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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/36122-0.txt b/36122-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f87b2b9 --- /dev/null +++ b/36122-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8850 @@ +The Winning of the Golden Spurs, by Percy F. Westerman--A Project +Gutenberg eBook + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you +will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before +using this eBook. + +Title: The Winning of the Golden Spurs + +Author: Percy F. Westerman + +Release Date: May 16, 2011 [EBook #36122] +[Most recently updated: March 15, 2022] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 with BOM + +Produced by: R.G.P.M. van Giesen + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK +THE WINNING OF THE GOLDEN SPURS *** + + + + +[Illustration: THE WINNING OF THE +GOLDEN SPURS] + +[Illustration: RAYMOND SAVES THE BLACK PRINCE] + + + + +THE WINNING OF +THE GOLDEN SPURS + +BY + +PERCY F. WESTERMAN +AUTHOR OF "A LAD OF GRIT," "THE SEA MONARCH," +"THE TREASURE OF THE SAN PHILIPO," ETC. + + +LONDON +JAMES NISBET & CO., LIMITED +22 BERNERS STREET, W. +1911 + + +Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO. +At the Ballantyne Press, Edinburgh + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAP. + PROLOGUE + I. THE ARCHER, REDWARD BUCKLAND + II. THE SHADOW OF WAR + III. OF THE MIDNIGHT DESCENT OF THE FRENCH INVADERS + IV. OF THE GALLANT STAND OF THE NINE ARCHERS + V. THE MEN OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE GENOESE GALLEY + VI. AT THE ABBEY + VII. THE SACK OF SOUTHAMPTON + VIII. OF THE ASSAULT ON ST. BARBARA'S TOWER + IX. ON THE HEELS OF THE ENEMY + X. FATHER AND SON SET OUT FOR HENNEBON + XI. THE CHIRURGEON OF LÉGUÉ + XII. THE JOURNEY PERILOUS + XIII. THE RELIEF OF HENNEBON + XIV. RAYMOND'S ERRAND + XV. TRAPPED! + XVI. THE TABLES TURNED + XVII. THE FALL OF THE COUNT'S STRONGHOLD + XVIII. REDWARD'S CONFESSION + XIX. CRÉCY + XX. HIS LIFE FOR HIS FOE + XXI. THE REJECTED GUERDON + XXII. SIR RAYMOND + XXIII. THE ADVENTURE AT THE RUINED MILL + XXIV. THE HOMECOMING + + + + +THE WINNING OF THE GOLDEN SPURS + + + + +PROLOGUE + + +IT was early morning on the 5th day of August, 1303, the Royal City +of Winchester. The sun had not yet risen, but a cold grey light +filtered in through a narrow window and dimly illumined a small, +scantily-furnished room overlooking the city walls. + +Seated on a rough wooden stool, his face buried in his hands, was a +young fellow of about twenty years of age. His body swayed with +uncontrollable grief, and, though dry-eyed, deep sobs of mingled +remorse and despair showed the anguish that rent his body and +distracted his mind. + +In a corner of the room a torch, burnt low in its iron socket, threw +a yellow light that was fast being overmastered by the growing dawn, +yet the glimmer was sufficient to play upon the naked blade of a +sword, the steel of which was discoloured towards its point by a +dull, rust-coloured stain. + +Suddenly the sound of a heavy footstep was heard on the stairs. The +youth started to his feet and gazed wildly around, as if seeking a +place of concealment or some means of escape. He was tall, well +formed, and, in spite of his haggard looks, comely of face, and his +clothes, though rent and covered with chalk and dust, showed that he +was of no mean position. + +Realising the impossibility of hiding himself, he stood erect and +alert, awaiting the arrival of what he took to be his fate; but, +instead of a thundering summons of the officers of the law, there +came a gentle rap, and the door was slowly pushed ajar. + +"Hist! Art there, Master Revyngton? 'Tis I, Nicholas Hobbes!" + +"Enter, Nicholas! Certes I thought 'twas the watch." + +The new arrival was a man some few years older than the fugitive. He +was clad in a rough leather suit, frayed at elbows and knees, and to +which shavings and feathers still clung--a silent witness to his +trade of fletcher. + +"'Tis a sorry pass, Master Revyngton. How came it about?" + +"Ay, that I will say right willingly; but first tell me--how +knowest +thou that I am here?" + +"Easily said! Dick Ford told me that thou wert a fugitive in his +house, and asked me to use my scatterbrain wits to find a way to +smuggle thee out of the city. That being so, 'twere best I saw thee, +and to that purpose I am here. But, again, how came it to pass?" + +"Faith! I can scarce say. 'Twas in the meads, yestereven. Young +Stephen Scarsdale and Reginald, his brother, were on this side of the +stream, I on the nether bank, with Wulf, my favourite hound. 'Ho +there!' cried Stephen. 'What meanst thou by trespassing on the ground +of my Lord Bishop?' 'I do not trespass,' I replied. 'The Mead hath +ever been free to the men of this city, and no one hath yet said me +nay.' 'I'll warrant thou art after my Lord Bishop's trout. By the +rood, I'll send a bolt through the head of thy lurcher.' 'Thy aim +must be more sure than when I beat thee at the butts,' I replied, +little thinking but that he spoke in jest, but in answer he levelled +his crossbow, and ere I was aware of it poor Wulf was lying +transfixed on the ground." + +"Then I was seized by a thousand devils, and sprang across the narrow +plank bridge to hurl the slayer of my hound into the river, but +Stephen, whipping out his blade, bade me do likewise. In less time +than it takes to tell our swords crossed, though, mark ye, I meant +not to harm him; yet, like a fool, he ran in upon my blade, and 'twas +all over in an instant." + +"And then?" + +"The younger Scarsdale, who is a worthy gentleman compared with his +witless brother, tried to stop me as I fled. There was no help for +it, so he, too, went down, though I trow he is not much hurt. Hast +heard aught of Stephen?" + +"Naught save that he is as dead as a door-nail. But, Master +Revyngton, 'tis, as I said, a sorry pass. What wilt thou do?" + +"Do? Give myself into the hands of the law. What else wouldst thou +have me do?" + +"Anything but that. Consider! Thou art young and full of life. Why +shouldst thou grace a halter if it can be avoided, for, mark well, +the Scarsdales are a powerful family, and moreover Stephen was of the +Bishop's household. How thinkst thou to make good thy case before thy +peers when the weight of title and position is set against thee? Be +sober, young master, and think on't." + +"Ay, 'tis hard to die thus." + +"No need to die at all--at any rate, just yet. Flee the country. +France or the States of the Rhine ever offer an attraction for a +roving blade, and peradventure in a few years the affair will have +blown over." + +"But how can I escape?" + +"There thou hast me. Where is Dick Ford?" + +"Gone to gather tidings. He will be here anon." + +Both men relapsed into silence, staring moodily at the narrow window, +through which could be seen the battlements of the city gilded by the +rising sun, while ever and again came the sweet strains of a lark as +it soared heavenwards from the dew-sodden meadows without the walls. + +Again came the sound of footsteps, and Dick Ford, the bowyer, +entered. He was a short, red-complexioned man, with a cheerful +countenance, as if nothing could upset his good nature, though at +times his looks belied him, and the worthy citizens of Winchester oft +had cause to remember his tongue when it ran riot. Like the fletcher, +his appearance betrayed him, for the sharp wittle that hung from his +girdle, the daubs of beeswax, and the faint reek of varnish marked +his calling as a maker of the famous English longbows. + +"A pretty hornet's nest thou hast raised, Master Revyngton," he +exclaimed, shaking his head. "Yesternight the city crier called thee +at the market-cross, and on the Soke Bridge. The Bishop's Court hath +claimed thee, and in default of thy appearance thou wilt be declared +outlaw. Furthermore, the gates are doubly guarded, and men are even +now in ambush on the road to the sanctuary at St. Cross if so be thou +seekest refuge therein. By the saintly Swithun, I trow thou art the +most sought-for man in Winton." + +"He hath made up his mind, Dick," exclaimed Hobbes. "Better an outlaw +with a heavy conscience than a corpse with none at all." + +"Ay, let me but get once clear of the city and I'll reck not what I +become." + +"Bravely spoken, Master Revyngton! And now, how canst thou make good +thine escape? Thou canst count on us to a surety, for 'twould ill +requite thy father's kindness to us in times past if we let thee fall +into the hands of the Bishop's men. Where is thine arrow-wain, Dick?" + +"Below, in the barn." + +"And laden?" + +"Nay, but it soon could be. Wherefore?" + +"Place Master Revyngton in the cart and cover him with arrows. 'Tis +the day thou journeyest to Bishopstoke and Botley. He would then be +well on his way to the abbey at Netley." + +"Steady, Dick, steady! Should the guard at Kingsgate search the wain +my neck is as good as if fitted with a halter. Yet I'll take the +risk; but see to it, young master, if the plan goeth amiss, thou'lt +bear me witness that I wot not of thy presence?" + +"Ay, good Nicholas. But if they question thee and search the cart I +must make a bid for freedom, so stand in the way, and I'll warrant +I'll knock thee down just to give colour to the deceit." + +"But strike not too hard, Master Revyngton, neither on the face, for +I am in no mind to go home to my good wife with my nose awry or mine +eyes closed up. A gentle tap, I pray thee--like this--and I'll +warrant I'll fall as surely as if I were smitten with the club of the +Southampton giant Ascupart." + +"After all's said and done," remarked the fletcher, "there may be no +need to smite thee, Nick, for 'tis unlikely that they will search thy +cart. But the day groweth apace. If it is to be done, the sooner the +better, say I." + +"Then make a good meal, Master Revyngton," said Hobbes, setting a +loaf of brown bread, some cheese, and a jack of ale, "for if not +thou'lt feel the want of it ere long. Now set to like a good +trencherman, though, being but plain men, our fare is likewise plain. +Thou knowest the road?" + +"Passably well, save the latter part." + +"Then keep close, but not on it if perchance thou art pursued, for it +is to Southampton that they'll think thou art bound. Take the by-road +to Botley, whence the abbey lies but a league or so away." + +While the fletcher and the bowyer were giving advice the younger man +did justice to the food; then, at a sign from Ford, his companion +stole softly down the rough ladder that did duty as a staircase, and +peered cautiously up and down the street. Another moment, and the +three men had darted across the narrow road to a small barn, the +mutual property of several of the inhabitants of that quarter, and +shortly afterwards a rough cart, laden with bundles of +newly-feathered arrows, was jolting over the rough stones towards +Kingsgate, Nicholas Hobbes leading the sorry nag and whistling a +lively air as well as the anticipation of being floored would permit. + +"Thou art early abroad, Nick," quoth one of the guards, as he made +ready to throw open the heavy door. "There's naught but arrows in thy +wain, I take it?" + +"What meanest thou?" + +"Why, hast heard naught of the slaying of Master Scarsdale, that tall +youth belonging to the Bishop's household? Surely thou hast him in +mind?" + +"Ay, I knew him; is he dead?" + +"Where hath been thine eyes and thine ears since yesternoon?" + +"I have but small time for gossip, Tom, above all towards the end of +the week, when my stock hath to be renewed. But I'll hear the story +anon, for time is precious." + +The heavy gate swung slowly open, the fletcher called to his horse, +and the cart with its living burden moved towards the open country +and safety. + +"Hold!" cried a hoarse voice. "Tom, thou arrant rascal, wouldst let +the cart through unsearched What were thine orders from the captain +of the gate?" + +And, to the fletcher's terror, a burly man-at-arms came down a flight +of steps at the side of the gate, and advanced towards him. + +The first soldier sullenly strolled over to the back of the cart, +but, suddenly recovering himself, Nicholas Hobbes backed his horse, +causing the man to be pinned between the wheel and the stonework of +the arch. There was a sudden scattering of the arrows, an indistinct +mass hurtling through the air, and the fletcher found himself, as he +had foretold, lying prone in the dust. When he sat up the soldiers +were calling wildly to the rest of the guard, while a fleeing figure, +already growing small in the distance, showed that the fugitive +Revyngton was well on his way to freedom. + +With the din of the soldiers' shouts still ringing in his ears, +Revyngton ran steadily onwards with a long, steady swing, his elbows +pressed against his sides, and breathing easily, for he was no mean +runner. + +Away in front rose the gaunt outline of St. Catherine's Hill, with +the square tower of the Hospital of St. Cross, which sanctuary he +knew was denied him, slightly to the right. Between ran the +swift-flowing river Itchen, and the fugitive realised that he would +have to run the gauntlet of the watchers before the sanctuary ere he +could reach the ford where the river swept the base of the hill. His +way lay through the meadows where, but a few hours ago, he had +wandered in blissful, though then unappreciated, freedom, and +shudderingly, and with averted face, he raced past the scene of the +fatal encounter. Fortunately his local knowledge prevented him from +crossing the narrow plank bridge that led solely to a marshy meadow +enclosed by two arms of the river, so, keeping close to the shadow of +the pollard willows, he held steadily on his way, the babbling of the +river as it flowed with sparkling eddies in the bright sunshine +sounding like soothing music to the hunted man. + +Just as he reached the ford his movements were observed by a party of +the officers of the law who had been keeping a toilsome vigil around +the outer wall of St. Cross, and a crossbow bolt, shot at a high +angle, boomed through the air and buried itself less than twenty +yards from him. + +There was a general scene of confusion, some of the men running after +him afoot, others rushing off to where their horses stood tethered in +a clump of trees. + +It being the hot season, the river was but ankle-deep at the ford, +and, refreshed by the coldness of the water, Revyngton hastened his +pace up the long, dusty road towards the hamlet of Twyford. As he ran +he could not resist the inclination to look back, and from the +elevated position of the highway he could see the whole of the +distance betwixt him and the cathedral city. + +To his satisfaction he saw that he was more than holding his own with +those who pursued afoot, and even now they were giving up the pursuit +and the horsemen of the party had not yet started, but away along the +city road a number of dark, swiftly-moving objects showed that a +troop of mounted soldiers and retainers of the episcopal authorities +were rapidly covering the distance between them and their quarry. + +The sun, though the morning was yet young, smote down upon him with +relentless strength, and there was not the faintest zephyr to cool +his heated frame, yet onwards he sped, though the strain of the +pursuit was gradually yet surely telling upon him. + +Through the almost deserted village of Twyford he ran, one or two of +the earlier risers looking with open-mouthed astonishment at the +fugitive, while a little way further a black-robed monk gazed +amazedly at the approaching man, till, fearing violence, he gathered +up his ragged gown and fled across a field at the roadside, his +sandals clattering as he ran. + +At length, worn out by his exertions, Revyngton reached a spot where +a road branched off to his left, while between it and the highway he +was following lay a large pond, surrounded by trees and fringed with +clusters of reeds. Here he threw himself down on the spongy turf, +thrust his head and arms in the limpid water, and lay panting on the +grass, oblivious of his danger, till the regular thud of horses' +hoofs roused his jaded energies. + +Quickly he looked around, and to his joy he perceived the gnarled +trunk of a tree that had fallen into a horizontal position over the +pond, its branches forming a dark, shady shelter. Silently and +swiftly as an eel he plunged into the water, and a few powerful +strokes brought him to the friendly refuge. Secure from observation, +he drew himself upon a branch and waited the arrival of the horsemen. + +In a cloud of dust they appeared--five bronzed men-at-arms, with +long, straight swords strapped against their thighs; four lay +servants of the Bishop, with hard-set mouths and scowling faces that +ill-matched their calling as members of an ecclesiastical house; and +three of the city watch, more lightly armed than their companions, +carrying crossbows across their backs. Revyngton realised that scant +mercy could be expected at their hands. + +At a word from their leader the party halted, there was a hurried +consultation, and two of the men trotted their horses to the edge of +the pond, while the rest resumed their headlong pursuit. + +Then Revyngton felt that he stared death in the face, for less than +five paces from him were the two soldiers, sitting motionless on +their steeds and staring fixedly at the spot where he lay concealed, +their reflections being clearly mirrored in the still water. To the +fugitive it seemed as if his leafy bower were rent asunder, and that +he lay exposed to his pursuers in utter helplessness; but at length, +to his great relief, one of the men spoke. + +"Why this fool's errand for the sake of a hot-blooded youth? Faith, I +am not averse to earning the five marks reward, yet 'tis a useless +quest. Far rather would I be in a snug inn, for my throat is as dry +as a friar's sermon." + +"There's drink for thee," replied the other, indicating the pond with +a nod of his steel-capped head. + +"Water!" exclaimed the first with an oath; "I like it not, neither +inside nor out, to be plain-spoken. Art game to return to Twyford, +where the ale is of the best?" + +"Give them time to get out of hearing, thou dolt. Why doth the +sheriff keep bloodhounds and use them not, eh, Giles?" + +"'Twould have been the better way. But now, comrade, let's away!" + +Revyngton waited till the sound of their horses' hoofs had died away, +then, swimming softly back to the bank, he emerged and resumed his +way. + +Now the dangers were doubled, for not only had his pursuers placed +themselves between him and his refuge, but he knew not but that every +bush or hedge concealed a foe. Thus he was compelled to forsake the +high road and follow it at some distance away, keeping as close as +possible to the shelter of the coppices and dells that formed the +chief features of the district. + +As he neared the village of Fair Oak he struck the highway between +Bishopstoke and the Bishop's hunting lodge at Waltham, and for a long +time he lay hidden in the bracken ere the road was free from the +seemingly endless cavalcade of huntsmen that journeyed towards the +famous Waltham Chase, while hucksters from Southampton and Romsey, +intent on doing a good business, were hurrying in the same direction. + +At length the opportunity came, and the fugitive darted across the +road and gained the fields beyond. Here the nature of the country +changed, the ground offering less shelter, but away to the south rose +the dark, fir-clad hills that lay close to his goal. + +He had now left the Botley road well on his left, and he could +perceive the haze of smoke that marked the hollow where the village +lay. His clothes were long dried, and the heat was well-nigh +unbearable, so, overcoming his fears, he turned aside to a cottage, +the thatched roof of which rose amid a thicket. Here he found that +another by-road or lane crossed his path, but there was no sign of +any one passing; the cottage itself looked deserted. + +As the fugitive approached a dog barked, and there was a sound of +some one moving about in an outhouse, and to the tortured man the +sight of several pails of milk was irresistible. The yelping of the +cur brought a woman to the door of the shed, a strong-limbed, +coarse-featured creature, with a face lined with innumerable wrinkles +and a back bent with years of toil in the fields. + +"What lack ye?" she demanded sourly. + +"Am I on the right road for the abbey at Netley?" + +"Yea. Turn to thy left hand at the cross-roads." + +"Also, I prithee, give me a draught of milk." + +"Begone, for a worthless clown! Begone, I say, or the dog shall fly +at thee," she shrieked, wild with fury; but Revyngton heeded her not, +and seizing a small earthenware pitcher, drained its contents, then +turning on his heel, he resumed his fearsome journey. + +"Haste, Tom, run up to the village and get help!" shouted the woman. +"'Tis a gadabout churl, or a riever, or worse," and as the fugitive +ran he heard the farm-servant making off towards Botley, while the +woman unloosed the dog. + +Ere Revyngton had gone a bowshot from the cottage the cur was barking +and yelping at his heels, showing its teeth, but fearing to close, +till at length it drew off, leaving the man to wonder at the +churlishness of the hard-faced woman compared with the reception of +wayfarers on his father's manor in Devon, where meat and drink were +ever at the disposal of even the most humble stranger. + +At the brow of the hill he saw the tower of the abbey amid the trees +a mile or more away, with the beautiful expanse of Southampton Water +as a fitting background to the peaceful scene. Yet the fugitive had +neither time nor inclination to appreciate the natural surroundings; +to him the abbey meant rest and safety, and with renewed hope he sped +towards the monastic buildings. + +Weary and footsore he reached the outer door, his senses reeling with +the effects of his exertions. Seeing his plight the porter gave him +wine, and sent a lay brother to summon the abbot. + +As the venerable head of the establishment appeared, Revyngton raised +himself with an effort and knelt before him. + +"Thy blessing, father." + +"_Benedicite_, my son; what wouldst thou?" + +"Sanctuary, father." + +The abbot shook his head sorrowfully. + +"'Tis not permitted, my son; such blessed privileges belong only to +our parent abbey at Beaulieu and to the Hospital of St. Cross. I +trow there is no other within the jurisdiction of the Lord Bishop of +Winchester. What crime bast thou committed?" + +"I slew a man in anger, and even now my pursuers are hard at my +heels." + +The abbot turned to a lay brother. + +"Tell Brother Balthazar to repair to the tower and to quickly bring +me word if any soldiers appear." Then to the fugitive he added, +"Confess thy sin and seek God's pardon; then perchance the means of +thy earthly salvation may be vouchsafed to thee. Follow me, my son." + +To the venerable abbot Revyngton told the whole of the circumstances +of the case; then, having eased his soul, the abbot took care to +relieve his body, causing food and drink to be set before him, while +a brother washed his cut and travel-worn feet. + +"Thou must make for the Abbey of the Blessed Mary at Beaulieu, where +thou shalt find sanctuary. Knowest thou the way?" + +"Nay, father," replied the man, sad at heart at the prospect of +another journey at the peril of his life. + +"Then listen, my son. Two of the brethren will take thee across the +arm of the sea that thou canst see yonder. Thence it is but an hour's +sharp travel across the heath to the abbey, the path being well worn +by reason of many of the brethren who travel thereby. There are three +ways from the spot where thou wilt land the one on the left hand +goeth towards Fawley and the town of Lepe, the one on the right to +the village of Hythe, but the way thou must take goeth neither right +nor left, but leads towards the sun just before the hour of +vespers----Ah! What is thy message, my son?" + +The last question was addressed to a novice, who, panting +breathlessly, was standing in the doorway with folded arms and bent +head, awaiting the abbot's pleasure. + +"Horsemen, father; a score or more have appeared on the hill and are +making towards the abbey." + +"Then summon Brother Angelique and Brother Petrox. Hasten, for 'tis +no season for leisure." + +Quickly the two brethren--tall, gaunt, yet sinewy men, with faces and +arms tanned a deep red by reason of their calling as boatmen of the +abbey--answered the behest, and with the reverence due to their +superior awaited his commands. + +"Take this man across and put him fairly on his way to our parent +abbey. Tarry not on thy journey, for the matter is urgent." + +"Is it thy wish, father, to land him at Ashlett or Cadland?" asked +one of the monks. + +"At Cadland, should the tide prove aright. Now, my son," he added to +the refugee, "take mine earnest blessing and go, and may the blessed +Saints Mary and Edward, the patrons of our abbey, be with thee." + +There was little time to lose, for already the horsemen were within +two bow-shots of the abbey, and with a loud clatter of sandals the +two monks led the way, Revyngton following closely at their heels, +the brethren of the abbey speeding him on his way with prayers and +cries of encouragement. + +At the end of a little causeway a boat, broadbeamed and lofty of head +and stem, rode on the little wavelets. With a sign Brother Petrox +motioned the fugitive to step aboard, then unfastening the rope that +held the craft to the quay, he followed Brother Angelique and pushed +off. + +Both monks rolled the sleeves of their gowns above their elbows, +seized the two heavy ash oars, and rowed with a will, Revyngton +sitting on a rough fishing-tray at the stern of the boat and drinking +in the cool sea breezes. The rush of events had well-nigh bewildered +him, and listlessly he watched the rhythmical motion of the sinewy +arms as the rowers urged the boat towards the opposite shore. + +Suddenly his reveries were broken by an exclamation from one of the +monks. "They follow us; pull thy hardest!" + +Revyngton turned and looked astern. From the place they had left but +a quarter of an hour before half a score of men were dragging a heavy +boat down the steep beach. + +"By the blessed Peter, my holy namesake," groaned one of the monks, +"I had overlooked that, and the oars are in the boat. See, already +they have launched it." + +"'Tis after all but a crare." + +"With a crew of lusty fellows to make amends for its weight. The +saints forfend them!" + +"Let us trust that they cannot handle the sails, for, mark well, the +wind bloweth fair." + +The rowers relapsed into silence, and with long, heavy strokes, that +seemed far too slow to the hunted fugitive, they resolutely and +unfalteringly lessened the distance betwixt them and the nether +shore. The hour of noon had already passed, and the sun's rays +attained a greater strength than they had previously in the day, yet, +though streaming with moisture, the monks laboured in their efforts +to shake off their pursuers. + +"We hold our own," muttered one over his shoulder. + +"Nay, I doubt it; but we must needs make for Ashlett Creek, for the +other channel is yet uncovered." + +Accordingly the boat's head was turned towards a distant opening in +the mud-fringed shore, and the pursuing craft followed suit, thereby +gaining considerably on the fugitive, who could now distinguish the +dress of the men. + +"They overtake us," quoth he, speaking for the first time since the +abbey gates had closed behind him. "See, a bowman makes ready!" + +Gradually the distance between the boats lessened, but the monks' +craft was now close to the creek, and Revyngton saw in front an +apparently closed-in basin surrounded by a high bank of slimy mud. A +few more strokes and the boat was within the creek, which wound its +sinuous way up to the shore, while the little waves caused by their +rapid motion through the water lapped the sides of the narrow +channel. + +Just as they were about to round the first bend the bowman let loose, +and an arrow sung over their heads and struck the mud with a dull +swish. Revyngton instinctively bent his head, but his companions, +though men of peace, barely took notice of the deadly shaft. + +"Safe for the time," commented Brother Angelique, as the boat shot +behind a sheltering bank. + +"But how about thy safety?" asked the fugitive. + +"By St. Edward, 'tis not to be thought of," replied the monk, +thrusting back his sleeve, which in his exertions had slipped down. +"They seek not us." + +"But thou hast aided a fugitive from justice." + +"Nay, that I wot not of. Besides, how am I to know that these men are +the officers of justice They might well be but water-pikers for aught +I know.... Oh!" + +An exclamation of pain interrupted his words, for an arrow, shot +haphazard from the bend of the creek over the intervening bank, had +pierced his forearm betwixt elbow and wrist, while another shaft +trembled with its head buried in the thwart. + +"On, Brother Petrox! On! 