready for the signal to charge, their squires being in +close attendance behind. Vigneau and the stranger knight found +themselves opposed by antagonists much smaller in stature, and +indifferently horsed. The trumpeter stood at the head of the lists, +bugle in hand, ready to sound the onset at a signal from De Montfort. +Excitement was visibly expressed in every countenance, the clamour of +voices having given place to a hushed suspense, which was painful and +sickening to Alice; though she saw that Vigneau and the "Knight of the +Sun" would not antagonise each other in the first shock. Now the trumpet +sends forth a shrill blast, and on the instant spurs are driven into +each charger's side, and, with a snort of pain, they dash across the +sward. There is a loud shock, and a confused and struggling mass of men +and horses. Vigneau had thrown the whole weight and strength of himself +and a powerful horse upon a feeble opponent, and both man and horse +rolled over together before him. Then, with a contemptuous oath, he +wheeled again to his place, utterly regardless of his fallen antagonist, +whose horse had kicked him severely in its plunges to regain its feet. +The "Knight of the Sun," on the other hand, rode steadily at his +opponent, and seemed rather to push him over the horse's croup than to +strike him with unmeasured force. Immediately, also, he sprang to the +ground and chivalrously assisted the fallen knight to rise, exclaiming, +as he did so,—</p> + +<p>"None the worse, I trust, Sir Knight?"</p> + +<p>"Only my pride hurt a little," was the reply; "but it was gallantly done +and by a worthier knight, so I yield my steed and wish you further +success; which you will have, I trow, whether I wish it or not, or I am +no judge of your mettle."</p> + +<p>"Take your horse, Sir Knight, I have no need of him, for there is a +better in the lists, I perceive," said the stranger.</p> + +<p>"You have my hearty wishes in the winning of it, if they will do you any +good. Just a word in your ear, nevertheless," said he, drawing close to +the "Knight of the Sun," and uttering in an undertone, whilst he +professed to be adjusting his sword-belt, "You are a stranger, Sir +Knight, but I have known Vigneau a round dozen years at least, so let me +warn you. Beware your man, and doubly so if you throw him. His ugly +carcase is charged with venom from head to foot, and no treacherous +villainy will be too mean, in order to compass his revenge."</p> + +<p>"Thanks for your good wishes, and I will not neglect your advice; but if +he be wise, he will look to himself or he will rue it."</p> + +<p>At the blast of the bugle, the knights who had proved victorious wheeled +into line again; one pair had failed to unhorse each other; but +evidently they were not consumed with a desire to try further their +prowess in the mimic war, for both of them retired from the fray. So +there were but four knights called upon to take part in the next +encounter and brave again the fortunes of war. The stranger knight was +now brought side by side with Vigneau, who surveyed him from head to +foot, then turned sneeringly away, growling to himself, "If length of +limb counted for anything, why, then, he would be formidable enough."</p> + +<p>At the signal calling for the <i>ready</i>, each lance was laid in rest, and +each knight braced himself afresh. Springing again at the call to the +charge, the turf flew from the horses' hoofs, and the shock, in more +than one instance, was enough to throw the horses on their haunches. The +"Knight of the Sun" and Vigneau were again victorious; but the latter +had met a doughtier opponent than he had bargained for, for he had +received a vigorous and well-aimed blow at the pit of his stomach, +discomposing most unpleasantly its contents, and causing his head to +swim with sickly qualms. He recovered his balance quickly, however, much +more quickly than he recovered from the fury of his temper; for, as he +faced about to meet the "Knight of the Sun," he poured out a volley of +fierce oaths at Pierre, who was too slow in his attentions to him. The +tall squire of the stranger dismounted and ran his eyes over the +trappings of his master's steed, tightening a girth here and there, and +whispering to his master as he did so, "He is strong and heavy; it were +better policy to dodge his blow, I think, for he is unmistakably clumsy +and slow."</p> + +<p>"That is the very thing I have been turning over in my mind, and I think +I will try it. Hand me a shorter lance, will you?"</p> + +<p>The squire immediately reached him a lance shorter by some feet; and the +bugle sounded again for the ready amid breathless silence. The whole +scene floated dimly before the sickened gaze of Alice, who was but half +conscious of what was passing in the lists; though she realised with +painful vividness that Vigneau and the stranger were now opposed to each +other. Jeannette put her arm around her mistress and held a small silver +flask of rich scents to her nose, whispering gently to her,—</p> + +<p>"Courage, lady! all goes well, never fear. The stranger will be the +victor."</p> + +<p>Now the combatants brace themselves for the final charge and for +victory. The "Knight of the Sun" grasps his short lance with sinews of +iron, whilst his gaze is intent upon the weapon of his antagonist. The +signal is given, and the chargers bound like an avalanche across the +intervening space. There is a quick swerve of the stranger's body, and +Vigneau's lance passes like a flash over the mailed arm of the knight, a +clear miss. Righting himself as deftly as he had swerved, and without +permitting the point of his lance to deviate one iota from its mark, he +closed in a deadly shock with the bulky Norman. The lance he held was so +short that they seemed almost to rush into each other's arms; but the +point was direct for his antagonist's chest. Vigneau, with an oath at +the failure of his stroke, let go his lance, and aimed a blow with his +clenched fist at his antagonist; but his act of blind fury was utterly +futile and vain; with unerring aim the stranger struck him full on his +steel breast-plate. There was a loud crash of tearing girths, and +Vigneau rolled ignominiously to the ground amid a motley heap of horses, +harness, and trappings.</p> + +<p>Alice's head dropped on Jeannette's shoulder as she faintly asked, +"Who's victor, Jeannette?"</p> + +<p>"The stranger, lady; courage, courage! Vigneau is ignominiously +overthrown."</p> + +<p>"Thank God!" she ejaculated feebly, and her eyes closed in +insensibility.</p> + +<p>All eyes were now turned with a strange fascination towards the two +antagonists, for Vigneau sprang to his feet, drew his broadsword, and +brandishing it in the air like a demon, shouted "<i>Joûte à l'outrance!</i> +Come on, varlet! it is to the death!"</p> + +<p>The Abbot rushed into the arena, vainly endeavouring to restrain the +blind fury of his brother; but with an oath the Baron threw him off, and +rushed at his antagonist, who by this time had dismounted and stood on +his guard. Fiercely exasperated, Vigneau rained blow upon blow, with the +fury of a madman, whilst the stranger contented himself with coolly +parrying or receiving on his shield the frantic blows of his assailant. +The volcano-like rage of Vigneau quickly expended itself uselessly; soon +limp, and spent, and utterly blown, he aimed a last blow with greatly +diminished force. The stranger received it on his shield, whilst with +concentrated energy he sprang upon Vigneau; his broadsword divided the +air like lightning, and descended on the nape of Vigneau's neck, cutting +clean through his armour, and well-nigh severing his head from his body. +Vigneau threw up his arms wildly in the air as he dropped into his +brother's arms, and shrieked frantically in his death agony, "<i>The +Saxon! 'Tis the Saxon!</i>"</p> + +<p>The cry acted like magic upon the whole multitude. Men sprang into the +arena shouting madly to each other they knew not what. Horses reared and +snorted, and plunged in dire confusion. The ruse also so consummately +planned by Badger, in case of any hitch or exposure, was vigorously +acted out. On the instant he and his comrades leaped into the arena, and +deftly dodged in and out amongst the horses, and vigorously applied +their goads to their flanks and sides, increasing the disorder and +confusion a hundredfold.</p> + +<p>Meantime, whilst the vengeful and sanguinary combat between the +champions had been going on, the stranger's squire had seized the reins +of Vigneau's charger as the spoil of the victor; but Pierre sprang at +him in fierce resistance, and immediately the two squires also became +engaged in a passage of arms as fiercely and as determinedly as their +masters. Promptly Badger gave Wulfhere a vigorous push, which separated +the pair. Then in a low tone, but unmistakably in earnest, he said, +"Zounds, man! what are you doing? and where are your eyes? Can you not +see there is not a moment to lose? Do you not see the Norman has +detected your master? Fly, man, quick! or you're a dead man, and Oswald +also."</p> + +<p>Wulfhere, thus suddenly awakened to the peril of the situation, promptly +took Badger's advice and vaulted into his saddle. But his blood was up, +and as he did so, he turned to Pierre, and said,—</p> + +<p>"I'll take care we meet again, villain, never fear. Then we will see +whether aught will save thee from the fate which has befallen thy +master, and which has been dogging thy heels this many a day."</p> + +<p>Oswald, the stranger knight, also by this time fully comprehended the +peril of the situation, and that if they would save their lives flight +was their only resource. So promptly he sprang into the saddle, and +immediately made for the gate, followed by Wulfhere. The two men-at-arms +without the arena had been watching the movements of Oswald and Wulfhere +with feverish anxiety, irresolute whether to rush in to effect a rescue +or not. But no sooner did they see them make for the entrance than they +pushed their horses amid the spectators, and vigorously plying the flats +of their swords upon the shoulders of the churls who thronged and choked +the way, they quickly cleared a passage; whilst Badger and his party +continued to maintain a state of dire confusion in the enclosure. As +soon as the entrance was passed the safety of the Saxons was assured, +and at once falling into the rear of their leader, they dashed across +the plain, and were lost in the woods ere any one comprehended for +certain what strange things had happened.</p> + +<p>Then the Abbot Vigneau strode up to De Montfort, the veins of his neck +standing out with rage and his face livid with passion, and he hoarsely +shouted,—</p> + +<p>"I arraign thee traitor to thy king! and I will have thy head for this +treacherous act! I tell thee if thou hast successfully conspired to +murder my brother, I myself hold the letters thou wouldest give thy +right hand to possess! I will use them to the full, nor rest till thou +hast atoned with thy blood for thy treachery!"</p> + +<p>Meantime, the scene which followed baffled description. The assembled +company could not comprehend the charges made by Vigneau, and were +bewildered at the tragic ending of what was designed for a day's +festivities.</p> + +<p>The condition of Alice was pitiable in the extreme. With returning +consciousness she had seen the fiendish attitude of the Abbot as he +fronted her father. She had heard the wild threats of vengeance, and a +dim sense of uttermost calamity, hanging over her and her father, sent +her back again into a swoon. I roused Jeannette and her companion from +the state of helplessness into which they seemed to have relapsed, and, +under my directions, Alice was carried to her room and laid upon her +couch, whilst such restoratives as were at hand were applied to +stimulate the laggard consciousness, which seemed as though it would +never return.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE SAXON'S REVENGE.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"E'en these, when of their ill-got spoils possess'd,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Find sure tormentors in the guilty breast."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Homer.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>The same night, following the tragic ending of the tournament, and about +two hours after Curfew had rung out its warning to churls, housecarles, +and Saxons, all and sundry, who should be caught abroad after the bell +had voiced the hour, there were seated in the Abbot's room two +individuals engaged in a most earnest conversation. The look of deadly +malignity on their countenances, and the low, fierce oaths with which +they frequently emphasised their speech, was palpable evidence that they +plotted mischief. Though one of them had partially divested himself of +his attire, there was that about his dress which betokened that it was +strangely out of keeping with the language he was using, and the +business he was engaged in. The other was dressed in soldier's attire, +and in the sturdy figure we easily recognise Pierre, confidante and +willing tool of Baron Vigneau, and the sharer in most of his villainous +exploits. The Abbot's room was spacious and lofty, and he had had it +hung with costly silken hangings, and rich Turkish carpets covered the +floor. The furniture also was of carved oak, delicate in workmanship, +and of priceless value; for many handicraftsmen of great skill and +experience came over with the Normans, or followed in the wake of the +soldiery. On an exquisitely carved cabinet had been hastily thrust the +remains of a substantial repast of boiled capon and venison cutlets; +whilst on the table between them were two silver tankards containing +good Rhenish wine, and from which libations, copious and frequent, were +poured down two throats which it seemed impossible to effectually slake. +Several letters on parchment, with the massive seal of De Montfort +impressed upon them, were lying on the table betwixt them, the contents +of which had been duly read over to Pierre by the Abbot; and the +following conversation was proceeding:—</p> + +<p>"No doubt," said the Abbot, "the whole thing was arranged by the cunning +old fox De Montfort and his daughter. The make-believe of a foreign +cousin was a ruse to prevent the exposure of the Saxon villain. His +advent, also, was so timed that not the slightest opportunity was given +to any one to see through his disguise; and he spoke the Norman language +well."</p> + +<p>"Well, I have often wondered at De Montfort's leniency to those Saxon +wolves on the hills. He professed to send for help to William when he +was at York last; but there has been no help forthcoming," said Pierre.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe he ever sent such message; but the devil himself is not +more cunning than De Montfort, and, unless we act promptly, he'll +circumvent <i>us</i>."</p> + +<p>"Well, what's the business? Are you going to make use of those letters, +and have him brought to book promptly?"</p> + +<p>"That is it. What I wish, is that you, Pierre, should take this matter +in hand; for it must be done by some one with sufficient courage and +determination. I should like you to proceed forthwith to the court of +his Majesty William, and lay before him these damning proofs of De +Montfort's treachery. If you will undertake this, I confidently +anticipate that within three months the traitor's head will be suspended +over the gates of his castle. That done, I shall urge my suit for the +possession of his forfeited lands, with well-assured success. Then, +trust me, I will humble the pride of his haughty and scornful daughter. +She shall know promptly, for I will teach her, that though Vigneau is +dead, Vigneau still lives. I love her, and I hate her, and when she is +in my power I will have my fill of both love and hate, mark me! I will +have quits for all I owe her, for she has not only compassed the death +of my brother, but she has thwarted me here constantly, by taking under +her protection that old hypocrite Adhelm (meaning myself). I'll be +revenged on both of them at a blow, mark me, Pierre!"</p> + +<p>"Humph! This sounds well and good, your Reverence, no doubt, from your +standpoint; but, if you will excuse me, I didn't see very clearly at +what point Pierre came in when these good things were to be distributed. +Now, it appears that I shall figure very prominently in the work of +scotching this snake. So, so! well and good, revenge may be very sweet +to you, and maybe it will be sweet to me; I'll not deny I like the +flavour of it, but, after that, what additional? I shall want either the +skin or the carcase, certainly, if I shoot the deer; if not, why, marry, +I'll never bruise my shins in the chase. So, will you please point out +where this thing is to be profitable to me? Devil's work, you know, +should be well paid, for we must scorch for it by-and-bye, must we not, +eh?"</p> + +<p>"Thou shalt have everything I am able to bestow, Pierre; and thou shalt +find that in my exalted position my powers of promotion will be equal to +thy deserts. How sayest thou? wilt thou try the monk's calling? Nothing +easier! I was a soldier ere I donned the <i>hair shirt</i>, eh! and took to +mortifying the flesh, as thou well knowest I have done most rigidly at +all times."</p> + +<p>"Marry, 'tis quite true, the devil himself would vouch for it; and a +merry jest it is. And now, after your Reverence's example, there's no +saying, but we may expect the devil himself to turn monk some day; and, +in faith, by copying your Reverence closely, he'd make more sinners +in't, than he would by his old tricks;" and Pierre laughed most +immoderately.</p> + +<p>"Thou hadst ever a sharp tongue, Pierre, and little regard for thy +betters; but I absolve thee. Nevertheless, I advise <i>thee</i> to the <i>holy</i> +calling also. Then what could hinder me bestowing upon thee my Abbot's +office? The best of all things would be at thy command—ease, wine, +wenches, and a jolly fat trencher at all times. I warrant thee there is +no life so merry and so bountiful as the command of a good fat +monastery."</p> + +<p>"Bravo!" shouted Pierre, who was immensely tickled by the Abbot's +suggestion; and, bursting again into a roar of laughter, he cried, +"well, this is too rich for anything! Pierre turned <i>Saint</i>; ha, ha, ha! +'Twould be after the most godly example of your Grace, I trow. Ha, ha! +good! I'll wash it down, anyhow;" and he raised the tankard to his lips, +and cried, "Drink to't, your Reverence. Here's to <i>Saint Pierre of pious +memory</i>;" and promptly he drained the tankard to the bottom; then, +bringing it down again with a bang upon the table, he fairly roared with +laughter.</p> + +<p>"Thou art an ass, Pierre! An arrant ass!" said the Abbot, who was +considerably nettled at the freedom with which Pierre made a jest of him +and his office. "Canst thou not see that after the Baron's death De +Montfort will soon be quit of us if we cannot checkmate him? To jest +under the gallows, and end it by swinging on them, is fool's work."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, I'll turn the matter over carefully, I think," said Pierre +a little more soberly. "Your Grace has done it, and I think there is +something in it. I don't know how the sneaking method of doing things, +after the dare-devil manner familiar to me, will suit my stomach. I have +always liked the chase better than the game, and I confess I would +rather fight it through, come what may.</p> + +<p>"But," said he, bursting into a loud guffaw, as the ludicrousness of his +turning monk thrust itself upon him, and relapsing again into the +jocularity and bitter sarcastic tone familiar to him,—</p> + +<p>"Now that <i>you</i> recommend it so strongly, I think I will retire from +<i>active duties</i>, and grow fat and wheezy like yourself. Anyhow, it +stands to reason, the bigger the paunch the more good sack wine it will +hold, and that is an item. True, too, a lazy life and a lascivious +appetite are bound to go together. Less force to labour, and more to +lechery; that's the sum of it. I think I come to't, your Reverence. +Beshrew me! what would any man have? for if he lust lustily, and be a +jolly trencherman to boot, with his fill provided to him, what can he +wish for more? My hand on it, your Reverence! I'll undertake the +venture. It is a mad hazard, but I like it none the worse for that!"</p> + +<p>"Then when wilt thou start on thine errand, Pierre? Time is precious. +The Count knows I have possession of those letters, and, mark me, he +will circumvent us if he can."</p> + +<p>"Line my pocket with gold pieces and I'll start at cock crowing, and De +Montfort may catch me if he can, when once I get the start of him."</p> + +<p>Slowly at that instant the door opened behind them, and Oswald, Wulfhere +and a couple of attendants, armed to the teeth, entered, and closed the +door behind them, whilst one stout yeoman set his back against it. The +countenance of Vigneau fell on the instant as though a sword had pierced +him, and he became livid as death. Hastily clutching at the letters +lying on the table, he endeavoured to thrust them into a recess of the +cabinet, and he fairly cowered in abject terror before these strange +visitants. On the contrary, Pierre whipped out his broadsword, and +fiercely stood at bay; his savage valour being in striking contrast to +the crouching cowardice of the Abbot.</p> + +<p>"Give place, master," said Wulfhere, advancing on Pierre; "this fellow +is mine. You have already had your revenge. Now, blood-thirsty villain," +said he, addressing Pierre, "I told thee, did I not, that the time would +come when thou shouldest answer to me for thy cruelties and murders? the +time has come now; and thou canst no longer shirk the fate that has long +awaited thee."</p> + +<p>"Did I ever shirk meeting thee, or any churlish Saxon in Britain? Give +me fair play, and I'll give thee a speedy passage to the devil, sirrah!" +said Pierre savagely, striding towards Wulfhere.</p> + +<p>So the two stood upon their guard. The Abbot shrinking in mortal terror +in one corner, whilst Oswald and his followers looked on in anxious +suspense; for they knew well the strength and brutal valour of Pierre, +who was ever foremost in any fray, and equally an adept at either stroke +or thrust. Wulfhere also was second to none amongst the Saxon outlaws in +skill and strength, or personal bravery. Toe to toe for a moment they +stood eyeing each other with lips set, and mortal enmity in their eyes. +Then stroke and thrust and parry followed each other in rapid +succession. The rapid advancing or retiring, as each one gave or +received a stroke, by these powerful gladiators, wrought the spectators +to such a pitch of excitement that they held their breath almost to +suffocation. But the climax came in a totally unexpected manner. +Wulfhere drove at his antagonist a powerful sweep of his sword, but +Pierre effectually interposed his sword and parried the blow. Such was +the force of the blow, however, that the treacherous weapon flew in two, +the point striking the opposite side of the room, and the hilt, with +half the broken blade, remaining in Wulfhere's hand. Ere Oswald could +interpose between them, Pierre shouted,—</p> + +<p>"Aha! Now I have you!" and rushed in with a furious lunge at Wulfhere's +body.</p> + +<p>The words were true enough, but not in the sense in which Pierre had +uttered them; for with lightning-like agility Wulfhere sprang aside, and +the glittering weapon slid harmlessly into the empty air beyond him. So +confident, however, had Pierre been of the helplessness of his opponent, +and so confident of the deadliness of his thrust, that he took no +precaution whatever of his own body. The eager rush also of his own +onslaught, coupled with the force with which Wulfhere drove the broken +blade at him, caused it to pass clean through his body, and, with a +groan and a half-uttered oath, he fell forward on his face, dead.</p> + +<p>The Abbot, as he witnessed the close of the tragic scene, literally +crawled to the feet of Oswald, begging piteously for mercy. One of the +men-at-arms who accompanied Oswald, advanced upon him, and said,—</p> + +<p>"Leave him to me, master. Now, dastardly fiend!" said he, addressing the +Abbot, "there has come a reckoning day even for you. You remember the +little cot out yonder befouled by your infamous presence. You know the +boy murdered by you in cold blood, and waiting to be avenged until this +hour. The time has come at last."</p> + +<p>"Have mercy upon me," moaned the Abbot, "and I will recompense you +liberally. Take this gold chain," said he, removing a massive gold chain +from his neck, "it is very valuable, and I will give thee more."</p> + +<p>"If you think a gold chain will recompense me for my dead child, base +hound, you are greatly mistaken. His blood cries for vengeance, and I +will exact it now."</p> + +<p>As he spoke he raised his sword, and at a blow he severed the Abbot's +head from his body.</p> + +<p>"This is most ghastly work," said Oswald, "and to be done within the +sacred precincts of this edifice it is most deplorable. But surely +iniquities such as these men have constantly and unblushingly +perpetrated call for most drastic remedies. Men, gather up these bodies, +and bury them deep in the woods before the dawn."</p> + +<p>The two men-at-arms called in some of their fellows who were watching in +the corridors outside, and, swathing the bodies in the Abbot's robes, +they hurried along the corridors and out of the grounds, bearing their +ghastly burden to secret burial in the forest.</p> + +<p>Oswald and Wulfhere remained behind engaged in diligent search.</p> + +<p>"There are certain documents possessed by this man which are of vast +importance to some one I would like to serve," said Oswald. "We must +find them, if possible, ere we quit this place. I saw the Abbot hastily +remove some papers as we entered, as though he was exceedingly anxious +to conceal them. I strongly suspect they are the letters I would fain +lay hands upon."</p> + +<p>So saying, he advanced to the cabinet, and throwing it open, almost +immediately drew forth the letters which had well-nigh had such dire +effects upon the life and happiness of Alice De Montfort. Oswald gave an +exclamation of pleased surprise as the seal of De Montfort caught his +eye, and, hastily unfolding them, he eagerly ran over their contents one +by one, and, as he gathered their import, he said to Wulfhere,—</p> + +<p>"These are indeed a treasure more precious than gold. They bear evidence +of one fatal mistake on the part of one whose astuteness is otherwise +marvellous; and they have been an instrument of terror to the author of +them for a long time. Now this dread secret will henceforth be sealed +for ever. Sealed it is in the death of those who knew and used it so +unscrupulously; and it will soon be sealed in the destruction of these +documents."</p> + +<p>So he hastily thrust them into his bosom, and they continued their +search. But nothing further that had any bearing upon the subject could +be found.</p> + +<p>"Our work in this place is evidently at an end for the present," said +Oswald. "So let us be gone, for I would finish this day's work. I wot +there are some who at this moment are in terrible suspense, and are +awaiting in well-nigh mortal terror for the further development of this +tragedy. So let us away, the night is still young, and there is a voice +eagerly calling for me."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXXIX.</h2> + +<h3>BEWARE THE VIKING.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"O'er bog or steep, through strait, rough, dense, or rare,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With head, hands, wings, or feet, pursues his way,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And swims, or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or flies."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Milton.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>We left Sigurd and his two followers in the cave in the mountains. +Sigurd, as usual, was restless and eager for further attacks upon the +Normans. So, early next morning, one of his men, in obedience to his +commands, climbed to the top of the mountain for the purpose of +signalling the scattered band, who, since the departure of their leader, +with the wounded chieftain Oswald—narrated previously—had been in +hiding in small companies, or singly, with their wives and children. +This messenger laboriously scaled peak after peak until he mounted the +loftiest eminence of all; from whence, far away in the hazy distance, +summit after summit towered heavenwards, with scarred weird valleys +lying between them, and the placid wood-encircled lakes in goodly number +shining like burnished silver, looking up to heaven, reflecting sun and +cloud in their still depths. The man, ignorant, unlettered, and +uncultured as he was, felt the mighty inspiration; and he stood +passively for a few minutes surveying the scene lying before him. Then +slowly he turned upon his heel until he had faced every point of the +compass, taking in the mighty distances within the circle of these +mountain sentinels, with the magnificent and inspiring solitudes around +on every hand. The cool mountain breeze stirred his long, unkempt locks +and beard; and the air, pure as the unsullied breath of heaven, like an +inspiration thrilled through his lungs, and poured its vitalising energy +through every vein in his body. Not a sound, however, broke from his +lips betokening any sense of admiration or appreciation of what he +looked upon. Only some half-articulated guttural sounds betokened +intense inward satisfaction. But now, in a moment, quick as thought, his +brawny arms unfolded from across his broad chest, and a fierce fire of +rage kindled in his eye; a savage expression also escaped his lips, for +the deep baying of a hound broke upon his ear, and turning, he saw down +in the valley yonder, Norman soldiers putting bloodhounds on the trail +of his chieftain, Sigurd. Instantly, without staying to rear aloft the +beacon, which was to speak to comrades hiding in distant valleys or on +the distant hills, he darted over the shoulder of the hill, and with +long, fleet strides, seemed almost to fly towards the cave, where, in +hiding, he had left his master. On reaching the cave he hurriedly +explained to Sigurd the position of affairs. With a savage exclamation +the chieftain said,—</p> + +<p>"Ha! they hunt me with dogs again, as though I were a wolf or a hog. +Well, let them beware! the wild boar of the mountains will find them +more sport than will be pleasant, as he has done many times before! I +suppose it will be a long race, for these Norman sleuthhounds are sure +of scent, and will not be easily shaken off! Forward ye up the burn; we +will go over the head, for there is a trap laid for them up yonder. From +thence we go down into Deepdale, keeping along round the head of +Ulleswater. Ye will get a good start, and may take it easy."</p> + +<p>"What will ye do, Jarl? If ye mean to attack these Norman dogs, we would +rather stand by you and share the risk."</p> + +<p>"I shall be ruled by fate. Skuld, the Viking's friend, has me in his +keeping; I shall not be slain; but one thing I must do, I must show +myself to them, so as to divert the scent from this place. We must not +let the hounds lead them to our lair here, for it is a snug port in a +storm, and we shall need it for rest many times yet, I fear. When I have +showed myself to them, I shall follow after you. As ye scale the summit +ye may look out; if I need you I will signal, but it is not likely."</p> + +<p>Buckling on their swords alone, so as to be lightly equipped, the two +men followed the water-course which marked the dividing line betwixt the +hills on either side, and which, in its turn, was flanked on each hand +by the dense wood stretching for more than a mile further up the burn, +until the inhospitable Zone was reached, where tree and shrub were +pinched and stunted into barrenness by the chill mountain air, and where +shelter only could be obtained by the innumerable and gigantic limestone +boulders, which grimly stood sentinel over the leaping and tumbling +waters. Sigurd hastily stowed away some provisions in a leathern case, +which he strapped over his shoulders. Then, buckling on his belt, from +which his broadsword was suspended, he crept from his hiding-place and +strode upwards through the tangled undergrowth, making for the clear on +the mountain side. His purpose, as we have already said, being to throw +the hounds off the old scent which led to the cave overlooking the tarn, +and to draw them directly after himself; for he was very little dismayed +at the prospect, so confident was he of his own power to keep them at a +safe distance, and weary out, if need be, the Norman band. Having +cleared the wood, he climbed up the hillside for a little way, scanning +carefully the course along which the enemy must come. All was quiet as +yet, so he sat him down to await events. He had not long to wait in this +position, however, ere the cry of the hounds and the shouting of men +smote upon his ear, and he started to his feet. Yonder in the distance, +and coming along the mountain side, he espied a couple of men, each +leading a hound, and a company of thirty or forty Norman men-at-arms +followed after. Climbing upon a knoll, professedly to survey the party, +but in reality to attract attention to himself, he stood for a moment, a +conspicuous figure on the barren hillside, and speedily he was seen by +the Normans, who set up a great shout of exultation as they beheld the +burly figure of their dire foe so nearly in their power. Sigurd waved +his sword defiantly in their faces, and then turned and sped him after +his men, towards the valley's head. Eagerly the Normans followed after, +having Sigurd almost constantly in view; and, as they deemed, soon to be +run down and captured.</p> + +<p>As they followed after Sigurd up the valley it grew gradually into a +most desolate and awe-inspiring solitude. All along the mountain summits +the limestone rocks jutted out clear of every vestige of verdure—bare, +bold, ominous, and frowning. The slow, but persistent disintegrating +influences of climate and atmosphere had, through the centuries, slowly +diminished their beetling heads; and all adown their scraggy sides layer +upon layer of rocky fragments testified most eloquently that rugged and +strong as were these rocky eminences, there was a despoiler strong +enough even to cope with their might; whilst in the bottom of the glen +were huge rocks lying where Nature's invisible fingers had toppled them +from the summit. Few living things haunted the place. Yonder, over the +crest of the mountain, a pair of golden eagles were wheeling in circles, +delighting in the strength of their matchless pinions. Here and there a +rabbit might be seen stealing in and out amongst the boulders. Several +carrion crows, with hoarse croak, flitted from boulder to boulder in +ominous expectation of coming carnage. Rich and plentiful had been their +fare since the coming of the Normans, and, with true instinct, these +flying Saxons and pursuing Normans, they knew, were prophetic of +gratification to their base appetites.</p> + +<p>On the Normans came, their following after being greatly expedited by a +constant sight of the quarry. For there was no need to be careful, or +anxious lest their hounds lost the trail. Sigurd was not a quarter of a +mile ahead, but in consequence of the ascent, and the rough ground to be +traversed, it represented a good start. He was also a much more powerful +and skilful mountaineer than they were, and with the utmost ease he held +the distance. As they progressed the ascent became steeper and steeper, +wilder and more rugged. Frequently they lost sight of the Viking chief, +as he disappeared behind huge boulders or frowning rocks, only to see +him reappear again on some promontory still higher, from which he would +watch them for a minute or two as they struggled after him, the savage +defiances he shouted falling easily upon their ear. Nearer and nearer, +however, they came towards the head of this rugged and water-furrowed +gorge. Running along the topmost ridge of the hill on either side of the +cleft, down which the water rushed, was a long line of steep beetling +crags, bare, jutting, verdureless rocks, well-nigh impossible to scale, +and involving a wide circuit to outflank. The waters, through countless +generations, with unceasing rush and swirl, had shorn these flinty +limestone rocks asunder in one steep slit from top to bottom; and to +track the "mad Saxon"—as Sigurd was called by the Normans—through this +weird crevice, was to penetrate a mere fissure between steep and +overhanging rocks on either side, and so full of twists that the path +was frequently completely hidden a couple of yards in advance. The Saxon +knew his ground well.</p> + +<p>Not so these Normans; but, enough for them, their foe was a flying foe, +and they were numerous and consequently valorous. Ignoring completely +the many lessons of personal valour and mad daring this man had taught +them in the past, without pause they boldly followed after, the hounds +foaming at the mouth and tugging at the leash. 'Twas a fearsome gap to +enter, and they had not proceeded far when a jutting crag projected, and +the waters were compelled to make a circuit in order to flow round it. +With a deep bay, and an eager plunge in the turbid, rushing waters—for +he scented blood—the hound which led the party dashed past the +projection, eagerly dragging the Norman who followed after and held him. +But a blow of Sigurd's sword cut the hound clean in two, and a second +blow clave the Norman who held him. With a great shriek, a +terror-stricken cry, and without pretence of defence, they turned in an +eager scrambling retreat, each caring only for himself, and leaving the +rearmost to the mercy of the savage giant who followed after. When they +reached the open ground, where in numbers they could assail their foe, +no foe was in sight. Sigurd had exhausted his opportunity and was gone. +Who now would be first to enter again, and force this wild man from his +lair? Alas! not one! There was, however, no time to lose, and the +Normans were consumed with impotent rage. So some of them hurried round +by the end of the crags, whilst some scaled the face of the cliff, each +and all endeavouring, with utmost speed, to come upon the rocks above. +This was done eventually, and, swarming to the brink of the rift, many +heads endeavoured cautiously to peep over and down into the +water-course, intensely hoping, but almost fearing, to set eyes upon +their foe. But no Saxon was to be seen. They then rushed along the sides +of the fissure, peeping down as they ran, and making sure that their +victim was safely entrapped in his lair after all. But there was not a +trace of him. On and on they rushed, over-lapping each other in turns, +until, eventually, they came to the very summit, where the water-course +had completely run out into a mere hollow, a deep, spongy marsh or bog. +Hastily overtopping the hill, they eagerly looked down into the valley +beyond. With wild execrations of rage they beheld the object of their +direst hatred and fear moving down the mountain side with long, swinging +strides, nearly a mile ahead, and immediately he disappeared in a dense +wood, which seemed to stretch out its sheltering arms to the fugitive.</p> + +<p>Sigurd was now joined by his two comrades, and together they pushed on +for two or three miles through the forest, eventually rounding the head +of Lake Ulleswater, and patiently climbing the steep headland on the +opposite side of the lake. Here they halted for a while to rest and eat; +but they were soon again roused to action by the voices of men and hound +persistently following after. For the Normans were enraged, and, with +the remaining hound, they continued mile after mile to track their arch +enemy. Sigurd and his men, at a steady trot, continued to lead the +chase, covering another five or six miles down the side of the lake +without halting.</p> + +<p>"Shall we keep up the race until we weary them out, Jarl?" remarked one +of the men to Sigurd.</p> + +<p>"No, I have another purpose in view; but this long race, with the taste +of steel in the middle of it, will do them good."</p> + +<p>"Ye do not purpose making for the cave, Jarl, do ye? There are not half +a dozen men there, and we are no match for this company. Then there are +the women and children to be thought of."</p> + +<p>"No, that will not do at present. The boat will be safely moored at the +foot of Hawks' Cliff, will it not, think ye?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I doubt not," was the reply. "I see now, Jarl. It is very good. To +slip the noose so deftly when the Normans think to hang us is well +thought of."</p> + +<p>On for a little while the three continued, until coming to the +rendezvous known to them as Hawks' Cliff—stupendous rocks shorn down +with well-nigh a perpendicular face and overhanging the lake. Down these +rocks, which required a cool head, deft feet, and a knowledge of the +giddy path, these three swiftly descended, until the water was reached, +where a boat was found snugly moored beneath the sheltering arms of the +trees which fringed the water's edge. Into this boat the three stepped, +and as the pursuers drew near they pulled away from the shore, making +for the opposite side of the lake. Here was a masterly manœuvre, +completely foiling the enemy. For whether they went round by the bottom +of the lake, or retraced their steps by the head, it meant a start of +ten or twelve miles to the fugitives; and with the day wearing on, and +the pursuers wearied and fagged, the chase was manifestly closed for the +day, with one more futile attempt to destroy this redoubtable enemy, who +unweariedly persisted in exacting bloody tribute from their ranks, +disdaining every overture of reconciliation, and defying their utmost +efforts to subdue him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XL" id="CHAPTER_XL"></a>CHAPTER XL.</h2> + +<h3>THE HOUR BEFORE THE DAWN.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"What outward form and feature are<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He guesseth but in part;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But what within is good and fair<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He seeth with the heart."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Coleridge.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Through the woods with sure-footed fleetness their powerful horses bore +Oswald and Wulfhere on the fateful night of their visit to the +monastery. Matters of most momentous importance to Oswald at least, as +well as to Alice and the Count her father, called for urgency, and would +brook no delay. Presently the pair stood together in the wood, hard by +the place of the mysterious passage. "Hold the horses, Wulfhere, and +await my return; our rest will be more welcome, and much sweeter when we +have brought peace unto others, and disburthened our minds of the +momentous issues following on this day's work." So saying, he swung +himself aloft, and speedily disappeared in the cavernous recesses of the +giant oak.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, on the turret a lonely figure paced round and round its +battlemented heights in the shivering cold, but all unconscious, and +insensible to its chilling influences. It was Alice De Montfort who +waited and watched in the loneliness of the night, hoping, yet +despairing of hearing the welcome voice, or seeing the welcome form of +her Saxon lover. Ever and anon, as she paced to and fro, she lifted up +her tear-stained eyes in voiceless prayer to the heavens above her; but +the driving clouds as they scudded across the face of the sky, seemed to +shut out hope, and all response from the vaulted blue, toward which she +looked for succour and for comfort. Then in mute agony she turned from +the Omnipotent, whose form she could not see; and whose voice she could +not hear, but who, though as yet there was no token, had nevertheless +heard her prayer ere it was uttered, and in His own way was sending +fleet messengers of hope.</p> + +<p>Was there hope and help in man? She mounted the parapet and peered long +and anxiously over the bastions into the cheerless night, listening with +strained attention for sound of voice or human footfall. But the teeth +of the driving wind bit with piteous severity her wan cheek, and she +sank down again beneath the shelter of the wall.</p> + +<p>"Will he come to-night?" she yearningly asked of the empty air.</p> + +<p>Her faint heart gave the answer to the question.</p> + +<p>"No, he is a fugitive and a hunted Saxon; a wolfshead and an outlaw; and +after this day's vengeance he must hide himself as best he can. But I +love him all the more for that, for he is brave and true, and I will +gladly share poverty and exile with him. What would I not give this +moment to know that he is safe? to feel the grasp of his strong arm; to +hear his voice, resolute as a hero's should be, yet withal so tender, +that a little babe would be hushed to sleep by its gentleness, as though +'twere a mother's lullaby. How danger seems to fly from me, and dark, +overhanging fate is fronted by silver-winged hope when he is nigh! But, +alas! vain are all my hopes, for he comes not. Perhaps already the +traitorous minions have avenged themselves in his blood, and I shall +never see him more. I must fain get me to my chamber and weep, and pray +the night away, in the hope that with to-morrow's light there may come +some tidings of him. Just one last look from the bastion ere I descend."</p> + +<p>So saying, she rose to her feet. Ah! a footstep on the stone stair +arrests her attention. Some spy upon her movements—she is discovered! +Her heart beats feverishly, and she sinks to the ground with the day's +carnage flitting indistinctly before her mental vision. Ah! what is +that? The tall form of the Saxon chieftain is outlined in the dim light, +and with a cry of uncontrollable delight, and with supernatural energy +she bounds across the intervening space, and flings herself into his +strong arms in sweet insensibility.</p> + +<p>"You are my own now, sweetheart," said Oswald, folding her to his +breast, and imprinting a kiss upon her cold brow. "You anxious one; +whatever have you been doing? watching in this chill night air all +alone, and so scantily clad too."</p> + +<p>The ears into which he uttered his loving words were deaf; and the eyes +into which he vainly strove to look were closed.</p> + +<p>"Poor child," said he, "this is too bad."</p> + +<p>Then he folded her tightly in his arms and rested his warm cheek against +hers. Her eyes slowly unclosed, and for a moment she gazed up into his +face. Then slowly they closed again, and a sweet smile passed over her +features, the revulsion of feeling from despair to the joy of hope was +delicious. Like a little child waking in agony from some horrid dream, +and finding its mother's form bending over it, and forthwith dropping +once more into sleep, and peace, and rest.</p> + +<p>For a minute or two she was perfectly passive, whilst the new joy seemed +to be saturating her whole being.</p> + +<p>"I am so glad you have come," she said, rousing herself. "I was filled +with most dreadful forebodings of disaster to you, to my father, and to +all of us. Excuse my silence, but the joy was so great I could do +nothing but quietly drink it in. This horrid day has nearly killed me. +Even now I am more afraid of the future. After you fled the Abbot boldly +charged my father with disloyalty, and with having planned the day's +slaughter of his brother. His rage and his threatenings were dreadful to +hear, for he vowed that he would forthwith lay the matter before the +king."</p> + +<p>"Fear not, dearest, the worst is past. Everything has this day been +purged away in blood. I care not to think about it, much less to talk +about it. But after all, only the barest justice has been done, and I +know of nothing that calls for repentance. Has the Count retired to +rest?"</p> + +<p>"No. I fear there will be little rest for him to-night. I left him some +time ago pacing his room in despair, and revolving in his mind various +plans for frustrating the malicious intentions of the Abbot."</p> + +<p>"Other hands have already frustrated the evil designs of that most +wicked and loathsome representative of the Church. The avenger has met +him face to face, and he is no more. Come, let us go down to the Count. +I am the bearer of news which will make him look kindly upon even a +Saxon outlaw. Come with me, one telling of the story will suffice."</p> + +<p>So together they descended the turret stair and sought De Montfort's +room. Alice gave a gentle knock upon the heavy oaken door, but there was +no response. Then she gently pushed open the door, and the pair entered +together. The Count was sat with his elbows on the oaken table, his face +buried in his hands, and totally oblivious of their entrance.</p> + +<p>"Father!" said Alice gently.</p> + +<p>The Count gave a start and raised his head, and immediately started to +his feet at the spectacle which met his sight; for the stalwart Saxon +once more stood before him: his astonishment being still more inflamed, +as he witnessed his fair daughter lovingly clinging to the outlawed +chieftain's arm, and radiant with smiles.</p> + +<p>"Alice!"</p> + +<p>"Father, give this noble Saxon a hearty welcome, for he richly merits +it. A long time since I unwittingly gave him my heart, or rather he took +it, and he has proved himself our bravest and truest friend. He is +bearer also to-night, I believe, of most welcome news."</p> + +<p>So saying, she led her Saxon lover to the Count, and Oswald, dropping on +one knee, said,—</p> + +<p>"Noble sir, your lovely daughter some time ago, in pure pity, gave me my +life. On the night of the taking of this castle she opened the prison +doors, and with her own hands undid my shackles——"</p> + +<p>"Alice, I little thought that it was your doing!"</p> + +<p>"Wait, father, till you hear this noble Saxon's story, and you will +chide me no more for that act of mercy."</p> + +<p>"Noble sir," said Oswald, "we Saxons never permit a debt of honour to go +unrequited. I have endeavoured as best I could to discharge the debt of +honour so nobly laid upon me; but the fair creditor has taken possession +of my heart. I cannot eject her, if I would; and I would not, if I +could, eject so lovely and so winsome a tenant."</p> + +<p>"Pray be seated, Saxon; I confess I do not understand the language used +by either you or my daughter, nor do I know how far it is permissible +for me to hold friendly intercourse with one whom my king expects me to +be at deadly enmity with. But Saxon or not, you deported yourself to-day +as a brave man and a true knight should do. The disguise was well +planned and complete, and your advent timely. It was most daring, but +what its purpose was I am at a loss to know."</p> + +<p>"Its purpose was to rid you and yours of a most deadly viper, and to rid +our race of a blood-thirsty tyrant."</p> + +<p>"I divine thou knowest more of my concerns than it is meet a stranger +should. But, be that as it may, I know not whether I am indebted to thee +or not, for one viper laid low has given birth to others, whose venom I +dread even more, and whom I have no means of appeasing.</p> + +<p>"It is better I should explain, sire. It is true I became possessed of +your secret, but the gratitude I owed to your daughter for the life +given back to me from the jaws of death, as well as for the love I bore +her, also for the fierce retribution I and my people owed to the +brothers Vigneau, for numberless cruelties and outrages dealt out to our +people, caused me to watch with scrupulous care, that I might serve you +and yours and rid my people of a deadly terror. I have news for you, +sire. Not only is Baron Vigneau dead, but also the Abbot, his brother, +has fallen by the avenging hand of an outraged countryman of mine, and +has been carried to his burial in the silent woods. Furthermore, here +are the fatal letters," said Oswald, drawing them from his bosom and +handing them to the Count.</p> + +<p>"No living man, save ourselves, I believe, is aware of the nature of +them, so it is easy to end their potency for mischief."</p> + +<p>At the sight of the fatal letters which had for so long a time hung over +him like the sword of Damocles, the countenance of the Count lighted up +as though it were by magic, and, reading them over carefully, one by +one, he ejaculated, "Thank God!" Then rising from his seat he walked to +the huge fireplace, in which were the smouldering remains of a wood +fire, and he dropped them into the embers, and watched the quick flame +as it sped up the chimney. After this he most carefully raked over the +filmy remains a pile of burning charcoal; then he returned to the table, +and turned a satisfied and kindly look upon Oswald.</p> + +<p>"Did I understand you to say, Saxon, that the Abbot was dead also?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sire, I knew well that the work was but half done and the +deliverance half accomplished whilst the Abbot lived. I knew also that +the least delay would be fatal, so I and a few followers made bold to +force an entrance to the monastery, where we found the Abbot in close +consultation with one Pierre, whom doubtless you have met."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, Pierre—I know him well—a brave man, but an arrant villain +withal. I trust he is not acquainted with this foolish act of mine."</p> + +<p>"We found the Abbot communicating the whole matter to him, and by bribes +and promises inciting him to proceed at once to London, and lay the +letters before William. He hoped to bring down upon you the King's +vengeance, and then to possess himself of your lands and possessions."</p> + +<p>"And what of Pierre? then, is he at large, and in possession of this +information?"</p> + +<p>"No, sire. The stalwart fellow who acted the part of squire to me in the +tournament had cause of quarrel with him personally, as well as a long +catalogue of crimes against our people to avenge. He challenged Pierre, +and single-handed, and in fair fight slew him; so he also is no more."</p> + +<p>"Saxon, 'tis well done, whilst I have been moping and irresolute how to +act, you have planned and executed. It is well done, as I have said, and +I am a life-long debtor to you. But what is this betwixt yourself and my +daughter? I am bewildered. Alice, are you two lovers?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, father."</p> + +<p>"And this thing has been going on for some time evidently, and under my +very nose, and I as blind as a bat. This is passing strange; I confess, +almost with shame, my obtuseness."</p> + +<p>Alice rose from her seat, threw her arms about her father's neck, and +affectionately imprinted a kiss upon his cheek, saying,</p> + +<p>"Forgive us, father; we meant you no wrong, and we dared not confess +until the circumstances were favourable; but all the while have we been +carefully planning how we might extricate you from the power of your +enemy."</p> + +<p>"I have nothing to forgive, truly, you silly child. But was it wise to +turn your heart adrift like a rudderless boat on a tempestuous sea, and +leave the errant winds to drive it into port whenever they listed. A +kindly providence, however, has watched over you, and you deserved it. +Blindly, humanly speaking, your love has been placed, but it has been +well placed, in the keeping of a brave man and true, though he be not of +our race. But whither will all this tend, and how will imperious William +receive the tidings—that the daughter of De Montfort has a Saxon +lover?"</p> + +<p>"Father, let us have patience and faith; all fear of disaster is now +removed. This valiant Saxon lover of mine can wait the pleasure of our +liege lord; and I—my happiness is so complete, I scarcely know whether +I shall be, happiest as a lover or a wife. There remains much to be +done, and I doubt not but William will know how to estimate the value of +an ally and friend, who is at once wise and brave, even though he be a +Saxon."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLI" id="CHAPTER_XLI"></a>CHAPTER XLI.</h2> + +<h3>NOBILITY IN CONTRAST.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Shall show us how divine a thing<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A woman may be made."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Wordsworth.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>After the stirring episode which ended in the removal from the scene of +the brothers Vigneau, and their henchman Pierre, the relationship +between the outlawed Saxons and the Normans,—as it related to the +domains owned by De Montfort and those contiguous,—became much more +amicable and peaceful. The Saxon colony on the mountains boldly advanced +to the valley, and took up without molestation the tilling of the soil. +The sturdy outlaws whose home had been the greenwood, and their +sustenance the chase and plunder, now many of them returned to the +peaceful calling they had pursued before the Normans drave them from +their homes, and the plots of ground they lived upon. Intercourse +between the races became regular and uninterrupted; intermarrying being +of frequent occurrence. The Norman lost in great measure his haughty and +overbearing manner, and the Saxon hatred of the Norman accordingly +abated. The language also began to be a compound of Saxon and Norman, +for each nation was driven by the exigencies of combined intercourse to +learn a little of the other's language; and before my eyes daily did I +witness the interblending of peoples. This was a joy to me, to Oswald, +and to Alice; and indeed no one who thoroughly grasped the situation +could ever again look for the overthrow of the Normans; and whilst there +were wild, untamed, and irreconcilable Saxons, who fomented strife and +rebellion, and on the other hand Normans proud, overbearing and cruel, +yet there were to me palpable signs that the two races would eventually +become one people, to their mutual advantage.</p> + +<p>Happy am I also to relate that, through the interposition of Alice, and +the kindness and confidence of De Montfort, I was once more restored to +the rule of this monastery, and with its privileges and emoluments but +little curtailed. Thus was I able to do much towards the reconciling of +these two peoples. Thankful also I am to relate that, amid the multitude +of claims upon me, I yet had strength and leisure sufficient to write +these chronicles.</p> + +<p>The kind reader I hope will pardon me this digression, and the little +egotism I have indulged in, and I will proceed once more with this +history.</p> + +<p>De Montfort made no attempt to ignore the deep obligations that Oswald +had laid him under; nor did he attempt to interfere with the plighted +troth of these two lovers. Still many misgivings arose in his mind, with +regard to the attitude his sovereign would assume towards this union. He +knew well that if William disapproved of it, his will would have to be +law. He debated long with himself the question, whether it would be best +to first obtain William's consent to the marriage, or boldly solve the +difficulty by uniting the pair and then presenting them to the king. The +bolder course was finally adopted, and the day of the nuptials fixed. By +the unanimous wish of all concerned, it was determined that the marriage +should be celebrated without pomp and wholesale merriment, as was so +often the case; but that there should be the rustic games and rural +sports so dear to the common people.</p> + +<p>So accordingly on the eventful morning the bridal party wended their way +through the forest to this sanctuary, which we had decorated for the +occasion. As the party passed through the forest with light hearts and +joyous, there were others to whom these nuptials had most tragic +results. Secreted in the thicket and watching the party go by was one, +to whom every note of the joyous bells rang out a knell. Secreted also +in another part was one to whom this nuptial act was infamous, and +basest treachery; and like a wild beast he waited for an opportunity to +spring upon the pair, and with one more wild deed of revenge to +accentuate his undying hatred towards the Norman usurper. Soon after the +party passed on their way and came near to the Abbey gates, Ethel, +muffled and disguised as a peasant woman, stepped from the thicket from +which she had watched the party go by, and slowly followed them. But she +had not proceeded very far, ere some movement in the thicket attracted +her attention, and turning more attentively to observe, she espied +Sigurd's stealthy figure gliding amongst the trees with his naked sword +in his hand, and evidently dogging the footsteps of the bridal party. A +few fleet footsteps brought her abreast of him.</p> + +<p>"My lord!" she said, addressing him, "what does this mean?"</p> + +<p>"Ethel, is that you? I little thought to see you here," said he, +ignoring altogether the question addressed to him.</p> + +<p>"I am here, and opportunely my lord, too, if your attitude does not +deceive me. What means that naked sword when there are no enemies +present?"</p> + +<p>"Do you not know," he said in low fierce tones, "what deed is to be done +to-day? Oswald completes his infamy by wedding this Norman woman, and I +will kill him before this day is done, or henceforth ye shall brand me a +coward."</p> + +<p>"My lord," said Ethel placing herself before him, "what madness is this +that you purpose? Put up that sword, and mark me well! if any evil +befall him, and if you dare to injure him or his bride, either now or +henceforth, you make of me a mortal enemy, and I will not rest until +your crime be punished."</p> + +<p>"Ethel, 'tis ye are mad! or else your love at sight of this would be +turned to mortal hatred! Would I had not met you this day, then would I +have wiped out this stain from the Saxon race."</p> + +<p>The power wielded by this beautiful Saxon woman over this untamed +warrior was unbounded, and bore eloquent testimony to the depth and +purity of his love for her; for without another word of remonstrance he +sheathed his sword, and strode away into the depths of the forest.</p> + +<p>Then Ethel pursued her journey, following the bridal party into the +chapel, and sitting down, quite unnoticed, amid a motley throng of +peasant women and Saxon churls, who had gathered to witness the +nuptials. The marriage ceremony was designed to be carried out with +great privacy, nevertheless there were a few Normans of note gathered +there to witness it. There were also some Saxons, who had claim to +honoured names and substantial estates, were it not for the greed of +these usurpers; but most of these were now at best but fief-holders of +their conquerors, and with cowed and brow-beaten looks, they were +content to herd with their still more degraded countrymen.</p> + +<p>It was manifest to any careful observer also that, amid the few Normans +gathered, there was great disapprobation of the rite about to be +celebrated; and as the tall muscular Saxon, who had maintained his +independence and defied them all, advanced to the altar, they could not +forget that the glamour of this man's name had given heart to the +Saxons, and that, on innumerable occasions, he had vigorously interposed +himself between these tyrants and the objects of their tyranny. To see +him now standing side by side with one of the noblest, and one of the +most beautiful of their race, was to them bitter as gall. And I could +hear distinctly ominous muttering, and the handling of weapons. This, I +must confess, was what I had dreaded, and others also, I found, had +foreseen it; for at that moment Wulfhere and a sturdy band of Saxons, +armed to the teeth, entered the chapel, and boldly took their stand near +to the bridal party. At this the exasperation of the Normans was +increased, but nevertheless they were distinctly overawed by it, and no +further demonstrations of disapproval were made.</p> + +<p>Ere the marriage ceremony was completed, and as the monks chaunted the +Benedicite, Ethel glided noiselessly from her place in the chapel, and +hurried from the grounds. As soon as she was clear of them she turned +into an unfrequented path, which led to the heart of the forest. Sigurd +had been secreted near, watching for her return, and immediately she was +obscured from the gaze of others he joined her.</p> + +<p>"Has this Saxon traitor completed his dishonour, by wedding a daughter +of the Norman tyrant?" said he.</p> + +<p>"Oswald has wedded the fair Norman, and I bestow my blessing on them, +for 'tis the herald of peace to our downtrodden race, and an augury of +the coming union of our people and the Norman."</p> + +<p>"My curses on him and the coward brood of Saxons, who have betrayed +their country and, by their submission to the tyrant usurper, have +helped to rivet the fetters of bondage upon our race for generations to +come!"</p> + +<p>"My lord, this is most distasteful to me. I will hear no more of it. You +are utterly incapable of understanding them or their motives, it is +plain; so desist, once for all, from your unreasoning hatred."</p> + +<p>"Whither go ye now, Ethel? and may I go with ye?" said Sigurd humbly.</p> + +<p>"I am bound for the Monastery of Crowland, my lord."</p> + +<p>"<i>Monastery of Crowland! Never say it, girl!</i> What do ye mean? Ye cannot +go <i>there</i>, Ethel! <i>Say ye will not go there, Ethel!</i>" he shrieked, in +agonised tones.</p> + +<p>"It is quite true, my lord," said Ethel firmly.</p> + +<p>"It cannot be, Ethel! Ye' cannot leave us thus! We are undone if ye +leave us! Say ye will not go to Crowland! <i>anywhere but there!</i> I +thought ye would now forget my fierce and boorish habits, and be my +wife. Oswald is wedded, and ye cannot be his. What hinders ye from being +my wife? I will be anything ye ask of me, Ethel! I am quite broken now; +my spirit is broken. I will make my peace with the Normans, and wear a +serf's collar, and let them <i>whip me, cuff me—anything</i>! only say ye +will not leave me," he pleaded piteously.</p> + +<p>"Alas! my lord, that can never be! My love is dead, and will never more +have resurrection in this world. I have no capacity for a new affection. +A maiden's heart can be won but once. Do not importune me, my lord, +further. The end has come; 'tis a new epoch, and in it there is no place +for you and me, and 'tis best we should quietly vanish from the scene."</p> + +<p>"Is there no <i>hope</i>, Ethel, that ye will be my bride? Ye'll maybe change +some day. I can wait twenty years, if ye bid me."</p> + +<p>"There is no hope, my lord. There can be but one other change for me, +and that will be when I don the cerements of the tomb."</p> + +<p>"<i>No hope, Ethel? No hope?</i>" he slowly and painfully ejaculated, as +though each word was a dagger thrust at his heart. "Then I am lost!"</p> + +<p>Slowly he drew himself up, expanded his broad chest, and threw abroad +his brawny arms, as though about to grapple with an enemy.</p> + +<p>"Then," said he, "I'll have a sweet revenge on the Norman foe. I'll give +my blood again to the soil I love so well, and get me a warrior's grave. +Then, welcome Valhalla! Odin! Odin! Norseman's god!" he cried; "I am +coming soon to join the hero spirits, awaiting me in the land beyond the +dark and troubled sea."</p> + +<p>His head drooped upon his chest, and he covered his face with his hands, +whilst his whole frame quivered with emotion. It was the cry of a blind +faith, but it was the cry of the soul, and it grappled him to the loving +heart of infinite mercy.</p> + +<p>Ethel trembled violently at the bitterness of soul displayed by this +noble Viking, and the unbidden tears coursed down her cheeks in sympathy +with his sorrow.</p> + +<p>"Adieu, my lord! May God have mercy upon you," she said in broken and +tender accents.</p> + +<p>"Nay, Ethel! I'll go with you, I would like to see the door close upon +you safe, if it must be. 'Tis not fitting ye should take this journey +alone. These Norman dogs are abroad everywhere, and 'tis full of peril +for ye to journey alone; they will not respect ye as I do. These Normans +have no respect for such as you."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry to say I cannot permit this, my lord. It would be both at +your peril and my own. Do you not know what a heavy price these Normans +have put upon your head?"</p> + +<p>"Ah! they have made me a wolfshead truly, but they have not done with me +yet, Ethel; not done with me, they will find! Broken in spirit, as I am, +I do not fear them; nor do I care what price they have put upon my head. +I have nothing to live for, but I will <i>die like a Viking</i>. If it will +be a peril to you if I go with you, well, let it be so; but 'tis bitter +parting, Ethel."</p> + +<p>"Do not fear on my account, my lord. The Abbot Adhelm has made +arrangement for two of the monks to bear me company; and their sacred +office and my vow will protect both them and myself from the violence of +the Normans."</p> + +<p>"Shall I never see ye more, Ethel? <i>Never more?</i> Won't ye come +<i>sometimes</i> just to have a look at the <i>old hills</i> again? and I'll meet +ye, and we'll see how the world fares with you and me. Promise me ye'll +come sometimes, Ethel, and let me look upon your sweet face. I've nought +to live for but you!"</p> + +<p>Ethel was deeply moved at Sigurd's importunity, but she said,—</p> + +<p>"My lord, I cannot hope to meet you any more on earth; but I will +venture to hope and pray that, when our God, who is a God infinite in +mercy and compassion, shall strike the balance betwixt right and wrong, +between high ideals and a grovelling ambition—in short, when He shall +'judge the world in righteousness,' He will find that the recording +angel has made many an entry to your account, and blurred out many a +fault with his tears; and that after all it will be found that your +erring but sturdy virtues outweigh by far your many faults, and the +limitations of your life. Then we shall meet again beyond the grave, +where we shall see eye to eye, and 'where the wicked cease from +troubling and the weary are at rest.' Once more adieu, my lord!" So +saying, she sped on her way.</p> + +<p>Sigurd stood silently watching her retreating form until she disappeared +from view, and for several minutes he still stood gazing after her like +one bereft, whilst his massive frame was shaken with powerful emotions. +Then slowly he muttered to himself: "The sun is set upon all my hopes; +my day is done, and all is lost, save love of country and revenge. I +cannot, like this Oswald, bend and crouch. A Viking once a Viking for +ever." Then, turning round, he crashed into the forest.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLII" id="CHAPTER_XLII"></a>CHAPTER XLII.</h2> + +<h3>VIKINGS ALL! AN OLD TIME SAGA.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Sonorous metal, blowing martial sounds;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">At which the universal host upsent<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A shout, that tore hell's concave, and beyond<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Frighted the reign of Chaos and old Night."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Milton.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Not many months after the foregoing, Sigurd, followed by a score of his +wild Vikings, sought the cave of the priest Olaf, and they received of +the old priest a very hearty but a very grim welcome.</p> + +<p>"Welcome, Jarl! welcome, skalds! all of ye. Ye are the bonniest warriors +I have seen for many a day," he croaked. Truly the sunken eyes of the +gnarled old Viking sparkled with strange delight, at the sight of so +many hardy-looking warriors. He went round to every man of them, and +felt severally the stoutness of their limbs, examined their weapons, +capering gleefully at the old-style weapons he was so familiar with, and +grunting and muttering gibberish all the time of his inspection. Such a +display of force, unmistakably of the old stock, seemed almost to make +him young again; and he mumbled snatches of old time sagas, and weird +folk-talk of bygone generations.</p> + +<p>Truly they were a desperate, and a desperate-looking band,—wild, +daring, and uncouth; having all the instincts of wild beasts,—recking +nothing of life, unless it were accompanied by some wild triumph over +their enemies, and caring nothing for death; for it meant to them an +entrance into Valhalla, the Viking's heaven.</p> + +<p>"Priest," said Sigurd, "have ye any message of <i>forth-telling</i> for us? +We are hotly pursued by these foreign dogs; they have hunted us out of +our mountain fastnesses, and now they tread on our heels closely. They +are encamped for the night in a neighbouring valley, and we cannot shake +them off, for they are tracking us with sleuthhounds. Shall we give them +battle to-night? Our stomachs are empty, and we shall be sore pressed on +the morrow."</p> + +<p>"Skalds, tarry ye here a little while and eat, and I will inquire for +ye. Skuld is our friend, and he rules all <i>man slaying</i>. He will hear me +this night, and if he ride with you to battle, woe will be to these +Normans—ye shall sweep them before ye. We will set up the +<i>Skaldstong</i><a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> also, presently, and invoke our ancient god Odin, that +he may send his '<i>Maidens of Victory</i>,' the '<i>Valkyrias</i>,' and if they +help, what shall hurt ye? Ye shall hurl your enemies to the ground and +slay them every one. Come into my cave, the night falls in."</p> + +<p>So saying, the old priest led the way into a spacious cavern, which +opened out from the vast cleft where they stood. To the right of the +cave a wood fire was burning low, and along the edge of it there were a +number of natural seats, formed by ledges of the rock. Olaf bade his +visitors be seated, then he lighted several torches at the fire, and +suspended them against the rocky sides of the cave. In their flickering +and fitful light the cave presented a very weird appearance. Here and +there the white and jagged surfaces of the limestone rock seemed like +human figures standing in the shadows, whilst the dark recesses threw +them out like sentinels on guard.</p> + +<p>Evidently it was a great occasion for the priest Olaf,—his ghostly +office had fallen greatly into disuse of late years, to his great grief +and chagrin. But troublous times had come, and men, unable to cope with +their enemies, came now humbly to him for aid in their dire distress; +and as he rambled about the cave, his mumbling, muttering and chanting +never ceased. First he ransacked the cave for food for these famishing +guests, and whilst they were eating he mended his fire. Then, from a +stone coffin in one of the recesses, he fetched the whitened bones of +some famous chieftain who had led them in the olden time. These he +proceeded to fasten around his neck and body. Next he fetched from +another recess a long pole with runes carved upon it. This he erected, +and made it to stand by inserting its lower end in a hole evidently +prepared for it. This was the "<i>Skaldstong</i>" or <i>Imprecation pole</i>: its +use being to invoke the curses of Odin upon their enemies, and to invoke +the help of the "Valkyrias," whom warriors often saw riding on fiery +steeds to their help.</p> + +<p>All this time Olaf never ceased the horrid chant, or song. Strange +gibberish indeed—sometimes running into metric verse, which he chanted +in a rude sing-song voice—at other times it was wild imprecations and +interjections, which he flung out with frenzied gestures, and in +thrilling tones and loud.</p> + +<p>Whilst this proceeding was confined to himself, it acted with electrical +effect upon these wild men. Slowly at first, then with accelerated pace, +they were worked up into a strange frenzy; first giving utterance to low +passionate interjections, then, as the infection became more feverish, +they seemed completely carried away,—shouting, starting to their feet, +and brandishing their swords, as though in deadly combat. Ere long every +man, Sigurd included, was in a state of overwhelming excitement, +capering round the Skaldstong, holding aloft their weapons in the air, +and making the cave ring again with their shouts and shrieking.</p> + +<p>The following is a sample of the rude and uncouth song which Olaf +chaunted:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Odin, the Norse god,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Skaldstong we rear;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Curse us the foe near,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Cold-ribbed<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> and foul.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nithing<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> is the Saxon,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Marrowless his bones;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jötun,<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> we call thee,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Loose us the watch-dogs.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Snarls the fierce wolf,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Creeping light<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> bearing;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Gyg, woman of Jötnar,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Haste on before;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Gird on the Hel-shoes,<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a><br /></span> +<span class="i0">Freeze up the blood.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Terror-full and shaking,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The sallowy kite hovers;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The wolf digs his fangs,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Drinks up the blood.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Skuld<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> has gotten him<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Vedrfölnir's<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> prey;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Told o'er the corpses<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fattened with gore.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Water sprinkled heroes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nornir hath life fated;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Valkyrias hath guarded,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shout for the prey."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Gibberish it seems to modern ears; but upon these rude men,—with +grossly over-grown superstitions, and dwarfish reasoning +faculties,—this song, jerked out in frenzied exclamations and fanatical +intensity, the effect was electrical and intensely contagious.</p> + +<p>Whilst the excitement was at its height, above the din the priest's +voice was heard as he shouted,—</p> + +<p>"<i>Skalds, hoi! I scent the battle</i>; I smell the blood of the Normans. +"Gyg,<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a>" the woman of Jötun race, has gone before ye, to confound the +foe. <i>Scalds, hoi!</i> Arise! scatter your enemies!"</p> + +<p>As he said this he handed to every man a small piece of wood, with runes +carved upon it, and each one hid it under his garment. It was a sure +protection against wounds and death. Then, catching up an image of Thor +and carrying it before him, he cried,—</p> + +<p>"Follow me."</p> + +<p>So saying, he led the way, followed by Sigurd and the rest in a state of +intense excitement. Together they scrambled out on the limestone hills +above them. It was quite dark, saving as the boisterous wind sent the +broken and ominous-looking clouds scurrying before it, across the face +of the heavens, and permitting the stars to look down to earth. The +elements seemed, indeed, to have caught the fierce infection, for the +wind howled and whistled against the huge boulders, and the bare +limestone precipices on the hillside; and it soughed and roared through +the woods below, rocking and tossing the tree-tops until they seemed +possessed by the furies. The fierce band of men responded in savage glee +to this tempest of the elements; every man amongst them believing that +this fierce raging of nature was the work of the supernatural agencies +invoked, and already hastening to help them in this work of revenge. The +old priest's vigour and animation was marvellous: he seemed to have +shaken off the infirmities of age; the wild fanatic spirit within +achieving a complete triumph over the weak and shattered body. He led +the band at a brisk pace, chanting as he went the same weird song. Ere +long, the downward trend which they had followed led them within sight +of the Norman camp fires, at the sight of which they could not resist +the impulse to shout and savagely brandish their swords. But the state +of the elements was such that scarcely any liberties of that sort would +betray them.</p> + +<p>The Normans were encamped in an open glade, with the wood all around +them and within twenty yards of their camp fires. Previous bitter +experience, however, had taught them extreme caution. Two or three +sentinels paced to and fro, and several fierce dogs lay curled up in the +glow of the fire. Besides this, every sleeper, as he lay wrapped in the +arms of peaceful sleep, grasped the hilt of his sword.</p> + +<p>Presently one of the dogs raised his head and listened, then he started +to his feet with a fierce growl.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter, Gripper?" said one of the sentinels stooping and +patting him on the head. "'Tis only the shrieking of the wind amid the +trees."</p> + +<p>The dog listened intently with his eyes on the wood, and gave one or two +impatient snarls as though somewhat appeased, but not satisfied.</p> + +<p>"Lie down again, sir," said the sentinel, again patting him.</p> + +<p>The dog very reluctantly obeyed this command, stretching himself again +with a low, fierce growl, and placing his nose between his forepaws, +whilst his eyes shone in the darkness, and rolled from side to side most +ominously. Not a minute had elapsed before he sprang to his feet again; +this time sending forth a loud, fierce bay, which woke the echoes and +effectually roused every sleeper in the camp. Immediately the dog sprang +towards the adjacent thicket with savage fierceness. But just as quickly +he beat a cowardly retreat with his tail between his legs, like a +whipped spaniel, for he had fronted the weird and unearthly form of the +priest Olaf bearing the image of Thor before him, and the bones of the +dead hero dangling from his neck and girdle.</p> + +<p>With a savage yell and impetuous rush the Vikings burst into the centre +of the camp, sending up their fierce war cry—<span class="smcap">Skalds hoi!</span>—to the utter +terror and bewilderment of the half-awakened Normans. Like infuriated +demons they laid about them with terrible effect; and as the Normans +realised the position, many of them sprang forward on the instant, sword +in hand, only to recoil abashed with terror as they faced the weird form +of the old priest, who, without weapon, or implement of war of any kind, +headed the fierce onslaught. In their terror and superstition they +thought that the devil himself fought for the Vikings, and they gave +back in mortal terror. Meantime their assailants made good use of these +moments of abject consternation of their enemies, yelling frantically, +and cutting down the Normans wholesale; they themselves being thoroughly +possessed with the belief that the supernatural powers fought for them. +The onslaught was so furious that the Normans staggered and reeled +before them, and hovered for a moment on the verge of an utter rout and +stampede. But one Norman in this desperate strait broke the spell, for +he sprang towards Olaf shouting,—</p> + +<p>"<i>Witch or devil, have at thee!</i> I'll try cold steel upon thy pate," and +with a blow he cleft the skull of the old priest.</p> + +<p>The effect of this was magical, the Normans sent up a shout which made +the greenwood ring again, and the echoes in the distant hills to send +back long reverberations.</p> + +<p>Now the Normans laid about them with vigour, and to some purpose. They +outnumbered the Saxon by two or three to one, but fully one-third had +been cut down ere they had courage to face the foe. Now the battle raged +with more equal fortunes. Blow upon blow, no quarter, no mercy given or +taken. At a terrible pace the ranks of each party dwindled, and ere long +Sigurd alone of the Saxons was left to do battle with three of the +Normans. A giant he was in strength compared with his antagonists. +Better equipped also he was for defence, for he wore a coat of mail, and +on his head a spiked helmet, with a shield of bronze upon his arm. But +his antagonists wilily beset him behind and before. With a spring and a +blow he cut down the man who fronted him; but whilst doing it, one of +the others cut a deep gash in his thigh from behind, and the third drave +the point of his sword between two of his ribs. Furiously Sigurd turned +upon them, and with a blow cut down another of his assailants. But again +a cowardly stroke from behind severed the sinews of his left arm, and +his shield dropped immediately from the powerless limb. So these two +alone remained of two stalwart bands of men, who a quarter of an hour +ago revelled in the pride of health and vigour. Sigurd was fearfully +wounded, with a deadly faint coming over him from pain and loss of +blood. He still, however, retained his sword arm unimpaired. Had the +Norman fought an evasive battle, time was in his favour, and the burly +giant would have been helplessly at his mercy. But the Norman was not +sufficiently alive to this fact, though he knew Sigurd was deeply +wounded. On he came, furiously attacking his man, and the battle was +ended, for with one sweep of his long broadsword Sigurd cut him down. +Then for a moment he swayed to and fro, with strength all gone. Next, he +staggered forward a step or two, rolling his eyes around as though in +quest of further foemen. Stumbling eventually over the corpse of a +fallen enemy, he fell forward amid a heap of mangled corpses; and, with +a deep groan, consciousness was gone.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLIII" id="CHAPTER_XLIII"></a>CHAPTER XLIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE CONQUEROR CONQUERED.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Proceed my son! this youthful shame expel:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An honest business never blush to tell."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Homer.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Not many days were permitted to elapse after the marriage of Oswald and +Alice, ere De Montfort, accompanied by his Saxon son-in-law, proceeded +to London. The Count knew well that, if the resentment of William was +once aroused, it would be a difficult matter to appease him. He was well +aware also of the fact that there were Norman neighbours, who were +exasperated at his conduct in bestowing his daughter upon a Saxon rebel; +even though that rebel had but maintained a defensive attitude, and used +his influence to calm the fierce passions which had been aroused in this +strife of races. They knew he had effectually barred them in the +barbarous policy on which they were bent; for which they gave him no +thanks. If these malcontents but got the ear of the Conqueror, grievous +complications might possibly ensue.</p> + +<p>When De Montfort reached London the king was at Winchester; so to that +place he and Oswald at once repaired. They proceeded to the castle +together, but De Montfort alone sought an audience of the king.</p> + +<p>It should here be stated that Northumbria, as the north of England +generally was termed, was a grievous thorn in the side of William. To +keep in check this people, and to suppress the ferocious outbursts of +the downtrodden Saxons which were constantly taking place, was a most +harassing and costly business; so he was keenly anxious to have reliable +information and advice, with regard to the turbulent north. Thus De +Montfort was welcomed heartily. As fortune would have it, Odo, who was +De Montfort's chief enemy, was away in Normandy, and there was nothing, +consequently, but the jealousy of Fitz-Osborne, that was likely to +interfere with the success of his suit; and this nobleman alone was +present at the audience which De Montfort had with the king.</p> + +<p>The Count was ushered into the audience chamber without delay. There, +the king occupied a chair of state in the centre of the wall opposite to +the entrance, with a richly embroidered canopy above his head, and side +hangings drooping to the wall and floor on either side.</p> + +<p>As De Montfort prostrated himself to the floor, the king rose from his +seat and, bidding him rise, shook him by the hand.</p> + +<p>"Ye did well for our cause at Hastings, De Montfort, and should not be +forgotten by us; but how comes it we have had so little of your presence +at court since then? I trow ye have been over busy scaring Saxon rooks +from their nests, and preparing yourself a roost in them. 'Tis an +occupation my valiants knights have much busied themselves in since that +day. Natheless, I mind me I have set my scribes to make a <i>book</i>, so I +may know where all the fat manors lie; my liegemen and barons know their +business well enough, and are going scot free of taxes; whilst the king +has got nothing yet but hard blows and a beggar's dole. Howsomever, I +will hear thy plaint. Thou would'st have more lands, or royal warrant +for what thou hast already grabbed, I suppose; for that is the usual +thing."</p> + +<p>"I crave your pardon, sire, but it is not for lands I ask, for I fought +my way into savage Northumbria, and ventured to lay hold of a tolerable +demesne there, and——"</p> + +<p>"'Twill be passing fair, I warrant, De Montfort, if thou think it +tolerable. Fat, fertile, and ample. Well, proceed! proceed! I make a +note of it thou didst not deem it necessary to say to thy king, May I? +But no matter, that has come to be a mere formality."</p> + +<p>"My purpose, sire, if your majesty will hear me, is to report the state +of the land and its prospects; as well as to acquaint your majesty with +an alliance which I have formed with one of the ablest of the Saxon +chieftains of the north."</p> + +<p>"By my halidame, De Montfort! hast thou ventured to form an alliance +<i>too</i>, with the Saxon dogs? Truly thou art over bold. Much too bold. I +think also thou hast forgotten the example of the countryman who warmed +the snake by the fire. I'll none of this setting at nought of my +authority, De Montfort, mark me!"</p> + +<p>"Hear me patiently, your majesty," said De Montfort, alarmed at +William's testiness. "I have brought this Saxon to court, and he will, +if permitted, make oath of fealty to your majesty, and there is no Saxon +leader north of the Humber whose influence is so great as his."</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye! make oath of fealty readily enough! like the rest of them, +and with as much honesty also. Truly, he matches thy boldness, De +Montfort, in venturing hither after the tumult which has taken place at +Durham. Natheless, we will see him, we will see him nevertheless; for +such boldness is catching. But if he be advised, he will be somewhat +careful how he deport himself, for he ventures into the jaws of the +lion; and some of these Saxon boors are too loud of the mouth, and think +it fine to 'beard' me, as they call it. Thou hast brought him hither +thou sayest?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sire, he awaits your majesty's pleasure."</p> + +<p>"Let him be ready, and we will call him presently, when we have +considered the matter for a little while."</p> + +<p>So De Montfort vanished from the presence chamber, and the king grasped +Fitz-Osborne's arm, and together they paced the room in earnest +conversation.</p> + +<p>"What thinkest thou Fitz-Osborne, of this conduct of De Montfort? I +would our brother Odo, who is now in Normandy, were here; for he hath +somewhat against the Count, though I know not of a certainty what it is. +I have myself heard some whisper of his playing fast and loose in his +loyalty to me, but nothing of it has ever come to head. Knowest thou +ought of this?"</p> + +<p>"H—m!" said Fitz-Osborne warily, and craftily, "there are whispers +about, as your majesty says, but I would advise your majesty to hear him +and his Saxon ally, as he calls him. Northumbria is a wild part, and if +he can, through this Saxon caitiff, exercise any substantial influence +over that part of the country, it may be worth while to use him for the +purpose; but I would not trust overmuch to either."</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact, Fitz-Osborne was pleased at the prospect of having +De Montfort removed so far from the councils of the king; for he was +jealous of the ascendency he had acquired, and feared greatly any +division of the royal favour.</p> + +<p>"Thou sayest right. Tis best to hear the whole matter; though 'tis +characterised by too much boldness to be to my liking. However, if there +be a fox in the bag he cannot help but stink; and thou hast a sharp +nose, Fitz-Osborne, and will smell him out promptly, I warrant."</p> + +<p>So the king ordered the suppliants to be brought in.</p> + +<p>William still clung to the arm of Fitz-Osborne when De Montfort was +ushered in, followed by Oswald; and together they stood at the entrance, +awaiting the king's command to advance. But no sooner did William set +eyes on Oswald than he convulsively clutched the arm he held, and +hoarsely whispered, "<i>Notre Dame!</i> What is this, Fitz-Osborne? 'Tis +Harold come to life again! Did we not find his corpse at Hastings?"</p> + +<p>"Be calm, Your Majesty. This is a much younger man than Harold, though +he belikes him wonderfully."</p> + +<p>The king calmly surveyed Oswald for a minute or two, and his composure +returned. Then he motioned De Montfort to draw near, and the Count and +Oswald advanced together, and bent their knees before the conqueror, De +Montfort saying,—</p> + +<p>"If it please Your Majesty, this loyal subject of yours is Oswald, Saxon +Ealdorman, son of Ealdorman Ulfson, chieftains of Northumbria under +Saxon rule."