'Tis but a small matter," he gasped, and as +the other monk seized his companion's oar, the wounded man, shutting +his eyes tightly, snapped off the head of the arrow with his free +hand and drew the broken shaft from the wound. + +A gush of blood followed, but the brave monk, gripping the wounded +member to stop the crimson flow, never ceased to urge the rower to +greater effort, while ever and again a shaft shot by their still +invisible pursuers flew perilously close to their heads. + +At length the boat grounded on the hard bed of the channel, and +Brother Petrox called to Revyngton to jump out. Wading through the +shallow water the two started for the shore, leaving the wounded monk +calmly seated in the deserted craft. + +From the mud hovels of the village of Ashlett wimpled women and +rough-haired children looked interestedly at the two runners, the +layman in his travel-stained apparel and the monk in his sombre garb. +Men there were none, for the hours of toil had called them to the +fields or out on the waters, where they sought a livelihood by +fishing; but had there been, the sight of the two speeding along +would hardly have excited anything but curiosity in the minds of +these dull-witted sons of the soil. + +"I can go with thee no farther," panted the monk, as they reached the +cross-roads. "Follow yonder path, and God be with thee." And as +Revyngton sped onwards towards the rolling expanse of purple heather, +he saw the solitary figure of his benefactor waving encouragingly +towards the distant and invisible goal. + +Settling down to a steady pace, the fugitive kept doggedly on his +way, his eyes fixed on a distant clump of trees that marked the brow +of the hill overlooking the valley of the Exe where lay the abbey. + +Narrower and narrower became the road, till it deteriorated into a +mere footpath, the prickly gorse encroaching on either side and +hurting his feet as he ran. Yet, spurred onward by renewed hope, his +strength seemed well-nigh inexhaustible. + +Suddenly, from behind a low heather-clad hillock at the side of the +road, four wild-looking men sprang up and barred his progress. + +"Hold, stranger!" shouted one, brandishing a club. "Whither goest +thou? Hast aught in thy scrip that we would relieve thee of, for the +lighter thou art the easier thou'lt run." + +"I have nothing in the world. Let me pass, I pray; 'tis a matter that +brooks no delay." + +"Nay, not so fast, young master. What is thine errand?" + +"My errand?" replied Revyngton, with a mirthless laugh. "I seek +sanctuary." + +"Art without the pale of the law?" + +"Of that there is little doubt." + +"Then throw in thy lot with us. A free life in the forest glades, +with many a weighty scrip to balance the lightness of our minds, is +better than being cooped up in yonder monastery." + +The fugitive shook his head. + +"Nay, 'tis not to my liking." + +"Neither is the other, I trow, but look!" + +Following the direction of his hand, Revyngton saw coming over the +brow of a distant hill which he had crossed but a short while ago a +number of his pursuers. Three had procured horses, while the rest, +some five in number, ran by their side, holding on to the stirrups to +aid their speed. + +Instantly the robbers vanished into the tangle of bracken, leaving +the fugitive alone on the narrow path, and once again he broke into a +headlong pace, his pursuers thundering along but three arrow-flights +behind him. + +Fortunately the unevenness of the path prevented the horsemen from +riding their hardest, and when at length Revyngton, exhausted and +faint, reached the brow of the hill, he saw that the situation was +still in his favour. Blindly plunging onwards, with laboured +breathing and aching sides, he ran down the hill, at the foot of +which clustered the extensive buildings of the abbey. + +Through a gap in the trees on his left he caught a glimpse of the +silvery river as it wound in majestic splendour towards the sea, but +to the hunted man the beauty of the scene was lost; all that +concerned him was the thought of the possibility of being overtaken +ere he could cover the last stretch of dusty road. + +He was dimly conscious of hearing a crash behind him, and of looking +round for one brief moment, thereby catching a glimpse of two of the +horsemen mingled in utter confusion on the rough path. And still the +sound of the rapidly approaching hoofs of the remaining horse thudded +in his ears. + +Now he had gained the angle of the abbey wall. The gate, with its +massive iron knocker, was within his grasp. The noise of the +footfalls of the pursuer's steed ceased; there was a sharp hiss, and +an arrow pierced the fugitive's leg just above the knee. Then, with a +final effort, he thundered at the portal, and, as his head swam and +his limbs gave way under him, he was dimly aware that he was +surrounded by a group of grey-robed figures. He had found sanctuary. + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE ARCHER, REDWARD BUCKLAND + + +IT was early morning in the month of August, 1338, so early that the +slanting rays of the sun still lit up the north side of the Norman +church of St. Andrew, and cast a shadow seven times its height across +the dew-soaked meadows. + +Betwixt the high ground where stood the church and the narrow creek, +known as the Hamble River, clustered the mud-walled and thatched-roof +houses of the village of Hamble-le-Rice. Away to the north could be +traced the course of the tree-fringed creek till it lost itself +behind a range of low hills, while in the other direction lay the +estuary of the river, where it mingled itself with the salt waves of +Southampton Water, which, in its turn, was backed by the dark, dense +masses of trees that formed that tract of country so well known in +history and romance--the New Forest. + +Peaceful, indeed, was the situation of this quiet little Hampshire +village, and peaceful also was the general existence of its +inhabitants. Situated on an out-of-the-way angle, far from the old +Roman highway that led from Clausentum to Portchester, and at that +period, as now, formed the highway between Southampton and +Portsmouth, Hamble village was all but cut off from the rest of the +world. Save for an occasional visit by the grey-robed monks from the +Priory of St. Mary and St. Edward at Netley, a chance journey of a +huckster or Chapman from Southampton or Winchester fairs, or the +unpreventable arrival of some vessel driven by stress of weather to +shelter in the estuary, strangers in the village were few and far +between. + +Slow in thought, slower in speech, and backward in giving or taking +offence, yet terrible when roused to anger, the Hamble folk were +typical examples of the mediaeval English peasant whose descendants +have made history in all parts of the globe. + +For years past the social condition of England had been in a +deplorable state. The strife between King Edward II. and De Spenser +on the one hand, and Queen Isabella and Mortimer on the other, had +encouraged lawlessness in all grades of society. Robbers, thieves, +murderers, and criminals of all kinds had multiplied to an enormous +degree, and were openly protected by the great barons, as being +useful tools in their hands. Guilds, founded for self-protective +measures, became instruments of oppression, and, generally speaking, +every man looked solely to his own interest. + +But in the village of Hamble there was little to ruffle the even +tenor of its existence. Little did it matter whether the seamen of +Southampton had a feud with the men of the Cinque Ports, or whether +the monks of Beaulieu or Netley had a difference with the Bishop of +Winchester; but should a strange craft appear in the river, or a band +of marauders attempt to swoop down from the leafy fastnesses of +Waltham Chase, 'twas only necessary to ring the great bell of St. +Andrew's, and instantly the peaceful villagers would be turned into +an angry array of armed men, ready to sell their lives dearly in +defence of their hearths and homes. + +But the time was at hand when Englishmen would have to sink their +differences and unite against a common foe. Edward III. had laid +claim to the throne of France, and, though the stake was a great one, +the enterprise was popular, inasmuch as the possibilities of +individual gain in the shape of plunder held out great inducements to +all classes of these island warriors. + +On this particular morning early a man emerged from one of the houses +on the outskirts of the village, which, by reason of being built of +stone and being fair-sized, betokened that its owner was a man of +position--as far as the place was concerned. The house lay some two +hundred yards away from the rest, occupying the summit of an +even-crested ridge, and was surrounded by a palisade of stout pointed +stakes, that afforded complete protection against the attacks of any +ordinary band of adventurers. + +The man was a tall, well-made individual, with a bronzed face +surmounted by a thick crop of reddish hair, and partially concealed +by a heavy beard, that grew high upon his cheeks. Bushy eyebrows +helped to further conceal his face, but any one could see from the +grey glint of his blue eyes that the profusion of hair covered a +comely countenance. + +A well-worn leather jerkin, that had once been of a vivid red colour, +but was now nearly black with hard usage, failed to conceal the +mighty expanse of his chest, while the short sleeves of the garment +fitted tightly over the gnarled muscles of his arms. His lower limbs +were also covered by leathern hose, which, by reason of exposure to +salt water and the rough wear and tear of daily toil, were now +colourless and frayed till all semblance of dressed leather was +lacking. His legs, however, though of great size, did not betoken an +equality with the strength of his arms, and, moreover, he walked with +a slight limp. + +A crimson scarf, bound tightly round his head, did duty for a +head-dress, while from a narrow black belt hung a short dagger on his +right side, counterbalanced by a leather purse or pouch on his left. + +Over his shoulder he bore a pair of long ash oars, their blades still +covered with a deposit of dry mud, while in his left hand he carried +a six-foot yew-bow, which, unstrung, was as straight as a lance. + +Redward Buckland, for such was his name, was not a Hamble man in the +strict sense of the word, yet so good-natured and easy-going was he, +so upright in his dealings, and withal a man of such great bodily +strength, that he was a popular member of the little community. + +Of his past he said little, and was asked but little. He had been +master bowman in a company, had served against the Scots at +Bannockburn, with the Gascons in their feudal bickerings, and there +was hardly a castle in Normandy, Maine, Touraine, Anjou, Poitou, or +Limousin that he did not know. + +Eleven years prior to the time of this story he suddenly appeared at +Hamble, bringing with him his son Raymond, then a child five years of +age. Men often talked of their coming; the bowman, in rusty +brigandine and dented headpiece, the boy, a lusty, laughing +youngster, perched on his shoulder, a wain jogging behind with a +heavy load of rich stuff--booty from many a foreign part--the like of +which had never before been seen in Hamble. + +Thereupon he purchased a farmhouse, and settled down with the +intention of passing the rest of his days in comfort. Being a highly +religious man--though, like most of his companions in arms, he could +swear roundly at times--Redward Buckland acted in accordance with the +custom of the times. Four marks and a seven-pound candle of pure wax +he gave to the priory at Netley, and a gold-embroidered cloth to the +church of St. Andrew at Hamble. + +These presents he accounted sufficient atonement and thank-offering +alike for delinquencies and deliverances from peril during his +sojourn abroad, and thence-forth he meant to live a quiet, +well-ordered life, though, unable to resist the call to arms, he had +served in short campaigns against the Scots, and had but a year +previously crossed the Channel to take part in the Battle of Cadsand. +Yet Hamble was his home, and to Hamble he returned as soon as each +particular expedition had ended. + +Raymond Buckland, now a lad of sixteen, had little in common with his +father as far as appearance went. He was tall, slim, yet well-knit, +with curly flaxen hair, though the colour had a redeeming tinge of +reddish-gold that is necessary to impart a warmth to what would +otherwise be a lustreless head of hair. He moved with a grace and +ease that contrasted vividly with his father's comparatively awkward +gait, but his limbs were not wanting in strength. + +A vigorous outdoor life had done much to develop his frame. Mentally +Raymond was well educated, according to the standard of the age, +having but recently returned from the Cistercian priory at Netley, +where for the last seven years he had been a novice. His long +intercourse with a monastic life had somewhat deadened his natural +inclinations, but since his return to the outside world the active +delights of youth seemed sweeter still. + +"Hasten, Raymond," said his father, pausing to look back towards the +house, where the youth still lingered. "The young flood hath just +begun, and tide tarries for no man! And," he added, "fail not to +bring my quiver with the black-feathered arrows." + +"And can I bring my crossbow?" inquired Raymond. + +His father gave a gruff yet good-natured assent, and, resuming his +walk, sauntered gently towards the river. + +Before he had passed the church Raymond had overtaken him, carrying +the quiver in his left hand, while across his back was slung a short +yet powerful crossbow, his own quiver with its stock of heavy +quarrels hanging from his belt. + +"Ha! That crossbow again!" exclaimed Redward, in good-natured +contempt. "'Tis strange that an English boy should lean towards a +windlac-drawn weapon rather than a sturdy yew-bow. An thou wert a +Provençal or Genoese I could have understood it." + +"Why, father?" + +"Why, forsooth! Thou wert made a sturdy Englishman, with sinews and +muscles wherewith to bend an honest longbow--not to have to turn a +handle, like a butter-making wench, ere the bolt can be shot. And, +moreover, suppose thou wert matched against an archer; before thy +weapon were levelled I'll warrant there would be a dozen cloth-yard +shafts bristling in thine hide--though one would be enough, I trow!" + +"But the Genoese?" + +"The Genoese, my son, were ever underhanded fighters, preferring to +cause a gaping wound with a quarrel rather than a wholesome hole with +an arrow. 'Tis said that on more than one occasion the Pope hath +forbidden the use of the crossbow, and that the Second Lateran +Council, a hundred years ago, did likewise." + +"How, then, do we find the crossbow still in use?" + +"I cannot tell, Raymond, save it be the natural perversity of men. +But here we are at the shore." + +They had passed through the village, between rows of thatched +cottages. Smoke was already beginning to issue from the hole in the +roof that did duty for a chimney, showing that the inhabitants were +early astir. The narrow road plunged sharply down to the mud-fringed +shores of the river, for the tide was low, and long flats of +treacherous slime extended almost from bank to bank, save for a +channel of deep water midway between. + +With the air of a man who is thoroughly acquainted with the place, +Redward Buckland followed an almost invisible path--termed throughout +uncountable ages a Hard--that led across the mud flats to the edge of +the water, Raymond treading carefully at his heels. At the end of the +Hard lay a large, bluff-bowed boat, and, pulling the craft ashore by +a length of rope, the archer tossed the oars into it and beckoned to +his son to jump on board. + +"Whither are we going, father?" asked Raymond, as his sire pushed +off, stepped awkwardly into the boat, and began to haul on board the +heavy stone that served as an anchor. + +"Up the river to Botley, my son there to see Master Nicholas Hobbes." + +"And who is he?" rejoined Raymond with the inquisitiveness of youth. + +"Master Hobbes, of the city of Winton, is a fletcher, and his arrows +are well known as the very best in the country. Also he brings with +him a stock of bows made by Master Ford, whose fame as a bowyer +extends well beyond the borders of Hamptonshire." + +"But why buy arrows, father; surely thou canst make thine own?" + +"Ah, Raymond! Raymond!" replied his father, shaking his head +doubtfully, "thou hast yet to learn that though I could fashion mine +own weapons, yet custom demands that I get them from a member of the +honourable guild of bowyers and fletchers. Didst ever hear of a +belted knight welding his own coat of mail?" + +The boy, in truth, had yet to learn of the existence of the powerful +guilds, or combinations of trades, which, founded for the purpose of +self-protection against the rapacity of the barons and the +lawlessness of their retainers, became strong enough to be regarded +with respect by these turbulent personages. As the guilds grew they +obtained charters from their sovereign, till they reached a state +that enabled them to deal harshly with those without the pale. Thus, +for instance, any man following the occupation of a tanner "not being +free"--_i.e._ made a member of a guild--was amerced, or fined, or +even subjected to corporal punishment. + +Urged by the archer's long, powerful strokes the boat shot up-stream +with the tide, passing between steeply rising banks, where the +freshly leafed trees cast dark shadows across the verdant fields. +Raymond sat on the stern-thwart, looking with silent admiration on +the scene, for, as far as he could remember, it was his first +experience of a journey by water. + +At length they came to a place where on the western side a smaller +creek joined the river. Redward rested on his oars and looked towards +the mud banks, which were even now nearly covered by the rising +water. + +"We have hurried apace," he remarked, "and 'tis even too soon to go +right up to the town. This is called Badnam Creek, and, by St. +George, I'll wager we'll find some waterfowl amongst the reeds. Take +thy crossbow, Raymond, and I'll pit my six-foot bow against it." + +Eagerly the boy took his weapon and wound the windlac till the +highly-drawn string clicked against the catch. Then he fitted a bolt, +and, having done so, turned to watch his sire's movements. The archer +had already notched the cord, and the bow, with a couple of arrows, +lay on the thwart by his side. + +"Steady, my son!" exclaimed the archer in alarm. "Be careful where +thou pointest that hell-designed toy. 'Tis bad enough to have a +foeman's shaft through one leg without having mine own son's bolt +through the other. Hold it over the side, I pray thee!" + +The boat was run amid a cluster of reeds, and the twain waited +silently and eagerly for some sign of feathered life. They were not +kept long in suspense, for from a marsh hard by came two wild geese, +their necks extended and their wings flapping noisily as they flew. + +"Quick, Raymond!" whispered his father, "loose directly they are +overhead!" + +In his excitement the youth sprang to his feet, and poised his +crossbow. + +But alas for his inexperience! Unaccustomed to the swaying of the +boat he lost his balance and fell backwards across the thwart; his +crossbow twanged, and with a deep humming sound the quarrel flew +aimlessly into space. + +In a moment Raymond raised himself into a sitting position, only to +see his father loose his second arrow. + +"And thou hast missed also!" he exclaimed in a tone of reproach. + +"Peace, lad; wait and see!" + +The birds still continued their passage, one gliding with wings +outstretched, the other still beating the air with redoubled haste; +then, even as they looked, both birds swayed in their flight, and +fell into the water within two score paces of each other. + +Without further remark Redward pushed the boat clear of the reeds, +and rowed towards his spoil. One of the geese was still transfixed by +an arrow, the other's neck had a small wound, showing that the shaft +had passed completely through it. + +"Another groat gone!" exclaimed the archer, ruefully contemplating +the bird that had failed to stop the arrow. "But that was a grand +shot of thine, Raymond, I trow," he added in a bantering tone; +"'twas not learned of the monks of Netley?" + +Then, observing a flush of mortification overspread the boy's +features, he continued, "Never mind, my son, even the best archer in +the kingdom would be at a loss in a small boat at first." + +Presently they rounded an abrupt spur of land on their left, and came +to a spot where the creek narrowed considerably, being enclosed by +lofty hills on either side. A broad white road descended these hills +to the water's edge, where it was broken by the flowing tide. A rough +wooden hut, with a large open boat close at hand, marked the spot +where wayfarers were ferried across to the opposite side, where a +horn, chained to a post, was blown as a signal to attract the +ferryman. + +"This is the road 'twixt Southampton and Portsmouth," said the +archer, indicating the dusty streak by a nod of his head. "At +Bursledon, on this side, is the fortalice of the Hewitts, though from +here 'tis hidden by the trees. On the other side is Swanwick Shore, +whence come some of the best mariners who man the cogs of +Southampton. But, mark ye! Here comes a great company of armed men; +by St. Etienne of Tours, it makes my heart glad to hear the clatter +of harness once more! I wonder under whose banners they march?" + +And resting on his oars, Redward Buckland shaded his eyes from the +glare of the sun, and peered steadfastly up the hill where the white +road was now alive with men, a grey cloud of dust hanging over them +like a marsh mist in autumn, through which the Cross of St. George +blazoned on the white surcoats of the archers stood out bravely +against the dark foliage. + +When the vanguard reached the foot of the hill, a bowshot from where +the watchers sat in their little craft, a tucket sounded and the +company halted. + +Then Redward's accustomed eyes lighted upon their banner, which bore +a golden half-moon on an azure field, and unable to contain himself, +he stood upright, waving his cap in boisterous delight. + +"By Our Lady, 'tis as I thought--the company of the Governor of +Portchester! Haste we to the shore, Raymond, that I may welcome mine +old comrades!" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE SHADOW OF WAR + + +A FEW strokes and the boat's keel grated on the shingle. Redward +sprang out, hastily secured the craft, and strode towards the crowd +of armed men, Raymond following closely at his heels. + +Again a tucket sounded, and the ranks broke, most of the archers +throwing themselves down by the roadside, as if weary of foot; the +mounted men-at-arms led their horses to the grassy glades of the +wood, while a couple of squires rode towards the water's edge to +summon the ferryman. + +On reaching the outskirts of the throng the old archer looked around +to try and recognise some of his former comrades; nor did he look in +vain. + +"Red Buckland, by the Rood!" exclaimed a bronzed and bearded +man-at-arms, seizing him vigorously by the hand. "Right glad am I to +see thee again. Ho, Giles, Wat, Dick!" he shouted to some of his +comrades, "come hither and greet an old friend!" + +The pair were instantly surrounded by a mob of archers--burly, +bearded men, rough in speech and coarse in manner, yet full-hearted, +honest soldiers, the backbone of the feudalism of mediaeval England. + +Raymond stood at the edge of the circle of men, gazing open-mouthed +at the unusual sight and listening with youthful eagerness, not +unmixed with feelings of awe, as the archers talked, fighting their +battles o'er again, or discussed their future movements. + +"'Twill be Francewards again ere long," remarked one, a man-at-arms, +who, having removed his headpiece, disclosed a close crop of hair +furrowed by a long white mark, the legacy of a Norman's axe. "Word +came yesternight that we had to repair to Hampton to join the army +that the King leads across the Channel." + +"Would I were with you, comrades," said Redward, wistfully gazing on +the accoutrements of the troops, the sight of which roused old +memories of camp and battlefield. + +"And wherefore not," replied another. "There's more to be made in a +week's march in France than ten years' delving in Merry England. Ay, +and I'll warrant that ere long there'll be nought but old men, women, +and babes left to guard our hearths." + +"Then I must be reckoned amongst the old men," replied Redward, with +a mirthful laugh. "Though, methinks, at two score and fifteen years, +I am not yet too aged to strike a shrewd blow or to receive hard +knocks!" + +"Then why tarry?" + +"Didst ever have a son, Dickon?" + +"Nay," replied the man, shaking his head. "Neither kith nor kin have +I in this world, save my comrades." + +"Then thou knowest not how a man's whole being can be wrapped up in +his child. I have a son--he stands yonder. How could I leave him--a +boy of sixteen--to fare for himself while I follow the banners of +England in foreign parts?" + +"But thou hast done so aforetimes?" + +"Ay, but then the boy was in safe keeping in the abbey of Netley. Now +that he is too old, seeing that it is my wish and his desire not to +remain within the priory walls, I must needs stay with him." + +"Red Buckland, thou art becoming chicken-hearted in thine old age. +The boy--a lusty youth he looks--cannot remain with thee for ever," +argued the soldier. "Now, what say you; join our company once again, +and bring him with thee? Methinks there are many such, nay, even +younger and of less frame and brawn, who have already set out for the +wars. Come, now; again I ask thee, wilt join?" + +"Dickon, thou dost press me hard so that I can scarce refuse. Yet no +answer will I give till I have spoken with my boy." + +At that moment a trumpet sounded, and the men stood to their arms, +forming up in two lines on either side of the road. The archers, +armed with short swords or axes in addition to the deadly longbow, +faced the men-at-arms, who, protected with breastplate, iron helmet, +gorget and greaves, grasped their twelve-foot spears, gazing +steadfastly in front as their leader rode slowly between the lines. + +Sir John Hacket, Constable of the King's Castle at Portchester, and +Governor of the Town of Portsmouth (to give him his official title), +was then in his fortieth year, yet, from the effects of campaigning +under exceptional circumstances in all parts of Western Europe, he +looked considerably older, his hair being a snowy white, contrasting +vividly with his brick-red complexion. + +He was accoutred _cap-à -pie_ in banded mail with aillettes, +rerebraces, vambraces, and roundels, his richly embroidered surcoat +being emblazoned with his arms. + +By his left side hung a long falchion, while over the right hip was +the _misericorde_, or dagger, with which a knight demanded his +dismounted adversary's surrender or else gave him a _coup de grâce_. + +On his head he wore a flat cap of crimson velvet, his steel bascinet +being carried by a squire; while a mounted man-at-arms bore his lance. + +As he proceeded between the lines of armed men, noting with +undisguised satisfaction their martial bearing, Sir John's glance +fell upon Redward and his son as they stood, with a knot of +spectators from the neighbouring village, a little way behind the +archers. + +"Certes," he cried to one of his attendant squires, "'tis my old +master-bowman! Bring him hither." + +Thus Redward, with doffed cap, found himself once again before his +beloved chief. + +"Ah, Buckland, I see the blood of a good old stock still flows in thy +veins," he said, after questioning him over various matters +pertaining to his welfare, "I trust I shall see thee again under my +banner anon!" And setting spurs to his charger the knight rode to the +edge of the river, leaving the old archer tormented with thoughts of +the rival claims of home and camp. + +The work of transporting the detachment across the Hamble river +proceeded apace, the whole of the operations being under the personal +supervision of the Constable; and, true to the usages of warfare, the +task was carried out in strictly military fashion. + +First a vanguard of archers and men-at-arms was ferried across, the +party taking up an extended formation on the opposite shore. Then +came the main body, with the mounted men-at-arms, the horses being +conveyed across in a large flat-bottomed boat. Leaving only a +rear-guard, Sir John and his personal attendants then crossed, and +finally the rear-guard followed, leaving Redward Buckland and his son +gazing wistfully after them from the other shore. + +"Heart alive, Raymond," said his father. "We, too, must be on the +move, for the tide will not serve much longer." And pushing off, they +turned the boat's head up-stream and continued their journey. + +"Didst hear what the archers said but now?" inquired Redward, resting +on his oars, and looking doubtfully at his son, as if half afraid +that the fighting strain would not manifest itself. + +"Ay, father!" + +"And what thinkest thou?" + +"I would go Francewards with thee." + +"Heaven be praised, my son! I was afraid that the monks of Netley had +made thee fitted for nought but a life within a monastery; yet thou +wouldst do well to ponder over this matter, for a life midst the +sound of arms is not lightly taken up. Thou hast seen but little of +the world, and look only on the glowing side of a soldier's life. The +risks and hardships of forced marches, famine, sickness, ay, and +possibly defeat, cannot be lightly put aside, though, when once +passed, one is apt to look back upon them as but trifling +adventures." + +"Nevertheless, I would fain go to France and fight for our King to +help him in his just enterprise." + +Poor Raymond! little did he think that there would be fighting in +plenty in store for him ere he set foot on French soil! + +There were nearly four miles to be covered ere their destination was +reached, and, though favoured by the tide, the work of pulling a +heavy boat began to tell even on the hardy frame of the archer, so, +in reply to Raymond's entreaty to be allowed to take the oars, his +sire consented and relinquished the heavy sticks. + +But his son's attempt at rowing failed to please his exacting father, +especially when the blades threw up showers of spray under the +vigorous yet inexperienced efforts of the young man. + +"Steady, Raymond! I would fain arrive at Botley with a dry skin, and +methinks, a little less strength would avail better! Put thy back +into it, my boy, rather than thine arms--so! I call to mind when I +rowed down the Scheldt in a pitch-dark night, when the splash of an +oar or the creaking of a thole would have loosened a hail of arrows +from five hundred archers on either bank." + +"Tell me about it, father?" + +"Nay, lad; the story will keep. But look ahead. Dost mark a row of +black posts standing above the water on yonder side?" + +Raymond looked. + +"Yes; but what are they?" + +"All that is left of what was once a Danish galley, the scourge of +our shore. There she lies, much the same as when burned by the great +Alfred, now five hundred years or more ago. May a like fate befall +every foreign craft that comes to harry our coasts!" + +Soon the channel became yet narrower, till the trees on the opposite +banks met overhead. Redward had resumed the oars, and bend after bend +of the river soon slipped past. + +"There's Botley Mill," said he, pointing to a low building, +thatched-roofed and enclosed by walls of timber and mud, while above +the rustle of the trees could be heard the dull roar of the stream as +it swept under the water-wheel. + +At a landing-place close to the road they left the boat and walked up +a short, steep incline to where the houses of the town encompassed +the market-place. + +"Ah, there is Master Hobbes," said Redward, indicating a short, +full-bodied man, clad in a suit of green cloth, who, surrounded by a +crowd of yeomen and villagers, was disposing of his stock of arrows +to the accompaniment of the latest news of the city of Winchester, +and the prospects of the war against the French. + +"Ho, gossip!" cried the archer. "Hast aught of thy stock left for +me?" + +"Ay, Master Buckland," replied the other, "'twould be an evil day for +me if I failed to supply the good folk of Hamble with +arrows--particularly thy noble self," he added with a servile bow. + +"Tut! tut!" growled the archer deprecatingly. "A truce to such +compliments. These the arrows? A goodly bundle! But--stand aside with +me a moment--how fares it with him?" he added in a mysterious manner. + +"As before no better, though perchance a trifle worse!" + +"But has he ceased to----" + +"Nay, nay! Far from it." + +"Ah!" muttered the archer moodily, "'tis as I feared, though not for +myself. Then, perchance he has had tidings?" + +"That I cannot say." + +"That being so, Nick, I had best be on the move overseas, under Sir +John Hacket's banner once again. That I'll do, and take Raymond with +me! Thanks, good Master Hobbes," he added in a louder tone. "'Tis as +I said before, a goodly bundle. God speed you!" + +And taking the arrows from the fletcher's hand, Redward called to his +son to follow him and strode rapidly back to the boat. + +During the return journey Raymond noticed that something was amiss. +His sire relapsed into a stony silence, treating any question with an +unusual disregard that showed that his thoughts were far away. This +puzzled Raymond, and he strove to find some reason for this +unlooked-for reticence, the reference to the mysterious "he" which he +had overheard persistently coming uppermost in his mind. Yet never a +word on the subject did the boy let fall, and it was in no little +bewilderment that he followed his father from the Hard back to the +house on the hill-top. + +The interior of Buckland's home was plainly yet well furnished after +the style of the age. Glass in the windows there was none, oiled +linen doing duty for that then costly material. The floor of the +living-room was strewn with rushes, the walls hung with woven material +and skins of animals. Portions of armour such as were worn by +men-at-arms, a few bucklers, and a medley of arms also found places +on the walls, while in a corner was a bundle of bows and two cases of +arrows. In the centre was a log fire, the sweet-smelling reek of the +pine logs finding its way through a hole in the roof. The sleeping +apartment opened out of this room, the building being but +one-storeyed. + +As darkness set in Redward secured the doors with a massive bar of +wood, heaped more logs on the fire, and lighted a couple of +rushlights. + +His fit of depression had passed, and he resumed his usual +cheerfulness of manner. Going into one of the adjoining rooms he +caught hold of a huge oak chest, which, in spite of his strength, +took all the power at his command to move. At length the chest was +dragged across the threshold into the larger room; then, sitting down +on a settle, the archer breathlessly gazed upon it with evident +satisfaction. + +"Since it is fated that we go to the wars together," said he, "'tis +fitting that thou shouldst be properly attired and armed. Let us see +what this chest will provide." + +And, unlocking a strange yet strongly made clasp, Redward threw open +the lid, and for a moment the boy's eyes were dazzled with the +martial nature of its contents. There was a complete suit of armour, +similar to that worn by the Constable of Portchester, though lacking +the rich ornamentations, other portions of armour, and a small store +of equipments such as were worn by mounted men-at-arms and soldiers +of superior quality. + +Redward noticed the flash of excitement in his son's eyes as they +lighted upon the suit of armour. + +"Nay, my son," said he, "'tis not for thee--at least, not till thou +hast proved worthy of it. Here is a suitable garb, a quilted and +padded coat--a trifle large for thee, perhaps, yet 'tis better to err +on the generous side. This I found at the sack of Tournay, and 'tis +warranted to turn a sword-cut or to stop an arrow at two score paces. +This breastplate will also serve--and this steel cap. Now as to thy +arms. Here is a sword, slightly heavy for thee, yet anon thou'lt +become accustomed to the feel of it, though a bowman stands an ill +chance should he suffer a troop of lances to come within striking +distance! Now into yonder corner throw thy crossbow, for, as I have +shown, 'tis but a clumsy and unwieldy tool for an Englishman. Here is +a better--a full-sized English longbow; that is the king of weapons! +To-morrow we'll hie to the butts, and ere a week hath passed a sturdy +archer thou'lt be or thou art no son of mine!" + +Raymond took the proffered articles and, with the pride of youth, +fitted them on, to the no small satisfaction of his sire. Still +garbed in his martial attire, he remained for a space listening to +his father's tales of past campaigns, till at length, worn out with +excitement, he retired for the night. + +When he had gone, Redward pored over the contents of the chest, +handling each article with an almost reverent care, then replacing +everything save Raymond's accoutrements, he relocked the heavy box, +and was soon tossing uneasily on his rough couch. + +For over an hour Redward lay awake pondering over the events of the +day, but just as sleep was about to gain the mastery, a hoarse shout +fell upon his ear. Another followed, and a veritable babel of shrieks +betokened that something untoward was happening in the village. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +OF THE MIDNIGHT DESCENT OF THE FRENCH INVADERS + + +THE first shout was enough to rouse the old archer into active +alertness, for, with his experience of camp life, he was accustomed +to awaken readily at the least noise. Hastily springing up, he rushed +to the window, swung aside the wooden flap and the flimsy fabric that +served to admit the light, and looked out. The darkness was intense, +save for some small tongues of dark red flame that were beginning to +shoot up from one of the houses near the waterside, the fire casting +a dull glare upon the neighbouring buildings and serving but to +intensify the inky blackness of the night. + +"A fire," he said aloud, yet on second thoughts the ever-increasing +shrieks, groans, shouts, and curses that were borne on the air belied +his surmise. Moreover, his quick ear detected commands and +ejaculations in a foreign language--the tongues of Picardy, Normandy, +and Spain. + +His ready brain grasped the situation--it must be a raid by the +French and Spaniards, who at that time swarmed in the English +Channel. + +These inroads upon our shores by the French during the Hundred Years' +War are apt to be ignored or lightly passed over by modern +historians, yet during a time when England was busy pouring the best +of her blood and treasure into France there was hardly a town on the +South Coast that escaped the ravages of the French and their allies, +the Spaniards and Genoese. + +"Awake! awake! Raymond!" shouted his father. "The French are upon +us!" + +Raymond sprang up and began to hastily don his clothes, while the +archer laid hands on every heavy article in the room, barricading the +door and securing the windows. Then, having made ready his bow, he +again looked out towards the village. + +By this time a series of unequal combats were taking place in the +narrow streets or within the houses, where the terrified inhabitants +were being routed out like rabbits. All who came across the path of +the ruthless invaders were cut down without mercy--men, women, and +children--while their homes were being plundered and afterwards fired +by men to whom the sacking of a town was almost a familiar task. + +To add to the din the church bell was ringing a violent tocsin, and +all who were able to escape fled either to the stout Norman tower to +seek shelter, or else across the open country towards the town of +Southampton. + +Raymond, white-faced with pardonable fear and shaking in every limb, +now joined his father. Flight for them was now out of the question, +for already some of the foemen had passed the house, hard in pursuit +of a party of fugitives, the slowest of whom fell under the weapons +of the relentless marauders. Like bloodhounds on the trail, this band +of pursuers passed by the solitary house, ignoring its existence or +else meaning to plunder it at their leisure after the chase of the +fugitives was ended. + +Suddenly four or five dark figures, silhouetted against the now +bright glare of the burning village, came running up the hill and +headed straight for the house. + +"Quickly, Raymond, notch a shaft!" hissed the archer, and setting an +example, he fitted an arrow to his bow and waited, with the weapon +slightly bent, the opportunity to let fly. + +"By St. George, they are our friends!" exclaimed Redward. + +"Andrew Walter! Dick!" he shouted. "This way, for your lives, and ye +are safe!" And throwing his great bulk against the barricade behind +the door, he moved it sufficiently to enable the door to be opened to +admit the fugitives. + +Then the furniture was replaced against the door, and the men sank +breathless and panic-stricken on the floor. There were six in all, so +that the little garrison now amounted to eight men, whereof three had +had experience in warfare. + +"Get ye up!" ordered Redward roughly. "Think ye that I opened my +doors to allow a set of cowardly curs to lie about my hearth? Up with +ye!" + +Stung by the rebuke, the men armed themselves with bow and sword, +gripping their weapons with newborn resolve. + +"Ah, by Our Lady, 'tis well ye look on the right side o' things. But +if we are to see the light of another day we must stand firm," said +the archer grimly. "And," he added, "let no man loose bow till I give +the word, and may God and St. George look favourably upon us this +night!" + +"Ay, gossip!" replied Walter Bevis, a veteran of Falkirk. "An' if we +cannot live we can at least die like Englishmen! But, who comes?" + +Another dark figure came flying up the hill, hotly pursued by half a +score of Frenchmen. + +"'Tis Will Lightfoot, of Hook!" replied one of the defenders. "Run, +Will, run!" + +"Now loose!" cried Redward, and immediately five arrows flew on their +deadly errand. It was the first time that Raymond had seen a shaft +sped in anger, and the sight thrilled him strangely. The pursuers, +standing out strongly against the glare, made easy marks; four of +them fell face forwards on the ground, writhing in mortal agony; the +fifth, struck in the right fore-arm, dropped his sword and yelled +lustily. The others, amazed at meeting with any attempt at organised +resistance, turned and fled towards the village, two more falling as +the result of a second flight of the deadly arrows. + +Will Lightfoot, holding a dagger in his left hand and a broken sword +in his right, came up to the improvised fortress with an easy stride, +for his name well suited him amid the encouraging shouts of his +friends. + +"Wait while I unbar the door," called Redward to the fugitive, at the +same time directing the others to assist him in removing the +barricade. + +"Nay, keep the door fast; the villains will be here anon," replied +Lightfoot. "I'll find a way in." + +And suiting the action to the word, he sprang on a low fence, and +from thence vaulted easily on to the thatched roof. Getting a grip +with his broken sword and dagger, he ran up the sloping roof of +thatch like a cat, and dropped through the aperture that did duty for +a chimney, and alighted in the midst of the smouldering logs on the +hearth. + +"Pardon, friends, for my mode of entry," he exclaimed. "But methinks +the mischief I have done to thy roof, Master Buckland, will ill +compare with the damage that our attackers will do ere a few hours +are spent." + +In the lull that followed the besieged took steps to strengthen their +defences. Redward brought out a large oaken chest filled with arrows, +whereat his son wondered all the more at the reason for the journey +to Botley on the previous day. Thick boards were spiked to the +windows, dividing each opening into two oylets, or slots for +discharging arrows, while on the side where no windows existed a few +of the stones were removed so as to form an additional outlook +commanding the hitherto invisible ground on the north. + +Food they had sufficient for three or four days, but water was +scarce. This necessary they must procure, so once again the door was +opened, and Raymond crept out stealthily with two leathern jacks to +procure some of the precious fluid from the well, while the others +crowded to the loopholes to cover his retreat if molested. + +With an indescribable feeling of fear, mingled with the dread of +being thought a coward by the defenders, Raymond did his work +silently and quickly. Thrice did he go to the well, till there was +sufficient water stored in the house to last for a considerable +time. + +All the while the shouts, groans, and cries continued, the crackling +and roaring of the flames making a fitting accompaniment, and giving +evidence that resistance was still being kept up in another quarter. + +At length the pale dawn began to show a welcome change to the anxious +men, on whom the weary waiting told far more than the actual +struggle. + +Gradually the daylight increased, and by its aid the besieged were +able to realise more fully their hazardous position. Nearly every +house was in flames, some even now reduced to a heap of glowing +ashes. Here and there the corpse of a Spaniard or a Frenchman showed +that, in spite of the surprise, the attack had been fiercely opposed. +Those villagers who had taken refuge in the church tower still +resisted, though, from the desultory arrows that came from the top of +the structure, it was evident that their store of missiles was +well-nigh exhausted. + +The invaders, too, were aware of this, for those wearing armour +advanced also to the base of the tower, avoiding, however, the pieces +of stone that the desperate men detached from the pinnacles and +hurled down on their adversaries. Others, keeping further off, shot +their bolts at the tower, stamping and jumping as if to terrify their +quarry. Some of the foreign crossbowmen were so close to the house +that sheltered Buckland's party that they could hear the clicking of +their moulinets and the deep bass hum of the strings as the quarrels +sped towards the mark. + +Out in mid-stream, their hulls swinging to the tide, lay three long, +low-lying galleys, and between them and the shore a number of small +boats were rowing to and fro, those putting off being full of +plunder; and as fast as each little craft discharged its load into +the capacious hold of its parent galley it returned to the shore to +remove some of the huge heap of booty, which was still being +replenished by parties of foragers. + +Loud and long were the maledictions of the men in Redward's house, as +they saw their homes given to the flames and their kinsfolk and +friends either cruelly murdered or else houseless fugitives; but soon +their attention was riveted on the final scene in the resistance of +those on the church tower. + +The crossbowmen redoubled their fire, and, covered by the heavy rain +of missiles, a party of men-at-arms advanced with their shields held +over their heads. A shower of blows with their heavy battle-axes soon +splintered the oaken door, and when at length only a few fragments +of wood and the bent and battered remains of the massive hinges +remained, the men retreated in the same order, though two were left +lying crushed beneath a ponderous piece of coping that the assailed +had toppled over. + +Already the church was sacked. Crucifixes, candlesticks, +altar-cloths, rich vestments, and tapestries had been ruthlessly +taken off to the galleys; while the priest, with a score of persons, +men, women and children, who had vainly sought sanctuary, lay dead +within the altar rails. + +And now a body of lightly-armed men--Spaniards, judging by their +swarthy complexions--advanced, bearing bundles of straw and faggots, +almost unmolested, for the arrows of the besieged had long given out, +and the hail of bolts from the crossbows skimmed across the top of +the parapet like hail. The men reached the base of the tower, where +they heaped their burdens within the doorway. + +A lighted torch was applied to the fuel, and a tongue of flame, +darting from amid the thick cloud of suffocating smoke, licked the +grim stone walls, while the spiral staircase, acting like a lofty +chimney, fanned the fire till it glowed like a potter's furnace. + +A ring of armed men surrounded the tower. The crossbowmen, their work +done, ceased their firing, discharging only an occasional bolt as the +tormented wretches on the tower, unable to bear the choking heat, +showed themselves above the protection of the parapet. Some of the +defenders, maddened by their agony, threw themselves headlong; +others, sword in hand, attempted to descend the stairs, and hurl +themselves upon their enemies, though they perished in the flames +long before they reached the ground; others, defying and cursing the +invaders, shook their weapons in impotent rage, till a well-directed +quarrel or the rapidly-increasing flames claimed the last of the +gallant band of forgotten heroes. + +When resistance in this quarter was at an end, the invaders were free +to direct their energies against the solitary stone house that had +already wrought great mischief upon them; and, led by two knights in +complete armour, the men-at-arms began to fall in in close order at a +distance of two hundred paces from where Redward Buckland and his +devoted companions awaited the onslaught. + +"With yonder ruin to serve as an example," said the master-bowman, +pointing to the flaming tower, "we must fight to the death. While +there is yet time it would be well that each man doth confess his +sins for the betterment of his soul." + +So saying, all the defenders knelt down reverently, though Redward, +trained soldier that he was, kept an eye on their gathering foes. The +prayers _in extremis_ were hurriedly said; then, in the absence of a +friar, they confessed to each other, according to the Roman custom +when in peril of death. One of the villagers produced a slip of the +Holy Thorn, brought from the miraculous tree of Glastonbury, and this +they all kissed devoutly in the hope of obtaining spiritual +consolation. + +This done, they arose from their knees, embraced each other, and +hurried to their posts. + +All preparations for the attack having apparently been completed, the +leaders advanced to the head of their men and harangued them, though +the distance was too great for the Englishmen to hear what was said. +This done, one of the knights closed his visor, and the other tried +to follow his example, but the calque, dented from the effects of a +blow, refused to allow the visor to descend. A couple of squires +sprang forward to aid their lord, and the group, standing well in +front of the rest, made a tempting mark. + +Redward was quick to act. + +"Quickly, Dick; nine score paces, and no windage!" + +Dick, a lusty yet experienced archer, had already notched his bow and +fitted an arrow. Leaning slightly forward, and throwing all his +weight into the act of drawing the six-foot bow, the man loosed the +shaft. Even as it sped Buckland also let fly, and the defenders +anxiously awaited the result of their comrades' skill. + +The first arrow struck and shivered itself against the uplifted visor +of the French knight; but Redward's fared better, for, hitting the +mail-clad figure under the raised arm, it sank deeply into the +leader's body. Amid a roar of execrations on the invaders' side, and +a hearty English cheer on the part of the bowmen, the knight +staggered and fell on his face. The two squires stood their ground +bravely, and with difficulty raised the ponderous armour-clad body of +their master and bore it to the rear. + +"Here they come!" shouted the master-bowman. "See, they shoot! On +your faces, men!" + +Crouching down behind the friendly shelter of the stone walls, the +eight defenders awaited the onslaught, Redward alone watching the +advance through a loophole, his head protected by an iron cap, while +he held a stout buckler over the aperture as an additional protection +against the deadly hail of arrows and bolts. + +Raymond, crouching close to his father, felt that the bitterness of +death had passed; his terror had vanished, and he was as ready as the +rest to strike a blow in self-defence, though against tremendous +odds. The unfamiliar sound of the arrows striking the woodwork and +quivering with an indescribable _ping_, or shattering themselves +against the stonework, the invaders' war cry of "St. Denis," and the +metallic clanging of the advancing men-at-arms were signs of an +invisible enemy whom he was on the point of meeting in mortal combat, +and when, after a seemingly long and weary wait, the hail of arrows +slackened and he heard his father cry, "To arms!" he actually +welcomed what might prove to be his death-summons. + +At the word of command the defenders sprang to their feet, rushed to +the loopholes, and fired as fast as they were able into the dense +masses of the advancing enemy. At that short range neither leathern +coat nor iron hauberk was proof against the deadly arrows, and man +after man fell writhing on the ground, their fall serving to dismay +their comrades and to cheer their antagonists. + +Clambering over the low fencing, the men-at-arms still advanced; the +air was thick with the groans of the wounded and the shouts of "St. +Denis!" "Tuez les miserables!" "A bas les poltrons!" To which the +defenders answered not a word, but in grim silence discharged their +arrows into the disorderly press before them. + +By sheer weight of numbers the French men-at-arms gained the front of +the house, and with reckless bravery attempted to tear away the +improvised defences. Bows were cast aside, and the defenders, seizing +swords and spears, made vicious thrusts through the loopholes as the +shadows of the enemy were thrown across them. + +At length the planks across one of the windows gave way, and a crowd +of mail-clad warriors essayed to clamber through. Thereupon the +defenders retreated to the opposite wall, and resuming their bows, +volleyed their deadly shafts against the rash intruders, who, +overwhelmed by the concentration of arrows in the narrow space, gave +back in disorder. + +Suddenly a figure clad from head to foot in plate armour--a form of +defensive mail only just coming into use--appeared in the window. In +vain the arrows rattled on the thrice-welded plate, and for a moment +it seemed certain that the intaking was accomplished. But Redward, +dropping his weapon, sprang forward, and before the mail-clad warrior +could swing his long and heavy sword, the archer had thrown himself +bodily upon the Frenchman. + +Realising the danger, the man tried to return, but Redward, seizing +him in his powerful grip, strove to drag him into the house. Lying +across the window ledge, his bulk filling the whole aperture, the +Frenchman effectually prevented any of his comrades from coming to +his assistance, his mail-clad legs, kicking and sprawling without, +keeping his would-be helpers at a discreet distance. + +Then came a terrific struggle, Redward heaving and hauling on his +enemy's bascinet, while the other tried his utmost to shake off the +relentless grip. Nothing short of the breaking of the laces of the +Frenchman's calque would release the man, and even then his +unprotected head would be pierced by a ready arrow. + +The knight's resistance grew feebler, till at length a hollow voice +exclaimed, "Je me rends!" + +"No quarter to base ravagers!" was the stern reply, and with a final +mighty heave Redward dragged the steel-clad warrior through the +window, and cast him with a sickening clang upon the stone floor. +Then, drawing the knight's own _misericorde_, he cut the laces of his +bascinet and plunged the dagger into his Adversary's throat. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +OF THE GALLANT STAND OF THE NINE ARCHERS + + +DISMAYED by the fall of their second leader, the attackers retired +out of bowshot, leaving the nine defenders weary and spent, yet +exultant over their success. + +Their respite, however, was short, for, joined by another body of men +from the galleys, the invaders again advanced, this time led by +another knight, a short, broad-shouldered man, cased, like his +unfortunate predecessor, in plate armour, over which he wore a yellow +surcoat charged with the arms of the Spinola family. + +"Ah! A rascally Genoese!" exclaimed Redward as he saw the device. +"Now we must look to ourselves, for these Genoese combine the skill +of the French and the roguery and treachery of the Spaniards; +moreover, they have rendered a good account of themselves both by +land and sea in their wars with the State of Venice." + +Halting at a safe distance, the crossbowmen, protected by mantlets, +faced the side of the house where the last attack had been made; a +body of men-at-arms deployed and took up a position on each of the +two adjacent sides; while a strong detachment of routiers, or +lightly-armed men, worked round to the rear, the house thus being +entirely surrounded. + +Once again the hail of bolts began, and under the cover of this heavy +discharge the men-at-arms gained the walls without the slaughter that +marked their previous attempt. + +With their axes they commenced a violent onslaught on the door, while +the defenders were almost without the means of replying, firing only +through the loopholes whenever a head appeared or a chance missile +was thrown into the room. + +At length, emboldened by the slight resistance, one of the +men-at-arms was hoisted on the shoulders of two of his comrades, +whence he climbed upon the roof. Here he began to vigorously attack +the thatch for the purpose of annoying the besieged and diverting +their attempts to hold the door. + +Alarmed by the noise overhead, Raymond took his despised crossbow, +and firing haphazard, sent a bolt through the roof. There was a loud +cry, and with a mass of thatch and broken rafters the body of the +soldier came crashing down, his chest transfixed by the thick, heavy +bolt. + +Immediately Redward was hoisted up to the gaping hole, and, +regardless of the danger of being picked off by an arrow, he hurled a +small sack of quicklime upon the men who were battering at the door. + +Blinded by the powerful chemical they gave way, and ran screeching +with agony, their leader circling round in an aimless manner, +striving the while to tear off his bascinet and clear his eyes from +the dust that was slowly and surely depriving him of sight. + +Once more the English took heart at the repulse, taunting their +enemies as they fell back. Again they had a short respite, though the +inaction told more on their wearied bodies than the excitement of the +fight. + +Raymond felt a warm stream trickle down his arm, and found, to his +surprise, that he had received a clean cut on his left shoulder. How +or when it occurred he was unable to understand, for in the heat of +the struggle he had been blind to his surroundings and the sense of +pain. + +The rest of the garrison all showed signs of the tremendous odds. +Buckland was gashed across the forehead by an arrow, while his hands +were bruised and bleeding from the effects of his struggle with the +knight at the window. + +Walter Bevis was sitting in a corner of the room, trying to extricate +a crossbow shaft that had all but buried itself in the upper part of +his right leg, and in spite of the excruciating pain was slowly +drawing out the barbed head, muttering the while prayers to the +Virgin and his patron saints. + +The others, having bound up their slighter injuries, cheered the +sufferer, and in response to his entreaties, withdrew the bolt. A +gush of blood followed, and the man, unable to bear the agony, +fainted. Hastily applying a bandage, with the rude knowledge of +surgery that they possessed, his comrades left him and returned to +their posts to await the next assault. + +"Certes! They do not mean to let us be," exclaimed Redward; "it +passeth my understanding why they should waste time and many lives in +attempting to take our little fortress. Courage, my friends! Another +repulse and they will leave us in peace." + +But, notwithstanding his repeated encouragements, the master-bowman +looked doubtfully on the new phase of the attack. A party of men were +bringing a huge mangonel ashore from one of the galleys, and setting +it in position, prepared to bombard the house with heavy stones, each +capable of tearing a jagged hole in the stonework. At the same time, +the French archers advanced on all sides with wisps of burning tow +affixed to the heads of their arrows. + +At a score paces from the house stood a solitary gnarled trunk of a +dead tree, and towards this the bowman cast a hasty yet anxious +glance. Then noting with satisfaction that the little wind there was +blew from that direction, he gave a sigh of relief. + +In the meanwhile the men about the mangonel had set the powerful +spring, and a mass of rock lay poised on the gigantic spoon, awaiting +only the release of the engine to cast the deadly missile towards the +doomed house. + +In terrible suspense the garrison crouched behind the stoutest part +of the masonry, expecting each moment to find the huge stone crashing +over their heads. + +The noise of the spring as it was released could be distinctly heard, +then with a whirlwind of dust the stone struck the ground at a short +distance from the house and rolled harmlessly against the wall. + +The next discharge sent the projectile fairly into the roof, knocking +away the greater part and half filling the house with fragments of +rafters, beams, and thatch. + +"'Twill be less thatch to burn!" remarked Buckland encouragingly, +though the moral effect of the mangonel was beginning to tell. + +Suddenly there was a crash that shook the building to its +foundations, and amid a shower of stones and dust a piece of rock +forced its way into a corner of the building, leaving a gap a bow's +length in width, through which the daylight streamed in, dazzling the +defenders with the sudden change from semi-darkness. + +At the same time a shower of firebrands descended on the remains of +the roof, and in a moment the house was enveloped in flames. + +"We are lost!" shouted one and another of the little garrison in +dismay. "Let us sally out and die like men, rather than rats in a +trap!" + +But the master-bowman, cool and collected in the hour of trial, shook +his head, and, shouting--for the din was deafening--to his comrades +to bear a hand, he seized an iron bar and attacked a large flag in +the floor, plying the tool with skill and celerity. + +The square stone was dislodged, disclosing a gaping hole in the +ground, the top of a rough ladder being dimly visible against its +edge. + +"Down with ye!" he shouted, and once more hope sprang up in the +breast of the despairing men. One by one they vanished into the +chasm, till only Redward, Dick, and the unconscious Walter Bevis +remained. + +There was not a moment to be lost; the flames were already scorching +their hair and clothing, while the thick, suffocating fumes caused +them to gasp and splutter. Raising their wounded comrade, the other +two men lowered him into the arms of those who had already gained +safety. Dick then descended, but Redward, after giving a glance at +the attackers, who still maintained a respectful distance, suddenly +stooped, dragging the body of the hapless French knight across the +floor, and dropped it down the hole. Then he swiftly followed, +pausing for a moment to draw a large, steel-plated shield over the +aperture, and joined his companions in the security of their +underground chamber. + +For a while they remained motionless, as if unable to realise the +turn of fortune, and listening to the dull roar of the flames and the +muffled crash of the falling timbers, while the confined air grew hot +as the furnace overhead grew fiercer, and the clammy atmosphere of +the vault began to give off a humid vapour. + +"Silence!" said Redward sternly, as some of the men began to talk +excitedly. "Or, if ye do speak, speak only in whispers; for if the +rascals discover us they'll smoke us out." + +Through a narrow shaft at the far end of the chamber a streak of +light faintly filtered, and ere long the men's eyes became accustomed +to the darkness. The underground room was about ten paces by four, +with a stone-vaulted ceiling. A rough wall of later date cut off one +end, but it was evident that this apartment was at one time a portion +of a subterranean tunnel which, it was rumoured, led from the church +towards the Abbey of Netley, but for some reason was uncompleted. + +Again motioning his friends to keep silent, Buckland walked over to +the shaft, and, ascending by a rough wooden ladder, gained the hollow +trunk of the decayed tree, where, without being seen, he could +observe the movements of the invaders. + +Four blackened walls and a heap of smoking timbers was all that +remained of what was but a short time back his home. Satisfied by +destroying the house and, as they thought, its determined inmates, +the foe had now retired, and were busy preparing a meal, save a few +of the common soldiers, who were either despoiling the dead of their +weapons and armour or carrying the wounded back to the shore to +embark on board the galleys. + +Reassuring himself that their presence was unsuspected, the archer +returned to his companions and reported the state of affairs. + +"By St. George, thou hast done a clever thing," said Dick admiringly. +"But for thee we would have been roast meat ere now. But why didst +thou keep us without knowledge of the place so long?" + +"To make thee fight the more lustily," replied Redward bluntly. +"Hadst thou but known that an asylum awaited thee, thou wouldst have +hurried here like a fox to earth, and the Frenchmen, finding the +house still standing, would have discovered us and burned us out. Do +I not speak aright?" + +"Ay, Master Redward! And 'twas as well ye did!" + +"And having, as ye admit, saved your lives, I demand a promise in +return. I require ye to swear, on pain of forfeiting your eternal +salvation, that not a word concerning this place shall pass your lips +to any other living creature. Moreover, if I fail to come out alive, +my son, Raymond, shall have undisputed possession of this place and +its contents, for all I have on this earth is now stored herein." + +In solemn silence each man, save the still unconscious Walter, took +the required oath, kissing the hilt of a sword in confirmation of his +sacred promise. Then, as if a load were lifted off his mind, Redward +again ascended the shaft to resume his observations. + +Slowly the long day passed. The sun was now overhead, yet the +invaders remained inactive, neither advancing into the country nor +returning to their ships. Gradually the fires died out, leaving only +a number of thin columns of smoke, rising into the still sultry air, +to mark what had but lately been a prosperous English village. + +After a while Redward again descended into the vault, his place being +taken by Will Lightfoot. The opening in the hollow tree only +commanded the village and the river, so another hole was laboriously +cut in the trunk so as to look towards Southampton, whence Redward +expected a speedy arrival of the companies then encamped outside the +town. + +An hour later there was a stir amongst the foreign soldiers. A +trumpet sounded, and they stood to arms, forming in a line on the +brow of the hill where Buckland's house formerly stood. + +As there was only room for one person in the tree-trunk, Lightfoot had +to announce the movements to his comrades below, and, to their joy, +they heard him cry out that a vast host of armed men was advancing. + +The invaders were unaware of the presence of a large force in the +neighbourhood, and, dismayed by the numbers of their attackers, they +turned and fled in a disorderly mob to their boats. At the same time +the watcher espied the lofty hulls and bellying sails of five English +ships standing down Southampton Water with the intention of cutting +off the three hostile galleys. + +Barely had the boats made a second journey to the galleys with their +load of panic-stricken men than a troop of lances, displaying the +banners of Lord Willoughby and Sir Charles Bassett, came charging +across the undulating ground and through the smouldering street of +the village, sweeping aside all opposition and driving the remnant of +the Genoese and Spaniards into the river. + +It was now high tide, and in the treacherous mud scores of the +miserable wretches died a horrible death, for quarter was neither +asked nor given. A few of those unencumbered by armour succeeded in +swimming off to the galleys, though their companions, with abject +cowardice, thought only of getting to sea, letting many of the +fugitives drown alongside their ships without even throwing a rope to +save them. + +Close at the heels of the lances came a body of mounted archers, who, +on arriving at the shore, dismounted and poured volleys of arrows +into the galleys. Notwithstanding the hail of darts that wrought +havoc amongst the slaves who banked the oars, the three vessels +slipped their cables and stood towards the mouth of the river, +endeavouring to reach Southampton Water before the advancing English +ships should bar their passage. + +The moment had arrived for Buckland and his companions to leave their +underground refuge. Tying three spears together to form a stout +battering ram, they applied one end to the mass of metal and charred +wood that was once a shield, and which formed the door of their +prison. + +With a mighty thrust the obstruction was removed, and through a +smouldering pile of charred timbers emerged the eight men, their +faces disfigured with dried blood and blackened with soot and smoke. +Bevis they left, till, on Redward's suggestion, two of them returned +and brought him up, semi-conscious and weak from the effect of his +wounds. + +At that moment the companies of the Constable of Portchester and the +Constable of Southampton came swinging along, the sun shining on +their arms and accoutrements, while at their head rode Sir John +Hacket and Walter de Brakkeleye, one of the Bailiffs of Southampton. + +"Certes!" exclaimed Sir John, reining in his horse and gazing +open-eyed with astonishment at Redward and his band. "What have we +here?" + +"Sir Knight," replied Redward, raising the hilt of his sword to his +battered headpiece, "here thou dost see all that is left of the six +score inhabitants of Hamble!" And, overcome by the loss of blood from +no less than six wounds, he reeled and fell heavily on his face +before the amazed Constable. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE MEN OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE GENOESE GALLEY + + +HAVING given orders to some of his followers to convey the wounded +men on litters to the shelter of Netley Abbey, the Constable and his +troops resumed their march to the shore, to aid their advance-guard +in the pursuit of the galleys. + +The lances and mounted archers had already galloped along the right +bank of the river towards the Salterns at its mouth; while a body of +men-at-arms crossed the stream by means of the abandoned boats, and +followed the galleys on the other shore. + +As if by magic, the men-at-arms were joined by vast numbers of +countrymen from the neighbouring villages of Hook, Swanwick, +Titchfield, and Stubbington. All of them were tolerably good bowmen, +and from both sides of the stream a well-directed fire of arrows was +maintained on the fugitive vessels. + +The wind, though favourable to the English ships that were rapidly +nearing the scene of action, was too much abeam to enable the galleys +to hoist their sails, and the slaves toiled at the oars to gain the +open water. Thus sped, and with the favouring tide, the vessels +slipped rapidly past the shore. + +Many an anxious eye was turned towards the advancing English ships, +and many an opinion was offered upon the foreigners' chances, for +once they weathered the long mud spit, their sails would be hoisted +and their superior speed would soon bear them out of sight. + +Holding their own, yet scarcely able to reply to the stinging hail of +arrows, the three galleys bore steadily onwards. The foremost, +bearing the red cross of Genoa emblazoned upon its lofty stern, led +the forlorn procession, a Spaniard being second, while in the rear +floundered a French vessel, one of the famous fleet of Sluys, her +sides, like those of her consorts, bristling with English arrows. + +Soon the leading vessel, ill-judging her distance, turned towards the +Solent, hoisting her huge sail, on which flamed the arms of Luigi +Spinola. Shouts of anger and disappointment rose from the English as +they saw the sail drawing, and the hated Genoese cleaving through the +water with increased speed. But their cries quickly turned into a +roar of delight as the galley ran hard and fast upon the treacherous +and unseen mud-bank, her mast going by the board with a resounding +crash! + +In spite of the frantic efforts of the rowers, the crew were unable +to back the long, snake-like hull from the deadly embrace of the mud, +and with the fast falling tide it was evident that the galley was +doomed to capture. + +Taking warning from their consort's misfortune, the other vessels +gave her a wide berth, and, avoiding the mud spit, turned +south-eastward. The Spaniard hoisted her sail with all speed, the +white foam flying from her sharp bows; but the French galley, having +had her halliards cut through by a chance bolt, was soon overhauled +by the Southampton ships. + +In less than five minutes she was boarded on both quarters and +carried, the Frenchmen being either slain or driven overboard, and +the watchers on shore beheld the Cross of St. George hoisted over the +Fleur-de-Lys. A fanfare of trumpets from the conquering vessels +announced that the English mariners had again proved themselves +worthy of their traditions. + +The prize and three of the English ships anchored to await a +favourable tide to bear them back to the town of Southampton, while +the two remaining vessels stood towards the stranded galley of Genoa. +The tide had now left her high and dry, with a slight list towards +the sea, at two hundred paces from the nearest shore. The +deep-draughted English ships could not approach within that distance, +so they were compelled to cast anchor within easy bow-shot. + +Under the terrible cross-fire the galley remained, her crew seeking +shelter from the shower of arrows, not daring to show so much as a +hair above the low bulwarks. + +[Illustration: BOARDING THE GENOESE GALLEY] + +"By our Lady! The rogues lie close," exclaimed the Constable. "'Tis +but a waste of good arrows. And yet we must have at them ere long, +for already the sun is low in the heavens." + +"Once darkness falls they will, of a surety, escape, for with the +next tide they can make across the shallows, where our ships dare not +follow," replied the Bailiff. + +"If I mistake not, they left a mangonel behind them----" + +"Ay; but 'twould take a good five hours to bring it hither." + +Sir John saw the truth of this statement, and puckered his brows in +his perplexity. + +"Craving thy pardon, sir," said a grizzled man-at-arms, standing +within earshot of the two officers, "I know how the galley can be +held till the morrow." + +"How so, sirrah?" demanded the Constable. + +"For over thirty years I was a marshman of Poole----" + +"Forbear to speak of what thou hast been," replied Sir John Hacket +curtly, "and tell us what thou dolt propose to do." + +"As a marshman I know how to walk over this mud. Give me leave, with +five of my comrades, and I'll warrant that the galley will never +float again." + +"How can the man possibly reach the vessel by walking on the mud?" +demanded Lord Willoughby, who at that moment had joined the Constable +in order to confer with him on a plan of action. "Even now two score +or more of the knaves lie swallowed up by the filthy slime." + +"Let him have his way, my Lord," replied the Constable; "and," he +added, addressing the soldier, "get ye gone, and do your work +quickly. A rose-noble apiece shall be your reward if ye succeed." + +The man-at-arms departed, and, with his chosen comrades, crossed the +river and followed the bank