</p> + +<p>"Rise, De Montfort," said William.</p> + +<p>Then he motioned them to a seat opposite to his chair of state, which he +resumed.</p> + +<p>"Saxon," said he, addressing Oswald, "thou hast come, I understand, to +make oath of fealty to me, and to swear in presence of myself and my +chamberlain to be my faithful liegeman unto death."</p> + +<p>"I have come with that purpose, sire, if it be your royal pleasure."</p> + +<p>"If thou art minded to be both hypocrite and knave, first swearing +fealty to me, and then proceeding straightway to stir up my subjects to +rebellion, thou wilt have many illustrious examples before thee, truly. +How long hast thou been of thy present mind? 'Tis a late-found +repentance, I warrant me! Didst thou oppose me at Hastings?"</p> + +<p>"I did oppose Your Majesty at Hastings, I confess."</p> + +<p>"At York, also, I doubt not, if thou art minded to confess it, Saxon!"</p> + +<p>"I opposed Your Majesty at York, too," said Oswald fearlessly.</p> + +<p>"Tut, tut, dog!" said William, grinding his teeth vehemently, and +grasping the hilt of his sword. "A very promising liegeman, truly, De +Montfort!" turning savagely to the Count. Then addressing Oswald, he +said, "Thou art to the fore, I perceive, when half a chance offers to +overthrow my authority, and to kill my men, Saxon dog! How comes this +whining for peace now? Thou hast had the Norman grip upon thy throat, I +opine. 'Tis that has changed thy mind."</p> + +<p>"I fear not the Norman, sire, for, if needs be, I am prepared to die for +my country; but I have duly weighed the whole matter, and I recognise +the futility of further resistance. I have also steadily, and for some +time, counselled peace in our witan. If Your Majesty is pleased to +extend your royal clemency to me, you will find me a loyal subject."</p> + +<p>The frank and fearless tone and bearing of the Saxon chieftain evidently +impressed the king, for he surveyed Oswald steadily for a minute or two, +measuring him from head to foot, and studying his face as though he +would read him through and through. Then addressing De Montfort, said,—</p> + +<p>"Wait in the ante-room; we will consider this."</p> + +<p>No sooner had the pair retired, than William started from his seat, and +grasping Fitz-Osborne's arm, he exclaimed,—</p> + +<p>"By the splendour of God!<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> this Saxon is a pretty fellow, +Fitz-Osborne! Got character in him! A demon, I warrant me, as an enemy, +but to be sought after as a friend. Didst thou mark how he stood up like +a man to me? By the holy rood! he looked me in the face without wincing, +and there was none of that hypocritical whine in his tone, which I hate +above all. Didst notice also how he out with the truth boldly, in a +please God and dare the devil sort of way that I like? If he be really +friendly disposed, we will conciliate him by all that lies in our power. +How sayest thou, Fitz-Osborne?"</p> + +<p>"He looks like a man who could be of service if he be minded to do so. +Though, I confess it, there is an independence about him, which would be +better if it were taken out of him. He looks as though he could make +mischief. But I would question De Montfort further about this alliance +he speaks of. It would be better if we had further light."</p> + +<p>"Gramercy! Fitz-Osborne, I forgot about this alliance altogether. Call +De Montfort alone!" said he, addressing one of the attendants.</p> + +<p>When the Count again entered the room the king said,—</p> + +<p>"What is this alliance thou hast formed with this Saxon, De Montfort?"</p> + +<p>"I drove him, sire, in the first instance from his castle; but he built +himself a stronghold on one of our mountains, from which the force I had +at hand utterly failed to dislodge him; it is a wild and mountainous +part, sire."</p> + +<p>"Then thou shouldest have applied to me for help, and not have permitted +a nest of vermin to thrive under thy nose."</p> + +<p>"I crave Your Majesty's pardon; but, if you can call it to mind, I +communicated with you at York the last time you came north, and then set +forth fully the position of this Saxon and his followers."</p> + +<p>"But thou asked no help! I remember it well; thou didst say how +peaceably disposed this man was; and that he might safely be left +alone."</p> + +<p>"I think Your Majesty slightly mistakes the tenor of my message. +Nevertheless, friendly intercourse was opened between us. He visited me +at the castle with overtures of peace, which he has loyally kept. He is +also at this present time at deadly feud with another Saxon chieftain, +one Sigurd; because he refused to join an organised insurrection. Also +in a secret assembly of the Saxon witan, which was summoned and presided +over by the Atheling, he boldly advocated peace."</p> + +<p>"Hold there! Thou saidst the Atheling summoned an assembly of the Saxon +witan? My despatches say that the Prince gave secret information to my +forces of this traitorous assembly, and protested his loyalty; and he is +now at Rouen at my charges."</p> + +<p>"True, Your Majesty, he did; but not until this Oswald denounced him as +a coward to his face, and declared that he was unfit to reign in +England. Many others then, following this Oswald's lead, declared they +would not follow such a prince. Then, in the darkness, he sneaked away +to a neighbouring encampment of Normans and gave information."</p> + +<p>"Hearest thou this, Fitz-Osborne? By the splendour of God! But we must +know more of this. But no matter," said he with an impatient gesture. +"Proceed. What further about this alliance which thou hast formed with +the Saxon?"</p> + +<p>"We have dwelt together in a neighbourly way, having little trouble with +the numerous bands of outlaws ranging the bruneswald; for his authority +is acknowledged as far south as Sherwood Forest. If it please Your +Majesty, I have likewise given him my daughter in marriage."</p> + +<p>"Gramercy! De Montfort; but thou shouldst be king! Thou dost act right +royally! I lose my breath discoursing with thee! Is this the lovely +Alice we admired so much, now years agone, thou hast given him then?"</p> + +<p>"My only daughter, Alice, Your Majesty."</p> + +<p>"Were there none of my barons thou couldst have bestowed the hand of thy +daughter upon? Dost thou not know I claim to be consulted in such +matters?"</p> + +<p>"'Twas a love match, Your Majesty. These two plighted their troth in +true romance fashion, without consulting me. I was satisfied, however, +that it would greatly strengthen Your Majesty's authority in the north +of England."</p> + +<p>"Tut, tut! Ha! that was deftly put, De Montfort; but I have too many of +my knights, who make loud professions of strengthening my authority, +whilst all the while they deliberately set it at naught. A precious +loyalty it is. Now wait a little while, till thou hearest our commands."</p> + +<p>"Now Fitz-Osborne, the cat is out of the bag! what thinkest thou? De +Montfort is a wily dog, and has not told the whole story, I warrant me. +I like not this setting me at naught in my own kingdom; 'tis passing +strange, but I like this Oswald, Saxon though he be, better than my own +countryman. I like the look of him, and I think good will come out of +him. What sayest thou?"</p> + +<p>"If this Saxon can be depended upon, it will do good doubtless, sire. +His Norman wife, too, should influence him aright."</p> + +<p>"So think I, Fitz-Osborne. Call De Montfort and the Saxon."</p> + +<p>On the entrance of the pair, William said,—</p> + +<p>"De Montfort, thy conduct has been most irregular, but, I condone it on +conditions, which I will name presently." "Saxon," said he, addressing +Oswald, "I congratulate thee on winning one of our most accomplished +Norman maidens. I am further, upon a consideration of the whole matter, +disposed to trust thee; and upon thy taking the oath of fealty, I will +confer upon thee lands ample for thy needs. De Montfort, I create thee +Earl of Northumberland; upon thee and thy Saxon son-in-law, I lay my +charges for the welfare of that province. If ye do well, well will come +of it; but I will have you beware, for if I find you unfaithful, I will +root you out of the land, root and branch." So saying, with an imperious +wave of his hand he dismissed them from his presence.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLIV" id="CHAPTER_XLIV"></a>CHAPTER XLIV.</h2> + +<h3>THE LAST OF THE VIKINGS.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"An old man broken with the storms of state,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is come to lay his weary bones among ye;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Give him a little earth for charity!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Shakespeare.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>One chill December morning, as certain lay brothers of the monastery of +Crowland were engaged gathering faggots in the woods to feed the fires +of the Abbey, they came across a strange-looking figure, sitting on a +fallen tree and leaning heavily against another. His cheeks were +blanched like the snow, and his long red hair and beard was falling +unkempt and matted over his shoulders and chest. He seemed sadly worn +and helpless, with strength utterly exhausted; but beneath his shaggy +eyebrows his eyes glowed with a strange, unnatural light. Beside him sat +a half-starved hound whining piteously, and licking the cold and +emaciated fingers of his master. The churls gazed upon the stranger in +abject terror, thinking him to be some satyr or spirit of the wood, who +would surely work them ill; but as the figure beckoned them feebly to +approach nearer, with much trembling and irresolution they drew near +enough to hear his voice.</p> + +<p>"Can you tell me if I am near the monastery of Crowland?" said he +feebly.</p> + +<p>"You are not many bowshots from thence," they replied.</p> + +<p>"Can you tell me whether Ethel the Saxon, daughter of Beowulf, dwells +there?"</p> + +<p>"Torfrida, wife of Hereward, and Godiva, wife of Leofric, are here; and +there is a younger one called Ethel, with the flaxen hair. She is a holy +woman, much given to penances and fasting, and she is very good to the +poor; is it her you seek?"</p> + +<p>"I have come a long way to seek this Ethel, and I am sorely wounded and +very faint. Could ye, for love or charity, carry me in your bullock +cart, for I have no further strength, and must perish shortly if ye +leave me here."</p> + +<p>So, assured by the evident helplessness of this strange being, the +churls came a little nearer, and asked him some further questions +concerning his strange quest. Eventually, they unloaded their rude cart +of its burden of wood; then they hastily pulled some tall grass, and +scraped together some dead leaves. Of these they made a rough sort of +bed to ease the jolting of the rude cart over the rough ground. With +much difficulty they lifted the stranger in, for he was of burly build, +though sorely wasted. Then, slowly and tediously, through the windings +of the forest, they returned to the Abbey. Nourishments and cordials +were administered to him, his untended wounds were washed and dressed, +and he was put to bed.</p> + +<p>"Ye are very kind to me, but have ye not a maiden called Ethel here? Let +me but speak with Ethel, daughter of the Saxon thane, Beowulf," pleaded +the stranger.</p> + +<p>"Be patient, stranger," said Torfrida, who bent tenderly over him, +moistening his parched lips. "Ethel is on an errand of mercy to the sick +poor."</p> + +<p>"Ah! ye know not how I love this Ethel—things might have been different +if Ethel had not left me."</p> + +<p>As soon as Ethel returned from her mission, she was informed that a +wounded stranger had come from far in quest of her. Immediately she +hastened to the bedside of the sick one, wondering, and tremulous with +agitation, and with many strange misgivings of heart.</p> + +<p>It was as she feared—there lay Sigurd in pain and great weakness, his +broad frame shattered and wasted almost to skin and bone. It was +palpable also, that the fierce, restless spirit was hopelessly and +rapidly consuming the small remnant of vitality still spared to him. His +eyes were deeply sunken, and shining with unnatural light, telling but +too plainly that another grim and unwelcome visitor was lurking near, +and that no human skill could long keep <i>him</i> at bay.</p> + +<p>Ethel sat down beside him in her convent habit. What a transformation +was here! Sigurd uttered a deep groan when he set eyes on her. The long +flaxen locks, once the crown and glory of her youth, were cut short, and +the remnant hidden by her hood. The blue eyes, so tender and expressive, +and the fine, regular features were still there. The soft, fair skin was +a shade paler, and the short time which had elapsed had palpably aged +her, or else it was the cloister habit which made her seem so much +older. One thin hand was immediately grasped by the worn and attenuated +fingers of Sigurd, as he looked up most reverently into her face. This +fair Saxon had long been to him <i>St. Ethel</i>, and her form was enshrined +in his heart. He proceeded to question her in serious tones.</p> + +<p>"I am well nigh hunted to death, as you see, Ethel—dead beat—dead beat +at last. What think ye, Ethel; shall I get well?"</p> + +<p>Ethel shook her head.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid not in this world, my lord."</p> + +<p>He responded with a low groan.</p> + +<p>"But I can't be spared now, Ethel; the old cause is desperate now, and +sorely in need of me. What will become of my oppressed countrymen, with +never a leader to look to?"</p> + +<p>"God alone knows, my lord, but all things are in His hand; and I trust +that through this fiery ordeal, and through the long struggle, He will +bring profit to the nation. Already signs are manifest that the hatred +of William is abating, and Saxons here and there are being received into +favour."</p> + +<p>"Ah! Saxons being received into favour by the tyrant usurper! Then, I +wot the renegade Oswald, and sycophants and timeservers generally, will +thrive. My curses on the cowardly brood!"</p> + +<p>"Call them not renegade, my lord, neither curse them. Oswald will best +serve his countrymen by frankly accepting what was inevitable in any +case."</p> + +<p>"Nothing was inevitable, if he had but had the mind to stand by his +country. We would have followed him anywhere, for there was none of us +with a head to command like he had; and he wielded a powerful sword. No +other man ever got the better of me in single combat, and I could have +worshipped him had he stood by us. 'Twas the Norman woman bewitched him, +and I hate him for saving his coward's skin and betraying his country, +because a dark-eyed siren and temptress beckoned him."</p> + +<p>"My lord, no more of this! He was the wisest amongst us, and saw +farthest; and if you and others had been guided by him, there would have +been less of Saxon blood shed. I think I see clearly in this revolution +the hand of a wiser and a mightier than he—One who has seen fit to cast +your Viking hardihood and valour, and stern, severe virtues, and the +Saxons' milder traits, along with Norman chivalry and refinement, into +the eternal crucible. You and I and ours, it is true, may lose our +identity; but all that is best will reappear in the ages to come."</p> + +<p>"Ye speak in riddles, Ethel. Do ye think the Viking race will lose its +identity? Never!" said he, with fierce emphasis. "Vikings, who have +sailed every sea and conquered everywhere, to be swallowed up by this +womanish people—never! This will not do! Get me my sword, Ethel; if I +but feel it I shall be strong again."</p> + +<p>"The sword is resting in its scabbard, my lord. It has long since drunk +in its fill of blood—let it rest for ever."</p> + +<p>"Why have ye taken my sword from me, Ethel? I can wield it yet. I tell +thee, Ethel"—making a vain effort to raise himself—"there's marrow in +the Viking race yet, and we shall sweep the seas again as of old! I will +not lie here. Let me to the Bruneswald; I have men left yet, and we'll +make a fight for it to the end!"</p> + +<p>"My lord, you will never handle sword again. The Viking's cause—the +<i>reign of force</i>—has received its mortal wound. 'Twill linger probably +through centuries of darkness, and amid the twilight of the days still +later; for men, benighted men, here and there, will give it a spasmodic +and fitful revival; but never more in the ages of the world will the +gaunt and hateful reign of force be paramount."</p> + +<p>"Ethel! Ethel! Ye embitter my death. What will ye have, girl? Are our +gods dead, think ye? Where are our Sagas? Bethink ye, there is the +Viking race beyond the North Sea, and they'll come again; and do ye +think these sleek and well-fed Normans will drive them out? The hardy +warriors from the mountains and fiords over the fierce sea are coming. +Hist!" he shouted, half delirious, "do ye hear their shouts? Will ye +reach me my sword, Ethel? I must be up and meet them!" Then he sank back +exhausted once more. "Tut, tut, we deserve this for our folly. What am I +doing; going to die in a bed? The sea is the Viking's home. Why did we +ever take to land, except for plunder? Accursed ease and effeminacy have +undone us. But we'll to the sea again. Wait awhile, Ethel; ye shall see +who will be masters."</p> + +<p>"Calm yourself, my lord, and think of other things, for time is short. +The Viking's gods <i>are</i> dead if ye ask me, or what is more true, they +never had an existence, and were only the creation of a wild and +barbarous fancy."</p> + +<p>Sigurd looked at her steadily.</p> + +<p>"Oh, ye are a Christian now, Ethel! Ye should not have left the old +faith; ye take the heart out of me; ye should have stood by the old +faith, then we should have met again in Valhalla, you and I. Ye know not +how ye make the Viking's death hard to bear: ye take my staff from me as +I ford the stream."</p> + +<p>"We shall never meet in Valhalla, my lord! but we may meet again in the +kingdom of our God."</p> + +<p>"Not me, Ethel! ye do not mean that I may go to the Christian's +heaven—bethink you what I am."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you may go, my lord. I am not without hopes that even you may be +found there. Certain you shall, if you are willing."</p> + +<p>"Will you be there, Ethel?"</p> + +<p>"Through the mercy of God I hope to be there."</p> + +<p>"But ye say He is a Prince of Peace?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, He is the Prince of Peace."</p> + +<p>"Ye know I am a Viking; what could I do in the Christian's heaven? +Should I have my trusty sword?"</p> + +<p>"No, my lord, you would need no sword there, for hatred, oppression, and +wrong, are unknown in heaven."</p> + +<p>"Will ye be my bride then, Ethel?"</p> + +<p>"They neither marry, nor are given in marriage, my lord."</p> + +<p>"Should I be near <i>you</i>, Ethel, always?"</p> + +<p>"I should like to be near you, if I may, my lord."</p> + +<p>"Ah, then I would like to go to the Christian's heaven if I might be +near <i>you</i>. There will be no Normans there, will there, Ethel?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, my lord, I hope there will be Normans there also."</p> + +<p>"Norman's there! Ah! that would spoil it, Ethel. What would a Skald like +me do with my heart on fire with hatred of these Normans? It will not +do, Ethel! It will not do! The Christian's heaven will not do for the +Viking!"</p> + +<p>"But our God will give you a new heart. He takes our heart of stone and +gives us a heart of flesh, so that we <i>love</i> our enemies."</p> + +<p>Sigurd responded with a deep groan. "But Ethel, girl, what madness is +this? I should not be a Viking! what should I be, then? Should I wear +silks, and strut about in feathers and fringeing and be a flabby +courtezan? If so, I think I would prefer the Viking's Valhalla, after +all; it suits the Viking best. Why won't ye go with <i>me</i>, Ethel, girl? +Let the Norman and the slaves of Saxons have their heaven. Perhaps ye +think I should drag ye over the wild hills, or through the greenwood; +but I would be gentle to ye. Ye little know how I love ye, Ethel."</p> + +<p>"My lord, your mind is very dark; I will send a priest who will instruct +you in these things."</p> + +<p>"I want never a priest, Ethel; ye can tell me best. Do ye know, Ethel, +the old priest Olaf is dead? What evils have befallen our race! I fear +ye prophesy rightly; the end is indeed come."</p> + +<p>"I have no news, my lord; but I expected this."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is dead; he would drag his crazy limbs after us in our last +struggle with the Normans; he said the gods would protect him, for he +had a charmed life, and that they would fight for us and give us the +victory; but we were outnumbered, my followers were all slain to a man; +but the Normans were also, for I cut down the last of them. Olaf, our +old priest, was also hacked to death by the enemy."</p> + +<p>"He was the last priest of the old heathen line, and he will have no +successor. The old heathenism is gone for ever, my lord."</p> + +<p>Sigurd groaned deeply, and called in frantic tones upon the spirits of +Valhalla. "Odin! Norseman's god! Can't ye help us in this pinch? can't +ye help us, I say?" Then with a deep groan he sank back in complete +exhaustion.</p> + +<p>"Calm yourself, my lord, or I must leave you," said Ethel. "But Sigurd +heard her not, his eyes were closed and he was evidently spent. With a +feverish start, however, he opened his eyes again, and sought eagerly +for the loved form of Ethel.</p> + +<p>"Ah, I thought ye had left me. The end has come, Ethel; I shall not get +well again, but I have one request; let me be buried near the <i>sea</i>, for +I know the Vikings will come again, and I'll hear their shouts of +victory and the shock of their onslaught; and, Ethel, let me be <i>mound +laid</i>, mound laid, mark me, Ethel! then they'll know 'tis a Viking +chief's grave, and the Skalds will sing of my exploits. Ethel, have my +sword also laid under my head, ready, my trusty sword 'Tyrfing,' +(foe-hater), we must not be parted. It's very dark, Ethel." Slowly his +eyes closed, and for a little while he lay quiet; then he started up and +shouted. "Down with the Normans! Ho, men! carry me out of the cave; I +cannot breathe here." After this fashion for a little while the fitful +struggle continued, and then in quietness the contest ended; and the +last of the Vikings closed his eyes with the loved form of Ethel bending +over him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLV" id="CHAPTER_XLV"></a>CHAPTER XLV.</h2> + +<h3>SUNSHINE HAS ITS SHADOWS.</h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Man's love is of a man's life a thing apart,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Tis woman's whole existence."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Byron.</span><br /></span> +</div></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>We must now make an end for the present of our extracts from these +somewhat interesting chronicles. Sigurd, when we last saw him, was lying +in the arms of death, overborne by many wounds and hard circumstances. +He closed life's fitful career, clasping tightly the hand of Ethel; and +his great wish anent his burial was conscientiously carried out by her. +Saxon hands bore him by stealthy night-marches to a silent spot where +the fierce North Sea waves break upon the lonely Fen-country shore. They +dug for him a grave overlooking a wind-sheltered bay, where ofttimes the +Viking rovers had anchored their vessels of war, and from thence burst +like an avalanche over the country, sweeping it bare of its cattle and +its treasures. They dug deep his grave and laid his trusty sword beneath +his head; and Ethel was there—a sincere mourner at his burial. Then +they heaped the mound high, as Vikings were wont to bury their chiefs, +and as Sigurd wished it. Now, silently he awaits the great awakening, +and not without hope; for, according to his light, he had a great ideal, +and with rare courage, unselfishness, and devotion he struggled to +accomplish what was beyond him, and that which the march of the ages had +decreed should come to an end, but which should never be forgotten so +long as men long to know what races were the important factors in the +history-making peoples of the world.</p> + +<p>It is scarcely necessary to say that Oswald's being received into favour +by the king, had a most beneficial effect upon the Saxon portion of the +population; and it did much to mitigate the rigours of that race +ascendency which the Normans strove to maintain. Our part of the country +began gradually to assume the wonted appearance of cultivation it had +worn prior to the troublous times of the Conquest. The lazy and +overbearing manners of the conquerors received a salutary check, and +Norman men-at-arms gradually settled down to peaceful occupations. +Wulfhere, the stalwart freeman, resumed possession of his ancient +patrimony, and in company of his charming little wife, Jeannette, was +more than content. Soon there began to play about his doors stout-limbed +youngsters, who, for enterprise and daring, bid fair to contribute +vigorously to the perpetuation of the stalwart race of <i>freemen</i>, which +had been such an important factor in English history for many +generations prior to the Norman Conquest.</p> + +<p>The only other incident we need mention happened many years after the +events recorded in these pages.</p> + +<p>One bright autumnal day, several of the children of Oswald were at play +in the woods near the castle, alternating their play by gathering the +walnuts and chestnuts which had fallen from the trees, or pelting the +squirrels as they leaped from tree to tree overhead, happy as only +children can be, when surrounded by bounteous and beautiful nature. +Suddenly there emerged from the thicket a woman, in the habiliments worn +by those who had renounced the world and devoted their lives to the +service of the church. The children were somewhat startled at the advent +of this strange figure; but her sweet face and winning smile completely +reassured them. She went up to the eldest boy and asked him his name. +"Oswald" was the reply. Then she took from her neck a beautiful crucifix +of gold, chastely and tastefully engraved, and to which was attached a +gold chain. This chain she put around his neck, depositing the crucifix +in his bosom. Then she removed his cap from his head, displaying a +profusion of curly locks, saying as she did so, "God bless thee, my +son!" Next she turned to the other children, inquiring their names, and +kissing and blessing them also. This done, she turned from them, and +stood gazing upon the castle in the distance for a minute or two; then, +as abruptly as she came, she disappeared in the wood, and was seen no +more. The children hastened home to show to their parents the beautiful +crucifix the stranger woman had given them, and to relate the strange +incident. Oswald pondered over the matter a long time, but with the +strange obtuseness which had marked the whole of his intercourse with +the beautiful Saxon, Ethel, he was utterly unable to identify the +strange visitant with any one he had known or remembered. A shade of +sorrow and sadness passed over Alice's face; and a tear trembled on her +eyelid, and fell unobserved to the ground. But she hinted not at the +personality of the stranger, though she understood the sad mystery, and +comprehended the tragedy which had been slowly and painfully enacted +through the years, in which a noble and virtuous woman's love had been +crucified.</p> + + +<h3>THE END.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Peter's pence.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Messengers.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Witch.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Apparition.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> It was a Norse superstition that if the blood flowed, more +would soon be shed.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> The foe hater.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Imprecation pole.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> Cold-hearted.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> Coward.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Race of gods.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> Lantern.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> The dead were fitted with Hel-shoes.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> Ruler of man-slaying.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> fabled Hawk.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> Witch.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> William's favourite oath.</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="BRAILSFORD" id="BRAILSFORD"></a>BRAILSFORD:</h2> + +<h3>A Tale of West Riding Life.</h3> + +<h3><span class="smcap">By</span> JOHN BOWLING.</h3> + + +<p>"'Brailsford' is a capital book, and, to those who can master the +Yorkshire dialect, it will give a great deal of pleasure. The excellent +teaching it contains makes it a most suitable book for a Sunday School +Library. If it once gets into a library, I feel sure it will be in great +demand. It is a thorough boy's book, and I wish every boy could read +it."—<i>Rev. Charles Garrett.</i></p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Brailsford</span>: a Tale of West Riding Life."—"This story ... is written in +a wholesome moral tone, and strikingly portrays the temptations which +assail young men in the business life of a large town. The hero of the +story is a draper's apprentice, who, by steadfast fidelity to duty, +rises to success; and the incidents are related with vigour, introducing +the reader to some curious phases of town life ... the book may be +safely placed in the hands of youths about to enter the commercial +world."—<i>Leeds Mercury.</i></p> + +<p>"There is about this book a simplicity which charms, and an interest +that will carry the reader through every page. As pointing a moral, and +affording a stimulus to honest work, despite adverse circumstances, the +little volume will be of great value, and we trust it will have a wide +sale."—<i>Wharfedale and Airedale Observer.</i></p> + +<p>"Our readers will recognise this as a reprint of a story which appeared +in serial form in the <i>Wesleyan Methodist Magazine</i>. At the time of its +original appearance we noticed it from time to time. In its new and more +convenient form it will greatly delight all lovers of the racy Yorkshire +dialect, and will at the same time prove instructive. It is a story of +the good and idle apprentice type, well told and satisfactorily ended. +The moral, of course, is unexceptional.... We heartily commend this +venture."—<i>Methodist Recorder.</i></p> + +<p>"'<span class="smcap">Brailsford</span>,' by John Bowling, is a tale of West Riding life, written +with animation and a keenly observant eye to various phases of character +that manifest themselves in rural districts. There is much humorous +dialogue in the book, bringing out several traits of Yorkshire life +excellently. There are, moreover, pathetic passages in this story, and +the author does not fail to inculcate some useful and noble +lessons."—<i>Methodist Times.</i></p> + +<p>"... A most thrilling story.... We have the utmost pleasure in +recommending the book to our readers as one well worthy of a place in +every home.... The lessons which it sets forth are bound to make a deep +impression on every reader. We therefore earnestly wish the author every +success."—<i>Hunslet News.</i></p> + + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAST OF THE VIKINGS***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 36054-h.txt or 36054-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/6/0/5/36054">http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/0/5/36054</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>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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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: The Last of the Vikings + + +Author: John Bowling + + + +Release Date: May 7, 2011 [eBook #36054] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAST OF THE VIKINGS*** + + +E-text prepared by Chris Curnow, Lindy Walsh, Mary Meehan, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 36054-h.htm or 36054-h.zip: + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/36054/36054-h/36054-h.htm) + or + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/36054/36054-h.zip) + + + + + +THE LAST OF THE VIKINGS. + +by + +JOHN BOWLING + +Author of "Brailsford: A Tale of West Riding Life," etc. + + + + + + + +London: +Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co. +Leeds: Henry Walker, Briggate. + +Printed by Hazell, Watson, & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury + + + +[Illustration: SAXON AND VIKING. "THE CURSE OF SKULD BE UPON THEE, +TRAITOR!"] + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + I. ETHEL + + II. STORM CLOUDS + + III. TRAITORS IN COUNCIL + + IV. DEFEAT + + V. DESPERATE RESOLVES + + VI. BARON VIGNEAU + + VII. ALICE DE MONTFORT + + VIII. VILLAINS PLOTTING + + IX. VILLAINS OUTWITTED + + X. A FRUITLESS EMBASSY + + XI. OSWALD'S DEFENCE OF HIS CASTLE + + XII. ALICE DE MONTFORT SETS FREE THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN + + XIII. BARON VIGNEAU BALKED OF HIS REVENGE + + XIV. THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN CONFRONTS DE MONTFORT + + XV. OUTLAWS AND WOLFSHEADS + + XVI. SIGURD THE VIKING + + XVII. EVIL COUNSELLORS + + XVIII. LOVE IS STRONGER THAN HATE + + XIX. ALICE DE MONTFORT AND THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN + + XX. WAR'S VICISSITUDES + + XXI. VIKING CHIEF AND SAXON MAIDEN + + XXII. A VIKING'S LOVE + + XXIII. A VILLAIN DEMANDS HIS WAGES + + XXIV. THE TRYST + + XXV. BADGER CRACKS THE NORMAN'S PATE + + XXVI. SAXON AND VIKING AT THE SWORD'S POINT + + XXVII. JEANNETTE AND WULFHERE; OR LOVE'S COMEDIES + + XXVIII. A GRIM TEMPLE, A GRIM PRIEST, AND A SAD HEART + + XXIX. EDGAR ATHELING + + XXX. PRINCE AND PARASITE + + XXXI. PRINCE AND VIKING + + XXXII. BADGER ON THE ALERT + + XXXIII. DOG ROBS DOG + + XXXIV. WILD DARING OF SIGURD THE VIKING + + XXXV. THE SAXON DEVIL AND THE WICKED ABBOT + + XXXVI. LOVERS PLOTTING + + XXXVII. THE JOUST: SAXON AND NORMAN + + XXXVIII. THE SAXONS' REVENGE + + XXXIX. BEWARE THE VIKING + + XL. THE HOUR BEFORE THE DAWN + + XLI. NOBILITY IN CONTRAST + + XLII. VIKINGS ALL! AN OLD TIME SAGA + + XLIII. THE CONQUEROR CONQUERED + + XLIV. THE LAST OF THE VIKINGS + + XLV. SUNSHINE HAS ITS SHADOWS + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + +SAXON AND VIKING. "THE CURSE OF SKULD BE UPON THEE, TRAITOR!" + +ALICE DE MONTFORT SETS FREE THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN. + +THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN CONFRONTS DE MONTFORT. + + + + +NOTE. + + +From "Smith's History of Old Yorkshire" we learn that one Arthur Clapham +in the year 1066 was possessed of several hides of land near Lambeth in +Surrey, and also of the domain of Clapham in Yorkshire. But by opposing +the Conqueror he lost his lands in the South of England. He then fled +into the wilds of Craven in Yorkshire, and built a stronghold, on the +brow of Ingleboro', (the remains of which are still visible) and he +founded the village of Clapham in the valley beneath. In 1068, however, +the said Arthur by marrying a daughter of Robert, Earl of +Northumberland, was restored to the confidence and favour of William, +and had lands granted to him in Lonsdale. + + + + +THE LAST OF THE VIKINGS + +(_From the Monastic Chronicles of ----._) + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +ETHEL. + + "Be just and fear not. + Let all thou aim'st at be thy country's, + Thy God's, and truth's." + + Shakespeare. + + +I, Adhelm, Abbot of this monastery of ----, being eye-witness, and +likewise participator in the unhappy times my beloved country was +subjected to, in consequence of the Norman Conquest and the troublous +times which followed, it occurred to me to make a record of these things +after the example of the beloved Bede, whose "Chronicles" are so justly +esteemed by those who are concerned in the history of our ancient race. + +I would have it known, then, by all those who are interested in the +matter, that this ancient monastery was founded by that wise and good +king, Alfred, who assigned unto it, for revenue, one hundred and twenty +hides of land; all of which was well wooded and watered, being fertile +and free. That is, with sack and sock, toll and team, and infang-thief. +It pleased him also, in furtherance of his purpose, to lay charges upon +certain thegns and nobles, who had lands adjacent to this monastery +assigned to them by him, that they should annually pay to the monastery +for the maintenance of the brotherhood, and for the purpose of defraying +the cost of its extensive charities and hospitalities, one hundred and +fifty loads of wood, and twenty-five loads of faggots; together with +thirty-five tuns of pure ale; seventy beasts, ready for slaughter; +twelve hundred loaves; fifty-six measures of Welsh ale; sixteen butts of +wine; six horses; and one hundred and thirty pounds, ten shillings, of +money. Now, as to all other matters, such as the particulars of lands +and farms, church and cloister, granges, Abbot's and Prior's lodgings, +which may be of interest to some, but which are not material to this +narrative; I refer all such to our carticularies, in which all these +particulars were carefully noted by our sacristan. Enough, however, has +now been said to show that in the merely worldly point of view, this +monastery was, when in peaceful enjoyment of its emoluments, a +foundation of no mean order. In consequence also of its bounties it +attracted palmers, minstrels, newsbearers, from all parts of the +kingdom. Thus I had exceptional opportunities of learning how the +kingdom fared. + + * * * * * + +Adown the valley one bright September morning, in the year 1066, was +speeding Ethel, the only daughter of the Danish thane Beowulf, who is +lord of the domain of Rivenwood, and whose hall looks down from the +wooded heights in the distance like a grim sentinel. This fair girl +Ethel was probably not more than fifteen years of age--just at the +juncture where coy and blushing maidenhood, with its unconscious +assumptions of grace and dignity, joins issue with the freer and bolder +manners of girlhood, and when the wholesome, innocent, and graceful +blending is wholly interesting, and often most piquant. Most piquant +indeed, at all events, was this graceful specimen of budding womanhood. +Her brow was open and expressive, her countenance somewhat broad, in +sympathy with her manner of life; the free, unfettered, and merry +out-of-door life of sylvan England. Her blue eyes glanced, and sparkled, +and glowed, betokening a mind responsive and alert as the falcon which +perched upon her embroidered leathern gauntlet. Her nose was perfectly +straight, but had just so much of an upward trend as to indicate the +point positive, and the attitude--"beware all." Upon her head she wore a +sort of cap of blue silk, broad at the crown and drooping over the broad +scarlet band with which it was bound. In the front of this head-dress +stood erect a couple of eagles' feathers; whilst from underneath it the +flaxen curls, like the fetterless things they were, burst luxuriantly, +and circled across her forehead and over her ears; and though the wanton +tresses were captured again at the back of her head, yet they burst away +again and ran riot over her shoulders and down to her girdle. Of +jewellery, she wore a handsome gold torc which encircled her neck, on +which, and on the pendants attached thereto, were skilfully engraved +strange mystical runic devices. She wore a mantle trimmed with fur, +which on this occasion flowed loosely down her back, leaving free her +arms, but which, at needs be, became a cloak covering the upper parts of +her body entirely. Her under dress was of woollen material and +tight-fitting, whilst her sandals had a stout sole of leather with +toe-piece and overstraps of prepared deer skin. Accompanying this fair +girl was a favourite maid, and one of her father's housecarles who +filled the office of ranger and provider for the household, in the +matters of fish and game. At his heels there followed a couple of dogs, +whilst on his left arm there perched a falcon with all his furniture on. +On Ethel's arm also there perched another falcon, ready for flight. + +"Let the dogs go now, Bretwul, for we should have good sport hereabouts, +and have a capital view of it too, on this hillside," said the maiden. + +At a word of encouragement from Bretwul the dogs, with wagging tails, +immediately clapped nose to ground, and commenced threading in and out +amongst the gorse and brushwood to start the game. Presently a loud +fluttering of wings and a scream, sent the hawks into a violent +agitation, and a handsome-plumaged pheasant took to wing. Ethel +immediately whipped off the hood of her hawk, and quick almost as a +flash of lightning it covered the helpless quarry. Then down it swooped, +and a struggling mass of feathers and mingled plumage came fluttering to +the ground. + +"Oh, that is wretchedly poor, Bretwul!" exclaimed Ethel impatiently. "I +like a good long chase which puts master Grey-eye thoroughly upon his +mettle. Such sluggard creatures as that one are poor sport. Come, let us +climb higher, for amid yon gorse and bracken on the hill we shall meet +with partridge, moorfowl, or perhaps, better still, a woodcock. Then we +shall test the mettle of little Grey-eye." So together they clambered +through the brackened steep, until they reached the fringe of the +heather which crowned the brow of the hill. Soon they espied a covey of +grouse racing along before them stealthily amid the cover; but promptly +these sprang aloft with whirring sound of wing, and loud, peculiar +cries. Ethel again unhoods her favourite falcon, Grey-eye, and flings +him towards the game. But the falcon has another matter in hand than +that of bringing down a sluggard pheasant; for moorfowl, when fairly on +the wing, scud along like the wind. Immediately also when they perceived +the enemy in pursuit they changed their tactics, and, quitting the +mountain side, made a dart for the valley, where shelter was to be had. +Plump and heavy, the descent suits them more than the falcon; and with +impetuous whirl they rush along with incredible speed. It seems as +though the hawk will never head them! The valley is reached, and the +moorfowl, flying low, are hidden from view by the tops of the trees; but +the hawk can be seen scudding along above them. + +"Oh, my poor Grey-eye, you are beaten this time, I do believe!" cried +Ethel. But just at that moment there was an arrow-like swoop. "Bravo!" +she shouted. "He has struck his quarry, for he never swoops to miss! +Come along, Bretwul, or he will gorge himself, and then he will fly no +more to-day, the greedy little glutton!" Then away she raced down the +rough declivity, leaving her maid panting and trembling far behind. + +"There she goes! there she goes! Plague on the girl!" ejaculated +Bretwul. "Did ever mortal see such a girl? She's like a two-year-old +filly that has never had bit in mouth or harness to back; and if she +throw out a splint or strain a fetlock, why then the old thane will +cozen my back with a cudgel, and call me a lazy lout of a churl. Come +along, Eadburgh, my buxom lass, I have finished my wattled cote in the +dell yonder, and if we come well out of this, we'll get the girl to +wheedle the master for us, and then it will be done in a twinkling; for +he's ready enough when Dame Ethel lays on the butter." So together they +stumbled after their mistress with might and main. + +But the girl mood was uppermost in the damsel now, and away she flew +down the hill with her long hair streaming behind her, giving never a +thought to man or maid. She came to a halt, however, when she reached +the spot where apparently Grey-eye had made his swoop. But not a trace +of either falcon or victim was to be seen. In vain she blew a tiny +silver whistle with which she was wont to call her hawks. There was no +response. "The greedy fellow is gorging himself I doubt not, Bretwul," +cried Ethel impatiently. "If you feed him before flying he is too lazy +to exert himself, and if he hunt on an empty stomach he must needs turn +glutton after this fashion." + +At that moment the clear blast of a hunter's horn in the distance broke +upon the ears of the three seekers, and Ethel, hastily turning in the +direction, exclaimed, "Oh, dear me! Eadburgh, straighten my hair for me, +quick. Do I look a gowk? Do be quick! Straighten my cloak out. Those +gallant gentlemen are returning who would not let me take part in the +boar hunt because I was a _girl_, honest Beowulf was pleased to say. But +Master Oswald was no better, though he has spent so much time about the +court, and, I am told, carried off the Queen's favour at the tilt ground +at Westminster, and that too against the picked squires of Normandy. I +suppose I was only a _girl_ in his eyes too, though he was not pleased +to say it, like Beowulf. Never mind, I will let them see I can amuse +myself, and find good sport too, without them." + +Presently a couple of horsemen issued from the forest, clad in hunters' +attire, with a green baldric over their shoulders and down to their +waists, from which was suspended a hunter's horn. These two were quickly +followed by a retinue of rangers, serving men, and hounds, with the +weapons of the chase--boar spears, javelins, and short swords; whilst +over the backs of a couple of horses were thrown the carcasses of a pair +of wild boar, the fruit of their morning's chase. + +No sooner did these young chieftains set eyes on Ethel than the +countenance of the younger of them was wreathed in smiles, and snatching +his bugle from his belt he blew a mocking blast in the ear of the +damsel; then, in the blandest of tones, and with an assumption of mock +gallantry, he saluted the maiden: "Bon matin, madame. Are you taking a +little _gentle_ exercise in company of your maid?" and he doffed his +hunter's bonnet and made a most pretentious bow. + +"I beg your pardon, gallant sir," retorted Ethel, with a gracious +inclination, parodying with inimitable grace and humour his mock +gallantry, "but if it please you, sir, I am not taking a little _gentle_ +exercise in company of my maid, I am hawking, as you may easily see if +you care to." + +"Oh, I see quite easily, madame. So you determined to have a little +sport all to yourself because we disdained the company of a lady at our +boar hunt?" said the young man, with a twinkle in his eye. + +"You have hit it quite wonderfully, sir; which is very remarkable. We +take note of your behaviour, for, although we do not go to court, we +hear about your pranking it about with grand Norman dames and knights +errant, and we expected something quite different from you than from +Beowulf here. But I have lost my hawk hereabouts, so make amends for +your past conduct. Get down, brother Beowulf; and you too, sir; you have +travelled in France, so show your chivalry and your gallantry by getting +down and helping me seek my hawk." + +"I bow most humbly to your imperious commands, noble lady," said Oswald +again, doffing his bonnet in mock humility. + +Meanwhile, honest Beowulf sat almost dumbfounded whilst this passage of +wit was proceeding, though he only dimly comprehended what this +new-fangled jargon meant; but his choler was rising rapidly during the +process. "Now, drop it fooling, you two!" he at length broke out. "You, +Ethel, would imitate Master Oswald and be off to court too, for all your +japes and jokes about his pranking and parading it with the grand folks, +if we did not tie a clog about your neck for you. I know very well what +passes in that jay's noddle of yours, though you think I'm a numskull, +Mistress Ethel." + +This outburst of sturdy Beowulf's was greeted by the pair with a shout +of hilarious laughter. + +"Now don't make asses of yourselves," grunted brother Beowulf. +"Whereabouts did you lose your hawk, Ethel?" + +"Why, hereabouts, Beowulf. Did you not hear me? He was pursuing moorfowl +from the hill, and he appeared to strike his quarry just in this place." + +"If that be so, I warrant the headlong flight of the stricken bird would +carry them much farther down the slope," said Oswald. + +"A bright idea, I do declare, Master Oswald," exclaimed Ethel. "We never +thought of that, Bretwul. You will gain some repute for wit, neighbour +Oswald, if you brighten up like this." + +"I am much obliged for your condescension, lady; I feel highly honoured +and greatly flattered by your compliment;" and again he made pretence of +a low obeisance. + +"Oh, don't take it too seriously, sir; but we will take your hint, +nevertheless." So the party extended their search, and presently they +discovered the falcon and his prey beneath a tree--the hawk having +improved the time by stripping the bird of its plumage, and gorging +himself with the flesh and blood of his victim. + +"There, you greedy creature," exclaimed Ethel, as she set eyes on the +falcon. "You will fly no more to-day, I suppose, you glutton! I think +you had better hood him at once, Bretwul, and take him home; and I will +join this party of gallants--by their permission, of course--and if they +should now deem it quite safe for a lady to do so." + +So the two young chieftains and Ethel headed the company, and steadily +they pressed homeward to the rough and primitive, but nevertheless +hospitable hall of Beowulf the Dane. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +STORM CLOUDS. + + "Yet the first bringer of unwelcome news + Hath but a losing office; and his tongue + Sounds ever after as a sullen bell, + Remembered knolling a departed friend." + + Shakespeare. + + +"Whilst the cooks are busy with our spoil, Beowulf, I propose we +practise at the joust," said Oswald. "Rumour hath it this Count William, +of Normandy, is collecting an army in order to eject our rightful Saxon +king, Harold, from the throne, and ere long we may have these Norman +knights tilting through the ranks of our simple yeomen, who are unused +to this method of warfare; and King Harold and his brothers would be +pleased to have sturdy comrades who would be a match for the Norman at +his own weapons," remarked Oswald. + +"Leave the joust to Norman fops, say I, neighbour Oswald, and their +tilting methods to our hardy pikemen, who will know how to deal with +them, never fear. The honest Saxon broadsword is a match for any weapon, +I warrant you. As for this new-fangled Norman joust, as they call it, +why I despise it. Playing at war, with women looking on, and waving +their 'kerchiefs, and simpering, and whimpering about--bah! I wonder +you'll meddle with such stuff, neighbour!" growled Beowulf +contemptuously. + +"Thank you, Beowulf, for your compliments, but if I am permitted to +witness your feat of arms, I'll endeavour not to 'simper and whimper +about' if it annoys you. But you men folk can find nothing better to do +than play at war, I know, and therefore I rule it shall be with both the +broadsword and lance," said Ethel. + +"Agreed!" cried Oswald; "and our fair cousin Ethel shall be queen of +beauty _a la joute_." + +"Mind you don't make a fool or a dolt of yourself, neighbour Oswald, +with your Norman fooleries. But I'll humour you in your folly for the +sake of a bout with the broadsword, in honest Saxon fashion," growled +Beowulf. + +When they reached the hall the two young men retired to the armoury, and +presently reappeared clad in complete armour, several lances being borne +by the housecarles. The pair then sprang into their saddles, and Oswald, +partly to joke his opponent, careened round in a circle, mimicking the +gallantry of the Normans, displaying the paces of his charger and his +skill in horsemanship. As he passed Ethel, in mock seriousness he dipped +the point of his lance in salutation of her as queen of beauty. Ethel +endeavoured to disguise it, but the crimson blushes suffused her +countenance for an instant; but there was a quick revolt of maidenly +dignity; her eye flashed, and her foot beat the ground impatiently, as +she exclaimed under her breath,--"I presume he thinks I am but a child +to tease and joke." + +Presently the pair took up a position some twenty paces apart, and +prepared to charge. Ethel, fearful of her brother's temper, which was +most uncertain, cried to them, "Will you remember this is but play, and +see you two don't come to blows in good earnest? for I know by +experience that brother Beowulf flies into a rage with me if I poke fun +at him, and what he will do if you poke him in the ribs with that ugly +weapon, Master Oswald, I know not." + +"Go to, wench, your tongue is too ready! You would be better seen +superintending the wenches who are roasting hogsflesh, than wagging your +tongue in the presence of men." Then, turning to his friend and comrade +Oswald, he said, "Now, sir, are you ready? Let us be done with this +Norman folly as soon as maybe." + +So they laid their lances in rest, and prepared to tilt. Oswald was much +more tall and lithe than his opponent, and much more skilful in the +handling of his charger. Indeed, it seemed almost as though one mind +animated the pair. Beowulf was rather older, bulkier in build, and +better set up, being twenty-three. But he cherished a deep-rooted +aversion and contempt of the Norman leaven which had been stealing over +the land during the late reign of Edward the Confessor, and his pet +aversion was the mode of warfare current amongst Norman gentlemen; and +so he never practised it, except on occasions like the present. + +"Now, sirs," iterated Ethel, still fearful, "and especially you, +Beowulf, don't get mad and knock each other's heads off, I tell you +again!" + +"Hold your tongue, chattering magpie, and go inside as I bid you! That +is where petticoated jades like you should be when weapons are about," +said Beowulf. "Now, come on, sir. If we listen to her she'll prate like +a half-fed fowl by the hour together." + +So the tilt commenced, and continued for some time, more in play than in +dead earnest, Oswald showing his superior skill by striking Beowulf how +and where he pleased, at the same time handling his horse so perfectly +that Beowulf found no opportunity of striking him squarely. The rough +knocks which he receives, and his want of skill, are most exasperating +to Beowulf, especially so when at last by a skilful manoeuvre Oswald +flings his charger's flank round, bringing his head broadside on of his +opponent, and then ignominiously tilts him out of his saddle to the +ground. Beowulf sprang to his feet, mad with rage, and shouted,-- + +"Come down from that perch! I'll soon give you quits with a better +weapon!" and away he marched for a couple of broadswords. + +Forgetting her dignity in her anxiety over Beowulf's temper, Ethel +tripped up to Oswald and with girlish freedom grasped his arm. "Now, +Master Oswald, you have driven Beowulf mad, as I thought you would. If I +may use his not very complimentary term, I would say, Will you, to +please a _jade_ like me, take care to come off second best in this +sword-play, if it be only to mollify him? for if you don't I am afraid +he will be quite furious." + +Oswald laughed and stroked the fair hair of the maiden as he remarked, +"It is well advised, my bright-eyed little dame; I do believe that fair +face is index to a kindly and wholesome mother-wit." + +Presently Beowulf returned with a couple of broadswords, but his temper +had abated nothing in the interval. The quick-witted and irrepressible +Ethel noticed this at once, and she banteringly called out to him, "Now, +brother Beowulf, remember this is only sword-play. Don't go and cut +Master Oswald's head off!" + +"What! you are still there, are you, jade? I saw you titter when Master +Oswald pushed me out of the saddle. When I've dealt with him, I'll give +you a taste of an ash sapling, since you won't mend your manners when +told." + +Ethel burst into a most provoking, merry laugh. "Thank you, brother +Beowulf, for your good intentions; but haven't I told you many times +before, that ash sapling hasn't grown yet?" + +"Go to, you chit, you provoke me past endurance!" and he made for her in +an ungovernable rage; but Ethel turned and fled like a gazelle, and +Beowulf knew by past experience that to catch the fleet-footed maiden +was a hopeless task, so he returned to his sword-play. + +The diversion of Beowulf's wrath, however, did good, and especially as +Oswald took Ethel's hint, and was clearly second best. So Beowulf's good +humour was completely restored when Ethel pronounced Oswald victor at +the joust, and Beowulf at sword-play. Then Ethel grasped Beowulf's arm, +and they adjourned to the hall. + +"How shocking of you, brother Beowulf, to talk of using an ash sapling +to a young lady! You quite humiliated me in Master Oswald's eyes." + +"Now go to, Ethel! If you don't give up teasing me I shall do something +to you I shall have to repent of some time." + +"Oh, no, you won't, brother Beowulf, I know better than that," said +Ethel, with true sisterly affection. + +The castle, or what is more correct, the hall of the Thane Beowulf made +no pretension to architectural style or beauty. It was like its master, +rough, but stout and of massive build. One saw the stoutness of its +walls by a glance at its deep mullion windows, and its massive doors, +formed of double layers of oak, securely fastened and strengthened by +iron bands and bolts. In the large hall there was set a long table down +the centre, loaded with viands and large jugs of ale. Down each side of +the hall also there were side tables, where the housecarles and villeins +fed. But the centre table was reserved for guests, and the more favoured +retainers of the thane. A glance round the hall told at once that +Beowulf still held by the heathenish customs which his viking ancestors +brought over with them. For, conspicuous everywhere, upon wood and stone +and vessels, were carved the characters and devices of their +superstition, known as runes. Here and there also there looked down upon +the banqueters the carved images of Thor and Woden. + +On the thane's right hand sat his daughter Ethel, who, since the death +of her mother many years ago, had become a greatly privileged object of +his affection. On his left sat Oswald, son of a Saxon chieftain who had +extensive lands in a neighbouring valley. At the foot of the table sat +his son, who took his own name of Beowulf. + +"I hear you have been out hawking to-day, Ethel girl," said the grizzled +old thane, turning to his daughter. + +"Yes, father, brother Beowulf said it wasn't fitting for a girl like me +to go to the boar hunt, and Master Oswald then, to his shame, never +spoke a word in my favour, so I must needs perforce stay at home. +Therefore I went out hawking; for brother Beowulf kindly allows that." + +"Ha, ha!" giggled the old thane gleefully; "thou art a wild slip of a +girl; too much wit for honest Beowulf. But curb thy tongue," he +continued, stroking her fair hair. "He means thee well. He is honest, is +Beowulf, and brave too. He will do! He will do! Like his old father +maybe, not overloaded with wit, but honest, and never turned back on +friend or foe." + +The banquet proceeded in very hearty fashion, which atoned for its +roughness. But there seldom sat at the thane's table any guest afflicted +with a squeamish appetite. So beef, venison, pork, and sundries, along +with wheaten cake and ale, disappeared at an alarming rate. + +Whilst the banquet was proceeding, one of the housecarles drew near and +whispered to the thane that Saxon runners had arrived with messages from +the king which permitted no delay. + +"Have them ushered in. Kings will be obeyed," said the thane; "and +truly, if they rule well, honest men will never be slack to obey." + +So these messengers were ushered in, and the thane addressed them: "What +be your message, gallant fellows, that will not tarry till we have fed, +and ye yourselves have tasted our hospitality? Speak out, men! we have +no secrets here!" + +"If it please you, worthy thane, the king hath sent round the war arrow, +and summons all loyal gentlemen, together with their men-at-arms, to +repair to him at York instantly; for the Danes be landed in the Humber +under King Hardrada. Also, Count William, of Normandy, hath prepared him +a fleet of vessels, a thousand in number, and threatens an invasion of +the southern coasts." + +"Ye bear a sorry message, my worthy fellows, truly, but ye have only +done your errand. But if two overladen mountain torrents join their +forces in one pent-up little burn, there follows desolation in their +wake. A sorry day for merry England, this, gentlemen--north and south +together distraught." + +Then, addressing his guests and retainers, he said, "My guests are their +own masters in this matter. But the men of my household--my son, my +retainers and vassals--most of us come of viking stock; and it may be +sorry work to march against these Danes. But we live on the land, and we +must defend the land." + +Immediately a wild shout of approval greeted that saying. + +"Further, these greedy plunderers will treat us as Saxons, nor spare +aught we have of goods or cattle; or even our lives. So in this quarrel +we are Saxons, and we will prove it at the sword's point." + +This also was greeted with shouts of approval. So the feast came +abruptly to an end. The guests withdrew, to meet again within a week to +do battle with the Danes at Stanford Bridge, since known as +Battle-bridge, and from thence to Hastings' bloody field. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +TRAITORS IN COUNCIL. + + "Treason doth never prosper. What's the reason? + Why, if it prosper, none dare call it treason." + + _Epigram._ + + +We pass over the details of the sturdy struggle and victory over the +Danes at Battle-bridge, and the disastrous defeat of Hastings, except +just to note that the young chieftain Oswald left his father dead on the +battle-field. The next three years were ones of immunity from the +rapacity of the Normans, so far as we were concerned, for they never +ventured so far north. But in the year 1069, whilst William was absent +in Normandy, there was a powerful conspiracy entered into for the +purpose of wresting the kingdom from him. The Danes landed in the +Humber. The Saxons rallied throughout the North. York was taken, and its +garrison of three thousand Normans put to the sword. + +Immediately after the wonderful successes which attended the +insurrectionary movement, the leaders of the rebellion hastily called +together at York what was known as a "Thing," or council. All the +leaders of note were summoned. A somewhat motley company they were, +their aims being far from identical, and the elements of disruption and +disunion were on the surface. All of them were excessively elated and +flushed with the complete and wonderful victories achieved--I am sorry +to say, also, very much demoralised by them. The Danish leaders in +particular were so, for they had taken much spoil, plundering friend or +foe pretty much as they listed--plunder being, in fact, their sole +reason for taking part in the movement. Very conspicuous, both by their +dress and demeanour, were these Danish leaders. They were deeply bronzed +and hardy-looking, rough and fierce as warrior seamen who had been wont +all their lives to do battle with foes on land, and often with the +fiercer and still more deadly foe of old ocean. They carried daggers at +their belts, and heavy swords dangled by their sides. The young +chieftain Oswald, whom we have already introduced to the readers, was +there. The few years of stress and struggle since last we met him had +had a marked effect upon him. He had stood by Harold's side at Stanford +Bridge, and marched with him to Hastings, and stood in the forefront of +that historic "wedge" of sturdy Saxons, who defied the utmost efforts of +William's horse and foot to dislodge them. The playfulness of youth had +given place to the stern thoughtfulness of manhood; whilst the tall +figure had broadened in sturdy proportions. He was of commanding +presence, young, handsome, and daring, yet wise as any elder, known +intimately by me, and a very great favourite with me also, and +destined to figure prominently in these records. By his side, +as a near neighbour, as well as a compatriot, sat the young Thane +Beowulf--aforementioned--of another lineage, but still identified with +the Saxon cause, being native born, though by his father's side a +descendant of the Danes who settled in the north of England three +generations earlier. Other leaders also there were, of whom it is not +necessary to speak, as they occupy no further place in these pages. + +At the appointed hour Waltheof, the leader of the Saxon forces, entered. +He was a man gifted by nature with the physical proportions which +attract attention. But there was a hesitancy, irresolution, and lack of +force depicted in his countenance, and a wariness and suspicion about +his small, shrinking grey eyes, that were the reverse of reassuring. +Accompanying Waltheof was a Norman knight at whose appearance many +sprang to their feet in amazement. Seeing which, Waltheof introduced the +Norman to the company. + +"Worthy thanes and nobles," said he, "this gallant Norman is Baron +Vigneau, one of William's bravest knights, who has been assigned some +lands bordering on the Fen country, and had tacked on to the beggarly +gift, the duty of defending that coast against our allies the Danes, as +well as to assist in keeping in check our brave countryman Hereward. A +weighty charge, I warrant, for such a beggar's dole of barren acres. +This gallant knight comes as emissary of a still more famous Norman, the +Count de Montfort, whose lance wrought such havoc in our ranks at +Hastings. Count de Montfort has good and weighty reasons against the +king, or his councillors, for the base ingratitude with which his +services have been rewarded; and he offers to join hands with us, and +will lead into the field seventeen knights, fully equipped and +accoutred, together with three hundred of foot; all of them men-at-arms, +trained and stout. This worthy knight, Baron Vigneau, of whose prowess +also I have ample proof, is bearer of letters--which I have carefully +examined--from the Count de Montfort, duly signed and sealed, and +bearing ample evidence of good faith. Under the circumstances, I have +taken the liberty to introduce this worthy knight to our council." + +This speech was received by many in blank astonishment, and there was +loud and angry murmuring amongst the company, but no one seemed willing +to voice the discontent. Oswald, however, sprang to his feet and said, +"Noble sir, no doubt the credentials presented by this Norman knight are +such as meet with your approval, but I would respectfully urge that no +one should sit at our Council who has not attested his fidelity to our +cause by services rendered in the field of battle; for when this is the +case we have pledges which cannot be shaken off at pleasure." + +"A plague on your impudence, boy! You are too ready of the tongue! Let +the elders speak if they have any objections to make!--but I am not in +the habit of having my conduct called in question by a mere youth; and +what is sufficient for me must be sufficient for such as you, and +without cavil. What say our Danish allies? No objection, I see. Then let +us proceed to business." So saying, he took his place at the head of the +board, and the bulky Norman slid into a back seat. + +The question to deliberate upon was how to prosecute the war so +auspiciously begun. The Council, however, proceeded to discuss the +question in a very unpromising fashion, the discussion being +characterised by a good deal of blatant braggadocio, and accompanied by +a very free use of the wine-cup. + +The chief of the Danes reared aloft his stalwart form and said,-- + +"My lord, we Danes are wanting to know when we are to make a move south? +We have wasted four good days in drivel and talk, when we should have +been making good our vantage. We might by this time have sacked +Shepfield, Leacaster, and Birmingam, where they tell me the +gold-smiths', armourers', and weavers' crafts are flourishing, and +where, to boot, the Normans have built themselves many pretty house +places full of dainty stuff. All of which we might have pouched whilst +this dog's whelp is abroad!" + +"Worthy thane," replied Waltheof, "we are waiting for Malcolm of +Scotland and the young Prince Atheling, for we expect the Saxons of the +south will rally to the standard of the Prince. We also have to remember +that the Normans are more thickly posted farther south, and we must +therefore have all our forces up." + +"Tut, tut! Cowardice is at the bottom of it all, as I thought. But what +care we for the Norman dogs? and what care we for a baby prince who +cannot be brought to the fray? We want the spoils, and there is none to +be had cowering here like a fox in his hole. If we are not to move south +at once, why then we take the tide the morn's even, and leave you to +face the bear when he comes to his lair as best you can." + +At this juncture the attention of every member of the council was +suddenly arrested by the advent of a messenger who suddenly burst into +the room, with the perspiration pouring off him by reason of the hot +haste with which he had ridden. + +"How now, fellow! what news hast thou which calls for such haste?" said +Waltheof. + +"My lords," exclaimed the messenger, "I have ridden all speed to make +known unto you that the Norman is back again in England, and that he is +rapidly marching northwards at the head of an army; he being not more +than two days' march to the south." + +If a thunderbolt had dashed into the room instead of this messenger, the +effect could not have been greater. Waltheof turned pale as death, and +peered nervously about the room, as though he expected to be instantly +confronted by the dreaded presence of the king. Several also rose from +their seats and promptly slid out of the room in dismay at the tidings. +The Danish rovers were not slow to note this arrant cowardice, and one +of them immediately jumped to his feet in fierce exasperation at this +conduct, and sneeringly shouted, "Ha, ha! the Saxon caitiffs are +slinking off at the mention of this dog of a Norman! Never mind, let the +cowards go. I pledge me a health to the Danish warriors, who will dare +to fight the cowardly Saxons' battle for them; but we'll see to't that +the Danish war-ships shall bear away the spoil," and as he spoke he +gulped down a huge draught of wine. + +"Excuse me, worthy thane," said Oswald, the young Saxon chieftain, +starting to his feet at these taunts; "let me tell you the Saxons have +their virtues, and valour too, not one whit behind that of your +countrymen." + +"Whew! Virtues say you?" bawled the quarrelsome and half-drunken Dane. +"Aye, marry! Saxons can preach you a homily with any shaveling priest in +the land, or simper as chastely as any wench. Virtues! Ha, ha! Ho, ho! +_Maugre!_ Virtues by the bushel, I warrant you, sirs. Marry, anything, +in fact, but fight. Ha, ha! Virtues! Thou hast well said it, and aptly +too, young suckling! If I were a Saxon I'd don my mother's petticoats." + +"Hear me, thane," retorted Oswald, repressing with great difficulty the +rising choler. "You are our ally, and that shall be some excuse for your +unseemly mouthing; but hark you to this for a moment. Your memory does +not seem quite long enough to remember Battle-bridge and the precious +figure cut by your countrymen on that occasion against the Saxon; and +yet it is not more than four years agone. Hark you to this also, friend; +I warrant you will find, ere this war be done, that Saxons can fight as +bravely as any Dane that ever wielded sword." + +But the Dane persisted in his irritating and quarrelsome jesting. +"Saxons fight?" he bawled, "Why, come, that is a joke, anyhow! I say, +young Milkfed, tell me, if you can, what of this? How comes it to pass +that either Norman or Dane, or even the tricky Scot, come when they list +to crow on the Saxons' dunghill? How comes it also, my valiant Saxon +cub, that you should ask us to come and help you fight this dog of a +Norman? Read me that riddle, can you, boy? You besought us to come and +help you, and here we are. I wish you joy of it. You'll be well rid when +we go; for if we get not Norman booty, I warrant we will have Saxon, if +we skin every Saxon churl in the island for it. What think you to that, +young Sixfoot, eh?" + +The altercation seemed likely to develop into a serious quarrel, but at +this juncture a Danish messenger crept slily into the room, and, nudging +his leader's elbow, whispered something in his ear, at which he jumped +to his feet and turned to his comrade, and between them a brief and +excited conversation was carried on in an undertone; the result being +that immediately the pair hurriedly withdrew from the room. Oswald, who +had been watching these Danes with a suspicious eye, immediately turned +to the leader, Waltheof; but he beheld with astonishment that the +leader's chair was empty; Waltheof, amid the clamour of voices, having +noiselessly slipped out of the room. + +"Ah, ah! what now?" he ejaculated, leaping to his feet and dragging his +comrade Beowulf to the door. "There is something ominous in all this, +Beowulf. It bodes no good to the Saxon cause, mark me." + +"What is it, think you, Oswald, that breeds this fear and distrust in +the breasts of our leaders?" + +"I know not, Beowulf, but, by the rood! I cannot believe that the mere +mention of the Norman's name breeds this cowardice and panic in the +breasts of our leaders. 'Tis not fear that has overtaken these Danes, +mark me, but something more potent. They are at best but hirelings, and +are as treacherous as the foul fiend. They will not scruple to betray us +for a paltry bribe if it be offered; and this Norman is astute enough to +know that they have their price." + +"That is not the extent of the mischief, Oswald. I marked this Waltheof +closely, and I like not his looks at all. The coward's blood forsook his +cheek instantly at the mention of the Norman's name. I warrant him a +coward and traitor at heart, or I know not a coward when I see him." + +"What is to be done, Beowulf!" + +"We must stand to it like men. We know our duty, and to turn tail like a +whipped hound ere we have seen this Norman's face would be worse than +cowardice." + +"Then we must place ourselves at the head of our men forthwith; for if +any idle rumours reach their ears, I would not answer for it. Indeed, if +William be within striking distance we must bestir ourselves, for if he +find us unprepared, he knows well how to push his vantage against an +unready foe." + +Thus this ill-starred Council came to an end, and it left the Saxons as +a rope of sand, without cohesion, without any definite plan of attack or +of defence--a ready prey for a wily and daring commander. In bitter +dejection, and with forebodings of impending disaster, one by one the +members passed out, each one to pursue his own course. + +When the Saxon members of the Council had one and all left the room, +then uprose the bulky and sinister-looking figure of the Norman +emissary, from a seat in a shaded corner, where, unobserved, he had been +quietly taking note of the wretched divisions of the Saxon Council. As +he came forward he burst into a hoarse and derisive laugh, and +exclaimed, "Here's a go anyhow--ha, ha! A precious revolt it is! A man +would be an ass to pin his fortunes to a quarrelsome rabble like this. +Why, I warrant me they would cut one another's throats at a word! And +then how the bubble burst up at the mere mention of the Conqueror's +name! But where are my precious letters?" said he, fumbling in his +doublet for something, and eventually pulling out a packet carefully +folded with a silken band, and sealed in several places by a huge seal +with the crest and quarterings of the famous Count De Montfort. "Ha, ha, +my precious!" said he, turning the missive over and eyeing it with +savage delight. "I'm glad I kept possession of you. You are a treasure! +I'll not part with you yet awhile," and he carefully thrust the letter +back again within his doublet. "Ha, ha!" said he, scowling demoniacally, +"De Montfort will finger that missive no more until he makes good his +bargain with me. I'll have his proud daughter as the price of this, or +we'll see what will come to pass. I have my own belt to buckle as well +as De Montfort; and I'll do it now after my own humour. I'll no longer +dangle like a moonstruck suitor at my lady's skirts, and wag my tail +like any spaniel if I should chance to get a word or a smile. I have +been meek and humble long enough; but now Vigneau shall be first, for I +have got him! Trapped, by ----! He thought he would play the traitor, +did he? fool and dolt that he is! One would have thought him wiser than +to do his treason second-hand. He makes pretence of wisdom, but he acts +the fool at times as roundly as any clown. But I'll no more of this +anyhow. I do believe the Saxon clowns have scurried off to their holes +like a parcel of rats already. I must be off too, for if the _tanner's_ +son should catch me at my present business, it will go bad with my hide +I'm feared; and I should like to keep my skin whole a little longer, +come what may. Ho, ho!" said he, bursting again into hoarse laughter. "I +wonder what Odo or Fitz-Osborne would give to know of this little freak +of De Montfort's! The wily Odo has ousted him from William's councils +already, and if he had possession of this"--thumping his chest where the +missive lay--"he'd have De Montfort's head in a trice. Enough! that will +do for me." So saying, he vanished from the hall. + +Meanwhile, the second messenger, at whose communication the Danish +sea-rovers had vanished from the Council, proved to be an emissary of +the wily Conqueror--his purpose being to negotiate with the Danes, and +with Waltheof, conditions on which they would retire from the fray. +Scarcely were they outside than he said to these Danes,-- + +"My master offers to you five hundred ounces of beaten gold, and a free +passage for your vessels, together with such plunder as you can wrest +from the Saxons." + +"Five hundred ounces of gold is a sorry price for a wealthy king like +your master to offer for such a service," said one of the Danes. "But +come now, if your master will make it one thousand ounces, to be +delivered over by sunset to-morrow; together with our plunder, and such +as we can further gather; why then, within twenty-four hours our vessels +shall be ploughing the northern seas for home." + +"Done!" said the messenger. "My hand on it. The gold shall be delivered +over to you by sunset to-morrow, as you say." + +No sooner was this bargain made than the spy turned his attention to +Waltheof, a man treacherous by instinct, and cowardly by nature. It is +scarcely necessary to say, he grasped only too eagerly at the promised +free pardon, coupled as it was with large grants of land and estates. +With the Saxon forces thus weakened and demoralised, William knew the +remnant of this powerful conspiracy would be crushed with the utmost +ease by him. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +DEFEAT. + + "What though the field be lost? + All is not lost." + + _Paradise Lost._ + + +Oswald the Saxon, and Beowulf the Saxon Dane, passed out into the night, +and continued their course beyond the gates of the city, which were so +broken down that they served no longer the purpose for which they were +erected. The walls also for considerable distances were thrown down, and +in a state of disrepair. The insurrectionary forces had determined to +push forward in the king's absence, but in the meantime they were +halting, waiting for Malcolm of Scotland, and for further counsel. They +were encamped some miles away on the banks of the river running between +York and the head of the estuary of the Humber, where the Danish +war-vessels were anchored. The Danes held the head of the estuary, +throwing out their forces Yorkward, but encamped sufficiently near to +cover their vessels, in the event of an attack upon them. Waltheof, the +leader and commander-in-chief of the Saxon forces, occupied a central +position, having under his command the bulk of the rebels; whilst +Oswald, Beowulf, and others, occupied the right wing, which to a certain +extent covered the city. On the news of William's landing, the bridges +were thrown down, but in many places the river was fordable, during dry +weather, both for man and horse. But to effect this in the face of +sturdy enemies was a most formidable task, and the Saxons were +sufficiently numerous to guard the river effectually wherever it was +fordable. + +Early in the morning, after the breaking up of the council of war, the +scouts brought in the intelligence that William had arrived within six +miles, and ere nightfall the pennants of the Normans were flying within +sight of the Saxon forces. + +Very little of that night was spent by Oswald in rest. Twice he +patrolled the whole length of the river under his command, visiting and +cheering every outpost. But judge how great was his consternation, and +that of his forces also, when, with the dawning of the morning, the +fraction of the Saxons commanded by him were made painfully aware of the +fact that the Normans had passed the river, unopposed, in the night; and +worse than that, there began to be ominous rumours that this had arisen +through the treachery of Waltheof--that he, having been bribed by the +Conqueror, had left the remnant to their fate. In these straits time was +precious, for the Normans were advancing up the river, doubling up the +Saxon outposts, and throwing them back on the main body. Hastily a +council of war was called, and not a few, in face of the danger and the +hopelessness of their cause in the midst of such treachery, were for +dispersing without a blow; but Oswald, addressing them, said,-- + +"I fear it is too true that there is treachery in our ranks; but as yet +we know not its extent. If Waltheof has succumbed to William's bribes, +there are still the Danes, who will be able to harass the rear of our +enemy. Hourly, also, we are expecting Malcolm of Scotland and the +Atheling, so that we need not despair. Let us make a bold stand; the +battle is by no means lost if the Danes stand firm. Now, with our +handful of men it is utterly impossible to meet the Normans in the open +country; for they will double our left flank easily and surround us. But +on the fringe of yonder dense wood, with our line extended under cover +of the thicket, and where the enemy's horse will be absolutely +useless--where also our men will be quite in their element and be able +to ply their long bows with deadly effect, and their spears or swords at +close quarters--we shall surely avoid, in any case, the wholesale +slaughter of our men; and we shall administer a severe check to +William's march." + +The force of this sage advice was seen at once by the leaders, and the +forces accordingly retired to the wood in their rear, and took up their +fighting attitude just within its shelter. The Saxons, who were brave +individually, were still undisciplined and incapable of acting together +with precision in the open; but they were wonderfully heartened by this +movement, which gave them shelter from the onslaughts of the enemy's +horse--a mode of warfare which has at all times had a demoralising +effect upon untrained soldiers. So, having their right flank resting on +the river, and in consequence shielded from any flank movement there, +they threw out their left considerably, so as to prevent, if possible, +any over-lapping by the Normans. They were the better able to do this, +seeing that the enemy's horse were totally unable to charge through +their attenuated lines; the jungle being an effectual barrier to this. +Oswald arranged his men in two fighting lines. The foremost ranks, with +spear and sword, were to resist the advance of the Normans. The second +were bowmen, who were to cover the front ranks by letting fly their +arrows in the faces of the foe; a most ingenious and effective +expedient. To Beowulf he entrusted the command of the left wing, with +instructions to in no case permit the Normans to outflank them, but, if +necessary, to double in the left flank also, until it rested on the +river. + +Scarcely had Oswald time to make this careful disposition of his men ere +the vanguard of the Normans were upon them. But a shower of arrows from +the Saxons at close quarters thoroughly disconcerted them. So fiercely +were they met, and by a force whose numbers they had no means of +gauging, that they deemed it prudent to retire beyond bowshot until the +remainder of the forces advanced to their support. Then came a more +determined assault on the Saxons' position. But, from behind trees and +shrubs, the concealed defenders drave their short spears through each +assailant, or clave them with their short Saxon swords or battle-axes. +Oswald and others, who were clad in armour, boldly fronted them in every +gap, making great havoc in the ranks of the men-at-arms, or singling out +the Norman leaders and engaging them. + +In the midst of the fray, one noteworthy incident occurred. Oswald, to +his amazement, saw the burly Norman, Vigneau, who had come with +professions of help, now fighting fiercely against them. Immediately his +blood was fired, and pressing steadily towards him, eventually they met +face to face. + +"Ah, treacherous villain!" said Oswald. "This is your friendship for our +cause, is it? I have a particular message for tricksters and sneaking +traitors like you." + +"Come on, varlet of a Saxon, and don't stand prating like some gowky +wench, and I'll quickly give thee thy quietus," said Vigneau savagely. + +Instantly there ensued a most desperate encounter between these two +powerful combatants. Each of them, however, wore a suit of armour, and +carried a shield, and each one was most skilful in the use of his +weapons, so that, desperate and determined as they both were, no +conclusive blow resulted. But whilst the duel progressed, the general +body of the Normans made steady progress, in spite of the valour of the +Saxons, and speedily Oswald was quite surrounded, though totally +oblivious of the fact. One stalwart Saxon, however, who had fought by +Oswald's side--by name Wulfhere--saw the imminent danger in which his +leader was placed, and he rushed to his rescue, quickly cleaving his way +through; and seizing Oswald, he exclaimed,-- + +"Master, you will be cut off if you don't keep in fighting line with +us!" + +This fierce reminder awoke Oswald to the peril of his position, and he +said to his antagonist, "Another time, villain, will come, when I hope +we may effectually finish this quarrel." + +"Sooner and better, churl; but for the present your better plan is to +run away," retorted Vigneau. + +In the meantime, although the Saxons had extended their lines to the +utmost limits which the sparsity of their men would permit, the Normans +surged round and completely overlapped them. So Beowulf was compelled to +initiate the movement ordered by Oswald, and the left wing was gradually +doubled back until it also converged on the river; and thus the line of +battle was in the form of a semicircle. The Saxons fought with +desperation, disputing every inch of the ground, and strewing the +ground, yard by yard, with the Norman slain. The masterly skill with +which their ground had been chosen and their defence planned, gave them +great advantage, and enabled them to maintain the unequal contest for +nearly an hour. But ultimately the quivers of the archers were emptied +of every shaft, and the battle could no longer be maintained with +advantage, but would probably end in complete massacre. So Oswald +selected a spot where the river was fordable; then, he and a hundred +stalwart Saxons stood shoulder to shoulder, keeping the enemy at bay +whilst the rank and file crossed the stream. Then, gradually narrowing +their own circle until every one had taken the river, the last +half-dozen, with their faces to the foe, fought their way across. + +When they had reached the opposite side, the order was given for +dispersal, and the gallant band melted away, and severally, or in bands, +sought their distant homes. Thus ended in total failure, through +cowardice and treachery, what at one time seemed, in its very marked +success, a conspiracy that would ultimately wrest the kingdom from the +usurper. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +DESPERATE RESOLVES. + + "Cowards die many times before their death + The valiant never taste of death but once." + + Shakespeare. + + +"The Saxon cause is lost, Wulfhere, by base-hearted cowardice and +treachery," said Oswald, turning to the stalwart "freeman" already +introduced to the reader. "Look to the rear, though I think the Normans +have had such a taste of our quality that there will be no pursuit for +the present; but henceforth we may look to it, for there will be--unless +I greatly misjudge the Norman king--a bitter revenge exacted from us, +and untempered in the least degree by mercy. We have our broadswords +left to us, and we have proved this day that they have a keen edge and +bite as sharp as ever. We have a few bowmen, also, who can shoot +straight; but for our shelter I fear me we shall have but the dense +forest, and the rugged hills of our native Craven for our defence. But +they are a defence familiar to us, and no battering-ram or assault of +besiegers will avail our foe. Let them drive the wolf to bay if they +dare, and they shall find he has sharp teeth. Well, to me, Wulfhere, a +life of valorous freedom is better than servile slavery and degraded +serfdom." + +"I join you there, my lord. A ceorl born, a ceorl for ever. That is my +charter. I will maintain it to the death," said Wulfhere. + +The conclusions of Oswald, with regard to the revenge which the Normans +would exact, proved only too true. Like a conflagration, the sanguinary, +mercenary host spread themselves over the northern part of the kingdom, +and desolation and death spread their ghastly wings over the land. +William's aim evidently was to decimate the population, and thus make +any further revolt utterly impossible. + +I forbear, however, to enter into the details of the wholesale slaughter +which followed after the Saxons were put to the rout at York, in mercy +to the reader. + +So, at the word of command, the followers of Oswald moved away from the +fatal field, with celerity, but in perfect order. The close of the +second day brought them home again. Bitterly sad our hearts were at the +tidings they brought us, and at sight of the thinned ranks of stout and +hardy yeomen who went out from us on this last desperate venture. The +Earl addressed the following words to them, as we stood together in the +monastery grounds: "My trusty followers, my faithful friends,--We have +probably not more than forty-eight hours before we shall be face to face +again with the hated Norman foe--on our own lands, and at the thresholds +of our own homes. Do not let us, because of this short respite, close +our eyes to what will inevitably follow. Neither age nor sex will be +spared, though we should crawl at their feet, and grovel in the dust. +The only thing these Normans will respect is the broadsword, as it +flashes at their breast, or the arrow, glancing unerringly through the +branches of the trees in the forest fastnesses. I advise you to take to +the hills; the caves will form in some respects a shelter for your wives +and little ones. Carry your cattle along with you to the hills and +mountain gorges. Your corn, your cooking utensils--in short, everything +of value and of service--take along with you. There are men here from +every corner of our domain. Tell your neighbours, and make haste; even +the minutes are precious. I shall contrive, if I live, to protect you +for the present, and until my castle is taken you will be absolutely +safe." + +As the men moved slowly away to their homes in the distant hamlets, +bearers of the sorrowful news, the Earl turned to Wulfhere. + +"Well, Wulfhere, my resolve is taken. I shall not cower before, or +servilely beg for freedom at the hands of the proudest Norman of them +all. Further, I shall not fly over sea, and sell my sword to a foreign +potentate. Yonder, in the distance, I can descry the turrets of my +castle. I was born there, and I shall defend it to the last; and when +driven from it, it will still be a joy to sit on the hillsides and gaze +upon the old home. There are likewise these followers of mine, who have +followed me everywhere and blindly done my bidding. It were dastardly +conduct to give them over now to sanguinary massacre. When, as a boy, +with falcon on my arm and hound at my heel, I hied me o'er these lands, +my faithful yeomen welcomed me everywhere, and their good wives brought +out their daintiest morsel and their sweetest mead. We shall stand or +fall together. Who knows? The Saxon star may some day be in the +ascendant again, and we may push the Normans from our shores. What +sayest thou, Wulfhere?" + +"Your purpose, my lord, if I understand you aright, is to defend the +castle so long as you can, and then try to hold the Normans at bay by +means of the shelter which the woods and the hills afford." + +"That is my present purpose. I can scarcely hope to hold the castle, +except for a little while, but I may thus materially check the +desolating march of the Normans. But ultimately I look to the woods and +the hills for permanent safety. We are more fortunate than our +countrymen in other parts of the kingdom. If we look to the north we see +the stately Hanging-brow mountain, lifting itself to the sky and girdled +with the clouds, and those dense woods, which, like a vast army +clambering up its sides, will fight for us in our onslaught, and shield +us in our flight. The waters also shed on its brow by the clouds which +nestle well-nigh perpetually on its shoulders, and go leaping down its +sides with the fierceness of a cataract, have ploughed into the +mountain's seamy sides gorges impassable to untrained feet. Look, to the +east a few miles we have the scarcely less remarkable Weirdburn hills. +To the south, Baldby heights. Think also of the dense woods which +everywhere abound in this Craven of ours. Then, like myself, you will +see that in no other part of the land has Nature so combined to shelter +the friendless and protect the oppressed. Further, we are quite two +hundred and fifty miles from London. Though the Normans will come very +surely to despoil the land, William will speedily draw off his forces, +and we shall have but to cope with the Norman who usurps my lands and +castle, holding it probably with a slender garrison. For the present we +are unequal to the task of contending in open warfare with our foe. We +will contend with him with the most effective weapons we possess; and +these are cunning and evasion. There shall be no solid front presented +to him at which he can aim an effective blow. But when the Normans have +overrun the land, and the bulk of them gone hence, then we will present +a bolder front, and assert our right to share the land, and cultivate +the soil." + +"What do you purpose in this dire emergency, reverend Father?" said he, +turning to me. "Have you any purpose of defending the Abbey?" + +"No, my lord," said I; "we are the disciples of the Prince of Peace, and +we must follow His example. And indeed, carnal weapons would not protect +us if we were minded to use them, and this sacred edifice would suffer +irreparably by our resistance. Perhaps these untamed and bloody men may +have some regard for the sanctity of these walls. We will throw open our +gates to receive them. Those of our servants and followers who prefer to +trust to the woods and the hills, as you advise, are free to do so. +Those who prefer to stay--together with any unhappy fugitives who have +fled hither for shelter--will join the monks in prayers and +supplications, in the sanctuary. Perhaps God will give us favour in the +eyes of our enemies." + +"Give us your blessing, Father," said Oswald, falling on his knees and +meekly uncovering his head, all his followers humbly following his +example. + +"Adieu, my son," said I, laying my hand upon his head. "May the God of +our fathers nerve thy arm for the protection of thy humbler fellows, and +give thee wisdom and discretion in this terrible day of thy country's +visitation!" + +With tearful eyes I watched the receding form of this noble Saxon. No +carnal offspring could be dearer to an earthly parent than he to me. I +had watched over him from infancy, educated him, travelled with him in +many foreign lands; and I hoped he would be a great leader in +statesmanship, in learning, and in all the arts of peace. Now, alas! I +fear circumstance will make him a man of war, and a stern leader of +bloody and desperate men. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +BARON VIGNEAU. + + "All is lost save honour." + + +Early on the morrow, strange rumours and stories, which made the blood +curdle, were brought to the monastery by refugees from far and near. +Both gentle and simple fled hither, being buoyed up by the widespread, +but in this case delusive notion, that sanctuary walls would be sacredly +respected. Amongst the number was the lovely daughter of the worthy +Thane Beowulf, who, along with his son, had been slain in resisting the +advance of the Normans. My heart sank within me as I looked upon her +great beauty, realising with painful vividness how helpless and impotent +I was to protect her--well knowing that lust and rapine, let loose, +would not be awed or restrained even by the sanctity of the Church. + +I had commanded the monks, with all refugees, to repair to the chapel +for prayer, whilst I at the first summons repaired to the gate with some +of the housecarles and lay brothers, and commanded the gates to be +thrown open, when in poured a motley crowd of soldiers and men-at-arms, +evidently bent on plunder, and totally uncontrolled by any sort of +discipline. The crowd surged by me and carried me along, deriding my +entreaties to be heard. One leader, in complete armour, and whom I +afterwards ascertained to be Baron Vigneau, I appealed to in vain. He +rudely pushed me aside with an oath, bidding me say my prayers to the +devil, for he would soon have me and my monkish crew. + +One party made a dash for the northern extremity of the enclosure, where +were the outbuildings, in which our cattle, sheep and goats, and +numerous attendants were housed. These servants, however, made their +exit, with all speed, from the northern gate, as they saw the Normans +enter at the south. One, Badger as he was called by his companions, who +was keeper of the hounds and hawks--a mighty hunter, who kept our larder +well stocked with venison, and fish, and game of every kind--held his +ground. A sly rogue was Badger--so called from his propensity for +hunting these animals and clothing himself in their skins. For hunting, +hawking, and fishing, he was a prodigy. He was well-nigh fleet as a +hare, and could swim like an otter; and had wherewithal so sly a humour, +and such shrewdness, that he was a great favourite with me, and I had +taken pains to add such instruction as I thought would be serviceable to +him. The reader will pardon me this digression. But this Badger was such +an active agent in the subsequent troublous times, and served the Saxon +cause so well, both by his matchless cunning and his rare valour, that I +have taken the trouble to introduce the reader to him at such great +length. A most grotesque figure he presented on this fateful morning, +clothed as he was from head to foot in skins. + +"Hilloa!" roared one trooper to another, as they set eyes upon him. +"What the deuce kind of an animal is this?" + +"The foul fiend, or one of his imps, by Moses!" rejoined the other. + +"Who are you, Satan?" said the first one, riding up to him and giving +him a hearty thwack across the shoulders with the flat of his sword; at +which Badger set up a most hypocritical howl. "Stash that, will you, you +lump of hog's-flesh, or I'll make pork of you in a twinkling! Where are +your cronies? Have you buried them, you old grave-digger?" + +"Oh, hang him, Jaques!" chimed in the other impatiently. "Don't bother +with the slobbering clown! But I've a notion it is a dry shop in this +quarter; you had better get back again to the jolly friars, if you would +have venison pasties and old ale. But I'm going to have a look round, +and see if they have left a hack or two better than mine. They haven't +left a worse, I'm blowed! I don't believe he is a horse. He's only a +shadow and a half; the wind was just going to carry him off when I took +him: so I committed no robbery when I stole him. I vow it's only my +weight which keeps him in this world at all. Gee up, old marrow-bones! +Your old backbone will do to shave the monks with. I wonder I'm not +split up the middle by this. I verily believe my trunk is shorter by a +good six inches than my legs, and I've only been perched on your old +razor-rig these three days. Heigh-up! Jaques," continued he, suddenly +wheeling round, "if you find a tap of good old ale before I get back, +hold on to it till I come! I'm as thirsty as a sponge that hasn't had a +soaking for twenty years. I could suck up half a hogshead easily. My +soul is oozing away through the pores in my body, and all for lack of +moisture." + +Meanwhile, the monks, together with numerous refugees, chiefly women, +were gathered in the church, vainly trusting to the sanctity of the +place for protection. I had no faith in this, however, and had taken the +precaution to have our most valuable and costly treasures of silver and +gold and books conveyed to the sacristy, a barrel-vaulted apartment near +the south transept, led down to by a flight of stone steps, which were +cunningly covered over by the flagging of the floor. This had been +designed expressly for the hiding of our valuables when a raid was +anticipated by the Scots or Danes. + +Many of the Normans, I noticed, made at once for the church. No doubt +they fancied the richest booty would there be found. They rudely burst +open the doors, and I pressed in with them. At once the fierce and +undisciplined soldiery commenced to break and plunder everything. I +advanced towards the leader, Vigneau, and prostrated myself before him +to beg for mercy for the refugees. Alas! He furiously spurned me with +his heavy boot, and cried to his men, "Ho, men! here are a lot of scurvy +monks! Kill the rats in their hole!" Prompt to obey, the soldiers let +fly a volley of arrows amongst the helpless throng huddled about the +altar steps, and wounded many of them. Unhappily, Vigneau at that moment +espied the lovely Ethel crouching amongst them. "Stay, men!" he shouted. +"By Jupiter, here's the loveliest Saxon wench my eyes have seen. You may +take the gold and silver baubles and melt them into zechins. Here's my +share of the plunder!" Immediately he seized Ethel and dragged her from +the steps of the high altar. "Nay, nay, wench," said he, "never be so +shy! Thou wert intended for better company than simpering monks and +friars. Damnation!" he roared, suddenly releasing her, staggering back a +pace or two and staring aghast at her; for she had sprung at him and +driven with all her force at his chest a small dagger she held in her +hand. The dagger rattled upon his mailed chest, but left him scathless. +Still she stood confronting him, like a panther at bay. + +"By Jove!" he roared, as soon as he had recovered from his astonishment. +"Here's mettle anyhow! I little thought there was so much spirit behind +that pretty face. All the better however, for milk and water is no good +even in a wench. Here goes for another embrace, my bantam!" So saying, +he seized her with his mailed hands, and wrested the dagger from her, +pitching it across the church. Then he literally tucked her under his +arm, all the while roaring with laughter at her frantic but ineffectual +efforts to release herself, and away he marched down the aisle of the +church. I seized his arm, and was imploring him to have pity, when he +called to a rough-looking soldier. "Here, fellow, run this shaveling +priest through with thy sword, quick!" I gave myself up for a dead man, +for I felt that I could not let him carry off Ethel, when suddenly there +was a hush of voices, and looking round I beheld a Norman lady, of +majestic port and bearing, pressing forward towards us, whilst close +behind her there followed a score of armed men. I perceived at once that +she was a lady of rank by her rich apparel and jewelled head-dress. She +was also of surpassing loveliness and commanding figure. As she beheld +the brutal Norman, I saw the fire flash in her rich dark eyes, as with +quick step she marched boldly up to him and accosted him in words almost +of fire. "I think this is another evidence, Baron, of your base and +unchivalrous regard for the distressed of my sex, by the brutal way in +which you are treating this helpless Saxon lady! You afford me ample +opportunities of testing your gallantry, and better opportunities, too, +than listening to your false and honeyed words, which you are pleased to +pour into my ears." + +"These are but Saxon varlets, Alice; and Saxon varlets, whether male or +female, are not fitting objects of chivalry to a Norman knight." + +"Chivalry is for the oppressed and weak of any nation. So be pleased to +release this lady, and cease harrying these holy and unresisting men." + +"Take care what you are at, madame!" savagely hissed the Baron, between +his teeth, "or your meddlesome interference with business which does not +concern you will be at your peril. Mark that, _ma grande dame_!" + +"Let go the arm of this lady, I say, and leave this sanctuary at once, +or I shall report your conduct to the Count forthwith." + +"Tell the Count, madame, if he dare, to look in the wolf's mouth and +count his teeth, and he'll not do it twice, you may mark that!" + +He let go of Ethel, however, and, muttering savagely many fierce oaths, +he strode out of the church, followed very reluctantly by his men. + +"Jules Reynard," said the lady, addressing the leader of her men, "do +your best to protect this holy place, and the lives of these monks." +Jules Reynard acquiesced by a low obeisance. "Lady," she said, +addressing Ethel, "I grieve very much at the rude treatment and +mishandling you have been subjected to at the hands of these savage men. +If you like to accept my protection, I think I can protect you from +further annoyance and insult." + +"I thank you, madame," said Ethel, "but this cannot be. Your people have +burnt my home, basely slaughtered my father and my brother, and I +prefer, whether living or dying, to company with my own people." + +The Norman lady heaved a deep sigh. "Alas! I daresay it is but too true, +and I can well understand your feelings; but I will strive to be a +sister to you, if you will come with me." + +"Say no more, lady; this cannot be." + +"Well, then, we must part. But, mark me--though it is hard to say it of +one's people--look for no compassion at the hands of my people, and +beware especially of him from whom you have just escaped, for 'his +tender mercies are cruel.'" + +"I look for no compassion at the hands of the Normans, nor will I seek +it or suffer it. The hands that are red with my kinsmen's blood, cannot +be grasped in amity by me. There is a deep and bloody barrier betwixt me +and thee, which a lifetime cannot erase," said Ethel bitterly. + +"Alas! alas! Nevertheless, adieu, lady; we may meet again. If I can +befriend you in any way, how gladly will I do it, to the very utmost of +my power!" With that she hastily left the chapel--as I learnt +afterwards, to try and stay as much as possible the fierce bloodshed and +rapine of the soldiery. But it is needless to say her efforts were to +little purpose, for though she managed to have them cleared out of the +sanctuary, ere long they were back again, and, like greedy hawks, they +pounced upon everything, no matter how sacred the purpose to which +articles of value were devoted. They carried off the silver table of the +high altar, the silver cups, dalmatics, censers of silver; in fact, +everything ornamented with silver or gold. Speedily the whole of our +possessions were at their mercy, excepting the things I had secreted as +aforesaid. To complete this sad day's work, when nothing more of value +could be had, they turned their attention to our cellarer's store of +wines and ale, and the rest of the day, and the night also, was spent in +drunkenness and carousing. The whole of the night was spent by the monks +in prayer and fasting, whilst for the most part our refugees were glad +to escape to the woods, being thankful if only they could do so with +their lives. A sad day's work this for the sanctuary which had taken +generations to bring it to its high state of usefulness and piety! + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +ALICE DE MONTFORT. + + "And thus I clothe my naked villainy + With old odd ends, stol'n out of holy writ, + And seem a saint, when most I play the devil." + + Shakespeare. + + +My readers, I am sure, will pardon me for passing over the bitter +sufferings and humiliation I and the members of our Order had to endure, +and the still more harrowing cruelties and bloodshed heaped upon the +common people, who, despite the Earl's advice, still clung to their +homes and their patches of land. + +We therefore proceed to follow the fortunes of certain characters who +are the central figures in our history. In reality the history of our +time was made by the important actors, the common people playing a very +ignoble part, and being little better than chattels and instruments of +the leaders' wills. + +The Normans overran the adjacent country like a flood let loose, leaving +desolation behind them. Indeed, if the Saxons had not fled before, and +secreted themselves, their wives, their children, and their cattle, +there would have been nothing but annihilation and utter extermination. +The main body of the Normans swarmed forwards like locusts as soon as +they had devastated one part. But the castle of the youthful Ealdorman +Oswald could not be taken without siege operations. Its splendid +situation and rich lands attracted the cupidity of the De Montfort +already mentioned, and he sat down before it with the determination to +take possession of it and the splendid domain belonging thereto. + +Carefully De Montfort reconnoitred the castle from all points, and +though it had no pretension to invulnerability, yet it was plain to him +that some days must elapse before he would be sufficiently prepared to +venture an assault upon it. + +In the meantime, however, he despatched heralds to summon Oswald to +surrender. The Saxon paced the walls, clad in complete armour, and in +person directed the labours of the housecarles who laboured at +strengthening and repairing the fortifications; whilst a score or so of +his choicest bowmen, with well-stocked quivers, were set apart for the +defence of those who toiled. + +The heralds, three in number, rode up to the walls, and, after blowing a +blast from their bugles, they accosted Oswald thus:-- + +"What ho, there, Saxon!" + +To which Oswald responded,-- + +"What ho, there! What message have ye from your master?--I perceive ye +are messengers." + +"Our master, the valiant Count de Montfort, of great renown and valour, +giveth thee summons to deliver up to him, within the space of +twenty-four hours, without let or hindrance, this castle, with the +appurtenances thereof." + +"What conditions doth your master tender if we yield to his wishes, and +without resistance obey his summons?" + +"De Montfort hath given us this message: 'Yield thee forthwith without +conditions, and trust to our clemency.' Defiance of our summons is +torture and death." + +"Tell your master that we have too many illustrations of his clemency, +and that of Norman tyrants generally, to put any trust or reliance in +his word. If he would fain have possession of this castle, tell him he +must first take it, for we put no faith in his professions of clemency; +and that we defy him and his myrmidons to wrest this castle from us." + +These were brave words, and intended to inspire his own followers; but +no one knew better than he where victory must inevitably rest. Many +times had he told over the number of the Norman tents pitched little +more than a bowshot away. With sinking heart he had noted the masses of +archers and men-at-arms who swarmed around the camp by day. In the +stillness of night he had crept within earshot of wary sentinels in +company of Wulfhere the freeman, in the hope that some chance, or some +overweening confidence on the part of the enemy, might afford the +opportunity for some desperate deed of valour. But de Montfort was far +too wise and experienced a soldier to permit negligence or +over-confidence to prevail. The pickets at all points were thickly +posted and kept on the alert by patrols. + +The tents of the Count de Montfort and his daughter, Lady Alice de +Montfort, were pitched on a knoll in the centre of the encampment, which +was sufficiently elevated to overlook every other tent and beyond them +on every side. The tents of the maids and personal attendants were +situated to the rear, and were intercommunicable by a covered way. The +entrance to Lady Alice's tent was hung with richly embroidered curtains, +whilst costly figured velvet carpets from the looms of Rouen were spread +over the soft carpet of nature. As already stated, Lady Alice had been +affianced to Baron Vigneau by her father, for the most ignoble reason of +policy and personal ambition, Alice's wishes or preferences not being +consulted in the least. But a union more abhorrent to her feelings could +not possibly be imagined. + +Indeed, to one much less refined and gentle than Alice, this union would +have been most distasteful. Vigneau was at once drunken, licentious, and +boorish, his habits being such as befitted the company of the besotted +and brutal troopers whom he led, rather than that of one of the gentlest +ladies of Normandy. True, he had won for himself a large measure of fame +on the battle-field, and in the lists at tournaments. He had undoubtedly +a large measure of reckless valour, and enormous physical strength; but +he was utterly destitute of that chivalry and knightly courtesy which +was reckoned only second to personal prowess. His chief recommendation +in De Montfort's eyes was that he commanded a "free company" of +mercenaries as reckless and blood-thirsty as himself. De Montfort +cherished a lofty ambition: he aspired to, and in fact held, an exalted +position in the estimation of William; and this he well knew was due in +great part to the number of lances in his retinue, and the men-at-arms +who followed his standard. + +Need we say that Alice scorned this hateful yoke; for the warm current +of romance which ran in her southern blood demanded a nobler and +courtlier knight than Vigneau as the object of her love. Through a vista +in the noble line of beeches and oaks which studded the park she had a +full view of the castle and its defenders, and she shuddered as she +contemplated the impending carnage and bloodshed which hovered over the +camp and the castle alike. Thus, often as she sat in her tent did she +watch the mailed Saxon chief, as he paced his walls and directed the +housecarles as they laboured at the fortifications--far too often, +indeed, for her peace of mind; for the contrast between Oswald's mien +and Vigneau's was most glaring. Then the fact that Oswald was fighting +against fearful odds, and for dear life, awoke the keenest interest in +him, whilst the stories current in the camp of his prowess threw around +him a glamour most piquant. + +Often Alice would turn to her favourite maid and confidante, Jeannette, +for confirmation of her thoughts. + +"Methinks he is a comely knight, this Saxon, and valiant withal. +Jeannette, how sayest thou? is it not so?" + +"He is a comely knight, my lady, and brave too, the fighting men say." + +"Didst thou notice, when he removed his visor to answer the Count's +summons, his handsome visage? 'Twas, I thought, so like the statue of +Mars in the old home in Normandy. The same curly locks; the same +inflexible cast of features, as though ready to front a host. Didst thou +notice this, Jeannette?" + +"I marked it much, my lady." + +"Yet, didst thou notice, there was a nobility about the open brow which +bespeaks a magnanimity which wondrously beseemeth brave men?" + +"I noticed all this, my lady." + +"Ah me, Jeannette, I read those old romances in my father's hall, and +listened to the stories of Christian knights and warriors told me by the +good sisters of St. Justin's, until I came to think that all knights and +soldierly men must be brave to avenge the oppressed, and magnanimous to +the fallen and the weak, scorning to wreak vengeance upon helpless men +and women. I thought all brave men must be at least chivalrous to my +sex. I thought all brave men must be virtuous, too; for how could they +be brave to conquer their enemies, and yet be the slaves of their own +over-grown lusts like this Baron Vigneau?" + +"These are evil times, lady. I much fear me that nothing good thrives +now; and the Baron may not be much worse than others, though I go in +daily fear of him. His gloating eyes are ever upon me, and once he +caught me in his arms. But let him beware! I carry that in my bosom will +teach him a lesson he will not need to learn over again!" and she +displayed the flashing blade of a small stiletto. + +"Listen, Jeannette! I saw the Baron lay hold upon a young and beautiful +lady, who had found shelter with the monks down at the abbey. I heard +his lascivious, gloating words, and I looked into his greedy eyes, and +his steely gaze made me shudder as though it were the gaze of a serpent. +I hate him, but I fear him beyond expression!" + +"Hush, lady! Perhaps you will think better of him when these horrid +times have passed." + +"Never, Jeannette! My heart's revolt is complete. Let death come, and +welcome, but never wedlock with him. He is but a huge mountain of +evil-smelling carrion. I shall hie me to Normandy, and there in my books +I'll find a worthy knight, all brave and pure, and I'll wed him in +imagination. But I will never share my young life with a knight besotted +and cruel as Vigneau." + +"Hush, lady. He comes to your tent. Shall I retire?" + +"No, no! Stay by me, Jeannette. I shall feign sickness; let me lean my +head upon you." + +Baron Vigneau unceremoniously brushed aside the curtains and stalked +into the tent. His gait was unsteady, and his eyes bloodshot; +unmistakable evidences of a recent debauch. + +"What, Alice, how is this?" said he, taking her hand in his. But it +involuntarily shrank from his grasp. "What! aren't we friends yet? I did +but drag the fair Saxon from among those monkish scoundrels to save her +life." + +"You seemed loth to part with her, Baron." + +"Well, well, we'll take a goose till we can get our swan. But no great +harm would have been done. They're jolly fellows, those monks, and know +what's what, I warrant. The wench wouldn't have suffered, exchanging +sniffling priests for a valiant knight." + +Alice shuddered, and made haste to change the subject. + +"What says the Saxon knight to your latest summons?" + +"'Saxon whelp,' is much more like it, I trow. Well, he struts himself +upon his trumpery battlements like a valiant scarecrow. I would he were +a true knight and worthy of my prowess, I would challenge him to single +combat, and you should see how he would fare when matched with Norman +valour. But let him boast himself a day or two until we get our gear +ready; then, if he does not get a short shrift in the _melee_, we'll +have a little sport with him and make him dance to the music these +Saxons like least best." + +"Have you offered him honourable terms?" + +"Honourable terms to a dog of a Saxon! He'll get the same terms as other +Saxons, a sudden exit at the sword's point, or a slower process but a +rougher passage. I am hoping we shall see sport yet." + +Alice shuddered, for she knew too well that instruments of torture were +meant; and she well knew that the Baron would not only use them, but +would derive positive pleasure in watching the agonies of his victim. + +"I don't care about such practices; they are hideous and barbarous. What +good it can do to massacre and torture helpless men and women I can't +tell; indeed, I cannot help despising those who indulge in such +detestable things." + +"You have been trained in too gentle a school to relish these rough +times, Alice. We must exterminate these Saxon pests, especially the +leaders, and those who have spirit in them. The churls may serve some +useful purpose, when we have knocked their freemen manners out of them. +But they will need to be well knocked about, and ground into shape." + +"When will it all end? And if this castle is taken is it to be our +resting-place? I am aweary of being dragged at the heels of a soldiery +thirsting like wild beasts for blood and plunder." + +"Ha, ha! Softly, softly, my sweet one! This is to be the end of it for +us. Then comes love and downy pillows--eh, my queen, is it not so?" said +he, endeavouring to chuck her under the chin. + +Alice hastily fled, followed by her maid; for, sickening as was +Vigneau's general conversation, his amorous advances begat in her an +overpowering disgust. + +A horrible scowl spread itself over Vigneau's base countenance, and he +stood as though petrified with rage. Then his tongue gave vent to this +pent-up storm, and, with a volley of oaths and threatenings, he strode +out of the tent, demoniacal hatred of his betrothed raging in his heart. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +VILLAINS PLOTTING. + + "And my imaginations are as foul + As Vulcan's stithy." + + Shakespeare. + + +The same day, a little before nightfall, Baron Vigneau strode across the +greensward to the spot where his own followers were bivouacking beneath +some huge beech trees. "Pierre," said he, calling to a stalwart and +villainous-looking soldier, who was engaged in a noisy chaffering with +some comrades, "I have a dainty bit of work for you, Pierre. Just such a +commission as you love next best to swilling old Saxon ale." + +"What is it your lordship has in the wind now? It has some connection +with wine or wenches, I stake my rosary on it." + +"Thou had better throw thy rosary into the first ditch thou comes +across; for if thou tell thy beads in proportion to thy sins, thou can +find no time for anything else; and if thou do penance for half thy +sins, and be d----d for the other half, why, marry, thou might as well +be d----d for the whole. But I warrant _that_ the end of thee in any +case, villain; so there's an end on't. But I want none of thy scurvy +impudence, mark me! I want thy ears, and the best discretion thou hast. +I have a delicate mission for thee to perform--a mission well suited to +thy tender and susceptible disposition." + +"Many thanks for your lordship's highly valued appreciation. But truly, +when I quit my sins I'll have to quit your service; for how a saint will +manage the devil's business I cannot tell. Indifferently well, I fancy." + +"Silence, sirrah, or I'll crop thy ears! Listen to me! Down at the +monastery there is a Saxon wench--a gem of the first water. None of your +bare-legged slotch-puddles, with a figure as shapely as an ill-made +wine-butt. She is a genuine offshoot of the Saxon nobility, I am told. I +want thee to do a little delicate negotiation for me, such as thou art +justly famous for. If thou do it well, thou shalt rise even higher in my +esteem." + +"Ah, I see; a delicate mission truly!" + +"Stop the wagging of thy tongue, knave, and take heed to what I say. +This is not the daughter of a villainous churl, bred and reared on a +midden, take note. So I will have this business done accordingly." + +"Ah, I comprehend it all. This is potter's ware, that must not be soiled +in transit. All damage and defacement must be reserved for your +respectable self." + +"Just so! Don't poke thy villainous phiz--which reminds me of a keg of +wine gone sour--beneath her hood for kisses on thy own account. I'll +have none of it! Just do thine errand as a Christian should, and----" + +"Christian, forsooth, I think you said just now, Baron?" + +"Eh? Stop thy chatter, dog, when I am speaking! Thy tongue will cut thy +throat some day, villain, if thou sharpen it a little more, now mark +that! Thou art getting much too ready with thy scurvy impudence. Just +attend to me and shut thy mouth. I have these further instructions for +thee. This business, understand, must be done in the dark, and thy +tongue must not wag of it--or any of thy comrades' either, mark me. Her +ladyship, over yonder," said he, jerking his thumb over his left +shoulder in the direction of Alice's tent, "tosses her head a little too +much for my stomach already, and she has worked herself up into a devil +of a fume, just because I took a fancy to this same wench a little time +ago. So let there be no hullaballoo over it, mind that. I know what I'm +about," said he, with a brutal chuckle. "When your game's afield you +must tread softly, that's my point, but when it's bagged--ha, ha! you +may skin it anyhow you please. So, so! wait awhile; my turn will come +by-and-by, and when I get the bit within her teeth--well, never mind +that just now. There's no need to tell all one's mind to a scurvy +trooper," he muttered, under his breath. "There, now thou knows thy +business; but don't bring her to the camp, and don't get drunk and +bungle the whole thing." + +Pierre was both a ready and a capable tool of the Baron's, and +indispensable to him in the life of brutality and villainy which he led. +So promptly he set about selecting some half a dozen of his comrades to +assist him in carrying out his master's behests. As the shadows of +evening began to gather about the camp, they mounted their horses and +stole away from the encampment at a brisk trot, reaching the monastery +just as the evening twilight had deepened into the sombre gloom of +night. "Let us dismount here," said Pierre, "and leave our horses +outside the grounds; for the less row there is in this business the +better it will suit the Baron. I suppose as usual it will be a +screeching affair, and if we do not be careful we shall have the whole +brood of pious gentry at our heels in a trice." So, hastily dismounting +and leaving their horses in charge of one of their number, they strode +up to the entrance gates, which they found in charge of two of the +Norman soldiery, by whom they were promptly admitted. + +"I say, Jaques," said Pierre, addressing one of the guard, "can you tell +us whereabouts this Saxon wench called Ethel may be found?" + +"You will find her in the monks' quarters sure enough," said Jaques; +"but I would advise you to get one of the kitchen scullions to lead the +way for you; that will be your best plan." + +So, stealthily wheeling round the main building, they entered the +refectory kitchen, where they found several of the meaner lay brothers +occupied in the menial tasks of that department, whilst a number of +half-starved and ragged mendicants sat round the spacious hall, drinking +the small ale and munching the bacon and bread with which they had been +provided. With abject consternation and fear they beheld the advent of +these troopers; but Pierre immediately laid hold of one of them. + +"Varlet," said he, "where is the Saxon wench Ethel to be found?" + +The Saxon, clown as he was, took in the situation at once, and tried, by +affecting even greater silliness than his clownish looks betokened, to +evade the question. Pierre whipped out his sword and, grasping him by +the throat, said,-- + +"None of thy lying, churl! Lead the way. I'll follow; and if thou +mislead me I'll run my sword through thy body in a twinkling. Stop here, +two of you men, and see these skulking villains do not make a hubbub. +Let the others follow me. Now march, hound!" said he, giving the Saxon a +vicious prod with the point of his sword. The Saxon led the way with +much greater alacrity of body than of mind, but it did the business +effectively, for they quickly reached Ethel's room. + +"Now for it!" said Pierre. "Diplomacy will ruffle this pretty bird's +feathers the least, so I'll oil my tongue for the occasion. But have you +the cloak ready, men?" + +"Aye, aye! all's ready!" + +Pierre knocked at the door, and without further ceremony entered. But no +sooner did Ethel set eyes on his unsavoury visage than she knew that +mischief was meant, and she started to her feet and slid her hand into +her bosom. + +Pierre doffed his helmet, and assuming a bland and hypocritical tone, +said that "he had been commissioned by the Norman lady who had showed +her a kindness the other day, to bid the Saxon lady come to her in the +Norman camp, where she would be protected and cared for with every +regard to her noble extraction and gentle blood." + +But Ethel was not deceived. There is a subtle force in the tones of +sincerity which the most accomplished liar can never successfully +simulate. We are far oftener convinced by this indefinable something in +a man's eye, and in his tones, than by the words he utters. When we have +flung away this quality of candour and truthfulness, liar and knave will +ring out in our utterances, though we use the utmost art of a magician +to hide it. Ethel saw through this ruse, though she dare not show it. So +she manoeuvred to gain time. + +"If you will kindly wait until morning, I shall have a little time to +prepare. Some of the servants will find you comfortable quarters for the +night. If you call me early I shall be ready." + +"I dare not disobey my lady's orders, who has sent horses and an escort. +I will wait a few minutes for you. But my lady requested me to ask you +to come right away, for her ladyship's ample wardrobe would be at your +service." + +"I will acquaint the Abbot first, as I am afraid he will be much +distressed if I depart without his knowledge. I shall be but a few +minutes." + +"I am sorry I cannot allow this. My orders are very explicit, and I must +obey. If I have to use force to execute them, I shall be sorry; but I +must ask you to accompany us forthwith," said Pierre, dropping into his +usual menacing and rasping tone of voice, and advancing towards Ethel. + +"Yes, villain, I am not deceived by you, nor by any of your villainous +crew!" said Ethel, drawing from her bosom a brightly shining blade and +springing at him like a wild cat. Instantly half a dozen strong hands +were laid upon her, the dagger was wrested from her, and a soldier's +cloak muffled thickly over her face to stifle her screams. Then Pierre +gathered her up in his strong arms and bore her, struggling, along the +passage, and over the greensward, and through the entrance gates. + +Immediately the Normans' backs were turned the news spread, I being +apprised at once of the outrage which had been done. As I stumbled along +in the darkness I met with Badger, who, with a stout cudgel in his hand, +and bow-and-arrows slung over his shoulders, was rushing eagerly to the +fray. + +"Ah, is that your Grace?" said he. "Where are those Norman carrion? Have +they cleared the ground?" + +"I am afraid they have got clear away. Is not that the clatter of their +horses' hoofs I hear beyond the walls?" + +"It is, without a doubt. I'll track them as easily as a hound tracks a +deer." + +"Go after them, Badger, and see what becomes of the maiden. I will away +to the Norman camp. If I can get speech of the fair Norman perhaps these +men may be made to disgorge their prey. But, Badger, be not too ready +with those carnal weapons, for it will greatly exasperate them; and +remember they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." + +"The application must be for the Normans, Father, for I take but my bow +and my quiver, and just a splinter of timber. But if I tickle not their +flanks with a shaft or two before the night is out, why then the witches +of Addergyll may take me for a dolt and a coward." + +So saying, he glided off like an arrow; but I saw in the darkness that +he went not by the way of the entrance, but to an oaken tree which grew +near the wall, and, hastily climbing it, he slid along a branch which +overran the wall, and from thence I heard him drop to the ground +without. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +VILLAINS OUTWITTED. + + "Drunk? and speak parrot? and squabble? swear? and discourse + fustian with one's own shadow?"--Shakespeare. + + +In the meantime, the darkness had gathered quickly and deepened into +night. This was greatly intensified along the forest path by the lofty +and overhanging branches of the trees. The road also had its twists and +turns innumerable, here to avoid a massive tree, and there to avoid a +huge boulder; and it was little better than a cattle path at any time, +and totally impassable, even to the rude Saxon carts, except at broad +daylight. In these circumstances Pierre and party moved with extreme +difficulty, having frequently to stop to make sure of the road, their +oaths and execrations in the meantime resounding through the wood. But +Badger, who was as familiar with the forest as the deer which roamed in +it, sped swiftly and noiselessly after them, catching up with them +quickly. "Ah, ah!" said he, as he caught sight of the black and moving +mass in front of him; "one good Saxon is equal to the half-dozen of you +here, my hearties! Some of you will have a cold bed in the damp grass +to-night for your pains, or else my shafts will go mightily astray!" +Then, sticking his thorn cudgel in his belt, he took his bow from his +back and adjusted an arrow, and then he crept stealthily near to them. +Raising his bow, he drew the arrow to its head; then he withdrew it. "My +fingers," said he, "are in a hurry to make a cur of a Norman the less in +the world. But where is the use in bagging one of their carrion +carcasses and losing the game? To kill a Norman is a luxury; but I must +rescue Ethel. Let me see whether my purpose cannot be served best by +joining my wits to my weapons. There are three couples--two abreast; and +Ethel is in charge of the centre one to the right. I can send a shaft in +the nape of the last one's neck. That is _one_ certain. Then there will +be a stampede probably: I may get another one. Shall I get the villain +who has charge of Ethel? Can't make sure; and if I do, Ethel will come +to the ground with him, and perhaps be badly bruised. Well, some risk +will have to be taken, for I am but one." So saying, he stole nearer to +them. Suddenly, ahead of the party, there was a wide opening in the tops +of the trees directly in the line of vision, the outlines of the figures +in front showing boldly against the starlit sky. "Now is my time," said +Badger, planting his foot firmly, and drawing back the string until it +touched his shoulder--when suddenly a hurried footfall in the path +behind him arrested his attention, and he darted into the thicket, +keeping his arrow in position. When the runner drew near, Badger sprang +forward and faced the new-comer, with his shaft still in position. +"Who's this?" said he. "Speak, or I'll let fly my shaft!" + +"Steady, Badger," said the stranger. "Don't shoot a friend." + +"Well timed, Bretwul, I have just been wishing for a Saxon or two! What +has brought you?" + +"The very purpose that brought you here. I heard of that Norman's +attempt to carry off my young mistress, and I knew the wolf, having +scented prey like that, would never drop the trail until he ran it down. +I watched the abbey night by night, in the hope of frustrating his +purpose; but the villain has got clear off with her." + +"Not quite so fast, comrade. If you had been a minute or two later, my +shafts would have overtaken one or more of them. But it is better as it +is, for two of us will make a better fight of it than one. But enough of +this; they are not two hundred yards ahead of us. There are six +horsemen, and the second horseman at the right side has charge of Ethel. +Now, how are we to effect a rescue?" + +So the pair debated the matter as they followed on the heels of the +party. + +"Well, Bretwul," said Badger, "as I was telling you, I was just going to +try a rough-and-ready method when your footsteps arrested me. I knew it +to be a risky venture, but I little expected any help in the business. +Now I am inclined to think a more favourable opportunity will turn up +by-and-by." + +"Well, I am inclined to think so myself, Badger. There is the risk that +the game would carry the shaft, unless it were hit very squarely; and +the odds are the other way in the darkness. Any failure would make it +bad for the young mistress, it is certain." + +"That we must prevent, if possible. But now, what are the chances? These +Normans have no strong place near in which they can shut her. I can +promise you they'll not dare to carry her to the camp; there is a lady +there who rescued her before, and was desperate savage with the brute +who offered her violence then. But they will find a place elsewhere; +probably leave her for the night in charge of half their number." + +"There's reason in it, Badger. Anyway, it is better to wait awhile, and +see if some better chance is forthcoming." + +So the pair continued to dog the steps of their adversaries, until, +emerging from the wood, they struck across an open glade, or clearing, +in the forest, formerly cultivated by a Saxon yeoman. Soon they reached +the fringe of the forest again, where, embowered within its shelter, was +the house of this Saxon; but it was deserted and plundered of +everything. Here they dismounted, Pierre lifting Ethel down and carrying +her into the house. The cloak was removed, and, lighting a torch, its +flickering blaze made visible a two-roomed dwelling, rude and damp in +its tenantless condition. The inner room was doorless, and the outer +door was thrown back and dilapidated. The floors were of earth trodden +hard. There was a rude attempt at a fireplace in the first room; it was +built entirely of rough, unhewn stone, whilst its huge, gaping chimney +was such, that a man would have had no difficulty in ascending it. Into +the inner room Pierre led, or dragged, Ethel; then he fetched a rough +stone from the fireplace for her to sit upon. + +"Now, fair one," said he, "this is rather a cold place to call home, but +we'll soon make it a bit more comfortable. I can see no further +advantage in lying in this matter--and I keep a conscience, and don't +make a practice of lying for nothing--so I may as well tell you at once +that my master admires that pretty face of yours. It is a weakness he +has. The more fool he; for it spoils his chances of higher game. Well, +that's a riddle you need not puzzle out. But my master is a knight +renowned for valour, and for some other things not recommended by the +worthy Order of Cistercians, or indeed any strict Orders of the pious +gentry. That, of course, is neither here nor there. But my master, when +he hears of your distress, is bound, I believe, by his oath, to succour +you; and he is well able to do so. It is the highest wisdom on your part +to be friends with him. But heigho! no more of that! A fig for doing +another man's wooing; 'tis worse than carving for another's eating!" + +Happily, much of this jargon was perfectly unintelligible to Ethel. + +"Here, men," said he, turning to his comrades in the other room. "One of +you must mount guard inside the house, and another outside. We will to +camp, and return soon with both eatables and drinkables; so make the +best of a bad bargain for a little while. Come, men, let us cut the tail +off this business as quickly as we can." So saying, they mounted their +horses, and, leading the disengaged ones, their forms were speedily lost +in the darkness. + +"My fingers itch most dreadfully to try the effect of a shaft upon the +carcass of the big lubberly villain who leads the party," said Badger, +raising his bow with the arrow directed towards the hazy forms +disappearing in the night. + +"Stay, Badger!" said Bretwul, laying his hand on him. "The game's in the +net; don't rend it." + +"Aye, aye. The fool acts on the thought as it is made, but the wise man +when it is weighed. But as surely as the gallows nods when the rogue +goes by, so his time will come!" + +"Well, Badger, what is to be the next move? We must get to business +whilst our chance lasts." + +"Right, Bretwul. Well, we shall have to work round from the rear of the +house, and we shall thus get close on them if we move stealthily. I +doubt not but we can brain the one outside before he knows where he is; +then, two to one is more than the other will be prepared for." + +So saying, the pair stole to the rear of the house, and crept round by +the gable, until Badger peered round the corner at the fellow on duty +outside. Fortunately, he had his back to them, and was talking through +the open door to his comrade within. + +"Are you ready, Bretwul?" said Badger, in a whisper to his companion, +who followed closely at his heels. + +Bretwul made no reply, but brandished his Saxon broadsword aloft in +token of his readiness. Then, with the agility of a panther, Badger +sprang round the corner of the hovel, and, delivering a powerful blow +with his cudgel upon the back of the Norman's head, he felled him in +insensibility to the ground, whilst another spring quick as lightning +landed him within grappling distance of the other Norman. He also, it is +needless to say, was quite unprepared for any attack, and had barely +time to spring to his feet and raise his arm to ward off Badger's first +stroke, which sent him staggering against the wall; and Bretwul being in +close attendance at that instant, with a sweep of his sword effectually +cut short all further resistance. Then, returning to the door where the +other soldier was lying prostrate, he quickly finished the work of +revenge. + +Meanwhile, Ethel from within witnessed the scuffling going on, but +without comprehending in the least the import of it; she improved the +opportunity for flight which the struggle afforded her, by bounding +through the open door, and fled like a Will-o'-the-wisp across the open +glade in a frantic effort to gain the shelter of the forest, whilst her +rescuers followed full chase in her wake. Very quickly, however, +Badger's nimble feet caught up to her; when, to her infinite relief, she +discovered that they were faithful friends, who had risked much to free +her from the custody of the brutal Norman troopers. + +Whilst this was transpiring, Pierre and the remainder of his troop +stumbled along through the darkness of the forest, all unconscious that +their footsteps had been dogged, and their evil purposes frustrated, +just when they thought they had been crowned with perfect success. + +"This has been neatly done, men," said Pierre. "Now, I wonder what the +Baron will do for us in the shape of reward!" + +"Well, I guess none of our pouches will burst with gold pieces, Pierre. +I expected better pay or more plunder when I took service, I promise +you; but his scurvy humours are even worse than his pay. Why don't you +take the lead? The whole company is ready for a new master." + +"Hold hard a bit. There are others who are getting as tired of his +humours as yourself; and if you hear the clash of steel between us you +need not be very much surprised, for my temper is none of the smoothest, +and he may play the bully some day until nothing will settle it but cold +steel." + +When they reached the camp, Pierre alone carried the news to his master. +No sooner, however, had he put his head within the tent than he gave a +grunt of infinite disgust as he set eyes upon the Baron; for he was far +gone in his cups. + +"Hilloa, Pierre! What now, you scowling villain! What has brought you?" +he bawled, with drunken incoherency; but, drunk as he was, he had +noticed Pierre's disgust. + +"We have executed your order, Baron," Pierre replied. + +"Executed my order? Who? What have they done?" + +"The commission you gave me about the Saxon lady down at the monastery." + +"The wench that all the pother's about?" + +"Yes, the same." + +"Ah, I remember. Have you got her, Pierre?" + +"Yes, as snug as anybody could wish. Not a whisper has got abroad." + +"Bravo, Pierre! You are a gentleman. Pierre, do you hear? You are a +gentleman, or a thief, I don't care which," giving a drunken chuckle. +"Drink, Pierre," said he, handing him a flagon of wine with a trembling +hand. + +Pierre took the goblet and drained it to the last drop. + +Vigneau took it again, and looked into it for a moment with maudlin +pensiveness, as though he could scarcely realise that it was really the +bottom he gazed at. But the quarrelsome humour in him was never so +rampant as when he was in his cups. + +"There's a pint of good Rhenish gone, Pierre. Gone, too, into a stomach +that must be about rotted out with Saxon ale by this time." + +"Well, we'll bring them round with soothing draughts of Rhenish, +master." + +"Eh, dog? Not with mine, Pierre. With swill if you like, Pierre! Swill +will do for a hog like you, Pierre! Eh! Do you hear me? Swill will do +for you!" said the Baron, becoming quarrelsome with drunken excitement. + +Fortunately, Pierre was sober, or matters would speedily have become +serious. Checking the rising choler, he said,-- + +"What is to be done with this Saxon--Ethel, as she is called?" + +"What do you know about Ethel, eh? Have you got her, scurvy villain? I +say, have you got her? Answer me that." + +"I told you we had, not a minute since." + +"Eh? Then speak civilly, varlet! Do you know who I am? D---- me, I allow +thy tongue too much licence. I'll not have such impudence from a scurvy +trooper as I've taken lately. I'll teach you I'm a gentleman. Now mark +me, Pierre. Keep a civil distance. I'll not have it," and he began +fumbling for the hilt of his sword. + +"Pshaw!" said Pierre, assuming both a look and a tone of disgust. + +"Eh, churl, what now?" roared Vigneau, in a towering rage, with great +effort staggering to his feet, and after prolonged exertion getting out +his sword, and lunging furiously at Pierre. But the act was too much for +him. Lurching head foremost, the sword's point came ignominiously to the +ground with his weight upon it, to prevent his falling flat. The result +was, his great weight forced it a foot into the ground, from which his +utmost efforts failed to extricate it, Pierre, meanwhile, vanishing from +the tent with a horse-laugh. Vigneau dropped into his seat and stared +vacantly at the point where Pierre had vanished, then at the sword +standing upright in the ground. But his efforts to recall what it was +all about were a total failure. Slowly his bleared eyes closed, and soon +after he slid from his seat to the ground, to sleep off the effects of +the night's debauch. + +"The Baron is drunk and quarrelsome as usual to-night," said Pierre to +his comrades, as he issued from the tent. "Nothing can be done with him +till morning, and if he be not in a pleasanter humour in the morning, +and come down handsome for us, you will have to be led by another, I +trow. Well, we'll finish the business we have begun. Let us take +victuals and a few other things down yonder. It will be a little more +like a habitation, and not so like a sty." + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +A FRUITLESS EMBASSY. + + "A bold, bad man."--Spenser. + + +To return to myself. I paced to and fro in the abbey grounds in anguish +and suspense, waiting for Badger's return, yet almost dreading it, lest +he should bring ill news. But midnight passed, and the small hours of +the morning came on, with no tidings of Ethel. I feared for her personal +safety, and I feared also the effects upon her mind. For I must state +here, for the benefit of the reader, that Ethel's surroundings had been +such as to strongly imbue her mind with the heathenish beliefs of her +ancestors. Her father came of an old viking stock, and rigidly adhered +to the superstitions of his forefathers. He had likewise given to Ethel +a large measure of his stern and aggressive temperament, and had striven +to instil into her mind his own religious beliefs. I had seen also at +times the strange flashing of the fierce fire within her, when deeply +stirred. Yet I saw there were elements of gentleness and delicacy in her +composition, inherited in all probability from her mother, who was +Saxon, and a devout Christian. With my whole energy I had striven, at +the request of her dying mother, to train her in the Christian faith: +but my opportunities had been of a most desultory nature. Then when I +began to hope that my work would be accomplished, this terrible invasion +occurred. Thus efforts to show her how the fierce passions and reckless +bloodshedding of the Norsemen--her father's ancestors--were cruel and +heathenish, and their religion a gross superstition, were frustrated by +this war of usurpation inflicted upon us by a Christian nation, with the +approbation and blessing of the Pope, whilst at the head of their army +they carried sacred banners and holy relics of saints. Thus the +Christian religion was made to sanction bloodshed and massacre, +unsparing and fiendish in its extent and in its mercilessness. In the +train of these professedly Christian soldiery also, there followed +nameless horrors and offences, which outdid the excesses of Norseman and +Dane tenfold. But, worse than all, her father and her two brothers had +been massacred--their home levelled--and she, having to fly to the +shelter of the sanctuary, only found that the sanctuary was no sanctuary +to her, and no protection against violence and brutality. It is utterly +impossible to imagine any one more completely shorn of every prop and +stay than she was; and I feared much also for her faith. I knew that +there was that in her which would not permit her to tamely submit to +indignities. But where would her revolt end? + +Well, feeling that it would be better to be doing something to effect +her rescue than to be absorbed in these painful cogitations, I decided I +would start at once for the Norman camp. It was a long and a weary tramp +in the darkness through the forest, but still, I hoped, by patient +plodding forward, I should reach the camp by daylight. Happily I found I +had not overrated my powers. As I drew near, I was challenged by the +outpost. There was a considerable parleying, and a determination evinced +to prevent my farther advance. But my sacred calling, coupled with the +fact that I was unarmed, and that it was now broad daylight, ultimately +prevailed, and I was conducted to a tent not far from the one occupied +by Lady Alice de Montfort, with whom, after some time, I received an +audience, and whom we will in future call Alice. To her I related all +that I knew of the outrage, with such description of the persons taking +part in it as I had been able to gather. From my description of the +leader, she had no difficulty in identifying Pierre as the man. + +"Well, Father, I may as well tell you at the outset, that this is what I +expected. I warned this Saxon lady of the risks she ran by staying at +the monastery, but I could not persuade her to accept my protection." + +"She has been a great sufferer, gracious madame," I replied, "during +these wars; and she was, no doubt, greatly afraid. Probably, also, she +was greatly averse to joining your camp; though it was unquestionably a +generous offer on your part." + +"Well, reverend Father, I am not saying this to excuse my inaction now, +but I assure you from what I know, and what I suspect of the +participants in this outrage, that it would have been far easier to keep +the prey from the jaws of the lion than it will be to force his den and +wrest it from him. I will do my utmost, I assure you. Jeannette," said +she, turning to her maid, "let our guest have some refreshment, for he +will be weary and faint, I am sure." So saying, she departed I know not +where. + +She returned in the course of half an hour; but she gave me little hope +of success, though she said the Count, her father, had gone out in quest +of the persons whom he suspected. She was most gracious to me, and asked +most anxiously as to whether we were treated properly by the soldiers +quartered upon us. I suspected very strongly that the comparative +immunity from personal molestation we had hitherto enjoyed arose in +great part from her goodwill and protection. She asked many questions +with regard to our books; to our endowments; especially to the great +relief we had been able to extend to the poor, and to strangers. I was +highly impressed, not only with the charms of her person, but with her +highly cultivated mind, and gracious demeanour. + +I hastened my departure with as little delay as decency would permit; +for to tell the truth, I was driven back upon my first hopes, that +Badger's cunning and prowess would be equal to the emergency. I was thus +extremely anxious to get me back to the monastery, that I might learn +how he had fared. So I hurried over the open plain, and gat me into the +forest as quickly as I could. For in very deed I felt myself anything +but safe, as I noticed jealous eyes watching me narrowly. But I had +scarcely entered the forest when I found myself in the presence of the +ungodly Norman who had desecrated the sanctuary, and endeavoured to +carry off Ethel--whom, also, I strongly suspected of being at the bottom +of this latest outrage. I involuntarily crossed myself, and uttered a +prayer for help, for I felt instinctively that I had myself in very +truth fallen into the jaws of the lion. + +"Well, shaveling," said he, "thou hast said thy prayers, I perceive. +Thou hast done well to be prepared, lest the devil should get thee. What +has been thy errand to the camp so early? Be explicit and prompt, or +thou wilt rue it." + +"I have had particular business there, my lord." + +"I knew that already, dolt! Let us have details. With whom hast thou had +business?" + +"With Lady de Montfort." + +"So I thought. What was the matter that disturbed your saintly bosom, +old smooth-pate? Out with it!" + +"There has been an outrage committed upon us, and one of our refugees +carried off by force from the monastery." + +"Ah! that was terrible! So you first despatched a posse of your +bog-trotting Saxon churls to murder two of my men; then you dragged your +battered old shins through the woods, to raise a hullaballoo at the +camp. It was well done. Now, what shall I give you for your trouble? I +think a broken neck is about your deserts." + +So, without more ado, he laid violent hands upon me, and tore my cloak +from my back. Then he tried to strangle me; but I had been stout of +limb, and agile as any of my fellows, when I was young, so I resisted +with all my might. I was delighted to find, in spite of the disadvantage +of a score of years, he was more blown than I was. Eventually, I was +able to slip from his grasp, and immediately took to my heels. He was +younger, but stout and bulky; and I found in this point, also, I was +greatly his superior, and quickly increased the distance between us. So +he gave up the chase, and permitted me for the time being to go in +peace. For this wonderful deliverance I gave God thanks. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +OSWALD'S DEFENCE OF HIS CASTLE. + + "Cry 'Havock!' and let slip the dogs of war."--Shakespeare. + + +In the meantime, the Normans had made diligent preparation for an +assault on the castle. Now the castle could not be described as a very +formidable stronghold, or one designed to withstand a regular siege. It +had been built mainly to resist the incursions of the Scots, who +periodically raided in force into these parts, their purpose being +plunder and cattle-lifting. They overran the country quickly, getting +them back as speedily as possible, before the Saxons had time to +concentrate, so that no very great powers of resistance were needed to +repel them, or weary them. Occasionally also the Danes carried fire and +sword to our parts; but since the conquest of Northumbria and the north +of England generally, by Halfdane, and the settlement of so many of his +followers in the land, we had not been afflicted much with their +incursions in this part of the kingdom, during my lifetime. Thus, the +strength of the castle being sufficient for our hereditary foes, it +still was not such as would be likely to long resist the experienced and +numerous foes now pitched before it. The castle itself stood on an +eminence; was built of good solid masonry, with a battlemented tower +rising from its centre, but without any special design. It was +strengthened by a wall which ran completely round, forming a spacious +enclosure, in which cattle could be speedily and safely housed in cases +of emergency. This wall was lofty and fairly proportioned, but its great +length made it difficult to man by the handful of Saxon defenders. It is +well also to note that, as in the case of nearly all the strongholds of +the land, it was provided with a secret passage, known only to the +trusted followers of Oswald--a passage which could be entered by the +initiated at a certain place in the circular stair which led to the +turret. This underground passage had an emerging place, carefully +concealed in a dense wood some distance away. + +In a very few days the Normans had prepared themselves with scaling +ladders, and had cut long poles from the forest for the purpose of +pushing the defenders from the wall. Mantelets were prepared of boards +fastened together, behind which the attacking parties could advance on +the defenders, without exposing themselves to the arrows and javelins +which would be hurled at them. The leaders also had pavises, or large +shields, which covered the person from head to foot. The time had now +come when the assault might be made, it was believed, with impunity, so +the Norman forces were put into battle array, a small number only being +appointed to the task of protecting the women and the camp. + +It was a fine sight to see these disciplined men as they moved to the +attack in orderly array. Everything bore evidence to the fact that the +plan of attack, and the marshalling and disposition of the forces, was +the work of a competent general, one who was well versed in the art of +war. + +The Norman bowmen were thrown out in companies on either flank, for the +protection of the forces who were to conduct the assault, and also for +the purpose of distracting and harassing the defenders as they strove to +repel the attack of the besiegers. + +It needed little military knowledge to see that the issue could not be +doubtful. The meagre band of Saxons, stretched in thin line over the +extent of wall, could never hold it against the multitude who swarmed to +the attack. Oswald alone, of all the Saxons, was fully equipped for the +resistance of the clouds of barbed arrows about to be poured amongst +them. His second in command, Wulfhere, was partly clad in a light coat +of mail; but, for the most part, leathern jerkins were the only +protection they had. Had it been an attack in the open, in which the +forces were equal, these rough Saxons would have given a good account of +themselves. Any one of them could have been depended upon to bring down +a stag at a hundred paces. Whilst, if it had been a hand-to-hand +struggle with their broadswords, or their pikes, they would have fought +with the ferocity of tigers. But here they were outnumbered by ten to +one, and so circumstanced that they could not hurl themselves upon their +adversaries, and by sheer bravery strike terror into their ranks. They +must wait to be attacked, and for every arrow they shot, and for every +javelin they flung, there would be half a dozen returned. + +Vigneau, Reynard, Jules Reynard and other leaders, were grouped together +with De Montfort, who gave orders for successive movements of the +besiegers, as though, with the prevision which comes of a carefully +matured plan, he could see every act of the stirring drama about to be +enacted. + +Now the order for assault is given. The attacking party, with their +mantelets mounted on rude wheels, steadily advance across the plain, the +archers disposing themselves to the right and left in advance of the +main body, giving the attacking forces the form of a crescent. The +archers, dodging adroitly beneath the trees, were able to get near the +wall, thus threatening to put the defenders between a cross fire. The +Saxons, with bow in hand and pike at their feet, but without a shout or +the wasting of a single arrow, stood grimly awaiting the onset. The +Norman archers commenced the attack by letting fly a volley of arrows, +but at too great a distance to be effective. Some of them fell short, +and the others were easily dodged by the Saxons, who, as yet, had no +pressing call upon their attention. But now the attacking party draw +near, and, as they do so, they become more exposed. At a signal from +Oswald a stinging volley of arrows from the Saxons come hissing amongst +them with galling effect. At this the pace of the besiegers is +quickened, and their archers are quickly within distance to do deadly +execution with their arrows. + +The Saxons, too, find it necessary to let go their bows, and grasp their +javelins and spears to deal with foes in close contact, who by this time +have begun to scale the wall. The foremost Normans were met with a +merciless slaughter, and it is probable that never a Norman that day +would have kept a foothold on the wall had it not been for the support +of their archers. These, being now at close quarters, pour their arrows +in pitiless showers into the ranks of the defenders, and many a stout +Saxon falls with dozens of these barbed messengers of death in his body. +Where the attack is hottest, the Saxons reel and stagger, a foothold on +the wall is gained, and the Normans are swarming upon it. Oswald +immediately dashes to the spot and his battle-axe descends in thunder +strokes. Right and left the Normans are beaten down before him; and, +with a shout, the Saxons signal the wall clear again. + +But the respite is brief, for quickly Oswald's attention is directed +elsewhere by the loud shouts of the Normans. He turns a hurried glance +thitherward, only to see that the Normans there have gained a foothold +on the wall, and are rapidly overbearing his handful of men, though +Wulfhere manfully stems the tide, and deals out to the Normans many a +deadly blow. In a moment, Oswald also is on the spot to the rescue, and +once more the tide of victory smiles upon the Saxon cause. Again it is +only for a brief span, for like an oncoming and resistless tide the +Normans surge upon the wall, and beat back the slender ranks of the +Saxons. One advantage, however, the Saxons now reap; the combatants are +so mingled in one deadly hand-to-hand struggle, that the Norman archers +dare not let fly their shafts, and can only stand, and, with bated +breath, watch the sanguinary struggle. + +In the distance yonder, and at the entrance to the tent, there stand +Alice and her maid Jeannette, who shudderingly watch the carnage +proceed. Oswald and Wulfhere are now fighting back to back, with shield +on arm, and having exchanged their axes for their broadswords. Together +they cleave down the ranks of the enemy, until like sheep they quail +before these stalwart Saxons. + +"What matchless valour this pair of Saxon chieftains display, Jeannette! +If ever heroism and valour deserved to win a battle, surely this is the +time!" + +"How frightened our men-at-arms seem to be!" said Jeannette. "Do you see +how frantically the Baron raves there at the foot of the wall, and +shouts at the men? He boasts him of his valour. Why does he not mount +the wall and face this Saxon?" + +"What human lives are being sacrificed! 'Tis most dreadful! May God send +us peace quickly!" murmured Alice, shading her eyes at the spectacle +before her. "These are our people, Jeannette, but I must confess my +sympathies are with the Saxons. This leader, too, defends his home with +the courage of a hero. God grant he may not fall into the hands of our +men alive, or he will be tortured with fiendish brutality for this day's +work!" + +The struggle still proceeds with gathering intensity and fierceness. +Baron Vigneau, indeed, as Jeannette had described him, does rave and +gesticulate frantically. "Down with him! Now, men, rush on him two or +three together! Close with him! Push him from the wall! Hurl something +at him!" But nevertheless he makes no effort to mount the wall himself. + +De Montfort also stands there nervously directing the attack. "Here, +man," said he, to a stalwart soldier by his side, "heave up this long +pole and aim a blow at the Saxon." The man heaves up the pole, and, with +a run and a powerful blow, he struck Oswald on the head. The blow +completely staggers the Saxon; for a moment or two he hovers on the edge +of the wall endeavouring to recover his balance; but, alas! it is all in +vain, and he drops, with his heavy harness on, down into the castle yard +a dozen feet or more. + +At this untoward event the Saxons, in a perfect panic, rush for the +drawbridge thrown across to the wall from one of the barbicans, and +intended as a means of retreat by Oswald in the last resort. But the +Normans have intercepted them and cut them off from this, and the +custodians, seeing that this would be seized by the Normans, immediately +withdraw it. Then the Saxons wildly leap from the wall, and for dear +life's sake, rush like hunted hares, for the neighbouring thicket. + +For a little while attention is distracted from the fallen chieftain by +the efforts of the Normans to cut off these flying Saxons. But down +there in the castle yard lies Oswald, stunned, bleeding, and insensible; +helpless to fight or to fly. Wulfhere witnesses the helpless condition +of his leader, and down he leaps and lifts him up and detaches his +visor. As he does so, a deep sob escapes from the parted lips of Oswald; +but there is no further sign of life or returning consciousness. + +Whilst this has been transpiring, the attention of the Normans has been +distracted from the leaders by the necessity to clear the walls of the +few Saxons who, disdaining to seek safety in flight, die fighting most +determinedly at their posts. Now, however, the Normans turn their +attention to the two Saxon leaders entrapped within the castle yard. +Immediately they send up a yell of fiendish delight, as they behold the +almost frantic efforts of Wulfhere to arouse his unconscious master, and +restore him to his senses. + +But 'twas in vain. Oswald's head had been rudely jammed by the steel +helmet in the shock of falling; and it was soon apparent to Wulfhere +that the brief respite was now exhausted, without bringing any signs of +returning consciousness. He threw his left arm around the waist of his +helpless chieftain, and drew him, harness and all, upon his hip, and, +grasping his broadsword in his right hand, he made with all the speed he +could command for the door of the castle, hoping by this manoeuvre to +gain time. + +But the stalwart and muscular form of Oswald, encumbered as it was by +heavy armour, made progress painfully slow. In the meantime, the Normans +reversed their scaling ladders and slid down into the quadrangle, and +came trooping after the fugitives. Wulfhere saw his task was hopeless, +and with a cry of pain like a wounded deer he dropped his helpless +burthen on the greensward, and, furious as some wild beast, sprang at +the yelling foe, cutting down the foremost at a blow. Following up the +others, who quailed before him, he quickly laid half a dozen corpses in +a ghastly circle round his master. But there was no end to the stream of +furious assailants who were fast surrounding him. "'Tis in vain!" he +pitifully exclaimed. "Oh, had I here but a score of stout men to make a +rampart of steel, we would defy the yelling crew! God forgive me for +this coward's act, my master! I would gladly die with you, but I know I +shall better do your will by reserving my worthless life for service to +your followers." + +So saying, he bounded over the prostrate form of Oswald, and across the +sward, mounting the half-dozen steps at the terrace entrance at a +spring, and dashing through the open door. + +The Normans followed him in concert; but when it became a question of +single file to pass the portal, without knowing whether Wulfhere was +lurking within, why then they in "honour preferred one another," with +the result that they one and all ceased following Wulfhere, and +courageously returned to help their fellows to heap indignities upon the +prostrate Earl. + +Meanwhile, the gates had been burst open and the Norman soldiers, camp +followers and all, had pressed into the enclosure, Alice and Jeannette, +with the women, bringing up the rear. + +"Whatever are they clambering and yelling so about, Jeannette? Is it the +dead chieftain?" + +"I think so, my lady. They are like wolves worrying their prey." + +"It is a pity so brave a man should perish. If he be not dead I will +beseech my father for his life; though I am afraid it will be to little +purpose." + +"See, my lady, he is not dead; he is standing up." + +Oswald had recovered consciousness, and, stripped of his helmet, looked +around, though deathly pale and half-dazed. + +"Do not kill him, men!" roared Vigneau. "We'll have some sport +to-morrow, and then you may cut his throat if he survives." + +"Do you hear what that beast in human form is saying, Jeannette?" + +"It is horrible, my lady. Let us go away; I am quite sickened." + +"Stay a minute, Jeannette. Let us have a good look at him. How pale he +is! But look at his noble countenance--handsome and expressive as a +hero's should be! Such countenances have men only who live temperately +and think purely. Contrast, Jeannette, the blotched and bleared +countenance of Vigneau. There is a tell-tale and an index at once to the +beastly life and foul imagination. How my heart revolts at the sight of +him! I would prefer the touch of a vampire." + +Meanwhile, Wulfhere threaded his way by a path familiar to him, until he +reached the foot of the circular stair which led to the turret, +ascending which, and watching through a loophole, he heard the command +to spare Oswald's life until the morrow. + +"Thank Heaven! Whilst there is life there is hope. If a desperate effort +to rescue him will succeed, I count upon a few daring spirits to venture +it." + +But the tramp of heavy feet resounding through the corridors warned him +to delay no longer. Turning his face towards a farther ascent, he ran +his hand along the wall in the darkness until the feel of a certain +stone arrested his attention, applying his strength to which, it slowly +revolved, disclosing an aperture into which a man might drop. + +Into this aperture Wulfhere disappeared; and the stone revolved to its +place again. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +ALICE DE MONTFORT SETS FREE THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN. + + "O woman! lovely woman! nature made thee + To temper man; we had been brutes without you." + + Otway. + + +It was only by the exercise of the utmost energy that the soldiery and +camp followers of the Normans were prevented from looting the castle. +They were somewhat appeased by an unlimited supply of ale from the +cellars, and promises of money. Bonfires were lit in the enclosure, and +carcasses of sheep and oxen roasted thereat, the whole resolving itself +into a grand carousal of drinking, singing, and rough jollity. A certain +number of the better class were admitted to the castle, where the same +kind of thing was repeated in much the same fashion. + +In the large hall the leaders feasted and drank with little more of +refinement and seemliness than the vulgar people, except that they drank +wine and mead. + +"Well, Captain Reynard!" said the Count. "Is all well?" + +"All well, sire; the gates secured, the place explored, and, I think I +may add, the Saxons so thoroughly routed and cowed that they will have +little stomach for more fighting yet awhile." + +"That may be; but I fancy we should be found very unprepared if they +dared venture an attempt to rescue their leader." + +"You may depend upon me, Count, to keep a sharp look-out; I shall not +close my eyes in sleep until the sun rises to-morrow. But I have no fear +the Saxons will attempt a rescue. As I said, they are so thoroughly +beaten, and the remnant so glad to be able to escape with their lives, +that they will venture no more." + +An exceedingly busy and anxious time was spent by Alice and her maids in +their efforts to protect the domestics left in charge from the drunken +frolics of both officers and men-at-arms. This would have been a task +utterly beyond their powers but for the watchful eye and stern +discipline of the Count, who, despising the drunken excesses of his +lieutenants, with ceaseless care and watchfulness kept watch and ward +within and without the castle. + +Alice and Jeannette, too, with the curiosity of their sex, and with +ever-increasing interest, explored the rooms of the castle, marvelling +greatly at the many tokens of taste and refinement manifested therein, +and which they little expected to find in the castle of a Saxon +chieftain. + +Said Alice, "My interest grows strangely from day to day, Jeannette, in +this Saxon chieftain. I see no evidence of the boorishness I have always +associated with the lives of the Barons of England. Now also that he is +in such sore distress, and hath so sad a fate before him, my heart +grieves sorely for him." + +"Yes, my lady, I cannot help thinking that these Saxons would despise +the beastly orgies proceeding under this roof, and outside." + +"Yes, Jeannette; but what will it be on the morrow, when this Saxon is +given over to their cruelty? It makes my blood curdle! Would I knew how +to set him free! My heart tells me it would be an act of mercy done to +my own people as well as to him; for to spare my people the humiliation +and degradation of the morrow's inhumanity were indeed a good deed, +whether they would appreciate it or not." + +"My lady, if you wish it, I warrant we can do it. I know how to set +about it. Paul Lazaire mounts guard, and I can coax the simpleton into +obeying me. I declare if I had to bid him stand on his head he would do +it." + +"But, Jeannette, that would probably get Paul into trouble. Perhaps it +would cost him his life. That would not do." + +"Well, if you will not let me manage Paul, I cannot tell how to help +you." + +"But cannot we manage it without implicating Paul. I could make a +sleeping draught which would put him to rest speedily." + +"Oh, that would be fine, my lady! Just the very thing! Put it in some +mulled ale, and I will dose him." + +"But how then, Jeannette? Have we courage to open the prison doors? I am +afraid our nerves would fail us down in those damp and ghostly cells." + +"Not at all, my lady. I will go; my heart will not fail me, for it would +just suit me to do it." + +"Well, it sounds strange we should thus plot to deceive our people; but +my heart prompts me to do this deed, come what may." + +"Yes, let us do it; but, as I said, let it be mulled ale, for I declare +ale is never too muddy for them, and they will drink it, no matter what +stuff you put in it." + +"But how shall we convey it to him when it is made? That is our next +difficulty, Jeannette." + +"Oh, I'll convey it, never fear for me, lady. The little soft is fool +enough to think I admire him. It will be such fun! I shall almost burst +with laughter when he gulps it down. I'll take him a tit-bit also, for +his supper. The simpleton will be overjoyed, and I expect he'll begin +maundering something about love," and Jeannette clapped her hands and +skipped about gleefully. This was a matter that just jumped with her +madcap humour, and her high spirits could any time carry her through a +frolic of this sort; but when fairly cornered, her nerves were subject +to complete collapse, and she became as helpless as any bird before the +swoop of a hawk, unable to do anything but cower and helplessly flutter. + +"Really, Jeannette, I think you treat this poor fellow rather too +badly," said Alice. + +"It's only a joke, my lady. I like to tease him, he amuses me so!" + +"Well, get him some supper, then, and I will make him some mulled ale. +For this once, at least, we must ignore our consciences; but indeed, I +almost think the end will justify the means, for this worthy Saxon +deserves some better fate than the one awaiting him, and I care not if I +permit the claims of humanity and of chivalry to triumph, even though it +be at the expense of my own people, of whose cruelty and greed I am +heartily ashamed." + +The evening hours were advancing rapidly towards the twelfth. Much of +the clamour of the early hours of the night was effectually hushed in +the drunken slumbers of both officers and men, and at the dread hour the +attempt at rescue was to be made; so Jeannette, fortifying herself for +her humorous but somewhat daring feat, tripped boldly along the +corridors, torch in hand, bearing the repast prepared for her would-be +lover. + +"There, you false man, that is a great deal too good for you!" she said, +accosting Paul Lazaire, who was mounting guard over the cell in which +Oswald was confined, and who, in great trepidation and fear, shrank +before the ghostly advent of an unknown and muffled visitant at the +dread hour of night. + +"Oh! goodness me, my pretty Jeannette, is it you? I was quite startled. +I thought it was a ghost, and I declare it's an angel." + +"You thought it was that ugly Saxon wench I caught you kissing, you +false man! That is what you thought." + +"Tush, tush, Jeannette! Whenever will you forget that? You know I love +only you. Give me a kiss, and let us be friends. I vow I will never look +at another Saxon wench as long as I live." + +"Now, get off with you, if you please. You make a mistake if you think I +am going to be kissed by you, when you are so fond of kissing any dirty +hussy you meet." + +"Now, don't, my fiery little wife! This is too bad--too bad for +anything, Jeannette! You never have done with it." + +"Don't you imagine you will have me for a wife unless you mend your +manners very greatly. You shall have that dirty hussy of a Saxon for a +wife, and I will have Jaques Leroux. He is a smarter man than you are, +any day; and if I but put up my finger to him, he will run after me." + +"You don't mean it, Jeannette! Now, don't be cruel! You might just as +well say that you love me, for I know you do at heart, and you are only +teasing me, as usual. I know you wouldn't have brought me this nice +supper if you hadn't thought something of me. Now, isn't it so, +Jeannette? Just give me a kiss, and say you forgive me for that Saxon +wench, and then I shall be happy;" and Paul endeavoured gallantly to +plant a kiss on Jeannette's rosy cheek. + +"Here, get off, will you, or else I'll scratch you!" said Jeannette, +violently pushing Paul away. "I'm not going to go shares with a dirty +Saxon. Mark that, Paul Lazaire! You will have to mend your manners +before you kiss me, I can tell you that much!" + +"There you go again, Jeannette. You never will forget about that Saxon +wench, I do believe; and you know it was only a joke." + +"Now, just get your supper, and give up fooling, will you? or your ale +will be cold, and I shall go away and leave you," was the very +irresponsive reply of the dame. + +Paul was really madly in love with Jeannette, but still he had to spare +a considerable amount of affection for the steaming tankard of mulled +ale and the victuals, which she had brought him. So he raised the +tankard to his lips, and gave a hearty drink. + +"Bravo, Jeannette!" said he, smacking his lips. "What a lovely brew it +is to be sure! How it warms the pit of my stomach! You'll make me a +happy man some day, I do declare, Jeannette." + +"Now you are fooling again!" said Jeannette, giggling most immoderately +at the gusto with which, unsuspectingly, he swallowed the potion. "Now, +get your supper. I cannot spend the whole night with you here. So be +quick, or I shall be missed." + +Thus exhorted, Paul fell on the victuals with right good will, and +drained to the dregs the tankard of spiced ale, all the while +interspersing his feeding by casting pitiful glances at Jeannette, which +made that mercurial young damsel giggle more immoderately still. + +"Don't go, Jeannette," said he beseechingly, as Jeannette was about to +turn away. "It is a long time to the next watch, and you can't imagine +how creepy I feel in this passage, with that fearful Saxon inside +clanking his irons, and tearing about, and not a soul within call if he +should break loose." + +"Is that the cell in which he is confined?" + +"Yes, but he is very quiet just now. Perhaps he hears us talking; but I +can hear him tugging at the chains sometimes as though he would tear the +place down. He makes me feel as if next moment he'd burst open the door, +and murder me. He is a most desperate fellow. You should have seen how +he fought on that wall; and there was another one who escaped, a fearful +man, too, at his weapons." + +"Oh, I saw them, and I noticed how frightened you all were into the +bargain. But are those the keys you have at your girdle?" + +"Yes; this is the one for the door, and this other one for the +manacles," said Paul, holding up a pair of rusty keys to Jeannette's +view. "I wish the watch was over," he added, shuddering, "or I had _un +bon camarade_." + +"Eh, bien! bon nuit, mon bonhomme," said Jeannette, gathering up the +empty tankard, and flitting along the lonesome corridors back again to +her mistress, who was waiting with feverish impatience for her return. + +"What news have you, Jeannette? Did all go well?" + +"Beautiful, my lady. He drank the ale, and praised it finely. I knew he +would do that, for those horrid men always praise ale. But the wonder to +me is that the beastly stuff did not turn his stomach." + +"Did you see the cell, then, in which the Saxon is confined?" + +"Yes; and Paul showed me which is the key for the door, and which is for +the manacles; for he is chained fast to the wall, it appears." + +"Oh, dear, I wish it was over, for I tremble from head to foot. It is a +desperate enterprise, and would be both rash and indelicate if the +mercifulness of it did not demand the sacrifice. Dost thou fear to +venture it, Jeannette?" + +"Not a bit, my lady; I like to outwit those men folk, for they count us +nothing, and it will be such a joke to see their blank looks in the +morning! And won't the Baron rage and swear at the men-at-arms?" + +"Oh, do hush, you foolish child, it is far too serious to jest about. I +wish your courage and lightheartedness may not fail you before our task +is accomplished! If a merciful Heaven do not help us, I fear me we shall +never accomplish our purpose." + +"Let us make vow to Notre Dame, before we venture, that we will repeat +fifty Aves and Credos if she help us, and give twenty silver pennies to +the holy Father at the next gathering of the Romescot."[1] + +[Footnote 1: Peter's pence.] + +"Well, we will see about that; but we had better get ready, for the +draught will soon take effect upon this sweetheart of yours." + +"Stuff, my lady! He is a little finikin fellow, and simple to boot. I do +but tease him. He amuses me so much I really cannot help joking him." + +Ere long these two frail women stole along the lonesome passages, having +fortified themselves as best they could for their task. Alice was +dreadfully nervous, but determined of purpose. Jeannette, however, was +jaunty enough at starting, and had it been the congenial task of +tricking poor Paul Lazaire, her volatile temperament would have carried +her through; but she soon began to manifest, by many hysterical starts, +that this dramatic adventure, which might become a tragedy, was telling +powerfully upon her nerves. + +They soon reached the place, however, where, as they anticipated, Paul +was found in a state of blissful insensibility to either friend or foe. +He had speedily felt the soothing effect of the drug, and had sat down +with his back to the wall. But he had quickly slidden from that position +and was now lying flat along, in a sound sleep, and breathing heavily. + +"Oh, dear!" almost shrieked Jeannette, as she witnessed Paul's +insensible condition. "He's not dead, is he, my lady?" + +"No, he is not, you simpleton! Now let us be quick, Jeannette! Reach the +keys from his girdle. May Heaven help us!" said Alice, devoutly crossing +herself. But she dared not give utterance to her fears in presence of +her maid, whose condition was plainly visible to her. + +Jeannette snatched the keys from Paul's girdle, and Alice thrust the +clumsy piece of metal into the door; but she had to apply her utmost +strength ere the rusty bolt shot back with a loud snap. Then, applying +her strength to the heavy oaken door, it recoiled slowly on its rusty +hinges, with a horrid, creaking noise which grated fearfully on the +excited nerves of the pair. Immediately, as the torch's flickering light +fell dimly across the cell, their eyes fell upon the captive chief, who +was chained to the wall by heavy chains, but nevertheless stood erect, +with distended nostrils, clenched hands, and threatening attitude. He +was evidently expecting a midnight assassin, and though manacled and +bound hand and foot, he would fight it out to the end. Alice started +back, trembling violently, as she beheld the fierce attitude of Oswald; +and the last spark of Jeannette's courage disappeared, for, with a +shriek, she clutched the arm of her mistress and tried to drag her away. + +"Hush, Jeannette! Be still," cried Alice beseechingly; "we shall be +discovered if you do not be quiet." + +The scene was a graphic one truly. The two timid women stood on the +threshold of the cell, cowed by the savage attitude of the captive, and +afraid to advance a step, though bent on doing a deed of mercy. Oswald +also was strangely bewildered at the sight of such gentle visitors; for, +as the torch was held aloft, the uncertain light revealed to him the +forms of two timid and graceful women, and one of them, at least, +bearing evidence of gentle blood and gentle manners. His muscles relaxed +and his manacled hands fell to his side, and the heavy irons clanked +horribly in the vaulted cell. This still further terrified the visitors, +and Jeannette, whose nerves were at their utmost tension, with a shriek +involuntarily bounded over the sleeping form of Paul Lazaire, and fled +like the wind along the corridors, leaving her mistress alone with the +captive chieftain. The awful silence was broken by Oswald, who said, "Be +not afraid, gentle lady. I was expecting some red-handed murderer and +the cold steel; but methinks so fair a messenger should bear a message +of mercy." + +"We have at least a merciful intent, Saxon. We saw your brave defence of +the castle, and we would fain set you free if we can, for we know the +brutal designs of some of our people, and we would save our own people +from dishonour, and you from a cruel death." + +"Ah! then pity still exists in the breast of woman! I thought the world +was emptied of such things." + +"This can never be, sir knight, whilst honour and chivalry inspire the +deeds of knights and warriors; for such can never fail to inspire the +sympathies of us weak women." + +"Will you dare, then, fair lady, to carry out your beneficent purpose, +and give me my liberty again, enemy though I be to thy people?" + +"I have counted all costs, sir knight; and I dare, if so be that my +woman's strength can effect it." + +"Here is my right hand, then. Ten thousand blessings on your woman's +heart if you can set it free once more!" + +As he spoke he stretched out his right arm, loaded with the heavy and +rusty fetters. + +Alice boldly advanced and thrust the key into the lock, but her utmost +strength was insufficient to force back the catch, whilst Oswald's +fetters prevented him from reaching one hand with the other. Alice +unloosed from her shoulders a collarette of rich lace, and wrapped it +round the rusty key, the angles of which hurt her hand. Then, applying +again her utmost strength, happily she succeeded in forcing back the +stubborn bolt, and thus liberating Oswald's right hand. + +[Illustration: ALICE DE MONTFORT SETS FREE THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN.] + +"Thank Heaven for a limb at liberty! My good right hand, too," said he, +stretching it to its utmost length for very joy. "Give me the key, now, +fair lady, for I can myself undo the rest." Soon, one by one, the +fetters were stripped off from his cramped and lacerated limbs, and he +bounded from them free. Falling on his knees before Alice, he seized her +hand and pressed it to his lips, exclaiming, "Tell me the name of my +benefactress, lady, for it shall be enshrined in my memory for ever." + +"I am Alice de Montfort, and that was my maid," said Alice timidly, and +blushing crimson. + +"Alice de Montfort!" said Oswald, starting to his feet as one bewildered +at the avowal. Then, seizing the other trembling hand, he passionately +exclaimed, "Nay, never blush, lady! So noble a name, so fair a form, and +so generous a deed are worthily associated." + +"Alas! I fear me, sir knight, some men, if they knew that I thus acted +falsely to my father and to my people, would despise me; but I have +learnt to despise the opinions of men, when the cause of humanity and of +chivalry claims my feeble help. We noticed your brave defence of your +home, and the evil fortune which befel you; and we two weak women were +overtaken with pity, which is our woman's weakness. Thus we have +ventured this deed. I would you should accept it as some atonement for +the violence and greed of my people. But tarry not, sir knight, I +beseech you, lest this act be marred ere it be accomplished." + +"How can I express my gratitude to you, gentle lady, for adventuring so +much in order that you might give me my life! But I would that the curse +of Heaven may be upon me as an ingrate, if I forget, even for an hour, +the debt I owe to you, and, if opportunity serve, I return not with +interest to thee and thine this act of mercy done to me in my extremity. +But the time is urgent, as you say. So adieu, lady." + +"Stay, sir knight; there is one other point--how will you make good your +escape? Had you not better go with us to our women's quarters? Then we +may devise with greater leisure some further means to ensure your +escape." + +"If you will but lend me your cloak, lady, to disguise my form, I know +this castle's resources, and I shall not fail to make my escape. As a +token of this, I will leave the cloak at the foot of the stair leading +to the tower. Adieu, lady! We shall meet again under happier auspices." + +So saying, he bounded from the dungeon and disappeared in the darkness. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +BARON VIGNEAU BAULKED OF HIS REVENGE. + + "Midnight brought on the dusky hour, + Friendliest to sleep and silence." + + Milton. + + +The pall of darkness is spread over the face of Nature, and the bold +outlines of the mountains are shrouded in its embrace. Under cover of +the darkness, a cordon of vigilant and daring sentinels are closing in +upon the castle and its carousing inmates. One stealthy figure glides +peeringly from tree to tree amongst the clump of towering chestnuts, +until he reaches one near the wall, when, throwing his legs around it, +and catching hold of the tough and sinewy shoots in the bole, he mounts +aloft, and perches daringly amid the branches of the tree, watching the +remnant of the Normans who still are able to keep up the orgie. But most +of them are now fast in the arms of a sodden sleep. + +Another figure, on hands and knees, with snake-like motion has left the +thicket of laurel, hazels, and flowering currants at the foot of the +slope in front, and wriggles his way up the rising ground on which the +castle is built, until he comes daringly close to the wall; whilst the +short, sharp scream of the night-owl, issuing from first one point and +then another, tells that concerted action is afoot. The secret of it is, +that Wulfhere has rallied a band of the hardiest Saxons, if needs be, to +dare a desperate deed of rescue on behalf of their captive chieftain. +Many a fierce Saxon, with naked sword and eagerly listening ear, is +lurking around, ready for any deed that may be required of him. + +Wulfhere and a trusty comrade are standing together at the foot of a +gigantic oak in an adjoining wood. The capacious trunk tells that for +many centuries it has looked down upon its contemporaries. The decayed +and verdureless branches, clustered around its centre, tell also that +the process of decay has been progressing for a longer span of time than +is permitted in the life of mortals. If we ascend it for a few yards we +shall find that, just where its stout limbs divide themselves from the +bole, a yawning cavern has taken the place of its once stout heart, into +which a man would find no difficulty in descending. + +"I think there are none of the enemy on the alert, and we may venture," +said Wulfhere to his companion. So saying, he mounted the tree and +disappeared in the recess, and, sliding down until he reached the +ground, he quietly removed some leaves and other _debris_; then there +was visible a trap-door, which he raised, revealing a flight of steps, +which he descended, followed by his companion. Drawing forth a horn +lantern, with tinder-box and flint, he struck a light, and the pair +began slowly marching along in the direction of the castle. But they had +not proceeded very far before they were saluted by a familiar voice. + +"What ho, Wulfhere! what are you venturing?" + +After the first violent consternation, Wulfhere found his tongue. + +"We essayed a rescue, my lord, but you have saved us the trouble. How is +this? We scarcely hoped to find you alive at this time, much less a free +man." + +"A miracle, Wulfhere! I account it a miracle, for I am as one given back +from the dead. But more anon. Let us haste for the present, for I +tremble lest it should turn out that it is but a dream, and that there +will follow a horrid awakening." + +The trio quickly retraced their steps, and stood together in the wood, +Wulfhere uttering a series of peculiar calls well known to every Saxon +comprising the band of rescuers. Quickly, one by one, they rallied to +the spot; and when they saw their chieftain safe and well their +demonstrations of joy were most exuberant--almost frantic--many of them +dancing round him like satyrs in the dim light of the wood, each and all +most anxiously demanding by what strange chance he had obtained his +liberty. As they hastily retreated to the hills, Oswald briefly related +to his followers the circumstances of his release by two Norman women, +who at dead of night had boldly opened the prison door and unfettered +him--Oswald carefully laying upon his followers the injunction that no +harm should be done to the Norman women, and that special regard should +be paid to the Norman lady, daughter of Count de Montfort. He also +enjoined upon them the strictest secrecy as to the agents who had taken +part in it. + + * * * * * + +Early on the morrow there was a grand muster of the Norman men-at-arms +in the castle yard. Many of them who had taken part in the assault on +the castle were not followers of the Count, but mercenaries, who were +eager for further advance in quest of plunder. To this multitude who had +fought for him, and stayed their hand from plunder and burning, at his +request, a liberal donative of gold was distributed; and presently +three-fourths of the soldiery shouldered arms and marched northwards to +swell the ranks of the desolating host which carried fire and sword +throughout the north of England, and to the borders of Scotland. +Blood-curdling were the dreadful scenes of slaughter that were enacted; +not less than two hundred thousand Saxons perishing in that ruthless +massacre. + +Alice and Jeannette were astir betimes in the morning also; in fact, +Alice had not closed her eyes during that night of suspense. With +considerable daring, in the morning she and Jeannette passed from room +to room, from basement to roof, in search of evidence that the Saxon had +made good his escape, starting and trembling violently as the wild +shouts of the men fell upon their ears, lest it should be but the herald +of Oswald's recapture. + +"There remains but the tower, Jeannette," said Alice, after they had +explored, as best they could, the various rooms of the castle. So +towards the dismal winding stair of the tower they hastened, and there +in the semi-darkness they came across the cloak which Alice had lent the +fugitive. Then Alice remembered the parting words of the Saxon,--that +'she would find the cloak at the bottom of the stair.' Slowly they +scrambled up these stairs, often-times having literally to grope their +way. When they reached the top they peered anxiously around, but no +trace of Oswald was to be seen. Looking over the battlements, they +beheld Vigneau, Pierre, and a number of men making preparation for what +they considered a morning's sport. Some had fenced round a small +enclosure, and others had kindled a large fire, in which were heating +pincers and long iron spikes wherewith they purposed torturing the Saxon +chieftain. Vigneau, casting a glance up at the castle, perceived Alice +and Jeannette peering over the battlements and watching the fiendish +preparations. + +"Pierre," said Vigneau, "do you see _la grande dame_ watching us? We +shall find her sport soon the mawkish damsel will sicken at, I warrant. +I would like to tie her to the spot and make her look on whether she +will or no." + +"You will win no gracious smiles by this work, I doubt, my lord; it +would have been better done farther away," said Pierre. + +"I neither care for her smiles nor her tears. I have got the hook in her +gills and I'll land her in my own fashion, and she may struggle and +flounder as she will. I can bring her ladyship or her precious sire to +their knees as I like. You shall see presently. But come along, bring +half a dozen of your men with you; we'll have Samson up now." + +So away they hastened to the cells to fetch their prisoner. + +"Jeannette," said Alice, "I am ready to faint! Do you think the Saxon +has escaped? I fear he could never scale that horrid wall; and if he be +but hiding on the roof or in the cells he will be surely caught." + +"If I could push these huge stones upon the Baron's head I would do it +freely," said Jeannette. + +Just at that moment a wild shout came pealing up the stair. + +"Oh, Jeannette," said Alice, "let me sit down! They have found him, I +fear! This is sickening!" + +Just at that moment a soldier was seen to dash from the door of the +castle and fly across the enclosure and through the gate. This was the +sentinel who had taken Paul Lazaire's place; and who, as soon as he +found the prisoner gone had himself fled for life and was seen no more. + +Speedily a hue and cry was raised. The castle was searched within and +without with the utmost minuteness. Vigneau's violence and rage were +fearful, and his demeanour that of a wild beast baulked of his prey. + + It is needless to say that I was well-nigh overjoyed when + Badger brought me the wonderful news of Oswald's deliverance. I + gave God praise, for truly it was little less than a miracle. + Badger, by some means or other, seemed to be constantly in + possession of all information as regarded the movements of the + Normans as well as the Saxons. Truly, he seemed ever on the + alert. By night he was constantly in conference with the + outlaws. Marvellously, also, he gained the goodwill of the + Normans, and he became a repository of all their secrets. + Unfortunately for us, Vigneau and his men quartered themselves + at the abbey; and, fearful for Ethel's safety, I made Badger + the bearer of the following letter to Oswald, who had, I was + pleased to hear, found a retreat which promised some prospect + of immunity from molestation; and, as I said, I had become most + nervously anxious for the welfare of Ethel now that Vigneau had + taken up his abode so near to her retreat. + + "To the most noble and valiant Ealdorman Oswald, + greeting.--Having been assured by yourself that you purpose + devoting your great wisdom and undoubted valour to the most + worthy cause of protecting and succouring your unfortunate and + distressed countrymen, in these most perilous times, I would + fain bring to your notice that most evil times have befallen + the house of your late neighbour, the Thane Beowulf, in that + his lands, like your own, have become forfeit. But, what is + even more distressing, he, along with his son, has been slain + whilst endeavouring to prevent the spoliation of their + possessions by the Normans. His lovely and accomplished + daughter Ethel had fled to these cloisters for safety; but + inasmuch as this most holy sanctuary is involved in the general + ruin, being seized by violent hands, and remains at this + present in possession and under the control of beings who are + little better than fiends--men who have no regard for sacred + things, and who in their cruelty and lust spare neither age nor + sex--violent hands have been laid upon Ethel, but happily she + hath been delivered out of their hands as a 'bird from the + fowler,' by the combined address and valour of the bearer of + this message. Unfortunately there is no place of safety for + her, for the remnant of her father's housecarles and fiefs are + a scattered band, and outlaws. She hath for the present, + however, found a temporary place of shelter in the dwelling of + one of her father's rangers, who hath a rude abode in 'Hooded + Crow's Gyll.' But this is at best a precarious refuge, for, as + soon as the Normans muster courage to explore the forest, she + will inevitably fall into their hands again. If thou canst + befriend this orphaned one, the God of the friendless and + distressed bless thee! If thou canst offer her a more secure + shelter, the bearer of this missive--whom doubtless thou wilt + know--may be safely trusted to guide thee to the herdsman's + hut. Most sorrowfully I salute thee. + + "Adhelm, Abbot, + "Monastery of ----. [symbol: cross] + +This epistle duly reached Oswald, who, as I surmised, lost no time in +setting about a rescue. Calling Wulfhere, three horses were quickly +saddled--one for Oswald, one for Wulfhere, and one for Badger, who was +to act as guide. + +"Lead the way," said the Earl; "and keep by the hills as far as +possible, for the Normans as yet have had no time to spare from their +eating, drinking, and plundering, to explore the hill country, and, I +doubt not, we shall go unmolested." + +With these directions, the three horsemen started off, keeping to the +hills, where their vision could sweep the valleys and lowlands with so +much accuracy that it would have been impossible for an enemy to come at +any time within a couple of miles of steep climbing without being +perceived. A little more than an hour's ride brought them to the point +from whence they must strike the forest and lowlands. They paused for a +minute or two, calmly surveying the hillsides, and minutely scrutinising +every object which had any indefiniteness or uncertainty about it. But +the curlews swept the long circle of the hills, uttering their plaintive +cries, and the hawks glided over the tops of the trees, or darted in and +out amongst them to start their prey into the open, or, on poised wing, +they rested motionless in the air, scanning with keen vision the ground +beneath them, and ready to pounce like a flash upon any luckless mouse +or tiny rabbit that had ventured on an excursion from its hole. + +"The presence of man--or, at least, of men--is not here," said Oswald, +"or these shy denizens of the solitudes of Nature would betray it by +their unrest. Lead on, Badger; we shall not be molested, I trust." + +So Badger struck out for the lowlands at a rapid pace, presently +plunging into the head of the wood which ran up the valley some +half-mile beyond the unbroken forest. In the bottom of this valley or +gorge, a water-course was speeding away from the hills, occasionally +leaping over falls of several yards. But, amongst the unsolvable +mysteries of Nature, trout in goodly numbers had penetrated beyond them, +and in every pool or temporary resting-place of the waters, these +enterprising denizens of the flood abounded. The three followed a rough +path by this water-course for a considerable distance, until it merged +in the well-nigh interminable forest. + +Suddenly Badger diverged from the path, and, dismounting, led his horse +through the thicket, putting aside the branches as he passed. Presently +a rude dwelling became visible, with a little clearing around it. This +was the spot where the herdsman, or, more properly speaking, the ranger, +dwelt. It was a rough and primitive sort of building, made of wood. +Stout oak limbs, deeply inserted into the ground, and from which the +bark had been removed, formed the main supports, whilst the arched roof +and interspaces of the sides were interlaced in most fantastic shapes by +smaller branches of the oak, all carefully peeled. Upon this framework +of oaken branches the roof and sides were dexterously thatched by +heather from the neighbouring moor, and over all a rude daubing of mud +and lime mixed; the whole making a rude, but, nevertheless, a warm and +dry abode. Around the entrance there was a few yards paved with smooth +limestone pebbles gathered from the neighbouring brook. Amid these were +interspersed most fantastically the knuckle-bones of deer, sheep, +wolves, and other animals. Grotesque and whimsical all this seemed, but +it jumped with the fancy of the architect, who was literally a child of +the forest. Badger, as he drew nigh, heard hasty scuffling of feet and +barricading of the door. But when he gave a knock all was as still as +death in a moment. + +"Hillo, within there!" shouted Badger. "There is nothing but good Saxons +here." + +The ranger's wife recognised at once the voice of Badger, and undid the +door; and the three entered, leaving their horses standing together. +Ethel, meanwhile, was listening within in great trepidation, but when +she discovered that their unexpected visitants were Saxon, she emerged +from an inner room. As her eyes rested upon Oswald, who had removed his +helmet, the burning blushes mounted in a deep crimson glow to her face +and neck, and she cast an anxiously nervous look at her disarranged +toilette. + +"Ah!" said Oswald, taking her hand and raising it to his lips, "is this +the sweet little Ethel who used to watch us rough boys play at the +joust, and fence with our broadswords?--whom we used to accompany +through the Bruneswald on her hawking expeditions? Why, how you have +grown, too! To be sure, these terrible times have left no opportunities +for neighbourly amenities. Why, 'tis three years since I last set eyes +upon you. Ah, I know 'tis very sad," said he, as he saw the tears start +into her eyes; "but dry those eyes, timid one, we will endeavour to find +a covert where you may hide; and we will put about it a girdle of steel, +and woe shall be to the Norman who obtrudes his hated presence near." + +But these gentle words only seemed to open the floodgates still wider, +and the frail frame of the fair girl quivered with emotion. Recently she +had passed through sufferings, privations, terrors innumerable; but as +she looked upon the mailed warrior before her, it seemed as though a +very tower of refuge had been found. The most casual observer would have +been powerfully impressed by the striking contrast in these two human +beings--Ethel, with her fair complexion, deep blue eyes, and rich +tresses of fair hair falling with unkempt gracefulness over her +shoulders, being a picture of maidenly grace, and an ideal high-born +Saxon maiden; whilst the Earl's tall, muscular frame, well-shapen head, +and curly locks, seemed like a modern Hercules made for the times, and +equipped by Nature to play a conspicuous part in a troublous +epoch,--times, in which personal prowess, dauntless courage, and a +commanding presence were essential qualities in one who aspired to be a +leader of men. + +We can scarcely wonder that there should be a touch of more than wonted +gentleness in the tone of his voice, as he spoke to this fair and +sorrowing maiden. + +"We heard of your misfortunes, fair one," said Oswald, "and we have come +to offer you such succour as a dispossessed Saxon can still offer. I +fear me it will be but a rude shelter for so gentle a guest. It may be +precarious, and subject to alarms, too; but I warrant it shall have a +measure of safety, if you will accept of it." + +"Thank you, my lord. Alas! that is all that I have to offer for your +great kindness. I will gladly accept your offer, and I will try not to +be altogether a burden to you." + +"Now, my worthy dame," said Oswald, addressing the ranger's wife, "you +have done a good deed in sheltering this lady." + +"We have but done our duty. She is our lawful mistress. We have fed on +her father's bounty, and enjoyed his protection, and the sorrow is to +see her brought to this pass." + +"Where is thy husband?" + +"He is adown the Gyll on the watch." + +"Canst thou call him?" + +"Presently, my lord, if you wish to see him." + +"Yes, let us see his face. We may be able to befriend him, and he us." + +The woman reached from the side of the dwelling a small whistle, made +from a branch of the plaintain tree, and, going to the door, she blew a +low and peculiar note, then listened for a second; but there was no +response. Then a little louder she blew the same note. Immediately there +came trembling through the wood a response. + +"He will be here soon," said the woman, coming back to the dwelling. + +Presently, the ranger pressed through the bushes into the enclosure; in +one hand a dish of fine trout dangled on a string, and in the other hand +a pheasant. But there was no mark of surprise on Bretwul's countenance +as he beheld his visitors. + +"How now, friend. Thou art not alarmed, I see," said Oswald. + +"No; I have one eye for the hills, and another for the dales, and I know +a Saxon any gait, and my old comrade Badger in any guise." + +"So thou hast busied thyself in securing these dainties for thy +mistress, I presume?" + +"Yes, I have sent one of my trusty shafts after this dainty bird, and I +have poked under a few stones in the brook for these trout. Here," said +he, throwing his quiver on the floor, "are a score of cloth-yard shafts, +and every one a trusty friend, and never fails. I have taken great pains +in the rearing of them. I have tried them all at a mark, and I have all +their peculiarities logged up in my brain-pan. I have taken the swerve +out of them, as nearly as I can, by paring their heads, and twisting +their tails; but they have all a mind of their own at the finish. But I +know their minds as well as they know themselves, and I can allow, to a +shadow, what they require and I can shoot a Norman's eye out at +fourscore paces with any of them. Look, also; all these heads have been +made by Sweyn, the Sheffield armourer; all of them forked ye see, and +make a dainty little slit between a Norman's ribs as they enter; but +gramercy! getting them out, there's the rub! I have been watching for +many a day down the Gyll, for the Normans have been getting bold, +ransacking the forest in quest of Saxon refugees. A slice of luck, and a +crumb of comfort, has fallen to me this morning." + +"Oh! Hast thou had some of them within reach of thy cloth-yard shafts, +then, this morning?" + +"Marry, that I have! and I have tickled one or two of them with a long +stick; but they didn't laugh, mark you." + +"Oh, then, we'll have thy story, Bretwul, for we are all anxious to hear +how they like messages from our woodsmen." + +"Well, it came about thus. There is a little path from the valley leads +up to our cot. 'Twas worn, before these dogs came, be assured, for we +shall make no further tracks, yet awhile. As I was out this morning, on +the rough side of my cottage--that is, the side turned to the foe--and +on the look-out for them, three or four of these Normans had come across +the track, and, of course, they naturally thought there would be +something at the end on't. Well, there was something in the middle that +satisfied them. No sooner did I see them coming, than I says to myself, +'Come on, my bucks! I've got something warm for you, and you can have it +for nothing but love.' I planted myself in the bush not forty paces +away, and I selected my choicest shaft. This is him," said he, pulling +one out of the quiver, still red with blood. "I'd trust my life on this +shaft, master, for he never fails. Well; on they came, and I gave him +all the strength of my arm, and plump in the throat my arrow struck the +foremost Norman, and he dropped in the path. Gramercy! His fellows +didn't even stop to say to him, 'Are you much hurt?' or even to inquire +if there was any more of the same sort about; but they turned tail, +master, if you believe me, and they ran--why, Badger here couldn't have +overhauled them, and he's the nimblest fellow in these parts. Well, I +says to myself, 'I should not like you to go empty away, any of you, if +I can help it.' So I lodged another of my shafts pretty securely, I +warrant, in the buttocks of the last one, and the fellow never halted +for a moment to inquire what it was, but he carried off my shaft. I +suppose they will be busy now inviting it to come out; but, depend upon +it, it will hold its own as closely as any Norman could stick to a +Saxon's goods. I've lost a good shaft over him, but it will tickle him +for many a day yet; and he'll want nobody to scratch the place, either. +There, marry! it's bad manners to stand prating before my betters, but a +bit of news of this sort I like, either to hear or tell it." + +"It is news good either to hear or tell," said Oswald, "and we shall be +glad to hear more of thy stories when thou hast any as good as this. But +prithee, my good fellow, what is this bundle of shafts in the corner?" + +"These, master, are my youngsters, and they haven't quite finished their +schooling. They are trusty shafts enough when you come to close +quarters, but, like an unbroken colt, a trifle skittish when accurate +work has to be done. I'll make them steady goers by-and-bye. Wife +haven't you a drink of mead or a bite of anything for our guests? This +is Oswald, our only chieftain in these parts. Don't you remember his +coming to the hall and playing joust and broadsword with Master Beowulf? +A stout rogue he was, too, in those days. This is Wulfhere, Folkfree and +Sacless (lawful freeman); Badger, too, a merry fellow--like myself, +though, thrall and bondman, but as trusty a knave, I trow, as breathes." + +"I like thy mettle, Bretwul, if such be thy name; but what dost thou +purpose to do? Wilt thou stay here and take thy luck single-handed, or +dost thou intend to make terms with the Normans, and accept such mercies +as they may bestow?" + +"'Down with the Normans,' is the Saxon's good word now, and it has been +mine from the first. The Bruneswald, and the company of the merry +outlaws who range it, would suit me best; but hopping about in the +woods, like a squirrel from tree to tree, does not suit the womenfolk +and my toddlers. But shift I must now; after to-day's business there +will be no staying here. I left yon fellow across the path as a sort of +warning to trespassers, but it won't act long, for the Normans will come +again in larger numbers, and the game will soon be up." + +"Maybe thou hast heard that we have made a stand on the hills yonder?" + +"Ay, ay! that I have, master." + +"If thou likest to bring thy wife to Tarnghyll, where we are sheltering +for the present, she and the little ones will be much safer, and thy +wife Eadburgh will be useful to Lady Ethel. By-the-bye, thou hast a +brace of falcons and some fishing gear, I see; and I warrant there is a +ferret or two in that hutch outside. Every man to his craft, and marry, +thine is a serviceable one just now. If thou wilt do thine office for +thy mistress and the rest of us, why then bring thy tackle, and thou +shalt ply thy craft for us, and be assured we shall not grumble if thou +waste an occasional shaft upon the buttocks of any bold or prying +Norman. Hast thou any of thy comrades, servants of the worthy Thane +Beowulf, hiding hereabouts who are willing to take a new master? If +there are, bring them along with thee, for any one sturdy enough to +despise the Norman yoke, and anxious to loose a shaft in defence of the +Saxon's cause, will be heartily welcomed, for we purpose a venture in +which a man who can shoot straight will do us good service." + +"That will be blithe news, I trow, for there are a number of the +housecarles of the worthy Thane, my late master, who are casting about +for something more settled-like than the wolf's-head life of the forest. +In truth, there will be a merry gathering of stout outlaws at the +hermit's cave on Crowfell at nightfall. I would be keen to carry your +message to this trysting. At our last gathering the talk ran much on +your defence of the castle, and some of these are forest men and outlaws +who range the woods as far south as Sherwood. Anyway, I warrant me the +natives of these parts will hear the news with rare glee, for a dalesman +likes to keep in the shadow of his hills and fells. Stout men at a push +you'll find them, and ready to stand to their weapons with the best, and +as slippery as eels when they must shift for themselves. Say the word, +and I'll see it runs through these parts like a heather-fire in a stiff +breeze." + +"Good! Bretwul, stir up these fellows, the more the merrier, for we are +not going to play hide-and-seek with these Normans, and the stouter the +mustering the better we can deal with them." + +Bretwul's wife set before the visitors a stout repast--spoils of the +chase and the flood--for Bretwul was an adept at his vocation. The +visitors also were well supplied with hunger-sauce, and they did rare +justice to it. + +"Well, Badger," said Oswald, "you seem to have taken such a liking to +your new friends that you could not bear parting with them on any terms, +so we must leave you behind, and wish them joy of their friend." + +"Gramercy, master, it is true! I am such a simple fellow that I can wag +a paw with these Normans in all meekness and humility; but I have a +snare or two set on my own account, and the game always finds its way +fellward. Leave me alone, I'll wriggle through it somehow; and, by our +Lady, I've had no broken bones thus far." + +So Oswald, Wulfhere, and Ethel sped them on their way--Ethel being +accommodated with the spare horse. + +"Come, Ethel, my girl, you must dry those eyes, for I shall take note +each day, be assured, to see how the sunshine comes back again to your +countenance," said Oswald, pleasantly. + +"I am afraid I shall prove to be a great burden, and very little of a +help to you in your struggles." + +"Oh, yes; you will be just such a burden as the wild flowers, as little +tending and as fragrant and beautiful as they." + +Ethel blushed scarlet, and made haste to change the subject. "Do you +think, my lord, this Norman Count is bent on exterminating all Saxons +who do not yield them vassals to him?" + +"Nay, Ethel girl, why this formality? I used to be Master Oswald; I pray +you let the honest Saxon name suffice. I cannot tell what De Montfort +intends, but I fear he will let nothing slip that he can by any means +grasp; but I have determined I will know the best or the worst of his +intentions. I shall open negotiations with him, and ascertain, if +possible, if he purposes we shall dwell in peace and as freemen." + +"But you will not venture so far as to put yourself in his power? I pray +you, trust them not, for they are insatiable in their cruelty," said +Ethel anxiously. + +"No fear, Ethel, of my putting myself in his power. Having once tasted +the horrors of captivity I shall not risk its repetition rashly; but I +have a plan, and I shall speak with him face to face. I may tell you, +despite the many reasons we have for undying hatred and no compromise, I +have a deep-rooted conviction that for the present, at all events, a +truce on reasonable and honourable terms will be immeasurably best for +the Saxon cause." + +"The land is undoubtedly prostrate, and time is urgently needed ere it +can rally once more," said Ethel. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN CONFRONTS DE MONTFORT. + + "Then crouch no more on suppliant knee, + But scorn with scorn outbrave; + A Briton even in love should be + A subject, not a slave." + + Wordsworth. + + +Count de Montfort and his daughter Alice were seated together one +evening in what was known as the crimson parlour, a comfortable and +somewhat elegant room for the period. It was wainscoted in dark oak, +with carpets and hangings of richly-figured crimson cloth from the looms +of Avignon. They were enjoying a temporary respite from the incessant +bustle and turmoil which had been their daily accompaniment since the +day they first occupied the Saxon chieftain's patrimony. Even here, +their quiet was unpleasantly disturbed by the roystering merriment of +their followers in the distant kitchen, who stoutly maintained their +freedom to carouse and drink pretty much as they listed. I take the +liberty here to introduce the reader to a more intimate acquaintance +with the Count and his beautiful and accomplished daughter. The Count +was considerably past middle life, probably not less than fifty-five. +His sunburnt countenance, and the stern lines about his mouth and +forehead, told eloquently the tale of a soldier's life. For the habits +of a rough and unscrupulous life had lent a grim and unfeeling hardness +to a visage which had strong evidence of force and character depicted in +it. There was also palpable evidence of a spirit ill at ease and clouded +with doubt, which made him irritable sometimes to a degree positively +cruel to friend or foe. His once jet-black locks were silvering rapidly; +but his tall form had lost none of its erectness, and his haughty and +imperious demeanour proclaimed him a man used to ruling arbitrarily, and +little accustomed to brooking opposition, or the frustrating of his +purposes. His daughter, Lady Alice de Montfort, was extremely like him +in general appearance. Tall and elegant in carriage, her profuse raven +tresses were gathered in silken bands, and from thence fell over her +shoulders well-nigh to her girdle. Her face was pale; her features +regular, as though chiselled. A pair of lustrous dark eyes glowed from +between darker lashes, proclaiming her southern extraction. She was +indeed a model of queenly beauty. Like many of her countrywomen of +exalted station, her youth had been spent in the seclusion of the +convent, where alone an education worthy of the name could be obtained. +This secluded life--despite her fiery extraction--had toned down her +disposition; whilst the culture and refinement had made her a typical +example of the romance and troubadour spirit of song, which we Saxons +knew to be developed in the maidens of sunny France. For her, the rough +life of the Norman occupation, with its scenes of blood and cruelty, was +a daily horror. + +"Alice," began the Count, "I told you some time ago that I had affianced +you to Baron Vigneau. He has followed my fortunes, and lent the prowess +of himself and his mercenaries in furthering my interests, in return for +which he was to receive your hand in marriage; and I gave him my solemn +promise to that effect. His recent conduct has not pleased me, and his +addiction to the wine-cup has become inordinate. But I lay the fault of +this to the rough times we have had, and I doubt not when peaceful times +come again he will become a sober and a virtuous Norman Baron. Anyway, I +gave him my promise, and he has fulfilled the obligation. He now presses +for the fulfilment of this promise. Much time has already been allowed +you to prepare, so I would have you bethink yourself when it can be +redeemed. As you know, it rests solely with yourself as to when this +event shall be, and my pledges made good. I pray you despise him not, +for though he is a landless mercenary, he is brave, and has powerful +friends." + +"Father, this marriage is most distasteful--I may say, most abhorrent to +me. The Baron is a man I cannot possibly love; and if my fortune is what +he would have, let him take it and welcome--I care not if I am +penniless, if I have my liberty. Nay, I would much rather take the veil +if I have no other choice than to marry him." + +"Alice, this cannot be; I cannot break my promise. Once for all let me +tell you I dare not. This man has obtained a fatal advantage over me, +and it is a question of life and death for me. Listen!" said he, rising +and pacing the room with quick nervous tread. "Fool that I was, when +this last insurrection of the Saxons broke out I was deeply smarting +under the rebuffs I had received at the hands of my mortal enemies Odo +and Fitz-Osborne, and the base ingratitude of William. I counted the +forces of the rebels, and noted their wonderful successes; and foolishly +imagining the Danes and Scots would stand firm, I thought that William's +time had come at last. Madman that I was! to think ought could thwart +the iron will and marvellous resource. But I had many things to be +revenged upon, and I was blinded by it. I thought, now is the time. But +worst of all, in sheer madness and infatuation I entrusted +letters--deadly compromising letters--to this Vigneau for the leaders of +the insurrection. These letters Vigneau never delivered, and he now +holds them over my head, the villain! and threatens to divulge the whole +thing to William. If he does this, I know well, with the enemies I have +at court, that nothing will appease the self-willed tyrant but my head. +These letters contain such ample proof of my treasonous intentions that +my life literally hangs in the balance if I cannot gratify Vigneau. Fool +and dolt that I was to place myself in the power of so unscrupulous a +villain! + +"I have told you this much that you may think less hardly of me. But the +thing is absolute and irrevocable. I can no longer put him off by my +excuses on your behalf, for he becomes clamorous and threatening. There +is nothing further to gain, I perceive, by remonstrances and promises, +so the sooner this marriage takes place the better; for I am hopelessly +involved in the toils of this snake." + +A dead silence of some minutes followed this, and a sickening sensation +almost to fainting crept over Alice. How long the death-like stillness +would have lasted I know not, but just at that juncture, in silence +profound, the massive oaken door swung back unbidden, and a snatch of a +Bacchanalian chorus pealed along the corridors and burst unbidden on the +ears of father and daughter. But the rising temper of the Count at this +ill-timed jollity and carousing gave way on the instant to profound +astonishment and alarm, as Oswald the Saxon, armed with shield and +buckler, with his drawn sword in his hand, strode into the room; whilst +the dim form of an armed accomplice was visible for a moment in the +darkness ere the door swung back to its place, shutting out the sounds +of revelry and riot, and the three were alone together. The Count sprang +to his feet, whipped out his sword, and savagely stood at bay, awaiting +the onslaught of the sturdy Saxon. Alice also sprang to her feet with a +startled cry, and a strange panic seized her. Had this Saxon, who owed +his life to her, sought this interview with murderous intent? His +appearance betokened it most surely, and she began to upbraid herself +most keenly. + +"Quiet you, lady," said Oswald, with a low obeisance, and in tones which +belied the warlike attitude and arms which he bore. "I have none but +peaceable intentions, gentle lady, though in these times we must be +prepared for any eventualities. I hope you will let this excuse my +weapons and my untimely visit." + +"What doest thou here, Saxon? and how darest thou intrude thyself so +recklessly?" said the Count. + +[Illustration: THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN CONFRONTS DE MONTFORT.] + +"As to intrusion, noble sir, you will pardon me, but my father built +this castle, and I was born here, and inherited it from him; so I would +fain point out, if you will allow me, that I am not the intruder. You +have usurped my lands, appropriated my home, and slain my vassals; +whilst I am homeless, landless, and an outlaw." + +"Lucky, too, art thou, Saxon, to escape with thy life, and wondrous +venturesome withal, in thrusting thy neck a second time into the +halter." + +"I have not come to bandy threats, but it is not my neck that is in the +halter just now, and if thou wert not shielded by a protector more +potent than thy armed minions thy life would soon be forfeit--mark that, +Norman! and be a little more merciful." + +"Thou liest, Saxon dog! I fear thee not, nor any Saxon boor in the +land!" said the Count, brandishing his sword, whilst Alice rushed +frantically between them. + +"Excuse my hastiness, fair lady," said Oswald, "and permit me to say +that I have not come to shed blood, but the reverse; I am come to +solicit a truce, an honourable truce, and to treat for a cessation of +hostilities and hatred; and I would fain you should be umpire between us +this night, gentle lady." + +"What truce dost thou expect, Saxon?" said the Count. "There can but be +one truce between the conqueror and a foe routed and beaten; and that +is, that he should lay down his arms unconditionally and accept the +clemency of the conqueror." + +"That is a condition which we shall not accept. We shall maintain our +liberty at all hazards, and the Norman had better beware of harassing +desperate men." + +"If thy arrogance were equalled by thy power, Saxon, thou wouldst do +great things. But be thou well assured that I will root every mother's +son of you out of your holes in the mountains within a month, if there +is not unconditional surrender. But if thou and thy vassals return, and +accept these terms, ye shall be entitled to my protection as my vassals +and villeins. For thyself, if thou subscribe the oath of fealty, I will +assign to thee certain lands, which thou shalt atone for by such +services rendered to me as I please, as thy feudal lord." + +"Excuse me, noble sir; but these are impossible terms. In the first +place, I am not going to submit to be a grovelling feudatory, wearing +clumsy brogues and a vassal's collar, coming cringingly to thee for +permission to make a journey or shoot a stag--to ask humbly if I may +keep a dog; catch a fish; or marry a wife! I am not going to hold the +stirrup for beggarly Norman adventurers, and say, Your most humble +servant, By your leave, puissant sir, Crave your pardon, my lord, and +all the rest of servile rigmarole, being afraid to breathe the breath of +heaven, or tread mother earth; or say that I am a man; content to be +numbered with thy cattle, or thy goods and chattels, and be spoken of as +the loutish Saxon clown. Never! Let that be understood once for all. No +drop of vassal's blood courses through my veins. No part of a vassal's +spirit animates me. I have not looked upon the face of any man, Saxon or +Norman, that I fear, and I will be vassal to no man. Leave me alone, +with the handful of Saxons who follow me. Thou hast my lands and my +home--take them as the spoils of war, but be content. There is land +enough, and thou mayest leave us in peace. We will not come nigh thee, +but be content to till a little land for sustenance; and we may be of +service as thy allies. Probably many of the serfs will be willing to +return to their lands and to vassalage; and all who are willing may do +so freely." + +"Thou hast come to dictate terms, not to supplicate them, Saxon. Dost +thou think it probable I shall tolerate a petty Saxon chieftain holding +sway close to my doors? or harbour on my lands a brood of villeins who +will render the service of fear to me and that of fealty to the Saxon +near, so that in any pinch they will treacherously fail me? Thou hast a +low estimate of my wisdom, truly. But listen once for all, Saxon; if +there be not immediate surrender I will hunt you from your holes in the +hills, as I have already said, within a month, and few will escape +me--mark that!" + +"Father," said Alice, "you do this noble Saxon grievous wrong in +rejecting so rudely his amicable overtures. You may surely mingle mercy +with your designs. I myself will be bond, these Saxons will reciprocate +any acts of generosity done to them. Besides, consider this: you saw the +forms of armed men at the door just now. They have stayed their hand +when it was at the throat of their victims, and they may do so again." + +"Tush! tush! you speak like a school-girl. These boorish Saxons will +count mercy as weakness; so no more of it." + +"Many thanks, lady," interposed Oswald. "Gentle means are strongest when +we deal with human beings, whether they be gentle or simple. But adieu! +If my mission fails, the responsibility rests not with me, for I have +now offered peace--a peace which is abject in its terms." So saying, he +turned and struck the oaken door with the pommel of his sword, which on +the instant sprung open and as quickly-closed behind him, whilst the +massive bolt was shot from the outside. + +The Count sprang to the door, and tried to force it open, but to no +purpose. "Jules! Jules!" roared he. "What ho there! Treachery!" But the +only response he received to his frantic cries was the fragment of a +rollicking song and chorus, trolled more lustily than musically by rough +voices in the distant kitchen, the substance of which ran something like +the following:-- + + "Old Bacchus was a merry dog, + And kept good company; + He loved good wine and a jovial song, + So his days sped merrily. + + _Chorus._--Ho, comrades all, we'll drink and sing, + So pass the bowl along. + If a better cask the morrow bring, + We'll greet it with a song." + +"What ho there, you drunken brutes! What ho, Jules!" shouted the Count, +frantic with rage. But again the response was in a similar strain:-- + + "We're freemen all, but have our liege, + For William is our lord; + We've wine and ale and venison + To crown our festive board. + + _Chorus._--Ho, comrades, all," etc. + +"What ho there!" roared the Count, more lustily than ever, and furiously +beating the door with an oaken footstool. But all in vain, the song ran +its course oblivious of all beside, and with, if possible, an increase +in its roystering loudness:-- + + "No foemen can our arms withstand, + The Saxons are our scorn. + We'll drink and laugh, and sing at eve, + And chase them in the morn. + + _Chorus._--Ho, comrades all," etc. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +OUTLAWS AND WOLFSHEADS. + + "To be forewarned is to be forearmed." + + _Proverbial Saying._ + + +Count de Montfort, the born autocrat, it may be inferred, was not the +man to permit any remnant of the conquered Saxons to assume an +independent authority, or to defy him in his exercise of unlimited +power. Nor did he relish the fearless tone in which Oswald had addressed +him. Such an affront must not be tolerated for a moment; so he +determined to organise an expedition which should explore the hills and +root out any incipient rebellion which might be afoot. It is needless to +say that the mysterious escape and reappearance of Oswald also caused +increased vigilance in guarding the castle to be resorted to. + +Now Badger had manifested a wonderful tact in ingratiating himself with +the rough Norman troopers. It was much more common to see him sallying +forth cheek by jowl with some of these, fishing, hawking, or +boar-hunting, than to see him companying with his Saxon comrades. But +there was method in it all, for he was always possessed of their plans +and purposes; and when he communicated to me this determination of +theirs we made haste to apprise our countrymen of it. That night Badger +quietly issued from the postern gate of the Abbey, leading his mountain +pony Shaggy, and followed by his faithful wolf-hound Grizzly. Every +light was extinguished. Not a sound fell on the stillness of the night +air, saving the horrid braying of a stag in the distant wood, and the +screeching of owlets as they fluttered amid the branches of the trees in +quest of prey. No sooner had they passed through the gate at the +northern extremity of the Abbey's ground than Badger mounted Shaggy's +back, and they steadily threaded their way through the forest, making as +quickly as possible for the hill country. Steady riding for half an hour +brought them to the first spur of the mountain, when Badger threw +himself from the pony's back, and led the way at a brisk walk. Soon they +reached the top of this lower promontory, when, again mounting Shaggy, +they dashed along, sending the rabbits by hundreds scurrying away to +their holes. But Badger steadily forged ahead towards the huge +eminences, which seemed to rise out of utter darkness, and throw their +black and ominous outlines against the starlit sky. Half an hour's more +riding and patient climbing, and he neared the top. Choosing as the +easiest path a deflection between two peaks, he was proceeding at a +rapid pace, when, of a sudden, two men on horseback came bearing down +upon him like a whirlwind, and drew up in front of him with swords +drawn. "Saxon or Norman?" sang out one of them in a tone of inquiry. + +"Saxon!" shouted Badger. "Down with the Normans!" + +As the well-known voice was heard, the swords were sheathed, and the two +horsemen greeted him with a loud laugh. + +"Why, you are living yet, then, Badger!" said one. "We have been +calculating your chances; and we had come to the conclusion you would be +killed and eaten by this time. You would be worth money, Badger, for +your _skins_ alone, this cold weather." + +"Better shed every extra skin, Badger, or you'll lose your own, I'm +thinking," said the other. + +"Yes, his skins are valuable, but his carcase is good for nothing. +Badgers are just carrion, and nothing more." + +"We are right glad to see you, however," said the pair. And indeed they +seemed inclined to hug him in the exuberance of their delight. + +"Well, and Shaggy's living too! What next, and next. These Normans are +becoming most merciful," again broke out the first one. + +"Yes, yes," retorted the second one, "that's right enough. But they +aren't human beings either of them, or they'd have been murdered before +this." + +"What news, Badger? I declare he's gone in a trance. Have they burnt the +castle down? Are they murdering everybody?" + +"They'll have a mighty job to murder some of you," retorted Badger, +finding his tongue at last, "unless they could fly. You take mighty good +care of your skins. And i' faith, you've only one to take care of. But I +wager that will be whole at the finish, unless you should happen to +tumble and break your neck with running away." + +"Hold there!" said the pair, bursting into a loud laugh at Badger's +retort. "When the time comes we shall be amongst the first at the +Normans' throats." + +"All in good time, my hearties. They are coming in the morning to +disturb your roosts, so there will be a chance for you; but come along, +I can't stand here, I must see Oswald forthwith about this matter." + +"This is our station for the night, Badger. This valley would almost +certainly be selected for a night attack, or day attack either, for the +matter of that. So we must watch until daybreak." + +"Oh, come along, I know everything is perfectly quiet. Not a Norman +astir, I will be bond for it. You will be useful, so come along." + +"If you will take the responsibility, Badger." + +"That I will readily, so come along." + +Then the pair turned their horses' heads round, and joined Badger in his +errand. As they sped across the moor they heard to the right of them a +fierce baying; and presently some half-dozen wolves came bearing down +upon them. The horses began to tremble in every limb, and show evidences +of bolting. So the three dismounted, and stood at the horses' heads with +Grizzly fiercely growling in front. This seemed to reassure the horses; +but as the wolves drew near they were evidently mistaken in their prey, +for they turned tail and fled. But Grizzly with a terrific growl dashed +after them, throwing himself on the haunches of the hindmost, and +rolling him over. Then, seizing him by the throat, he would speedily +have made an end of him, if the horsemen had not come up and dispatched +him with their swords. The monster turned out to be a large gaunt dog +wolf, who would have been an ugly customer for an unarmed man to meet +when the pinch of hunger was upon him. + +"I hope they've got the sheep, and cattle, and swine all trim and tight, +or I'm feared they'll be missing some of them in the morning, with these +beasts prowling about," remarked one horseman. + +"They're getting too plentiful to be at all pleasant. There's been +little time for wolf-hunting since these Normans came; they are getting +bold too, and are beginning to pack," remarked the second horseman. + +"I wish they were the worst foes we had to deal with," said Badger; "I +should be a happier man by a good deal. But these dastardly Normans, I +fear me we shall never more shake them off. The villainous brood are +swarming all over the land, and there will soon be never a patch of soil +that a Saxon can call his own. We shall all either have to be slaves or +feed on the wind ere long." + +"Not me, Badger," said one. "I have neither child nor chick, and a +freeman I'll be at all costs. The limestone caves and the greenwood +shall make me shelter. As for feeding on air, I'll not want something +more substantial if any Norman this side Baldley Heights or Whernside +Fell has a sheep in the fold or an ox in the stall." + +"Well, don't be downhearted, comrades," said Badger. "When the wind +shifts, the cloud lifts. It's a broad ford that can't be bridged. The +strongest bow soonest relaxes, and the spent arrow falls lightly. Our +time will come, for these Normans are not Viking rovers, but like fat +living, and that breeds laziness; and we shall be able to shake +ourselves down comfortably if we can't push them out of the bed." + +Whilst this conversation was proceeding the three were rapidly pressing +on, Badger having by this time put eight or ten miles between himself +and the Norman foe. But in the vast distance before them there seemed to +loom an unending stretch of moorland, vast and drear and dark. In the +pale moonlight the mists could be seen climbing the heights, or creeping +lazily along the hollows, where damp and bogs abounded. Like huge +repositories of old-world histories these grim old hills +seemed--dwarfing human nature into nothingness in their +presence--"everlasting hills," broad-based and firm; defying the storms +of winter, and bathing their heads in the golden sunshine of summer; +unmoved amid the changes, transformations, and fierce race struggles +which were being fought out with relentless cruelty around their base; +and offering a cold, unsympathetic shelter to fugitives flying to them +for safety. + +"Keep to the left, Badger. We must keep on the outskirts of that vapour, +or we shall be speedily up to the knees in a bog. We have not far to go. +Do you see the tops of those fir-trees just peeping over those boulders? +That is our headquarters, and Oswald will be there." + +Presently the persons of two scouts could be seen moving amid the +stones, and evidently reconnoitring the new-comers. A low, shrill +whistle is given by one of them, and is answered by Badger's friends; at +which signal they drew near to interview the strangers. Then it was seen +that the tops of the fir trees were but the outermost ring of a dense +wood, which lined the sides of a mammoth ravine, with a still lake of +water, or tarn, lying placidly in its hollow. + +"Is Oswald here to-night?" was the first inquiry. + +"Yes. What news?" + +"All right so far; but there will be a lively time to-morrow. Badger, +here, has brought the news. Let him have speech with the Earl +forthwith." + +So the three dismounted, and began slowly to thread their way by a path, +winding and difficult, with branches hanging low, and brushwood closing +up, so as to make progress impossible except in single file. By-and-bye +the bottom is reached, and before them there stands--what was totally +concealed from any one skirting the wood on the outside--a spacious +one-storied building near the head of the tarn. As they drew near, a +fierce growling of a watch-dog was heard, and a challenge was addressed +to them by some one hid from view by the dense brushwood. The answer +being satisfactory the horses were tied to the trees, and the stranger +led them by a winding path to the rear of the dwelling. A gentle tap +being given to the door, a woman's voice challenges the visitors; but +soon the bolts are withdrawn, and the party enters what was evidently +the kitchen quarters. + +"Has the Earl retired?" said Bretwul to his wife. + +"Yes, long ago. There has not been a sound in the house these two +hours." + +After consulting together it was deemed a matter of sufficient +importance to summon Oswald, and to him Badger briefly related the news +which had brought him. + +Then ensued a council of war, some advocating evasive tactics. But this +brought them face to face with the fact that the Normans were all aware +that they were hiding not far away, and they would be sure to persevere +until they had unearthed them. So it was decided that a lesson in +retaliation was necessary. Word was sent round at once for all cattle +and non-fighters to keep especially close, also for the able-bodied men +to meet the Earl at daylight at the cave on Deepdale Head. + +Badger's errand being now accomplished, he led his pony to the clear. +There mounting, and accompanied by Grizzly, the return journey commenced +at a steady trot, which was never broken until the monastery was +reached; and soon each one was at rest. He had thus given a timely +warning to the outlawed Saxons, from which it will be seen they were not +slow to profit. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +SIGURD THE VIKING. + + "Beware + Of entrance to a quarrel; but being in, + Bear 't that the opposed may beware of thee." + + Shakespeare. + + +Hanging-Brow Scaur, to which allusion has been made, is a huge peak +towering high above the Pennine Range, out of which it springs. A rude +cultivation obtains to its very summit--such a cultivation as the bleak +winds and perpetual cold permit. Ere the advent of the Normans small +mountain sheep with the single lamb at their heels had swarmed over its +hoary sides, browsing amid its moistureless grass, nipping the fresh +shoots during the summer time, and retreating to the lowlands at the +advent of winter. The husbandman who reared his humble dwelling beneath +its shoulders had frequent need to beware the cold north wind, the +drifted snow, and not unfrequently the rushing avalanche. A sluggish, +unromantic life was lived, and a precarious livelihood obtained by these +hill-folk. The woods ran up the gorges to the foot of the loftiest peak. +Coming downwards they spread over the tops of the lower hills until, +from gorge to gorge, the forest trees join hands, and an unbroken forest +sweeps downwards, gathering density and luxuriousness until it sweeps +over the valleys and up the sides of the hills beyond. Inexpressibly +lovely especially are these wooded gorges in the summertime, when the +fragrant breath of foliage and flower, of moss and lichen, is in the +nostril, when the music of rushing cataract and waterfall is in the ear. +Buoyant and bracing as an elixir of life is the cool air on these +mountain-sides, when the hot breath of July is enervating the dwellers +in the valley below. How delightful was my task at this season to carry +the consolations of my office to the lonely scattered folk on the hills! +How often have I felt my heart expand with lowly adoration when, from +the lofty summit of Hanging-brow, I have turned my gaze westward, and +far away in the distance my sweep of vision has taken in the coast-line +of the Irish sea; whilst north, and east, and south there lay before me +a mighty vista of hill and dale and rugged peak! Then, how lovely the +magnificent stretch of forest too!--a rich unbroken canopy of green, +many-tinted and beautiful, the oak, the ash, the elm, and many others +blending their various tints in the lowlands; whilst the fir, the pine, +and the mountain-ash belted the forest in the higher reaches. The +fleet-footed red-deer might be seen threading their way through the +tangled undergrowth, or browsing amid the boulders in the clear, keeping +ever a wary eye on the stealthy hunter. Sly Reynard here abounded, and +might be seen gliding warily along; and occasionally his fiercer cousin +the wolf prowled in fierce loneliness; whilst ceaselessly the woods rang +with the songs of her feathered denizens. Birds of rare plumage, too, +and shy, such as the jay, the magpie, the thrush, the curlew, the +wood-pigeon, with many specimens of the hawk family, were here; whilst +the golden eagle wheeled in airy flight round the crown, or moodily +perched on some boulder, while his mate patiently hatched her young in +the fissures of the rocks, which, steep and high, lined the pathway of +the descending waters. But on this eventful day, as the sun reared its +blood-red visage above the horizon, and kissed the mountain peak into a +ruddy twilight, two Saxon warriors, with broadswords by their sides and +battle-axes at their girdles, rounded the peak on the side which +overlooked the castle and broad fertile acres which had been +comparatively cleared around it. Just the dimmest outlines of this scene +were visible; but as the sun mounted higher in the heavens, and his rays +swept down from the hills into the lowest valleys, the whole landscape +was spread in beauty before them. The castle's noble proportions, here +and there also the river's sinuous course, as it threaded in and out +amongst the trees, could be seen; whilst farther down the valley the +gorgeous masonry of the Abbey peeped through the tops of the trees. With +rapt vision, but with very sad hearts, the pair stood together, and +watched the marvellous transformation taking place before them. + +"Was ever man called to yield so fair a possession before, Wulfhere?" +said the chieftain to his comrade. + +"Well, truly it is a fair spot--finer, I think, than ever I thought it +before. But it may be yours again, and I may get my little patrimony +also. So let us not despair." + +"Well, we know not what may happen, but it seems very unlikely at +present. But come, we will go over the summit and consider our plan for +the stronghold. It will be some time yet ere our enemies are astir, I +dare say. The scouts will bring us timely word." + +So the pair climbed to the summit, and again considered their plans for +the fortress which had already been decided upon. Now the summit was a +remarkably level plateau of five or six acres in extent. Round the outer +edge of this plateau the ground sank away steep and suddenly for fifty +yards, and it was only by the utmost exertions that a man could scramble +up this last steep brow. The pair walked around the outer fringe +together. + +"Well," said Oswald, "the hand of man could never have raised so +impregnable a rampart, and if gallantly manned it can never be carried +by assault. There is but one danger: we may be starved out, for the +provisioning of it is most difficult with our scanty resources." + +"It is as you say, my lord, matchless as a site for defence; for the +provisioning we must make strenuous efforts whilst the respite lasts; +and if we can by any means give them this day such a taste of our +quality as we ought to, they will never, unless greatly reinforced, +attempt to force our stronghold." + +"How bountiful, Wulfhere, nature has been in providing material for +building. Stones ready to our hand and inexhaustible in quantity, and +timber near to hand also." + +At this juncture a horseman was seen coming over the mile of gently +rising ground which stretched away from the forest. + +"He bears a message," said Oswald; "come, we will descend and meet him." + +By the time they had scrambled to the bottom of the declivity the +horseman drew near, bringing the news that evidently something more than +usual was afoot, by the number of men who were actively mustering at so +early an hour of the morning; this thing being quite an unusual one with +the Normans, who loved to carouse well into the night, and then sleep +off the effects in the morning. + +"Well we may be sure, if these besotted louts are moving thus early, +that there is something which has stirred the hornet's nest, so we will +to our rendezvous." Then turning to the scout, he said, "You know the +cave at Deepdale Head?" + +"Aye, aye, I know it well!" + +"You will find us there from now: keep us well informed, you and your +comrades, so that we may make our dispositions." + +Then the two rapidly descended until they came to the head of a deep +gorge, where was one of the many limestone caves to be found in the +district. It had an obscure and unpretentious entrance; but once well +within it, it assumed lofty proportions, and ran away into many cavities +roomy and weird. In past times no one would have dared to enter its +gloomy precincts, as it was considered to be the abode of pixies, +witch-hags, and the powers of evil and darkness generally. But now these +superstitious and ignorant people had dared to force the abode of evil +spirits, rather than face the still more cruel and hated Norman. + +Gathered around the entrance to this cave, and sitting on the hillside +were a number of men all armed, and evidently anticipating a conflict +with the enemy. They were a very miscellaneous company, some of them +being fierce, ragged, wild and most unsavoury looking. At the head of +some ten or fifteen was one Sigurd, who had been a chieftain in +Lakesland, some fifty miles distant; but so desperate had been his +conflict with the Normans, and so incessant his attacks and so daring in +character, that the Normans had found it necessary to put in motion +numerous forces to capture or slay this man and his desperate band. This +they had not been able to do; but so incessant had their harrying been, +that he had been driven from his native hills, with the result that this +opportune moment he was found swelling the ranks of Oswald's men. + +"Your coming is timely, Jarl," said Oswald. "Men who can wield a sword, +or fling a javelin, as I perceive you and these hardy warriors can, are +doubly welcome at this pinch." + +"You are right, master, I am Viking every inch of me; these men are +skalds every one also, so we need not tell you we like the ring of +steel. Give us a corner where there is room to fight and none to fly, +for we like it best." + +Just then another horseman hot with haste arrived with the tidings that +the Normans had divided themselves into two bands, and were ascending by +the water-courses. This was as Oswald had anticipated, for these +water-courses alone afforded what by compliment could be considered +continuous paths, the forest being very dense and tangled, and a +hopeless labyrinth. Now the Normans had made the somewhat common but, +nevertheless, often fatal mistake, of underrating the enemy--or rather +the hunted fugitives they sought. It had never occurred to them for a +moment that the Saxons would present a bold front, and even dare an +issue with them in force. They regarded the matter with a very light +heart; although they had had a taste of Oswald's prowess, they believed +that he had but few to stand by him. They little thought as they +scrambled jauntily along up the gorge with no precautions against an +ambush, or sudden assault, that they were forcing the hiding places of +desperate men, who, when hard driven were capable of desperate deeds. + +By-and-by the scouts came in bringing definite information as to +numbers, and the routes the Normans were pursuing. They had, as already +said, divided themselves into two parties; each one purposing to +thoroughly scour one of the two paths along the water-courses, and +intending to join together again when the hills should be reached. + +Now Sigurd, of whom more anon, had command of one company of the Saxon +forces at the head of one of the ravines, and he was duly apprised of +the number of Normans he would have to contend with. Oswald with +Wulfhere as second in command, had charge of the other contingent, and +they slowly drew away down the ravine to a spot which had been selected +by Oswald for the attack. The most numerous company of the Normans +struck the water-course which Oswald defended. The stream had there +reached the valley where the mighty slit in the mountains down which it +boisterously tumbled had broadened into a lovely dell, green as an +emerald, and studded with flowers. Here the waters moved placidly along; +but the innumerable foam-caps which slowly sailed away on its bosom, +bore ample evidence of its tumultuous descent from the mountains. Here +the Normans drew together and took council with regard to their further +movements. Eventually they took the left bank, and with long and +attenuated ranks they commenced the ascent. All this was duly noted, and +nimble feet carried each several movement speedily to the waiting +Saxons. + +The place selected by Oswald was where the limestone rock seemed to be +shorn down with a perpendicular face to the bed of the stream. On the +opposite side Wulfhere with a company of archers were ambushed. The +steep and lofty face of the rocks precluded any possibility of their +being dislodged, whilst the position of the Norman foe across the ravine +would expose them mercilessly to their shafts. Oswald, with some dozen +of the stoutest of his followers, barred the path at a point where it +took an upward trend, and a huge boulder blocked the vision of the +approaching foe. He had also thrown forward a party of men up the steep +and wooded ravine side, in advance of himself, who were completely +obscured by the trees. These were, at the signal, to roll down the +boulders and huge stones which abounded in the rough and scraggy +hillside. The position and the method of attack were matchlessly +planned. If these desperate Saxons only stood each one unflinchingly to +his post, victory was certain, for the enemy was entrapped, and flight +alone could save them. + +"Wulfhere," said Oswald, "you understand my plan, I think. The path on +our side is so narrow and rough, the enemy will be obliged to move +pretty nearly in single file. Your men must hide in the brushwood until +I give the signal; then pour into them volleys of arrows. If they should +be seized with panic, which assuredly they will, and beat a headlong +retreat, then rush down, and meet them at the neck of the gorge and cut +off their retreat. Remember, battle-axes are best for the thicket, and +broadswords for the open. Strike swiftly, strike hard, and victory is +certain." + +So Wulfhere crossed the stream with his men, and clambered up the steep +bank on the opposite side. Then abreast, but on each side the stream, +the two companies marched downwards. Presently they reached the spot +selected for the attack. The disposition of the men was quickly +effected. Then Wulfhere, keeping in the shelter of the trees, advanced +to the brink of the precipice, where his position commanded a view of +the enemy, who were swarming forward. From thence he could easily hold +converse across the chasm with Oswald, who, with battle-axe firmly +grasped in his right hand, and bronze shield on his left, like a fierce +lion was grimly waiting for his prey; behind him, a dozen stout yeomen, +who from their youth had been taught to wield either weapons of war or +implements of husbandry, men who had proved their valour against both +Norman and Dane on many occasions. As the enemy drew near, their numbers +and every movement was minutely described to Oswald, until they drew so +near that further parleying must cease. Then Wulfhere retired a few +steps into the thicket where his men were lurking, with arrows affixed, +ready for the fray. Meanwhile, the loud oaths, coarse laughter, and +unchecked speech of the Normans told plainly the feelings of contempt +they entertained for the foe, and the little apprehension they had of +the onslaught awaiting them. Soon their scrambling footsteps drew quite +close, amid a death-like stillness in the ranks of the lurking foe. The +Saxon war-cry, "Ahoi!" in thunderous tones burst from the lips of Oswald +and his men. "Ahoi!" shouted Wulfhere's men. "Ahoi!" shouted the men +ambushed aloft. At that instant also, a dozen arrows with deadly aim +came hissing across the defile; down also came the boulders from aloft, +leaping with gathering velocity into the ranks of the foe, whilst Oswald +dashed from behind the boulder, and closed with the Norman leader. Their +gleaming eyes met for a second; the Norman dealt a hurried forceless +blow with his sword, which the Saxon received on his shield; then his +ponderous battle-axe came crashing down with irresistible force. The +Norman interposed his shield, but the axe bore it down and, glancing +therefrom, came full upon his cranium, tearing away his helmet, and +felling him through the shrubs down into the water-course in the bottom +of the glen. As the Normans witnessed the overthrow of their leader, +they were completely panic-stricken, and helplessly huddled together +like sheep, unable to strike a blow. The Saxon dominated the path in +front, cutting down the foremost with marvellous celerity; whilst on one +flank the deadly arrows were being poured into them, and on the other +flank the huge stones clashed through their ranks and decimated their +numbers. This hesitancy lasted but for a minute or two; very speedily +the discomfiture became an abject panic, and each one for himself made a +rush for the valley. The Saxons followed them swiftly, relentlessly, and +cut them off in numbers, as they impetuously rushed away towards the +valley and the castle. At a signal from Oswald, the Saxons ceased their +harrying of the scattered and flying foe, and with swift footsteps they +regained the head of the gorge and over the shoulder of the hills, to +the help of their comrades, who barred the advance of the second band of +Normans. + +Now, whilst Oswald, with sagacity and conspicuous valour, had routed one +contingent of the Normans, the sturdy Viking Sigurd, with a dozen of his +own reckless and desperate band, reinforced by less than a score of +Oswald's followers, pressed eagerly on to the fray with the other band +of Normans. Sigurd possessed none of the qualities of generalship, +beyond a desperate and headlong valour, which always bore him into the +thickest of the fight. His personal strength was prodigious, and no +other man could wield his ponderous sword; in a rough and desperate +struggle where strength and valour were everything, and skill of little +avail, he had no equal in all Northumbria. His own followers, too, in +thicket warfare, with their short but heavy swords in one hand, and a +long, gleaming knife or dagger in the other, were unrivalled in such an +encounter as the one they challenged to-day. In Oswald's struggle, the +place and plan of attack had more to do with the complete demoralisation +of the Normans, than the desperate valour with which it was carried out. +In Sigurd's case, it is true, the surprise, the thicket, and the rough +and precipitous ground, were stout allies of his. But otherwise, +everything depended on the vigour and valour of himself and men. Now +Pierre led this second company, and he was a sturdy rogue who had to be +reckoned with when it came to a tussle with weapons; and any one who +counted on Pierre succumbing to panic or to fear would be grievously +mistaken. + +On, however, the Normans pressed, like their routed compatriots, never +dreaming that the Saxons would be prepared for them; and, as a matter of +fact, despising them, in any case. Right into the ambush they marched, +recklessly and unheeding. Instantly the Saxon war-cry rends the air, and +the wood is alive with men who frantically hurl themselves upon the +astonished foe. The Normans stagger and reel at the fierce onset, and +some fly, coward-like, without striking a blow. But the presence of mind +and personal bravery of Pierre stands them in good stead at this +juncture. In stentorian tones he shouted, "Notre Dame! Have at the dogs! +Follow me!" And whipping out his sword he headed the onset, laying about +him lustily and encouraging his men. But the burly Viking, Sigurd, finds +none to withstand him, and he makes sad havoc amongst the men-at-arms, +who quail and cower before him; whilst his followers, like mountain +goats, dart from behind trees and boulders, dealing stealthy and +effective strokes, completely nonplussing the Normans with their +organised methods. Pierre quickly perceives, however, that they number +five to one of the Saxons; and, if the burly Viking's arm can be +arrested for ten minutes, victory will come speedily. There is none but +he to do it. So boldly he dashes off on the instant and confronts the +giant. No mean foeman is Pierre in point of physical strength and +courage; but, when to that was added his superb skill in handling his +weapon, he is not to be trifled with, even by so doughty a foe as +Sigurd. + +"Ha, ha!" roared the Viking chief, as he witnessed the temerity of this +Norman in courting battle with him, and with reckless vigour he smites +at Pierre. But the Norman plies shield and sword in defence, and +dexterously shifts his ground to get an advantage. In swift succession +the thunder-strokes fall, and gleams of fire dart from Pierre's shield +and sword as he parries the blows. Scathless, however, he endures the +ordeal. + +"Bravo, Pierre!" his comrades shouted. "Hold _him_ in play a little +while, and we will make short work of these churls." + +Truly everything points to this conclusion, for the Normans have +gathered courage wonderfully, and by sheer numbers the Saxons are being +rapidly overborne. At the instant, however, the Saxon battle-cry, Ahoi! +Ahoi! Ahoi! wakes the echoes in the hills, and Oswald and his men dash +into the flanks of the Normans. The effect is electrical. +Panic-stricken, they fly before the onrush of the avenging Saxons. The +retreat was a regular stampede; and Pierre and his men, along with the +stragglers from the first company, rushed into the castle yard +breathless with haste, never having made attempt to rally. + +De Montfort and Vigneau, who had received the former troop with rage and +dismay, were little less than frantic at this double disaster and +ignoble defeat. + +"Pierre, you scurvy villain, what is this? I wish thou hadst left thy +ugly carcase with those Saxon dogs yonder, ere thou disgraced thy +calling thus!" roared Vigneau at his henchman. + +"You will take care that fat carcase of yours is put in no manner of +danger, master!" rasped out Pierre, in fierce retort. + +"How now, villain!" said Vigneau, drawing his sword and advancing on +Pierre. "I'll put a stop to thy unmannerly insolence, dog!" + +"Stand back!" said Pierre fiercely, and whipping out his sword. "You +will have to take your chance, mark me, if you put not up that weapon. +I'll have no more of your bullying! My weapon is as good as yours any +day, whether I have won my spurs or no." + +"Stop that!" said De Montfort, authoritatively, and stepping between +them. "How is this, Pierre? What has happened?" + +"Treachery, my lord! The Saxons were well advised of our purpose, depend +upon it, for they were prepared for us, lying in ambush to receive us. +But in spite of this we should have worsted them; but when we were just +getting the mastery, the Saxon Oswald and fifty others dashed into our +rear and demoralised us entirely. A burly monster, huge as a bull, led +the first company. Look at my shield! cut through in several places by +his weapons. Depend upon it, we were betrayed by some one; they were +evidently awaiting us, everything prepared." + +Wonderfully elated and heartened these Saxons were at the day's +successes; for this was the first encounter since the Normans' +disastrous march through the north when, matching force with force, they +had gained so signal a victory. The fame and prowess of Oswald spread +like wildfire amongst the hunted refugees, who were lurking, like beasts +of the forest, in any hiding-place they could find. Salutary also was +the lesson the arrogant and vindictive oppressors learnt, for both their +respect and their fears were marvellously increased by it. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +EVIL COUNSELLORS. + + "All good to me is lost. + Evil, be thou my good." + + Milton. + + +Great was the chagrin and rage manifested by Vigneau, Count de Montfort, +and the Normans generally, at this unexpected rebuff; and increased +cruelties and indignities were heaped upon the hapless and degraded +Saxons who had accepted the yoke of villeinage. Indeed, the lives of +these Saxons were of no account whatever; and the honour of the Saxon +women was at the mercy of besotted and degraded Norman troopers. Very +few indeed were there amongst the Saxons who had not grievous cause to +cherish the most deadly hatred against these ruthless oppressors and +usurpers, the Normans. + +It was too much to expect that, amid the general confiscation, the +monastery should continue to be governed by myself, and that monks of +Saxon origin should minister to the poor and the sick, and have control +of our endowments. So, as I had expected, one fateful day, my office was +taken from me and bestowed upon a Norman Father, who, with a number of +monks, had followed at the heels of the conquerors, and were as greedy +for the emoluments of the Church, as their brethren-in-arms were for the +possessions of the Saxon laymen. So one Father Vigneau, who was a +brother of Baron Vigneau, became our Abbot, and degradation and much +oppression was meted out to us Saxons, with the object of driving us +forth to other shelter, or to become mendicant friars or mere hedge +priests. Some of my subordinates went forth, like Abraham, to seek a +country. Some cast in their lot with their outlawed countrymen, and, I +am sorry to say, not unfrequently became as great adepts at the wielding +of carnal weapons as they were at saying Mass or burying the dead. But I +had so many ties, and such affection for my flock, that I resolved to +stay and bear the heavy yoke; counting it no small honour to be found +worthy to suffer like my Master. + +I was also greatly fortified in this my resolve by the friendship and +help which I received at the hands of Alice De Montfort, who proved to +be a real friend, not only to myself, but to all who were in suffering +and distress. + +Our new Abbot, I found, had not been trained to the service of the +Church, but had been, at one time, a soldier by profession. Latterly he +had taken to the Church, as I suspect because he found the sacred +calling less arduous, and could be made to serve his inordinate desire +for idleness and good living. His god was indeed his belly, and his life +loose and irregular to great excess. He was a man of florid countenance, +and much too pursy for a man whose first duty was to crucify the flesh. +His garments, also, ill became a man in the sacred office he had +assumed. He was an exceedingly vain man, and loved to adorn his person, +and affect the airs and swaggering gait of a young gallant. By his side +he constantly dangled a sword, and under his monk's robes he usually +wore a coat of link-mail--which, I suspected, arose from a cowardly fear +of assassination; for, despite his swaggering deportment, I ever found +him to be an arrant coward, and, like every coward, relentless and +cruel, loving to oppress and to insult those whose position made it easy +for him so to do. + +Amongst the monks who came with him I found not one truly holy and +devoted man. Most of them were so ignorant as to be totally unable to +read the sacred books in the Latin tongue. These men, like their +superior, lived loose, irregular lives; habitually neglecting prayers, +fasting, and abstinence from carnal indulgences. Indeed, of most of +them, if it had not been for their dress they could not have been +distinguished from the riotous and disorderly soldiery. + +Our new Abbot and his brother, Baron Vigneau, were spending the night +together, indulging in one of those nightly carousals which were a +disgrace and a crying scandal to our ancient and holy monastery, which +had earned itself a good repute by the piety and learning of the +brotherhood, and by the wise and charitable administration of the +princely revenues which appertained to it. Never had it been known, in +times past, that any palmer, or wandering minstrel, had been turned away +from its hospitable doors, unhoused and unfed; and any distressed or +suffering peasant was sure to have sympathy in trouble, and relief in +want. But since the advent of the Normans, its revenues were dissipated +by rioting and drunkenness, chambering and wantonness, and in +entertaining Norman riff-raff and debauching Saxons, who were willing to +sell themselves for the gluttonous eating and drinking to which they +were treated. In vain it was for us Saxons to preach virtue and chastity +to the poor peasantry, whose cattle, implements of husbandry, and homes, +had been destroyed, and who could not till the ground, knowing that they +would be despoiled of their harvest. The poor were at best half starved, +and subjected to most gross and cruel treatment. + +To-night, however, more than ordinarily weighty matters were being +discussed over their wine by the brothers. + +"What progress, then, have you made in the matter?" said the Abbot. + +"Well, I have, by a most determined effort, forced the Count, much +against his will, to name a day for the fulfilment of his promise. But +the jade, his daughter, takes high ground, and I fancy to get her nose +to the grindstone will be no easy task." + +"I suppose it is the old excuse the vixen makes?" + +"Yes; my tongue is not smooth enough, and my manners do not suit her +dainty notions. She's in a precious dudgeon just now over a Saxon wench +I took a fancy to; and she's as flighty as a two-year-old filly, and as +proud as Lucifer. In fact, she gets more stately and arrogant from day +to day. Never mind!" said he, bringing his fist down upon the table. +"I'll take her ladyship down a peg or two by-and-bye. I scarcely know +whether I love or hate her most, now. She's got a pretty face and +figure, or I'd as soon try steel upon her as wed her." + +"Well, I must confess she's a very handsome wench, brother--not a finer +in Britain; but I never see her without feeling that I would give +something to humble her pride. You think the Count would be out of it if +he knew how to get, do you?" + +"Not a shadow of a doubt of it. He would murder me at a minute's notice, +if he could get possession of those letters I told you about. But he +knows you are fully informed about them, and of his treachery to +William, and he dare not resort to violence until he knows how to secure +the letters by his effort. I have come to the conclusion to hand them +over to you; they will be safer than in my possession." + +"They contain conclusive evidence of his treachery, don't they?" + +"No mistake about that. They are in his own handwriting, and sealed with +his own crest and coat-of-arms. They make offer upon certain +considerations, to sell his influence and his men to the Saxons during +William's absence. He was also fool enough to give me a written promise +of his daughter's hand, in consideration of my fidelity to him. Nothing +in the world could be clearer and straighter than the whole thing. He +sees now pretty clearly that _his_ game is up; but I'll show him that +_my_ game is not up, or likely to be, until he hands over his stately +daughter." + +"He must have greatly miscalculated the odds when he put his head into a +noose like that." + +"Yes; he's not played many false cards in his life, but that was one, +and he will lose his head by it if he does not play up square with the +remainder. I'll promise him that much at least." + +"What cause had he to quarrel with the king?" + +"Oh, jealousy. He prides himself upon the services he has rendered to +William, and he expected in consequence to be high in the king's favour, +and in his council. He expected to have some fat lands too, near to +London. William, however, did not think so highly of his services, or +else he had been prejudiced against him by some courtezan, which is more +probable. Anyhow, no sooner was William firmly seated on the throne than +he gave De Montfort the cold shoulder. He made Odo, Lanfranc, and +Fitz-Osborne his chosen counsellors. + +"Now, a mortal feud existed between Odo and De Montfort, and he quickly +got the cold side of his master's favours. He had given to him a paltry +estate in the Fen country, where he had that Saxon devil, Hereward, +hanging on to his skirts, and foraging all over his possessions, +whenever hunger drove him from his infernal den in the marshes. The +slight which he received rankled, I can promise you; and when the +insurrection broke out whilst William was in Normandy, and when the +Saxons took York, and put to the sword the garrison of three thousand +Normans, with the Danes swarming into the Humber ripe for plunder, and +the Atheling trooping in from Scotland--why, the cunning of the wily one +was at fault for once. He thought the thing would succeed; and succeed +it would have done, sure enough, if it had not been levelled against +that devil's own favourite, William. He sent me with letters to Waltheof +and the others, offering to put his men into the field on condition that +he received ample reward. He hoped no doubt, also, that he would get a +little revenge upon his enemies at Court. + +"When I got to York I was not foolish enough to rush into the thing +until I saw how matters looked. I had a bit of respect for my own neck, +whether I had for De Montfort's or not. If he was willing to risk his +head to gratify his spite, the prospect was not alluring enough for me. +Well, I did not like the look of Waltheof, and whilst I waited, William +hurried across the Channel, and, with a stroke of matchless craft, he +bought off the rascally Danes. The double-dyed traitor and coward, +Waltheof, very soon succumbed to the same influences; and away also went +the Atheling, full speed, for Scotland. I saw the thing was burst up. A +few of the smaller chieftains, like this Saxon Oswald, held their ground +and fought it out; but it was a nine days' wonder, and nothing more. + +"Well, I thought I would try a cast of my own net. I had followed the +fortunes of De Montfort to very little profit as yet. I had thought by +following the fortunes of a leader like him, I should get a tolerably +fair share of the spoils; and I had an understanding that I should have +the hand of his daughter. But, I had already begun to notice that the +damsel was not made altogether of pleasant humours, and probably she +would require a good deal of persuading to complete the bargain. So I +told him I had handed the letters to a brother of mine who was in the +Church, and held in favour by Lanfranc; and, brother, that accounts for +your being installed in such a snug crib as this. I flaunt these +letters, metaphorically speaking, pretty regularly before him, to keep +him to the mark. The operation makes him wince; but, whether he likes it +or not, it will be done, and to greater purpose, I can assure you, if +his word is not made good shortly, and his friskish daughter brought to +her senses." + +"Well, take the letters," said the Baron, tossing them across to his +brother. "Pour out a flagon of good old sack; preaching is dry +throat-work. I say, what has become of that pretty Saxon wench I found +here at first? Have you any idea? I had no notion they bred cattle of +that quality amongst these louts of Saxons. You have not seen anything +of her about, have you, since you came?" + +"No. I heard of that little stroke of yours, but I've not seen the wench +at all; but I have a notion that old Saxon snake, Adhelm, knows all +about it. I would have made an end of him long before this, but that +minx Alice has taken him under her protection. I would take an oath he's +in league with those rats on the hill, and he is making mischief among +our own brotherhood! One fellow, who has half the brains of the +monastery, has given utterance to sundry remonstrances which I shall not +tolerate; and I find that he and Adhelm are very friendly." + +"Well, take care of the letters anyhow; I shall feel safer when they are +out of my custody." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +LOVE IS STRONGER THAN HATE. + + "True love's the gift which God has given + To man alone beneath the heaven: + + * * * * * + + It is the secret sympathy, + The silver link, the silken tie, + Which heart to heart, and mind to mind, + In body and in soul can bind." + + Scott. + + +It is a lovely morning in August; the hush of perfect restfulness is in +the air. The cattle have retired from the heat and glare of the sun, and +are quietly chewing the cud beneath the sheltering foliage of the +plantain trees; whilst here and there, through the long vistas between +the trees, may be seen a tall stag with two or three hinds at his heels, +venturing within sight of the haunts of men, as though timidly inviting +man's protection against the foes of the forest. This lovely morning has +tempted forth from the castle the two females who are directing their +steps to a rustic house on the banks of the river, where there are +housed a couple of boats. One boat is of delicate trim and dainty +workmanship. The oars are small and carefully made, the handles having a +rich silken covering, showing they are intended for delicate hands to +wield. + +This is Alice's favourite recreation, and dearly she loves to have a +quiet hour on the still bosom of the river, with Jeannette to row, and +she, book in hand, to sit and read or sit and muse in quiet rapture as +she gazes on the noble scenery around. The dip and plash of the oars, as +Jeannette beats up against the current, is as the soothing tones of +delicate music. Then to float slowly and in perfect stillness down +stream, beneath the tall trees that line the banks, where busy insects +dance and sing, and where the trout leap to catch their prey; to catch +the scents from the wooded bank, where breathing shrub, and plant, and +flower, and tree, load the air with their perfumed exhalations. Truly to +the lover of Nature the smell of a wood is "as the smell of a field +which the Lord hath blessed!" On this day everything seems exceptionally +lovely, and, slowly as Jeannette is pulling, the confines of the park +are quickly overpassed, and the castle is cut off from view by +embowering woods. + +"We are already past the limits of the park, my lady," said Jeannette. +"Shall I put the boat about now, and drift back with the stream?" + +"Oh, no, not just yet, Jeannette. Let us go a little farther to-day. It +is such a charming morning, and I have been longing for a great while to +explore a little more of this delightful river." + +"But you are forgetting the Count's express commands, my lady. You know +he bade us be very careful not to go beyond sight of the castle." + +"Never fear, Jeannette. I think we may safely venture a little farther. +You know we have never so much as seen any human being in these +excursions." + +"No, my lady; but you know what horrid, wild people these Saxons are; +and they may be lurking in the woods and shoot their arrows at us, and +wound or kill us before the least help could reach us." + +"I don't think we have any enemies amongst the Saxons, Jeannette. You +and I, at least, do not merit their vengeance, and I am quite prepared +to trust them." + +"But it is really dangerous, my lady," remonstrated the maid. "And Paul +Lazaire has told me that they really kill and eat people, do these +horrid Saxons!" + +"Fie, fie, Jeannette! What a coward you are, and a simpleton to boot, to +believe all the silly tales you hear about the Saxons! Look how +exquisitely lovely the river is ahead of us. Pull a little farther up +stream." + +Truly it was as Alice said, exquisitely lovely. The huge mountains on +either side spread out their bases down to the water's edge, whilst +deep, dense woods clothed the river's brink with well-nigh impenetrable +depths of undergrowths and foliage. The huge trees on either side spread +out their long arms across the river as though anxious to shake hands +with their giant neighbours on the opposite bank. Ahead, each bend of +the river through the tortuous hills was obscured from view; and it +looked in the distance as though it was issuing from the bowels of the +mountain promontory in front, through a thick bower of foliage, whilst +here and there, as they voyaged on, the bare and frowning limestone +crags jutted out through the slender covering of the green fir-tree tops +which vainly strove to hide them--lonesome, fearsome, and grand, the +solitude all around. The strange wildness and grandeur of the scene +stirred the soul of Alice to its very depths, and it is needless to say +she was perfectly oblivious to everything save the sweet voice of +Nature. + +As the boat and its occupants moved slowly up stream, numbers of +water-hens rushed off into the impenetrable recesses of foliage and +undergrowths, or dived hurriedly beneath the roots of trees or +overhanging embankment. + +Yonder in the distance, in the bared and tortuous roots of a huge tree +overhanging the water, an otter is sitting, warily watching his finny +prey disporting themselves beneath; but at sight of these unwelcome +visitors he drops from the root of the tree on which he sits, with hasty +plunge, leaving no trace of his whereabouts saving the streaming +headline in the water indicating the direction in which he hastes for +safety. + +Fearlessly also, ahead, a flock of wild-duck are floating regally on the +limpid waters, unconscious of danger, and gabbling in utmost glee and +content; but at this unlooked-for intrusion they set up a startled cry, +take hurriedly to wing, and are quickly lost in the distance. + +Looking carefully, also, at the entrance of yon water-course, which +comes tumbling over its rocky bed from the hills, a heron stands +pensively watching for any incautious trout that, quitting the deep +waters, comes to the lips of the mountain stream for food; but, +disturbed, he utters a scream, and spreading out his long wings, with +low and measured beat mounts into the air, probably to rest not until +the far-away sea-coast is reached. + +Kingfishers too--haunters of quiet river-stretches--in coats of the +loveliest green and gold, flit over the bosom of the water with quiet +assurance. Snipe, also, in goodly numbers, with swift, arrow-like +flight, dart ahead up stream, or, rising high over the tops of the +trees, circle back again to the rear of the boat. + +Alice is in raptures, and Jeannette's cautions and remonstrances alike, +fall on ears which are preoccupied with other sounds, and are quite deaf +to everything but the peaceful harmonies of nature. + +"Look, Jeannette, at those fine hazel nuts, which hang in ripe and ruddy +clusters there! Pull to the side at once, and let us gather them!" + +Jeannette's caution is completely upset at this tempting sight, and the +order is scarcely given ere it is executed. Eagerly the pair stand up in +the boat to reach the brown clusters, totally oblivious and regardless +of danger and molestation. Presently, with increasing boldness, they +fasten the boat's chain round the bole of a tree, and clamber upon the +bank. With nimble feet and nimble fingers they rush from tree to tree, +stripping them of their dainty burden, and coming again and again with +their hands full of nuts, and showering them into the bottom of the +boat. + +But they would not have been so content and composed had they but known +that two pairs of Saxon eyes had been watching intently the progress up +stream of the frail bark, and the fair Norman women who occupied it. +One, at least, has determined, if chance offers, he will have a word of +thanks with them for his deliverance. These Saxons are Oswald and his +almost inseparable comrade, Wulfhere. So the two slowly push aside the +foliage and, unnoticed, emerge in close proximity to the eager nutters. +Jeannette utters a scream, and narrowly escapes an attack of hysterics. + +"Calm your fears, ladies," said Oswald. "We are too much your debtors to +wish you ill. Allow me, fair lady, to tender to you on this, the first +opportunity I have had, my undying gratitude for the life you so +magnanimously gave me a while ago. Though we Saxons, I am afraid, must +appear to you as rude and uncivilised islanders, I assure you we are not +insensible to, or ungrateful for, any favours bestowed upon us--much +less such favours as you have conferred on myself." + +"Sir Knight," said Alice, much assured by the sincere and courteous tone +in which the valiant and virtuous Saxon chieftain had addressed her, "we +did but do what pity and admiration combined moved us to. Heaven made us +two weak women, and we played a woman's part. But we have not repented +in that we did an act prompted by those intuitions of mercy which are +our woman's heritage." + +"I am made a life-long debtor, fair lady, for that womanly act, and I +trust I may find opportunity to repay so generous a loan." + +"I am glad we have met a Saxon who is our debtor, or we should have +fared badly for our boldness this morning." + +"My people, lady, will not injure a hair of your head, nor permit any +one else to do so. You may roam at will; far or near, you are perfectly +safe." + +"This river scenery is perfectly enchanting, Sir Knight. If I may +presume upon the friendship and goodwill of your people, I should like +to explore it thoroughly?" + +"The river, lady, becomes even finer as you push into the solitudes. If +that craft were not so frail, we two would give you a merry spin for a +mile or two. Indeed, if you dare trust yourself with a Saxon, let me +pull you up stream. I think I can promise you a rare treat. Wulfhere, my +comrade, will take care of your maid until we return." + +"I dare venture. It would not be knightly conduct to betray a woman's +confidence. But will it be safe to leave Jeannette?" + +"Perfectly! Wulfhere and the hound are a pair of faithful and valiant +defenders." + +"No, no!" almost shrieked Jeannette. "You must not go! You will be +killed and eaten! I have heard for certain that these horrid Saxons eat +people!" + +"Nonsense, Jeannette! Don't be foolish, and don't listen to such silly +tales!" + +"Oh, dear! I shall be eaten if you aren't! Holy Mother protect me!" said +she, crossing herself; and, pulling her rosary out of her bosom, she +began counting her beads most violently. + +"Come, my pretty," said Wulfhere, in his blandest tones. "If I were a +cannibal I wouldn't eat you. Sit on this fallen tree; I and the hound +will keep a respectful distance." So saying, he retreated half a dozen +paces from her, and began putting the dog through some capers. + +"If you eat Jeannette, Wulfhere, I shall call you to account when I come +back," said Oswald laughingly, as the boat sped away. + +In the meantime, Jeannette sat rocking herself in great distress, +watching the receding boat, and telling her beads at a great pace, +whilst Wulfhere continued his play with the hound, quite oblivious--or +apparently oblivious--of the tearful maiden. But nothing to this pretty +Frenchwoman was so insupportable as to be ignored. So, after bemoaning +her distressing circumstances without finding any special calamity +happening, she began casting furtive glances at her Saxon comrade, and +she gradually dropped her cries and tears, at his nonchalant behaviour, +and her beads began to pass much more slowly through her fingers. To her +coquettish fancy there was something piquant in the indifference of this +stalwart Saxon. Her curiosity was excited, and this speedily passed into +admiration for the muscular limbs and well-developed frame of Wulfhere. +For it is not in the disposition of many daughters of Eve--much less in +such as this coquettish Frenchwoman was--to look upon such a fine piece +of muscular anatomy as Wulfhere's, without falling into admiration of +it. This did not pass unmarked by him, despite the hypocritical +indifference which he had assumed. Presently he turned his gaze upon +Jeannette, and a good-humoured grin spread over his features, developing +into a broad smile, as he ventured to break the silence. + +"I say, pretty one, you'll not run away whilst I'm gathering a few +sticks to make the fire with, will you, eh?" + +"Fire!" exclaimed Jeannette, clutching her beads, which had dropped into +her lap. "What do you want a fire for?" + +"Want a fire for! Why, I couldn't think of eating you raw!" and he +twirled on his heel, to laugh. + +Jeannette uttered an inimitable little scream. "You horrid man, I shall +jump into the water if you stir! I'm sure I shall!" Then, bursting into +a little laugh, all the more bewitching as it came, rainbow-like, +betwixt smiles and tears, she said, "You are trying to frighten me, I +know; but all the same you Saxons do eat people. I've heard it said +hundreds of times. And once, as we came along, we saw a pile of bones, +and Paul Lazaire said they were the bones of people whom the Saxons had +eaten. So you see we know all about you." + +"Oh, but that's all fudge, pretty one. You shall be my sweetheart, and +then you'll soon learn quite different." + +"But I'm not going to be your sweetheart. So you see. I wouldn't have +any one for a sweetheart with hair and beard as long as yours. Normans +have more sense than to wear horrid beards." + +"Oh, but you shall cut my hair, and trim my beard; and I would try to +look like a little Norman ninny of five feet six. Then you wouldn't be +frightened in the least, would you?" + +Jeannette thought to herself she would rather take him as he was, though +she kept the matter to herself. The upshot of the whole was this: +Wulfhere found himself sitting by her side on the fallen tree, with the +hound in front, and neither party very anxious for the return of the +boat and its occupants. + +"So they say we eat such as you, do they, sweetheart?" + +"Yes, they do. And they don't call me 'Sweetheart,' either. And don't +you think I don't know you, for I saw you fighting on that wall." + +"Well, don't be offended now; but what do they call you?" + +"They call me Jeannette--and that's nothing to you." + +"Oh dear, no! nothing whatever. And do they really say that we eat such +as you?" + +"Yes, they do! And it's quite true besides! for everybody says so." + +"Well, that's dreadful, anyhow. And how many do you suppose I shall have +eaten like you?" + +"You wouldn't have to eat _one_ like me. If you did, Paul Lazaire would +kill you for it." + +"Paul Lazaire? Oh, I suppose Paul Lazaire will be a sweetheart of yours. +Is that so, Jeannette dear?" + +"Yes, he is my sweetheart. But I'm not going to marry him for all that! +So you see." + +"No, I wouldn't have _him_, I'm sure. Tell him you have got a better +now--a Saxon." + +"Fancy! That is fine, to be sure! Don't you think it! I'm not going to +have a husband at all. They are horrid things, for they are never happy +but when they are swilling ale. Just to think of my marrying a Saxon! +That would be fine indeed!" + +"Really now, my pretty Jeannette, I really am over head and ears in love +with you; and if you were my wife, why, I should take great care of +you." + +"Wife, to be sure! The wife of a Saxon? Just think of it! I suppose I +should have to run about in the woods all day, clothed in sheepskins; +then I suppose I should have to creep into a hole in the earth at night. +That would be nice, wouldn't it?" + +Wulfhere burst into a horse-laugh. "Perhaps you would prefer sleeping up +a tree to creeping into a hole, would you?" + +"I'm not going to do either. Besides, I daresay you have got a Saxon +wife somewhere, for you are all deceitful--Norman and Saxon alike." + +"Nonsense, Jeannette! I have no wife, or sweetheart either, and I have +made up my mind now, that my wife shall be Norman--just such a wife as +yourself, Jeannette." + +"Why, what would such a giant as you want a wife like me for?" + +"Why? Well, I can hardly answer that question, I declare. But something +must be put down to your pretty face, something to your slender waist, +and a good deal to something I can't explain; but I never felt anything +like it before, for no sooner did I set eyes upon that pretty face of +yours than I felt I should like to kiss it." + +"Oh, you horrid, naughty man!" said Jeannette, slipping her slender hand +into Wulfhere's huge paw, and unconsciously hitching closer to him on +the log, "to try and deceive me with such nonsense! I know you are +deceiving me! Why, where should we live? I don't know where _you_ live +now. I should die if I had to live in the woods, and had no home. I +should like a home of my own, where I could play my guitar and spin my +wool, and make you some better garments than those coarse ones you +wear." + +"Oh, you shall not be my wife until I can find you a home, and protect +you! We shall probably have to teach the Normans another lesson or two. +Then they will listen to reason. When we have got a settlement of our +own, then you shall be my wife, Jeannette." + +"Oh, but I dare not! I should be frightened to live amongst the Saxons. +But you wouldn't harm a little woman like me? That would be cowardly." + +"I think it would, Jeannette," said Wulfhere, passing his arm around her +slim waist, drawing her to him, and planting a kiss on her sunny cheek. +"When I go to war I should like a sturdier foe to wreak my vengeance +on." + +"But would you be a serf, and wear one of those horrid iron collars the +serfs wear? I shouldn't like a husband who was a bondman." + +"No, my pretty one, I have never been a bondman; and, what is more, I +never shall. I am a Saxon freeman." + +"A 'freeman'? What is a 'freeman'?" + +"A freeman is one who tills his own land, and is no man's vassal or +bondman. I shall remain a freeman, and my sons shall be freemen after +me." + +At this juncture the hound gave a start, and threw back his head, at the +same time giving utterance to a low, fierce growl. Presently a footstep +is heard, not approaching stealthily, but crashing through the trees and +underwood. Wulfhere springs to his feet; his bow is unslung, and an +arrow affixed in a moment. The hound also starts to his feet, his +eyeballs glitter, and the veins of his neck and body are distended +almost to bursting. The low branches are put aside, and the burly form +of Sigurd, the dispossessed viking chieftain, emerges before them. His +lowering brow and impetuous manner tell but too plainly that there is a +tempest raging within him. + +"Wulfhere," said he, "what does this mean?" + +"What does what mean, my lord?" + +"Why, the drivelling folly I have witnessed for the last half hour or +more! Fitter stuff for a Norman libertine than for a Saxon freeman, and +one who makes pretence of valour!" + +"I am at a loss to know what you mean, my lord." + +"I mean? Why, I mean that whilst I and others of thy countrymen are +lurking near the haunts of these French dogs, that we may have revenge +upon them, thou and thy master are toying and fooling with their women. +But enough of this! Make an end of this woman, and an end of thy folly +at a blow, and thou hast then made amends." + +"Indeed I shall do no such thing. This maiden and her noble mistress +gave my chief his life, and it will be woe to the man who dares injure +either the one or the other." + +"What care I for thy master's scruples? These Normans owe us +satisfaction for a thousand Saxon lives they have taken. So stand aside; +I'll do my own business." + +"Indeed you will do no such thing, until you have disposed of me;" and +Wulfhere threw himself boldly in front of Sigurd. + +"Ah, art thou insolent into the bargain, dog? I will chastise thy +bravado out of thee if thou stand not aside;" and he grasped the hilt of +his sword. + +Wulfhere, seeing the movement, and having no sword, sprang upon him and +dealt him a stinging blow with his clenched fist. So violently was this +given that, sturdy as he was, Sigurd reeled back several paces. + +"Ah, is that it, my buck? Then I'll have thee with thine own weapon, for +I do not need to take any advantage of a varlet like thyself!" + +So saying, he rushed on Wulfhere, with intent to come to close quarters. +But Wulfhere knew well the great personal strength of his bulky +antagonist, so he dodged with great agility every effort Sigurd made to +grapple with him. And he did not fail to deal him repeatedly heavy blows +with his clenched fists. This so exasperated Sigurd that he was as +furious as a mad bull, and for a considerable time it seemed to be a +battle between brute force and agility, the balance being much in favour +of the more agile. Unfortunately, a trip on the part of Wulfhere, over +the root of a tree, gave Sigurd the chance he had been vainly striving +for. Ere he could recover himself, Sigurd gripped him in his powerful +embrace, and gathering him up as though he were a child, he hurled him +to the ground, exclaiming, "Now I will kill thee, churl!" and he grasped +him by the throat. The hound, which had been dancing round the +combatants during the fray, with many furious and irresolute darts at +Sigurd, seeing Wulfhere in such desperate straits, sprang upon Sigurd, +and buried his teeth in the fleshy part of his arm. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +ALICE DE MONTFORT AND THE SAXON CHIEFTAIN. + + "Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, + And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind." + + Shakespeare. + + +The boat containing Oswald and Alice, impelled by the strong arms of the +Saxon chieftain, sped along swiftly through the magnificent scenery. + +"Now, lady, what think you? Did I speak truly when I praised the +scenery?" + +"Yes. Truly it would be an earthly paradise if it were not for the greed +and cruelty of man. I think it richer and grander in these leafy +solitudes than anything I have seen; or else it is because it fits my +taste so wondrously." + +"Yes. I cannot say, lady, that I hope you and your people will long +enjoy the new home you have found, for I confess to you I cherish most +ardent desires to be its lord again; though I think I can renounce my +hopes, and well-nigh welcome exile if you are to be its mistress, and I +may be permitted to look with unsinning eyes upon a form which has +become even dearer to me than freedom and home. I doubt me, however, +this latter wish may not be, for I hear some Norman knight claims your +hand." + +"My father has affianced me to one of the knights of his retinue; but +this betrothal is without my consent, if I may be so bold as to confess +it to a stranger. Indeed, I care not to disguise the fact that it is a +most hateful alliance, and most abhorrent to me. I shall much prefer, if +I may be permitted, to retire to a convent in my native land, rather +than wed a man so incapable of inspiring either my love or my respect as +this Baron Vigneau." + +"I am afraid it is I who am too bold, in intruding in so delicate a +matter, and one so remote from my concerns. But I would fain think, and +hope, that the Count will not press a loveless marriage upon you; to do +such violence to your affections would be cruel." + +"My father is a soldier, Sir Knight, seared and blunted by his calling, +and sentiment has little place in his nature. Latterly, also, I have +noticed moroseness of disposition creeping over him; and upon this +question he is more stern and peremptory than ever he was wont to be, +and I lose heart and hope. Indeed, I am in sore straits. And your +intrusion--if intrusion it be--I recognise is dictated by sympathy; and +I stand much in need of this." + +"I would I could convey to you, lady, in adequate terms--terms in which +I should not be presumptuous--how honoured I should be if I could serve +you in any way whatever. My resources, my men--nay, believe me, lady, +for exaggeration would be most gross--my life is at your disposal, fully +and unreservedly." + +"I would fain accept of you as an ally and a friend, for I stand alone, +and have not even a confidante, saving my maid, and I find the iron +wills of my father and Vigneau completely bear me down; and if I escape +from the toils of Vigneau, some stronger arm will have to interpose a +rescue." + +"I am but a Saxon outlaw, lady, a wolfshead, landless, penniless, and +hunted; but if you can bethink you how I may serve you, my arm is +strong, and my sword's edge unblunted. If time but tarry a while, I am +confident something may be done to set you free from the life-long +misery of a union with Vigneau; and I know enough of him to convince me +that there is no community of taste or of disposition between you. I +dare not say more, for my presumptuous heart runs riot with my +understanding, and I may say things most unbefitting my present +desperate estate." + +"Make no apology, worthy knight," said Alice, blushing scarlet, then +pale and trembling, "for your worldly misfortunes. A knight despoiled, +but not disgraced, has no need to humble himself to me. Gold and lands +are at best but an accident, but virtue and nobility of character are +the slow growth of virtuous thinking and noble endeavour. And which, +think you, valiant Saxon, are most highly valued by a simple maiden like +myself? You are my debtor, you say; then here is an enterprise will tax +your wisdom--I fear your prowess also. Doughty knights have in past +times, it is said, effected wonderful deliverances for maidens in +distress. Is it only the language of romance? I will not affectedly +profess that I do not understand your language; but there is a challenge +for you. If lightly won, Sir Knight, I may be lightly worn." + +Now this high-born maiden was cultured, virtuous, womanly, and, +moreover, she was young--a matter to be taken note of, for maidens then +do not often dilute the gift of the heart with worldly considerations; +but only few men are capable of winning such love. Does it require great +tact, address, astuteness--such as men employ to catch some young colt, +unbroken, shy, and suspicious? No. Whenever such love is won, it is won +easily, without laying of siege, or clever generalship; in fact, +astuteness, or tactics of any sort, are fatal to success. It is not a +bargain, a huckstering _quid pro quo_. It is an inspiration, an +intuition. It is a rush of all that is holiest, truest, tenderest, and +trustful in woman towards the man who is capable of inspiring it, and of +setting free the abounding wealth of a woman's heart. What conditions +does it demand? Well, these are essentials: it asks for broad and ample +strength to lean upon without misgiving. It demands an integrity that +may be trusted to the uttermost, beyond the bounds where prudence, +discretion, and kindred virtues cry halt. It asks the frankness and +transparency of soul where nothing is hidden, and where there are no +dark corners, suspicious and unreadable, suggestive of things to be +disguised with care. When these qualities are present, they are +luminously visible to a woman's intuitions, and the citadel of her heart +is won easily and without capitulation terms. There are more hearts won +at short notice than cynics would allow; but it is the spontaneous +embrace of the divine that is in us, and alas! there is little of the +divine in most mortals. + +As the foregoing words fell from the lips of Alice, Oswald started +forward as though electrified, and laid his hand on the hilt of his +sword. + +"Believe me, lady," said he, "I never dared to dream such a cup of +blessedness would be held to my lips; and I assure you I needed no other +stimulus than the debt of gratitude I owe to you for my deliverance from +death, in order to brave anything and everything for you. But if there +be hope, however remote, of winning a place in your affections, as my +desperate estate has already moved your compassion, and that some day, +in happier circumstances, I may even dare to ask you to be my bride, +such an inpiration will nerve my arm and brace my energies, so that +difficulties shall be most desperate if I overcome them not." + +"I fear me, Sir Knight, if you undertake so desperate an enterprise as +this, with success, it will require matchless skill and daring, coupled +with deadliest peril. I fear, also, it will have to be a sharp sword +that severs so unholy and hated a bond." + +Alice hesitated a moment, as though feelings of delicacy forbade farther +advances; then, although the blushes on her countenance deepened, she +said,-- + +"Having confided so much of the story of my sorrows--I fear at the peril +of my modesty--may I venture farther confidence?" + +"I dare not ask you for confidences you hesitate to give, fair lady, for +I am deeply conscious my worthiness to receive them has not been put to +the proof. Consult your own heart in this, for it is your best and +safest guide." + +"I think I may safely venture everything, and trust you, Saxon, even to +the uttermost and with all my heart. This involves my father's secret, +and his deadly peril also, for this Vigneau has obtained a fatal +ascendency over him. He holds documents most compromising to my father, +in addition to the promise given long ago; and which my father might +possibly have revoked with impunity had not Vigneau obtained possession +of these treasonable documents. These he uses with brutal terrorism to +enforce his claim to my hand. In an unhappy moment my father entered +into negotiations with the leaders of the late Saxon rebellion, and he +made use of Baron Vigneau as his intermediary. The Baron never delivered +those letters, but with brutal cunning he still holds them, and he uses +them with deadly effect to enforce his claims." + +"Ah! I have a distinct remembrance of this," said Oswald, as the +memorable scene at the Council, in York, presented itself to his mind. +"I remember too well this traitor entering our assembly, under pretext +of joining our ranks in opposition to the king; and I remember well, +also, I met him face to face in combat next day, and 'tis a quarrel +still unsettled, but which may be fought to the bitter end some day. +Take heart, lady; some means will assuredly be devised for circumventing +the purposes of this unscrupulous braggart, Vigneau. But if this should +not be accomplished by human agency, I would fain think and hope, if the +wisdom and the valour of man should fail, a kindly Providence has in +store a happier lot for one so fair, so virtuous, and so good. Let us +foster hopes of brighter days; these are troublous times, and one +revolution of Fortune's wheel may bring momentous changes. Perhaps the +asperities and hatreds of race, engendered by these cruel wars, may be +soothed and healed again, and Saxon and Norman may be blended in one +united people." + +"Alas! can this ever be? My people seem drunk with greed and blood, and +thy people given to fierce reprisals." + +"This reconciliation does not seem as though it were near, truly, lady. +Our peasantry have been massacred by scores. The more spirited of them +have taken to outlawry, and would as soon take the life of a Norman as +the life of a stag. We have also chieftains amongst us who have lost +all, and live only for revenge; fierce and implacable, they cherish mad +schemes of re-conquest, which are utterly futile. But all the same, it +will be woe to the man who argues for peace in the Saxon witan in the +presence of these implacable men." + +"Is there anything I can do to soothe these hatreds?" + +"You have begun well, and it seems marvellous to report, your deeds of +mercy and kindness are being talked about through the countryside where +Saxons meet together. These acts of kindness make for peace with +mightier force than deeds of arms or years of a rule of force." + +"But what is to be the solution of this race difficulty? Some of our +people speak and act as though there were no solution but the +extermination of all those who offer any resistance to their being +reduced to villeinage the most abject." + +"In a policy of force there is no other conclusion. If you were to take +yonder sapling and tie its head down to earth, there would be unceasing +resistance to the ignoble bond. And why? Because the Creator made it to +be free, to rear its head aloft, contemporaneous with its fellows. The +human spirit loves its freedom even better than yon sapling, and its +resistance to all tyranny is eternal. Force may fetter it, but perpetual +force will be necessary to keep it fettered. Mark me, lady, it is easier +to talk of extermination than to effect it. I command at present a band +of men who are the pick of my race for valour, who will defy thy people +with impunity, and are capable of striking fierce blows of revenge in +every unguarded moment. If ever the hour of thy nation's weakness should +come, terrible will be the revenge, if some strong hand curb not the +wild spirit." + +"This unholy strife between our peoples is madness. How may we avert +it?" said Alice. + +"I confess, lady, that but a little while ago I had no feelings but +those of undying hatred to thy race. But as I lay in that dungeon +beneath the castle, an angel in human form, by an act of pure mercy, +gave me liberty and life. 'Twas wonderful! The cold, frozen blood at my +heart turned, at a stroke, to warmth. I felt that there is a passion of +the human heart more potent than hatred, and some obligations more +binding than an oath. Let those who do not love strife, but love mercy, +work for mercy and reconciliation; and I think I see the day when there +shall be such a blending of races that each shall be strengthened by the +other." + +"I shall welcome the day, Sir Knight. But had we not better return? +Jeannette, I am afraid, will be in great trouble." + +"I am not a knight, lady; we Saxons are slow at learning the language of +chivalry. If it be not presumptuous to ask it, call me Oswald; 'twill +bring us so much nearer." + +"Then if you have not learnt the language of chivalry, you will be the +better able to call me Alice. Is it agreed?" + +"With all my heart, Alice. It is a compact. Let me again assure you that +you and your maid are perfectly safe in the woods or anywhere, so far as +my followers and vassals are concerned. There is just one thing I would +caution you about," said he, with a twinkle in his eye. "One Saxon has a +very great admiration for the very spots which you are likely to choose; +and I warn you, if he see a certain light in his lady's eyes, never more +look for peace." + +"Really this does sound like the language of our Norman gallants, after +all. But come, now, if you are really heart-hungry, just a crumb of +comfort will sustain you; for our Norman ballads declare very loudly +that valorous knights for their lady-loves will do and dare, or suffer +and wait,--well, really, without going through the list, it is wonderful +what valiant knights will do for love and chivalry--_in books_. I used +to see the said valiant knights in books, but latterly I have been face +to face with the reality; and alas! I find them most devoted to wine and +ale, and incontinence. So, Sir Knight,--for such I will call you once +more--he who wins Alice de Montfort will have a knightlier soul than +this." + +"Well, I will not sound a trumpet before me, as the hypocrites do, so no +more of this. Let time declare it. But did you learn how I made my +escape from the castle that fateful night?" + +"No. Pray tell me now? I am most curious to know it." + +"Wait a little. But let me tell you I can enter the castle when I like. +If you wish an interview with me at any time, you need but make some +signal from the tower, and at nightfall I will meet you there whenever +you wish." + +"But can you come with perfect safety?" + +"With absolute safety." + +"Then that shall be our trysting-place, to which I will summon my Saxon +ally when good news stirs--but I fear me more often when my sad heart +needs cheering. But I sorely fear your coming there will be full of +peril. Could I not meet you elsewhere?" + +"Courage, dear one! and take no thought for me. Let your heart be stout, +for the future is luminous with hope." + +As the boat rounded a bend in the river, Oswald beheld the fierce +struggle going on between the two Saxons, and, with an exclamation of +pain, he gave two or three lusty strokes which sent the boat flying +amongst the trees which lined the embankment. Hastily springing upon the +bank, he tore Sigurd from the prostrate form of Wulfhere. + +"Jarl!" said he, "how is this? Making war upon your friends! This will +not do, mark me!" + +"And how is this?" retorted Sigurd fiercely. "You and this +chicken-hearted slave making love to deadly enemies. This will not do, +_mark that_!" + +"Enough, enough!" said Oswald, gathering up the prostrate form of +Jeannette, who was in a dead swoon. He lifted her into the boat and +dashed a few drops of cold water in her face. "There, now," said he, +"she is all right." And in a whisper he said to Alice, "Pull away, +dearest. Remember the tryst, and be not dismayed. This man is a scion of +the untamed Vikings who linger in the land. I shall know how to deal +with him." + +Oswald watched the boat and its occupants glide away, and waving a last +adieu he turned to his companions, and said, "Let us go. Sigurd," he +continued, in tones of severity, "this fierce quarrel bodes no good to +the Saxon cause." + +"Does this dawdling with Norman women bode some good to the Saxon cause? +I wot Viking, or Dane, or old-time Saxon would not have warred like +this. Are we going to avenge ourselves upon our enemies by simpering to +their women? My ancestors have conquered with the sword, and I will +thrust through any Norman I can--aye, and their women, too! To spare the +dam to suckle cubs will not do for me!" + +"Sigurd, mark me, thy fierce, implacable temper will hurt the Saxon +cause more than ever thy sword will aid it. Kindly understand that I am +lord in these parts, and my will shall be law. If thou art not +satisfied, well, thou had better return to thy own domain of Lakesland, +and make war according to thy own notions. If thou succeed better than +us, well, then we may copy thy methods; but here we will have no slaying +of defenceless women and children. As for these two in particular, they +gave me my life, and whoever injures a hair of their heads is my mortal +foe. Let that suffice, Jarl." + +"Tut, tut! Fine, no doubt; but I like not such modes of warfare, and if +I cannot be allowed to spill Norman blood whenever I can, I'll none of +it." + +"I have my own plans for the protection of my people and for the +amelioration of their lot, and I think it is the best. As for thy +methods, and the hopes thou hast of driving out the Normans, I regard +them as worse than madness, and they will end in the annihilation of the +Saxon race. So be pleased to interfere no more with my plans," said +Oswald. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +WAR'S VICISSITUDES. + + "Hope tells a flattering tale, + Delusive, vain, and hollow. + Ah! let not hope prevail, + Lest disappointment follow." + + Miss Wrother. + + +The desperate repulse which the Normans received at the hands of the +Saxon outlaws, made them exceedingly chary of attempting again the +extermination of them. This afforded a welcome respite to the fugitives, +particularly to the women and children. But the vigilance of their +sentinels was never permitted to be relaxed. The retreat to which Ethel +had been conveyed was thus free from alarms, and lacked nothing in +picturesqueness and beauty. Oswald had taken care that it should be +furnished with some comfort and taste, for he had been wont in +summertime to spend often many days, and even weeks, in this secluded +and lovely spot. To Ethel, this home in the mountains was dearly +welcome. During the day she busied herself with the books of history, +travel, and romance which Oswald loved; and at even her countenance +brightened at his cheery words and pleasant greetings. But for some days +a strange feeling of anxiety and foreboding had clouded her happiness; +for more than a week Oswald had not so much as paid a hurried visit to +his favourite rendezvous. + +"Your master has not been here for more than a week, Bretwul," said she +one day, when her anxiety for tidings could no longer be resisted. "Do +you know what detains him? I fear me he has fallen into the hands of the +Normans." + +"He will not fall into the hands of the Normans so easily, lady. If he +does it will only be his body, though I am afraid he ventures on some +desperate enterprises." + +"Whither has he gone, Bretwul? Know you?" + +"I know not for certainty, lady, but I have belief he has gone with one +Sigurd, lord of Lakesland, for he has disappeared and taken his wild-cat +crew with him. Good riddance, I trow! and may my eyes never look upon +such starved, ill-clad, unsavoury mortals again!" + +"Who is this Sigurd you speak of, Bretwul?" + +"He is lord of the Lakes, but has had served out to him the same +treatment as every other Saxon chieftain has had; first wholesale +butchery of his followers, then death, or flight and exile, for +himself." + +"What has he been doing here?" + +"He has been hunted, harassed, and driven from one hiding-place to +another, until he had but a handful of followers left. Then he sought +respite in flight, and has been for a little while with us here, he and +a dozen of his housecarles. Now he hears the Norman army has gone south, +so he would fain return to the fray, and has craved the assistance of +the Earl and a dozen stout retainers, in return for the services he +rendered us." + +"I had a dream last night, Bretwul. I saw Oswald fighting desperately +with Norman foes, and then he was surrounded by them and sorely wounded. +Then I saw him borne by rough hands to a cave in the mountain side, and +I saw him swiftly bleeding to death, and no one there knew how to +staunch his wounds or cool his feverish brow; and I heard him cry +'Ethel!' And as I stretched out my hands to help, I awoke." + +"It was but a dream, lady. Do not let your mind run on such thoughts as +these. You are looking pale and ill. My master will be angry when he +returns, if he knows I told you of his purpose." + +"Can we not go to-night? I do not care to spend my time in idleness and +ease while he thus braves danger and death for his country. By hard +riding we can reach Lakesland ere the sun is up, and I am sure I can be +of service." + +"Beshrew me if I dare budge a stone-throw from this place until he gives +the word! I like not lying to rust, like the Earl's old swords hung +there, in idleness; but I would rather not face him after disobeying +orders." + +"But he may be wounded, and no one near to nurse him but these rough +men, whilst I am worse than useless here, with nothing to do but burden +others!" + +"Set your fears at rest, lady. These rough men know how to lay a +splintered bone, or close a wound, like any practised leech. But if you +let your mind run on these things you will be miserable. I have no fear +for him. The Normans will find their match, I trow, and give him a wide +berth. I have seen them cut down churls like myself with vigorous +strokes, and strike halting blows at him, through sheer terror at his +appearance." + +"But they are many to one, and better armed, and he will be overborne by +the numbers of them. I am sure I could be of service, and I should like +to be near; I don't mind the rough life at all. Saddle us a pair of +horses, and let us start to-night." + +"I warrant the Earl would slit my ears if I dared do any such thing! But +these are idle fears. I forget me, though; I have a message from the +Abbot Adhelm. But, by our Lady! he is no longer abbot, but a humble +friar, with no more power in his own abbey than any scullion priest. He +was a worthy Father, and never turned a lean dog of a Saxon away without +crumbs and comfort. But, among the other bad things these Normans have +brought, are a lot of swag-bellied monks, who broach more ale-casks than +they say prayers; and, by the Mass! they drink the ale, too, for there +is never a drop, or a taste of venison, to bestow on a famishing palmer, +or starving yeoman. I wish I could stick a nettle under their tails and +make them trot, the whole brood of them. The Church will never make much +out of my prayers, beshrew me! but I would with right good will rid her +of these shaveling carrion who have come swarming at the heels of the +fighting men." + +"But you said you had a message from Adhelm, did you not, Bretwul?" + +"Aye, aye, lady!" said Bretwul, highly gratified at the diversion he had +effected. "When my tongue is set a-wagging, it is as long as my dog's +when he is dead beat in chasing a hare; there's no hauling it in. Well, +Adhelm has found some pity in a wolf's den. Whoever would have looked +for a she-wolf having compassion on the sheep?" + +"I have not the slightest idea what you are talking about Bretwul." + +"Marry, no! there's no sense in an ass's braying; but bringing him to +the end on't is another matter. Well, gramercy! this fire-eating Norman +count has got a daughter who belies her own father." + +"Belies her own father? What may that mean?" + +"Aye, marry, it's true enough--belies her own father. I take the liberty +to dodge about a bit amongst the churls who have submitted to these +Normans, to see what encouragement there may be to feed at the same +trough as these broken-spirited cattle. Well, an iron collar about my +neck is an ornament I don't covet, and kicks and cuffs always did bruise +my flesh, and, what is even more painful, they bruise my mind; so a +Norman serf I will not be. But they tell me this count has a daughter +who has compassion, and visits them, carrying dainties to such as are +sick. Adhelm also and she are great friends, and he says she occupies +herself much in this sort of work." + +This colloquy was cut short by a sharp knock at the door and the hurried +entrance of one of the Earl's retainers. + +"Bretwul!" said he; but, his eye alighting on Ethel, he suddenly paused. +"I crave your pardon," said he, hastily doffing his cap. "Matters of +importance, which stand not on ceremony, have brought me." + +"What are they, my man?" said Ethel, eager and apprehensive. + +"The Earl is slightly unwell," said the stranger, noticing Bretwul's +cautioning gesture; "and I have ridden hard to request that a bed may be +prepared." + +"My dream! my dream!" almost shrieked Ethel, starting from her seat. "He +is not dead yet! Say he is not dead?" + +"Calm yourself, lady," said Bretwul, giving the stranger another +significant look. + +"No, no, lady; a mere scratch. A few weeks of your nursing will set him +on his feet as sound as a rock. But you will make ready, Bretwul? They +are not far behind." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +VIKING CHIEF AND SAXON MAIDEN. + + "He beheld + A vision, and adored the thing he saw." + + Wordsworth. + + +Ere long, the hum of voices and the scrambling sound of approaching +footsteps were heard. Then hurried orders, given in an undertone, +muffled footsteps, as of persons bearing a burden, accompanied by a low, +deep groan, broke upon the anxious ear of Ethel, who was listening with +nerves in a state of utmost tension and alarm. These sounds gradually +abated as the party retired to a more distant room, and doors were +softly closed behind. By-and-bye her anxious suspense was abated by the +entrance of Bretwul and his wife, accompanied by Sigurd, the lord of +Lakesland. A cold tremor ran through her blood as her eyes rested for +the first time upon the burly figure of the stranger; and she tried to +evade the rivetted gaze which he turned upon her, by turning to Bretwul. + +"I think the Earl is much worse than the messenger would have us +believe, Bretwul. Can I go to him? I may be of use. I have some skill in +nursing, thanks to my instructions and the terrible times upon which our +land has fallen." + +"Do not be alarmed," said Sigurd, trying to infuse as much of gentleness +as he could into the gruff tones which issued from the deep, broad +chest. "Oswald is put to bed, and his wound is a mere nothing--a +flesh-wound, which ought to have healed itself; but his body has been +pampered and daintily housed, and the merest cuts tell on such. The +wound has cankered and brought on a touch of fever. Pity that men, who +ought to know better, swathe their limbs, and pamper their bodies, and +live in cunningly decorated houses, and spend their time toying with +such finikin things as these"--pointing to sundry books and musical +instruments. "Women's things, and baby's toys!" + +"I think I had better go with you, Eadburgh," said Ethel, anything but +assured by the unsympathetic words of the strange visitant. + +This was just what Eadburgh was anxious to say; and the two immediately +disappeared. + +"Be seated, my lord," said Bretwul to Sigurd, "and I will find some +eatables. I doubt not you are well-nigh famished." + +"Aye, aye. We have ridden eight hours continuously in the darkness, and +you well say we are famishing." + +No sooner had the door closed behind Bretwul than Sigurd's astonishment +at the vision his eyes had just seen, found vent. + +"What is this I have looked upon?" he murmured to himself. "Some +inhabitant of Valhalla, where our gods and heroes have gone? Surely our +priests have told me of nothing so fair as she, even there! I would +covet a hero's grave this very hour, and the dark beyond, if they who +dwell there get them wives so fair as she." + +Here, let me, for the further information of the reader, say that this +Sigurd, or "lord of Lakesland," as he was known, whom we have met with +before in these pages, was a typical example of many a Norse chieftain +who still held sway in the land, ruling their followers after the manner +of the rude past; and the important part which he plays in these +"Chronicles" calls for a more elaborate introduction than we have yet +accorded him. He was a man who rivetted the gaze at once, but it was a +fascination, and not a delight, to the beholder. Men could not forbear +to look, but they far oftener turned away from him with a shudder and a +sense of relief than otherwise. When Halfdane, the viking marauder, +pounced down upon Northumbria, and the north of England generally, he +divided a great part of the lands of the Saxons amongst his followers; +and they, settling amongst the Angles, intermarried with them; and thus, +in the course of time, the two became almost one people. But in some +districts there were clearly defined lines of separateness. Sigurd, in +unbroken line, was a descendant of one "Rollo, the Ganger" (or walker). +Wonderful traditions lingered amongst the people of the height and build +of this warrior: such fragmentary histories, or folk-lore, declared that +he was compelled to walk because no horse could bear his weight. Hence +his name, the "Ganger," or walker. + +As this Sigurd was in body and physical proportions, so he was in mind. +He was rough, rude in manners, tastes, and pursuits, but strong in the +sturdy virtues of honesty and chastity, his Viking heritage. In the case +of Oswald notably, and of Ethel, and many others of our Saxon chieftains +and chieftainesses, some measure of education had been sought after and +prized. Contact also with the Normans, who in goodly numbers dwelt in +England during our late King Edward's lifetime, had done much to modify +the vulgar tastes and habits of the English. But in the case of Sigurd, +the undiluted primitiveness of the marauding Norseman, untainted and +uninfluenced by the undoubted advance the world was making, was +embodied. He never travelled beyond the rugged hills and weird gorges of +his domain, unless it were to meet the hardy robbers from over the +Scottish border. To fish in the glorious lakes; to hunt in the +stretching forests and dense woods; to excel in the rude games of +wrestling, archery, putting the stone, and many other games which +constituted the sole recreations of vulgar churls, was his delight. He +had little sympathy and little intercourse with those members of his +class who were awaking to the presence of, and yielding to, the +civilising influences which were beginning to be felt in England, by its +increasing contact with the continent of Europe. Still, there was a +rugged honesty about this man altogether admirable. He loved deeply and +faithfully; but he hated just as fiercely and implacably. He was a man +of great, even gross extremes, magnificent in energy and force of +character. Happy was the man who shared his affection; but woe be to the +man who incurred his hatred. This first interview with Ethel had a +distinctly repellent influence upon her; her very blood seemed to freeze +under his ardent gaze. It seemed to her that she was face to face with +one of the unlovable gods or heroes, their sagas, or wise men, were +never tired of glorifying. The sense of shrinking and dread which Ethel +experienced at this first meeting might have been intensified by her +anxiety with regard to Oswald; but Sigurd was quick to notice the +involuntary start, the shrinking from him, and it cut him deeply, and to +the quick. + +When the door was closed he stood for some minutes like one petrified, +blankly staring at the closed door through which the fair vision had +disappeared. The form and features of the beautiful Saxon floated +indistinctly before his vision. "She shrank from me!" he fiercely +ejaculated, but the tones were half a groan as well. "Why this +ill-disguised dread of me?" he murmured. He slowly surveyed himself from +head to foot in the vain endeavour to discover what it was about him +which so startled and repelled Ethel. Then he strode across the room and +stood before a mirror which hung from the wall in an elaborately wrought +frame--an article he had never used before, and seldom met with, and +which he faced now with a scowl of contempt upon his face. His head and +face were faithfully reflected, and some of his muscular frame. His +visage was bronzed and brown, his beard unshaven and unkempt, whilst +from underneath his helmet there escaped masses of hair of an unlovely +red colour. "Ah!" he ejaculated, "I should better win me a bride as my +fierce Viking ancestors won theirs, with their swords, getting them as +the spoil of war, or winning them at Holmganga (duel), where valour and +prowess in arms were recognised. Any Norman gallant with a well-trimmed +beard would put me to the rout as wives are won in these degenerate +days! Any Saxon with a smattering of clerk's gear and book-learning, +would have me on the hip. One who could play at joust with foppish +Norman gallants, or lilt his heel to the sound of music, would be +preferred before me. Yet, what is there ails these sturdy limbs of mine? +Sturdy limbs counted for much in the days of our ancestors; but now +every dainty girl shrinks at them with contempt, as marks of +boorishness. Why should this girl shrink from me so? Hist to me, +Viking," said he, apostrophising himself, "and tell me this. Why should +this fair Saxon thus unhinge me? Why should I care for blue eyes, flaxen +tresses, and a sylph-like form? Viking warriors were not mothered by +girls like this. Then clearly, if Viking warriors cannot be mothered by +such, Viking warriors should not be wived by them. A wife of brawny +build, with hardihood enough to be a sea-king's consort, and nurse me +warrior sons, would surely mate me best. My home will have to be the +rugged hills where the eagle hath his eyrie, or the dense forest where +prowls the wolf, and where the lordly red deer roam at will. Yet I do +believe this fair Saxon hath bewitched me; she is comely beyond aught my +eyes have seen before. But what of that? 'Tis despisable--maudlin! Yet +those blue eyes of hers, and that comeliness of form, is quite new to +me. Those maidens of brawny build, and bold, unwomanly features--I never +bethought me to love them yet. Ah! I have been ever ready to fight the +bold, but I never could love it; 'tis the gentleness and maidenly grace +of this Saxon maiden hath done it. Her speech is gentle, and her manner +is coy and shy, and nothing forward. Out upon me for a dotard!" said he +savagely. "I'll no more on't! I will not sleep under this roof; 'tis +enervating! I'll get me out upon the heath, where I can hear the sough +of the night winds, and listen to the night-birds' screech. 'Twill bring +me back my Viking's mood, and scare away this flimsy dream of love. How +could I mate with a timid dove, except I shed my talons! A Viking sleek +and pursy, well fed, and ease-loving!--a monstrosity I should be! The +door of Valhalla would be closed against me. The gods and heroes in the +land beyond the deep sea, whose company I hope to join at death, would +disown me. My boast and pride, my Viking's race, would fitly come to end +with me." + +Meanwhile Ethel, accompanied by Eadburgh and Bretwul, repaired to the +room where Oswald had been laid at rest. Some knowledge of medicine and +the art of healing, happily, was possessed by all Saxon gentlewomen. +Also there were a few amongst the serfs, who were the lowest class of +the peasantry, that had some knowledge of herbs, potions, poultices, +bandages, and simple remedies and expedients, which were frequently very +effective, though sometimes mistaken. + +Oswald smiled a pleasant smile as they entered; but it required no great +skill or discernment to see that he was weak and suffering. The hectic +flush upon his countenance, and the short, hurried breathing told but +too plainly that the wound and the weakness were not the worst foes that +had fastened on him. He could not fail to note the dismay and alarm +depicted on the pale and anxious face of Ethel. + +"Ethel, girl," said he, putting as much pleasantness into his tone of +voice as he could command, "never let that sweet face wear so sad a +look. The case is not so bad as that--nothing worse than a mere +flesh-wound; but the damp and exposure on those mountain sides, and that +long and horrid home-coming on horseback, has taken the life out of me." + +But in spite of his efforts to be cheerful, he could not suppress a +groan and a painful contortion of his face. + +"Bretwul," said he, uncovering his shoulder, "for mercy's sake undo +those bandages! My arm swells, and they screw me tight as a vice, and +give me a sickening pain." + +Ethel, however, advanced, and with firm and nimble fingers undid the +clumsy bandages, cleaning and washing the festering wound wonderfully +gently, but resolutely, and without faltering. Without faltering or +hesitancy also, she bathed and salved, lotioned and bandaged it again. +Oswald, with the passiveness of a tired child, submitted to it all. + +"Ah!" said he, "now I've got a chance." + +But this done, Ethel's culinary arts were called into requisition, and +delicacies from the mere, the flock, or the chase succeeded each other +with tempting regularity. + +"If the wound could have had but a week's start of the fever, I should +have been hopeful," said she to Eadburgh. + +But this was not to be, for next day Oswald became restless, with +occasional wanderings of the mind, and this was speedily followed by a +total relapse. Never for a moment, by night or by day, except for the +most necessary things, did Ethel quit his side; and never was there a +moment, by night or day, but either Bretwul or Wulfhere watched by his +bed. And when the fever was at its height, it was as much as the two +strong men could do to hold him in his bed. + +During this season of mental aberration, he would be at one time engaged +in mortal strife with his hated rival Vigneau. Anon, he was over seas +with Alice de Montfort, a refugee in a foreign land. Then the graphic +scene enacted in the dungeon beneath the castle, where Alice, torch in +hand, and alone, saved him out of the hands of her own countrymen, and +gave him liberty and life, was acted over again, with intense realism of +voice and gesture. + +Frequently he recoiled, with horror depicted in his countenance, as +Ethel gently smoothed his pillow, or moistened his parched lips. Then he +would call vehemently for the fair Norman with the dark eyes and raven +tresses. + +Ethel heard all this with agony at heart, and often the tear, unbidden, +dropped upon the coverlet as she bent over him. Often she would murmur +to herself,-- + +"He thinks not of me. I am but a Saxon girl, to pet and speak gently to. +Would he were harsh and forbidding, like this stranger! But he is what +he is, and God made me a woman, and I will bear this burden, as too oft +a woman must; for he will never know, and that will make it bearable." + +So for many weary days and nights the resolute struggle of life and +death for victory went on, and the weary, anxious watchers looked on, +helpless, except to pray and hope that favouring Providence would give +the victory as they wished. + +At last the crisis passed. Thanks to the wonderful physique and +recuperative faculties of the patient, combined with the ceaseless care +and patient nursing of the Saxon maiden, the strong man vanquished, and +cast off the malignant foe. Then commenced the slow rallying from the +utter prostration, and the gradual regaining of strength. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +A VIKING'S LOVE. + + "Love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the + grave."--Song of Solomon, viii. 6. + + +During the time that Oswald was recovering from the prostration +consequent upon the fever, he and Wulfhere drew carefully a plan for the +fortress already determined upon. Every detail was gone carefully over +and elaborated. In the meantime, also, messengers were despatched far +and near, and artificers and handicraftsmen rallied to the work. +Speedily the foundations were dug, and the outer walls encircling the +summit began to rise steadily and rapidly before the persistent and +energetic labours of the Saxon refugees. Each one wrought with a will, +knowing that life and freedom depended upon their ability to raise a +fortress strong enough to defy their enemies. + +Ere the Normans were aware of what was going on, a rampart had been +erected, which was soon to develop into a stronghold, impregnable, and +secure against assault. This first line of defence having been raised, +vigorous attention was given to the interior. Wells were dug, stables +were built, habitations also sprang up as by magic. Women and children +hurried into it, bringing everything they had saved from the desolation +of the past. Cattle were driven into it at night, and emerged in the +morning to feed around its shoulders, pushing their way in sheer +audacity down into the green valleys, for there were always bands of +sturdy outlaws in the woods between them and danger--outlaws, who snared +game, which literally swarmed in the woods, or cut their timber for +their bows and arrows. For these men the Normans were no match in the +solitudes which were familiar to them, and they soon learnt to have a +semi-friendliness with them, and to court relationships with the +hill-men, all of which decidedly made for peace. But to a tacit +acknowledgment of these outlaws the Norman leaders were bitterly +opposed. De Montfort feared that this thing would grow until it became a +menace to his own position, though he remembered most vividly the words +used by Oswald on that memorable night when he confronted him in his own +house as though he had dropped from the clouds, when, in burning words, +the Saxon told him that they wished to be at peace, but would assert +their right to pasturage, and to freedom. De Montfort also feared the +effect this thing would have upon William, if once he learnt that his +subject was conniving at an incipient rebellion, which might ultimately +threaten the peace of the kingdom. So, what between the pleadings of his +daughter Alice for peace towards the harassed Saxons, and the sharp +lesson they had taught him once before, that they were an enemy not to +be trifled with on ground of their own choosing, the days and weeks sped +on in delays and hesitation as to how this defiance on the part of a +handful of desperate men, who defended themselves with such vigour when +attacked, should be met; seeing also that they were, upon the whole, +non-aggressive and peace-loving when left alone to the pursuit of +peaceful avocations. + +The Saxons encamped were, nevertheless, a strange and motley company, +and nothing less than the sagacity, watchfulness, and marvellous +forbearance of Oswald, coupled with the matchless valour and firmness +which he displayed, would have served to restrain the undisciplined and +heterogeneous company over whom he ruled. There was a moiety of +desperate and blood-thirsty men who were almost incapable of restraint, +and who were so blinded by their hatred of the Normans that motives of +prudence or of policy were most hateful to them, and Oswald's efforts to +enforce self-restraint upon his own followers, and to cultivate friendly +relations with the enemy, were gall and wormwood. + +Sigurd was the acknowledged leader of these, and they, by their dense +ignorance and superstitions, fittingly represented the dark heathenism, +and plunder, and bloodshed, characteristics of their Norse ancestors. +They were utterly unable to realise the fact, which Oswald saw most +distinctly, that all hope of wresting the kingdom from the Normans by +force of arms was an idle dream, unless the Normans should be involved +in a struggle with other foes. They clung to their heathenish religion, +encouraged by their grim old priest Olaf, who, periodically quitting his +cave in an adjacent valley, haunted the settlement like a hyena on the +scent of blood, and found little difficulty in stirring up the ferocious +passions of his followers, often to the verge of open revolt and mutiny. +Oswald surveyed the situation with the eye of a statesman; but the +reconciling of these turbulent factions to his ideal was a task which +required the utmost efforts of wisdom and valour too, and which +perpetually threatened the peace of the camp. + +These desperate complications were further intensified into a private +and personal cause of enmity and hatred on Sigurd's part--as we shall +presently see--by reason of his strange and fierce love for the fair +Saxon, Ethel. Despite his passionate endeavours to cast out the deep +impression made upon him at his first interview with Ethel, we need +scarcely say such efforts were utterly vain and futile. She was a +beloved and familiar figure to every one in the little colony, and he +was necessarily brought frequently into intercourse with her; and day by +day he became more deeply involved. The love of the fierce Viking had +this quality in common with more ordinary mortals; it was like a +quagmire, in which, being once fairly entangled, the more he struggled +to get free of it the deeper he sank, until all hope of extrication +therefrom became perfectly impossible. + +"Ethel, girl," said he, addressing her one day with the bluntness which +was a characteristic of his whole nature and disposition; and his +love-making was of a piece with his whole disposition, "I have no skill +in the art of making love, or, what is pretty much the same thing, a +make-believe of love, and I much fear me my rough manners and rough-hewn +limbs commend me not to fair maidens like thyself. But since I saw thee +first, feelings have been kindled in my breast which I thought were +dead, and utterly out of place in these times. But scorn me not, Ethel. +Thou art as surely of Viking extraction on thy father's side as I am; +and though I have no gentle manners, there is no honied falseness in my +nature, and perhaps through thy gentle influence I may come to love the +ways of peace." + +This confession of love on the part of Sigurd was the very thing Ethel +had been dreading to hear; and her confusion and sickness of heart were +pitiably manifest. + +"Alas! my lord," said she, "these are times when the funeral rites for +our dead are more opportune than the marriage rites. I could not think +of wedlock in times like these, when children born may well-nigh curse +the day when they first saw the light." + +"But I will carry thee to the court of Malcolm of Scotland, where thou +shalt dwell in safety. My sword will receive a hearty welcome by him. +Then, if peace should come, we may return to our own land." + +"My lord, you know not what you ask. These are not times for love. With +my country laid desolate, and my people scattered, I can indulge no +affection but for these." + +"My love for my country is as great as thine, and wedlock between us two +need not diminish our love for our country." + +"Say no more, my lord. You know not what you ask. 'Tis painful to me, +for I am not free to love." + +Sigurd started as if stung by a serpent. + +"Ah! what a dolt I must be, not to see it! How could a maiden come in +contact with _him_, and not love him. Well, Ethel, Sigurd would throw no +shadow across thy path. Happy be thy love, and its consummation timely!" + +"My lord, I have no lover!" said Ethel, hastily leaving the room. + +Sigurd slowly paced the room, in profound meditation. The memorable +occasion when he found Oswald and Wulfhere in the company of the two +Norman women passed in review before his mental vision, and its +significance laid hold upon his mind as it had never done before. + +"Can it be," said he, "that _he_ should be insensible to such a +treasure, and should add to his culpable blindness the base treachery of +seeking an alliance with the Norman supplanter?" + +The thought of this stirred his passions into fury, and he nervously +grasped the hilt of his sword, as though he meditated vengeance on some +foe. "I will watch this thing, and if it be as I fear I will no longer +ally myself with him; but woe be to him if my arm be stronger than his, +for so base a betrayal can only be washed out in blood!" + +So saying, he sallied forth, pacing round the fortifications in quest of +Oswald, where he learnt that he and Wulfhere had betaken themselves +towards the valley. Away he sped him, intent on probing this matter to +the bottom; and instinctively his footsteps turned toward the spot where +once before his ire had been roused at the conduct of the two he sought. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +A VILLAIN DEMANDS HIS WAGES. + + "Oh pilot! 'tis a fearful night; + There's danger on the deep." + + _The Pilot._ + + +Count De Montfort strolled leisurely to and fro on the rising ground in +front of the castle, rapt in admiration of the fine scenery and noble +woods which environed it on all its sides. Then he turned to take a +leisurely survey of the massive proportions of the castle, and, with a +veteran soldier's instincts, fell to a planning of additional +fortifications, so as to increase its impregnability. Whilst thus +engaged, a figure seen in the distance, caused the complacent smile to +vanish from his countenance, and his visage grew dark with a frown. The +intruder was none other than Baron Vigneau, who, after salutations, +said,-- + +"When may I expect the fulfilment of the promise made to me at York, +Count? Lady Alice has now had some months of preparation, and now the +time has come when our nuptials should be celebrated." + +"Well, what says the lady, Baron? If you have her consent there need be +no further delay. I have no opposition to offer, though, as Alice's +father, and wishing her happiness, I am bound to say I wish you would +eschew the wine-cup. I note with pain and concern this most unwholesome +habit grows apace." + +"Tut, tut, Count! Many thanks for your homily! But to the point in hand. +I have no recollection that the lady's consent had aught to do with the +bargain. Soldiers usually dispense with ceremonies of that description, +and, by your consent, we will still consider it apart from her +ladyship's wishes or whims. 'Twas, I think, a part of the wages of +services rendered." + +"But, as a soldier and a knight, making professions of gallantry and the +rest of it, you would not think of forcing a lady's hand? Surely you +have opportunities of winning her as a soldier should. I have expressly +stated that such are my wishes. What more can you expect of me?" + +"Finely spoken no doubt! But I would remind you of a matter which you +know well enough without a reminder, that I have not the manners of a +simpering gallant, nor am I used to chanting love-songs beneath my +lady's window. I am a soldier, a blunt and unpolished one maybe. Alice +has been thoroughly well spoiled, that is plain enough, by prating nuns +and her convent life. Her head has been filled with their silly notions +of romance, and religious scruples. My rough life does not fit me for +playing the part of a dangling fop, or uttering canting lies about +religion. Bah!" + +"I cannot force my daughter into this marriage, Baron. Win her if you +can," said the Count peremptorily. + +"A bargain is a bargain, force or no force, and I'll have it kept. Any +canting parade of virtue will not go down with me; I'm too familiar with +your antecedents. If this promise is not ratified promptly, I'll +straight away to the king and expose your foul conspiracy, and I shall +have the pleasure of seeing your head dangling from the gate within a +week. Then the haughty wench, your daughter, will rue the day she vented +her scorn on me." + +"Cowardly villain!" said the Count. "Come with me to yonder copse, and +I'll measure steel with you." + +"Not quite so fast, master. I keep my mettle for other purposes. We'll +try steel as a last resort. But in the meantime, I'd rather have your +daughter than your blood; and nothing prevents but the lack of your +commands. Let these be forthcoming, and all is well; but I'll not be +trifled with, mark me!" + +So saying, he strode away, leaving De Montfort beside himself with rage +and fear. + +The same evening, as he and Alice sat together, he said,-- + +"Alice, I told you some time ago that I had betrothed you to Baron +Vigneau, and I told you some other matters connected therewith, which I +trust you have not forgotten. He has been claiming the fulfilment of my +promise, and becomes very wroth and threatening. I trust you are +prepared now to accept him at once." + +"I cannot say that I am, father; the acquaintance I had with him in +Normandy before the wars caused me to form but a poor opinion of him. I +find that the life he has been leading since the wars began has +brutalised him. His sottish habits, also, have become most outrageous. +If you wish me to marry, let me make my choice. Or, better still, let me +stay with you in singleness. You need some one to keep house for you, +I'm sure." + +"Alice, I told you I had betrothed you to Vigneau, which is a matter +binding upon my honour; and 'tis a debt you must discharge. The Baron is +not worse than many others whose life has been cast in these troublous +times. He is also famous at the joust; his deeds of arms, also, and his +personal prowess, are known throughout the land. Pray what would you +have in a husband?" + +"Father, I have no feelings but of abhorrence for him. If I may, I would +very much prefer retiring to a convent, as I have said before, to +spending my life with one so besotted and utterly lost to human feeling. +If this will relieve you of your bond, pray give me permission, and I +will prefer no other request." + +"Alice, it does not suit me that you should retire to a convent, or do +anything but _obey me_. Let me tell you, once for all, these mock +heroics, these school-girl sentiments and bookish whims, cannot be +tolerated. Your mother was betrothed to me by her parents, who never +thought of asking her consent. I tell you once for all, this marriage +shall be consummated this day three months. So let this suffice." + +Alice retired to her room well-nigh heart-broken at her father's +harshness and the hateful prospect of a union with Vigneau. She laid her +face in her hands and sobbed most distressingly, defying Jeannette's +utmost efforts to console her. + +"What shall I do, Jeannette? I shall never wed Vigneau! I shall be +sweetly sleeping in that still pool beneath the hazel trees, where we +met the Saxon the other day, on the morning that Vigneau claims me for +his bride." + +"Hush, my lady! don't say that. Let us go again in the morning. Perhaps +we may meet those Saxons again, and they will advise us what to do." + +Jeannette dared not give utterance to the thing that was uppermost in +her own mind. But as a simple matter of fact, the well-developed manhood +of Wulfhere the Saxon had never been wholly absent from the waking +thoughts of this coquettish damsel since that romantic interview she had +had with him, when her ears tingled with a newborn delight, as she +listened to his flattery in the wood by the riverside. She was, as a +matter of fact, ready for any desperate enterprise or expedient that +would result in another interview. + +"We will, Jeannette. Perhaps we shall see the Saxon knight again. I had +been taught to believe these Saxon chieftains were loutish boors. But I +can assure you I found him anything but that." + +"Yes, lady; and the other chieftain, who was with me, was a very +handsome man, and spoke so pleasantly to me. I have heard, too, lady, +they have built a fortress on the mountains. He asked me to be his wife, +but I thought we should have to run wild in the woods, and sleep in +caves; but if they have a fortress to live in, I would run away and be +his wife, if you would run away with the other chieftain." + +Alice smiled, in spite of herself, at Jeannette's willingness, +evidently, to take Wulfhere pretty much on trust. But, nevertheless, the +morrow found them wending their way to the river, where, getting out the +boat, they pulled away up stream. + +"I wonder if the Saxon, will see us, Jeannette?" + +"If he should come, he will be sure to have his comrade with him. Don't +you think he will?" + +"I think you are in love with that tall bondman of the Saxon +chieftain's, Jeannette." + +"He is not a bondman of any one's my lady, for he told me so himself. He +is a Saxon freeman." + +"A 'freeman,' Jeannette. What does that mean, prithee?" + +"A freeman is next to a knight, I believe; at least, they have lands of +their own." + +"Oh, is that so? Well, we shall soon reach the spot where we landed +before. Shall we get out of the boat, think you?" + +"I think we had better not, my lady, until we see them. What should we +do if that fierce Saxon should catch us?" + +"The Saxon earl told me his people would not harm us--any of them; but +we must not be overbold. We are now completely out of sight of the +castle; let us pull gently, and keep a sharp look-out." + +So steadily they glided underneath the long arms of the trees, sending +the water-hens scurrying away into the thick recesses of foliage, or +diving beneath the surface, and coming up again on the other side with a +plash; whilst the snipe and lovely kingfishers, on fleet wing, skimmed +over the surface into the solitudes ahead. + +"Surely," said Alice, "this is a slice out of Paradise." + +"Yes," said Jeannette; "it is lovely. And that's the fallen tree where +the Saxon and I sat together." + +"Not the Saxon, Jeannette; his follower, you mean." + +"Oh, but I don't think he is merely a follower, my lady. I believe they +are equal; leastways, he is only a little lower in rank." + +It is, perhaps, needless to say that since Oswald's recovery, scarcely +had a sunny day passed when the placid bosom of the river had not been +anxiously scanned by the other two persons most interested in a second +meeting with these fair Norman women. It is scarcely necessary to say +also that two stalwart individuals had seen the slim boat gliding slowly +up the stream, and, for the last quarter of an hour, had been rapidly +clearing the distance which separated them from it. We may also say, +without exaggeration, that these frail women met these stalwart Saxons +with much less of perturbation than when they last met; though if we +were to say that there were no fluttering of hearts, and no crimson +blushes mounting to the face and neck, and no trembling of limbs, as +they reached out their hands to be helped on to the embankment; or if we +were to say that Jeannette did not utter a little scream, and clutch +Wulfhere most tenaciously, as the boat gave a treacherous lurch as she +stepped from it; we should not be faithful chroniclers. Again Wulfhere +and Jeannette sat on the fallen tree and watched by the boat; whilst +Oswald and Alice sauntered by the river's side, and Alice told her tale +of coming disaster. We know she did not resist as Oswald's arm lovingly +encircled her, and he bade her be of good cheer. In low, earnest tones +they talked of all that lay in their hearts; and Oswald was able to +convince her that the dark cloud ahead would be found to have a silver +lining. It was truly passing strange that this high-born lady should +yield herself so unreservedly to this Saxon. There was no reason, or +prudence, or wisdom in it possibly. But the divine instinct of love, +which is born in--not acquired--but born in and indigenous to every pure +and unsullied woman's heart, ventured, with sheer and utter abandonment, +to give her heart to him. The same instinct which revolted in utter +abhorrence at the thought of contact with the brutal Norman, drove her +irresistibly to the sheltering arms of the pure-minded and valorous +Saxon. They laid their plans for further interviews, all the while +unconscious that eyes, glistening with fury, were peering through the +brushwood, and mad hate was rankling in the breast of an unseen foe, who +scarce could forbear to rush in and execute vengeance on the spot. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +THE TRYST. + + "The curfew tolls the knell of parting day. + The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea. + The ploughman homeward plods his weary way, + And leaves the world to darkness and to me." + + Gray. + + +From the flagstaff on the tower of the castle was to be seen for a +little while at midday a pennant, with long streamers fluttering in the +breeze. There was no one on the tower at the time but Alice. What is the +significance of this? Nothing, apparently, but a freak of fancy. But any +one sufficiently observant would notice that Alice takes her stand on +the north side of the tower, and, leaning her elbows on the battlements, +looks long and eagerly towards yonder grim mountain looming blackly in +the hazy distance, whose scarred limestone precipices seem fearful to +look upon. But presently there became visible to any one possessed of +strong, keen vision, a dark speck of something which had sprung into +sight against the clear background of heaven's blue. It seemed perfectly +motionless in the air, and might be some bird of prey hovering on poised +wing, and watching for its prey. But it was no bird of prey. Alice gave +an exclamation of surprise. + +"He sees it," she said; "he will be here to-night. Speed away laggard +hours that separate me from him! There is music in his voice, and refuge +in his strong arms and loving heart!" + +She piously uttered a prayer to the saints to guide him. But perhaps, +wise one, that prayer was breathed into the idle April breeze--a +contribution of nothingness--an impalpable seedling, flung out of a +needy human soul, but deposited nowhere, and having fruition never--I +trow not, for prayers, like curses, have an assured harvest, and are as +surely reaped by the sowers, no inspired vision being requisite to see +it done from day to day. + +The laggard hours quickly passed, and the lingering twilight deepened +into sombre night. The thrushes which carolled to each other from tree +to tree as the deepening gloom gathered about them, as though loth to +say good-bye to the joyous day, had long since sought their +resting-place for the night. Standing beside the old oak in the wood +might be seen the form of Oswald, listening intently for sound of human +voice or human footfall. Nothing disturbs the silent night air that +gives uneasy thoughts to the listener, though there are many sounds +distinctly audible to one so familiar with nature, and the woods are +most alive now that man has gone to his rest. There is the hurried +pattering here and there and everywhere, of game and vermin, or the +unhurried crawl of the urchin as he issues from his bed in quest of +food. Overhead the bats are flitting in and out amongst the branches of +the trees, followed by the heavy beat of the owlet's wing, whose eyes, +catlike, are gleaming like live coals in the darkness. In the distance +the sharp yelp of the fox proclaims Reynard also to be abroad and busy. + +None of these sounds give uneasiness to Oswald. On the contrary, they +are to him most reassuring. He turns his gaze towards the tower, the +outlines of which are clearly marked against the starlit sky. Soon he +sees a dark figure move towards the battlements, and peer over on the +side on which he stands. Perhaps some sentinel keeps watch from the +lonely heights whilst his comrades below are resting in peace. No; that +is no sentinel, for the figure waves something to and fro for a moment +or two, then slowly sinks behind the battlements. On witnessing the +signal, Oswald quickly mounts the tree, and disappears in its cavernous +recesses. The journey along the underground passage is quickly +traversed, and he emerges on the battlements, and the muffled figure is +folded in his arms, and a loving kiss is implanted on her cheek. + +"What ails you, Alice, dear? No ill news, I trust?" + +"Alas! I have only ill news for you, dearest, and I know you are hard +beset without my adding other troubles to your perplexities." + +"Hush, darling! Never think _your_ needs add to my perplexities. I never +feel so like surmounting everything as when I think I live for you; to +champion your cause against all comers, and flaunt defiance in the face +of your enemies." + +"I fear the championing of my cause will bring you into deadly peril, +perhaps to death." + +"If it does, dearest, you gave me my life when an ignominious death +awaited me. If I die in defence of you, well, I am willing, aye, more +than willing. But let us not cherish thoughts like these, for I think a +merciful Providence will always reserve a blessing for one like you; so +let us have faith, and never doubt the future. I am full of faith and +hope. Come, tell me what new trouble distracts and disturbs your mind." + +Then they sat together on an abutment, and Alice, nestling close to her +virtuous knight, told of the new complications which had arisen. + +"My father has been very wroth to-day, chiding me roughly because I make +not preparations for my nuptials, and threatening my marriage to Vigneau +by force." + +"He is still determined, then, to press on this hateful and heathenish +alliance?" + +"Yes; but judge him not too harshly, dearest. I am well assured he loves +me dearly, in spite of this seeming harshness. I have seen again and +again a frown on his brow, and heard bitter words break from his lips at +the intrusion of Vigneau. I am satisfied that if it were not for the +hateful power he wields over my father, I should not be forced into this +alliance. But Vigneau claims my hand as the price of peace." + +"You still hate this man, and abhor a union with him, Alice, dear? Is it +not so?" + +"I loathe him with my whole heart, and would rather die a hundred deaths +than marry him. But what it may be my duty to do, for my father's sake, +I know not." + +"And will it come to this, that, as the price of peace, you are to be +offered to this devil incarnate--to one whose hands are red with the +blood of murdered men and women, and whose life is one coarse round of +brutal indulgence?" + +"The prospect is most sickening. But what can I do in an extremity like +this?" + +"Rest assured, my love, you will not do that," said Oswald, drawing his +sword. "Here is a trusty friend which will cut this Gordian knot, if it +be not unloosed by more peaceable means. This Vigneau owes his +villainous life a hundred times told, for the foul crimes he has +committed, and is committing from day to day, upon my helpless +countrymen. The sword has been hanging over him a long time, and it will +fall before he claims you as his bride. Though he live to stand at the +altar with you, he shall not compass his vile ends, for I will confront +him there; and rest assured I will make sure of _him_ if it be the last +stroke my trusty sword shall ever make. Drive the matter to the utmost +verge of delay, and if relief come not in the meantime, it will come ere +the extremity. But come now, let us think of other things, for this +matter, I see, sits like a grievous nightmare upon your spirits. I am +pleased to be able to report upon the forward state of the fortress on +the hill." + +"But, alas! I have ill news for you with regard to that matter. It was +partly on that account I summoned you from the hills to-night." + +"What is it, dearest? Come, unburthen your mind of all troublesome +matters. I can assure you, nevertheless, that we are now very +indifferent as to what steps may be taken." + +"But I am afraid this will be serious. The king is now at York with a +large contingent of his men-at-arms, and a number of mercenaries, intent +on quelling any attempts at insurrection on the part of the Saxons. One +of his Bodes[2] arrived here this morning, asking for all information +with regard to the attitude of your people. My father is having a +parchment writing made out, with full particulars of your doings, and +asking for help to reduce your fortress, and slay your rebellious +followers. I fear me if William exerts himself he will not desist, until +he has captured your stronghold; and he will give no quarter to those +who try to thwart him." + +[Footnote 2: Messengers.] + +"This is, indeed, serious news, and we must move heaven and earth to +prevent this despatch reaching its destination. Do you know when the +messenger will depart?" + +"The day after to-morrow, I heard my father say. See, I have here a copy +of the despatch. I drew it up at father's dictation." + +"Many thanks, my dear. We must devise some expedient to meet this +emergency. I think I know a sly rogue who will, either by hook or crook, +circumvent the king's messenger. But no time must be lost. Give me a +parting kiss. Ah! get you to bed, you trembling puss, and may sweet +sleep enfold you in his gentle arms! Adieu, adieu, for a little while." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +BADGER CRACKS THE NORMAN'S PATE. + + "Those who in quarrels interpose + Must often wipe a bloody nose." + + _The Mastiffs._ + + +A few miles down the valley from the Norman headquarters at the castle, +and following the trend of the river--because there was on its banks to +be found a path, or track, very irregular, it is true, but which was +made to serve the purposes of pedestrians, and which was little +frequented--a Norman runner, or messenger, the bearer of De Montfort's +despatch to the Conqueror, was steadily pressing on towards his +destination. He had had a sharp walk along a road none of the best, and +the springiness was beginning to disappear from his tread. He carried a +sword by his side. Over his shoulder there was fastened a wallet +containing provisions, and a long bow with a small quiver of arrows. In +his right hand he carried a quarterstaff, which he used as a +walking-stick. This latter weapon was much affected by the Normans, they +having learnt its use from the Saxons, and it was now inseparable from +their rough games and amusements, it being singularly adapted to call +forth the powers of strength and dexterity of the wielders of it, whilst +its vigorous application seldom resulted in anything worse than bruises +and ruffled tempers. Ahead of this Norman, and quite unobserved by him, +there was patiently lying in wait a remarkable being, who was quietly +peering over the top of a knoll which commanded a view of a turning in +the road. His dress plainly proclaimed him to be a child of the forest +and the chase, his weird and outlandish appearance being simply +indescribable. He sprang to his feet with remarkable agility as the form +of the Norman runner rounded the corner into view. He fell into the +path, and affected to journey as the stranger did, though as yet the +Norman had not got a glimpse of him. As he went slowly trudging along, +he burst into a merry ditty, trolling it right lustily. The burden of +his doggerel ran something like the following:-- + + "My song is of a palmer bold, + Who footed it o'er the lea. + A monkish buck to him stepp'd up, + 'What's the news, my man?' quoth he. + + "'Bad news! Why, wine is getting scarce, + And venison, too, I trow. + And this I know the Normans vow; + They are eat and drunk by you. + + "'And paunches measuring a cloth-yard's girth, + They tap them with lance or spear; + For good old sack is kept in stock + By such, the Normans swear.' + + "'Then take my bottle, thou palmer bold, + My venison pasty too. + I'll fast and pray, and hair-shirt wear, + As a pious monk should do.'" + +The strange singer affected to be totally oblivious of the approach of +the Norman, for he accompanied his song by a vigorous twirling of his +quarterstaff, ever and anon flinging it into the air and catching it +again. So he kept trudging along all the while, as merrily as a cricket. +He was apparently greatly startled when the Norman accosted him in the +following unceremonious fashion:-- + +"Hilloa, old weazen-face! you appear to be in a wonderfully merry mood +this morning. What is't makes you wag your tail at such a rate this +morning, eh?" + +"I give you good morning, fair sir. My obedience to your honour. Give me +a moment; you quite startle me. What was your honour saying to me?" + +"What is it makes you so merry, pray?" + +"Why, it is better to be merry than sad; and, begging your pardon for +being so bold, but I have that about me would make a man merry if he had +a foot in the grave." + +"Oh, aye, that is it makes you so merry, old bogskipper, is it? I +thought you were going sweethearting." + +"Marry, no! Did you ever see as old a dog as I am amuse himself by +catching his tail. Mark me, I have in my wallet good barley-bread, and a +stout collop of venison; and in my case I have a stiff supply of old +Flemish wine," said he, tapping a huge leathern bottle he carried. "So I +will be merry while it lasts, anyhow." + +"I warrant, too, you have had that snout of yours to the neck of that +bottle pretty frequently, old fellow, eh?" + +"Thou art in error, friend; grossly in error. Such words are a grave +reflection upon my character for sobriety. But it is only fair to say +that I have smelt at it occasionally as I came along; but I never drink +except I'm thirsty, begging your pardon, fair sir--only when I'm +thirsty." + +"Thirsty, eh? And how oft does that sensation come on? Not a week +between, I'll go bond." + +"No, I grant you this much. I always seem to have a parched sensation at +the pit of my stomach when wine or ale is about; and I have noticed this +frequently, good wine seems to go straight to the spot. It is a very +soothing medicine if it be applied regularly, and pretty oft, so as to +keep my stomach nice and moist." + +"Well, I think you might ask a thirsty comrade to have a taste of your +wine, anyhow, old sucker. 'Tis a very small favour, that." + +"Not so fast, my buck; don't jump your fence afore you come to't! First +fee your priest, then have your shriving. How should I know whether thou +beest a comrade or no. Dost thou see, to give good wine to a bad fellow +were to waste good liquor, and there is no sin in the calendar half so +bad as to waste good liquor. Marry, 'twere mortal sin." + +"Ho, ho, my master's all! Dost thou know, old fellow, when an ass kicks +his heels he inquires for the cudgel. Come, now, what if I lay siege to +thy weazen carcase, and carry off thy bottle, and flay thy carcase for +thee into the bargain. How then?" + +"Easy there, my hearty!" said the stranger, twirling lustily his staff. +"I trow I would flatten thy crown with my staff ere thou take my bottle; +though 'twere pity truly to flatten thee any more above thy shoulders, +for, gramercy! I take it thou would be welcome where flats are wanted." + +"I perceive thou art a stout rogue enough when driven to a push, and +saucy into the bargain. But I can stop thy brag, my cock-a-loup, pretty +handy, I doubt not." + +"That may be, or that may not be, which signifies nothing. But just let +me point out to thee, by way of caution, that my staff is harder than +thy pate, anyhow. So, in a friendly sort of way, I would advise thee to +take no unnecessary risks." + +"Risks, eh? Ha, ha, ha! And from such a swag-belly as thou art! There +are not many risks, I flatter me." + +"Very well, then; since thou wilt not be advised, take thy staff for a +friendly bout," said the Saxon, unstrapping his wallet and leathern +bottle, and laying them on the ground. "If I crack thy pate, thou shalt +have half my wine; and marry, if thou crack mine thou shalt have the +whole, for I love a bout with the staff almost as well as I like Flemish +wine." + +Now the Norman prided himself upon his prowess with the staff. He was +also a span taller than the Saxon. The uncouth garments of the latter, +also, made him appear as though much beyond the time of youth, and so +disguised his stout limbs that the Norman could scarcely conceal his +contempt for such an opponent. So he readily accepted the challenge, and +at once the pair were toe to toe, and dealing blow or parry with right +good will. The Saxon did not appear to very great advantage at the +commencement of the fray. Frequently he received slight blows here and +there, at which the Norman was visibly elated, and he led the attack +with much vigour, and equal recklessness. The Saxon seemed to shrink +from the onset, but there was a sly humour lurking about his wicked grey +eye which was very ominous. Eventually taking a mild blow, without +parrying, from his foe, the Saxon put a giant's strength into his arm, +and like a thunderbolt his staff came down with a crash upon the +Norman's skull, cutting open his head, and knocking him senseless on the +ground. + +"Poor fellow!" said Badger, for it was he. "You don't know how sorry I +feel to have to give you a crack like this; but less would hardly do the +business." + +He quickly undid the Norman's doublet, and took from an inside pocket +the sealed message from De Montfort. Then he deposited a similar one in +its place. Next, he went down to the river and steeped a cloth in the +water, then gently bathed the Norman's head, and staunched the bleeding, +also carefully drawing the hair over it to hide the wound as much as +possible. He next poured down his throat some of the Flemish wine he +carried. The Norman slowly opened his eyes, and stared about him with a +dazed, unmeaning look. + +"All right, my gallant fellow," said Badger. "Here you are. Have another +taste of my bottle." + +The Norman took a good long pull, which seemed to revive him +considerably. By degrees the whole scene came back to his stunned +senses, and mechanically he put up his hand to his head, and felt the +wound. + +"You hound!" said he. "You've cracked my skull!" + +"Not a bit of it, my hearty! Your skull is not so easy to crack. The +skin is peeled a little, that is all, and a day or two will put it right +again." + +"I trow not, nor a week or two either. You villain! You meant to brain +me, I do believe!" + +"Not a bit of it, comrade. Why, if I meant you harm, what so easy whilst +you have been lying here? The fact is, you beat me black and blue. My +limbs will be sore for many a day after this. It was the first time I +had touched you; and you were so eager to knock me out of it that you +left your head unguarded. Why, man, you had the best of it up to the +last stroke." + +By touching up the Norman's vanity by such artful speeches, and by +pouring good wine down his throat, the pair were speedily on good terms, +and they parted the best of friends, Badger chuckling to his heart's +content as he struck off on a short cut for the hills. + +In the meantime, Oswald waited anxiously at an appointed place for the +coming of Badger, profoundly hoping that his mission would be +successful. He knew that, excepting some untoward accident had happened, +Badger would hang on to the heels of his man until, by either fair or +foul means, he secured the despatches. But he himself had prepared for +drastic means, if stratagem had failed. For failure to intercept the +message would probably mean disaster to the little Saxon colony on the +hill. His mind, however, was greatly relieved as he beheld Badger in the +distance with beaming countenance, hurrying towards him. + +"Well, I'm glad to see you, Badger. How has the business gone? No +miscarriage, I hope?" + +Badger made no reply, but, quickly hauling out the parchment from his +bosom, he handed it to Oswald. + +"I trust this will make better answer than I can muster, my lord." + +Oswald took the parchment, and quickly tore it open, and ran his eyes +over its contents. + +"All right, Badger. How came you by it? Does the messenger know that you +have relieved him of his message?" + +"He has not the slightest idea. He trudged off, after carefully +ascertaining, as he thought, that his packet was safe." + +"You are the slyest rogue in the world, Badger, I do declare. Come, let +us hear the news, how you came by this paper?" + +So, as the pair journeyed on together, Badger, in high glee, told how he +had circumvented the Norman, and sent him on his journey with a cracked +skull into the bargain, all of which Oswald highly relished. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +SAXON AND VIKING AT THE SWORD'S POINT. + + "Who overcomes + By force hath overcome but half his foe." + + Milton.. + + +The burning and rankling feeling of hatred and contempt engendered in +the breast of Sigurd against Oswald (as the result of his spying a +second time upon the Saxon chieftain and Alice de Montfort) was of such +a consuming nature that he must needs force himself into the presence of +Ethel at the very first opportunity. In tones fierce and rancorous, he +told her the story of Oswald's secret and unprincipled love--as he +considered it--for the fair Norman. + +"Ethel, girl," said he, "I have dogged this renegade myself, and know of +a truth that he holds illicit intercourse with this dark-eyed Norman +hussy, and that he keeps tryst with her o' nights when honest men are +abed, deceiving Saxon and Norman alike." + +"What have I to do with this, my lord? I pray you pursue this matter no +farther," said Ethel. + +"All honest men, whether Saxon or Norse, have to do with traitors to +their country. This deceiver professes undying enmity against our common +foe, but does not hesitate to betray his country and the Saxon cause to +win a smile from this temptress." + +"My lord," said Ethel, in firm tones, "I cannot listen to your harsh +judgments of him. He is our chosen leader, and I do not hesitate to say +in your hearing, he is our only possible leader. He is sagacious as +brave, and if _he_ cannot rally our scattered and dispirited people, +then our cause is hopeless. I do not believe he is a renegade, as you +say. He is no traitor to his country, but her most valorous and faithful +defender." + +"I tell thee, girl, he is in league with this siren! I know of what I +speak! How can he prostrate himself before _her_ without despising and +betraying his own people?" + +"My lord, what is this to _me_? If he loves this fair Norman, it is not +to be wondered at; she gave him his life. She is surpassingly beautiful; +and she is virtuous and good as well. Listen, my lord, to what the +palmers tell us of her benefactions, and her kindness to those in +distress." + +"She supplanted thee, girl, dost thou think of that? She hath stolen +what of right should be thine--what would have been thine, but for her! +How canst thou find excuses for this she-wolf and her base paramour?" + +"My lord, such words are an affront to me. A Saxon maiden does not need +to go a-begging for a lover." + +"Ethel, thou dost tantalise me! Thou art blind. Thy love for him doth +make thee mad! But I will be avenged on them both, whether thou approve +of it or not." + +"My lord," said Ethel, drawing herself to her full height, whilst her +eyes flashed fire, "who told you I loved him? Are you going to make a +palmer's song about me, and sing it through the whole camp? I will not +have you assuming what I have not told you. Let me tell you, once for +all, a Saxon girl will love where she pleases, and only where she +pleases. Your references are an insult to me!" + +This was said with all the energy she could command. Then, rising, she +passed hastily from the room. But scarcely had she closed the door +behind her when her strength failed, and she sank exhausted into a seat. + +"Mercy on us!" shrieked Eadburgh, rushing off for a mug of cold water, +and dashing it over her face with her fingers. "Whatever is the matter? +That loutish fellow has been making love again, I'll warrant! He'll +drive the poor body clean mad if he does not let her alone. Such a great +mountain of flesh would frighten anybody, let alone a wee bit of a +lady-like creature as my mistress." + +Sigurd, we need not say, was still further maddened by this additional +repulse, and in a rage which would brook no further control, he hurried +off in quest of Oswald, whom he found superintending the efforts of the +workmen. Oswald saw that he was greatly agitated and evidently in a +terrible passion. + +"A word in thine ear," he hissed fiercely to Oswald, as he passed. + +Oswald followed him until they were beyond the hearing of others. + +"What is thy business this morning, pray?" said Oswald, who saw quite +plainly that a rupture was imminent. + +"My errand is to unmask a traitor, and either make an honest man of him, +or else make an end of him." + +"If thou hast business of such import as this--and thy looks betoken +it--it were best to speak plainly, and come to the point at once." + +"My business is with thee, for thou art a renegade, and a trickster; +dancing attendance on a Norman woman, and bartering thy country's cause +and thy people's liberties, to win a smile from a trumpery Norman jade. +Now thou hast it in plain terms." + +"Thou liest, Jarl. And once more thy madness passes the bounds of +toleration. Let me tell thee I will have no more ebullitions of thy +ungovernable temper, or any more of thy intriguing and sowing of discord +amongst my people. So be pleased at once to betake thyself to thy own +domain, or anywhere thou likest, so that thou cross my path no more. +There thou art at liberty to act thine own part without let or +hindrance." + +"Ah, finely spoken, no doubt! and smoothly as any Norman courtier could +mouth it! Thou hast the trick of it, truly. But thou mayest save thy +fine speeches, and lisp them to thy lady-love, for they win not upon me. +I will tell thee further,--to put a few leagues of honest Saxon soil +between thee and me will not heal our differences. Nor will I try such a +remedy unless more wholesome methods fail me." + +"There are no differences between us, saving such as are hatched in thy +muddy brain, Jarl; and what may be the methods of healing them which +thou hintest at, I know not. But I see that madman's look in thy eye, +with which I am too familiar, and I opine that mischief, aye, deadly +mischief, is designed by thee, if thy ability to work mischief fail thee +not." + +"The curse of Skuld be upon thee, traitor! Thou hast guessed rightly, so +draw at once and stand upon thy guard, or I will run thee through with +as little compunction as I would a dog," said the Viking, wildly +brandishing his sword, and advancing on Oswald. + +Whilst this war of words was proceeding, the whole camp was thoroughly +aroused, and curious eyes from every nook and corner anxiously peered +out to see what this fateful altercation would lead to. But when weapons +were unsheathed, the churls eagerly thronged about their respective +chieftains in feverish excitement. Oswald would fain have settled this +quarrel without appeal to arms; or if that could not be, then he would +have preferred it apart from the clamour and partizanship of the camp. +Sigurd's unbridled rage, however, put this out of the question. Being, +therefore, forced into this appeal to the sword, he unsheathed his +weapon; and the two broadswords, in the grip of two as powerful +antagonists as the sea-encircled lands of Britain contained, came +together like the shock of lances in knightly charge. + +Oswald, unlike his opponent, was perfectly cool, though not by any means +blind or indifferent to the momentous issues involved in this +life-and-death struggle. He knew that any yielding, or declining of the +combat, either in the interest of peace, or for any other reason, meant +the loss of supremacy in the camp. He knew also that Sigurd meant it to +be to the death. Now, Oswald fell little short of Sigurd in sheer brute +strength and force; and in coolness of temper, agility, and skill, he +was much more than a match for his opponent. He saw clearly also that +this was to be no child's play, but dead earnest. The look in the black +and louring visage of Sigurd, and the unmitigated ferocity of his +onslaught, told more plainly than words that he, at least, would give no +quarter. Oswald fought a purely defensive battle, having no desire to +injure his foeman, but steadily parrying, with masterly skill, the +thundering blows of Sigurd, steadily giving ground before his eager and +impetuous onslaught. None knew better than he, however, that vital +exhaustion must follow quickly on the heels of such dire rage; and it +soon became very evident to him that the pace was telling upon his +adversary. The rush and eagerness of his attack, and the consuming +passion within him, told their tale very speedily, for the perspiration +poured from him in streams, and his countenance became deadly pale. This +was soon followed by a palpable weakening of the strength of his wrist; +and Oswald, watching carefully every stroke of his adversary, awaited +his chance. Soon it came; and with one powerful blow he sent the weapon +from Sigurd's grasp. Then, in a climax of senseless rage at losing his +weapon, Sigurd rushed on Oswald, in the vain endeavour to close with +him. But Oswald, turning the flat of his sword, dealt him a powerful +blow on the head with its broadside, which knocked him senseless and +bleeding to the ground. He quickly rose to his feet again, however. + +"There," said Oswald, coolly sheathing his weapon, "take thy sword. I +have given thee thy life. Be advised, and cross my path no more whilst +thou art in thy present mood, for, Saxon or no Saxon, there will be but +one more passage-at-arms between me and thee; and thou mayest fare worse +at our next meeting." + +"I offer thee no thanks for thy clemency, nor do I abate one jot of my +hatred of thee and of thy womanish philandering with Norman wenches, +when thy countrymen's blood cries aloud for vengeance. I warn thee to +take heed lest, next time we meet, fortune may not be on thy side." So, +with a scowl, he hurried off. + +Oswald remained for a long time with folded arms and bowed head, pacing +to and fro on the sward, in anxious and troubled thought, which found +vent in audible words. + +"Too well I understand that foul menace, and well I understand the +untamed and implacable nature of this foe in my own household. When our +forefathers broke upon this land, wild and daring, counting human life +as nothing, and ruthlessly trampling underfoot their fallen enemies, +none more fierce and cruel in all the savage crews were there than he. +But this is the question to be settled: were those old days of +heathenish rites and savage valour the prime days of our race? Our +forefathers braved all hazards, and they were a conquering people. What +are we? Are we not abjectly ground down--a subject race, and serfs of a +braver people? Is this lingering type of our ancient race in the right? +What are books; and music; and chivalry? What is this lately born love +of mercy, and justice, and righteousness? Tell me, is it merely a +debilitating southern wind come this way, transforming heroes into +effeminate dreamers, and weaklings? Can I be again a Saxon of the old +type?--for I must make my choice here, and now. A Viking, with savage +instincts, and implacable, undying hatred of my enemies; indulging in +ruthless butchery and indiscriminate massacre of helpless women and +children. Can I see eye to eye with this man? This question I must +settle once for all!" + +He took a turn, in deep mental conflict. + +"No!" said he, with concentrated energy; "it cannot be, come what may. I +abominate his savagery! I despise his ignorance, and his boorish habits! +He and I can never be one in aim and action. Then, I owe my life to this +fair Norman; such a debt upon my honour calls aloud for a full requital. +Besides all this," said he, whilst his broad chest heaved with the +powerful emotions which stirred within him, "waking I hear continually +the music of her voice, and I see the love-light in her dark eye. +Sleeping I commune with her, and I dream of days of peace and happiness +to come. The die is cast, and my path is marked out for me! Perilous it +is in very truth, with Norman foes destitute of mercy, and, added to +them, a foe in this mad Norseman, cruel and revengeful as death. I will +follow the light! Let God judge between me and this people he hath given +me to defend." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +JEANNETTE AND WULFHERE, OR LOVE'S COMEDIES. + + "Loving she is, and tractable, though wild; + And innocence hath privilege in her + To dignify arch looks and laughing eyes, + And feats of cunning...." + + Wordsworth. + + +Lest it should be imagined that our coquettish little Frenchwoman, +Jeannette, had been perfectly quiescent all this time, we proceed to +give particulars of some little exploits in which she acted an important +part. Hers was not the disposition to act the _role_ of a lay figure, it +will be easily imagined. No. To be engaged in some little romance on her +own account was as essential to her existence as the breath of her +nostrils; and the more romantic and unconventional the part she played, +the keener the zest with which she entered into it. She had managed to +subsist on a little flirtation with Paul Lazaire when nothing better +presented itself; but now, the tall and handsome Saxon, Wulfhere, had +fired her inflammable little heart with such a passion as she had never +experienced before. Her scanty knowledge of Saxon heraldry and Saxon +customs, coupled with Wulfhere's constant comradeship with the great +Saxon earl, had caused her to think highly of this doughty Saxon lover +of hers. It must be confessed, too, that Wulfhere's fine presence, his +undoubted valour, and the unflagging goodnature and ready wit with which +he alternately bantered, flattered, or caressed her, quite carried her +by storm; and over head and ears in love, at a stroke almost, went this +born coquette. + +Right skilfully had she woven many a Cupid's net for others, and, with +tantalising inconsistency, frowned to-day and smiled to-morrow upon her +hapless victims. The truth was, none hitherto had fired her imperious +imagination sufficiently. But at last Cupid had transfixed her +unmistakably; and Jeannette was not the one to stand on ceremony, or be +a slave to petty prudencies. Not she, indeed! + +To have a brush with the chapter of accidents, to set wise +heads and slanderous tongues a-wagging; added piquancy to the +romance, and was quite to her liking. Hate has its plots and +counterplots, its subterfuges and scheming, its dogged persistence in +malevolence; but love also has its expedients, its inventions, its +circumlocutions, which, for ingenuity, and for that final grace of all +plotters--_audacity_, will circumvent its hateful opposite any day. Love +also has this final advantage; it dares to be found out, and is never a +whit abashed when its devices are discovered. + +Upon Wulfhere, too, the advent of this pretty and coquettish little dame +had burst like a revelation. The saucy pertness, the mischief and +merriment which glanced in her sparkling eye, the feminine gracefulness +of form and figure, the pretty devices with which she was wont to adorn +herself, and set off her charms, and the sheer _abandon_ with which she +rushed into this love affair with him, completely carried him away, and +he was speedily as helpless as a slave in her hands. The contrast +between this dainty Frenchwoman, and the Saxon women of the lower orders +was simply inexpressible, and Wulfhere, in his Saxon simplicity, was +charmed beyond measure. + +Upon poor Paul Lazaire the altered demeanour of Jeannette towards +himself operated somewhat hardly. Being quite in the dark as to the +existence of a new disturbing factor, he was wont to obtrude his +presence as heretofore upon Jeannette. But alas! Jeannette had now lost +the little interest which aforetime she had manifested in Paul. She had, +in past time, deigned occasionally to bestow a smile, amid her many +frowns, on his pretensions; and this occasional smile and ray of +sunshine had refreshed him, and given him hope. Now, alas! the smiles +had all vanished, whilst the frowns deepened in intensity, and were +frequently accompanied by a perky toss of the head, and little scornful +speeches. 'Tis just like poor human nature, though, the world over; when +once enmeshed in Cupid's net, the shaking-off process makes one cling +the tighter, and it made poor Paul more and more desperate in his +endeavours to win a smile from his lady-love. It had become, however, +not only unpleasant to Jeannette, but vastly inconvenient, too, to have +her footsteps dogged as she sauntered through the woods, or by the +river's side, as any one who has had experience of these things will +easily understand. No matter, if Paul caught a glimpse of Jeannette's +golden hair as she slid away at still eventide for a quiet walk in the +woods, why, poor short-sighted mortal, he was sure to consider his +presence and protection indispensable; and though he had had latterly +some very unpleasant experiences of the fact that Jeannette neither +considered his presence indispensable nor agreeable, yet he persevered +most desperately. + +Seeing this infatuation on Paul's part, it had occurred to another +participator in these sylvan _tete-a-tetes_ that more drastic expedients +would have to be resorted to in order to disillusionise him. So a slight +rebuff was administered to poor Paul, which had the happy effect of +somewhat disenchanting him. + +It was at the still eventide. Jeannette had laid aside the duties of the +day, and had ascended to the tower. Why? Well, perhaps to see the +sunset. It was somewhat strange, but somehow, like her mistress, she had +acquired the habit of reconnoitring at odd hours from the tower of the +castle. Probably she and Alice had confidences in these matters. But, be +that as it may, a very hasty survey of the beauties of nature on this +occasion made her hurry off for a closer scrutiny. Paul's vigilant eye +espied the fair form making for the path by the river's side, and, on +the assumption that "faint heart never won fair lady," he would venture +again. So he started off in pursuit. It must be confessed he did not +approach this imperious fair one without many tremblings and +forebodings. The keen edge of her saucy tongue had greatly dismayed him +in many a wordy tussle lately, and it had begun dimly to dawn upon him +that this waspish habit had something of dislike for him. Poor fellow! +These very quakings of heart presaged coming trouble and defeat. 'Twas +in his case pretty much as the old saw has it:-- + + "Tender-handed touch a nettle, + And it stings you for your pains. + Grasp it like a man of mettle, + And it soft as silk remains." + +Never, my dear Paul, should you have approached a saucy, perky dame like +this, in the character and with the attitude of a milksop. "Buxom dames +will have a buxom wooing." "He who goes trembling will come back +shambling." + +"My dear Jeannette," began Paul, most humbly, as he caught up to her, "I +wonder how you dare venture in these woods alone." + +"Humph! I dare do anything I like to. And pray what have you got to do +with it, Master Lazaire? I didn't invite you, I know!" + +"Well, I thought you ought to have some protection, and I would +accompany you if you didn't mind." + +"But I do mind; so get off with you to that Saxon hussy I caught you +kissing. You may tell her to wash her face, and comb her hair; and if +she could tighten the bands about her skirts to make herself a waist, it +would greatly improve her appearance. But she is good enough for you, +anyway. So be off with you!" + +"I never speak to those Saxon wenches. I love you alone, Jeannette; you +know that well enough. But you seem now as though you hated to see me." + +"I know I caught you kissing a Saxon wench, and a precious dirty one +too. I know that well enough, Paul Lazaire. And I'll not have you +following me at all. So be off, you softhead, and don't be told again!" + +This style of rebuff was more than poor Paul had calculated upon, +dubious though he had been, and his temper was considerably ruffled in +consequence. His eye assumed an unnatural fierceness as he took in the +lonely surroundings of the forest, and desperate resolves were quickly +forming in his breast. Jeannette all the while kept her eye steadily +fixed on a certain trysting-place, a little ahead, and her nimble feet +were on the lilt ready for flight if necessary. + +Paul laid his hand on her shoulder somewhat roughly, and said,-- + +"Stop a bit, _ma grande dame_. You give yourself too many airs for me +altogether." + +Jeannette shook him off and at the same time dealt him a stinging slap +in the face; then she took to her heels like a deer, with Paul in hot +pursuit, in an ungovernable rage. + +"_Voulez vous_ slap me in the face, _vous renarde_? _Vous serez_ taught +different when I catch you!" + +Just as he was about to lay hands on the fugitive, out sprang Wulfhere +from the thicket, and seizing Paul by the throat, he well nigh shook the +life out of him. + +"You villain!" said Wulfhere. "You assault defenceless women, do you, +you undersized little imp? I'll screw your neck round before I've done +with you! It is well I was near, you wretch, you!"--the sentences and +the shakings alternating with equal vigour, until poor Paul scarcely +knew whether he was on his head or his heels. During this operation, +Wulfhere was steadily backing him to the river's brink, which, having +reached, he gathered him up and pitched him in, head foremost. Paul came +floundering out again, like a half-drowned rat. + +"There!" said Wulfhere, catching him again by the scruff of the neck; +"you may thank your stars I haven't drowned you altogether. Now be off +with you;" administering at the same time a hearty kick to the baser +parts of Paul's anatomy, which considerably accelerated his retreat. + +Paul was not slow to take advantage of this privilege, and he quickly +put a safe distance between himself and the Saxon. Suddenly, however, it +occurred to him that he was possessed of a sword. Whipping it out +savagely he turned to make a tremendous lunge at the foe, when, oh +horrors! he was just in time to see in the distance the long arm of the +Saxon fondly entwining the slender waist of Jeannette, and the perky +little face, all smiles and blushes, upturned to receive a spanking kiss +from the "beast of _a Saxon_!" + +"_Le diable!!_" he screamed with rage, whilst the veins of his face and +neck were distended almost to bursting. Off he started in pursuit, sword +in hand, and bent on executing summary vengeance on the perfidious pair. +Just at that moment, however, the Saxon gave a backward glance over his +shoulder, and this had the effect of bringing Paul to a stand instantly. +No; he decided, upon second thoughts, that he would not slay them +himself, but bring a troop down upon them promptly. So he turned again +and rushed off towards the castle for reinforcements. But having time on +the way to become fully sensible of the pickle he was in, and of the +very inglorious part he had played in this encounter, he decided +otherwise. Discretion would be the better part of valour; for if his +comrades but set eyes on him in his present state, or heard the story of +this exploit, his peace was gone for ever. So he decided, upon mature +reflection, to say nothing about it for the present, but nurse his wrath +for some more favourable opportunity of wreaking vengeance upon them +both. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +A GRIM TEMPLE, A GRIM PRIEST, AND A SAD HEART. + + "When true hearts lie wither'd + And fond ones are flown, + Oh! who would inhabit + This bleak world alone?" + + Moore. + + +Ethel, deeply muffled and disguised, passed through the little +postern-gate of the fortress. A word in the ear of the sentinel who +paced to and fro before it on guard, secured instant obedience. Ethel's +position in the fortress was thoroughly understood by all. Her +self-denial, her patience, and her burning patriotism, were well known +in this camp of Saxon outlaws. The readiness with which she undertook +positions involving fatigue and privation, for the cause, was a constant +inspiration to the common people. They watched her come and go with +veneration--almost with awe and superstition. They whispered one to +another of her strange journeyings by night and day; and many regarded +this young chieftainess as a special favourite of the gods. As she +glided through the gate in the early morning hours, the sentinel thrust +his head forth and watched her swiftly descend the slope, like a ghost +in the darkness. When her form was no longer visible, he closed the +door, and secured it with bolt and bar. + +"Whatever can she be after so early in the morning, and before the day +dawns? There's something very uncanny about her, tramping over hill and +dale by night and day like any wolfshead, or wicca-hag.[3] I saw the +fiery lights in the heavens two hours ago. I wonder what it all means. I +almost wish I was safely out in the Bruneswald, where I could hop about +like a bird from tree to tree, and where never a Norman could corner +one. This being cooped up like a rabbit in a hole I don't relish. I like +room to ply my heels. Howsomever, I'll stick, and stand my chance, for +the women can't be whisked through the air; and the children, too, they +must have a nest." So the sentinel continued his watch, and ruminated on +these things. + +[Footnote 3: Witch.] + +Meanwhile, Ethel sped with quick step over the rugged limestone hills, +flying before the fastly pursuing dawn like a fugitive who dreaded his +revealing power. Ever and anon she turned to measure with her eye the +distance she had traversed. The shadowy outlines of the fortress she +left behind began to take shape in the distance, and she quickened her +pace. "I shall soon be beyond the reach of vision," she muttered to +herself. "I would not have Oswald know my errand to-day for worlds. My +mind is dark, I know not what I do; but my hope dies, and my heart +breaks. Perhaps the Norseman's gods may help me, for the Christian's God +fails me. 'Tis a dread alternative; but I would know, if I could, what +Fate has decreed for me." + +For three weary hours she sped over dreary moors and scraggy, +precipitous valleys, which were often little better than ravines. +Presently she turned into a declivity running between two banked-up, +precipitous sides. A little ahead, the two sides curved inwards and came +together, and to all appearance this strange gorge came to an end. Ethel +marched forward with unfaltering step, evidently straight at the blunt +face of the joined limestone rock. But when she reached the extremity, +there became visible, what at a very short distance could not be seen, +an obscure opening behind a jagged projection of rock. It might be, to +all appearance, merely an entrance to a fox's or wolf's den. Into this +opening, however, Ethel crept, without halt or questionings of any kind. +Presently the narrow entrance became larger, and she stood upright, but +continued to descend a rough and precipitous path, until she reached a +level piece of ground. Looking up--the place was simply a stupendous +slit in the limestone rock, broadening downwards into a considerable +area. The trees and shrubs growing at the top interlocked from side to +side, and the light came streaming through a network of branches. +Desolate and awe-inspiring was the place. At the farther end were two +mounds of earth, or tumuli, where the grim priests of Thor and Woden +were sleeping the long sleep of death--lives which had been literally +burnt out by the fierce fires of fanaticism, and savage asceticism. +Ethel paused to look around, but everything was still as death; she +shuddered and drew her cloak tighter about her. + +"The last time I came to this spot my father brought me. I feel his +untamed Norseman blood stir within me. The fierce gods of war and +revenge and death his Viking ancestors and he worshipped, I dare to +consult to-day. 'Tis a cruel necessity, and jars my woman's instincts--I +feel it petrifies my heart with unlovely savagery; but the followers of +this Christ have slain my people with a wicked and unsparing slaughter. +They differ in no way in their wanton cruelty to Norseman and Dane. +Their women, too, with their fair faces, dainty fingers, and courtly +manners, have stolen the heart of Oswald, and I am slighted and +disdained; nothing in my beauty--and suitors of noble lineage have +sought me ere now for my beauty; nothing in my rank--and it is but +yesterday that I might have stood amongst the proudest of the land. No; +I am a withered leaf, battered, bruised, and trampled upon. My love is +unrequited! My misfortunes are compassionated, but that soothes not my +wounded spirit, and is but a hateful substitute for the love I crave. +Alas! nothing avails me, for I am only a heathen woman and an outcast. +So, hard driven by my misfortunes and my wounded love, I will consult +the gods of my father. The Norseman's gods may help me perhaps. Yet," +said she, pausing for a moment, whilst her breast heaved with strange +and powerful emotions which struggled for the mastery within her, "my +mother was Christian and Saxon. She was a follower of this Christ. She +was gentle, and taught me to pray to Him. I remember it well, though I +was but a child. 'Our Father which art in heaven.' Ah, that is +wonderfully soothing to me, and not like the prayers I was taught to +offer to Thor and Odin. But my mother could not have known this Jesus; +for if He was merciful and gentle, why do His blood-thirsty followers +delight in treachery and bloodshed. 'Twas a part of my cruel fate that +she should die in my infancy, for had she lived I might have learned of +her more perfectly. O ye gods!" said she, wringing her hands in agony +above her head, and looking up to the vaulted roof with tear-blinded +eyes and with agonised entreaty,--"have pity on me in my +friendlessness!" + +Then she sped on with a quick, determined tread. Down each side of this +weird retreat there were standing out, like grim, ghostly sentinels in +the uncertain light, a long line of runic stones, on which were carved +many strange devices; rude figures of uncouth and unearthly animals and +reptiles. She had been taught that these strange hieroglyphics and signs +had marvellous potency for good or ill. They could cause passionate +love, or undying hatred, in the breasts of those over whom their spell +was thrown. Indeed, the power of life and death was wielded by them. +Strange supernatural agencies and powers were their messengers, and did +their bidding. Starting from the rock, or planted here and there, were +many of the ominous rowan trees, or witch-wood. The hemlock and the +nightshade clustered together, and the nodding cypress dropped sombrely +over the runic stones beneath them. Ethel glanced nervously round, but +not a living thing was visible; not a sound broke the death-like silence +of the place. Quickly gliding beneath the drooping branches of one of +the cypress trees, she fell on her knees before the frowning pillar of +stone. She had knelt there before by the side of her father, who had +remained heathen to the last. But to kneel alone, in this very vestibule +of the Place of Darkness, and to pour out her passionate entreaties to +powers which she knew were the Powers of Darkness, strange to mercy, and +which had but the attributes of fiends; the ordeal was terrible indeed. +With feelings tumultuous and frenzied, she apostrophised the weird and +forbidding emblem before her. + +"O ye gods of my fathers, whether ye be Powers of Light or of Darkness I +know not. Pity my ignorance, and my apostasy, for I have turned to this +Jesus whom the Christians worship, and He has failed me, and turned my +joy into mourning. My father and my brother have been slain by the +followers of this Jesus. My home is made desolate, and I flee for life +and honour from these Christian fiends. There is one also who might have +been my lover, who is bravest amongst the brave, and most chivalrous +amongst the chivalrous; who is gentle as a sunbeam, and tender as my own +lost mother, yet strong as any tower in the storm. He is lost to me +through the subtle arts of their women. My life has become to me but a +living torment. Can ye turn again the heart of Oswald to me? 'Tis said +ye can turn even hatred into love. I know it is unmaidenly to plead for +a love I cannot inspire, but I can bear this burden no longer alone, and +I would ye could give me favour in his eyes, or give me a long home in +one of these sepulchral mounds." + +She started to her feet with a shriek, as a deep voice saluted her from +behind,-- + +"Waes hael, Viking's daughter!" + +She hastily turned, and behold there stood before her Olaf, the aged +priest of this Vikings' temple, to whom for a couple of generations the +heathenism and savagery of the countryside had repaired for ghostly +consolation, and into whose ears had been poured the secrets of fierce +loves and fiercer hatreds of these descendants of the Norsemen. He had +been the grim dispenser of dark and mystic rites and potent spells to +weirdly savage and credulous votaries. A strange being surely to claim a +place in times so advanced as these! He was a living embodiment and +personification of a bygone era, and so totally destitute of all +humanising instincts that he might have slid down the ages, +glacier-like, from prehistoric times--when men dwelt in caves, and +gnawed the flesh from the bones of their prey like wild beasts--without +ever having come in contact with the outermost fringe of civilisation; a +Viking of the Vikings in savagery and blood. His head was uncovered, and +his long and matted grey hair fell over his shoulders. His form was +shrunken and racked with rheumatic pains, from his long exposure and +unlovely life. Long, deep furrows ploughed his face, and the long, +powerful, and uncleanly teeth stood away from the shrunken cheeks, +whilst his sunken eyes gleamed like the eyes of some savage beast of +prey. He was a visible and concentrated embodiment of the _war spirit_ +in its unrelieved and unredeemed essentials. No touch of pen or pencil, +however graphic, could depict, in all his hideous grimness, this +stranded relic of a bygone age of savage lawlessness and force, who +seemed to be but half a dozen removes from the tooth-and-claw methods of +wild beasts. + +"Ha! ye are come at last, are ye?" he hoarsely croaked. "Ye are come +now, when ye find that this strange God, this Christ of whom the +Christians speak, has proved to be no God, and cannot save ye! But the +gods of your fathers have given ye over to desolation because ye have +forsaken them. Ha, ha, ha! I could laugh at ye now! Ye despised the old +priest, did ye not? ha, ha, ha!" + +As the harsh, grating voice of the priest fell upon her ears, Ethel +almost cowered in terror before him. At sight of her terror, the old +priest somewhat relented his fierceness. + +"Hist to me," said he. "Ye are a Viking's daughter, after all, and come +of a stock whose deeds our Sagas tell of, though the Christian taint has +mixed too freely with your father's blood. It does my old tired bones +good, nevertheless, to see ye come back again to me once more. I have +been very lonely and forsaken, for my fellow priests are all lying +beneath these mounds. I buried the last myself not a month agone. See! +the mound is newly heaped. I shall soon be gone also, and there will be +never a priest at hand to give me back into the arms of mother earth, to +reveal to ye the dark mysteries of Valhalla, or to call from the land of +the dead the Sein-loeca,[4] to speak with you. Viking's daughter, are +ye now aweary of following this strange God of the Christians?" + +[Footnote 4: Apparition.] + +"Alas! I know not what to do, priest! I am as desolate and forsaken as +ye are. I would have the heart of Oswald, the Saxon chieftain, turned +towards me. If ye have any charm that will give me favour in his eyes, I +covet it, priest." + +"Ah, but this Oswald is Christian; ye do not well in seeking thus to +further dilute the Viking blood that flows in your veins. Is there no +hardy Norseman ye can mate with? and I can help ye." + +"None, father! I gave my heart to this valiant Saxon long ago; but alas! +a Norman woman has won his love, and when he comes into my presence now, +I see that there is always a far-away look in his eye, and I know he is +looking in imagination upon the dark-haired Norman he loves more than +me. He shuns his couch to keep nightly tryst with her. I have dogged his +steps, and watched them in the starlight nights, pacing the battlements +of the castle in loving converse, and in loving embrace. He is kind and +gentle to me, but there is none of the subtle tones of love so dear to +us women when once our heart is won. Men say I am fair; but have ye any +charm to make me fair to _him_? It matters not what men may say, or what +the multitude may say. There is but _one_ man in all the world, and if I +am not fair to _him_, why then the sun goes down on all my hopes, and +leaves naught behind but the long black shadows of despair! Ah! I fear +me, priest, it is in my spirit! There is no charm for him in the passion +and frenzy, the fire and restlessness, of my Viking spirit. This +voluptuous southern maiden, with her courtly manners and her gentle +speech, has touched a chord in his heart which never responds to the +Saxon maiden!" + +"Girl, ye are no Saxon maiden! ye are a Viking's daughter! I claim ye +for the old race that has swept every sea, and made the Viking name a +terror to all lands. I will not have ye despise the fierce spirit of +your race that lives in ye! Listen. I know a Viking of the old stock, a +true descendant of our heroes whose mighty deeds our Sagas tell. He hath +a passion for ye deep and fierce, and pure as a Viking's love should be. +'Tis Sigurd of Lakesland, who was here but yestere'en. Let me plight +your troth with him, and there shall spring a progeny like unto our +forefathers, who will sweep the infamous Norman brood into the sea, and +make the cowardly Saxon cower at the feet of the Norseman, as in the +days gone by." + +"Ye speak, priest, as though a maiden's heart were like a willow bush, +to veer about as any idle wind may blow, or so gross a thing that it may +be huckstered for a consideration, or be cast as a mere makeweight into +the scale of policy. Never dream, priest, that this is a possible +remedy; for I have nothing to offer Sigurd or any other. If ye cannot +tell me that I shall be Oswald's bride, then I will be wedded to my +people, and I will serve my country till death comes to free me." + +"A curse on the evil times I have lived to see, girl!" said the priest +savagely. "This simpering sentiment is not like the love of a Viking +maiden at all! The sturdiest and fiercest warrior was wont to be the +choice of our maidens in the old days. What charm would ye have? There +is but one charm will serve the Viking cause in love or war. It never +failed them, in the past, and will not fail them now if 'tis wielded +fearlessly." + +"What is this spell--this charm ye speak of? Tell it me at once!" said +Ethel eagerly. + +The priest slowly withdrew from his bosom a bright-bladed dagger, at +sight of which Ethel shuddered and drew back. + +The priest scowled, and said angrily, "If ye shrink at this ye are not +fit to be a Viking's daughter. This will serve you if ye are resolute, +for 'tis easy to get an audience of this Norman that hath bewitched +Oswald, and then it were easy to plunge this dagger into her heart; and +what then were thy hated rival? Take the blade in thy hand, nor shrink +from it; the touch of steel will fire thy heart, and purge away the +accursed leaven of effeminacy which is creeping over our Viking race. +There is a magic in the touch of cold steel; my fingers tingle as I feel +it. It has served the Viking's cause as nothing else could do for a +thousand years." + +As he spoke he pressed the fearsome weapon into her unwilling hand. + +"But how then, priest, when I have taken the life of this innocent lady? +Will that bring back the heart of Oswald? Nay, he will loathe me then, +and I shall be as a 'daughter of perdition' unto him." + +"Idle scruples, daughter!" said the priest, testy and irritable. "Who +shall tell him it was your hand did this deed? Be resolute, and fear +not; the Vikings' gods will help ye if ye be bold." + +"But after I have done this deed, priest, and if Oswald should never +know it was I that did this foul, this desperate deed, I can never rid +me of the loathsome memory, nor the clinging horror, of +blood-guiltiness. What after that? when self-respect, womanhood--nay, +when the last shred of my _humanity_ is gone--what would remain that +were worth the having? What should I be, and how could I look to mate +with his upright and chivalrous nature? What daily horror would be mine! +for each look of his unsuspecting eye would damn me! Nay, priest, take +back this dagger, for such means as these can never help me. My +innocence is my heaven, and I will keep it while I may; for when this is +lost, then all is lost. I thought ye might have gentler means." + +At this the old priest fairly roared with impotent rage. + +"Avast!" he cried. "'Tis this Christ hath done it all! Why do ye come to +the Vikings' gods until ye have renounced Him? How can I summon spirits +from Valhalla to your help, or send the wicca-hag skirling on the wind +to ply her sorceries on Oswald, that his heart may be turned to ye, if +ye are Christian?" + +Then, dropping into a gentler and more persuasive tone, as he saw Ethel +fairly cowering in terror before him, he said,-- + +"Go, Viking's daughter. Ye know my heart is sore for ye and for my race; +but it must be either Odin or Jesus. Go renounce this Christ, and then I +can help ye. Nay, nay! keep the dagger, for it hath wondrous virtue in +it. It was with this dagger that Thore Hund slew the Christian renegade +Olaf Haraldssen on the bloody field of Sticklarstad, and Odin proved +himself a mightier than this Christ. It shall be so again, for the +Viking race shall be a terror to all lands. Why should ye be fearful and +afraid? Why should ye hesitate and shrink at this act of revenge? Surely +ye have suffered enough at the hands of this accursed race. How can ye +be so scrupulous, when ye think of the vengeance ye owe these Norman +tyrants and usurpers for a father and brother slaughtered, for your +sadness, and your homelessness? Think of the love this Norman woman hath +stolen from ye. Nurse these thoughts, and be courageous, Viking's +daughter." + +Ethel slowly climbed from the weird retreat, where for generations these +savage priests of Thor and Odin had exercised a dread and mystic sway +over the descendants of the Norsemen conquerors, who in past times had +swooped down on Northumbria, peopling it with rough and hardy warriors; +and still the barbarous rites and crude beliefs held extensive sway, in +spite of the leavening influences of the Saxons' Christ. Ethel had +entered this nature's temple with dim hopes that by some exercise of +supernatural powers the heart of Oswald might be influenced so as to +turn to her; and if not this, that she might know the worst. Alas! the +sad heart and the wounded love had met with no amelioration of its +sadness and despair; but the dormant passion and frenzy which ran in her +Viking blood had been stirred in its lethargy into a madness of revenge, +the extent and power of which she had never felt before. + +"What is to be the end of this?" she said to herself, as she sped over +the wild hills. "Either I must conquer or be crushed. There is no middle +course; either it is hell or heaven. I cannot cast off or change my +love; that is given unreservedly and beyond recall. This Viking, Sigurd, +is a warrior true as steel, and his love is as sincere and true. But +what of that? To wed him were a suggestion most gross, and impossible as +gross. How could I crouch beside the ingle of an untamed Viking husband, +and in all unloveliness mother a rude progeny, and blur out, in the +grossness and savagery of it, the vision of better things, and of the +nobler love I have seen? Question. Shall I tamely submit to the +usurpation of a love that might have been mine, but of which I have been +despoiled by a Norman woman? Or shall I fling to the winds my Christian +trammels and scruples, and, Viking-like, take the Viking's remedy?" and +she drew forth from her bosom the unlovely and murderous weapon the +priest had given her. "The priest said this was my only remedy. 'Tis a +grim alternative. But why should I suffer this for a love too readily +given? I never told my heart to dote on Oswald. 'Twas a wild freak of +affection I could not bridle; and I cannot undo it now, so that change +is impossible. It was without effort of mine, also, that he has filled +my eye so fully that I cannot see another. Shall I tamely suffer this +eclipse at the hands of this southern woman? This priest tells me what a +Viking woman would do, and surely, if foul wrongs call for fierce +revenge, then I should not timidly shrink from this avenging act. +Madness and despair nerve my arm and steel my heart, and I will act as a +Viking woman would act!" + +But just at that moment, as the fierce spirit of revenge assumed the +mastery, there flitted before her mental vision a scene of long ago, +when, as a child, she knelt at her mother's knee, and heard the wondrous +story of the Redeemer's mercifulness and love for his enemies. The +revulsion of feeling was instant and overpowering. Stretching her +clenched hands heavenwards, she shrieked, in an agony of prayer, "Jesu, +_God of mercy_, help!" + +Overwrought nature could bear no more, and she sank in insensibility to +the ground, her fair countenance convulsed with agony. Speedily, +however, the shadows of despair gave place to a placid smile of sweet +content. Again she was a child, and her mother's form was bending over +her, but wondrously ennobled and beautified; and she spoke words of +comfort and of hope. "Daughter, be of good courage, and remember the +words of the Master that I taught you: 'Come unto Me all ye that labour +and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest'; 'Lo, I am with you +always, even unto the end of the world.'" Then, with a smile angelic in +its sweetness, the heavenly vision faded away. + +Slowly Ethel staggered to her feet, for her physical strength was +exhausted; but the look of blank despair had passed away, and her +countenance was transfigured until it shone like the countenance of a +saint of God. And drawing the dagger from her bosom she hurled it over a +precipice, shuddering as she did so. Then she slowly turned her +footsteps towards the fortress on the hill. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +EDGAR ATHELING. + + "Oh how wretched + Is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours!" + + Shakespeare. + + +Sigurd, after the rebuff he had received at the hands of Oswald, sped +him on his way to Scotland, aflame with a wrath which was about equally +divided between Oswald and the Normans. He was accompanied by some +half-dozen of his followers. And there, at the court of Malcolm of +Scotland, he laid before the Prince Atheling his scheme for the recovery +of the kingdom. + +Now, Prince Edgar was a weak, voluptuous prince, who spent his days in +dissipation, and surrounded by foreign parasites; but he was universally +acknowledged to be the legitimate heir to the throne of England. Every +one who knew him intimately had little hope of his ever winning it by +force of arms, or of his worthily filling it, if it should ever be +wrested from the grasp of the astute William. The Conqueror well knew +the weakness of this princeling, and with consummate policy he kept him +well supplied with money, knowing that if he had the means to gratify +his vicious and effeminate disposition, he would not be easily moved to +undertake any dangerous or arduous enterprise. + +But the Atheling, like all weak and vacillating natures, could be false +or fickle to his master William at very short notice. He was capable +also, in a vain and feeble sort of way, of grasping at the English +sceptre, for no better or nobler motive than the desire to gratify his +childish vanity, and to further indulge his voluptuous and sensual +habits. + +There was nothing in common between the fierce and fiery descendant of +the Vikings, Sigurd, and this weathercock of princely descent. Sigurd +was as valorous and uncompromising as the Atheling was ease-loving and +cowardly. Still, it was quite easy for this enthusiast to infuse into +the Prince's mind most exaggerated ideas of the rally of the Saxons +under Oswald, and to lead him to believe that the prospect of regaining +the throne of England was easy of achievement. He also managed to fan +into a flame the petty jealousies of which the prince was capable, by +representing to him that Oswald was intent on asserting his own claims +to the kingdom. + +It was a matter of profound surprise to us, and not a little +consternation also, when scarcely a month had elapsed from the date of +Sigurd's expulsion from the camp, to find that Saxon runners everywhere +throughout the kingdom were conveying the Prince's summons to all Saxon +leaders, outlaws, and ecclesiastics, together with a certain number of +freemen, and churls, who, according to Saxon laws, had the right to +attend these parliaments, or witans, of the nation. The witan was +summoned to meet in Lakesland, one of the wildest and most inaccessible +parts of Northumbria. Oswald and I were summoned, and a number of those +who owned Oswald's chieftainship. + +We weighed carefully this matter, and we could not rid ourselves of the +apprehension that Sigurd somehow was at the bottom of it, seeing that +the _bodes_ who bare these summonses were followers of the Jarl. + +Personally, I was much averse to the project, being unable to see what +good could come of it, in our present feeble and distracted state. But +Oswald considered it desirable that we should obey this summons as loyal +Saxons. Accordingly, a company of us, under the leadership of Oswald, +started for this rendezvous amid the Lakes. We were compelled to use the +utmost secrecy in our movements, and travel by night, as the Normans +were still thickly posted throughout the north. It would certainly have +been most dangerous to travel by day, even with so small a company as +ours. We were practically but two days march from the place of +rendezvous. So we started after nightfall on the first day, and, by +steadily pressing on, we covered one-half the distance, arriving ere it +was daylight at a place of refuge evidently well known to our leader, +but which came as a revelation to me, for we came upon a band of Saxons +near to an inlet of the sea, which ran into a thickly wooded headland. +Here were a company of hardy men, partly fisherman, and partly traders +and freebooters, who owned a vessel capable of carrying a considerable +cargo; which bare sometimes Saxon refugees to foreign lands, at other +times engaged in peaceful trading with distant ports, and had frequently +been employed by armed bands of Saxons for the purpose of making swift +descents upon their foes in various parts of the kingdom. From this +source I found that wines and breadstuffs, as well as munitions of war, +had systematically been supplied to the Saxon outlaws. I was told +voyages were frequently made, not only to Ireland and Scotland, but even +to ports on the Mediterranean sea. + +Here we rested for the day, and at nightfall we went aboard this vessel; +and, the wind being favourable, in a couple of hours they ran us across +the bay of Morcam, landing us in sight of the Westmoreland hills, and +certainly saving us more than a twenty miles' trudge. We were now within +some eight miles of our destination, and still had the most of the night +before us. Our sailor friends were able to tell us, also, that there was +no encampment of Normans within many miles of our route; so we continued +our march for an hour or two at a steady pace, without the slightest +alarm or molestation. At last, our path lay through a narrow pass or +defile in the mountains, and we were rapidly drawing near to the +rendezvous. We now found it necessary to move with the utmost caution, +for the path was rugged and narrow, and there was an eeriness about the +place which was suggestive of anything uncanny. Huge boulders frequently +confronted us, looming up out of the darkness so suddenly as quite to +take my breath away. Oswald and I were a trifle ahead of the others, and +were discussing to ourselves as to what could be the purpose of the +Prince, in summoning at so unpropitious a time the Saxon witan. + +"Does the Prince intend to take up arms, think you, my lord?" said I to +Oswald. + +"I expect little from the Atheling, Father, of that sort of thing. He is +fickle, cowardly, and dissolute into the bargain. He dallied at the +court of Malcolm at our last effort at York, until the cause was lost; +and he sped him back again, and never stayed to strike a single blow. I +am afraid some hare-brained purpose moves him, or some petty ambition +which is unworthy of a prince, and which he will not back with any force +of character, or any persistence. He will simply provoke a revolt which +cannot be successful, whilst at the very first repulse he will vanish, +and leave his unhappy followers to the relentless extermination policy +of William." + +"You have no faith in revolt, I think?" + +"None whatever. It is absolutely hopeless. If we had but had a leader at +York, brave and skilful as our last King Harold, and one who could have +united us, the thing was half assured. But now Saxon graves hold +prisoner for ever the flower of our people; and to attempt to offer an +organised opposition to the Norman forces--why, it were sheer madness. +The only two points in the kingdom where any show of resistance is made, +is our own little colony, and in Lincolnshire, where Hereward still +precariously holds out." + +"But does not the Prince know this, think you? Or is he incapable of +grasping the situation?" + +"The Prince, I have already intimated, is not a factor worth considering +for a moment. I very strongly suspect that Sigurd is at the bottom of +this. He, I believe, has stirred the Prince up either to ambition or to +jealousy, and I should not wonder if I were arraigned as traitor as a +preliminary to some madcap exploit of Sigurd's. Do not be in the least +surprised if this gathering ends in dire mischief and disunion." + +"What is that?" we both exclaimed in a breath, as we saw the figure of a +man dart from behind a huge boulder, and swiftly run along the pass +ahead of us. + +"I like not that," said Oswald. "He has no friendly motive, I warrant;" +and he at once drew his sword, and called Wulfhere. "Your Grace had +better take second rank," said he to me. Then, halting a moment till the +company drew near, he addressed them. + +"Men, have all your weapons ready." + +Immediately every swordsman's blade gleamed in the darkness, and every +archer's bow was unslung, and an arrow affixed. + +"Rear guard!" said he, in an undertone. + +"Aye, aye!" responded two gruff voices, which I knew to be Badger's and +Bretwul's. + +"Beware! and be ready; and keep close up. Now, men, let us move steadily +forward." + +So we pressed slowly and steadily forward, Oswald and Wulfhere passing +no boulder or obstruction without first carefully peering behind it to +see if any foe ambushed there. Suddenly there was a halt, the sword of +Oswald was uplifted, and I could descry a muffled human figure standing +in the centre of the path. + +"Who art thou?" said Oswald. "Speak, or I will cleave thee from head to +foot." + +"Listen!" said the figure. "I am the shadow of a vanishing race. When +Saxon hates Saxon and is greedier than greedy hawk for Saxon's blood; +and when Saxon loves Norman habits, and makes friends of the hated +oppressor; what hope is there of a restoration of the old race! If the +Fates have decreed it, well--'tis enough. I only ask for a grave in some +lonely spot, where the groans of my people will not disturb my long +repose. But beware, Saxons! there are fierce enemies abroad--Saxon, too. +Beware! The would-be avenger has a sharp sword, and will not stay his +hand. So beware! the swoop of the eagle is swift and strong, and his +talons are sharp." + +With that, the strange figure turned and fled along the pass with the +speed of a mountain roe. + +"That is a strange visitant," I said. "The voice might be the voice of a +woman. I almost fancied I had heard it before." + +"In any case, it is the voice of a friend. The warning is unmistakable; +the enemy to be dreaded is Saxon also," said Oswald. + +I began to wish most devoutly that the night were past. My nerves were +quite unstrung, and the yelp of a fox, or wolf, in the vicinity, the +flap-flap, of the night-owl's wing, or the scurrying footsteps of the +rabbits, set me in a violent tremble. Oswald headed the party forward, +though I would most gladly have called a halt, and waited for the clay. +We quickly found that our troubles were not yet past, for not a quarter +of a mile had been traversed since our last visitant, when suddenly, and +without warning, we were beset behind and before by armed men, who +hurled themselves upon us with the fury of wild beasts. Oswald had only +time to raise his shield to save himself from the furious stroke of some +powerful enemy. Before I had time to realise it, friend and foe were +laying about them with the fury of madmen. No sooner did I grasp the +situation than immediately I rushed to the front, though it was at the +imminent peril of my life. Lifting up the sacred emblem of my office, I +cried,-- + +"Peace! In God's name, I charge peace!" + +At the sight of the blessed cross the assailants recoiled a pace or two. + +"Who are you?" I cried. "Saxon or Norman?" + +"They are Saxon," said Oswald. "I know well who aimed the blows at my +life. 'Tis Sigurd, one professing to be of our nation." + +"I am not of thy nation, dastardly renegade, dancing attendance upon +Norman wenches, and warring in silken hose." + +"If I warred with as little sense and as little skill as thyself, I +should soon be as impotent as thou art, and have never a Saxon left me +to lead to battle." + +"Sigurd," said I, in as authoritative tone as I could command, and still +holding up the emblem of peace and goodwill to men, "I charge you, in +God's name, that you call off your men, and cease this fratricidal +strife." + +"What care I, monk," said he fiercely, "for thy God? He is the God of +cowards, and not of warriors." + +But having breathed out this defiance, he gathered up a wounded comrade +who had felt the keenness of Wulfhere's sword, and, without uttering +another word, he headed his men for the hills. + +"Now, my lord," said I, "what is to be done? This, I fear, is only a +precursor of trouble and discord at our witan. I would you were willing +even now to beat a retreat, nor take further risks to yourself and men, +in so bootless an errand. + +"The Prince professedly has summoned me, and I would not draw back until +fully assured that mutual council is profitless," said Oswald. + +"Let me go forward, my lord, and meet the Prince. I think my sacred +office will protect me. If I think good will come of this gathering, I +will communicate with you." + +"No, Father; no man shall ever say I failed to respond to the call of my +Prince, despisable though I believe him to be. Nor will my duty to my +race and to my country permit me to stand aloof from this witan, for God +knows we have need both of council and of all the wisdom left to us. +But, nevertheless, I have no faith in this gathering. The Prince, I +doubt me, is an indolent sensualist, and, like all weak-minded men, most +easily provoked into jealousy. The ominous figure we have just met is +deeply involved in this scheme, I am now sure. A sturdy, valorous man, +and a foeman of direst sort, but utterly incapable of moderation. He +cherishes a mortal hatred of me, and I now know that I shall take my +life in my hand when I enter the council; but that is a risk which gives +me no uneasiness. So let us advance, for the light, I see, is breaking +over the tops of the mountains, and very soon we shall have the day." + +So, nerving ourselves for any contingency, we continued our march. This +had now become much pleasanter, and infinitely easier, in consequence of +the approach of day. + +By-and-by we drew aside into a sheltered dell, in order to partake of +our morning meal, which we despatched as hastily as possible, in order +that we might reach the rendezvous early. We had not journeyed far, +however, before we were accosted by a man, who emerged from behind a +heap of stones at the head of the pass, and surveyed us narrowly. + +"Saxons?" said he. + +"Aye, Saxons all," we replied. + +"What say ye?" + +"Down with the Normans!" we replied. + +"Right," said he. "Down with the Normans!" Then he gave us sundry +directions as to the nearest route to the place of meeting. We found +this route to be again somewhat difficult; for such a stern, wild +country it is difficult to imagine, much more to describe. We again +entered a narrow defile between two frowning and rugged hills, and in a +little while this defile opened out into a magnificent, +amphitheatre-like vale, enclosed with lofty peaks and rugged hills on +every hand, whilst below us there lay a magnificent sheet of water in +the centre of the valley, with thick woods running around it; the bald +and boulder-strewn hills towering high above all, most imposing in their +rugged grandeur and might. Underneath them, the valley was most +bewitching in the loveliness of its umbrageous woods. As outlets to this +beautiful valley, there were but the pass we had descended, and another +narrow defile at the foot of the lake, where the water made its exit. +Involuntarily we came to halt. Indeed, the prospect before us was at +once so wild, and yet so charming, that we could not but stand and gaze, +enchanted with the scene. + +"Now, Father," said Oswald, "what think you of Lakesland?" + +"Well," said I, "lovely as our beloved Craven is, it pales before this +magnificent country." + +"Yes; and the strength of it! Had Sigurd but a tithe of moderation and +self-restraint, there are no Norman forces in this Northumberland that +could drive him out." + +Well, we resumed our march by rounding the head of the lake by a +difficult and tangled forest path. This done, we continued our journey +down the opposite side of the valley and along the side of the lake, +until eventually we were taken in hand by one of a group of men, +evidently set for the purpose, and by him we were conducted to a +yeoman's dwelling, embowered in trees of massive girth on all sides. The +habitation was similar to the rough but substantial dwellings we were +all familiar with. There were some considerable outbuildings and an +enclosure carefully fenced round by a lofty wall, and evidently intended +for the protection of the sheep and cattle at night, during the winter +months; for the wolves were wont to pack, sometimes in considerable +numbers, and become very daring and vicious, when the pinch of hunger +was upon them. + +As soon as we entered this enclosure, we found there was assembled +already a goodly company of men of various grades, all of them armed to +the teeth. Many of them were evidently Saxons who had held considerable +positions in the land prior to the coming of the Normans, though now +evidently much broken. The scared and suspicious looks with which they +scrutinised every new-comer, told plainly that they were much used to +treachery, and familiar with double-dealing. There were also numbers who +were clearly men of war. The look of defiance on their countenances, and +the well-stocked quivers over their shoulders, told plainly they were +chiefs of the bold outlaws who lived by the might of their trusty +swords, and their long bows. No one could misunderstand their fierce and +daring attitude. + +There were some also who, by their armour, had evidently learned +something of the methods of war pursued by the Normans. Indeed, as we +have said, before the coming of William, large numbers of the Normans +had thronged the court of the pious Edward, and Saxon noblemen in goodly +numbers had practised the joust at tournaments, adopting Norman weapons, +affecting a budding errantry, and talking Norman French. There was here +also a goodly number of the humbler ranks; for, according to old Saxon +law, not only freemen, but even villeins and churls had the right of +representatives at the witanagemot, or council. Oswald immediately +joined himself to a company of these men of knightly appearance, many of +whom he knew, having fought side by side with them at York. + +Sigurd I quickly espied, standing with another group of the old stock, +rude, unlettered, and primitive in habit and dress. I could easily see, +without seeming to notice or observe them narrowly, that these men +viewed with no favourable eye what they were wont to call the pranking +of Norman manners and dress on the part of Oswald and the others I have +spoken of. It was plainly to be seen, also, that Sigurd had done +something to inflame their minds against Oswald, for they eyed him +savagely and suspiciously. + +I proceeded, however, at once to the house place, to make my obedience +to Prince Edgar, who, with certain of his personal friends, awaited the +assembling of the members of the witan. The Prince was dressed in a rich +velvet dress, with elaborate fringing of silk, and for a head-dress the +hat and feather worn by Norman courtiers. He was also accompanied by a +Norman favourite, a most truculent parasite, of a vain and dissipated +appearance, and, as I thought, a very unsuitable companion for a prince +who preferred claims to the Saxon throne. + +Elaborate arrangements had evidently been made for display, and for the +comfort and luxury of the Prince. He was accompanied by his cook, his +valet, and several serving-men; whilst he had, with infinite trouble to +the servants, brought with him wines, and delicacies, and dainties, +which were to me no good augury, and which, do as I would, I could not +but despise in one who made pretence of so desperate an enterprise as +the overthrow of the Norman rule in England. For, view it as we might, a +most desperate enterprise it most surely was. + +At the appointed hour for the council to begin, a chair was brought out +of doors, and placed in such a position that its occupant could command +a view of the whole company. Over this chair a richly-embroidered cover +was thrown, and the Prince immediately took possession of it; whilst the +Norman favourite came behind, and ostentatiously placed a crown upon his +head. This burlesque of royalty was expected to produce a shout of loyal +enthusiasm from the assembled company; but, with the exception of his +own followers, not a whisper of applause greeted it, though the marks of +derision on the countenances of many of the Saxons were open and +undisguised. + +Now, as the senior ecclesiastic present, it became my lot to read what +the Prince was pleased to call the "Royal Proclamation," calling this +meeting of the witan, which being done, the Prince next addressed the +company. In pompous and affected tones he said,-- + +"Reverend fathers, valiant knights and liegemen, I have called together +my faithful witan to consider the state of our unhappy country, and what +may best be done for the recovery of my rights as the lawful King of +England. To this end I seek your advice; and not only so, but I further +lay my commands upon you, as my faithful subjects, liegemen, and +vassals, to help me in this enterprise. To this end I would further +insist that it is necessary that you should lay aside all purposes of +individual self-assertion, and join yourselves and your forces to the +general movement. Now, whilst speaking on this head, I may say, with +shame and regret, it has been reported to me that sundry knights, of +whom I expected better things, are not true to our cause, but are acting +without regard to the claims of myself as the lawful King of England, +and are setting up a separate authority; warring according to methods +not sanctioned by me or my faithful witan. I hear there are those who +are willing to forfeit their allegiance to me, and, for their own +personal ends, going even so far as to seek a servile alliance with our +foes, to the betrayal of the Saxon cause. Now let it be known to you +that I claim the undivided allegiance of all Saxons, and that I purpose +with rigour to punish all traitors to my cause and to my kingdom. I have +been too long slighted and set at naught by my lieges and vassals, and I +would know what of it? There are loyal men and true in your ranks, I +know, who despise and hate such factious conduct as much as I do myself; +and I call upon all who can bear testimony to this flagrant disloyalty +on the part of certain of my subjects, to stand forth and declare it at +this council, for I purpose with utmost rigour to punish all factionists +and traitors who are cringingly seeking alliances with the Norman foe." + +At this invitation Sigurd stepped from the ranks, and said,-- + +"Puissant Prince, if it be your will, I have a charge to make against +Oswald the Ealdorman, son of Ulfson, who is now present. As he well +knows, I have made this charge to his face, that he has built a fortress +for himself and all such churls and freemen as are willing to +acknowledge his chieftainship. I charge him also with speaking +slightingly of your Highness's valour, and your ability to regain your +rightful throne. I charge him also with endeavouring to enter into +cowardly alliance with the Norman foe--promising, if certain meagre +concessions be made to him, he will withhold his followers from +rebellion, and all endeavours to resist the Normans. I charge him with +attempting to gain a dishonourable alliance with the house of De +Montfort. Which several charges I have attempted to make good at the +sword's point. And I call upon him now to answer for it with his life, +as all traitors and trucemakers should." + +"If Oswald the Ealdorman be present, I call upon him to make such answer +as best he can against the charges preferred by our valiant and trusty +knight, Sigurd the Saxon Dane, who, by his fealty to us and his zeal for +the Saxon cause, has won our hearty trust and confidence." + +At this summons Oswald stepped forth a pace or two, and, removing his +helmet and visor, said, in firm and unfaltering tones,-- + +"Sire, may I be bold enough to ask if this is the purpose for which +valiant knights and lieges have been summoned from far and near?" + +"Silence, dog! and answer the charges made against thee! Then we shall +consider the weightier matters appertaining to our realm. But we will +have an answer to these charges." + +"The charges, sire, made against me by the Jarl, are the creation of his +own heated brain; and the reason he has brought them hither is because +he failed ignobly to make them good with his weapons. I decline +altogether to wrangle out with him this petty personal quarrel in +presence of this assembly. If we are to consider matters of greater +moment, matters which concern our country and the present desperate +state of the Saxon cause, then I am prepared to offer my poor services, +either in this council or in face of our common foe." + +"Well said, Sir Knight!" cried a gruff voice, which belonged to the +leader of a party of knights who had entered the enclosure during the +foregoing dialogue, and whose seedy and travel-stained garments, and +rusty arms and accoutrements, bore ample token of much exposure and much +rough usage. + +"Sirrah!" shouted the Prince, waxing wroth at the bold front and +fearless language of Oswald, "dost thou presume to answer thy King after +this fashion? By my halidame, if this continues there will be never a +scurvy clown in my kingdom who will not think he may beard his Prince +with impunity. But I will know whither all this is tending. I have long +had my eye upon that boorish and untamed son of Earl Leofric, whom men +call Hereward, who is carrying on warfare in the Fen country--palpably +for his own ends and his own glory, for he never so much as acknowledges +my sovereignty or sends his dutiful submission to me. Now thou dost +presume to imitate the conduct of the braggart Hereward, and must needs +collect an army for thy own personal advantage, and not for the glory of +thy Prince. Men of my faithful witan, I call upon you to note this, for +I have determined I will rid the Saxon cause of all such disloyal +traitors." + +"'Tis pity, sire," said Oswald, in tones in which anger and contempt +were mingled, "that you never thought it worth your while to collect an +army for yourself, or at least to place yourself at the head of one +collected for you. We would fain see what kind of stuff our Prince is +made of. Will you tell this witan, Prince, where you were when so many +good lives were lost at York in your cause?" + +"Well spoken, sir!" shouted the gruff voice, with even more emphasis +than before. + +"Dost thou call in question my valour, villain!" roared the Prince. "By +our Lady, I'll have no more of thy effrontery, dog! Disarm him, loyal +knights!" + +Immediately half a dozen of the Saxon leaders sprang forward at the +bidding of the Prince; but they quailed before Oswald as they saw the +broadsword whipped from its scabbard, and perform a swift circle in the +air. + +"Here's to thee, with all my heart, Sir Knight! I like thy metal!" said +the stranger knight, as he sprang to Oswald's side, brandishing a huge +sword; whilst his followers quickly ranged themselves on the same side, +ready for the fray. + +"Treason! treason!" almost screamed the Prince, in abject terror, +starting from his seat and preparing to beat a retreat. + +I gently laid my hand on his shoulder, and said, "Have patience, sire. +These men mean no harm, only they are not wont to receive such harsh +rebukes." + +This seemed to reassure him, for, addressing the unknown knight, he +said,-- + +"Who art thou who thus boldly takes sides with this traitor to my +cause?" + +The stranger made no answer, but slowly removed his headgear. +Immediately a score of voices shouted, "The Wake! the Wake! 'Tis +Hereward!" + +"Yes," said Hereward. "I am the Wake, whom thou hast been cowardly +charging with treason. Hark! Dost thou think Hereward is going to peril +life and limb, or waste precious lives, to set such a dolt on the throne +of England as thou hast proved thyself this day; and on the former +occasion, when we met at York, for instance? Marry, no! A niddering who +flies for his life at the first approach of danger is not fit to wield a +sceptre in these lands. A Prince who fosters faction, and is pettishly +jealous of braver men than himself, had better turn monk; a _shaven_ +crown would better become thee than the Crown of England." + +"By the blessed Virgin, I vow I will humble thy pride, dog, ere I have +done with thee! I will not be bullied in my own witan, though thou be a +son of Earl Leofric!" + +"Ah, well," said Hereward, with a sneer, "thou art of the wrong metal +thyself, but if thou hast a knight brave enough to cross a sword on thy +behalf, let him stand forth, and I will oblige him with a bout; 'twould +be a little diversion in this fool's errand of ours." + +"I will champion the Prince, braggart; with a curse on thee for thy +base-hearted treachery to thy wife Torfrida!" shouted the brave and +choleric Sigurd, rushing forward and brandishing his sword in the face +of Hereward. + +Instantly there was such a clamour of voices, clash of swords, and dire +confusion, in the arena, that I was terrified at this tumult of fierce +and angry passions. Oswald and I rushed in between these fierce +combatants and called aloud for peace, which with the utmost difficulty +we obtained. Seeing the strange state of frenzy in which most present +were, I urgently requested that all further discussion should cease for +the day. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +PRINCE AND PARASITE. + + "Eternal smiles his emptiness betray, + As shallow streams run dimpling all the way." + + Pope. + + +"I say, Alred!" exclaimed the Atheling to the Norman parasite who had +accompanied him hither, as they sat drinking wine the same evening, +"what sayest thou to the baiting thy Prince has had to-day? I have no +stomach for more. Malediction on them!" + +"Heyday, so say I! Scrambling over moor and bog hither was bad enough, +but parleying with quarrelsome thanes and with vulgar braggart churls +such as these, I would not endure with a kingdom thrown into the +bargain. Your Majesty probably thinks different." + +"Whew! Not I, Alred! These garlic-bred swine have no more regard for the +person of a prince than for a scurvy villein. A malediction on them! +They would pick my bones within a week, were I to attempt to rule them. +By the bye, that huge Danish boor stood by me. I wish he had been at the +bottom of the sea, for all that, when he enticed me on this fool's +errand. What is the lout's name? Sigurd?" + +"The same, my lord. But be advised, for at bottom he's as loutish and as +snarling as the very worst of them, and I would not trust my head in his +jaws for a moment; for as we passed him but yesterday, in our courtly +attire, I heard him under his breath snorting and grumbling like a boar +with a spear between his ribs. The churl! Would he have his Prince dress +like a scurvy swineherd?" + +"Beshrew me, Alred, I never could make pretence of ruling such unwashen +clowns. And then, into the bargain, every snarling villein elects to be +king over his own starveling crew, and there would be a king for every +rood of land in England. I'll no more of it, Alred! I thank Heaven my +skin is whole to go back to Scotland with." + +"A wise resolve, I swear. Make further oath of fealty to William, and +take his subsidies. Then heigho! for a jolly life at the court of +Malcolm! or, what is better still, to Rouen, where summer's sun tarries +longer, and winter's frosts pinch not the daintiest fingers. There +dark-eyed beauties are kinder, and easier in the wooing. That is Alred's +philosophy. Canst thou gainsay the wisdom of it, my Prince?" + +"Alred, thou know'st well the joints of my armour; thou hast pierced a +vulnerable spot. I vow thou hast waked one pleasant memory, sweet Alred; +and there is but one sunny spot in this dreary wilderness of +insubordination and braggadocia." + +"What is it, my Prince? Has some nymph awoke the tender passion of love +in thy breast?" + +"Rightly guessed, Alred! Did'st thou mark the fair Saxon, whose fiery +zeal for our cause has been so marked. I did not fail to notice she +marked me much and often, and I flatter myself her admiration extends +not only to our cause, but also to our royal person. How sayest thou? By +our Lady, a prize like that would be some recompense for our sickening +and intolerable journey over the wretched moors atween us and Scotland." + +"Thou hast the eye of an eagle, puissant Prince, or, to be more correct, +the eye of a vulture. I had hoped this pretty bird would fall to my net. +But alas! thy eye has seen this comely virgin, and I am undone, I trow. +Why, I have already pranked myself before her with some success; but now +I shall lose my quarry." + +"Come, come, my jackal! don't despise thine office. Why, man, I never +grudge thy picking the bones, when our royal self hath fed." + +"Small thanks is enow for what is left when your gorge rises at +it,--with my humble submission." + +"Enough, enough! Canst thou get speech of her? Thou canst bear a message +which should be gratefully received. Tell her her Prince would like to +tender her his special thanks for her great zeal and devotion to his +cause; and invite her hither." + +"Have a care, my Prince, and bait your hook daintily. Think you you will +catch your fish with the bare hook? By all the saints, I tell you I saw +forked lightning playing about her eyes when I incautiously gave play to +a little premature pleasantry. Nothing but an imperturbable and brazen +countenance prevented my being transfixed with a thunderbolt. It would +be better to make a great show of bravery, and talk of plans for the +recovery of the kingdom; throwing in battles, sieges, and valorous +hotch-potch of that sort, by the bushel. You will have to tie this filly +with a pretty long tether, or you are undone, for she's high-spirited +and mettlesome enough for anything." + +"Good, my ambassador-in-chief; thy wisdom never fails. Would I had my +kingdom, sweet Alred, if 'twere only that I might make thee lord high +chancellor! To be forewarned is to be forearmed: the net shall be a +silken one. But now not another word, for expectancy is on tiptoe. Do +thine errand, and I will bestow on thee further tokens of my regard if +good luck go with thee." + +"Pardon me, sire! If I am qualified to be lord high chancellor, I am +qualified to give a little further advice in this matter." + +"What is it, Alred? Prithee, come to the point at once: none of thy +sermons. When I am king thou shalt be court preacher, if thou affect +that office; but spare me now, an' thou lovest me." + +"Well, here it is. When fair maids of this quality have favours to +grant, mark me, they will have it done daintily. Faugh! What do you take +her for? Don't trust to second-hand dealings too much. Vulgar eyes +looking on at it! Pshaw! What a stomach you credit her with! Listen. +This must be a grand passion; you are entranced, bewitched, dying for +very love of the matchless queen of your heart! Mark me, pitch your +notes high if you would have this pretty bird come fluttering to your +bower. Why, canst thou not rhyme a maudlin verse or two? Come, cudgel +thy brains, and I will help thee with a stave; here are writing +materials." + +"Ha, ha, ha! I like thy notions. Come, thou shalt draw us up a rhyme, +such as the gallant knights of Normandy address to their lady-loves. By +my soul, I am three parts Norman, and the other part is not Saxon. So +I'll superscribe no screeching Saxon verse. I declare 'tis a language +which is a cross between the screech of a witch and the grunt of a hog. +Something elegant, or I'll none of it, mark me, Alred." + +"Well, it shall be something lofty, I warrant, as becomes a prince. So +here goes:-- + + "Fair maid of the flaxen hair, + And eyes of the heavenly blue,"---- + +"Bravo! Ha, ha, ha! Go it, sweet Alred? 'Tis fine! I'll sing that at my +lady's tent door. Get me thy guitar." + +"Pray don't interrupt me, my King. The poetic fire is burning; don't let +us miss the glow of it. + + "Fair maid of the flaxen hair, + And eyes of the heavenly blue, + Whose graces bewitchingly rare + Have sweetly enchanted my view. + + "Oh! haste to thy Prince ever true, + Whose adored one ever thou art. + Thy presence shall sweetly renew + The joy to my languishing heart." + +"Bravo! By my soul, Alred, I swear 'tis fine! 'Twould fetch St. +Elizabeth from her pedestal." + +"Well, if it will do, draw us up your proposal atop of it, sire, and +I'll try its effect upon this dainty bird of a Saxon." + +"Nay, marry! not I, Alred. I'll not spoil thy elegant rhyme by adding +to't my bungling prose. Finish up thy letter handsomely, as 'tis begun, +and I'll affix my seal." + +"By our Lady, I'll promise many things, then, which thou wilt not +perform, I warrant. Here it is; listen to't,-- + + "'FAIR SAXON,--Thy Prince is entranced, bewitched, by thy + incomparable loveliness. My throne, my kingdom, were nothing + compared with thee. Come to me; I vow to make thee the proudest + dame in England. Fly to the arms of your impatient, expectant + lover, + + "'EDGAR THE ATHELING.' + +"Now affix your sign-manual, sire. I warrant this would make the hearts +of half the damsels at the court of Malcolm frantic with delight. Mark +me, this falcon will strike his quarry quick; if not, I vow I will not +fly another this side Martinmas. Wish me luck, and a share in the spoil +anon, my Prince." + +So saying, Alred buttoned up his doublet, buckled on his sword, and, +with the rakish air of an unprincipled Norman gallant, he swaggered off +to the tent of Ethel. There, after many foppish grimaces, and much +foolish adulation, he delivered the missive into her hands; adding to it +suggestions and explanations which Ethel scarce comprehended, and we +cannot chronicle. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +PRINCE AND VIKING. + + "This hand, to tyrants ever sworn the foe, + For freedom only deals the deadly blow; + Then sheathes in calm repose the vengeful blade, + For gentle peace in freedom's hallowed shade." + + John Quincy Adams. + + +My vespers were done, and I was bethinking me of retiring to rest, when +I heard the plaintive voice of Ethel beseeching me to let her come +within my tent. I had scarce time to reply when the poor child came +rushing into my tent, bathed in tears, and in great distress. I soothed +her as best I could. Then I gently inquired as to the cause of her +grief, when, without answering me, she thrust into my hand the letter of +the Prince. "I scarce know what he means," she said, burying her face in +her hands. + +I read the letter with a burning sense of shame and indignation, and my +heart ached for this poor child who, in the purity of her patriotism and +her unquenchable love for her country and the Saxon cause, had braved +this rough journey and its exposure, in the hope that her woman's +devotion might nerve the arms of the remnant of Saxon leaders still left +to the cause. But this ghastly unmasking of a Prince who was false, +fickle, shameless, and altogether worthless, was a cruel wound to her--a +wound that would fester and rankle, but was destined never to heal +again. She quietly lifted her tear-stained face, and timidly inquired, +"Is it as I feared, Father?" + +"Alas! my child," said I, "'tis a vile, dishonouring missive, and +altogether without excuse. To come from a prince, and from a would-be +king also--'tis sad to think of it." + +"My country! my unhappy country! what will become of thee?" was the +heart-broken exclamation as she fell at my feet, her long, fair hair +falling in dishevelled tresses around. + +"Comfort thee, my poor child," said I, though I scarce had heart or hope +for anything. I endeavoured to calm her with such soothing, hopeful +words as I had at command; but I saw that words were in vain. + +"Father," said she, "my life is a weary burden. My people's woes are +breaking my heart. I had vainly hoped that our scattered and hunted +people might have been rallied by the presence amongst them of their +Prince--that factions would have come together, and a bold stand might +have been made for liberty; but to find my Prince so poor in valour and +so rich in all cowardly and licentious feeling--so bereft of honour and +chivalry as to offer dishonourable proposals to a forlorn and wretched +girl like myself--this is more than I can bear. I have watched and +prayed these two nights, hoping that favouring Heaven would smile upon +us again, and upon this council. But as I watched in lonely vigil, I +could hear no answering voice, saving the soughing of the night-winds in +the passes of these lonely hills; and they seemed to bear no message to +me, saving a message of desolation and death. Is there any rest, any +joy, for one like me in life, Father? Surely the grave is the only hope +for me!" + +"My poor child," said I, "let us not think of death until He who gave us +life shall say 'It is enough.' Let us obey, and submit to the chastening +hand of our Father in heaven. Perhaps we err greatly in cherishing +thoughts of resistance and of bloodshed. Let us rejoice that there is a +kingdom which is stable, and which shall know no end; whose Prince is +the Prince of Peace. Angels are its heralds, and saints its warriors. +Love and mercy are the twin pillars of our Prince's throne; and gentle +hands and loving hearts may battle for His supremacy. 'Tis a Kingdom in +which torn and bleeding hearts may find the herb called heartsease, and +sweet content. Into this Kingdom let us press, my child, and for it let +us contend, for the kingdoms of this world are fickle, and built up on +fraud and wrong; and they will ultimately shrivel up and pass away like +the mists of the morning, and be no more." + +"I fear me, Father, that the fierce war-spirit of my ancestors reigns in +my heart. I am more than half heathen, it seems to me. I have been +hoping for revenge for a murdered father and brother, and for a ravished +country. They tell me the fair Torfrida, forsaken by her lord, this +Hereward, has taken shelter in the monastery of Crowland. Shall I join +her there? This fierce agitation is more than I can bear." + +"What does thy heart say, Ethel?" + +"My heart is not to be trusted, Father, for 'tis wayward and wilful, and +there is strong need for some curb, some overmastering restraint, to +crush its fierce revolt." + +"Thine, I fear, Ethel, is not the nature to bear easily the constraints +of the cloister, unless it were first schooled by the iron rod of +discipline. Listen to nature's own prompting; I fancy it declares +strongly for the freer life of the camp and the field. There is scope +for activity, and I think a fair measure of protection, where Oswald is. +On his virtue, wisdom, and valour, much depends, and I believe he will +be equal to winning many privileges for us." + +"Father, may I confide a maiden's secret to thee? I love him whom thou +hast named. 'Twere heaven, indeed, to share his toils and +privations--nay, even to be near him. But 'tis _agony_, and soon I fear +it will be _sin_. His heart has fallen captive to a Norman lady who +saved his life, and I know he cannot be mine. Advise me, Father, in this +sore strait, I beseech you." + +"Thy love is unknown to him, my child, is it not?" + +"He knows not; I could not bear it for one hour if he knew it." + +"'Tis a hard lesson, my poor child, but thou mayest have to learn that +the _essence_ of love is _sacrifice_. The human heart will not be +hindered here, but will raise its own altar, free of all dictation. +Alas! full oft it must offer itself, and be both priest and victim. Many +are the sad hearts that here have offered sacrifice before thy day. +Alas! many here will offer a hopeless, heart-consuming sacrifice when +thou art gone. If it should be that there is demanded of thee a painful +act of self-renouncement, strength and fortitude are always given us +when we are minded to do a brave deed. I shall be near, my child; let us +await what Providence has in store for us calmly. Lie down upon my +couch, and rest. I will lay this matter before our people, and I will +not be long." + +I immediately gathered up the letter, which had fallen at my feet, and +betook myself to the yeoman's dwelling-house, and knocked at the door. +There was immediately a hush of voices, and some one under his breath +said, "Who knocks?" "Adhelm," said I. My voice was well known to many +who were inside, and the door was opened without more ado. Gathered +here, evidently in secret conclave, were Sigurd and a number of the +followers of the Prince. Their lowering brows told me plainly that +mischief was brewing; nevertheless, I determined to execute my purpose, +come what might. The Prince said,-- + +"What wouldest thou have with us, reverend Father? We are now discussing +purposes of bloodshed, unfitted, I fear, for saintly ears. But if thou +wilt be brief, our royal pleasure shall be at thy service." + +"I am afraid my message is one which can scarcely be welcome to your +Highness's ears; nevertheless, it is enjoined upon a bishop that he be +found faithful." + +"Well, be faithful an' thou wilt, Bishop; but let not thy exordium be +drawn out any longer than is necessary. So to the point without further +prevarication, an' it please you." + +"Well, to the point then, Prince," said I. "I hold in my hands an +epistle, which purports to have come from your Highness, and is +addressed to the Saxon maiden, Ethel. I would fain know if it is indeed +from yourself." + +"What have I to do to answer thy impertinent questions, priest?" said +he, snatching the letter from my hands. + +"Since it is so, and as I feared, I have to denounce thee, Prince, as +becomes my office; and I say fearlessly that the offering of +dishonouring proposals such as these to a virtuous and gentle maiden, is +an act of unblushing infamy, and I disown thee and thy cause." + +"I am a thousand times thy debtor, dog of a priest, if thou wilt rid me +of thy presence, and of all such eavesdropping carrion, who worm +themselves into the secrets of silly wenches, to the annoyance of their +betters." + +"Stay a moment, sire," said Sigurd, who was evidently in a towering +rage. "I would know further of this matter. If thou hast offered an +insult to this girl, to this Ethel, _I_ have something to say to thee, +as well as this priest. Let me see that letter," said he, striving to +take it from the Prince's hand; but the Prince hastily drew back, and +attempted to tear it in pieces. Sigurd instantly grasped him with his +iron fists, and wrung the letter from him as though he were a child; +then, handing it to me, he said, "Read it for us, priest. I have no +scholar's gear." + +I took the epistle and read it in the hearing of the assembled company. +When I had finished it, Sigurd drew his sword, and stalking up to the +Prince, he said,-- + +"I will cut thy craven soul from thy craven body for offering this +insult to the daughter of Beowulf." + +Half a dozen hands, however, immediately grasped him, and kept him from +his purpose; but, standing like a tiger at bay, his words coming hissing +through his foaming lips with tumultuous rage, he shouted,-- + +"I disown thee, too, dastardly villain, for I perceive there is not a +drop of honest blood, either Saxon or Skald, in thy craven body! Get +thee gone quickly, for I warn thee to pollute no longer Saxon soil with +thy loathsome, cowardly presence. And beware, too! for if to-morrow's +sun finds thee within reach of my arm, I will avenge this insult in thy +coward's blood." + +I confess I could not but look with admiration on this sturdy descendant +of the Viking rovers. Though he was rough and uncouth as the wild hills +of Westmoreland, over which he had hunted and fought from his youth, yet +he loved the beautiful Ethel with a love as deep and pure as a +mother's--a love so utterly unselfish that he would willingly renounce +his hope and his claim, nor murmur if Ethel's love should find its +requital in the love of Oswald. But he was beside himself with rage when +he found that this fair Saxon, whose love was of priceless value to him, +should be deemed a fitting object of this princeling's insults. It is +needless to say that this unprincipled act alienated finally the small +remnant of Saxons who hitherto had hoped to see Edgar occupy the throne, +last filled by the valorous Harold. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +BADGER ON THE ALERT. + + "A thing of shreds and patches." + + Shakespeare. + + +After the incidents narrated in the foregoing chapter, there followed a +scene of complete disorder. Many of those who were well affected towards +the Prince and his cause, fell away from him, and quitted the dwelling +with Sigurd and myself; and speedily the Atheling was left quite alone, +saving his personal friends, who had journeyed with him from Scotland, +and who were mostly foreigners. + +Whilst this had been transpiring, most of the camp was wrapped in +profound slumber. The followers and housecarles who had accompanied +their masters, had found resting-places in the outhouses, amid the hay +and bracken which had been accumulated for the fodder and bedding of the +cattle during the winter months. But Badger was ill at ease amid it all. +Some presentiment of evil disturbed his slumbers, and he turned uneasily +again and again; finally he sprang bolt upright, and grasped his sword, +at the same time giving Wulfhere a rough shake, which thoroughly roused +him also on the instant. + +"What is the matter, Badger? Anything amiss?" + +"Hush! there are men astir in the camp. I warrant there is some mischief +abroad, and I'll know the bottom of it." + +At that moment two men entered stealthily at the farther end, where the +horses were stalled. Wulfhere and Badger drew their swords, and +instinctively ran their fingers down the blades in the darkness. The +movements of the two men were plainly visible to the watchers, for the +moonlight streaming in through the open door showed their outline very +distinctly as they moved to and fro. Immediately the men began to saddle +several horses belonging to the Prince, and then they led them out. + +"There is a move of some sort, Wulfhere, and I warrant mischief is in +it, for there are snakes about. A murrain on them! I am determined to +know what it means. You stay here," said Badger--he, at the same time, +stealing noiselessly out at the opposite end of the building. + +As soon as he reached the open air, he saw, across the enclosure, that +there were lights in the dwelling; so he nimbly dodged round, keeping in +the shadow of the buildings, until he reached the rear of the house. +There, peering through a crazy, patched window, he not only saw what was +going on inside, but he overheard this conversation between the Atheling +and his favourite Alred:-- + +"My stomach will stand no more on't, sweet Alred. Such a ruffian, +boorish crew are not fit company for a prince. Then I believe that huge, +over-grown Norse clown would carry out his threat, and take my life in a +moment, if he got the chance. Curses on them all! Upon my soul, I wish +the Normans would swoop down upon them, and cut the vile hogs into +mincemeat." + +"Bravo, Prince! That is a Heaven-sent suggestion, upon my soul!" +interjected Alred. "I match you against any one of the seven sages. +Whew! it just jumps with my humour. The Normans are in force, too, not +more than half a dozen miles away. What a _tour-de-force_ to bring the +Normans down upon them by the morning! 'Twould be a stroke of policy +William could not excel. Ah! look here--speaking of William: he would +load you with favours, and replenish your royal treasury bountifully; +then, heigho! there would always be a flowing bowl of Rhenish, or good +Canary, and the sweet blue eyes of my lady-love would sparkle again. A +fig for a kingdom, and the toiling and moiling of it! Give me the jolly +life where care sits lightly, and my own sweet will can be indulged. To +Rouen, say I again, with William's goodwill and his gold pieces!" + +"Let us away, Alred! Upon my soul, revenge is sweet. You say right, too; +when one does a service for William, there follow royal gifts enow. I +would rather have a double purpose than a bootless errand, any day? +Where are the churls who are saddling the horses?" + +Having overheard this speech, Badger darted back to his comrade, who was +awaiting his return impatiently. + +"Heigho, Wulfhere! this princeling plots mischief. He will betray the +camp, the hound, I do believe. Come along; let us dog his footsteps." + +So the pair sallied out of the enclosure in the wake of the Prince, his +parasites, and several serving-men. The party slowly threaded their way +through the woods and entered a narrow defile between precipitous hills +on either side; all the while being steadily followed by the two Saxons. +Suddenly, on one side, the mountain range came to an abrupt termination, +ending in a bold promontory running up to a point. At this juncture the +valley broadened out into magnificent proportions, and a spacious lake +of water gleamed in the darkness. Turning to the left, they skirted the +lake for a couple of miles or more. Suddenly, however, they were +confronted by a pair of Norman sentries, who challenged the party, and +some time was spent in _pourparlers_; then one of the sentries +accompanied them to the Norman encampment, not more than a quarter of a +mile away, the lurid light of their fires making visible some portions +of the Norman quarters. + +Wulfhere and Badger were obliged to come to a halt, for the remaining +sentry barred their further progress, even if they dared come nearer the +encampment of the enemy. They waited and watched until they saw the +forms of the Prince and his followers come within the circle of light +thrown off by the blazing wood fires. + +"Now," said Wulfhere, "there is nothing more to be done, Badger, I +think. Let us go back now, and promptly warn our friends." + +"Hold there, Wulfhere; there is something more to be done. Get _thee_ +back, and do thine errand. I have a little further business here, I can +see. Tell the Earl I shall be rounding the great Nab's Head about break +of day." + +"What hast thou in the wind, Badger? Thou wilt be hazarding one prank +too many some of these days." + +"Never fear, comrade, I know my way about, whether it be light or dark. +Besides, my business is such as would disgrace a half-bred knight like +thyself. Dost thou see, Grizzly here, and myself, have no dignity to +uphold? so we may do anything either boldly or slily, as it suits our +humour, if it only brings grist to the mill. Well, now be off. There is +no time to talk, for it only hinders business. Come, Grizzly," said +Badger, addressing his hound as soon as the form of Wulfhere was lost to +view. "You know, Grizzly, you and I are not supposed to be above +borrowing a few head of cattle, or to be too proud to do our own +droving, at a pinch." + +The fact was, the lynx eyes of Badger had espied a herd of cattle lying +together under the trees by the side of the lake, although the darkness +was so deep that none but keen eyes would have detected their presence. +He had seen them at once, and instantly his nimble brain began revolving +some scheme for carrying them off. + +"The cackling and talking has come to naught, as it mostly does," said +he grunting to himself; "but beshrew me if I like a bootless errand. +I'll try a cast of my own net, whether there is aught to it or not." + +Now there was but one formidable obstacle in the way, and that was the +solitary sentinel who still stood at his post, and who continued slowly +pacing to and fro in a limited space. + +Badger turned to the hound and addressed him, for he was in the habit of +having sundry conferences with his favourite, who had partnered him in +many a daring exploit. + +"Well, Grizzly, what is to be done now? Eh, sir? We must have yon +cattle, Grizzly, come fair or come foul. There is this scurvy Norman in +the way. What are we to do with him? I think we can dispose of him +somehow or other. What say you?" + +Grizzly answered by a vigorous attempt to lick Badger's chops. + +"Eh, sir? I don't doubt but we can finish him off easily enough, you and +I together, Grizzly. But what will our Abbot say? Are you aware, sir, +that you and I have a sacred calling--that we belong to the monastic +order? Don't you remember the many sermons we have from our Abbot, on +loving our enemies? I don't quite see the turn of the wit in the case of +these Norman dogs, somehow or other. No doubt it is sound doctrine +enough, but bad to practise. Well, let that pass. I have a feeling, +though, I would rather not brain this fellow, if another turn will serve +as well. Now it would certainly ease my mind to do it if I caught him, +_flagrante delicto, flagrante delicto_. Grizzly, did you note, that is +the _monk_ that is speaking? You see I can mouth my Latin when it +pleases me, Grizzly. There is many a scurvy monk knows less. But I say, +Grizzly, I fancy the fellow's knees are knocking together already with +fear at being left alone, and that is very suggestive. Let us try +playing ghost with him." + +So saying, Badger divested himself of his upper garments, leaving his +shoulders and the upper parts of his body exposed. Then he took the +garments and tied them deftly about the shoulders of Grizzly, giving him +a most strange and uncouth appearance. Having done this, and without +exposing themselves to view, Badger commenced to give forth, in a low +tone, the most dismal groans, and varying this by most piercing shrieks +of pain. + +The Norman turned a terrified gaze in the direction from whence these +strange noises came, evidently in great trepidation and fear. Then he +darted off a few paces, as though about to beat a hasty retreat. This +was enough. Badger saw at once that the ruse would answer. So, without +more ado, he dropped down on all fours, and, accompanied by the dog, +each of them presenting a most unearthly and fantastic appearance, they +started off in the direction of the sentinel, the groans and shrieking +of Badger deepening, and becoming most diabolical in tone and intensity. + +The Norman for one moment turned a scared gaze on the advancing figures, +which appeared to him to be none other than the Saxon devil Zernebock, +of which many Normans went in mortal dread. Then, with the speed of the +wind, he took to his heels and dashed off towards the camp. Quick as +thought, Badger freed the dog from his trammels, and bade him fetch the +cattle. In a very few minutes he was making off, all speed, with the +herd. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +DOG ROBS DOG. + + "I am but a gatherer and disposer of other men's stuff." + + Sir Henry Wotton. + + +Badger, with his valuable plunder, had four good hours start ere +daybreak, which was as early as the Normans would be likely to discover +their loss. It was slow and tedious work driving cattle through the +passes, and the wooded country, and the most that he could hope for in +the way of start would be eight or ten miles. But there was considerable +probability that the enemy would plan a night attack upon the Saxons, +and in that case, if the loss was discovered by those remaining in camp, +they would be quite unprepared for pursuit; and if no start could be +made by them before the return of the expedition, then he would have his +prize safely aboard the schooner. + +In the meantime, Wulfhere, summarily dismissed by his comrade, returned +to the Saxon camp, ruminating upon the strange vagaries of Badger's wit. +He nothing doubted but that some sufficient purpose, if not some daring +exploit, dictated his erratic movements. When he reached the encampment, +he lost no time in rousing his chieftain, Oswald. After a brief +consultation, they decided at once to rouse the whole camp. Then a +council of war was held by the leaders. Hereward and Sigurd were for +forming an ambush, and trying a brush with the foe; but the more prudent +were very doubtful about the success of such a movement, seeing the +Normans were far more numerous than they. Ultimately, it was decided not +to risk an engagement. So hasty preparations were made, and in less than +an hour's time the camp was broken up, and each party chose its own +route for retreat. + +"Wulfhere," said Oswald, when we had collected our little party, and had +started home. "I miss Badger. Is he on before?" + +"Well, I almost think he will be, my lord, though I left him lurking +within a bowshot of a Norman sentinel, and within sight of their camp +fires. What he had in his head I know not. Some crank, I warrant, by +means of which he will get the best of the enemy." + +"He will be venturing too far, I doubt, some day, and he will find he +has got his head in a noose which all his ingenuity will not enable him +to slip." + +"No fear, my lord. It will take all the wit in the Norman camp to put +him in a corner where there is not room enough for him to wriggle out. +There is something in that old pate of his which will make him a match +for them all, and something to spare. I have an opinion he will +circumvent grim Death with some dodge or other." + +"Well, he will know that we shall be bound homewards, I suppose, and he +will follow when it suits his humour to do so." + +"Nay, I fancy he will be ahead of us even now. He gave me instructions +that he would be rounding the Great Nab's head at daybreak, so we may +hope to meet with him ere long." + +Thus we kept steadily pressing on through the darkness, and ere long the +beams of the morning sun shot up athwart the eastern sky, and our march +became much more easy and pleasant. By-and-by we rounded the bluff +promontory indicated by Badger, and known as the "Great Nab's head;" and +shortly we espied Badger, and his comrade Grizzly, seated most +contentedly on a mossy bank, Badger regaling himself with a hunch of +bread, and salt beef, whilst Grizzly, foraging for himself, was putting +the finishing touches to a rabbit he had killed. + +"Well, Badger," said the Earl, "alive and well, I see. What exploit have +you been perpetrating? Reconnoitring the Norman camp, eh?" + +"Reconnoitring, my lord? Mercy on us, no!--if that means sitting on a +boulder like a moulting fowl, and gazing at nothing in particular. I +never reconnoitre; that means _can_ anything be done. I always _know_ +something can be done if one sets about it." + +"Very good philosophy, Badger--well to the point. What have you been +_doing_, then? What is the trick this time? and have you been found out +for once in a way?" + +"Just come with me, my lord, and we'll see." + +So saying, he led us over the shoulder of the hill, revealing to us a +lovely little dell where there was a stream of fresh water and an +abundance of fresh green herbage. Here, also, were about twenty head of +cattle browsing lustily. + +"There, my lord. I thought we should have a bootless errand, for the +wagging of tongues and the cackling of geese I never could understand; +they are both pointless, and equally profitable. I never was a great +hand at crooning since I was a baby, so I give that business up. But I +owe a grudge to the Normans, and I borrowed these few cattle from them. +They will be of service, I trow, on the top of the hill. And if you find +you don't need them, why, there's no harm done--send them back again." + +"Well, every man wields his own staff best, Badger. You do credit to +yours. But I think we had better be moving, or the Normans may fetch +them before they get to their journey's end." + +"Quite ready, my lord. We can now reach the boat without another halt, +if the Normans do not dock our tails in the meantime. Come, Grizzly, the +drover's trade is a thriving trade in these times. The thieving Scot and +the robber Dane have turned over their business to honester men. I never +dreamed it was so respectable and well-spoken a trade as I find it to be +now." + +So saying, Badger and his hound set about collecting the beasts, and +soon we were able to resume our march with as much celerity as we could +command. Everybody seemed anxious to hear Badger's recital of his +exploit, which he told us with much grim humour, and evidently much +inward relish. + +We were able to reach our destination without molestation from the +enemy, their energies being fully occupied by other matters until we had +got clear away. It was thought desirable not to embark until nightfall, +unless we were compelled to do so; for it was more than probable, had we +put out to sea, the movements of the vessel would have been observed by +the enemy. A gangway, however, was laid ready for emergencies, whilst +scouts were posted at points of observation, thus making it impossible +for us to be surprised. During the day, the cattle were permitted to +graze in the wood near, and when the shades of night gathered about us, +they were driven aboard, and we weighed anchor and stood across the bay. +Ultimately we reached our destination without mishap, though we had, in +consequence of our cattle, to travel with the utmost circumspection. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +WILD DARING OF SIGURD THE VIKING. + + "When Greeks joined Greeks, then was the tug of war." + + Nathaniel Lee. + + +It was a most grievous disappointment to Sigurd when the Saxon leaders +finally decided not to attack the Normans, and thus checkmate them as +they sought to capture the Saxons whilst in council. When he saw that +there was no hope of the Saxons uniting in this, he appealed most +importunately to Hereward to join him, but in vain. When everything +failed, so insatiate was his thirst for vengeance that he determined to +attack them single-handed, trusting to his prowess, and his familiarity +with the passes and the mountain retreats, to secure for himself +immunity from capture. + +"If I had but a dozen of my hardy mountaineers, I would lead these +Normans a dance before this day was done!" he muttered, as he saw the +remnant of the Saxons departing. His hatred of the Normans had so eaten +into his soul, that every opportunity to attack them was a favourable +one, and he was ready for any scheme of wild daring if only Norman blood +could be spilled. So, alone, he grimly and resolutely strode up the +pass, until he reached a spot he deemed suitable for his purpose. +Boulders and bushes intermingled thickly on one side; on the other was a +precipice--a sheer drop of twenty feet into a trout-stream, which +threaded its way amid limestone boulders. + +Behind him the gaunt, gloomy mountains shot up far away, their lower +parts covered thickly with bracken, bushes, and boulders; behind and +amid which a retreating figure need never be exposed for more than a +second at a time. Looking around for a second or two, he gave a grunt of +satisfaction, and then he climbed a few yards from the path, and laid +himself down amid the bracken and deep grass, with his broad sword +unsheathed and laid by his side, ready for the fray. Thus he waited for +the oncoming Norman soldiery. For more than an hour he lay thus in +ambush, with wild and turbulent passions fermenting in his breast, and a +wild look in his eyes--reason for the moment dethroned by this one +overmastering passion. + +Presently on the still night air was borne the sound of stealthy +footsteps. Sigurd bounded to his feet as the first sounds broke upon his +ear. He fixed tightly his helmet, closed his visor, and adjusted his +coat of link-mail, which had swung a little awry. Then, grasping his +powerful broadsword, he made a vigorous lunge at an invisible foe, and +then, with a grunt of satisfaction, he took his stand behind a massive +boulder, flanked on the side next the advancing foe with a thick network +of shrubs, through which, however, he could watch the movements of the +Normans. The darkness was ebbing away fast. Already the morning's sun +had smitten the head of mighty Helvellyn in the distance, and bathed his +kingly head in a halo of golden glory; but substantial remains of +laggard night still hung moodily about the bottom of the pass, as though +nature, in shame and sadness, would fain cast her mantle over this mad +strife of men, and over the deed about to be enacted before her eyes. +Slowly, with hushed voices and stealthy tread, on came the unsuspecting +foe. The head of the column threaded its way past the lurking-place. +Sigurd clenched his sword with an impatient grip, for the sight of +Norman foemen, within reach of his sword, was well nigh more than he +could resist. On they passed, all unconscious that a human tiger was +lurking near and making ready for his spring. File after file of the +Normans strode on, mostly afoot, but some were leading their horses. Now +the rear men are abreast. A second more, their backs are seen. A spring +and a blow, and the hindmost Norman is cloven to the waist, and drops +with scarce a groan. There is a wild shriek, and consternation is +rampant amongst the rearmost ranks. + +Sigurd, in mad rage, hacks and hews at the panic-stricken crew, cutting +down man after man with terrific celerity, whilst some, in their efforts +to escape his onslaught, fall over the precipice. Presently the Normans +discover that but one solitary Saxon attacks them. A shout goes up, "The +mad Saxon! Cut him down! Down with him! Run him through!" Immediately a +hundred swords are whipped from their scabbards, and a united rush is +directed towards him. Sigurd sees his chance is gone; he dashes along +the path in swift retreat, followed by the yelling foe. Presently he +darts from the path and makes for the hills, tearing through bracken, +furze, and brushwood, and leaping boulders with an agility none but a +mountaineer and a hunter who had been wont all his life to go swinging +over these mountain sides, until the sinews of his legs had become like +thongs of steel, could make pretence to imitate. Presently he turns to +glance at the crew behind, and he laughs a savage laugh as he sees them +huddling together like sheep at the bottom of the pass, some afraid to +follow, and all of them conscious of the hopelessness of it. With an +exclamation of contempt, he catches up a fragment of rock and hurls it +with terrific energy amongst them, striking one of them on the shoulder, +and knocking him to the ground with a broken shoulder-blade. Then, with +a hysterical laugh, and a fierce brandish aloft of his sword, he dashes +off again towards the summit. With wondering gaze the Normans watch him +scaling, ridge after ridge, the beetling brow of the hill far above +them, like a stag bounding from the hunter. Presently he darts over the +topmost ridge, and is lost to view. He halts in a tiny hollow of the +mountain's brow, and, pulling out his sword, dripping with gore, he +wipes it on the sward. + +"Aha!" he cried, apostrophising the fearsome weapon; "One more taste of +blood! Norman blood, too. I love to see Norman blood. It drips, too; +that means more will soon be shed."[5] Then, running his hand along its +edge, he exclaimed, "Nothing blunted, my trusty friend Tyrfing,[6] ready +as ever for the fray!" he shouted in frenzy, and commenced to hack and +hew as though in deadly conflict with an invisible foe, the perspiration +pouring off him in streams. But human nature, though it be never so +strong, has its limits. This frenzied, this almost maniacal outburst, +was followed by complete physical exhaustion. Like a stone, he dropped +flat upon the ground, and there he lay without motion or any sign of +existence whatever for a full hour or more. Had the Normans but known of +the wild drama being enacted beyond the brow of the mountain, it would +have been a fatal day to Sigurd, for the Normans had had so many tastes +of his prowess, and of his mad daring, that they would have given large +treasure to have this dreaded foe within their power. But this was not +destined to be the last time when he should strike terror into their +ranks when they least suspected him. + +[Footnote 5: It was a Norse superstition that if the blood flowed, more +would soon be shed.] + +[Footnote 6: The foe hater.] + +The sun had performed a considerable part of his day's journey when +Sigurd began to manifest signs of returning consciousness. First there +were sundry stretchings of the muscles, followed by a momentary +unclosing of the eyelids. Then he sat up and gazed around, as though +bewildered with his surroundings. By-and-by he seemed to recover a +recollection of the incidents preceding the stupor he had been passing +through. By an effort he rose to his feet, and staggered rather than +walked to a cool spring of water, which, born of the clouds which +constantly encircled these lofty peaks, was hurrying away with musical +ripple to the lowlands. He drank a hearty draught of the ice-cold water; +then he bathed his throbbing temples with it. Sitting down then, and +taking from a wallet slung behind him a substantial piece of roast kid's +flesh and a hunch of bread, he ate a hearty meal, and washed it down +with another copious draught of water. Much refreshed by this, he next +mounted to the topmost ridge. There, lying at full length, he ran his +eye most minutely over every inch of the valleys on either side, +carefully noting every suspicious object that came within the sweep of +his vision. Then, with equal care, he searched the adjacent hills. The +Normans he could see hurrying to and fro near their camp, some five +miles away. But apparently there was nothing at all menacing to his +position. + +Rising to his feet, he strode along the ridge for a mile or two, then +commenced to descend for another mile or two, in an oblique direction, +until he disappeared from view in a dense wood, which covered the lower +reaches of the valley on either side. Holding a downward course, and +pushing aside the brushwood, he came ultimately to a stream of water, +which, with one gigantic leap, started from its rocky bed and leaped +unimpeded full eighty feet, falling into a deep, surging pool, where the +waters, finding a level, flowed sluggishly away. The vast amphitheatre +appeared to have been worn away by this leap of the waters, and by the +crumbling away of the softer shale below, which had undermined and +brought down the rocks from above. + +This untamed warrior stood on the brink of the precipice with folded +arms. There was something in the scene which consorted with his rude and +rugged nature, and wonderfully soothed his warring passions. The daws, +with cawing clamorousness, flew to and fro across the abyss, and crept +into the crevices of the rock where their nests were. The swallows +skimmed along the surface of the waters, ever and anon darting upwards +to some skilfully made nest of baked clay, clinging to the rocky sides, +and from which little black heads were anxiously peeping, and twittering +lustily. Bird life here seemed to have found a veritable paradise, and +they literally thronged bush and tree, and rock and bank, everywhere. +Sigurd stood gazing down the ravine through an interminable labyrinth of +foliage-laden trees. Here was a grand solitude such as his soul loved, +and he regarded every tree in the forest as a personal friend. Presently +he turned to one side of this abyss, and steadfastly regarded three +stones which were laid side by side for a moment or two; then he altered +the position of one of them, and immediately dropped down on to a +shelving rock, and from that to another, and so on, until he had +descended a considerable distance. Then suddenly he disappeared on hands +and knees into an aperture of the rock which was completely hidden from +the view of any one standing above. As soon as this portal was passed, +he found himself in a spacious cavern, where evidently men were wont to +resort, for there were many things denoting human occupation. Sigurd +hastily threw off his armour and reared his sword, with the belt +appended, against the rock. Then he threw himself upon a couch of dried +bracken and grass, and was soon fast asleep. + +Presently two wild-looking men appeared on the scene. One carried a +brace of rabbits, and the other had over his shoulder a young fawn; +whilst at their heels there followed a couple of fierce-looking hounds. +They looked at the three stones, and one of them exclaimed,-- + +"The Jarl is here!" + +"Doubtful luck that," growled the other. + +They, however, changed the position of the other two stones, and then +they followed their chieftain to his retreat. No sooner did they enter +than one prepared to light a fire, and the other to skin and dress the +animals they had brought. As soon as this was done, a huge iron pot was +suspended on cross-poles over the fire, with about a gallon of water. In +this were thrown a couple of haunches of venison with the rabbits. Then +one of them turned to a vessel in which a quantity of corn was steeping +in water. Two or three pounds of this, along with some savoury herbs and +roots, and a quantity of salt, were deposited in the pot. Then the pair +sat down to await the cooking of this substantial and savoury mess. +Whilst this was being done, Sigurd slept soundly, and the pair carried +on a conversation in a low tone, and interspersing their talk with +sundry nods and motions towards the sleeping chieftain. + +"There will be stirring times again, now, I warrant," said one. + +"Yes; plenty of blood-letting, and plenty of scurrying over the +mountains with the Normans at our heels," said the other. + +"There will soon be none of us left, either for fight or aught else. +There has been a desperate thinning going on." + +"Well, it won't be a cow's death, anyhow, and that is some comfort for +us." + +Soon the boiling-pot began to send forth a most savoury and appetising +smell, to these half-famished men. + +"Wake the Jarl," said one to the other; "he must first break his fast." + +So one of them gave Sigurd a rough shaking, and he presently sat up and +rubbed his eyes; then he saluted his men. + +"Skalds, how fare ye?" + +"The hawks have not been so much abroad of late, so we have fared +tolerably." + +"But ye'll soon have to be on the alert, for the old eagle has been +playing havoc with the hawks down in the pass yonder; a dozen of them at +least will swoop upon their prey no more. But I'll taste your stew. Hot +victuals have not been plentiful lately. Where are your comrades?" + +"Scattered a good deal. There are a dozen lurking among the pikes. Some, +the family men, have snug quarters near Deepwaters." + +"Make signals for them. We have been idle long enough. We must bestir +ourselves, for the Norman gets a tighter grip upon us every day we are +idle." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +THE SAXON DEVIL AND THE WICKED ABBOT. + + "When night + Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons + Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine." + + Milton. + + +Most humiliating and distressing to us _Saxon_ monks was the state of +lax morality in which these foreign monks lived. One of the worst vices +imported into England by the Normans was that of uncleanness, a vice +practically unknown amongst Saxons, and looked upon by them with great +abhorrence. This was an offence, too, which the hardy Norsemen regarded +with loathing. Fierce and blood-thirsty as they were, seduction, +adultery, and the violation of the sanctity of blood-relationship, they +detested. Amongst the Normans, not only the wild troopers, but the monks +also, lived loose, irregular lives; and the chief and vilest offender, +in this respect, was our new Abbot. Many were the outrages perpetrated +by this man. Night by night, under cover of the darkness, he issued from +the Monastery with lascivious intent, often accompanying his outrages by +crime and bloodshed if he met with opposition. In vain I sought the +assistance of Alice, who entreated the Count, her father; but he was +either powerless, or cynical and indifferent--probably both. Sometimes a +fierce check was given to these scoundrels by a sudden outburst of rage +and revenge on the part of the Saxons; but for the most part, the Saxons +who meekly submitted to serfdom were the most abject of their race, +being often so broken in spirit that they submitted to unfathomable +indignities, rather than face the consequences of opposition. Indeed, +any display of spirit, and any act of retaliation or revenge, was sure +to be followed by the most cruel vindictiveness, and most sweeping +punishment. I stay to note one act of retaliation done to our Abbot by +Badger, on one occasion, when the Abbot was bent on carrying his +unscrupulous violence to the cottage of one of the serfs. I note it +because of its comicality, as well as its effectiveness in punishing the +vicious priest. + +Now the Abbot, though it will scarcely be believed, was, in spite of his +turbulent wickedness, a most abjectly superstitious man, as indeed most +ignorant and wicked people are. Of this fact Badger, who was a most +observant and shrewd judge of character, quickly became aware; and, +taking advantage of this weakness, he used it to teach the Abbot a most +valuable and salutary lesson. One of the serfs had frequently made most +doleful complaints to Badger of the violation of the sanctities of his +home by this man. Now Badger most cordially hated the Abbot, as indeed +any one who knew the man could not fail to do; and on the other hand, +his sympathies, either openly or veiled, were always extended to his +countrymen, and he frequently wrought substantial amelioration in their +lot. Badger turned this matter over in his mind, and at last hit upon a +plan which he conceived would have the desired effect if successfully +carried out. So, making use of his old expedient, he decked himself most +fantastically as the Saxon "Zernebock" or devil. He expended much skill +and ingenuity in the manufacture of some wondrously grotesque apparel, +introducing a pair of horns and a tail after the orthodox fashion. In +addition to this, he had also decked out one of the most savage of his +hounds in a most fantastic garb, and, so disguised and ludicrously +tricked out, they sallied forth at eventime, intent on frustrating the +Abbot's vile intentions. Having selected their place of ambush, they +patiently lay in wait for the object of their enterprise, bent both on +terrifying and worrying him into a relinquishment of his devilish +purpose. + +The night selected as fitting for Badger's enterprise was moonless and +somewhat dark, especially so within the added shade of the forest. +Having selected a suitable place, Badger lay quietly in wait until he +heard the approaching footsteps of the Abbot; then he strode into the +path with the hound by his side, and together they fronted the object of +their quest. Great was the consternation of the Abbot when he confronted +this awful apparition. His knees smote together, and his teeth chattered +in his head, as the awful voice of the fiend accosted him in angry +tones. + +"Abbot, I know thy errand; I am the Saxon devil 'Zernebock,' and this is +my Hel-hound. I have come to kill thee, and my hound will tear thee in +pieces, for thy cup of wickedness is now full; I give thee, therefore, +two minutes in which to prepare for death." + +So saying, the fiend uplifted a mighty sword, which seemed to the Abbot +to tower almost to the height of the trees. It was a wooden one, but the +night was too dark for this to be perceived, even if the victim had not +been too terror-stricken to note it. + +In a terrible fright he fell on his knees and began to call upon all the +saints to protect him, writhing and groaning piteously. + +"Silence!" said the fiend in still more awful tones. "Thou must die! I +have been waiting long for permission to slay thee! The saints will not +protect thee any longer, for thou hast professed to be a holy man, and +thou art bent this night on an errand of wickedness, and I have +permission to kill thee at last. Thy life is now in my hands. Art thou +ready?" again roared the fiend in savage tones, whilst the hound, seeing +the threatening attitude of his master, waxed furious, snarling and +growling savagely, and making many half-executed attempts to fly at the +Abbot, which half a word of encouragement from the fiend would have +completed. "Speak!" said the fiend, "thy time is now expired." + +And the uplifted sword began most ominously to sway to and fro, as +though about to fall. + +"Have mercy on me, fiend!" screamed the Abbot, "and I will make a vow to +thee that I will repent me of my sins, and I will cease from fleshly +lusts! I will set about mortifying my flesh this very night! I vow to +abstain from meats and strong drink for the space of twelve months if +thou wilt have mercy on me." + +"Silence when I bid thee!" again roared the fiend. "I know thee for a +hypocrite, and thou wilt not abide thy vow. Art thou ready? Quick! bow +thy head, so that I cut it off clean." + +Quick as thought in this dire strait the Abbot sprang to his feet, and +fled with miraculous energy for one so stout and pursy. + +"Hist! hist!" said the fiend to his hound. + +There was a fierce growl and a few long, slouching strides, and the +hound grasped the Abbot's nether parts in his powerful jaws; and with a +yell of pain his reverence fell prone upon his face, writhing, groaning, +wriggling, and yelling, as though ten thousand fiends clutched him. But +the hound clung to him like a vice, chawing his struggling prey the more +lustily as he tried to shake him off. At last the fiend called off his +hound; but at the same time he lifted his sword over the prostrate +Abbot. + +"It is no use thy attempting to fly; thy doom is come, and I am here to +kill thee. Choose at once whether thou wilt be torn in pieces by my +hound or slain by my fiery sword; there is no escape for thee." + +"Have mercy, fiend!" groaned the Abbot piteously; "thy hound hath +well-nigh killed me already. His teeth are red hot, as thou well +knowest. I shall surely die now, after the savage manner he hath torn +me. In mercy leave me the little time left me for repentance. Think of +my poor soul." + +"I am the foul fiend, and there is no mercy now for thee. Thy soul is +forfeited and given into my hands; but what of thy body? decide quick! +Shall I kill thee, or wilt thou be devoured by my hound?" + +Just at that moment, however, the fiend was interrupted, for footsteps +and voices were heard approaching, and presently a couple of troopers, +attracted by the terrible howling of the Abbot, drew near. As they did +so the fiend and his hound promptly disappeared in the wood. + +As these troopers timidly and fearfully advanced to the spot, to their +consternation they beheld the Abbot lying flat along, and bellowing like +any bull of Bashan, and calling upon the saints to come to help him. At +once he was recognised by the pair. + +"Ho, your reverence! what is this? What ails you?" + +"Now the saints be praised! the foul fiend is fled; the Blessed Virgin +hath sent me help, but too tardily, for I am surely done for. The +mischief is ended, and I shall surely die. Had ye tarried but one minute +more, my poor body would have been devoured also." + +"What is it, your reverence! Have you been attacked by wolves?" + +"Alas! I have been set upon by the wolf of hell; I have met face to face +in this very spot the foul fiend. 'Twas the Saxon devil Zernebock, for +he spoke Saxon. He and his furious Hel-hound hath set upon me together. +The fiend was about to kill me with his fiery sword when ye drew near so +opportunely; and his hound hath torn me dreadfully. His teeth were red +hot, and he spouted fire out of his fearful mouth. Can ye lift me up? +for I hardly know whether he hath left me any legs to stand upon. Oh! +not there! not there! did I not tell you he had torn me fearfully +behind. Lift me by the shoulder, but do not touch me behind. Steady, ye +maudlin villains! did I not tell ye to be steady?" he roared most +savagely. + +"I think your reverence had better let me go for help; my comrade will +stand by ye till I come again," remarked one trooper. + +"Stay ye where ye are, villain! Ye do not stir from me, either of ye, +not a yard! If the fiend come again the other one will run also, and I +shall be slain and devoured. Lift me up, ye lazy louts! ye are well +able." + +By dint of tugging and lifting, eventually they set the Abbot on his +legs; but he could not bear to walk, neither could he bear to be +carried; and he would not be left for a moment. Slowly he made an effort +to shamble along, but every step was torture to him, and he swore at the +two troopers as roundly as in his extremity he had prayed to the saints. +It was a most painful and protracted home-coming to all of them; for the +Abbot clutched his deliverers most tenaciously, terrified almost into +frenzy if there was a rustle in the bushes, and conjured up visions of +the fiend and his hound in every object that met his gaze; whilst all +the while he vented upon the two his spleen and rage, sometimes for +their clumsiness and want of sympathy, and at other times for their +having been so long in coming to his aid. + +With infinite trouble they at last reached the Abbey, and the Abbot was +put to bed; but when there he was obliged to lie upon his stomach, for +the hound had severely mauled him behind. Two of the monks were set +apart to nurse him by night, and two by day. The rest of the monks were +commanded to spend so many hours of each day in prayers and in +invocations, whilst penances and fasting were imposed upon all. + +In time, by dint of careful nursing, the Abbot was restored. But he +could not so easily forget the painful lesson he had learnt; and as he +still firmly believed that it was indeed the Saxon devil Zernebock and +his Hel-hound that had set upon him, he never dared venture abroad after +dark until he had banished the fiend from the adjacent woods. + +Then ensued the most comical part of the whole affair. A procession of +the monks to the place of adventure was organised. One headed the solemn +procession bearing a crucifix on which our blessed Lord was impaled. +Others followed next in order bearing the sacred relics, most of which +had been brought from Normandy, and consisted of bones of eminent saints +of the order, also a shred of the garment of our Saviour, the identical +one for which the soldiers cast lots. One carried a front tooth of the +apostle Peter, said to have been broken out at the last supper of our +Lord; and another had a small vial containing a portion of the tears +which Peter shed at the denial, when "he went out and wept bitterly"; +the last had possession of a pair of straps or leathern thongs, said to +have been used to fasten the sandals of the Apostle John when he dwelt +in the lonely isle of Patmos. But most laughable it was to see Badger +and several of the lay brothers of the monastery following behind, with +large ewers containing holy water, with which the monks plentifully +besprinkled the path and its surroundings; all the while chanting psalms +and repeating prayers for the exorcism of the devil and all evil spirits +that haunted the woods. + +One can imagine the uncontrollable delight with which Badger assisted at +this solemn function. And I confess when he told me the whole story I +could not help but laugh most immoderately, though such levity scarcely +became my office, especially when I remembered that our sacred things +had been associated with so ridiculous an exploit. Though I can scarcely +undertake to excuse the deception practised upon this occasion, yet it +had a most salutary effect upon the Abbot, for seldom after that +incident did he venture, under cover of the night, to prosecute his +villainies; though, like most vile and wicked persons, he found other +means of giving rein to his lusts, which were infamous and cruel. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +LOVERS PLOTTING. + + "Good-night, good-night; parting is such sweet sorrow, + That I shall say good-night, till it be morrow." + + Shakespeare. + + +The day appointed for Alice's ill-starred nuptials draws near with +ill-omened celerity. Anxious consultations and meetings at the +trysting-place with her Saxon lover become most frequent as the fatal +day approaches. To-night, as she climbs the rough stone stairs which +lead to the tower, her heart seems to grow lighter in the toilsome +ascent. When she reaches the top night has already asserted its sway +over the face of nature, and deep silence broods solemnly everywhere +around. On the turret she paces to and fro in deep meditation, whilst +occasionally she steps upon the stone platform and peers anxiously +towards the adjacent wood, and waves her handkerchief. But the night is +dark, and she knows not whether any one is there to heed her signal. +Then she steps down and listens at the head of the stair for the sound +of the welcome footsteps. Though this most serious and portentous crisis +in her life is approaching, and dark-browed Fate seems from day to day +to frown more darkly upon her path, and though she recognises most +vividly the perilousness of the enterprise which Oswald is entering upon +for her deliverance, yet to-night none but pleasant thoughts dance +through her mind, and ever and anon also pleasant smiles persist in +wreathing her countenance in sweet hopefulness, for she conjures up some +pleasing dream of a possible escape from the dreaded union designed for +her. But the wonderful secret of this hopeful spirit is this: her +champion, the Saxon chieftain, will be here to-night. Here it must be +confessed was the chief inspiration of those pleasant thoughts and +pleasant smiles. When he was nigh fear and doubt and dismay never +oppressed her. But alas! this buoyancy of hopefulness was just as surely +followed by cruel depression of spirit, and a dread sense of loneliness +and helplessness, when he was far away--when the hated presence of +Vigneau was obtruded upon her especially. Worst of all, as the appointed +time of marriage drew near, he presumed more and more to thrust himself +upon her; and she must needs hide, as best she could, the feelings of +abhorrence and deep loathing with which she regarded him. She had come +to see the futility of resistance, and of manifesting dislike to him; +for she had no hope that he would abate one jot of his determination to +force the fulfilment of this marriage contract. + +Presently, as she listens, a feeble grating sound strikes her ear, and +she strains anxiously to hear further. Soon a distinct sound of movement +in the winding stair is heard. She rushes to the spot where the steps +reach the platform of the tower, and anxiously peers into the dark +beneath. One moment more and Oswald clasps her to his heart. + +"Ah, you lonely watcher," said he, tremulous with emotion. "How long +have you been waiting here alone? are you not afraid to watch here in +the darkness?" + +"I am not afraid to-night, dearest. I am only a woman, you know, with a +woman's weakness; but I have always fortitude enough to dare anything +for you. Why should I be afraid of darkness, which is only God's +coverlet, drawn with infinite gentleness over tired and sleeping +nature?" + +"Ah! there is a good angel watching over you, Alice dear, whether 'tis +dark or light, and whether I am near or far. So be of good courage." + +"I have faith in God, and I have faith in my Saxon lover; but alas! my +heart fails me often as the fateful day draws nigh. Sometimes I am +almost paralysed with fear, lest some cruel fate should, after all, doom +me to a hated meeting of Vigneau at the altar; but I have a little +friend which I keep sharp and bright, and there is a step beyond which I +go no farther with him." + +"Hush, dearest! such thoughts are cruel; that dreadful alternative you +will never resort to. Vigneau, in his gross attempt to force your hand, +in the face of earth and heaven, will rush upon a fate he recks not of, +but which he richly merits. No more of this, dearest; this hour we will +dedicate to more welcome topics. So a truce to all unpleasant thoughts. +How does the question of questions wear apace? Have you become more +reconciled to my project?" + +"Dearest, do not think me foolish; but since you intimated your +intention of appearing in the lists, I have been engaged in a little +enterprise of my own. I have still my forebodings that you will be +discovered if you venture to enter the lists of the tournament, without +some more effectual disguise than you seem to possess. So, excuse me, I +have been taxing my poor woman's wit in the matter. Would it be wrong to +practise a little ruse upon my father, think you? I have a cousin, who, +some years ago, joined the ranks of the king of Spain, and has gone to +war with him against the Moors in the south. He is much commended by the +king of Spain for his valour. If we could dare to convey to my father a +message that this knight would be present at the festival, and take part +in the joust and feat of arms, you yourself might then assume this +disguise. You would, I think, pass easily for this valiant southern +knight, providing you could arrive opportunely, so as to preclude as +much as possible previous intercourse. Your followers also might be +prepared to enact their part. It would disarm suspicion effectively, I +think." + +"Ah! to be sure, set love a-plotting and the thing is done at once." + +"Nonsense! you jest with me. Now listen! I have already set about +embroidering you handsome trappings for your horse, with quaint, +southern devices, which I learnt under the tuition of the good sisters +of the convent. Now, don't laugh, you think it a mad whim, I can see." + +"Nay, nay! my Lady Suspicion," said Oswald, stooping and kissing her, +and giving her a tighter squeeze. "I almost begin to fear you as I think +of the dark plots you are capable of weaving. I never for a moment +dreamed I had found such a subtle schemer. Now, go on; you have got your +finger on the weak point in the plot. I certainly feared the ordeal of +exposure on the field myself; and you have been taxing your 'poor +woman's wit,' and have anticipated my one difficulty. Now for the rest, +dearest." + +"Come down with me to my room. All is perfectly quiet." + +So together they descended the winding stair, and sought Alice's room. +Here she and Jeannette had been deftly plying their fingers in +embroidering most quaint devices upon the trappings of the horses of the +knight and his esquire, and a couple of men-at-arms. Oswald's were most +gorgeously embroidered with silk and gold, upon the finest Bayeaux +cloth, by the fingers of Alice alone. Most beautiful and chaste was the +workmanship, for she had lavished not only her skill, but her love in +the equipment of her champion. The figures were so quaint, the design so +original, and the whole so rich in quality, that no prince could hope to +ride with more tasteful and imposing housings for his steed. Jeannette +also had done her best, it can easily be imagined, to equip her valiant +squire like his master. + +Oswald took the garments in his hands. + +"Well, dearest," said he, "no one will expect a boorish Saxon outlaw to +appear like a Norman prince, that is certain; and I dare warrant no +curious eyes will penetrate a disguise so complete as you are preparing. +Love is not blind in this case, Alice dear, I avouch it; but it has the +gift of prevision also. There remains but one condition to give point +and consummation to this, and it is that your valiant cousin shall prove +himself worthy of such a lady love. But, darling, can you answer this +question,--if Vigneau should be overthrown ignominiously, will the +spoils of war, the fair queen of this high festival, be the lawful prize +of the victor? Now, beware! if you escape the toils of Vigneau, there is +another ominous figure hovering near, who is ready to pounce down upon +you and carry you off." + +"So, I suppose, like an unhappy maiden, I may sing-- + + "'Then woe is me! a bride I'll be, + Whether I will or no; + For 'tis a law of chivalry-- + Victors will have it so.' + +"Well, if only the 'fair queen' may have the option of choice, I think +in that case the Norman cousin will have it. But do not cherish any vain +hopes; I am sure that Vigneau will gulp down his humiliation, if he +cannot avenge it; and there is no hope of his relinquishing any claims +to myself, though I believe malignant hatred is the only feeling he +cherishes towards me." + +"It were an easy matter to sweep him out of the way; that would be an +easy task; but here comes in a tax upon my conscience, for in spite of +the fact that he richly merits it, to compass his overthrow in cold +blood is abhorrent to my feelings. If I should worst him in the +encounter, he will probably claim satisfaction, and if he does not, but +persists in his determination to claim you as his bride, then, in +accordance with the laws of chivalry, I also will claim your hand, and +challenge him to mortal combat. So, honour and my conscience will be +appeased. May Heaven nerve the arm that battles for the right!" + +"I am afraid the complications will not end even if Heaven rid us of the +Baron, for his brother at the Abbey is fully conversant with my father's +ill-starred confidence." + +"Well, enough, dearest; one step at once. Are there many knights +expected in this tourney?" + +"I scarcely think there will be many. My father is very half-hearted in +the matter, and you may be sure he has no encouragement from myself. The +fewer who are witness of my humiliation the better." + +"Well, I am sure that so far as Vigneau is concerned, the feebler the +opponents the better he will like it; I daresay, though, he counts upon +an easy conquest in any case. Well, now, dearest, don't be discouraged; +I must be away, but I shall look daily for the signal. May happier days +soon dawn for you, and for this unhappy country. _Au revoir_, darling." + +So saying, with a parting kiss Oswald sped him for the home on the +hills. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +THE JOUST, SAXON AND NORMAN. + + "The age of chivalry is gone. That of sophisters, economists, + and calculators has succeeded."--Burke. + + +The time had now come about on which De Montfort had promised his +daughter to Vigneau. As was the wont invariably of the Normans, the +ceremony must be preceded by the usual festivities, the most marked of +which was the tournament, or feat of arms. During the reign of our late +king Edward, this was one of the things in which the idle and dissolute +Norman nobility who came over in swarms spent their time. To my very +great sorrow and disappointment, the Saxon nobility copied only too +slavishly this vain and foolish propensity, many of the Saxons being +quite a match for the most skilful of the Normans. For some weeks before +the marriage festivities were to begin, messengers had been sent out to +the various Norman encampments situate within a reasonable distance; and +many knights were expected to take part in the joust. The place which +was selected for this spectacle was near to the castle, and well adapted +for the humbler people, who never failed to gather in considerable +numbers. The tournament would take place in a considerable hollow, with +green hillsides and dense copses around, where a multitude might witness +the wondrous pageantry and the struggle for the honours of the day. The +central arena, where the knights were to contend, was a spacious +enclosure, railed round to the height of about four feet, having two +means of entrance and exit, one at each side, directly opposite each +other, the one used as an entrance solely. There knights, squires, +marshals, judges, etc., were to enter in all the panoply of war and +glittering accoutrements. The other opening was used exclusively for +purposes of exit. Here discomfited knights, disabled horses, and others +who wished to retire might emerge. To the right of the main entrance was +a raised platform, covered with rich tapestry, and capable of seating +some fifty persons. Upon this platform was a dais, or raised central +platform of small dimensions, on which the throne, an elegantly +upholstered chair, was placed, and designed for the occupation of the +"Queen of Beauty." The crowd were kept waiting considerably after the +appointed time, in anticipation of an expected knight from over the sea; +from whom a messenger had been sent, announcing his intention of taking +part in this knightly fray. Eventually, however, Count de Montfort, amid +a flourish of trumpets, issued from the gates of the castle, with his +daughter leaning upon his arm, followed by two of her maids and a +formidable retinue of invited guests, amongst whom was the Abbot +Vigneau, and one or two other ecclesiastics, and a number of Norman +guests. De Montfort escorted his daughter to the throne, and Jeannette +occupied a seat to the right of her. Most fascinatingly lovely was Alice +as she sat in the place of honour, with the victor's chaplet by her +side. Pale, nervous, and anxious, but a veritable queen withal she +looked--her lustrous dark eyes, and masses of dark wavy hair flowing in +graceful undulations over her shoulders, and down to her girdle; her +head crowned with a coronet of beautiful flowers, and one solitary gem +in the centre. All eyes were upon her. Men of gentle blood marvelled at +her surpassing loveliness. Norman men-at-arms and Saxon churls turned +dazed and dreamy eyes towards her, with a persistent gaze as of +fascination. Most of those present, whether gentle or simple, knew well +the manner of man her betrothed was; for Vigneau was notorious in the +camp and the cot for his gross villainy; and most knew, or surmised, +that to-morrow's nuptial tie would be to her a most hateful tie, and a +most unhappy union. + +Jeannette sat close to her mistress; but no dark cloud frowned ominously +over her as over her mistress. Volatile and mercurial to a degree, she +never courted trouble, or recognised his unwelcome visage until it was +thrust upon her; though, like most natures of a like temperament, when +once fairly cornered, as we have seen, the collapse was pitiable and +complete. There, however, she sat, perfectly self-possessed, with an +irrepressible flutter of expectation in her heart and unfaltering +confidence in her star, which was the wonderful and valorous Wulfhere, +whom that day she should see companying with knights and men of renown. +There was more than a wonted animation in her eye, and the roses on her +cheek had taken a deeper and a rosier tint. All agog with the pleasing +promptings of her fluttering little heart, she ran her eyes along the +ranks of the common people who lined the enclosure, or stood together in +groups, discussing the merits of the combatants who were to take part, +and the spectacle which every one looked forward to with such zest. But +Saxon and Norman alike of inferior station were to her contemptible; and +as her eyes fell upon Paul Lazaire, who with despondent gaze looked at +her, she could not restrain a saucy and coquettish smirk of laughter, +which Paul, who thought she never looked half so lovely before, put a +favourable construction upon, and was greatly comforted. + +"Jeannette," said Alice, turning to her anxiously, "I fear the day will +be disastrous, and the Saxon knight will be discovered. That would be +most fearful; I don't think I could survive it." + +"Don't be alarmed, my lady; I am not in the least. Wulfhere and the Earl +will be a match for them all, I'm sure." + +"But, Jeannette, what could a single knight do, contending with so many +foes?" + +"One knight truly would not do much; but you forget, my lady, that he is +sure to be accompanied by his valiant squire." + +"But a solitary esquire would not be of much use. If the Earl be +discovered, he would be surrounded and cut to pieces." + +"Never fear, my lady, you will see Wulfhere will protect him. He'll soon +make an end of a score of this beer-drinking crew." + +"Really, Jeannette," said Alice, smiling in spite of herself, "you have +a good deal of faith in this Wulfhere." + +"Why should I not? He is as pretty a man, and just as valiant as his +leader, and I never intend to halt for want of faith, or starve for want +of hope. Besides, don't you know there has been given to me an +_omen_?--and I have noticed that they always come true if you have faith +in them." + +"Oh, indeed! Pray, what is the _omen_ you have had, Jeannette?" + +"Well, last night when I went to bed it was not quite dark, and I have a +little window in my room which overlooks a certain spot in the wood +which I shall not tell you about, for it is my _tryste_." + +"Your _tryste_, Jeannette? I am afraid you will never cease your +coquetry and foolishness. But your _omen_, Jeannette?" + +"Well, I was telling you. It was not dark when I went to bed, so I sat +down in front of this window which faces the place where the Saxon and I +meet." + +"_The Saxon_, Jeannette?" + +"Yes, my lady, the Saxon Wulfhere. Well, in front of the window I told +my beads for a full hour or more." + +"Told your beads, Jeannette I Why, was that to Wulfhere, or to our +Blessed Lady?" + +"To our Lady, of course, though I was thinking about Wulfhere. But I +said my _aves_ and _paters_ to our Blessed Lady most dutifully. Then, +when I went to bed, I put my beads under my pillow as usual, and I soon +fell asleep. Then I dreamed such a strange and wonderful dream. I dreamt +that I was walking through the woods all alone, when I was startled by a +horrid, howling noise behind me, and, turning round, I beheld a number +of fierce wolves pursuing me. I ran for my life, but they ran faster +than I did, and just as the first one was about to grasp me with its +fearful teeth, who should come to my rescue but Wulfhere. I sprang into +his arms, and just as he clasped me safely the wolves all turned tail +and ran off into the wood as though they had been whipped, for they ran +as fast as they could scamper, and howled fearfully. Then I saw there +was a holy man with Wulfhere, with whitened beard, and bearing a +crucifix with our Blessed Lord thereon. This holy man took my rosary +from my hand, and he placed it around my neck. Then he took my hand and +joined it with Wulfhere's. After this, Wulfhere kissed me and placed a +ring on my finger, and I was his wife. Then the holy man placed his +hands on us as we kneeled before him, and he gave us his blessing. But, +wonderful to tell, in the morning when I awoke, I knew it had all taken +place as I dreamed; for I found the rosary was indeed around my neck, +though I am almost certain I put it under my pillow the night before. I +also felt most distinctly Wulfhere's kiss upon my cheek; and, when I +looked in the glass, sure enough there was a little rosy spot around +this little dimple on my cheek where he kissed me." + +Jeannette's invaluable optimism and unflagging hopefulness, though +simple almost to the verge of childishness, did much to fortify Alice +for the trying ordeal before her. In spite of her anxiety, she laughed +outright at the recital of Jeannette's dream. Presently, at the sound of +the trumpet the castle gates were again thrown open, and forth issued a +gaily dressed cavalcade; heralds, marshals, judges, leading the way, and +followed by eight or ten knights armed _cap-a-pie_, each one being +attended by his esquire. Alice scrutinised closely each knight as they +severally filed past her, and dipped the point of their lances in +salutation. + +"The Saxon is not here. Some accident, I fear, has happened," she +tremulously whispered to Jeannette. + +"Don't agitate yourself, my lady; they will not fail us. Wulfhere said I +should see his face this day; but I was to be careful not to show my +recognition of him, or I should probably betray them." + +Now the scene presented an animated appearance, as the knights and their +esquires ranged themselves on opposite sides of the enclosure, whilst +the heralds, marshals, and judges rode between the ranks, examining the +points of each combatant's lance, to see that each one was blunt, and +such as was allowed by the laws of the tourney. + +Meanwhile, Norman soldiers crowd round the enclosure, whilst here and +there groups of Saxons are wedged amongst them. Some half-dozen Saxon +churls have been stood together on the outskirts of the crowd for some +time, engaged in eager conversation. A careful observer would perceive +that, despite their cowed and woe-begone appearance, they have some +common purpose in view. They each of them carry a quarter staff,--not a +formidable weapon, it is true; but no formidable weapon would be +permitted them. At one end of those staves they have deftly inserted +stout steel goads, which no casual observer would detect. I was first +attracted to this group, in particular, by having observed them obey +certain signals given by their leader. But my eyes turned on all +occasions naturally and sympathetically to the Saxon portion of the +crowd; and the result of my diligent scrutiny of this little band was +quickened by my discovery of the fact that the leader was none other +than Badger. Presently they divide themselves into couples and take +their stand equidistant from each other, along with the spectators who +line the enclosure. Soon, by dint of pushing and wriggling, they force +their way close to the railings' side. + +Now, at a signal the trumpet again sounds, and a marshal rides into the +centre of the arena, and reads the proclamation and rules of the +tourney. Just at that moment, however, a piercing blast from a horn in +the distance makes the greenwood ring again. Immediately from the leafy +bower there emerges a knight tall of stature, and mail-clad from head to +foot. On his shield he bears a device of the rising sun on a field vert, +and as the rays of the midday sun smite upon his helmet and +breast-plate, the refulgence thereof is as of molten gold. He rode a +handsome charger, whose trappings and housings were richly embroidered +and resplendent with many strange devices. In close attendance rode his +squire, bearing his lance and shield; he also was of brawny and athletic +build, like his master. He had on a helmet with harness of link mail. +His face and hands, which were uncovered, seemed deeply tanned, as +though they had been subjected to long exposure in some sunny clime. +Behind the knight and his esquire there rode a couple of men-at-arms, +bronzed and brown as the squire. + +It was soon buzzed about amidst the crowd that this was the foreign +knight for whose advent the tourney had been delayed a full hour. The +knight and his squire were admitted into the enclosure at once; but the +couple of men-at-arms stood without. There was a brief consultation with +the stewards in the Norman tongue, and the explanations were evidently +satisfactory, for the knight rode on. And as he passed the dais, where +sat the Queen of Beauty, he dipped the point of his lance and bowed low. + +The crimson flood mounted to Alice's face and neck, as she, with great +nervousness, acknowledged the salute. This momentary flush, followed by, +if possible, a still deeper pallor and greater agitation, did not escape +the notice of our Abbot, who turned keen and scrutinising glances, first +on the knight, and then on Alice. He was suspicions as usual. Could it +be possible that there was some love entanglement between these two +which boded evil to his brother the Baron? Hitherto, none had appeared +in the lists, saving knights who would probably be easily overthrown by +Vigneau. Though this was but a joust of courtesy, yet the ignominy of +being unhorsed, he knew, would exasperate his brother into desperation. +This knight of commanding stature, and of warlike appearance and renown, +introduced an element of grave uncertainty into the day's contest. There +was, further, the gravest suspicion that this stranger knight was +imported on purpose to frustrate his brother's union with Alice, a union +which, he knew, was cordially detested by both father and daughter. The +Baron also, suspicious by disposition, with lowering brow glared upon +the stranger from behind his visor, and hated him at sight. + +Not that he feared being overthrown, for his self-confidence was +unlimited. His great weight and personal strength and skill had borne +him to victory in many a famous joust in times past, and he was +contemptuous of any rival he might chance to meet. But a knight young, +handsome, and well-appointed as this stranger, might yet, with De +Montfort's connivance, wrest the prize from his grasp. He swore a deep +oath under his breath, and grasped his lance with a keener clutch. +Clearly he meant mischief. + +The preliminaries being now over, the knights wheeled into line and +faced each other, ready for the signal to charge, their squires being in +close attendance behind. Vigneau and the stranger knight found +themselves opposed by antagonists much smaller in stature, and +indifferently horsed. The trumpeter stood at the head of the lists, +bugle in hand, ready to sound the onset at a signal from De Montfort. +Excitement was visibly expressed in every countenance, the clamour of +voices having given place to a hushed suspense, which was painful and +sickening to Alice; though she saw that Vigneau and the "Knight of the +Sun" would not antagonise each other in the first shock. Now the trumpet +sends forth a shrill blast, and on the instant spurs are driven into +each charger's side, and, with a snort of pain, they dash across the +sward. There is a loud shock, and a confused and struggling mass of men +and horses. Vigneau had thrown the whole weight and strength of himself +and a powerful horse upon a feeble opponent, and both man and horse +rolled over together before him. Then, with a contemptuous oath, he +wheeled again to his place, utterly regardless of his fallen antagonist, +whose horse had kicked him severely in its plunges to regain its feet. +The "Knight of the Sun," on the other hand, rode steadily at his +opponent, and seemed rather to push him over the horse's croup than to +strike him with unmeasured force. Immediately, also, he sprang to the +ground and chivalrously assisted the fallen knight to rise, exclaiming, +as he did so,-- + +"None the worse, I trust, Sir Knight?" + +"Only my pride hurt a little," was the reply; "but it was gallantly done +and by a worthier knight, so I yield my steed and wish you further +success; which you will have, I trow, whether I wish it or not, or I am +no judge of your mettle." + +"Take your horse, Sir Knight, I have no need of him, for there is a +better in the lists, I perceive," said the stranger. + +"You have my hearty wishes in the winning of it, if they will do you any +good. Just a word in your ear, nevertheless," said he, drawing close to +the "Knight of the Sun," and uttering in an undertone, whilst he +professed to be adjusting his sword-belt, "You are a stranger, Sir +Knight, but I have known Vigneau a round dozen years at least, so let me +warn you. Beware your man, and doubly so if you throw him. His ugly +carcase is charged with venom from head to foot, and no treacherous +villainy will be too mean, in order to compass his revenge." + +"Thanks for your good wishes, and I will not neglect your advice; but if +he be wise, he will look to himself or he will rue it." + +At the blast of the bugle, the knights who had proved victorious wheeled +into line again; one pair had failed to unhorse each other; but +evidently they were not consumed with a desire to try further their +prowess in the mimic war, for both of them retired from the fray. So +there were but four knights called upon to take part in the next +encounter and brave again the fortunes of war. The stranger knight was +now brought side by side with Vigneau, who surveyed him from head to +foot, then turned sneeringly away, growling to himself, "If length of +limb counted for anything, why, then, he would be formidable enough." + +At the signal calling for the _ready_, each lance was laid in rest, and +each knight braced himself afresh. Springing again at the call to the +charge, the turf flew from the horses' hoofs, and the shock, in more +than one instance, was enough to throw the horses on their haunches. The +"Knight of the Sun" and Vigneau were again victorious; but the latter +had met a doughtier opponent than he had bargained for, for he had +received a vigorous and well-aimed blow at the pit of his stomach, +discomposing most unpleasantly its contents, and causing his head to +swim with sickly qualms. He recovered his balance quickly, however, much +more quickly than he recovered from the fury of his temper; for, as he +faced about to meet the "Knight of the Sun," he poured out a volley of +fierce oaths at Pierre, who was too slow in his attentions to him. The +tall squire of the stranger dismounted and ran his eyes over the +trappings of his master's steed, tightening a girth here and there, and +whispering to his master as he did so, "He is strong and heavy; it were +better policy to dodge his blow, I think, for he is unmistakably clumsy +and slow." + +"That is the very thing I have been turning over in my mind, and I think +I will try it. Hand me a shorter lance, will you?" + +The squire immediately reached him a lance shorter by some feet; and the +bugle sounded again for the ready amid breathless silence. The whole +scene floated dimly before the sickened gaze of Alice, who was but half +conscious of what was passing in the lists; though she realised with +painful vividness that Vigneau and the stranger were now opposed to each +other. Jeannette put her arm around her mistress and held a small silver +flask of rich scents to her nose, whispering gently to her,-- + +"Courage, lady! all goes well, never fear. The stranger will be the +victor." + +Now the combatants brace themselves for the final charge and for +victory. The "Knight of the Sun" grasps his short lance with sinews of +iron, whilst his gaze is intent upon the weapon of his antagonist. The +signal is given, and the chargers bound like an avalanche across the +intervening space. There is a quick swerve of the stranger's body, and +Vigneau's lance passes like a flash over the mailed arm of the knight, a +clear miss. Righting himself as deftly as he had swerved, and without +permitting the point of his lance to deviate one iota from its mark, he +closed in a deadly shock with the bulky Norman. The lance he held was so +short that they seemed almost to rush into each other's arms; but the +point was direct for his antagonist's chest. Vigneau, with an oath at +the failure of his stroke, let go his lance, and aimed a blow with his +clenched fist at his antagonist; but his act of blind fury was utterly +futile and vain; with unerring aim the stranger struck him full on his +steel breast-plate. There was a loud crash of tearing girths, and +Vigneau rolled ignominiously to the ground amid a motley heap of horses, +harness, and trappings. + +Alice's head dropped on Jeannette's shoulder as she faintly asked, +"Who's victor, Jeannette?" + +"The stranger, lady; courage, courage! Vigneau is ignominiously +overthrown." + +"Thank God!" she ejaculated feebly, and her eyes closed in +insensibility. + +All eyes were now turned with a strange fascination towards the two +antagonists, for Vigneau sprang to his feet, drew his broadsword, and +brandishing it in the air like a demon, shouted "_Joute a l'outrance!_ +Come on, varlet! it is to the death!" + +The Abbot rushed into the arena, vainly endeavouring to restrain the +blind fury of his brother; but with an oath the Baron threw him off, and +rushed at his antagonist, who by this time had dismounted and stood on +his guard. Fiercely exasperated, Vigneau rained blow upon blow, with the +fury of a madman, whilst the stranger contented himself with coolly +parrying or receiving on his shield the frantic blows of his assailant. +The volcano-like rage of Vigneau quickly expended itself uselessly; soon +limp, and spent, and utterly blown, he aimed a last blow with greatly +diminished force. The stranger received it on his shield, whilst with +concentrated energy he sprang upon Vigneau; his broadsword divided the +air like lightning, and descended on the nape of Vigneau's neck, cutting +clean through his armour, and well-nigh severing his head from his body. +Vigneau threw up his arms wildly in the air as he dropped into his +brother's arms, and shrieked frantically in his death agony, "_The +Saxon! 'Tis the Saxon!_" + +The cry acted like magic upon the whole multitude. Men sprang into the +arena shouting madly to each other they knew not what. Horses reared and +snorted, and plunged in dire confusion. The ruse also so consummately +planned by Badger, in case of any hitch or exposure, was vigorously +acted out. On the instant he and his comrades leaped into the arena, and +deftly dodged in and out amongst the horses, and vigorously applied +their goads to their flanks and sides, increasing the disorder and +confusion a hundredfold. + +Meantime, whilst the vengeful and sanguinary combat between the +champions had been going on, the stranger's squire had seized the reins +of Vigneau's charger as the spoil of the victor; but Pierre sprang at +him in fierce resistance, and immediately the two squires also became +engaged in a passage of arms as fiercely and as determinedly as their +masters. Promptly Badger gave Wulfhere a vigorous push, which separated +the pair. Then in a low tone, but unmistakably in earnest, he said, +"Zounds, man! what are you doing? and where are your eyes? Can you not +see there is not a moment to lose? Do you not see the Norman has +detected your master? Fly, man, quick! or you're a dead man, and Oswald +also." + +Wulfhere, thus suddenly awakened to the peril of the situation, promptly +took Badger's advice and vaulted into his saddle. But his blood was up, +and as he did so, he turned to Pierre, and said,-- + +"I'll take care we meet again, villain, never fear. Then we will see +whether aught will save thee from the fate which has befallen thy +master, and which has been dogging thy heels this many a day." + +Oswald, the stranger knight, also by this time fully comprehended the +peril of the situation, and that if they would save their lives flight +was their only resource. So promptly he sprang into the saddle, and +immediately made for the gate, followed by Wulfhere. The two men-at-arms +without the arena had been watching the movements of Oswald and Wulfhere +with feverish anxiety, irresolute whether to rush in to effect a rescue +or not. But no sooner did they see them make for the entrance than they +pushed their horses amid the spectators, and vigorously plying the flats +of their swords upon the shoulders of the churls who thronged and choked +the way, they quickly cleared a passage; whilst Badger and his party +continued to maintain a state of dire confusion in the enclosure. As +soon as the entrance was passed the safety of the Saxons was assured, +and at once falling into the rear of their leader, they dashed across +the plain, and were lost in the woods ere any one comprehended for +certain what strange things had happened. + +Then the Abbot Vigneau strode up to De Montfort, the veins of his neck +standing out with rage and his face livid with passion, and he hoarsely +shouted,-- + +"I arraign thee traitor to thy king! and I will have thy head for this +treacherous act! I tell thee if thou hast successfully conspired to +murder my brother, I myself hold the letters thou wouldest give thy +right hand to possess! I will use them to the full, nor rest till thou +hast atoned with thy blood for thy treachery!" + +Meantime, the scene which followed baffled description. The assembled +company could not comprehend the charges made by Vigneau, and were +bewildered at the tragic ending of what was designed for a day's +festivities. + +The condition of Alice was pitiable in the extreme. With returning +consciousness she had seen the fiendish attitude of the Abbot as he +fronted her father. She had heard the wild threats of vengeance, and a +dim sense of uttermost calamity, hanging over her and her father, sent +her back again into a swoon. I roused Jeannette and her companion from +the state of helplessness into which they seemed to have relapsed, and, +under my directions, Alice was carried to her room and laid upon her +couch, whilst such restoratives as were at hand were applied to +stimulate the laggard consciousness, which seemed as though it would +never return. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +THE SAXON'S REVENGE. + + "E'en these, when of their ill-got spoils possess'd, + Find sure tormentors in the guilty breast." + + Homer. + + +The same night, following the tragic ending of the tournament, and about +two hours after Curfew had rung out its warning to churls, housecarles, +and Saxons, all and sundry, who should be caught abroad after the bell +had voiced the hour, there were seated in the Abbot's room two +individuals engaged in a most earnest conversation. The look of deadly +malignity on their countenances, and the low, fierce oaths with which +they frequently emphasised their speech, was palpable evidence that they +plotted mischief. Though one of them had partially divested himself of +his attire, there was that about his dress which betokened that it was +strangely out of keeping with the language he was using, and the +business he was engaged in. The other was dressed in soldier's attire, +and in the sturdy figure we easily recognise Pierre, confidante and +willing tool of Baron Vigneau, and the sharer in most of his villainous +exploits. The Abbot's room was spacious and lofty, and he had had it +hung with costly silken hangings, and rich Turkish carpets covered the +floor. The furniture also was of carved oak, delicate in workmanship, +and of priceless value; for many handicraftsmen of great skill and +experience came over with the Normans, or followed in the wake of the +soldiery. On an exquisitely carved cabinet had been hastily thrust the +remains of a substantial repast of boiled capon and venison cutlets; +whilst on the table between them were two silver tankards containing +good Rhenish wine, and from which libations, copious and frequent, were +poured down two throats which it seemed impossible to effectually slake. +Several letters on parchment, with the massive seal of De Montfort +impressed upon them, were lying on the table betwixt them, the contents +of which had been duly read over to Pierre by the Abbot; and the +following conversation was proceeding:-- + +"No doubt," said the Abbot, "the whole thing was arranged by the cunning +old fox De Montfort and his daughter. The make-believe of a foreign +cousin was a ruse to prevent the exposure of the Saxon villain. His +advent, also, was so timed that not the slightest opportunity was given +to any one to see through his disguise; and he spoke the Norman language +well." + +"Well, I have often wondered at De Montfort's leniency to those Saxon +wolves on the hills. He professed to send for help to William when he +was at York last; but there has been no help forthcoming," said Pierre. + +"I don't believe he ever sent such message; but the devil himself is not +more cunning than De Montfort, and, unless we act promptly, he'll +circumvent _us_." + +"Well, what's the business? Are you going to make use of those letters, +and have him brought to book promptly?" + +"That is it. What I wish, is that you, Pierre, should take this matter +in hand; for it must be done by some one with sufficient courage and +determination. I should like you to proceed forthwith to the court of +his Majesty William, and lay before him these damning proofs of De +Montfort's treachery. If you will undertake this, I confidently +anticipate that within three months the traitor's head will be suspended +over the gates of his castle. That done, I shall urge my suit for the +possession of his forfeited lands, with well-assured success. Then, +trust me, I will humble the pride of his haughty and scornful daughter. +She shall know promptly, for I will teach her, that though Vigneau is +dead, Vigneau still lives. I love her, and I hate her, and when she is +in my power I will have my fill of both love and hate, mark me! I will +have quits for all I owe her, for she has not only compassed the death +of my brother, but she has thwarted me here constantly, by taking under +her protection that old hypocrite Adhelm (meaning myself). I'll be +revenged on both of them at a blow, mark me, Pierre!" + +"Humph! This sounds well and good, your Reverence, no doubt, from your +standpoint; but, if you will excuse me, I didn't see very clearly at +what point Pierre came in when these good things were to be distributed. +Now, it appears that I shall figure very prominently in the work of +scotching this snake. So, so! well and good, revenge may be very sweet +to you, and maybe it will be sweet to me; I'll not deny I like the +flavour of it, but, after that, what additional? I shall want either the +skin or the carcase, certainly, if I shoot the deer; if not, why, marry, +I'll never bruise my shins in the chase. So, will you please point out +where this thing is to be profitable to me? Devil's work, you know, +should be well paid, for we must scorch for it by-and-bye, must we not, +eh?" + +"Thou shalt have everything I am able to bestow, Pierre; and thou shalt +find that in my exalted position my powers of promotion will be equal to +thy deserts. How sayest thou? wilt thou try the monk's calling? Nothing +easier! I was a soldier ere I donned the _hair shirt_, eh! and took to +mortifying the flesh, as thou well knowest I have done most rigidly at +all times." + +"Marry, 'tis quite true, the devil himself would vouch for it; and a +merry jest it is. And now, after your Reverence's example, there's no +saying, but we may expect the devil himself to turn monk some day; and, +in faith, by copying your Reverence closely, he'd make more sinners +in't, than he would by his old tricks;" and Pierre laughed most +immoderately. + +"Thou hadst ever a sharp tongue, Pierre, and little regard for thy +betters; but I absolve thee. Nevertheless, I advise _thee_ to the _holy_ +calling also. Then what could hinder me bestowing upon thee my Abbot's +office? The best of all things would be at thy command--ease, wine, +wenches, and a jolly fat trencher at all times. I warrant thee there is +no life so merry and so bountiful as the command of a good fat +monastery." + +"Bravo!" shouted Pierre, who was immensely tickled by the Abbot's +suggestion; and, bursting again into a roar of laughter, he cried, +"well, this is too rich for anything! Pierre turned _Saint_; ha, ha, ha! +'Twould be after the most godly example of your Grace, I trow. Ha, ha! +good! I'll wash it down, anyhow;" and he raised the tankard to his lips, +and cried, "Drink to't, your Reverence. Here's to _Saint Pierre of pious +memory_;" and promptly he drained the tankard to the bottom; then, +bringing it down again with a bang upon the table, he fairly roared with +laughter. + +"Thou art an ass, Pierre! An arrant ass!" said the Abbot, who was +considerably nettled at the freedom with which Pierre made a jest of him +and his office. "Canst thou not see that after the Baron's death De +Montfort will soon be quit of us if we cannot checkmate him? To jest +under the gallows, and end it by swinging on them, is fool's work." + +"Well, well, I'll turn the matter over carefully, I think," said Pierre +a little more soberly. "Your Grace has done it, and I think there is +something in it. I don't know how the sneaking method of doing things, +after the dare-devil manner familiar to me, will suit my stomach. I have +always liked the chase better than the game, and I confess I would +rather fight it through, come what may. + +"But," said he, bursting into a loud guffaw, as the ludicrousness of his +turning monk thrust itself upon him, and relapsing again into the +jocularity and bitter sarcastic tone familiar to him,-- + +"Now that _you_ recommend it so strongly, I think I will retire from +_active duties_, and grow fat and wheezy like yourself. Anyhow, it +stands to reason, the bigger the paunch the more good sack wine it will +hold, and that is an item. True, too, a lazy life and a lascivious +appetite are bound to go together. Less force to labour, and more to +lechery; that's the sum of it. I think I come to't, your Reverence. +Beshrew me! what would any man have? for if he lust lustily, and be a +jolly trencherman to boot, with his fill provided to him, what can he +wish for more? My hand on it, your Reverence! I'll undertake the +venture. It is a mad hazard, but I like it none the worse for that!" + +"Then when wilt thou start on thine errand, Pierre? Time is precious. +The Count knows I have possession of those letters, and, mark me, he +will circumvent us if he can." + +"Line my pocket with gold pieces and I'll start at cock crowing, and De +Montfort may catch me if he can, when once I get the start of him." + +Slowly at that instant the door opened behind them, and Oswald, Wulfhere +and a couple of attendants, armed to the teeth, entered, and closed the +door behind them, whilst one stout yeoman set his back against it. The +countenance of Vigneau fell on the instant as though a sword had pierced +him, and he became livid as death. Hastily clutching at the letters +lying on the table, he endeavoured to thrust them into a recess of the +cabinet, and he fairly cowered in abject terror before these strange +visitants. On the contrary, Pierre whipped out his broadsword, and +fiercely stood at bay; his savage valour being in striking contrast to +the crouching cowardice of the Abbot. + +"Give place, master," said Wulfhere, advancing on Pierre; "this fellow +is mine. You have already had your revenge. Now, blood-thirsty villain," +said he, addressing Pierre, "I told thee, did I not, that the time would +come when thou shouldest answer to me for thy cruelties and murders? the +time has come now; and thou canst no longer shirk the fate that has long +awaited thee." + +"Did I ever shirk meeting thee, or any churlish Saxon in Britain? Give +me fair play, and I'll give thee a speedy passage to the devil, sirrah!" +said Pierre savagely, striding towards Wulfhere. + +So the two stood upon their guard. The Abbot shrinking in mortal terror +in one corner, whilst Oswald and his followers looked on in anxious +suspense; for they knew well the strength and brutal valour of Pierre, +who was ever foremost in any fray, and equally an adept at either stroke +or thrust. Wulfhere also was second to none amongst the Saxon outlaws in +skill and strength, or personal bravery. Toe to toe for a moment they +stood eyeing each other with lips set, and mortal enmity in their eyes. +Then stroke and thrust and parry followed each other in rapid +succession. The rapid advancing or retiring, as each one gave or +received a stroke, by these powerful gladiators, wrought the spectators +to such a pitch of excitement that they held their breath almost to +suffocation. But the climax came in a totally unexpected manner. +Wulfhere drove at his antagonist a powerful sweep of his sword, but +Pierre effectually interposed his sword and parried the blow. Such was +the force of the blow, however, that the treacherous weapon flew in two, +the point striking the opposite side of the room, and the hilt, with +half the broken blade, remaining in Wulfhere's hand. Ere Oswald could +interpose between them, Pierre shouted,-- + +"Aha! Now I have you!" and rushed in with a furious lunge at Wulfhere's +body. + +The words were true enough, but not in the sense in which Pierre had +uttered them; for with lightning-like agility Wulfhere sprang aside, and +the glittering weapon slid harmlessly into the empty air beyond him. So +confident, however, had Pierre been of the helplessness of his opponent, +and so confident of the deadliness of his thrust, that he took no +precaution whatever of his own body. The eager rush also of his own +onslaught, coupled with the force with which Wulfhere drove the broken +blade at him, caused it to pass clean through his body, and, with a +groan and a half-uttered oath, he fell forward on his face, dead. + +The Abbot, as he witnessed the close of the tragic scene, literally +crawled to the feet of Oswald, begging piteously for mercy. One of the +men-at-arms who accompanied Oswald, advanced upon him, and said,-- + +"Leave him to me, master. Now, dastardly fiend!" said he, addressing the +Abbot, "there has come a reckoning day even for you. You remember the +little cot out yonder befouled by your infamous presence. You know the +boy murdered by you in cold blood, and waiting to be avenged until this +hour. The time has come at last." + +"Have mercy upon me," moaned the Abbot, "and I will recompense you +liberally. Take this gold chain," said he, removing a massive gold chain +from his neck, "it is very valuable, and I will give thee more." + +"If you think a gold chain will recompense me for my dead child, base +hound, you are greatly mistaken. His blood cries for vengeance, and I +will exact it now." + +As he spoke he raised his sword, and at a blow he severed the Abbot's +head from his body. + +"This is most ghastly work," said Oswald, "and to be done within the +sacred precincts of this edifice it is most deplorable. But surely +iniquities such as these men have constantly and unblushingly +perpetrated call for most drastic remedies. Men, gather up these bodies, +and bury them deep in the woods before the dawn." + +The two men-at-arms called in some of their fellows who were watching in +the corridors outside, and, swathing the bodies in the Abbot's robes, +they hurried along the corridors and out of the grounds, bearing their +ghastly burden to secret burial in the forest. + +Oswald and Wulfhere remained behind engaged in diligent search. + +"There are certain documents possessed by this man which are of vast +importance to some one I would like to serve," said Oswald. "We must +find them, if possible, ere we quit this place. I saw the Abbot hastily +remove some papers as we entered, as though he was exceedingly anxious +to conceal them. I strongly suspect they are the letters I would fain +lay hands upon." + +So saying, he advanced to the cabinet, and throwing it open, almost +immediately drew forth the letters which had well-nigh had such dire +effects upon the life and happiness of Alice De Montfort. Oswald gave an +exclamation of pleased surprise as the seal of De Montfort caught his +eye, and, hastily unfolding them, he eagerly ran over their contents one +by one, and, as he gathered their import, he said to Wulfhere,-- + +"These are indeed a treasure more precious than gold. They bear evidence +of one fatal mistake on the part of one whose astuteness is otherwise +marvellous; and they have been an instrument of terror to the author of +them for a long time. Now this dread secret will henceforth be sealed +for ever. Sealed it is in the death of those who knew and used it so +unscrupulously; and it will soon be sealed in the destruction of these +documents." + +So he hastily thrust them into his bosom, and they continued their +search. But nothing further that had any bearing upon the subject could +be found. + +"Our work in this place is evidently at an end for the present," said +Oswald. "So let us be gone, for I would finish this day's work. I wot +there are some who at this moment are in terrible suspense, and are +awaiting in well-nigh mortal terror for the further development of this +tragedy. So let us away, the night is still young, and there is a voice +eagerly calling for me." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + +BEWARE THE VIKING. + + "O'er bog or steep, through strait, rough, dense, or rare, + With head, hands, wings, or feet, pursues his way, + And swims, or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or flies." + + Milton. + + +We left Sigurd and his two followers in the cave in the mountains. +Sigurd, as usual, was restless and eager for further attacks upon the +Normans. So, early next morning, one of his men, in obedience to his +commands, climbed to the top of the mountain for the purpose of +signalling the scattered band, who, since the departure of their leader, +with the wounded chieftain Oswald--narrated previously--had been in +hiding in small companies, or singly, with their wives and children. +This messenger laboriously scaled peak after peak until he mounted the +loftiest eminence of all; from whence, far away in the hazy distance, +summit after summit towered heavenwards, with scarred weird valleys +lying between them, and the placid wood-encircled lakes in goodly number +shining like burnished silver, looking up to heaven, reflecting sun and +cloud in their still depths. The man, ignorant, unlettered, and +uncultured as he was, felt the mighty inspiration; and he stood +passively for a few minutes surveying the scene lying before him. Then +slowly he turned upon his heel until he had faced every point of the +compass, taking in the mighty distances within the circle of these +mountain sentinels, with the magnificent and inspiring solitudes around +on every hand. The cool mountain breeze stirred his long, unkempt locks +and beard; and the air, pure as the unsullied breath of heaven, like an +inspiration thrilled through his lungs, and poured its vitalising energy +through every vein in his body. Not a sound, however, broke from his +lips betokening any sense of admiration or appreciation of what he +looked upon. Only some half-articulated guttural sounds betokened +intense inward satisfaction. But now, in a moment, quick as thought, his +brawny arms unfolded from across his broad chest, and a fierce fire of +rage kindled in his eye; a savage expression also escaped his lips, for +the deep baying of a hound broke upon his ear, and turning, he saw down +in the valley yonder, Norman soldiers putting bloodhounds on the trail +of his chieftain, Sigurd. Instantly, without staying to rear aloft the +beacon, which was to speak to comrades hiding in distant valleys or on +the distant hills, he darted over the shoulder of the hill, and with +long, fleet strides, seemed almost to fly towards the cave, where, in +hiding, he had left his master. On reaching the cave he hurriedly +explained to Sigurd the position of affairs. With a savage exclamation +the chieftain said,-- + +"Ha! they hunt me with dogs again, as though I were a wolf or a hog. +Well, let them beware! the wild boar of the mountains will find them +more sport than will be pleasant, as he has done many times before! I +suppose it will be a long race, for these Norman sleuthhounds are sure +of scent, and will not be easily shaken off! Forward ye up the burn; we +will go over the head, for there is a trap laid for them up yonder. From +thence we go down into Deepdale, keeping along round the head of +Ulleswater. Ye will get a good start, and may take it easy." + +"What will ye do, Jarl? If ye mean to attack these Norman dogs, we would +rather stand by you and share the risk." + +"I shall be ruled by fate. Skuld, the Viking's friend, has me in his +keeping; I shall not be slain; but one thing I must do, I must show +myself to them, so as to divert the scent from this place. We must not +let the hounds lead them to our lair here, for it is a snug port in a +storm, and we shall need it for rest many times yet, I fear. When I have +showed myself to them, I shall follow after you. As ye scale the summit +ye may look out; if I need you I will signal, but it is not likely." + +Buckling on their swords alone, so as to be lightly equipped, the two +men followed the water-course which marked the dividing line betwixt the +hills on either side, and which, in its turn, was flanked on each hand +by the dense wood stretching for more than a mile further up the burn, +until the inhospitable Zone was reached, where tree and shrub were +pinched and stunted into barrenness by the chill mountain air, and where +shelter only could be obtained by the innumerable and gigantic limestone +boulders, which grimly stood sentinel over the leaping and tumbling +waters. Sigurd hastily stowed away some provisions in a leathern case, +which he strapped over his shoulders. Then, buckling on his belt, from +which his broadsword was suspended, he crept from his hiding-place and +strode upwards through the tangled undergrowth, making for the clear on +the mountain side. His purpose, as we have already said, being to throw +the hounds off the old scent which led to the cave overlooking the tarn, +and to draw them directly after himself; for he was very little dismayed +at the prospect, so confident was he of his own power to keep them at a +safe distance, and weary out, if need be, the Norman band. Having +cleared the wood, he climbed up the hillside for a little way, scanning +carefully the course along which the enemy must come. All was quiet as +yet, so he sat him down to await events. He had not long to wait in this +position, however, ere the cry of the hounds and the shouting of men +smote upon his ear, and he started to his feet. Yonder in the distance, +and coming along the mountain side, he espied a couple of men, each +leading a hound, and a company of thirty or forty Norman men-at-arms +followed after. Climbing upon a knoll, professedly to survey the party, +but in reality to attract attention to himself, he stood for a moment, a +conspicuous figure on the barren hillside, and speedily he was seen by +the Normans, who set up a great shout of exultation as they beheld the +burly figure of their dire foe so nearly in their power. Sigurd waved +his sword defiantly in their faces, and then turned and sped him after +his men, towards the valley's head. Eagerly the Normans followed after, +having Sigurd almost constantly in view; and, as they deemed, soon to be +run down and captured. + +As they followed after Sigurd up the valley it grew gradually into a +most desolate and awe-inspiring solitude. All along the mountain summits +the limestone rocks jutted out clear of every vestige of verdure--bare, +bold, ominous, and frowning. The slow, but persistent disintegrating +influences of climate and atmosphere had, through the centuries, slowly +diminished their beetling heads; and all adown their scraggy sides layer +upon layer of rocky fragments testified most eloquently that rugged and +strong as were these rocky eminences, there was a despoiler strong +enough even to cope with their might; whilst in the bottom of the glen +were huge rocks lying where Nature's invisible fingers had toppled them +from the summit. Few living things haunted the place. Yonder, over the +crest of the mountain, a pair of golden eagles were wheeling in circles, +delighting in the strength of their matchless pinions. Here and there a +rabbit might be seen stealing in and out amongst the boulders. Several +carrion crows, with hoarse croak, flitted from boulder to boulder in +ominous expectation of coming carnage. Rich and plentiful had been their +fare since the coming of the Normans, and, with true instinct, these +flying Saxons and pursuing Normans, they knew, were prophetic of +gratification to their base appetites. + +On the Normans came, their following after being greatly expedited by a +constant sight of the quarry. For there was no need to be careful, or +anxious lest their hounds lost the trail. Sigurd was not a quarter of a +mile ahead, but in consequence of the ascent, and the rough ground to be +traversed, it represented a good start. He was also a much more powerful +and skilful mountaineer than they were, and with the utmost ease he held +the distance. As they progressed the ascent became steeper and steeper, +wilder and more rugged. Frequently they lost sight of the Viking chief, +as he disappeared behind huge boulders or frowning rocks, only to see +him reappear again on some promontory still higher, from which he would +watch them for a minute or two as they struggled after him, the savage +defiances he shouted falling easily upon their ear. Nearer and nearer, +however, they came towards the head of this rugged and water-furrowed +gorge. Running along the topmost ridge of the hill on either side of the +cleft, down which the water rushed, was a long line of steep beetling +crags, bare, jutting, verdureless rocks, well-nigh impossible to scale, +and involving a wide circuit to outflank. The waters, through countless +generations, with unceasing rush and swirl, had shorn these flinty +limestone rocks asunder in one steep slit from top to bottom; and to +track the "mad Saxon"--as Sigurd was called by the Normans--through this +weird crevice, was to penetrate a mere fissure between steep and +overhanging rocks on either side, and so full of twists that the path +was frequently completely hidden a couple of yards in advance. The Saxon +knew his ground well. + +Not so these Normans; but, enough for them, their foe was a flying foe, +and they were numerous and consequently valorous. Ignoring completely +the many lessons of personal valour and mad daring this man had taught +them in the past, without pause they boldly followed after, the hounds +foaming at the mouth and tugging at the leash. 'Twas a fearsome gap to +enter, and they had not proceeded far when a jutting crag projected, and +the waters were compelled to make a circuit in order to flow round it. +With a deep bay, and an eager plunge in the turbid, rushing waters--for +he scented blood--the hound which led the party dashed past the +projection, eagerly dragging the Norman who followed after and held him. +But a blow of Sigurd's sword cut the hound clean in two, and a second +blow clave the Norman who held him. With a great shriek, a +terror-stricken cry, and without pretence of defence, they turned in an +eager scrambling retreat, each caring only for himself, and leaving the +rearmost to the mercy of the savage giant who followed after. When they +reached the open ground, where in numbers they could assail their foe, +no foe was in sight. Sigurd had exhausted his opportunity and was gone. +Who now would be first to enter again, and force this wild man from his +lair? Alas! not one! There was, however, no time to lose, and the +Normans were consumed with impotent rage. So some of them hurried round +by the end of the crags, whilst some scaled the face of the cliff, each +and all endeavouring, with utmost speed, to come upon the rocks above. +This was done eventually, and, swarming to the brink of the rift, many +heads endeavoured cautiously to peep over and down into the +water-course, intensely hoping, but almost fearing, to set eyes upon +their foe. But no Saxon was to be seen. They then rushed along the sides +of the fissure, peeping down as they ran, and making sure that their +victim was safely entrapped in his lair after all. But there was not a +trace of him. On and on they rushed, over-lapping each other in turns, +until, eventually, they came to the very summit, where the water-course +had completely run out into a mere hollow, a deep, spongy marsh or bog. +Hastily overtopping the hill, they eagerly looked down into the valley +beyond. With wild execrations of rage they beheld the object of their +direst hatred and fear moving down the mountain side with long, swinging +strides, nearly a mile ahead, and immediately he disappeared in a dense +wood, which seemed to stretch out its sheltering arms to the fugitive. + +Sigurd was now joined by his two comrades, and together they pushed on +for two or three miles through the forest, eventually rounding the head +of Lake Ulleswater, and patiently climbing the steep headland on the +opposite side of the lake. Here they halted for a while to rest and eat; +but they were soon again roused to action by the voices of men and hound +persistently following after. For the Normans were enraged, and, with +the remaining hound, they continued mile after mile to track their arch +enemy. Sigurd and his men, at a steady trot, continued to lead the +chase, covering another five or six miles down the side of the lake +without halting. + +"Shall we keep up the race until we weary them out, Jarl?" remarked one +of the men to Sigurd. + +"No, I have another purpose in view; but this long race, with the taste +of steel in the middle of it, will do them good." + +"Ye do not purpose making for the cave, Jarl, do ye? There are not half +a dozen men there, and we are no match for this company. Then there are +the women and children to be thought of." + +"No, that will not do at present. The boat will be safely moored at the +foot of Hawks' Cliff, will it not, think ye?" + +"Yes, I doubt not," was the reply. "I see now, Jarl. It is very good. To +slip the noose so deftly when the Normans think to hang us is well +thought of." + +On for a little while the three continued, until coming to the +rendezvous known to them as Hawks' Cliff--stupendous rocks shorn down +with well-nigh a perpendicular face and overhanging the lake. Down these +rocks, which required a cool head, deft feet, and a knowledge of the +giddy path, these three swiftly descended, until the water was reached, +where a boat was found snugly moored beneath the sheltering arms of the +trees which fringed the water's edge. Into this boat the three stepped, +and as the pursuers drew near they pulled away from the shore, making +for the opposite side of the lake. Here was a masterly manoeuvre, +completely foiling the enemy. For whether they went round by the bottom +of the lake, or retraced their steps by the head, it meant a start of +ten or twelve miles to the fugitives; and with the day wearing on, and +the pursuers wearied and fagged, the chase was manifestly closed for the +day, with one more futile attempt to destroy this redoubtable enemy, who +unweariedly persisted in exacting bloody tribute from their ranks, +disdaining every overture of reconciliation, and defying their utmost +efforts to subdue him. + + + + +CHAPTER XL. + +THE HOUR BEFORE THE DAWN. + + "What outward form and feature are + He guesseth but in part; + But what within is good and fair + He seeth with the heart." + + Coleridge. + + +Through the woods with sure-footed fleetness their powerful horses bore +Oswald and Wulfhere on the fateful night of their visit to the +monastery. Matters of most momentous importance to Oswald at least, as +well as to Alice and the Count her father, called for urgency, and would +brook no delay. Presently the pair stood together in the wood, hard by +the place of the mysterious passage. "Hold the horses, Wulfhere, and +await my return; our rest will be more welcome, and much sweeter when we +have brought peace unto others, and disburthened our minds of the +momentous issues following on this day's work." So saying, he swung +himself aloft, and speedily disappeared in the cavernous recesses of the +giant oak. + +Meanwhile, on the turret a lonely figure paced round and round its +battlemented heights in the shivering cold, but all unconscious, and +insensible to its chilling influences. It was Alice De Montfort who +waited and watched in the loneliness of the night, hoping, yet +despairing of hearing the welcome voice, or seeing the welcome form of +her Saxon lover. Ever and anon, as she paced to and fro, she lifted up +her tear-stained eyes in voiceless prayer to the heavens above her; but +the driving clouds as they scudded across the face of the sky, seemed to +shut out hope, and all response from the vaulted blue, toward which she +looked for succour and for comfort. Then in mute agony she turned from +the Omnipotent, whose form she could not see; and whose voice she could +not hear, but who, though as yet there was no token, had nevertheless +heard her prayer ere it was uttered, and in His own way was sending +fleet messengers of hope. + +Was there hope and help in man? She mounted the parapet and peered long +and anxiously over the bastions into the cheerless night, listening with +strained attention for sound of voice or human footfall. But the teeth +of the driving wind bit with piteous severity her wan cheek, and she +sank down again beneath the shelter of the wall. + +"Will he come to-night?" she yearningly asked of the empty air. + +Her faint heart gave the answer to the question. + +"No, he is a fugitive and a hunted Saxon; a wolfshead and an outlaw; and +after this day's vengeance he must hide himself as best he can. But I +love him all the more for that, for he is brave and true, and I will +gladly share poverty and exile with him. What would I not give this +moment to know that he is safe? to feel the grasp of his strong arm; to +hear his voice, resolute as a hero's should be, yet withal so tender, +that a little babe would be hushed to sleep by its gentleness, as though +'twere a mother's lullaby. How danger seems to fly from me, and dark, +overhanging fate is fronted by silver-winged hope when he is nigh! But, +alas! vain are all my hopes, for he comes not. Perhaps already the +traitorous minions have avenged themselves in his blood, and I shall +never see him more. I must fain get me to my chamber and weep, and pray +the night away, in the hope that with to-morrow's light there may come +some tidings of him. Just one last look from the bastion ere I descend." + +So saying, she rose to her feet. Ah! a footstep on the stone stair +arrests her attention. Some spy upon her movements--she is discovered! +Her heart beats feverishly, and she sinks to the ground with the day's +carnage flitting indistinctly before her mental vision. Ah! what is +that? The tall form of the Saxon chieftain is outlined in the dim light, +and with a cry of uncontrollable delight, and with supernatural energy +she bounds across the intervening space, and flings herself into his +strong arms in sweet insensibility. + +"You are my own now, sweetheart," said Oswald, folding her to his +breast, and imprinting a kiss upon her cold brow. "You anxious one; +whatever have you been doing? watching in this chill night air all +alone, and so scantily clad too." + +The ears into which he uttered his loving words were deaf; and the eyes +into which he vainly strove to look were closed. + +"Poor child," said he, "this is too bad." + +Then he folded her tightly in his arms and rested his warm cheek against +hers. Her eyes slowly unclosed, and for a moment she gazed up into his +face. Then slowly they closed again, and a sweet smile passed over her +features, the revulsion of feeling from despair to the joy of hope was +delicious. Like a little child waking in agony from some horrid dream, +and finding its mother's form bending over it, and forthwith dropping +once more into sleep, and peace, and rest. + +For a minute or two she was perfectly passive, whilst the new joy seemed +to be saturating her whole being. + +"I am so glad you have come," she said, rousing herself. "I was filled +with most dreadful forebodings of disaster to you, to my father, and to +all of us. Excuse my silence, but the joy was so great I could do +nothing but quietly drink it in. This horrid day has nearly killed me. +Even now I am more afraid of the future. After you fled the Abbot boldly +charged my father with disloyalty, and with having planned the day's +slaughter of his brother. His rage and his threatenings were dreadful to +hear, for he vowed that he would forthwith lay the matter before the +king." + +"Fear not, dearest, the worst is past. Everything has this day been +purged away in blood. I care not to think about it, much less to talk +about it. But after all, only the barest justice has been done, and I +know of nothing that calls for repentance. Has the Count retired to +rest?" + +"No. I fear there will be little rest for him to-night. I left him some +time ago pacing his room in despair, and revolving in his mind various +plans for frustrating the malicious intentions of the Abbot." + +"Other hands have already frustrated the evil designs of that most +wicked and loathsome representative of the Church. The avenger has met +him face to face, and he is no more. Come, let us go down to the Count. +I am the bearer of news which will make him look kindly upon even a +Saxon outlaw. Come with me, one telling of the story will suffice." + +So together they descended the turret stair and sought De Montfort's +room. Alice gave a gentle knock upon the heavy oaken door, but there was +no response. Then she gently pushed open the door, and the pair entered +together. The Count was sat with his elbows on the oaken table, his face +buried in his hands, and totally oblivious of their entrance. + +"Father!" said Alice gently. + +The Count gave a start and raised his head, and immediately started to +his feet at the spectacle which met his sight; for the stalwart Saxon +once more stood before him: his astonishment being still more inflamed, +as he witnessed his fair daughter lovingly clinging to the outlawed +chieftain's arm, and radiant with smiles. + +"Alice!" + +"Father, give this noble Saxon a hearty welcome, for he richly merits +it. A long time since I unwittingly gave him my heart, or rather he took +it, and he has proved himself our bravest and truest friend. He is +bearer also to-night, I believe, of most welcome news." + +So saying, she led her Saxon lover to the Count, and Oswald, dropping on +one knee, said,-- + +"Noble sir, your lovely daughter some time ago, in pure pity, gave me my +life. On the night of the taking of this castle she opened the prison +doors, and with her own hands undid my shackles----" + +"Alice, I little thought that it was your doing!" + +"Wait, father, till you hear this noble Saxon's story, and you will +chide me no more for that act of mercy." + +"Noble sir," said Oswald, "we Saxons never permit a debt of honour to go +unrequited. I have endeavoured as best I could to discharge the debt of +honour so nobly laid upon me; but the fair creditor has taken possession +of my heart. I cannot eject her, if I would; and I would not, if I +could, eject so lovely and so winsome a tenant." + +"Pray be seated, Saxon; I confess I do not understand the language used +by either you or my daughter, nor do I know how far it is permissible +for me to hold friendly intercourse with one whom my king expects me to +be at deadly enmity with. But Saxon or not, you deported yourself to-day +as a brave man and a true knight should do. The disguise was well +planned and complete, and your advent timely. It was most daring, but +what its purpose was I am at a loss to know." + +"Its purpose was to rid you and yours of a most deadly viper, and to rid +our race of a blood-thirsty tyrant." + +"I divine thou knowest more of my concerns than it is meet a stranger +should. But, be that as it may, I know not whether I am indebted to thee +or not, for one viper laid low has given birth to others, whose venom I +dread even more, and whom I have no means of appeasing. + +"It is better I should explain, sire. It is true I became possessed of +your secret, but the gratitude I owed to your daughter for the life +given back to me from the jaws of death, as well as for the love I bore +her, also for the fierce retribution I and my people owed to the +brothers Vigneau, for numberless cruelties and outrages dealt out to our +people, caused me to watch with scrupulous care, that I might serve you +and yours and rid my people of a deadly terror. I have news for you, +sire. Not only is Baron Vigneau dead, but also the Abbot, his brother, +has fallen by the avenging hand of an outraged countryman of mine, and +has been carried to his burial in the silent woods. Furthermore, here +are the fatal letters," said Oswald, drawing them from his bosom and +handing them to the Count. + +"No living man, save ourselves, I believe, is aware of the nature of +them, so it is easy to end their potency for mischief." + +At the sight of the fatal letters which had for so long a time hung over +him like the sword of Damocles, the countenance of the Count lighted up +as though it were by magic, and, reading them over carefully, one by +one, he ejaculated, "Thank God!" Then rising from his seat he walked to +the huge fireplace, in which were the smouldering remains of a wood +fire, and he dropped them into the embers, and watched the quick flame +as it sped up the chimney. After this he most carefully raked over the +filmy remains a pile of burning charcoal; then he returned to the table, +and turned a satisfied and kindly look upon Oswald. + +"Did I understand you to say, Saxon, that the Abbot was dead also?" + +"Yes, sire, I knew well that the work was but half done and the +deliverance half accomplished whilst the Abbot lived. I knew also that +the least delay would be fatal, so I and a few followers made bold to +force an entrance to the monastery, where we found the Abbot in close +consultation with one Pierre, whom doubtless you have met." + +"Yes, yes, Pierre--I know him well--a brave man, but an arrant villain +withal. I trust he is not acquainted with this foolish act of mine." + +"We found the Abbot communicating the whole matter to him, and by bribes +and promises inciting him to proceed at once to London, and lay the +letters before William. He hoped to bring down upon you the King's +vengeance, and then to possess himself of your lands and possessions." + +"And what of Pierre? then, is he at large, and in possession of this +information?" + +"No, sire. The stalwart fellow who acted the part of squire to me in the +tournament had cause of quarrel with him personally, as well as a long +catalogue of crimes against our people to avenge. He challenged Pierre, +and single-handed, and in fair fight slew him; so he also is no more." + +"Saxon, 'tis well done, whilst I have been moping and irresolute how to +act, you have planned and executed. It is well done, as I have said, and +I am a life-long debtor to you. But what is this betwixt yourself and my +daughter? I am bewildered. Alice, are you two lovers?" + +"Yes, father." + +"And this thing has been going on for some time evidently, and under my +very nose, and I as blind as a bat. This is passing strange; I confess, +almost with shame, my obtuseness." + +Alice rose from her seat, threw her arms about her father's neck, and +affectionately imprinted a kiss upon his cheek, saying, + +"Forgive us, father; we meant you no wrong, and we dared not confess +until the circumstances were favourable; but all the while have we been +carefully planning how we might extricate you from the power of your +enemy." + +"I have nothing to forgive, truly, you silly child. But was it wise to +turn your heart adrift like a rudderless boat on a tempestuous sea, and +leave the errant winds to drive it into port whenever they listed. A +kindly providence, however, has watched over you, and you deserved it. +Blindly, humanly speaking, your love has been placed, but it has been +well placed, in the keeping of a brave man and true, though he be not of +our race. But whither will all this tend, and how will imperious William +receive the tidings--that the daughter of De Montfort has a Saxon +lover?" + +"Father, let us have patience and faith; all fear of disaster is now +removed. This valiant Saxon lover of mine can wait the pleasure of our +liege lord; and I--my happiness is so complete, I scarcely know whether +I shall be, happiest as a lover or a wife. There remains much to be +done, and I doubt not but William will know how to estimate the value of +an ally and friend, who is at once wise and brave, even though he be a +Saxon." + + + + +CHAPTER XLI. + +NOBILITY IN CONTRAST. + + "Shall show us how divine a thing + A woman may be made." + + Wordsworth. + + +After the stirring episode which ended in the removal from the scene of +the brothers Vigneau, and their henchman Pierre, the relationship +between the outlawed Saxons and the Normans,--as it related to the +domains owned by De Montfort and those contiguous,--became much more +amicable and peaceful. The Saxon colony on the mountains boldly advanced +to the valley, and took up without molestation the tilling of the soil. +The sturdy outlaws whose home had been the greenwood, and their +sustenance the chase and plunder, now many of them returned to the +peaceful calling they had pursued before the Normans drave them from +their homes, and the plots of ground they lived upon. Intercourse +between the races became regular and uninterrupted; intermarrying being +of frequent occurrence. The Norman lost in great measure his haughty and +overbearing manner, and the Saxon hatred of the Norman accordingly +abated. The language also began to be a compound of Saxon and Norman, +for each nation was driven by the exigencies of combined intercourse to +learn a little of the other's language; and before my eyes daily did I +witness the interblending of peoples. This was a joy to me, to Oswald, +and to Alice; and indeed no one who thoroughly grasped the situation +could ever again look for the overthrow of the Normans; and whilst there +were wild, untamed, and irreconcilable Saxons, who fomented strife and +rebellion, and on the other hand Normans proud, overbearing and cruel, +yet there were to me palpable signs that the two races would eventually +become one people, to their mutual advantage. + +Happy am I also to relate that, through the interposition of Alice, and +the kindness and confidence of De Montfort, I was once more restored to +the rule of this monastery, and with its privileges and emoluments but +little curtailed. Thus was I able to do much towards the reconciling of +these two peoples. Thankful also I am to relate that, amid the multitude +of claims upon me, I yet had strength and leisure sufficient to write +these chronicles. + +The kind reader I hope will pardon me this digression, and the little +egotism I have indulged in, and I will proceed once more with this +history. + +De Montfort made no attempt to ignore the deep obligations that Oswald +had laid him under; nor did he attempt to interfere with the plighted +troth of these two lovers. Still many misgivings arose in his mind, with +regard to the attitude his sovereign would assume towards this union. He +knew well that if William disapproved of it, his will would have to be +law. He debated long with himself the question, whether it would be best +to first obtain William's consent to the marriage, or boldly solve the +difficulty by uniting the pair and then presenting them to the king. The +bolder course was finally adopted, and the day of the nuptials fixed. By +the unanimous wish of all concerned, it was determined that the marriage +should be celebrated without pomp and wholesale merriment, as was so +often the case; but that there should be the rustic games and rural +sports so dear to the common people. + +So accordingly on the eventful morning the bridal party wended their way +through the forest to this sanctuary, which we had decorated for the +occasion. As the party passed through the forest with light hearts and +joyous, there were others to whom these nuptials had most tragic +results. Secreted in the thicket and watching the party go by was one, +to whom every note of the joyous bells rang out a knell. Secreted also +in another part was one to whom this nuptial act was infamous, and +basest treachery; and like a wild beast he waited for an opportunity to +spring upon the pair, and with one more wild deed of revenge to +accentuate his undying hatred towards the Norman usurper. Soon after the +party passed on their way and came near to the Abbey gates, Ethel, +muffled and disguised as a peasant woman, stepped from the thicket from +which she had watched the party go by, and slowly followed them. But she +had not proceeded very far, ere some movement in the thicket attracted +her attention, and turning more attentively to observe, she espied +Sigurd's stealthy figure gliding amongst the trees with his naked sword +in his hand, and evidently dogging the footsteps of the bridal party. A +few fleet footsteps brought her abreast of him. + +"My lord!" she said, addressing him, "what does this mean?" + +"Ethel, is that you? I little thought to see you here," said he, +ignoring altogether the question addressed to him. + +"I am here, and opportunely my lord, too, if your attitude does not +deceive me. What means that naked sword when there are no enemies +present?" + +"Do you not know," he said in low fierce tones, "what deed is to be done +to-day? Oswald completes his infamy by wedding this Norman woman, and I +will kill him before this day is done, or henceforth ye shall brand me a +coward." + +"My lord," said Ethel placing herself before him, "what madness is this +that you purpose? Put up that sword, and mark me well! if any evil +befall him, and if you dare to injure him or his bride, either now or +henceforth, you make of me a mortal enemy, and I will not rest until +your crime be punished." + +"Ethel, 'tis ye are mad! or else your love at sight of this would be +turned to mortal hatred! Would I had not met you this day, then would I +have wiped out this stain from the Saxon race." + +The power wielded by this beautiful Saxon woman over this untamed +warrior was unbounded, and bore eloquent testimony to the depth and +purity of his love for her; for without another word of remonstrance he +sheathed his sword, and strode away into the depths of the forest. + +Then Ethel pursued her journey, following the bridal party into the +chapel, and sitting down, quite unnoticed, amid a motley throng of +peasant women and Saxon churls, who had gathered to witness the +nuptials. The marriage ceremony was designed to be carried out with +great privacy, nevertheless there were a few Normans of note gathered +there to witness it. There were also some Saxons, who had claim to +honoured names and substantial estates, were it not for the greed of +these usurpers; but most of these were now at best but fief-holders of +their conquerors, and with cowed and brow-beaten looks, they were +content to herd with their still more degraded countrymen. + +It was manifest to any careful observer also that, amid the few Normans +gathered, there was great disapprobation of the rite about to be +celebrated; and as the tall muscular Saxon, who had maintained his +independence and defied them all, advanced to the altar, they could not +forget that the glamour of this man's name had given heart to the +Saxons, and that, on innumerable occasions, he had vigorously interposed +himself between these tyrants and the objects of their tyranny. To see +him now standing side by side with one of the noblest, and one of the +most beautiful of their race, was to them bitter as gall. And I could +hear distinctly ominous muttering, and the handling of weapons. This, I +must confess, was what I had dreaded, and others also, I found, had +foreseen it; for at that moment Wulfhere and a sturdy band of Saxons, +armed to the teeth, entered the chapel, and boldly took their stand near +to the bridal party. At this the exasperation of the Normans was +increased, but nevertheless they were distinctly overawed by it, and no +further demonstrations of disapproval were made. + +Ere the marriage ceremony was completed, and as the monks chaunted the +Benedicite, Ethel glided noiselessly from her place in the chapel, and +hurried from the grounds. As soon as she was clear of them she turned +into an unfrequented path, which led to the heart of the forest. Sigurd +had been secreted near, watching for her return, and immediately she was +obscured from the gaze of others he joined her. + +"Has this Saxon traitor completed his dishonour, by wedding a daughter +of the Norman tyrant?" said he. + +"Oswald has wedded the fair Norman, and I bestow my blessing on them, +for 'tis the herald of peace to our downtrodden race, and an augury of +the coming union of our people and the Norman." + +"My curses on him and the coward brood of Saxons, who have betrayed +their country and, by their submission to the tyrant usurper, have +helped to rivet the fetters of bondage upon our race for generations to +come!" + +"My lord, this is most distasteful to me. I will hear no more of it. You +are utterly incapable of understanding them or their motives, it is +plain; so desist, once for all, from your unreasoning hatred." + +"Whither go ye now, Ethel? and may I go with ye?" said Sigurd humbly. + +"I am bound for the Monastery of Crowland, my lord." + +"_Monastery of Crowland! Never say it, girl!_ What do ye mean? Ye cannot +go _there_, Ethel! _Say ye will not go there, Ethel!_" he shrieked, in +agonised tones. + +"It is quite true, my lord," said Ethel firmly. + +"It cannot be, Ethel! Ye' cannot leave us thus! We are undone if ye +leave us! Say ye will not go to Crowland! _anywhere but there!_ I +thought ye would now forget my fierce and boorish habits, and be my +wife. Oswald is wedded, and ye cannot be his. What hinders ye from being +my wife? I will be anything ye ask of me, Ethel! I am quite broken now; +my spirit is broken. I will make my peace with the Normans, and wear a +serf's collar, and let them _whip me, cuff me--anything_! only say ye +will not leave me," he pleaded piteously. + +"Alas! my lord, that can never be! My love is dead, and will never more +have resurrection in this world. I have no capacity for a new affection. +A maiden's heart can be won but once. Do not importune me, my lord, +further. The end has come; 'tis a new epoch, and in it there is no place +for you and me, and 'tis best we should quietly vanish from the scene." + +"Is there no _hope_, Ethel, that ye will be my bride? Ye'll maybe change +some day. I can wait twenty years, if ye bid me." + +"There is no hope, my lord. There can be but one other change for me, +and that will be when I don the cerements of the tomb." + +"_No hope, Ethel? No hope?_" he slowly and painfully ejaculated, as +though each word was a dagger thrust at his heart. "Then I am lost!" + +Slowly he drew himself up, expanded his broad chest, and threw abroad +his brawny arms, as though about to grapple with an enemy. + +"Then," said he, "I'll have a sweet revenge on the Norman foe. I'll give +my blood again to the soil I love so well, and get me a warrior's grave. +Then, welcome Valhalla! Odin! Odin! Norseman's god!" he cried; "I am +coming soon to join the hero spirits, awaiting me in the land beyond the +dark and troubled sea." + +His head drooped upon his chest, and he covered his face with his hands, +whilst his whole frame quivered with emotion. It was the cry of a blind +faith, but it was the cry of the soul, and it grappled him to the loving +heart of infinite mercy. + +Ethel trembled violently at the bitterness of soul displayed by this +noble Viking, and the unbidden tears coursed down her cheeks in sympathy +with his sorrow. + +"Adieu, my lord! May God have mercy upon you," she said in broken and +tender accents. + +"Nay, Ethel! I'll go with you, I would like to see the door close upon +you safe, if it must be. 'Tis not fitting ye should take this journey +alone. These Norman dogs are abroad everywhere, and 'tis full of peril +for ye to journey alone; they will not respect ye as I do. These Normans +have no respect for such as you." + +"I am sorry to say I cannot permit this, my lord. It would be both at +your peril and my own. Do you not know what a heavy price these Normans +have put upon your head?" + +"Ah! they have made me a wolfshead truly, but they have not done with me +yet, Ethel; not done with me, they will find! Broken in spirit, as I am, +I do not fear them; nor do I care what price they have put upon my head. +I have nothing to live for, but I will _die like a Viking_. If it will +be a peril to you if I go with you, well, let it be so; but 'tis bitter +parting, Ethel." + +"Do not fear on my account, my lord. The Abbot Adhelm has made +arrangement for two of the monks to bear me company; and their sacred +office and my vow will protect both them and myself from the violence of +the Normans." + +"Shall I never see ye more, Ethel? _Never more?_ Won't ye come +_sometimes_ just to have a look at the _old hills_ again? and I'll meet +ye, and we'll see how the world fares with you and me. Promise me ye'll +come sometimes, Ethel, and let me look upon your sweet face. I've nought +to live for but you!" + +Ethel was deeply moved at Sigurd's importunity, but she said,-- + +"My lord, I cannot hope to meet you any more on earth; but I will +venture to hope and pray that, when our God, who is a God infinite in +mercy and compassion, shall strike the balance betwixt right and wrong, +between high ideals and a grovelling ambition--in short, when He shall +'judge the world in righteousness,' He will find that the recording +angel has made many an entry to your account, and blurred out many a +fault with his tears; and that after all it will be found that your +erring but sturdy virtues outweigh by far your many faults, and the +limitations of your life. Then we shall meet again beyond the grave, +where we shall see eye to eye, and 'where the wicked cease from +troubling and the weary are at rest.' Once more adieu, my lord!" So +saying, she sped on her way. + +Sigurd stood silently watching her retreating form until she disappeared +from view, and for several minutes he still stood gazing after her like +one bereft, whilst his massive frame was shaken with powerful emotions. +Then slowly he muttered to himself: "The sun is set upon all my hopes; +my day is done, and all is lost, save love of country and revenge. I +cannot, like this Oswald, bend and crouch. A Viking once a Viking for +ever." Then, turning round, he crashed into the forest. + + + + +CHAPTER XLII. + +VIKINGS ALL! AN OLD TIME SAGA. + + "Sonorous metal, blowing martial sounds; + At which the universal host upsent + A shout, that tore hell's concave, and beyond + Frighted the reign of Chaos and old Night." + + Milton. + + +Not many months after the foregoing, Sigurd, followed by a score of his +wild Vikings, sought the cave of the priest Olaf, and they received of +the old priest a very hearty but a very grim welcome. + +"Welcome, Jarl! welcome, skalds! all of ye. Ye are the bonniest warriors +I have seen for many a day," he croaked. Truly the sunken eyes of the +gnarled old Viking sparkled with strange delight, at the sight of so +many hardy-looking warriors. He went round to every man of them, and +felt severally the stoutness of their limbs, examined their weapons, +capering gleefully at the old-style weapons he was so familiar with, and +grunting and muttering gibberish all the time of his inspection. Such a +display of force, unmistakably of the old stock, seemed almost to make +him young again; and he mumbled snatches of old time sagas, and weird +folk-talk of bygone generations. + +Truly they were a desperate, and a desperate-looking band,--wild, +daring, and uncouth; having all the instincts of wild beasts,--recking +nothing of life, unless it were accompanied by some wild triumph over +their enemies, and caring nothing for death; for it meant to them an +entrance into Valhalla, the Viking's heaven. + +"Priest," said Sigurd, "have ye any message of _forth-telling_ for us? +We are hotly pursued by these foreign dogs; they have hunted us out of +our mountain fastnesses, and now they tread on our heels closely. They +are encamped for the night in a neighbouring valley, and we cannot shake +them off, for they are tracking us with sleuthhounds. Shall we give them +battle to-night? Our stomachs are empty, and we shall be sore pressed on +the morrow." + +"Skalds, tarry ye here a little while and eat, and I will inquire for +ye. Skuld is our friend, and he rules all _man slaying_. He will hear me +this night, and if he ride with you to battle, woe will be to these +Normans--ye shall sweep them before ye. We will set up the +_Skaldstong_[7] also, presently, and invoke our ancient god Odin, that +he may send his '_Maidens of Victory_,' the '_Valkyrias_,' and if they +help, what shall hurt ye? Ye shall hurl your enemies to the ground and +slay them every one. Come into my cave, the night falls in." + +[Footnote 7: Imprecation pole.] + +So saying, the old priest led the way into a spacious cavern, which +opened out from the vast cleft where they stood. To the right of the +cave a wood fire was burning low, and along the edge of it there were a +number of natural seats, formed by ledges of the rock. Olaf bade his +visitors be seated, then he lighted several torches at the fire, and +suspended them against the rocky sides of the cave. In their flickering +and fitful light the cave presented a very weird appearance. Here and +there the white and jagged surfaces of the limestone rock seemed like +human figures standing in the shadows, whilst the dark recesses threw +them out like sentinels on guard. + +Evidently it was a great occasion for the priest Olaf,--his ghostly +office had fallen greatly into disuse of late years, to his great grief +and chagrin. But troublous times had come, and men, unable to cope with +their enemies, came now humbly to him for aid in their dire distress; +and as he rambled about the cave, his mumbling, muttering and chanting +never ceased. First he ransacked the cave for food for these famishing +guests, and whilst they were eating he mended his fire. Then, from a +stone coffin in one of the recesses, he fetched the whitened bones of +some famous chieftain who had led them in the olden time. These he +proceeded to fasten around his neck and body. Next he fetched from +another recess a long pole with runes carved upon it. This he erected, +and made it to stand by inserting its lower end in a hole evidently +prepared for it. This was the "_Skaldstong_" or _Imprecation pole_: its +use being to invoke the curses of Odin upon their enemies, and to invoke +the help of the "Valkyrias," whom warriors often saw riding on fiery +steeds to their help. + +All this time Olaf never ceased the horrid chant, or song. Strange +gibberish indeed--sometimes running into metric verse, which he chanted +in a rude sing-song voice--at other times it was wild imprecations and +interjections, which he flung out with frenzied gestures, and in +thrilling tones and loud. + +Whilst this proceeding was confined to himself, it acted with electrical +effect upon these wild men. Slowly at first, then with accelerated pace, +they were worked up into a strange frenzy; first giving utterance to low +passionate interjections, then, as the infection became more feverish, +they seemed completely carried away,--shouting, starting to their feet, +and brandishing their swords, as though in deadly combat. Ere long every +man, Sigurd included, was in a state of overwhelming excitement, +capering round the Skaldstong, holding aloft their weapons in the air, +and making the cave ring again with their shouts and shrieking. + +The following is a sample of the rude and uncouth song which Olaf +chaunted:-- + + "Odin, the Norse god, + Skaldstong we rear; + Curse us the foe near, + Cold-ribbed[8] and foul. + Nithing[9] is the Saxon, + Marrowless his bones; + Jotun,[10] we call thee, + Loose us the watch-dogs. + Snarls the fierce wolf, + Creeping light[11] bearing; + Gyg, woman of Jotnar, + Haste on before; + Gird on the Hel-shoes,[12] + Freeze up the blood. + Terror-full and shaking, + The sallowy kite hovers; + The wolf digs his fangs, + Drinks up the blood. + Skuld[13] has gotten him + Vedrfolnir's[14] prey; + Told o'er the corpses + Fattened with gore. + Water sprinkled heroes, + Nornir hath life fated; + Valkyrias hath guarded, + Shout for the prey." + +[Footnote 8: Cold-hearted.] + +[Footnote 9: Coward.] + +[Footnote 10: Race of gods.] + +[Footnote 11: Lantern.] + +[Footnote 12: The dead were fitted with Hel-shoes.] + +[Footnote 13: Ruler of man-slaying.] + +[Footnote 14: fabled Hawk.] + +Gibberish it seems to modern ears; but upon these rude men,--with +grossly over-grown superstitions, and dwarfish reasoning +faculties,--this song, jerked out in frenzied exclamations and fanatical +intensity, the effect was electrical and intensely contagious. + +Whilst the excitement was at its height, above the din the priest's +voice was heard as he shouted,-- + +"_Skalds, hoi! I scent the battle_; I smell the blood of the Normans. +"Gyg,[15]" the woman of Jotun race, has gone before ye, to confound the +foe. _Scalds, hoi!_ Arise! scatter your enemies!" + +[Footnote 15: Witch.] + +As he said this he handed to every man a small piece of wood, with runes +carved upon it, and each one hid it under his garment. It was a sure +protection against wounds and death. Then, catching up an image of Thor +and carrying it before him, he cried,-- + +"Follow me." + +So saying, he led the way, followed by Sigurd and the rest in a state of +intense excitement. Together they scrambled out on the limestone hills +above them. It was quite dark, saving as the boisterous wind sent the +broken and ominous-looking clouds scurrying before it, across the face +of the heavens, and permitting the stars to look down to earth. The +elements seemed, indeed, to have caught the fierce infection, for the +wind howled and whistled against the huge boulders, and the bare +limestone precipices on the hillside; and it soughed and roared through +the woods below, rocking and tossing the tree-tops until they seemed +possessed by the furies. The fierce band of men responded in savage glee +to this tempest of the elements; every man amongst them believing that +this fierce raging of nature was the work of the supernatural agencies +invoked, and already hastening to help them in this work of revenge. The +old priest's vigour and animation was marvellous: he seemed to have +shaken off the infirmities of age; the wild fanatic spirit within +achieving a complete triumph over the weak and shattered body. He led +the band at a brisk pace, chanting as he went the same weird song. Ere +long, the downward trend which they had followed led them within sight +of the Norman camp fires, at the sight of which they could not resist +the impulse to shout and savagely brandish their swords. But the state +of the elements was such that scarcely any liberties of that sort would +betray them. + +The Normans were encamped in an open glade, with the wood all around +them and within twenty yards of their camp fires. Previous bitter +experience, however, had taught them extreme caution. Two or three +sentinels paced to and fro, and several fierce dogs lay curled up in the +glow of the fire. Besides this, every sleeper, as he lay wrapped in the +arms of peaceful sleep, grasped the hilt of his sword. + +Presently one of the dogs raised his head and listened, then he started +to his feet with a fierce growl. + +"What is the matter, Gripper?" said one of the sentinels stooping and +patting him on the head. "'Tis only the shrieking of the wind amid the +trees." + +The dog listened intently with his eyes on the wood, and gave one or two +impatient snarls as though somewhat appeased, but not satisfied. + +"Lie down again, sir," said the sentinel, again patting him. + +The dog very reluctantly obeyed this command, stretching himself again +with a low, fierce growl, and placing his nose between his forepaws, +whilst his eyes shone in the darkness, and rolled from side to side most +ominously. Not a minute had elapsed before he sprang to his feet again; +this time sending forth a loud, fierce bay, which woke the echoes and +effectually roused every sleeper in the camp. Immediately the dog sprang +towards the adjacent thicket with savage fierceness. But just as quickly +he beat a cowardly retreat with his tail between his legs, like a +whipped spaniel, for he had fronted the weird and unearthly form of the +priest Olaf bearing the image of Thor before him, and the bones of the +dead hero dangling from his neck and girdle. + +With a savage yell and impetuous rush the Vikings burst into the centre +of the camp, sending up their fierce war cry--SKALDS HOI!--to the utter +terror and bewilderment of the half-awakened Normans. Like infuriated +demons they laid about them with terrible effect; and as the Normans +realised the position, many of them sprang forward on the instant, sword +in hand, only to recoil abashed with terror as they faced the weird form +of the old priest, who, without weapon, or implement of war of any kind, +headed the fierce onslaught. In their terror and superstition they +thought that the devil himself fought for the Vikings, and they gave +back in mortal terror. Meantime their assailants made good use of these +moments of abject consternation of their enemies, yelling frantically, +and cutting down the Normans wholesale; they themselves being thoroughly +possessed with the belief that the supernatural powers fought for them. +The onslaught was so furious that the Normans staggered and reeled +before them, and hovered for a moment on the verge of an utter rout and +stampede. But one Norman in this desperate strait broke the spell, for +he sprang towards Olaf shouting,-- + +"_Witch or devil, have at thee!_ I'll try cold steel upon thy pate," and +with a blow he cleft the skull of the old priest. + +The effect of this was magical, the Normans sent up a shout which made +the greenwood ring again, and the echoes in the distant hills to send +back long reverberations. + +Now the Normans laid about them with vigour, and to some purpose. They +outnumbered the Saxon by two or three to one, but fully one-third had +been cut down ere they had courage to face the foe. Now the battle raged +with more equal fortunes. Blow upon blow, no quarter, no mercy given or +taken. At a terrible pace the ranks of each party dwindled, and ere long +Sigurd alone of the Saxons was left to do battle with three of the +Normans. A giant he was in strength compared with his antagonists. +Better equipped also he was for defence, for he wore a coat of mail, and +on his head a spiked helmet, with a shield of bronze upon his arm. But +his antagonists wilily beset him behind and before. With a spring and a +blow he cut down the man who fronted him; but whilst doing it, one of +the others cut a deep gash in his thigh from behind, and the third drave +the point of his sword between two of his ribs. Furiously Sigurd turned +upon them, and with a blow cut down another of his assailants. But again +a cowardly stroke from behind severed the sinews of his left arm, and +his shield dropped immediately from the powerless limb. So these two +alone remained of two stalwart bands of men, who a quarter of an hour +ago revelled in the pride of health and vigour. Sigurd was fearfully +wounded, with a deadly faint coming over him from pain and loss of +blood. He still, however, retained his sword arm unimpaired. Had the +Norman fought an evasive battle, time was in his favour, and the burly +giant would have been helplessly at his mercy. But the Norman was not +sufficiently alive to this fact, though he knew Sigurd was deeply +wounded. On he came, furiously attacking his man, and the battle was +ended, for with one sweep of his long broadsword Sigurd cut him down. +Then for a moment he swayed to and fro, with strength all gone. Next, he +staggered forward a step or two, rolling his eyes around as though in +quest of further foemen. Stumbling eventually over the corpse of a +fallen enemy, he fell forward amid a heap of mangled corpses; and, with +a deep groan, consciousness was gone. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIII. + +THE CONQUEROR CONQUERED. + + "Proceed my son! this youthful shame expel: + An honest business never blush to tell." + + Homer. + + +Not many days were permitted to elapse after the marriage of Oswald and +Alice, ere De Montfort, accompanied by his Saxon son-in-law, proceeded +to London. The Count knew well that, if the resentment of William was +once aroused, it would be a difficult matter to appease him. He was well +aware also of the fact that there were Norman neighbours, who were +exasperated at his conduct in bestowing his daughter upon a Saxon rebel; +even though that rebel had but maintained a defensive attitude, and used +his influence to calm the fierce passions which had been aroused in this +strife of races. They knew he had effectually barred them in the +barbarous policy on which they were bent; for which they gave him no +thanks. If these malcontents but got the ear of the Conqueror, grievous +complications might possibly ensue. + +When De Montfort reached London the king was at Winchester; so to that +place he and Oswald at once repaired. They proceeded to the castle +together, but De Montfort alone sought an audience of the king. + +It should here be stated that Northumbria, as the north of England +generally was termed, was a grievous thorn in the side of William. To +keep in check this people, and to suppress the ferocious outbursts of +the downtrodden Saxons which were constantly taking place, was a most +harassing and costly business; so he was keenly anxious to have reliable +information and advice, with regard to the turbulent north. Thus De +Montfort was welcomed heartily. As fortune would have it, Odo, who was +De Montfort's chief enemy, was away in Normandy, and there was nothing, +consequently, but the jealousy of Fitz-Osborne, that was likely to +interfere with the success of his suit; and this nobleman alone was +present at the audience which De Montfort had with the king. + +The Count was ushered into the audience chamber without delay. There, +the king occupied a chair of state in the centre of the wall opposite to +the entrance, with a richly embroidered canopy above his head, and side +hangings drooping to the wall and floor on either side. + +As De Montfort prostrated himself to the floor, the king rose from his +seat and, bidding him rise, shook him by the hand. + +"Ye did well for our cause at Hastings, De Montfort, and should not be +forgotten by us; but how comes it we have had so little of your presence +at court since then? I trow ye have been over busy scaring Saxon rooks +from their nests, and preparing yourself a roost in them. 'Tis an +occupation my valiants knights have much busied themselves in since that +day. Natheless, I mind me I have set my scribes to make a _book_, so I +may know where all the fat manors lie; my liegemen and barons know their +business well enough, and are going scot free of taxes; whilst the king +has got nothing yet but hard blows and a beggar's dole. Howsomever, I +will hear thy plaint. Thou would'st have more lands, or royal warrant +for what thou hast already grabbed, I suppose; for that is the usual +thing." + +"I crave your pardon, sire, but it is not for lands I ask, for I fought +my way into savage Northumbria, and ventured to lay hold of a tolerable +demesne there, and----" + +"'Twill be passing fair, I warrant, De Montfort, if thou think it +tolerable. Fat, fertile, and ample. Well, proceed! proceed! I make a +note of it thou didst not deem it necessary to say to thy king, May I? +But no matter, that has come to be a mere formality." + +"My purpose, sire, if your majesty will hear me, is to report the state +of the land and its prospects; as well as to acquaint your majesty with +an alliance which I have formed with one of the ablest of the Saxon +chieftains of the north." + +"By my halidame, De Montfort! hast thou ventured to form an alliance +_too_, with the Saxon dogs? Truly thou art over bold. Much too bold. I +think also thou hast forgotten the example of the countryman who warmed +the snake by the fire. I'll none of this setting at nought of my +authority, De Montfort, mark me!" + +"Hear me patiently, your majesty," said De Montfort, alarmed at +William's testiness. "I have brought this Saxon to court, and he will, +if permitted, make oath of fealty to your majesty, and there is no Saxon +leader north of the Humber whose influence is so great as his." + +"Aye, aye! make oath of fealty readily enough! like the rest of them, +and with as much honesty also. Truly, he matches thy boldness, De +Montfort, in venturing hither after the tumult which has taken place at +Durham. Natheless, we will see him, we will see him nevertheless; for +such boldness is catching. But if he be advised, he will be somewhat +careful how he deport himself, for he ventures into the jaws of the +lion; and some of these Saxon boors are too loud of the mouth, and think +it fine to 'beard' me, as they call it. Thou hast brought him hither +thou sayest?" + +"Yes, sire, he awaits your majesty's pleasure." + +"Let him be ready, and we will call him presently, when we have +considered the matter for a little while." + +So De Montfort vanished from the presence chamber, and the king grasped +Fitz-Osborne's arm, and together they paced the room in earnest +conversation. + +"What thinkest thou Fitz-Osborne, of this conduct of De Montfort? I +would our brother Odo, who is now in Normandy, were here; for he hath +somewhat against the Count, though I know not of a certainty what it is. +I have myself heard some whisper of his playing fast and loose in his +loyalty to me, but nothing of it has ever come to head. Knowest thou +ought of this?" + +"H--m!" said Fitz-Osborne warily, and craftily, "there are whispers +about, as your majesty says, but I would advise your majesty to hear him +and his Saxon ally, as he calls him. Northumbria is a wild part, and if +he can, through this Saxon caitiff, exercise any substantial influence +over that part of the country, it may be worth while to use him for the +purpose; but I would not trust overmuch to either." + +As a matter of fact, Fitz-Osborne was pleased at the prospect of having +De Montfort removed so far from the councils of the king; for he was +jealous of the ascendency he had acquired, and feared greatly any +division of the royal favour. + +"Thou sayest right. Tis best to hear the whole matter; though 'tis +characterised by too much boldness to be to my liking. However, if there +be a fox in the bag he cannot help but stink; and thou hast a sharp +nose, Fitz-Osborne, and will smell him out promptly, I warrant." + +So the king ordered the suppliants to be brought in. + +William still clung to the arm of Fitz-Osborne when De Montfort was +ushered in, followed by Oswald; and together they stood at the entrance, +awaiting the king's command to advance. But no sooner did William set +eyes on Oswald than he convulsively clutched the arm he held, and +hoarsely whispered, "_Notre Dame!_ What is this, Fitz-Osborne? 'Tis +Harold come to life again! Did we not find his corpse at Hastings?" + +"Be calm, Your Majesty. This is a much younger man than Harold, though +he belikes him wonderfully." + +The king calmly surveyed Oswald for a minute or two, and his composure +returned. Then he motioned De Montfort to draw near, and the Count and +Oswald advanced together, and bent their knees before the conqueror, De +Montfort saying,-- + +"If it please Your Majesty, this loyal subject of yours is Oswald, Saxon +Ealdorman, son of Ealdorman Ulfson, chieftains of Northumbria under +Saxon rule." + +"Rise, De Montfort," said William. + +Then he motioned them to a seat opposite to his chair of state, which he +resumed. + +"Saxon," said he, addressing Oswald, "thou hast come, I understand, to +make oath of fealty to me, and to swear in presence of myself and my +chamberlain to be my faithful liegeman unto death." + +"I have come with that purpose, sire, if it be your royal pleasure." + +"If thou art minded to be both hypocrite and knave, first swearing +fealty to me, and then proceeding straightway to stir up my subjects to +rebellion, thou wilt have many illustrious examples before thee, truly. +How long hast thou been of thy present mind? 'Tis a late-found +repentance, I warrant me! Didst thou oppose me at Hastings?" + +"I did oppose Your Majesty at Hastings, I confess." + +"At York, also, I doubt not, if thou art minded to confess it, Saxon!" + +"I opposed Your Majesty at York, too," said Oswald fearlessly. + +"Tut, tut, dog!" said William, grinding his teeth vehemently, and +grasping the hilt of his sword. "A very promising liegeman, truly, De +Montfort!" turning savagely to the Count. Then addressing Oswald, he +said, "Thou art to the fore, I perceive, when half a chance offers to +overthrow my authority, and to kill my men, Saxon dog! How comes this +whining for peace now? Thou hast had the Norman grip upon thy throat, I +opine. 'Tis that has changed thy mind." + +"I fear not the Norman, sire, for, if needs be, I am prepared to die for +my country; but I have duly weighed the whole matter, and I recognise +the futility of further resistance. I have also steadily, and for some +time, counselled peace in our witan. If Your Majesty is pleased to +extend your royal clemency to me, you will find me a loyal subject." + +The frank and fearless tone and bearing of the Saxon chieftain evidently +impressed the king, for he surveyed Oswald steadily for a minute or two, +measuring him from head to foot, and studying his face as though he +would read him through and through. Then addressing De Montfort, said,-- + +"Wait in the ante-room; we will consider this." + +No sooner had the pair retired, than William started from his seat, and +grasping Fitz-Osborne's arm, he exclaimed,-- + +"By the splendour of God![16] this Saxon is a pretty fellow, +Fitz-Osborne! Got character in him! A demon, I warrant me, as an enemy, +but to be sought after as a friend. Didst thou mark how he stood up like +a man to me? By the holy rood! he looked me in the face without wincing, +and there was none of that hypocritical whine in his tone, which I hate +above all. Didst notice also how he out with the truth boldly, in a +please God and dare the devil sort of way that I like? If he be really +friendly disposed, we will conciliate him by all that lies in our power. +How sayest thou, Fitz-Osborne?" + +[Footnote 16: William's favourite oath.] + +"He looks like a man who could be of service if he be minded to do so. +Though, I confess it, there is an independence about him, which would be +better if it were taken out of him. He looks as though he could make +mischief. But I would question De Montfort further about this alliance +he speaks of. It would be better if we had further light." + +"Gramercy! Fitz-Osborne, I forgot about this alliance altogether. Call +De Montfort alone!" said he, addressing one of the attendants. + +When the Count again entered the room the king said,-- + +"What is this alliance thou hast formed with this Saxon, De Montfort?" + +"I drove him, sire, in the first instance from his castle; but he built +himself a stronghold on one of our mountains, from which the force I had +at hand utterly failed to dislodge him; it is a wild and mountainous +part, sire." + +"Then thou shouldest have applied to me for help, and not have permitted +a nest of vermin to thrive under thy nose." + +"I crave Your Majesty's pardon; but, if you can call it to mind, I +communicated with you at York the last time you came north, and then set +forth fully the position of this Saxon and his followers." + +"But thou asked no help! I remember it well; thou didst say how +peaceably disposed this man was; and that he might safely be left +alone." + +"I think Your Majesty slightly mistakes the tenor of my message. +Nevertheless, friendly intercourse was opened between us. He visited me +at the castle with overtures of peace, which he has loyally kept. He is +also at this present time at deadly feud with another Saxon chieftain, +one Sigurd; because he refused to join an organised insurrection. Also +in a secret assembly of the Saxon witan, which was summoned and presided +over by the Atheling, he boldly advocated peace." + +"Hold there! Thou saidst the Atheling summoned an assembly of the Saxon +witan? My despatches say that the Prince gave secret information to my +forces of this traitorous assembly, and protested his loyalty; and he is +now at Rouen at my charges." + +"True, Your Majesty, he did; but not until this Oswald denounced him as +a coward to his face, and declared that he was unfit to reign in +England. Many others then, following this Oswald's lead, declared they +would not follow such a prince. Then, in the darkness, he sneaked away +to a neighbouring encampment of Normans and gave information." + +"Hearest thou this, Fitz-Osborne? By the splendour of God! But we must +know more of this. But no matter," said he with an impatient gesture. +"Proceed. What further about this alliance which thou hast formed with +the Saxon?" + +"We have dwelt together in a neighbourly way, having little trouble with +the numerous bands of outlaws ranging the bruneswald; for his authority +is acknowledged as far south as Sherwood Forest. If it please Your +Majesty, I have likewise given him my daughter in marriage." + +"Gramercy! De Montfort; but thou shouldst be king! Thou dost act right +royally! I lose my breath discoursing with thee! Is this the lovely +Alice we admired so much, now years agone, thou hast given him then?" + +"My only daughter, Alice, Your Majesty." + +"Were there none of my barons thou couldst have bestowed the hand of thy +daughter upon? Dost thou not know I claim to be consulted in such +matters?" + +"'Twas a love match, Your Majesty. These two plighted their troth in +true romance fashion, without consulting me. I was satisfied, however, +that it would greatly strengthen Your Majesty's authority in the north +of England." + +"Tut, tut! Ha! that was deftly put, De Montfort; but I have too many of +my knights, who make loud professions of strengthening my authority, +whilst all the while they deliberately set it at naught. A precious +loyalty it is. Now wait a little while, till thou hearest our commands." + +"Now Fitz-Osborne, the cat is out of the bag! what thinkest thou? De +Montfort is a wily dog, and has not told the whole story, I warrant me. +I like not this setting me at naught in my own kingdom; 'tis passing +strange, but I like this Oswald, Saxon though he be, better than my own +countryman. I like the look of him, and I think good will come out of +him. What sayest thou?" + +"If this Saxon can be depended upon, it will do good doubtless, sire. +His Norman wife, too, should influence him aright." + +"So think I, Fitz-Osborne. Call De Montfort and the Saxon." + +On the entrance of the pair, William said,-- + +"De Montfort, thy conduct has been most irregular, but, I condone it on +conditions, which I will name presently." "Saxon," said he, addressing +Oswald, "I congratulate thee on winning one of our most accomplished +Norman maidens. I am further, upon a consideration of the whole matter, +disposed to trust thee; and upon thy taking the oath of fealty, I will +confer upon thee lands ample for thy needs. De Montfort, I create thee +Earl of Northumberland; upon thee and thy Saxon son-in-law, I lay my +charges for the welfare of that province. If ye do well, well will come +of it; but I will have you beware, for if I find you unfaithful, I will +root you out of the land, root and branch." So saying, with an imperious +wave of his hand he dismissed them from his presence. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIV. + +THE LAST OF THE VIKINGS. + + "An old man broken with the storms of state, + Is come to lay his weary bones among ye; + Give him a little earth for charity!" + + Shakespeare. + + +One chill December morning, as certain lay brothers of the monastery of +Crowland were engaged gathering faggots in the woods to feed the fires +of the Abbey, they came across a strange-looking figure, sitting on a +fallen tree and leaning heavily against another. His cheeks were +blanched like the snow, and his long red hair and beard was falling +unkempt and matted over his shoulders and chest. He seemed sadly worn +and helpless, with strength utterly exhausted; but beneath his shaggy +eyebrows his eyes glowed with a strange, unnatural light. Beside him sat +a half-starved hound whining piteously, and licking the cold and +emaciated fingers of his master. The churls gazed upon the stranger in +abject terror, thinking him to be some satyr or spirit of the wood, who +would surely work them ill; but as the figure beckoned them feebly to +approach nearer, with much trembling and irresolution they drew near +enough to hear his voice. + +"Can you tell me if I am near the monastery of Crowland?" said he +feebly. + +"You are not many bowshots from thence," they replied. + +"Can you tell me whether Ethel the Saxon, daughter of Beowulf, dwells +there?" + +"Torfrida, wife of Hereward, and Godiva, wife of Leofric, are here; and +there is a younger one called Ethel, with the flaxen hair. She is a holy +woman, much given to penances and fasting, and she is very good to the +poor; is it her you seek?" + +"I have come a long way to seek this Ethel, and I am sorely wounded and +very faint. Could ye, for love or charity, carry me in your bullock +cart, for I have no further strength, and must perish shortly if ye +leave me here." + +So, assured by the evident helplessness of this strange being, the +churls came a little nearer, and asked him some further questions +concerning his strange quest. Eventually, they unloaded their rude cart +of its burden of wood; then they hastily pulled some tall grass, and +scraped together some dead leaves. Of these they made a rough sort of +bed to ease the jolting of the rude cart over the rough ground. With +much difficulty they lifted the stranger in, for he was of burly build, +though sorely wasted. Then, slowly and tediously, through the windings +of the forest, they returned to the Abbey. Nourishments and cordials +were administered to him, his untended wounds were washed and dressed, +and he was put to bed. + +"Ye are very kind to me, but have ye not a maiden called Ethel here? Let +me but speak with Ethel, daughter of the Saxon thane, Beowulf," pleaded +the stranger. + +"Be patient, stranger," said Torfrida, who bent tenderly over him, +moistening his parched lips. "Ethel is on an errand of mercy to the sick +poor." + +"Ah! ye know not how I love this Ethel--things might have been different +if Ethel had not left me." + +As soon as Ethel returned from her mission, she was informed that a +wounded stranger had come from far in quest of her. Immediately she +hastened to the bedside of the sick one, wondering, and tremulous with +agitation, and with many strange misgivings of heart. + +It was as she feared--there lay Sigurd in pain and great weakness, his +broad frame shattered and wasted almost to skin and bone. It was +palpable also, that the fierce, restless spirit was hopelessly and +rapidly consuming the small remnant of vitality still spared to him. His +eyes were deeply sunken, and shining with unnatural light, telling but +too plainly that another grim and unwelcome visitor was lurking near, +and that no human skill could long keep _him_ at bay. + +Ethel sat down beside him in her convent habit. What a transformation +was here! Sigurd uttered a deep groan when he set eyes on her. The long +flaxen locks, once the crown and glory of her youth, were cut short, and +the remnant hidden by her hood. The blue eyes, so tender and expressive, +and the fine, regular features were still there. The soft, fair skin was +a shade paler, and the short time which had elapsed had palpably aged +her, or else it was the cloister habit which made her seem so much +older. One thin hand was immediately grasped by the worn and attenuated +fingers of Sigurd, as he looked up most reverently into her face. This +fair Saxon had long been to him _St. Ethel_, and her form was enshrined +in his heart. He proceeded to question her in serious tones. + +"I am well nigh hunted to death, as you see, Ethel--dead beat--dead beat +at last. What think ye, Ethel; shall I get well?" + +Ethel shook her head. + +"I am afraid not in this world, my lord." + +He responded with a low groan. + +"But I can't be spared now, Ethel; the old cause is desperate now, and +sorely in need of me. What will become of my oppressed countrymen, with +never a leader to look to?" + +"God alone knows, my lord, but all things are in His hand; and I trust +that through this fiery ordeal, and through the long struggle, He will +bring profit to the nation. Already signs are manifest that the hatred +of William is abating, and Saxons here and there are being received into +favour." + +"Ah! Saxons being received into favour by the tyrant usurper! Then, I +wot the renegade Oswald, and sycophants and timeservers generally, will +thrive. My curses on the cowardly brood!" + +"Call them not renegade, my lord, neither curse them. Oswald will best +serve his countrymen by frankly accepting what was inevitable in any +case." + +"Nothing was inevitable, if he had but had the mind to stand by his +country. We would have followed him anywhere, for there was none of us +with a head to command like he had; and he wielded a powerful sword. No +other man ever got the better of me in single combat, and I could have +worshipped him had he stood by us. 'Twas the Norman woman bewitched him, +and I hate him for saving his coward's skin and betraying his country, +because a dark-eyed siren and temptress beckoned him." + +"My lord, no more of this! He was the wisest amongst us, and saw +farthest; and if you and others had been guided by him, there would have +been less of Saxon blood shed. I think I see clearly in this revolution +the hand of a wiser and a mightier than he--One who has seen fit to cast +your Viking hardihood and valour, and stern, severe virtues, and the +Saxons' milder traits, along with Norman chivalry and refinement, into +the eternal crucible. You and I and ours, it is true, may lose our +identity; but all that is best will reappear in the ages to come." + +"Ye speak in riddles, Ethel. Do ye think the Viking race will lose its +identity? Never!" said he, with fierce emphasis. "Vikings, who have +sailed every sea and conquered everywhere, to be swallowed up by this +womanish people--never! This will not do! Get me my sword, Ethel; if I +but feel it I shall be strong again." + +"The sword is resting in its scabbard, my lord. It has long since drunk +in its fill of blood--let it rest for ever." + +"Why have ye taken my sword from me, Ethel? I can wield it yet. I tell +thee, Ethel"--making a vain effort to raise himself--"there's marrow in +the Viking race yet, and we shall sweep the seas again as of old! I will +not lie here. Let me to the Bruneswald; I have men left yet, and we'll +make a fight for it to the end!" + +"My lord, you will never handle sword again. The Viking's cause--the +_reign of force_--has received its mortal wound. 'Twill linger probably +through centuries of darkness, and amid the twilight of the days still +later; for men, benighted men, here and there, will give it a spasmodic +and fitful revival; but never more in the ages of the world will the +gaunt and hateful reign of force be paramount." + +"Ethel! Ethel! Ye embitter my death. What will ye have, girl? Are our +gods dead, think ye? Where are our Sagas? Bethink ye, there is the +Viking race beyond the North Sea, and they'll come again; and do ye +think these sleek and well-fed Normans will drive them out? The hardy +warriors from the mountains and fiords over the fierce sea are coming. +Hist!" he shouted, half delirious, "do ye hear their shouts? Will ye +reach me my sword, Ethel? I must be up and meet them!" Then he sank back +exhausted once more. "Tut, tut, we deserve this for our folly. What am I +doing; going to die in a bed? The sea is the Viking's home. Why did we +ever take to land, except for plunder? Accursed ease and effeminacy have +undone us. But we'll to the sea again. Wait awhile, Ethel; ye shall see +who will be masters." + +"Calm yourself, my lord, and think of other things, for time is short. +The Viking's gods _are_ dead if ye ask me, or what is more true, they +never had an existence, and were only the creation of a wild and +barbarous fancy." + +Sigurd looked at her steadily. + +"Oh, ye are a Christian now, Ethel! Ye should not have left the old +faith; ye take the heart out of me; ye should have stood by the old +faith, then we should have met again in Valhalla, you and I. Ye know not +how ye make the Viking's death hard to bear: ye take my staff from me as +I ford the stream." + +"We shall never meet in Valhalla, my lord! but we may meet again in the +kingdom of our God." + +"Not me, Ethel! ye do not mean that I may go to the Christian's +heaven--bethink you what I am." + +"Yes, you may go, my lord. I am not without hopes that even you may be +found there. Certain you shall, if you are willing." + +"Will you be there, Ethel?" + +"Through the mercy of God I hope to be there." + +"But ye say He is a Prince of Peace?" + +"Yes, He is the Prince of Peace." + +"Ye know I am a Viking; what could I do in the Christian's heaven? +Should I have my trusty sword?" + +"No, my lord, you would need no sword there, for hatred, oppression, and +wrong, are unknown in heaven." + +"Will ye be my bride then, Ethel?" + +"They neither marry, nor are given in marriage, my lord." + +"Should I be near _you_, Ethel, always?" + +"I should like to be near you, if I may, my lord." + +"Ah, then I would like to go to the Christian's heaven if I might be +near _you_. There will be no Normans there, will there, Ethel?" + +"Yes, my lord, I hope there will be Normans there also." + +"Norman's there! Ah! that would spoil it, Ethel. What would a Skald like +me do with my heart on fire with hatred of these Normans? It will not +do, Ethel! It will not do! The Christian's heaven will not do for the +Viking!" + +"But our God will give you a new heart. He takes our heart of stone and +gives us a heart of flesh, so that we _love_ our enemies." + +Sigurd responded with a deep groan. "But Ethel, girl, what madness is +this? I should not be a Viking! what should I be, then? Should I wear +silks, and strut about in feathers and fringeing and be a flabby +courtezan? If so, I think I would prefer the Viking's Valhalla, after +all; it suits the Viking best. Why won't ye go with _me_, Ethel, girl? +Let the Norman and the slaves of Saxons have their heaven. Perhaps ye +think I should drag ye over the wild hills, or through the greenwood; +but I would be gentle to ye. Ye little know how I love ye, Ethel." + +"My lord, your mind is very dark; I will send a priest who will instruct +you in these things." + +"I want never a priest, Ethel; ye can tell me best. Do ye know, Ethel, +the old priest Olaf is dead? What evils have befallen our race! I fear +ye prophesy rightly; the end is indeed come." + +"I have no news, my lord; but I expected this." + +"Yes, he is dead; he would drag his crazy limbs after us in our last +struggle with the Normans; he said the gods would protect him, for he +had a charmed life, and that they would fight for us and give us the +victory; but we were outnumbered, my followers were all slain to a man; +but the Normans were also, for I cut down the last of them. Olaf, our +old priest, was also hacked to death by the enemy." + +"He was the last priest of the old heathen line, and he will have no +successor. The old heathenism is gone for ever, my lord." + +Sigurd groaned deeply, and called in frantic tones upon the spirits of +Valhalla. "Odin! Norseman's god! Can't ye help us in this pinch? can't +ye help us, I say?" Then with a deep groan he sank back in complete +exhaustion. + +"Calm yourself, my lord, or I must leave you," said Ethel. "But Sigurd +heard her not, his eyes were closed and he was evidently spent. With a +feverish start, however, he opened his eyes again, and sought eagerly +for the loved form of Ethel. + +"Ah, I thought ye had left me. The end has come, Ethel; I shall not get +well again, but I have one request; let me be buried near the _sea_, for +I know the Vikings will come again, and I'll hear their shouts of +victory and the shock of their onslaught; and, Ethel, let me be _mound +laid_, mound laid, mark me, Ethel! then they'll know 'tis a Viking +chief's grave, and the Skalds will sing of my exploits. Ethel, have my +sword also laid under my head, ready, my trusty sword 'Tyrfing,' +(foe-hater), we must not be parted. It's very dark, Ethel." Slowly his +eyes closed, and for a little while he lay quiet; then he started up and +shouted. "Down with the Normans! Ho, men! carry me out of the cave; I +cannot breathe here." After this fashion for a little while the fitful +struggle continued, and then in quietness the contest ended; and the +last of the Vikings closed his eyes with the loved form of Ethel bending +over him. + + + + +CHAPTER XLV. + +SUNSHINE HAS ITS SHADOWS. + + "Man's love is of a man's life a thing apart, + 'Tis woman's whole existence." + + Byron. + + +We must now make an end for the present of our extracts from these +somewhat interesting chronicles. Sigurd, when we last saw him, was lying +in the arms of death, overborne by many wounds and hard circumstances. +He closed life's fitful career, clasping tightly the hand of Ethel; and +his great wish anent his burial was conscientiously carried out by her. +Saxon hands bore him by stealthy night-marches to a silent spot where +the fierce North Sea waves break upon the lonely Fen-country shore. They +dug for him a grave overlooking a wind-sheltered bay, where ofttimes the +Viking rovers had anchored their vessels of war, and from thence burst +like an avalanche over the country, sweeping it bare of its cattle and +its treasures. They dug deep his grave and laid his trusty sword beneath +his head; and Ethel was there--a sincere mourner at his burial. Then +they heaped the mound high, as Vikings were wont to bury their chiefs, +and as Sigurd wished it. Now, silently he awaits the great awakening, +and not without hope; for, according to his light, he had a great ideal, +and with rare courage, unselfishness, and devotion he struggled to +accomplish what was beyond him, and that which the march of the ages had +decreed should come to an end, but which should never be forgotten so +long as men long to know what races were the important factors in the +history-making peoples of the world. + +It is scarcely necessary to say that Oswald's being received into favour +by the king, had a most beneficial effect upon the Saxon portion of the +population; and it did much to mitigate the rigours of that race +ascendency which the Normans strove to maintain. Our part of the country +began gradually to assume the wonted appearance of cultivation it had +worn prior to the troublous times of the Conquest. The lazy and +overbearing manners of the conquerors received a salutary check, and +Norman men-at-arms gradually settled down to peaceful occupations. +Wulfhere, the stalwart freeman, resumed possession of his ancient +patrimony, and in company of his charming little wife, Jeannette, was +more than content. Soon there began to play about his doors stout-limbed +youngsters, who, for enterprise and daring, bid fair to contribute +vigorously to the perpetuation of the stalwart race of _freemen_, which +had been such an important factor in English history for many +generations prior to the Norman Conquest. + +The only other incident we need mention happened many years after the +events recorded in these pages. + +One bright autumnal day, several of the children of Oswald were at play +in the woods near the castle, alternating their play by gathering the +walnuts and chestnuts which had fallen from the trees, or pelting the +squirrels as they leaped from tree to tree overhead, happy as only +children can be, when surrounded by bounteous and beautiful nature. +Suddenly there emerged from the thicket a woman, in the habiliments worn +by those who had renounced the world and devoted their lives to the +service of the church. The children were somewhat startled at the advent +of this strange figure; but her sweet face and winning smile completely +reassured them. She went up to the eldest boy and asked him his name. +"Oswald" was the reply. Then she took from her neck a beautiful crucifix +of gold, chastely and tastefully engraved, and to which was attached a +gold chain. This chain she put around his neck, depositing the crucifix +in his bosom. Then she removed his cap from his head, displaying a +profusion of curly locks, saying as she did so, "God bless thee, my +son!" Next she turned to the other children, inquiring their names, and +kissing and blessing them also. This done, she turned from them, and +stood gazing upon the castle in the distance for a minute or two; then, +as abruptly as she came, she disappeared in the wood, and was seen no +more. The children hastened home to show to their parents the beautiful +crucifix the stranger woman had given them, and to relate the strange +incident. Oswald pondered over the matter a long time, but with the +strange obtuseness which had marked the whole of his intercourse with +the beautiful Saxon, Ethel, he was utterly unable to identify the +strange visitant with any one he had known or remembered. A shade of +sorrow and sadness passed over Alice's face; and a tear trembled on her +eyelid, and fell unobserved to the ground. But she hinted not at the +personality of the stranger, though she understood the sad mystery, and +comprehended the tragedy which had been slowly and painfully enacted +through the years, in which a noble and virtuous woman's love had been +crucified. + + +THE END. + + + + +BRAILSFORD: + +A Tale of West Riding Life. + +BY JOHN BOWLING. + + +"'Brailsford' is a capital book, and, to those who can master the +Yorkshire dialect, it will give a great deal of pleasure. The excellent +teaching it contains makes it a most suitable book for a Sunday School +Library. If it once gets into a library, I feel sure it will be in great +demand. It is a thorough boy's book, and I wish every boy could read +it."--_Rev. Charles Garrett._ + +"Brailsford: a Tale of West Riding Life."--"This story ... is written in +a wholesome moral tone, and strikingly portrays the temptations which +assail young men in the business life of a large town. The hero of the +story is a draper's apprentice, who, by steadfast fidelity to duty, +rises to success; and the incidents are related with vigour, introducing +the reader to some curious phases of town life ... the book may be +safely placed in the hands of youths about to enter the commercial +world."--_Leeds Mercury._ + +"There is about this book a simplicity which charms, and an interest +that will carry the reader through every page. As pointing a moral, and +affording a stimulus to honest work, despite adverse circumstances, the +little volume will be of great value, and we trust it will have a wide +sale."--_Wharfedale and Airedale Observer._ + +"Our readers will recognise this as a reprint of a story which appeared +in serial form in the _Wesleyan Methodist Magazine_. At the time of its +original appearance we noticed it from time to time. In its new and more +convenient form it will greatly delight all lovers of the racy Yorkshire +dialect, and will at the same time prove instructive. It is a story of +the good and idle apprentice type, well told and satisfactorily ended. +The moral, of course, is unexceptional.... We heartily commend this +venture."--_Methodist Recorder._ + +"'Brailsford,' by John Bowling, is a tale of West Riding life, written +with animation and a keenly observant eye to various phases of character +that manifest themselves in rural districts. There is much humorous +dialogue in the book, bringing out several traits of Yorkshire life +excellently. There are, moreover, pathetic passages in this story, and +the author does not fail to inculcate some useful and noble +lessons."--_Methodist Times._ + +"... A most thrilling story.... We have the utmost pleasure in +recommending the book to our readers as one well worthy of a place in +every home.... The lessons which it sets forth are bound to make a deep +impression on every reader. We therefore earnestly wish the author every +success."--_Hunslet News._ + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAST OF THE VIKINGS*** + + +******* This file should be named 36054.txt or 36054.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/6/0/5/36054 + + + +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. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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