till they came as close to the galley as +they could without leaving the firm ground. + +Here they divested themselves of their armour, and, clad in their +leather jerkins, gripping no other weapon but a heavy hammer and a +short iron spike apiece, they looked more like peaceful village +smiths than soldiers setting out on a desperate venture. + +From the rude huts where the Hamble fishermen kept their stores came +a man bearing a dozen square boards, each having four small holes +bored through it with leathern thongs attached. These the +men-at-arms, with the quickness of frequent use, bound to their feet. + +"Are ye ready, comrades?" + +A gruff yet determined assent was given, and the men, walking with +short, ungainly steps, gained the edge of the mud. + +"Now, hark ye," exclaimed their leader, turning to the master-bowman +who commanded the archers, "give the word that the bowmen keep up a +dropping fire to cover our approach. And I pray thee, let no man +shoot who cannot be depended upon, for, little as I reck a shaft in +fair fight, I am not in a mind to be feathered in the back by an +English arrow!" + +The sun was now low down beyond the dark outlines of the New Forest, +shining straight into the eyes of the archers. Nevertheless, they +shot rapidly and well, the arrows making graceful curves as they sped +towards the mark. No sign of life was visible on board the Genoese +ship, as slowly and steadily the six men-at-arms plodded, with their +boards squelching in the liquid mud, towards their goal. + +As they drew near, the covering volleys ceased; but, suspecting a ruse +to draw them from shelter, the Genoese refused to show themselves. +Thus, without opposition, the Englishmen reached the shelter of the +lofty hull of the stranded galley, so that they were protected by her +bulging sides from any missile the enemy might launch overboard. + +Soon the terrified crew were still more panic-stricken by hearing a +succession of dull blows against their ship's side. Lustily swinging +their mauls as well as their precarious foothold would allow, the +Englishmen drove their iron spikes deep into the seams of the doomed +vessel. Oaken tree-nails and iron bolts were unable to stand the +wrench, and in a few moments a gaping hole four ells in length and a +span in breadth proved that the boast of the man-at-arms that the +galley would never again float was an accomplished fact. + +But now the startled crew were lashed into active resistance. Over +the side, lowered by stout ropes, came the figure of a man fully clad +in plate armour--the dreaded Luigi Spinola himself. Though deprived +of the sight of one eye and nearly blind in the other--thanks to +Redward Buckland's reception at the attack on his house--the Genoese +knight could dimly see the forms of his attackers, and that sufficed. + +Before the Englishmen could realise their danger the keen blade of +the Italian had cleft the skull of the nearest. Preventing himself +from turning like a sack at the end of a rope, Spinola stretched out +his left hand to steady himself against the side of the vessel, while +he raised his right arm to repeat the deadly stroke. One of the +men-at-arms seized his opportunity, and floundering in on the +knight's blind side, smashed his gauntleted left hand into a +shapeless mass by a blow from his maul. + +With a roar of agony and fury his arm fell helpless against his side, +his body swung round, and in a moment the heavy hammer again +descended, this time on the visor of the knight's bascinet. With a +groan the Genoese died--literally at the rope's end; and, their work +accomplished, the five Englishmen began their hazardous retreat, +leaving the body of their hapless companion slowly sinking in the +pitiless mire. + +Again the covering flight of arrows sped towards the galley; but, with +the courage of despair, some of the Genoese crossbowmen sprang upon +the towering forecastle and fired at the retreating men-at-arms. One +of the latter fell with a heavy bolt between his shoulder-blades; +another had a shaft completely transfixing his arm, while their +intrepid leader was menaced by two of the best crossbowmen of the +galley. + +By pure chance a stray arrow pierced the brain of one of the Genoese +just as he was about to pull the trigger. As he fell he struck his +companion, whose aim was affected by the sudden jolt, and the quarrel +flew aimlessly over the Englishmen's heads. + +Unable to stand against the arrows of the English bowmen, the +remainder of the Genoese again sought shelter in the waist, and, amid +the cheers of their comrades, the four men-at-arms regained the +shore. + +All that night the English slept on their arms, sentinels being +posted to give the alarm should any of the foemen attempt to leave +their water-logged craft. It was a still, moonless night, and the +time of spring tides, and as the water ran inch by inch over the +waist of the doomed galley, the watchers could distinctly hear the +cries and lamentations, and appeals to the saints, borne on the night +air from the demoralised Crew, as they clustered in frightened groups +upon the raised forecastle and poop. + +At break of day the Englishmen stood at their arms and gazed seaward. +There, in the same place, lay the galley, though sunk a little lower +in the mud, while her sides were covered with seaweed that on the now +falling tide had been caught by the arrows which bristled in her +sides. + +Plenty of provisions were brought in from the countryside for the +English forces, and, seated round roaring fires, for the morning air +was sharp even for the time of year, the archers and men-at-arms ate +and were merry, while the famished and disheartened Genoese, their +stores spoiled by the water in the hold, gazed despairingly on their +implacable enemies. + +The Constable of Portchester and the Bailiff of Southampton crossed +the river about three hours after daybreak, and visited the troops on +the east side of the stream, their arrival being greeted with +acclamation. + +Calling the remnant of the men-at-arms who had so effectually +performed their hazardous task, Sir John Hacket thanked them before +their comrades and bestowed upon them the promised guerdon. + +"We have these Genoese rascals safe enough!" exclaimed the Constable. +"But what do they?" + +At that moment there were signs of activity in the galley. Men were +busily engaged in cutting away the broken mast and its tangled gear +and cordage, while others were seen to be dividing the great sail +into long strips. + +"They mean to stop the leaks by nailing the flaxen cloth over the +outside," replied Walter de Brakkeleye. "Then, perchance, they can +float off on the next tide." + +"But to what purpose?" questioned the knight. "With our two ships +lying in the stream how can they, without mast and sail, hope to +escape?" + +"I know not, Sir Knight, except it be to forestall the end, and they +would close with us." + +"Then, I pray you, make them desist. A score of archers will keep +them in play; in the meantime send mounted messengers along the banks +to order every boat in the river to be sent down without delay!" + +These orders were promptly carried out, and long before the next high +water twenty open boats of all sizes were lying off the Hard, while +the Constable had already summoned the masters of the two Southampton +ships to confer with them on the plan of attack. + +"By St. George!" exclaimed Sir John, "I already see the remnants of +these foreign scoundrels under lock and key in the King's Castle of +Portchester!" + +"Nay, by the Rood!" replied Walter Brakkeleye; "for I have sworn that, +ere to-morrow's sun hath set, the rogues will grace a line of gibbets +outside the Water Gate of Southampton!" + +"Ah, an' ye would flout my authority?" demanded the choleric knight. +"Am I, Constable of Portchester and Governor of the town of +Portsmouth, to be overridden by a mere Bailiff of Southampton?" + +"But the galley now lies in this river, which is within my +bailiwick," retorted Brakkeleye stoutly. "Nay, she lies on the other +side of the low water channel, which, you will accept, is within the +bailiwick of Titchfield. That being so, as Governor I hold authority +over that half of the river." + +The dispute waxed hot, the question of precedence outweighing the +common cause of destroying a national foe. To what length the +disputants would have gone it is impossible to say, but the opportune +arrival of Lord Willoughby and Sir Charles Bassett settled the wordy +strife. + +"'Tis our duty to settle our account with the Genoese," quoth Lord +Willoughby. "And as ye both claim the river and all it contains, +methinks your difference is best settled thus--all the prisoners +taken on this side shall belong to the Bailiff of Southampton; all +those who are taken on yonder side Sir John can hale to the castle of +Portchester. Now be content and sink your differences in a common +cause." + +This they agreed to, little knowing that neither authority would in +the end claim a single Genoese. + +Directly the tide served the boats were filled with men-at-arms and +archers, and a long procession rowed down the stream to carry the +galley by escalade, a mantlet being raised in each boat to protect +the men from any arrows or bolts that might assail them. + +Already the sea was four feet deep over the mud, and the galley, her +waist full of water and her bulwarks awash amidships, resembled two +lofty castles joined by a low wooden wall. + +Grim and determined, though faint with hunger and fatigue, the +Genoese stood to their arms. Knowing that death in some form awaited +them, they preferred to die in the heat of battle to dangling from a +gallows. On the aftercastle, or poop, stood Guido and Andrea Spinola, +brothers of the ill-fated Luigi, with two score men-at-arms and a +number of lightly-armed slaves, though the latter were not to be +relied upon. On the forecastle nearly a like number clustered round +Simon and Chigi Doria, brothers of the famous Rafaele Doria, the +ruler of the State of Genoa. + +On the approach of the English the trumpets blared a note of +defiance, and the noble leaders, drawing their swords, cast their +scabbards into the sea as a sign that they scorned to give or accept +quarter. + +The poop, being nearest the deep water, was the first object of +attack. The English archers fired but one volley, then, casting aside +their bows, drew sword or grasped their hammers and axes and made +ready to spring directly the boats ran alongside the galley. + +A huge stone, thrown from the highest part of the after-castle, came +crashing through the bottom of the first boat, which instantly sank. +Those of her crew who were unable to maintain their foothold on the +submerged boat perished miserably in the mud and water, for those in +the other boats, filled with the mad desire of fight, paid slight +heed to their misfortunes, being only intent on gaining a foothold on +their enemy's decks. + +In a short space the after-part of the galley was surrounded by nine +large boats, while the remaining ten headed for the forecastle, and +with shouts of fury the English strove to effect an entrance. + +The lofty sides and stern rendered their task very difficult and +hazardous, the Genoese striking lustily with sword, axe, and mace +whenever a foeman's head appeared, and it was not until, by Sir John +Hacket's order, a portion of the amidship bulwarks were cut through +and some of the boats floated over the submerged waist, that a living +Englishman stood on the decks of the Genoese. + +Headed by the Constable, a party of men-at-arms carried the poop +ladder by a determined rush and gained the poop. Here they were met +by Guido and Andrea Spinola and some of the best swordsmen amongst +the Genoese, and for a while a fierce struggle ensued, though, +profiting by the diversion, another party of Englishmen secured a +foothold on the stern of the galley. + +Unable to withstand the sweeping blows of the Constable's sword, the +Genoese gave back, two of their number going down with their +headpieces shattered and their skulls cleft to the chin, and Guido +and Andrea alone remained in the van to bar the Englishman's passage. + +With lightning rapidity their blades met, Sir John warding off the +double attack with marvellous skill. Suddenly the elder brother, +putting all his strength into the blow, delivered a mighty stroke +with his heavy sword at the Constable's head. + +Stepping nimbly aside, the knight avoided the deadly sweep of the +weapon, and ere the Italian could recover himself Sir John cut him +through the gorget till the blade met the top of his enemy's +breastplate. + +Guido fell forward, and the Constable, unable to withdraw his weapon +from the corpse, was obliged to relinquish his sword and take to his +mace. With this ponderous instrument of offence Sir John pressed his +antagonist so strongly that the latter could but attempt to guard +himself. At last, with a crashing blow, the Englishman beat down the +defence of the Genoese, shattering his sword and crushing his helmet +like an egg-shell. + +Disheartened by the fall of both their leaders, and pressed before +and behind by increasing numbers, the Genoese retreated till they +gathered in a small ring of steel, surrounded by their incensed +attackers. Fighting to the last, they fell, till none but those +wearing the surcoat of St. George stood upon the after-castle, and +close on five score bodies littered the narrow blood-stained poop. + +By the Constable's order one of his squires displayed his banner, and +this was the signal for a hearty cheer from the crews of the two +Southampton ships and the crowd of armed men on shore. + +But the combat was not yet over. Those of the forecastle still +stoutly resisted, and as yet none of the Southampton men, headed by +the brave and impetuous Walter de Brakkeleye, had gained any +advantage, though, by the Bailiff's order, some of the archers had +rowed a short distance off, firing anew on the Genoese whenever they +attempted to show themselves above the side. + +With the fall of the after-castle, the Genoese were additionally +assailed by the English bowmen, who now held the captured part of the +galley; and, on the arrival of a fresh supply of arrows, the deadly +hail smote the scanty remnant, who strove in vain to seek shelter. + +At length, when no one was left standing upon the forecastle, the +English men-at-arms rushed the hard-won stronghold, mercilessly +killing those who yet remained alive, and casting their bodies +overboard, and the shattered galley was given to the flames. + +Then, with shouts and rejoicings, the soldiers returned to the shore. +The countrymen dispersed to their homes, the two English ships +hoisted sail and made for Southampton, whither Lord Willoughby's +lances had already gone. The Constable of Portchester and the Bailiff +of Southampton marshalled their followers, and marched through the +devastated village towards their camp at Woolston. + +All that was left to mark the raid were the charred remains of what +had been a prosperous hamlet and the blazing timbers of the +once-dreaded galley of Luigi Spinola. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +AT THE ABBEY + + +CALM and peaceful appeared the grey Abbey to the war-worn defenders, +as, carried in litters or supported by the men of the Constable of +Portchester's company, the nine archers passed through the great +gateway. + +The vesper bell had just ceased its tuneful tolling, and in its place +rose the deep, lusty voices of the monks, who, having completed yet +another day of hard manual labour, were uniting once more in prayer +and thanksgiving. + +For awhile, save for the porter, a lay brother of gigantic size and +jovial mien, the secular portions of the Abbey were deserted, but the +arrival of this host of rough soldiers and their wounded charges +contrasted ill with the pious solitude of the place. + +The Cistercian Abbey, founded as the Priory of Saints Mary and Edward +in 1237, was at that time in the zenith of its prosperity. Favoured +by royal charters, the natural zeal of the monks exerted itself to +such an extent that within a few years of its birth the Abbey bade +fair to outshine its parent foundation at Beaulieu, and a large +triple-aisled church, a sumptuous Abbot's house, lofty dormitories, +architecturally perfect cloisters, a number of extensive +outbuildings, and two artificial fish-ponds testified to the work of +these pioneers of civilisation. + +Awed by the solemnity of their surroundings, the soldiers clustered +in small, silent knots, looking around with open-mouthed astonishment +at the unaccustomed beauty of the delicate architecture and listening +to the distant chanting of the monks. + +If an archer dared even to whisper his comrades silenced him by a +look, while, when a man-at-arms dropped his short spear on the tiled +floor, the culprit stooped, picked up the weapon guiltily, and +crossed himself for very shame. + +At length the singing ceased, the doors of the church were thrown +wide open, and out came a long line of grey-gowned monks, walking two +and two with bent heads and downcast eyes, while at the rear of the +procession came the Sub-Prior and the Abbot. The former was a +comfortable-looking, well-fed personage, with a benign countenance +that neither fast nor penance could subdue, while the Abbot, a tall, +gaunt man with wan features, redeemed by a pair of glittering eyes, +looked a man whose natural sternness was increased by the strict +rigidity of a celibate. + +Immediately the soldiers drew themselves up into two lines, looking +straight in front in military style, though as the Abbot passed they +bent their heads to receive his benison, even the wounded, save +Walter Bevis, standing unaided to share in the blessing. + +It was a stirring and picturesque sight. The grey stones of the +arched cloisters, the green patch of grass in the cloister court, and +the still evening quiet were fitting surroundings for a procession of +monks as their sandals clattered on the tiled floor; but the white +surcoats bearing the red cross, the armour and weapons of the +soldiers, and the pallid features of the wounded bespeaking strife +and suffering, presented a strange contrast to the peacefulness of +the Abbey. + +Attended by two novices, the Abbot presently returned, and, learning +the cause of the unusual visit, gave orders for the wounded men to be +taken care of in the Abbey infirmary. He had already learned of the +sack and burning of Hamble, but the deed of Redward Buckland and his +comrades moved him greatly, and he desired to speak with the +master-bowman. + +Redward, his head still bound with a blood-stained bandage, was led +before the Abbot. He had removed his steel cap, and the dying +sunlight played on his thickly-cropped head and heightened the +reddish hue of his beard. The Abbot gave an involuntary start of +recognition, but, composing himself, he asked: + +"How art thou, my son? I see thou art sore hurt." + +"Nay, Father, it is but a scratch." + +"A brave man to speak so lightly of so great a matter. And thou didst +keep the press of enemies back till help arrived?" + +"'Twas also a little matter, seeing we were behind stout walls." + +"And yet, by God's grace, thy valour saved us." + +"Saved you, Father?" + +"Yea, my son. Saved the priory of the blessed Saints Mary and Edward; +for, had ye not been there to bar the way, the Frenchmen would of a +certainty have ravaged our holy retreat." + +"This knowledge is beyond my understanding, yet, the saints be +praised, I was but an instrument to that end." + +"The gratitude of us all is due to you, my son, and if in any way we +can render thee a service, do but ask it. Thou'rt weary; return to thy +friends and rest well." + +The master-bowman bent his head for the Abbot's blessing, then he +turned and hobbled slowly back to join his comrades. + +Great was the astonishment and delight of the monks, on washing the +thick cake of dried blood, slime, and soot from the face of their +youngest patient, to find that it was none other than their late +novice, Raymond, whose wound--a deep cut in his left shoulder--had +been skilfully dressed by the monks, to whom surgery was a special +feature of their work. He was now sleeping peacefully, a draught of +cooling medicine having completely taken away all symptoms of fever. + +Walter Bevis, his leg swathed in bandages, was lying on a pallet, his +eyes rolling and his hands tightly clenched as he strove to suppress +a groan. Already he was in a state of semi-delirium, and in spite of +the constant attention of two of the monks, he strove at intervals to +rise from his couch and fly at some imaginary foe. + +As for the rest, with the exception of Will Lightfoot, who was busily +devouring a platter of soup, they all were sleeping off the effects +of a terrible mental strain. Submitting himself to the hands of two +of the brethren, Redward had his injuries dressed, and was cleansed +from the effects of the fire and battle; then, staggering to a couch, +he lay down and was soon lost in dreamless sleep. + +The sun was high in the heavens ere Buckland awoke, feeling vastly +refreshed and filled with renewed energy. His first inquiry was for +his son and his comrades, then for the latest tidings of the raiders. + +On this latter point he could not be enlightened, save that a mounted +messenger had passed the Abbey that morning without drawing rein. +Though giving no news by word of mouth, the man had shown by a +gesture that the English had been successful, though at that time the +fate of the Genoese galley had not yet been decided. + +One by one the wounded archers began to awaken, till all, save +Raymond and Bevis, were up and about. For some time Redward sat by +his son's bedside, looking anxiously at his pale and pain-racked +features. + +The master-bowman was torn by conflicting emotions. On the one hand +he wanted to be again on the scene of action to revenge himself on +his enemies--for the destruction of his home, and also to take steps +to safeguard his chattels that lay in the underground chamber. On the +other hand, he felt it impossible to tear himself away from his son, +in whose welfare he was so much absorbed, till he was satisfied that +there was no cause for anxiety on his account. + +While deep in this mental debate Redward was summoned by a novice to +proceed to the private apartment of the Abbot. + +Following closely at the heels of his guide, Buckland was ushered +into a room which, in the frigid plainness of its appearance, +differed little from the cells of the ordinary brethren, only it was +larger. + +The stone floor was strewn with rushes, and the walls were bare and +unbroken, save for two narrow lancet windows and the low, +Gothic-arched door by which the archer entered. In the centre of the +room stood a plain oaken table, on which was a small ivory crucifix, +which, together with a number of richly-bound books of illuminated +vellum--the most highly-prized objects within the monastery +walls--gave a fitting setting to the gaunt figure of the stern yet +revered Abbot. Two heavy wooden stools completed the furniture of the +apartment, one of which was for the head of the Abbey himself, the +other for the use of any visitor of equal or higher rank; otherwise, +all who were called into the presence of the Abbot were obliged to +stand, with bent head, patiently waiting to be addressed, and not +daring to speak save when spoken to. + +"Well, my son," quoth the Abbot, after the customary benediction had +been given. "I have a small matter of which I would speak. Raymond, +thy son, was until recently with us as a novice." + +"Yes, Father." + +"But thou didst send for him?" + +"I could not do without him." + +"Yet he was ill spared by us a youth of much promise. Did he not ask +to be allowed to take the vows of chastity and obedience?" + +"Nay, Father." + +"What, then, is in thy mind with regard to his up-bringing?" + +"But two days agone he did ask to go with me to the wars." + +"Alas! Alack!" groaned the Abbot, speaking half to his visitor, half +to himself. "To think that one brought up in the sanctity of this +place should have a mind for the horror of war! It but shows that +men's minds are by nature inclined to strife, and that we must ever +be subduing the desires of malice and hatred, which, though dormant +for years, are too often ready to burst forth with renewed strength. +Ah me! And I did think Raymond was a brand plucked from the burning. +Thinkst thou that 'tis not too late to turn him from his purpose and +bring him into the brotherhood?" + +"Father," replied the master-bowman earnestly, "many a time have I +pondered the matter over in my heart, for he is very dear to me. In +my wanderings I knew him to be in safe keeping in this peaceful +place, yet I look to my son as a tried companion of my old age, for I +have no other kith or kin in the world. To the wars he would go, yet +Heaven forfend that ill should happen to him." + +"But if he wish to stay?" + +"Then he may do so, though as a monk he will be as far from me as +ever." + +"Then he shall be asked, my son. Should he remain with us the Order +profiteth; should he go Franceward, then the saints be with him and +bring him safely home again. But, I ask," he added, fixing his dark +eyes intently on the archer, "when Raymond left us didst thou fetch +him away?" + +"Nay, Father, I----" + +"Then where have I met thee before?" + +For a moment a pallor, quickly succeeded by a deep flush, overspread +the tanned features of the master-bowman, and his mind travelled back +for nigh two score years. Then in quick, short sentences he replied, +telling the story of the tragedy which had darkened his life. + +"Ah! I thought my memory played me not false," returned the Abbot. +"But of that enough! I knew it! And, for an archer, thou art +certainly apt in speech. Canst read?" + +"Yea, Father." + +"And write?" + +"Yea, Father. Many a time have I acted as scrivener to Sir John +Hacket, the Constable of the Castle of Portchester." + +"'Tis well; and rest assured, my son, that, by my holy calling, no +word of thy past shall fall from my lips." + +"And there is another small matter of which I would speak," said +Redward. + +The Abbot frowned, for the archer had taken the initiative, but, +nevertheless, he signed for Redward to continue. + +"When we are gone to the wars," quoth the archer, "'twill be +necessary for me to leave my small belongings in safe keeping, and no +better place can I think of than this Abbey." + +"Think not to turn this holy place into a house of merchandise, my +son!" + +"Nay, Father, not merchandise, but treasure." + +"Treasure?" interrupted the Abbot, his interest kindling. "How say +you?" + +"Ay, a trifle saved from the wreck of my past, together with a little +I have amassed during some twenty years of wandering. Of a surety I +would offer the Abbey a good percentum for the care thereof, together +with the right to retain all profits from its use." + +"My son, thou art generous to Holy Mother Church." + +"Nay, but I go farther. Should aught amiss happen to Raymond or me, +the whole of my worldly goods I leave to the Abbey, without +condition." + +"Then, my son, I accept, in the name of the Order, the charge +confided to us. I will see to it this instant that Brother Aloysius, +our scribe, will draft the agreement thereunto." And going to the +door, the Abbot, his eyes shining at the thought of adding to the +treasury, rang a bell that brought one of the lay servitors hastening +to his presence. + +"Bring Brother Aloysius hither." + +With little loss of time the scrivener arrived, and the agreement was +drawn up and signed. This done, the Abbot dismissed Redward, and, +once more alone, leaned back in his chair with intense satisfaction. + +Keep Raymond within the Abbey, let him take the oaths of the Order, +and all would be well. The Abbey would benefit considerably, for, +once a monk, Raymond would be heirless. On the other hand, should +father and son go to the wars--well, there were chances that they +might not return, and then----. The Abbot sighed, for, in spite of +his pious greed, he chid himself for his momentary satisfaction at +the thought of harm happening to the young man, of whose presence as +a novice he had many pleasing recollections. + +On Redward's return to his son's bedside he found, to his great +delight, that Raymond was awake. + +"How fares it with thee, Raymond?" he asked, taking the lad's limp +hand in his great palm and gently patting it. + +"I feel much better, father, and hope soon to be abroad again." + +"I trust so; but I have something to tell thee. Even now the Abbot has +asked me to let thee stay with him. He himself will ask thee anon." + +"But I do not wish to, father. My one desire is to follow the banner +of the Constable." + +"I like thy pluck, Raymond, seeing what thou hast been through. 'Twas +an ill start for a soldier's life." + +"Yet we came out with honour," replied the boy, his eyes glistening +at the thought of the unequal encounter. "When thinkest thou that we +shall be able to leave this place?" + +"A matter of a few days. For my part, I must hasten back to Hamble to +gather together the remains of my goods and chattels, and also to +ease the dead Frenchman of his harness, for 'tis, a goodly suit of +armour. Also, there is a fair portion of plate and money which I am +leaving in the care of the Abbot. Some day 'twill be thine, Raymond, +but of that matter I'll speak more anon." + +Towards eventide the peacefulness of the Abbey was disturbed by the +tramp of armed men--the victorious troops returning to their camp at +Southampton; and by the Abbot's leave most of the wounded men, with +their escort of archers, passed out of the gate and lined the dusty +road to welcome their rescuers and comrades. Even the monks, carried +away by their feelings, crowded round the gateway to catch a glimpse +of the gallant companies. News of the capture of one galley and the +destruction of the other had already reached them, and enthusiasm ran +high as the bronzed and dust-covered soldiers tramped homewards. + +Redward Buckland knew most of the banners of the various companies, +and imparted his knowledge to his companions, while the archers who +formed their escort cheered lustily as their fellow-soldiers turned +to throw out words of pleasant banter. + +At length the master-bowman gave a loud shout. "Look, comrades, the +company of the Constable of Portchester! See the crescent _or_ on a +field _azure!_" + +Marching four abreast, their white surcoats soiled with mud, water, +and dust, came the Portchester garrison. For, save a few who remained +to hold the castle and the adjacent town of Portsmouth, the whole of +Sir John Hacket's men were with the army now encamped at Woolston, on +the outskirts of Southampton. + +At their head rode the fiery knight, attended by his squires, while +at his bridle-arm, mounted on a white jennet, was Walter de +Brakkeleye, the Bailiff of Southampton, whose men had already passed +by. The two leaders were engaged in animated conversation, all traces +of their bickering on the question of precedence having completely +vanished. + +Suddenly the knight caught sight of the little knot of men outside +the Abbey gate. + +"By the Rood, 'tis my old master-bowman and his party of villagers +who held the Frenchmen at bay!" he exclaimed. "When I sent them to +the Abbey I little thought to see any of them out and about so soon." + +In obedience to an order, the company halted and faced about. Sir +John rode up to the little band, who respectfully saluted him, +following Redward's example in military etiquette. + +"By St. George," said the knight, "'tis hard to do justice to your +bravery; for I have only now had time to ponder over your deeds. But +this I know--had ye not held the rascals in check the countryside +would have been laid bare far more than it is." + +"But," he went on reflectively, "ye are, for the most part, homeless +men; why not serve under my banner? Francewards riches and honour +await you. I'll warrant ye will gain more in one campaign than in a +lifetime in England. Buckland, I have heard, will rejoin my company. +He will be, as before, one of my sub-officers, and if ye come with +him, in his division ye'll be placed. I am loth to lose any of you. +So who's for an archer's life?" + +With one accord Redward's companions signified their eagerness to +follow the yellow crescent, and Sir John's face beamed with delight +at their decision. "Then get ye back to the Abbey till ye be +thoroughly healed of your wounds," he said, "and join the camp as +soon as possible. I thought aright that the taste of fighting would +but whet your appetites." + +"And you, Hubert," he added, addressing one of his squires, "take +this purse and present to the Abbot as a token of my esteem for the +kindly treatment of these men. Also make excuses for me, as the night +draws on apace." + +Then, commanding the archers who had conveyed Redward's party to the +Abbey to fall in with the rest of his company, Sir John gave the +order to march. The column moved onwards, leaving behind it the new +recruits to the banner of the Constable of the King's Castle of +Portchester. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE SACK OF SOUTHAMPTON + + +TWO months have elapsed since Redward Buckland and his companions +made their gallant stand against the foreign raiders; Raymond had +developed into a full-fledged archer. Making a rapid recovery from +his wound, the lad, with his seven companions, joined the Constable's +banner at Southampton, whither Redward, having settled his affairs, +had preceded them. + +The badly-wounded Bevis made but slow progress; fighting, he +vehemently declared, was not in his line, so one morning he limped +slowly through the Abbey gateway to make his way back to Hamble, +there to rebuild his cottage and again to ply his calling as a +fisherman. + +Lack of money compelled King Edward III. to remain inactive. A tax on +wool was levied and grudgingly paid, for his subjects, finding that +no great deed of arms was likely to ensue, lacked the enthusiasm that +the glorious victories of later years were bound to create. Thus the +greater part of the huge host was dispersed; many of the troops were +moved to Rye and Winchelsea, others sent back to their own homes, +and, save for a few soldiers, the town of Southampton resumed its +normal appearance. + +By the King's special command, however, a portion of Sir John +Hacket's company was retained at Southampton to man some of the ships +that were to be fitted out against the rovers who still lingered in +the Channel, and thus Raymond found himself quartered in Saint +Barbara's Tower, a small defensive work on the south walls. + +Before dealing with the stirring events that happened in this ancient +and distinguished town, it would be well to briefly describe the +Southampton of the fourteenth century. + +Roughly, the town formed an irregular rectangle, with the +south-western corner rounded off. On the north side the walls were +pierced by the Bargate, and protected by several small towers, with a +larger erection, termed the Polymond Tower, at the north-eastern +angle. The eastern side was defended by a wall nearly 800 yards in +length, further protected by twenty-seven half-round towers, and +pierced by the East Gate and two posterns. + +On the south the walls were in a somewhat ruinous condition, though +it ought to have been clear that these were more open to attack. Here +were two entrances--the God's House Tower gate at the south-eastern +angle and the Water Gate. Several towers added to the defensive works +at this point, the chief being the God's House Tower, the Watch +Tower, the Square Tower, St. Barbara's Tower, and the Bugle Tower. + +The western face was by far the best protected, the arcaded walls +being of great height, terminating at Catchcold Tower near the +north-western angle. Two large gates--West Gate and Biddlesgate--gave +access to the water-front on the western shore, and in addition were +several posterns, one of which, the Water Gate, led to the courtyard +of the Castle, whose keep, a large circular Norman tower standing on +an artificial mound, dominated the whole town. + +Sunday, the 14th of October, 1338, was a black day in the annals of +Southampton. + +A few days previously more of the troops had been withdrawn, thus +leaving practically only the men of Southampton to guard the town. +Rumours of a large hostile fleet within the sheltered waters of the +Solent caused bodies of men to be hastily dispatched to Lepe, +Lymington, and other neighbouring sea-coast towns, while Sir John +Hacket, hurriedly summoned to Portsmouth on an urgent matter of +defence, had taken the greater part of his company with him. + +Redward's sub-division was amongst those left at Southampton, but he +himself had crossed to Hythe, where he hired a horse and rode to the +town of Lepe to gather tidings of the foemen. Thus there remained of +his party some two score archers and men-at-arms, under the command +of Richard Wyatt, the grizzled old warrior who had recognised his old +comrade Redward at the passage of the Hamble River. + +On this particular Sunday a white mist overspread Southampton. So +dense was the fog that even the oldest inhabitants could not recall +the like. Raymond and his comrades were busily engaged in overhauling +their bows and shafts, for on that afternoon a shooting match had +been arranged between ten men of the Constable's company and ten of +the town guard of Southampton, for displays of archery were then +usual at the close of church service. + +"A pest take the fog!" grumbled the old man-at-arms. "If it does not +lift 'twill be too thick to hold the contest." + +"Even this room is full of it," cried an archer, twanging his +bow-string with his thumb. "Look, this cord is as dead as the giant +Ascupart, whom these Southampton folk brag so much about!" + +"At all events, both parties fare alike. If we but win a groat apiece +the weather can bide--that is, so long as we can see the butts!" + +Just then the bells of St. Michael's and the Maison Dieu struck out +to summon the townspeople to Mass, and soon the streets were teeming +with gaily dressed folk, all hastening to their respective churches, +though to the men in the tower they appeared but ghostly shapes +gliding in the misty air. + +"Who will come with me on to the top of the tower?" asked one of the +archers. "I'd as lief get wet through in the open as perish with cold +in this fog-laden room." + +"I am with thee," replied Raymond. + +"And I--and I," said several voices. + +Ascending a narrow spiral flight of stone steps, the comrades gained +the summit of St. Barbara's Tower. Rearing itself sixty feet above +the ground and thirty feet above the line of battlemented walls, this +building was crowned by a low breastwork, and roofed with large slabs +of stone sufficiently sloping to carry off the rainwater, but at the +same time capable of being walked upon without difficulty. + +"Ha! The mist rises a little!" exclaimed one. "Though 'twill be only +for a time." + +"I can perceive the watch-fire," remarked another, indicating the +dull glow of the burning wood in an open brazier that at night or in +thick weather was always fired on the summit of the Water Gate. + +"Ho! Peterkin--Simon!" shouted a hoarse voice immediately below them. +"Out on ye for scurvy knaves! Hasten and bring oars, or I'll lay my +staff athwart your backs!" + +"'Tis old John Draper, the water-bailiff," remarked one of the +archers. "Some vessel hath found her way up the Water, and he's going +to board her." + +They heard the oars tossed into the boat, and the rasping voice of +the water-bailiff as he descended the stone steps of the quay and +stepped into the boat. Then the sound of oars straining against the +tholepins grew fainter and fainter, till the little craft was lost to +sight and sound in the dense fog. + +Suddenly a piercing shriek, followed by the dull noise of a heavy +splash, fell upon the ears of the archers in the tower. + +"What's that?" inquired one, his indifference changed into alert +activity. + +"Nothing, thick head--except, perhaps, that old Draper hath missed +his foothold and received a ducking!" + +"I like it not," replied the first archer. "There's black devilment +afoot." + +"Thou art ever looking for trouble, Hal. Didst ever----" + +"Nay, methinks he's right," interrupted Will Lightfoot. "Hearken!" + +Leaning over the edge of the parapet the archers strove to ascertain +the meaning of a subdued splashing that every moment grew louder. + +"Oars, comrades, oars! And not a score not two score, either. The +water's _alive_ with them!" + +And now through the mist loomed scores of great indistinct shapes +that only too soon resolved themselves into the outlines of long +galleys, their size magnified by the thick veil of vapour. Before the +astonished archers could realise their danger the huge craft ran +alongside the quay or beached themselves with a grinding crunch on +the gravel of the foreshore abreast the Water Gate, and from them +leaped hordes of armed men, shouting and giving orders in half the +tongues of Southern Europe. + +The surprise was complete. The Water Gate was rushed ere the massive +gates could be closed, and the foe, with the quickness of martial +experience, wedged the grooves of the double portcullis to prevent +the lowering of the heavy iron slides. Into the town they poured, +slaying all who crossed their path, and before the startled +inhabitants, most of whom were still at Mass, could grasp the +situation, close upon five thousand French and Genoese soldiers had +gained possession of the greater part of the town. + +To add to the tumult, the bell over the watchtower began a dismal +tocsin, and continued till a party of soldiers, climbing to the +summit, hurled the devoted bellman crashing down upon the stones +beneath. But other bells took up the warning note, till the Bar Gate, +at the northern end of Southampton, gave a more timely alarm to the +dwellers about the upper part of the town. + +In the meantime the archers of St. Barbara's Tower, lashed into +activity by the orders and example of Dick Wyatt, had closed, barred, +and bolted the great oaken door, and hastily arming themselves, +ascended the tower, where they crouched, arrow on string, behind the +low, battlemented parapet. + +"Methinks 'tis all up with Southampton," exclaimed the grizzled +warrior. "But lie close, and do not loose string till they find us +out." + +"But what can we do?" + +"Very little till the fog lifts. Then it will be seen, which of the +towers still hold out." + +"Have they carried the Castle, think you?" + +"Not if the garrison have had the least warning, and, thank Heaven, +there's enough noise to waken the Seven Sleepers. Hearken!" + +Above the noise of the still disembarking foreign soldiery could be +heard pitiful screams and cries for mercy, as men, women, and +children were cut down indiscriminately by the ruthless foe, while a +distant clash of arms showed that in some quarters of the town the +invaders were meeting with some amount of resistance. + +As if by magic, the mist suddenly rolled away, and the pale October +sun streamed down upon a sight that was but too common in those days. +Two score and ten galleys lay along the sea-front, their prows +touching the shore just as the first high water was beginning to ebb, +while in mid-stream fifty-five heavier vessels rode at anchor. From +this powerful fleet close on twelve thousand Normans, Picards, +Genoese, and Spaniards had landed. + +Already the southern portion of the town, with the exception of St. +Barbara's and God's House Towers, was in their hands. Robert de la +Barre, one of the bailiffs, held the Castle and the West Gate; Walter +de Brakkeleye, the other, lay within Catchcold Tower; while through +the Bar Gate poured a mob of terrified citizens, some of whom fled +hot-foot even as far as Winchester. + +Having made sure of the lower part of the town, the invaders began +their accustomed excesses, plundering and burning in all directions. + +A strong body of Genoese could be seen coming down the road that +followed the inner side of the South Wall. + +"Stand fast, if ye would see to-morrow's sun!" cried the old +man-at-arms warningly. "And do not give any sign till they discover +us: then an arrow for each black heart!" + +On the opposite side of the street, which, for military reasons, was +wider than those away from the walls, was a house of superior quality +to its neighbours. It was a two-storeyed, half-timbered building, +standing in a large extent of ground. Attracted by its more imposing +appearance, three of the marauders stopped and began to batter on the +outer gate with their short, heavy axes. + +"'Tis the house of Sir Reginald Scarsdale," quoth one of the archers, +a Southampton man. "'Tis out of the frying-pan into the fire, I trow, +with him." + +"What dost thou mean?" asked Raymond. + +"Why, this: twice his castle in the county of Yorks hath been burned +by the Scots; so, to keep his womenfolk out of harm's way, he sends +them down here, while he keeps watch and ward at Berwick." + +"His womenfolk?" + +"Ay! His wife, the Lady Hilda, and his daughter, the Lady Audrey. +Pray Heaven they be not in the house!" + +"But they are!" exclaimed another. "I heard from one of their +servants but a few hours back that the old lady was seized with an +ague. And the younger, a sweet little lass, left to the mercies of +those wretches! Alas! And we can do nothing!" + +Raymond's only reply was to compress his lips tightly and clutch the +hilt of his short sword. Carefully he peered over the edge of the +parapet, and looked down on the scene below. + +Already the gate was giving way before the lusty blows of the axes. +Then, throwing his ponderous body against the shattered woodwork, a +burly Genoese burst the remaining fragments with a resounding crash, +and, with wild shouts of triumph, the three plunderers rushed across +the grounds and attacked the door of the house, while the screams of +terrified women rent the air. + +Without a moment's hesitation Raymond seized a coil of rope which was +used for hauling up materials to the top of the tower, and hastily +knotted one end round his body. He looked down. The street was now +clear of any wandering soldiers. Taking his bow and quiver, as well +as his sword, the youth persuaded his comrades to lower him with all +despatch. + +Round and round he spun in his hazardous descent, till, with bleeding +hands and a swimming sensation in his head, Raymond found himself on +the ground. Instantly he unloosed the rope, darted quickly across the +road and gained the outer gateway. + +By this time the inner door had been wrenched open, and the three +Genoese were holding a debate amongst themselves, gesticulating and +talking volubly till it seemed as if a quarrel was likely to ensue. +Finally two entered the house, the third keeping guard outside, +possibly to prevent any fugitive from leaving, or to keep others of +their comrades from sharing in what promised to be a rich haul. + +Raymond saw and seized his chance. The man's back was turned towards +him, yet--the raiders being mere pirates and deserving of no +mercy--without hesitation, the youth drew string, and the next +instant the soldier was lying on his face, his back pierced by an +arrow. + +Guided by the redoubled sound of shrieks, the lad sped across the +ground, grasping his drawn sword in his hand, and ascended the stairs +with quick yet noiseless footsteps. + +At the head of the stairs lay the corpse of an old man, evidently a +servitor, the blood welling in a crimson flood from a gaping wound in +his throat. Without stopping, Raymond sprang over the body and burst +into a room whence the shrieks came with terrifying shrillness. + +There a sight met his gaze that transformed him into a terrible +avenging spirit rather than a human being. On the floor lay an +elderly lady, her eyes rolling in semi-stupor, while the two ruffians +were maltreating a young and beautiful girl, whose age could not have +been more than sixteen. In spite of her furious struggles and +piercing cries the two Genoese were dragging her out of the room, and +her strength was well-nigh exhausted. + +With a loud shout of anger Raymond rushed upon the two men, who were +totally unprepared for any onslaught while engaged in their work of +cruelty and rapine. A strong sweeping blow with his sword and one of +the villains fell lifeless to the ground, but, before the young +archer could strike again, the second turned upon him, and in a +moment both were struggling on the floor in a deadly embrace, the +Genoese, a great lusty fellow, being uppermost. Raymond still +retained his sword, though unable to shorten it, while his enemy +strove to draw a dagger that he wore at his belt. Seeing this the lad +dropped his sword and grasped the other's wrist, while, in turn, +Raymond's arm was gripped to prevent him from drawing his own knife. + +At length the weight of his foeman's body began to tell, and slowly +the breath was forced out of the lad's lungs by the relentless +pressure. Raymond thought that the end was near, his face was turning +black, red lights flashed across his eyes, and, as in a dream, he saw +the Genoese wrench his hand free from the retaining grasp and seize +the hilt of his dagger. + +"Flee!" gasped Raymond, glancing towards the maiden, and he had +steeled himself to receive the expected _coup de grace_, suddenly he +felt his enemy's body grow limp and a flood of hot blood rained upon +his face. + +Struggling to his feet, faint, dazed, and unable for the moment to +realise that it was not his own life's blood, Raymond gazed vacantly +upon the body of his foeman. Then, as his scattered senses began to +return, the youth realised that his miraculous deliverance was due to +the prompt action of the girl to whose aid he had flown; for seeing +how matters were turning, and desperate for her own and her rescuer's +safety, she had possessed herself of the dagger of the slain ruffian +and had plunged it up to the hilt in the neck of the other. + +For the first time Raymond could take notice of the girl. Looking at +her white face, he could see that she was a maiden of quality and +unquestionable beauty. As she stood there, with flashing eyes and the +reeking dagger in her hand, she seemed in the eyes of the young +archer like one of the mythological heroines of whom he had read in +the library of the Abbey. But with the sense of safety came the +inevitable reaction. She dropped the knife, and, falling beside her +mother, burst into tears. + +Raymond, in spite of his inexperience, saw only too clearly that the +elder lady was beyond pain and suffering. + +"Come," he said gently. "We must needs go quickly. Thy mother is--" +He was unable to finish the sentence, but the girl understood. + +"I am ready," she said, in a far-away voice, "but whither shall we +go?" + +Pausing to throw a coverlet over the still form of the lady, Raymond +gave a final glance at the bodies of his late adversaries; then, +taking the girl by the hand, he drew her gently from the room. + +The cool, fresh air revived his scattered wits considerably, so that +he was able to take the necessary precautions to regain St. Barbara's +Tower. Bidding the girl wait behind a thick shrubbery, Raymond looked +cautiously out of the gate. The street seemed to be clear, while his +comrades were alert and waiting his return. + +Calling the girl, he led her quickly across the street; the end of a +rope was thrown down, and hastily the lad looped it round her supple +form. Then at a signal the little garrison pulled up the rope, and +its precious burden was safe within the shelter of St. Barbara's +Tower! + +"Haste thee, boy!" shouted old Dicky Wyatt, the grizzled man-at-arms. +"The French be upon thee!" + +There was not a moment to be lost. The lad seized the end of the rope +as it descended, and hanging on like a jackanapes, was soon dangling +in the air. A party of the enemy were running down the street, and +already a few quarrels and arrows were whistling past his ears or +splintering themselves against the stonework of the tower. Then a +well-directed flight of cloth-yard shafts held the enemy in check, +and aided by willing hands, Raymond was helped over the parapet. + +"A plucky deed," growled Wyatt, "but thou hast sold us, my lad. See, +they have gone to bring reinforcements to carry the tower by +escalade!" + +"Certes, Raymond," exclaimed an archer, "thou dost look like a +butcher What hast thou been about?" + +"Never mind that: the tale will keep," interrupted the man-at-arms. +"I'll warrant we'll all look worse than that ere long! Here, +Lightfoot! Away with Ye to the kitchen, and see that plenty of water +is put to boil. And you, Ned, fetch an axe and hew off some of this +lead and melt it. Methinks the townsmen of Southampton will not +amerce us with the damage, whether we hold the tower or not!" + +While the preparations for defence were in progress a loud shout from +one of the archers gave warning that the enemy were returning to the +attack, and the two score Englishmen from the height of the tower +looked down upon ten times their number of Picards, Normans, and +Spaniards, to whom the assault on a fortress or the sack of a +defenceless town were looked upon as ordinary occurrences. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +OF THE ASSAULT ON ST. BARBARA'S TOWER + + +WITH fierce cries and menacing gestures the foreigners rushed down +the street, many of them carrying axes and torches, while others bore +a stout beam for the purpose of battering down the door of the tower. +Their archers and crossbowmen, eager to join in the fray, had slung +their bows, and with knives, swords, or short spears in their hands, +surged along in a confused mass with the men-at-arms. + +"Now! Altogether! Loose, my lads!" shouted old Richard, and with the +well-known twang nearly a score of bows sent their missiles crashing +into the armed mob below. + +Many of the advancing foemen fell, transfixed by the deadly shafts, +while those in the rear, pressing blindly forward, stumbled over +those who lay writhing on the ground. When, at length, the foremost +had reached the base of the tower, where they were safe from the +stinging shower, they were met with a stream of molten lead, which, +burning through hauberk and leathern jerkin with equal ease, sent the +assailants reeling back with screams of agony. + +The men bearing the beam were all shot down, and the main body +retiring hastily, in a few moments the street was deserted but for a +number of corpses, and the solitary standing figure of a man in full +armour. Disdaining to turn his back upon the foe, the knight walked +slowly backwards, shaking his ponderous mace in speechless anger, +while the arrows rattled harmlessly off his proof-plate mail. + +"Save your arrows, comrades, and give him a heavy stone or a dose of +hot lead should he approach," said old Wyatt. "Methinks I've seen his +device before. 'Tis Enrico, son of the King of Sicily." + +Just then the prince, his spurred heels tripping on the body of a +man-at-arms, fell prostrate on his back, amid a roar of laughter from +the Englishmen. + +"Now stand by," exclaimed one of the archers, "and directly he moves +a limb, let fly at his armpits or behind his knees!" + +But the Italian was not lacking in cunning, for knowing that the +weight of his armour would effectually prevent his rising, he lay +perfectly quiet, his arms pressed closely to his side, till some +varlets, bearing a heavy mantlet before them, came running up and +lifted their master on his feet. Then, with measured step, the prince +retired out of sight. + +"Ah! As I thought, the rascals have learned a trick or two!" growled +Wyatt, pointing to the Woolhouse Tower, a structure of greater height +than St. Barbara's Tower, and standing less than three hundred paces +distant. + +Abandoned by its garrison at the first alarm, the Woolhouse Tower was +occupied by a strong body of French archers, while an equally +formidable band of crossbowmen took possession of the lofty Woolhouse +hard by, so that a flight of missiles was poured upon the Englishmen +from two different points. + +"Lie down, men; 'tis useless to return their fire!" commanded the +man-at-arms. But before his advice could be acted upon five archers +and two soldiers were hit, one of the latter, his brain pierced by a +bolt, toppling forwards over the parapet, and falling with a +sickening thud upon the wall below. + +"Would it not be well to abandon the roof and seek shelter below?" +inquired one. + +"And give the rascals an easy chance to carry the tower," rejoined +old Wyatt derisively. "Nay, we must hold the flats at all cost. +Quickly, my lads! Bring up everything ye can find that will do to +raise a mantlet! There are plenty of hides in the store, and planks +and poles as well." + +Swiftly the archers fell to work, and in a very short space they had +stretched some stout ox-hides on poles and had raised them above the +parapet. Strengthening their hasty barricade with several heavy +planks, they were soon in comparative security; while through the +narrow space betwixt the top of the battlement and the lower edge of +the hides they could keep up a brisk discharge of arrows upon their +assailants, while the muffled thud of shafts and quarrels striking +upon the loosely hung hides showed both the vehemence of the attack +and the efficacy of the defence. + +The defenders had now time to survey their surroundings; and, to +every one's surprise, the Lady Audrey, calm and self-possessed, was +busily engaged in making bandages for the wounded men. + +"My faith!" exclaimed Dick Wyatt, roughly yet kindly. "'Tis no place +for thee, girl! Away with thee to the room below, and, if nursing be +thy desire, I'll warrant there'll be enough work for thee ere long!" + +Reluctantly, the maiden obeyed; and the wounded archers were taken +below so that their hurts could receive attention, while the +survivors would be less encumbered on the narrow extent of the roof. + +"Stand to it once more!" shouted their leader. "They come again! Now, +Will, be ready with the molten lead and the boiling water!" + +Assailed on three sides at once, the defenders were hard put to it to +keep the attackers in check. In addition to the showers of arrows and +stones, the enemy had gained a lodgment on the town wall, and two +long ladders were placed against the tower, their ends resting or +projecting above the battlements. Up swarmed a number of +heavily-armed men, till the ladders creaked and groaned under their +weight. Harassed by the hail of missiles, and impeded by the curtains +of bulls' hides, the defenders could not repel the assault, and, to +their consternation, the leaders of the attack appeared above the +battlements. + +Once the mailed warriors gained the roof, all would be lost! But at +the critical moment Richard Wyatt, seizing a massive crowbar, +loosened a heavy coping-stone. Then, calling a couple of strong +archers to his aid, the ponderous stone was deftly toppled over the +battlements. Missing the first man, the stone hurled the next two +from their swaying foothold, then, crashing through the woodwork of +the ladder, it fell upon the heads of the men who were supporting +those who had already ascended. + +The ladder cracked and broke, bringing down the other ladder in its +fall, the fragments descending in opposite directions athwart the +wall, where a ghastly litter of woodwork and mangled corpses marked +the failure of the enterprise. + +The man who had first gained the edge of the parapet, feeling the +ladder give beneath him, sprang for the roof; but, encumbered by his +heavy armour, he slipped, and, clinging only by his mailed gauntlets, +he hung dangling over the abyss. + +Through the bars of his visor the defenders could see his eyes +starting from his head in his terror. But it was no time for pity. +With gibes and fierce jests the Englishmen watched his desperate +struggles, till, his fingers growing numb with the strain, he relaxed +his hold and fell, with a hoarse cry, to join the crushed and mangled +bodies of his comrades. + +Carried away by his enthusiasm, old Richard tore aside side the +curtain of hides, and stood upon the parapet to view the scene of his +triumph; but his imprudence cost him dear, fora crossbow bolt struck +him in the side, and he fell backwards into the arms of two of the +archers. + +"Lay me down," he cried feebly. "I am done for at last!" Presently he +added, "Send Raymond to me." + +Quickly the young archer came and knelt beside the dying soldier, +across whose eyes a misty film was already beginning to gather. + +"Raymond," he gasped, "thou'rt but a lad, but thou hast a cool head. +Take charge of the Tower, and yield to no man. If the saints bring ye +out scatheless, tell my master, Sir John, that I did my duty.... +And now, Pearce," he added, addressing another of the archers who +crowded around, "thou hast a strong steady hand. Grasp the bolt, I +pray thee, and pluck it out. It would ease and hasten my passing." + +But the archer could not bring himself to hasten the end, in spite of +the faint entreaties of the dying man. Then, by a supreme effort, +Dick Wyatt struggled to his feet and tore out the deadly shaft. A +rush of dark blood followed, and, with a loud cry of "St. George for +England!" the old man-at-arms fell dead. + +The little garrison was now in sore straits. Of the original two +score men nine were killed and twelve grievously wounded, and of the +survivors only eleven were left to guard the roof of the Tower and +eight to man the oylets and windows of the lower storeys. + +At Raymond's suggestion the steel caps of the killed and wounded were +shown above the walls to deceive the enemy as to the strength of the +garrison. Then, leaving two men to keep a sharp look-out, the +remainder of the worn and famished warriors descended into a lower +room to partake of a hasty yet plentiful meal. + +"I would we had a sack or two of quicklime," remarked Raymond to Will +Lightfoot, who had charge of the defence of the lowermost storey. "We +would then give them a warm welcome such as my father did at Hamble." + +Will was evidently thinking. + +"There is very little that will burn," he said at last reflectively. +"They threw in some flaming wood, but, methinks, they had a good +exchange--molten lead is not much to the taste of these rogues!" + +"True, the Tower cannot be fired, but why didst thou mention it?" + +"Because in the cellar are several bundles of straw and hay. I would +counsel that we set them alight and hurl them on the scaling +ladders!" + +"By St. George! A good device!" + +Once more the invaders renewed the assault, and this time ladders +were brought against two opposite sides of the building. But, thanks +to the trusses of flaming straw and hay, the attackers could not +bring themselves to face the hazardous ascent. + +Neither did the attack upon the door at the base of the Tower meet +with better success, for the arrows of the besieged kept the +battering-ram inactive, while those bolder than their fellows who +attacked the door with axes found that, however accustomed they were +to give or receive hard knocks, molten lead and boiling water were +more than they could stand. + +At length night drew on, and, save for an occasional arrow, the +garrison were unmolested. Many of the French and Genoese, having had +their fill of plunder, were busy removing their booty to the galleys. +Others, mad with drink, paraded the streets uttering wild oaths and +strange cries. + +Those houses that had been plundered were set on fire, and, as +darkness fell over the ill-fated town, the glare of fifty burning +buildings illuminated the country for miles around, and served to +lash the surviving inhabitants into a host of desperate and +revengeful defenders of their country's shores. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +ON THE HEELS OF THE ENEMY + + +ALTHOUGH the two bailiffs, Walter de Brakkeleye and Robert de la +Barre, had remained disgracefully inactive within their defences, the +men of Winchester, Romsey, and other neighbouring towns and villages +were massing to aid the men of Southampton, and a large and +well-appointed army had gathered at Bassett, ready to wrest the +pillaged town from the invaders and drive them back to their ships. + +Throughout the night the defenders of St. Barbara's Tower kept +anxious vigil. Of the preparations for their relief they knew +nothing. But hardly had the pale dawn begun to gather in the east +than the foreigners were astir, taking steps to keep the galleys +afloat on the now falling tide, as if they purposed embarking once +more. + +Then, with a crash and a roar, the sound of fighting was heard +towards the centre of the town, and from their elevated position the +sorry remnant of the defenders saw the lances of the English charge +down the High Street, bearing all before them. In other quarters the +invaders, entangled in the narrow streets, were cut off by swarms of +the infuriated inhabitants, who, knowing the peculiarities of their +town, moved with consummate ease, hurling down stones and shooting +arrows from the houses upon their entrapped enemy. + +And now, from the Castle and the West Gate and Catchcold Towers +poured the liberated garrison, eager to avenge their disgrace. Many +were the encounters between the Southampton men and their foes in +this quarter of the town, till, driven back by weight of numbers, the +enemy, who were mostly Genoese, returned slowly past St. Barbara's +Tower, contesting every inch of ground. + +The little band of defenders now occupied themselves by annoying the +retreating Italians with well-directed arrows, while, all danger of +an assault being at an end, the barricades behind the door were +removed so that the garrison could sally out and join their friends. + +Nearer and nearer came the sound of conflict, till Raymond and his +comrades perceived the red-crossed surcoats of the Englishmen +pressing back the discomfited Genoese. At length, unable to withstand +the flanking fire of arrows, the enemy fled past out of bowshot of +the Tower--all save one, whom Raymond recognised as the son of the +King of Sicily. Burning to achieve a further deed of honour, Raymond +threw open the door and rushed out to intercept the mailclad knight, +who, with sweeping strokes of his sword, kept the men-at-arms at a +respectful distance. But the lad was forestalled. A huge countryman, +who had lost his all in the sack of the town, had crept behind the +Prince, and, with a swinging blow of a massive club, smote the +Italian behind the knees. + +With a snarl of rage and pain the Prince fell to the ground, and, +with a shout of triumph, his assailant stood over him with his club +upraised to give the fatal blow. Finding further resistance +impossible, the knight dropped his sword. + +"_Je me rends!_" he exclaimed. "_Je vous donnerai rançon!_" + +"Yea, I know thou art a Françon," thundered the Englishman, +misunderstanding the Prince's appeal for mercy, "and therefore thou +shalt die!" And, notwithstanding a warning shout from Raymond and +several of the Englishmen, the club descended with tremendous force, +and the Italian lay dead upon the ground. + +"I'll trouble thee to mind thy own business, my master!" hissed the +countryman, turning fiercely on Raymond. + +"But he was a gentleman of quality. He surrendered to thee, and he +was worth a heavy ransom!" + +"Ransom, forsooth!" rejoined the man, in a frenzy. "What ransom can +atone for a wife and five children slain? Speak not to me of ransom!" +And, shouldering his club, the man rushed off in pursuit of the +fugitives as they hastened towards the Water Gate. + +Beaten back at every point, the invaders crowded on board their +galleys, and during the embarkation the slaughter was greater; for, +from the walls, as well as from the shore, a heavy fire of arrows was +hailed upon them by the infuriated townsmen. + +At length, with the exception of a few galleys that, caught by the +falling tide, were burned and their crews slaughtered, the hostile +ships withdrew, and, with a steady north-west breeze, bore away down +Southampton Water, leaving behind them a half-burned and pillaged +town--the terrible penalty of unpreparedness! + +After the _mêlée_ Raymond returned with the remnant of the +Constable's detachment to the Tower they had held so well, and, to +his surprise and delight, found his father awaiting him, though +Redward hardly recognised his son. Stained with his own blood and the +blood of the Genoese, covered with dust and grime from head to foot, +Raymond looked a very different person from the gentle youth of three +months back. + +"By St. Edward of Netley!" exclaimed Redward, "wherever I go, whether +Francewards or otherwise, thou shalt go too; for methinks there is as +much danger in Merrie England as in the land of the Fleur-de-Lys!" + +"But how camest thou here, father?" asked Raymond. "I thought thou +wert at Lepe." + +"Ah, lad! it was there I saw the foemen sail towards Southampton; so I +rode hot-foot to Hythe.[1] There I took a boat--stole it, I fear--and +tried to cross; but in the fog I nearly ran into the thick of the +galleys. Then I knew I was too late; so back to the shore I rowed, +and came round the head of the Water by land. 'Twas a long journey by +Totton, and by the time I reached Millbrook it was daylight, and the +men of Romsey were marching in upon the town." + +By this time Raymond had washed his face and hands, and had brushed +most of the grime from his clothes, having removed his white surcoat +and breastplate. + +"We have had a hot time, father. They pressed us hard. Fourteen men +lie stretched upon the straw, and nine are dead. Poor old Dick Wyatt +is no more." + +"Heaven rest his soul!" exclaimed Redward, piously crossing himself. +"He was a good and true comrade to me through thick and thin, and I +trow 'tis hard to be stricken down almost within sight of home." + +Together father and son ascended the winding stair that led to the +upper rooms. There lay the wounded defenders, carefully tended by the +Lady Audrey. As Raymond entered the room, she looked at him in a +puzzled manner. Then, holding out her hand, she exclaimed: + +"Why, 'tis my gallant preserver! And what a difference a clean face +doth make ye are but a boy, and a handsome one at that!" + +A deep flush overspread the youth's face. Redward, knowing nothing of +the circumstances of her rescue, could but express his astonishment, +and, leaving the pair engaged in eager talk, he ascended to the roof, +where lay the bodies of Richard Wyatt and the other soldiers, each +grim and stern in death. + +From Will Lightfoot he learned most of the particulars of the +defence, including his son's intrepid act of rescue. + +"Ay! Buckland," said Will, "'tis not every archer who hath the good +fortune to rescue a noble lady such as the Lady Audrey Scarsdale!" + +"Scarsdale?" repeated Redward. + +"Ay Scarsdale--daughter of Sir Reginald Scarsdale." + +The master-bowman staggered as if struck by an invisible blow; then, +recovering himself by an effort, asked Lightfoot if there were any +tidings of Sir John Hacket. + +Even Will Lightfoot could not fail to notice the change in Redward's +appearance; but, putting it down to the fearful strain of the fight, +suggested adjourning to partake of refreshment. + +The task of laying to rest the bodies of their comrades was next +proceeded with. Then Raymond, with two of his fellow-archers, entered +the ill-fated house of the Lady Scarsdale, and removed the bodies of +the three Genoese. + +Placing the corpse of the Lady Hilda reverently on a bed, they locked +up the house and gave the keys into the custody of the Sheriff, who, +knowing the Scarsdale family, took the necessary steps to ensure a +fitting burial of the knight's wife, while Lady Audrey was taken care +of by some relatives who resided in another part of Hampshire. + +Early the following morning Sir John Hacket, having assured himself +that the enemy had made for the Channel and were not likely to return +to raid some other coast town, rode into Southampton from Portsmouth, +attended by his squires and a troop of lances and mounted archers. + +Proudly, yet sadly, the stern old knight gazed upon the sorry remnant +of the detachment he had left at Southampton but a week before. + +"By St. George!" he exclaimed, "ye are a credit to me, and the one +bright jewel in the sable field of incompetence and neglect! The King +shall hear of your deeds! Ye see," he added aside to his squires, +"what that ranter, Walter de Brakkeleye, and his co-bailiff, de la +Barre, have done. Had they given more thought to the safe keeping of +the town, instead of bickering, as Brakkeleye did with me respecting +the jurisdiction of his bailiwick, not a house in Southampton would +have been touched by foreign foemen, not one of the townsfolk harmed. +Should the King think fit to hang them on the battlements 'twould be +but their deserts!" + +"And now," he continued, addressing the archers, "I will take care +that bravery hath its reward. Another penny a day shall be added to +your pay, and, as for Raymond Buckland, who, I am told, undertook the +defence after my trusted Wyatt's death, from this time forth he shall +be one of my squires! Let him but acquit himself as he hath done +since he hath been in my company, and he will be on the road to win a +pair of gilded spurs!" + + +[1] Not, of course, the well-known coast town in Kent, but the +ancient village of that name on the New Forest side of Southampton +Water. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +FATHER AND SON SET OUT FOR HENNEBON + + +NEARLY four years have elapsed since the events recorded in the last +chapter--years full of national interest. The naval battle of Sluys +had been fought and won, and for the time the English fleet ruled the +Channel, so that scarce a French or Spanish vessel dared to show +itself betwixt Ushant and Cape Grisnez. + +After the siege of Tournay, a treaty had been concluded between King +Edward III. and Philip of France, but the former was ever on the +alert to seize a favourable opportunity of renewing hostilities, and +late in 1341 an incident occurred that gave the King the excuse to +prosecute the war once more--a step that led to the glorious victory +at Crécy and the overrunning of nearly the whole of France by the +victorious arms of England. + +The Duchy of Brittany was disputed between John of Montfort and +Charles of Blois, and, while the latter was pressing his claims at +the French Court, Montfort, by force or intrigue, had acquired the +fortresses of Rennes, Nantes, Brest, and Hennebon; and in order to +obtain a powerful supporter he had journeyed to England and concluded +an offensive and defensive alliance with King Edward, at the same +time offering to do him homage for the Duchy of Brittany. + +Keeping this treaty a deep secret, Montfort did not hesitate to +return to Paris to defend his case, but realising that the French +King did not favour him, and fearing violence at his hands, the Earl +retired to Brittany and declared war against the Count of Blois. + +Philip sent his son, the Duke of Normandy, with a powerful force to +aid Charles of Blois, and Montfort, after sending urgent requests for +assistance to the King of England, shut himself up in Nantes, which +was immediately besieged by the French. + +By the treachery of the inhabitants Nantes fell, and Montfort, taken +prisoner, was hurried to Paris, where he was loaded with chains and +thrown into a loathsome dungeon in the Louvre. + +But, though low, the fortunes of the Montforts were destined to +recover. The cause was taken up by the Countess Joan of Montfort, the +heroic wife of the imprisoned Earl, and being loyally supported by +the Bretons, she withdrew her forces to the town of Hennebon, where +she awaited the onslaught of the French, trusting in the expected aid +from England. + +* * * * * + +But to return to Raymond Buckland and his adventures. As squire to +Sir John Hacket, the Constable of the King's Castle of Portchester, +he was now a member of the knight's household, spending the greater +part of his time within the grey walls of the fortress. + +Four years had made a great change in Raymond's appearance. He was +now a youth of twenty, tall and well built. Thanks to his +surroundings, he was skilled in the arts of warfare, and few could +withstand him at the jousts and spear-runnings that were frequently +held in the extensive grass-grown square that formed the outer bailey +of the castle. Moreover, his monkish training admirably fitted him +for the more clerkly duties that fell to him, and by his diligence, +intelligence, and courage he was held in high esteem by the fiery old +knight. + +Redward, too, for his tried devotion and experience was made head +master-bowman of the Constable's company, and, when occasion served, +Sir John was not above asking his advice in the ordering of the +castle and its defences. + +But over Raymond hung a dark cloud of perplexity. The image of the +fair Lady Audrey was ever present in his mind, and, encouraged by the +Constable's prediction that in due course he might be entitled to +wear the gilded spurs of knighthood, his hopes ran high of one day +being in a position to win the maiden's heart and hand. But to his +unbounded surprise, Raymond found that his father was tacitly opposed +to this, his dearest wish. With difficulty Redward had been persuaded +to allow the young squire to wait upon Sir Reginald Scarsdale, when +that knight wished to thank him for his services. Any mention of the +name of Scarsdale served to plunge the master-bowman into moodiness +and silence, and any question that the lad put to his sire on the +subject was turned in a way that puzzled Raymond in no small degree. + +One day an event happened that was to transfer the lad from the +pleasant life of ease at the castle to a far more active and +dangerous sphere. + +How well Raymond remembered it in after years. That morning he and +another squire had mounted the four-storeyed Norman keep, and from +the battlements looked down upon the scene below. It was a striking +picture; the keep stood at the north-west-angle of the huge fortified +enclosure. Immediately beneath the east and south faces of the donjon +lay the inner bailey. In the far corner of the outer bailey stood the +church, and close by was the water-gate, at which lay the Constable's +state barge. Away to the south stretched the wide expanse of +Portsmouth Harbour, its waters dotted with the sails of high-sided +cogs and other merchant vessels, as they threaded their way up the +sinuous deep-water channels that led to the castle. + +Immediately opposite the water-gate was the landport, or gateway +giving access to the castle from the land. The lads could follow the +line of the dusty road as it passed through the little village, swept +round the head of the harbour, and eventually was lost in the +distance as it ran towards the City of London. + +"Look, Raymond," exclaimed his companion, a Hampshire lad named +Oswald Mant. "A horseman approaches, and, my faith, he does not spare +his steed!" + +"'Tis not one of the company?" + +"Nay, look at the livery--murrey slashed with green--he is of the +household of Sir John Chandos." + +"Then something of importance hath taken place. I would 'twere good +tidings from France!" + +Leaving a dense white cloud of chalky dust behind him, the messenger +clattered down the road, pulled up for a moment at the outer gateway +to reply to the challenge of the guard, then spurred madly across the +courtyard to the foot of the steps leading to the keep. Here a page +ran forward to hold his horse, and, throwing himself wearily from the +saddle, the rider staggered up the steps and disappeared under a low +archway that gave access to the Constable's quarters. + +An hour passed ere the messenger reappeared, and, after draining a +cup of wine, he remounted and spurred his horse on his homeward +journey. + +While the two squires were debating over the matter, a page sought +them, summoning Raymond to instantly repair to Sir John's apartment. + +With beating heart, as if anticipating some good fortune, Raymond +followed the page, and was ushered into the Constable's presence, +where he found that Redward was already before him. It was a long, +narrow room, lighted with lancet windows and hung with rich arras. At +one end was a heavy table littered with papers and plans, and, for +the nonce, unmindful of the dignity of his position, Sir John was +sitting on its edge, swinging one leg, with the air of a man who is +occupied by a perplexing problem. + +Directly the page had retired, the Constable signed to Redward to +draw a thick hanging over the door. + +"Raymond," quoth he, "the King hath done us a signal honour. A +messenger hath arrived with orders for me to send a trusty squire to +the Countess of Montfort, who, as ye know, is beleaguere in Hennebon. +'Twill be a grave and hazardous task, yet withal one of great honour. +To my mind, I cannot name a more promising messenger than thee. Art +willing to take the risk?" + +"To have a chance to distinguish myself in the King's service is my +ardent desire, sir!" + +"'Tis well. Now listen. Hennebon is on the sea coast of Brittany, +betwixt the great River Loire and the town of Brest. As the foemen +lie thick around it, and have also, I doubt not, a strong +water-guard, 'tis a matter of stratagem rather than open work. But, +in any case, this packet must be delivered into the hands of the +Countess at all costs--at all costs, I repeat. I give thee a free +hand in the matter. Take what men thou dost deem fit--though, +methinks, the smaller the party the more chance of success." + +"Methinks my father will be sufficient company for me, sir." + +"Ah! as I thought. Thou hast chosen wisely. Now take this map and +mark it well--'tis by the hand of the King's own guide--and get you +gone to prepare for thy journey, for to-morrow morn a stout little +craft will lie off the water-gate ready to bear thee over the sea." + +Overjoyed at the prospects of such an adventure Raymond withdrew, and +consulted with his father on the best means of getting through the +cordon that was drawn round the beleaguered town. + +As night drew on, father and son repaired to the little church within +the walls, and for seven long hours kept an earnest vigil before the +altar, praying fervently for the success of their enterprise, and +invoking the protection of their patron saints against the perils of +land and sea. Then, as daylight dawned, they arose, weary and stiff, +to partake of food and drink ere embarking. + +Tidings of their mission had already spread throughout the garrison +of the castle, and when, accompanied by the Constable himself, the +two travellers made their way to the water-gate, a large concourse of +soldiers and members of the household flocked behind them to cheer +them on their way and to wish them God-speed. + +Riding easily at her hempen cable, on the first of the ebb tide, lay +the staunch vessel that was to carry them across the Channel. On her +stern were engraved the words _Les Trois Frères de Guernesey_, +showing her to be one of the Channel Islands boats, whose crew, brave +and hardy fishermen, were the best pilots obtainable. + +They were, in fact, the only vessels that in those days were capable +of making any pretence of sailing into the wind, and even then only, +in nautical language, "full and bye." The usual type of ships, with +their huge square sail, could only run before the breeze. + +The skiff of _Les Trois Frères_ was waiting at the little Hard, and +the farewells were quickly said. The precious despatch was sewn in +the hem of Raymond's jerkin, and once again the stern old knight +impressed upon his squire the necessity of the utmost caution. Then +he extended his hand to the lad. + +"God be with thee, and bring thee safely home again. I would be loth +to lose so promising a lad!" exclaimed Sir John. + +"Thanks for thy good wishes, fair sir," replied Raymond. "And should +I not return," he added, with a faint catch in his voice which, in +spite of his stout heart, he was unable to conceal, "I pray you send +this packet to the lady whose superscription appears hereon." And, +thrusting into the knight's hand a bulky missive, Raymond turned +quickly on his heel, to hide his rising colour, and stepped into the +skiff. + +The Constable watched the Guernsey bark hoist her sails, and waited +till she was well on her way down towards the harbour's mouth; then +he returned slowly towards his quarters. + +Glancing at the packet, he deciphered with difficulty the +superscription, written in a scrawling hand: "To ye richt +worshippefulle Ladye Audrey Scarsdale." + +"Heaven bless the lad," he mused. "Certes I am of a mind to forward +this missive whether he returns or not!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE CHIRURGEON OF LÉGUÉ + + +WITH a powerful following wind, _Les Trois Frères_ made a rapid +passage down the harbour, and, before Raymond fully realised the +fact, the little vessel was lifting to the gentle heave of the +Channel. + +By midday the chalk cliffs of the Isle of Wight were all that was +visible of the shores of England, and, though a careful watch was +kept for hostile ships, not a sail was to be seen on the wide expanse +of water. + +The master, Pierre de la Corbière, was a huge-limbed, swarthy +Guernseyman, who spoke in a guttural patois that was almost +unintelligible to the young squire, though Redward, to whom most of +the dialects of France were familiar, could make himself understood +with comparative ease. + +Nine men and a boy composed the crew, a large one for so small a +craft; but the perils of war, added to the dangers of the sea, were a +sufficient excuse for their numbers. Each man, picturesquely clothed +and wearing silver earrings, was a trained pilot, and most of them +had served in that capacity on board the ships that had on past +occasions taken the King and his troops to France and Flanders. All +of them carried short daggers or knives in their belts, while a large +chest, lashed to ringbolts in the deck, contained a good supply of +swords and axes. + +"If this wind lasts," remarked the master, "we shall sight Cap de la +Hogue within a couple of hours. Whither would ye land, good sir?" + +"Nay, I know not," replied Redward. "And, moreover, I care not, so +long as it be not too close to the town." + +"There are the ports of Quimper, Doualan, Auray, and Morbihan," said +Pierre, counting them on his fingers. "All of easy distance from +Hennebon--though, perchance, we may receive a rough handling when we +arrive. Ma foi! And the passage of the Chenal du Four 'Twould be +quicker and safer to run into St. Brieuc." + +"St. Brieuc!" exclaimed Redward, referring to a very rough plan. +"Why, 'tis at least twenty leagues from the town to which we +journey." + +"Twenty leagues by land, as ye say," replied the Guernseyman +doggedly. "But if 'tis a question of time, commend me to St. Brieuc, +for if we lose the wind or have a contrary wind off Ushant, it may +mean a week's buffeting in the Chenal du Four, with a score of reefs +and unseen rocks on each side of us." + +"As ye will, then," assented Redward; and he moved away to tell +Raymond of the alteration of their plans. + +But the young squire was in no fit mood to be informed. The long, +swinging motion and the heat of the sun had done their work, and he +lay prone on the deck in the miseries of sea-sickness. Knowing that +any attempt at consolation would only aggravate the malady, the +master-bowman turned away, and, leaning against the low bulwarks, +gazed intently towards the still invisible French coast. + +Late in the afternoon the grey cliffs of La Hogue and the dark +outline of the Isle of Aurigny were sighted; but just before sundown +the wind died utterly away, leaving the little craft wallowing +heavily in the long swell, her sail flapping idly against the mast. + +The sky, hitherto clear and cloudless, was now overcast, and away +towards the southward a succession of flashes of lightning betokened +an approaching storm. + +Even Pierre de la Corbière, bold fisherman as he was, looked anxious, +for the vessel was now beginning to feel the influence of the +dreadful Race of Alderney, and, with a lack of wind and a dark night +to boot, the terrors of the Race were considerably magnified. + +About midnight they were in the thick of it. A slight breeze had +sprung up, but barely sufficient to give the boat steerage-way. All +around were tremendous broken waves, and, although Pierre stood +gripping the tiller in an endeavour to avoid the heaviest breakers, +the boat was urged onwards through the Race at the rate that a horse +would trot, her mast threatening to snap under the irregular action +of the vicious cross seas. + +Throughout the tumult Raymond lay like a log, utterly unmindful of +the danger, his illness having completely overcome him. His father +took the precaution to lash him to the mast, and throughout that +fearful night Redward remained by his side, making endless vows to +the saints, which he heartily meant to fulfil should they ever again +reach dry land. + +Fortunately the threatened storm passed away, and as daylight broke +_Les Trois Frères_ was beyond the influence of the Race, Guernsey and +its attendant islands, Sark and Herm, being plainly visible. + +With a skill acquired by long years of experience, the Guernseyman +steered his craft between the islands, taking advantage of every +current that would help to bear them south, and, before the sun was +high, the Island of Jersey was abeam. The waters, too, were dotted +with the sails of fishing boats, forming a pleasing contrast to the +dreary waste of water they had traversed on the previous day. + +Worn out and faint from the effect of his long fast, Raymond sat up +and looked around, as if unable to bring himself to recall his +surroundings; but after a scanty meal of dry bread and water, he felt +the giddiness leave him, and with an effort he stood on his feet, +gripping his father tightly for fear of falling. + +"Where are we?" he asked dejectedly. + +"Nearly there," replied Redward. "A sailorman thou'lt be some day, +but beshrew me if thou lookest like one now! An hour ashore will make +all the difference; but rest awhile, my son, for there's work enow +ere long for both of us." + +Late in the afternoon _Les Trois Frères_ entered St. Brieuc Bay, the +high ground showing up distinctly, while far away they could discern +the lofty Bretagne hills, that lay between them and their +destination; and, just as the sun was sinking low behind the Brittany +coast, the little craft brought up under the shadow of the gloomy +castle of Cesson. + +Redward and the master conferred long and anxiously on the subject of +how to gain the shore without observation, but at length a light +dawned upon the dull mind of the Guernseyman. + +"Thou hast said well," he remarked. "Of a truth we cannot make sure +whether they of St. Brieuc are for the Countess of Montfort or +against her. And none of us wishes to put his head into the wolf's +mouth. But I know of a man--a foster-brother of mine--at whose house +ye could stay until the way is clear for ye to journey across +country. He dwells at Légué, but a mile from St. Brieuc, and I will +go ashore and converse with him." + +Silently and in the now black night the little skiff was lowered, and +Pierre de la Corbière was rowed ashore by two of his men. + +For nearly two hours Redward and the young squire remained on board, +anxiously listening for the sound of oars, till at length the little +boat shot noiselessly alongside, and the master sprang upon the deck. + +"'Tis easily done, though they of Blois hold the town," he exclaimed +breathlessly. "Raoul de Rohein, of whom I spoke, is willing to +receive you, for which service he demands five sols. He is a barber +and chirurgeon, and lives in the Rue Mortbec. Hasten, ere it be +light, for we must leave on top o' the tide." + +Once more the skiff, deeply laden, started for the shore. Raymond, in +his light armour, had discarded his surcoat with the conspicuous +cross of St. George, Redward in his harness could hardly be +distinguished from a Breton, and could rely upon his knowledge of the +French tongue to pass for a Gascon, or a Burgundian, as occasion +served. With them went Pierre de la Corbière and a sailor, both of +whom rowed while the squire and his father sat in the stern-sheets. + +Half-an-hour's steady pulling and the skiff grounded on the sandy +shore. Silently the three disembarked, leaving the seaman to look +after the boat, and quickly they made their way towards the house of +refuge. + +Suddenly the master stopped. "_Mon Dieu_," he exclaimed, "_c'est les +gardes!_" + +Coming straight towards them was a body of halberdiers, accompanied +by an officer. Retreat, without arousing suspicion, was impossible; +but in a few words the ever-resourceful Redward had devised a plan. +Raymond lay down in the road, his father lifted him by the shoulders +while Pierre took him by the feet, and, staggering under their heavy +burden, they advanced to meet the watch. + +"_Halte! Qui v'la?_" demanded the officer, flashing a lantern upon +the trio. + +"'Tis le Sieur d'Erqui, Monsieur," replied the Guernseyman, speaking +in a patois which is common between the Bretons and the Channel +Islanders. "He has been roystering and brawling, and has been sore +hurt." + +"One cannot put old heads on young shoulders," remarked the officer, +with a deprecating shrug. "What folly has he been at?" + +"I cannot say, monsieur." + +"Eh, bien! All the wine-shops will have the tale to-morrow! _En +avant, mes enfants!_" he added to his men, and to the great relief of +Raymond and his companions the watch shouldered their halberts and +moved on towards St. Brieuc. + +"A narrow escape," exclaimed Pierre, crossing himself. "If we were +discovered, three against seven would be long odds." + +"I've been in a worse fix before to-day," replied Redward sturdily. +"And we could have taken them by surprise." + +"Nevertheless, fighting is not in my line--on land, at least--and I +am thankful it did not come to blows." + +At length they arrived at a narrow street, where storeys of the +houses projected beyond those below, till the uppermost ones appeared +almost to meet, shutting out even the dim gloom of the now +starlit sky. + +With the air of a man who feels certain of his ground Pierre strode +rapidly ahead, the others following closely at his heels. Presently +he stopped outside a house, and drawing his dagger, struck lightly +upon the door with the hilt. After a few seconds' delay they heard +the sound of some one moving within, and the door was carefully +unbarred and thrown open. + +Pierre whispered a few words to the occupant, then, bidding his +former passengers farewell, he turned on his heel and walked swiftly +and silently towards the shore. + +The Englishmen followed their host into a low, ill-lighted room, and +for the first time they were able to see what manner of man he was. + +A misshapen, undersized body, surmounted by a lean, yellow-skinned +face, and furnished with a pair of long arms, the hands of which, +shaking as if with ague, resembled the claws of a bird, formed the +outward appearance of the barber and chirurgeon of Légué; and Raymond +could not repress a shudder as he gazed upon this caricature of a +human being. + +"Ye are for Hennebon?" he asked in a quavering tone, rolling his +lustreless eyes from one to the other. + +"Ay," replied Redward, "but how, by Saint Gregoire of Brittany, didst +thou know?" + +"The shipman, my foster-brother, hath told me. But the money, the +money?" he added, opening his withered hand. + +"A curse on the shipman," growled Redward to himself, "his tongue +will be our undoing. Here, take this," he added, counting out a sum +of money equivalent to the five sols demanded. "Canst furnish us with +a horse apiece?" + +Ignoring the question, the barber counted the pieces, putting each +coin between his toothless gums, as if doubtful of their quality. + +"Didst hear me--respecting the use of two horses?" demanded Redward +sternly. + +"Yea, noble master," replied the barber. "But there are none to be +had." + +"None?" + +"None! They have all been seized by those of Blois till the affair is +over. Therefore, by necessity, ye must go afoot--and the roads are +very unsafe for travellers at present, especially Englishmen bound +for Hennebon!" + +"A pest on your words! What would ye have us do?" + +The old man advanced a step, peering with his bleared eyes into the +face of the master-bowman. + +"For money there is much to be had!" he croaked, a sardonic smile +overspreading his withered face, while his long fingers clawed +invisible heaps of gold. + +"Out on thee for an arrant cheat! Give thy plan and name the price." + +Slowly and deliberately, his voice hardly above a whisper, the Breton +replied: "Did it ever occur to thy noble self that the dress of a +leper would make the best protection?" + +Redward recoiled, in spite of his hardened nerves, for sufferers from +that loathsome and incurable disease were far from rare in Western +Europe in those days. In France they were compelled by law to wear +long grey gowns and hoods, and to carry a "barillet," or rattle, to +give due warning of their approach. Under severe penalties they were +forbidden to remain in the larger cities and towns, or to beg or use +their rattle for the purpose of exciting pity. Thus it was common to +see them wandering over the countryside in pairs, their approach +being the signal for other wayfarers to pass them at a safe +distance.[1] + +"But the dress?" asked Redward. + +"That is easily to be had. I have a stock of them in this house. And +the price----" + +"They have not been used?" interrupted the master-bowman anxiously. + +"Certainly not, monsieur," replied the barber, with a hideous leer. +"'Twould be impossible. But the price I ask--and they be of good +quality--is but one livre, five sols--quite a small sum for a wealthy +gentleman like monsieur!" + +At that moment a loud rapping was heard. The squire and his father +sprang up, and, suspecting danger, their hands flew to their +sword-hilts. + +With a motion of his hand, their host indicated that they should hide +behind a heavy curtain; then, taking a torch from its socket, he made +towards the door. + +After considerable parleying the nocturnal visitor was admitted, and, +through a small hole in the mouldy curtain, Redward could see him +without risk. That he was a man of quality was apparent by the long +furred gown he wore; and further, by the length of the garment and +its rich violet colour, and the mortier or silk cap, ornamented with +Valenciennes lace, worn instead of the hat affected by the bourgeois, +his rank was of importance. + +"Art thou Raoul de Rohein, the chirurgeon?" he asked, in a lisping +voice, flourishing a musk-perfumed handkerchief as if to ward off the +hideous shape before him. + +"At thy service, my lord--barber, chirurgeon, apothecary, having been +duly examined and licensed by the great John Pitart, surgeon of the +Châtelet of Paris." + +"'Tis well! I am the Sieur d'Erqui, and I am bound for the army of +Charles of Blois, that lieth before Hennebon. In camps one has always +the fear of plague. Therefore, believing that forewarned is +forearmed, I come to thee for a remedy or, rather, a +preventative--'gainst the fell disorder." + +"I have the very thing, monsieur! But five sols nine deniers the +box--the nine deniers being devoted to the funds of the hospital of +St. Brieuc, _bien entendu!_ By the holy St. Mark, the very thing! A +mixture of sulphur, viper's cake, powder of pearls, confection of +hyacinth, and an extract of the juice of _scorsonera_, all prepared +according to the recipe of the learned John Pitart, and made into +tablets covered with gold foil. One drachm three times a week, in the +morning, is the dose, monsieur, and if exposed to the infection two +drachms before going to bed!" + +"And is that all?" inquired the Sieur anxiously, as if the presence +of the barber was a presage of the plague. + +"Nay, of thine own ordering there is much to be done. I perceive that +monsieur carries the perfume of musk about with him. That is wrong. +Instead, let him take a citron pricked with cloves. Never walk out +fasting, neither drink wine immoderately; and, in the case of +immediate danger, take a little theriaque; and I'll warrant Erqui +will welcome its Sieur home in due course. And the fee, monsieur, is, +as I said, seven sols nine deniers." + +"But now thou didst ask five sols and nine deniers!" + +"Two sols in addition for the advice--excellent advice, monsieur. +_Merci, monsieur, et bon voyage!_" + +The Sieur had gone, and Raymond and his father came from their +hiding-place. Redward explained to his son, in a few words, the +nature of their disguise. Once again the talon-like hand of the +miserly Raoul closed over the money, and away he went to look for the +required garments. + +In a few moments he returned. The Englishmen donned the repulsive +insignia of the leper, and took the barillets in their hands. The +barber again unfastened the door and listened intently for any sound. +There was none. + +"Take the road through the village; it leads to Pontivy. There, +perchance, ye may find horses. Fare ye well!" + +And, passing out into the darkness of the night, the Englishmen began +their long journey afoot, stealing silently through the almost +deserted streets towards the frowning hills of Brittany. + + +[1] It was not until thirty years later that the hospitals of St. +Lazare and St. Germain were founded in Paris for the relief of these +unfortunate sufferers. On systematic steps being taken to deal with +the malady, the number of its victims quickly diminished; till the +scourge was practically wiped out. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE JOURNEY PERILOUS + + +LONG before the grey morn began to dawn Redward and his son had +covered a couple of leagues, and were at the foot of a long range of +hills. Slowly they began the ascent, and, ere the summit was reached, +the light was sufficient for them to see their grotesque and horrible +garb. + +"A safe disguise," exclaimed Raymond, "yet right glad will I be when +we can doff these garments." + +"A safe disguise enough, should the barber not play us false," +replied his father. "I liked not his looks, though I trow he is in +no ways to blame for the cut of his face." + +"But dost think that he will play us false?" + +"'Tis not unlikely; so the more leagues we place between us and St. +Brieuc the better. Canst get at thy sword-hilt?" + +"Not easily. Wherefore dost thou ask?" + +"Danger might come apace and at any time. See, I have cut a slit in +my gown so that I can grasp my sword without delay. I pray thee do +likewise." + +On the brow of the first hill was a long farmstead, sheltered more or +less by a clump of stunted pine-trees. Behind the house was an +orchard, its branches laden with fruit, while amongst the trees were +several cows, their heads tethered to their forefeet, after the +manner of those parts, so that the animals could not tear down the +branches of the fruit-trees. + +"A sight to gladden the eyes of an old campaigner!" exclaimed the +master-bowman, and, taking his steel cap from beneath his cowl, he +stole cautiously towards the cattle, Raymond waiting behind a +sheltering tree. + +With the deftness born of old experience Redward did his work, and +soon returned with his casque filled to the brim with warm milk. +Having drunk their fill, the travellers helped themselves to a +bounteous supply of fruit, and proceeded on their way, the fruit, +together with some dry bread they had brought with them, making a +passable breakfast. + +At the bottom of the hill they entered a small village. Although +still early, most of the inhabitants were astir, and the Englishmen +had their first experience of the efficacy of their disguise. For +directly they rattled their barillets the villagers ran hither and +thither to avoid the supposed sufferers, save a horseman and an old +woman. The former passed them at a distance of a few paces, throwing +them a couple of deniers. With his usual presence of mind Redward +stooped, picked up the coins, and louted to the donor. The woman +threw them a rusk loaf, and this was caught and quickly concealed +beneath the sheltering cloaks. + +Once clear of the village they mended their pace, and, with the +exception of a pair of shepherds, and a peasant clattering along in +his heavy sabots, not a soul did they meet till close on midday, when +the travellers arrived at a cross-road, where the monotony of the +outlook was broken by four avenues of trees. + +"I would fain have rested here awhile," exclaimed Redward. "But with +that for company methinks we shall do better if we get about a +bow-shot further on!" + +"A corpse?" + +"Ay, lad; a malefactor hanged close to the scene of his crime. See, +already the crows have begun their work." + +With averted heads the twain passed the gallows; but on giving a +glance down the cross-road they saw a sight that filled them with +misgiving, for plodding wearily along were two figures dressed like +themselves! + +"Lepers, indeed!" exclaimed Redward. "My faith, they would bear us +company." + +Waving their arms to attract and arrest their supposed +fellow-sufferers, the two grey-robed men quickened their pace, but, +directly the Englishmen had gained the cover of the tree-lined road, +they, too, hastened to avoid being overtaken, so that by the time the +lepers had turned the corner, Raymond and his father were some +distance ahead. + +"We more than hold our own," quoth Redward, glancing over his +shoulder. "Directly we shake them off we'll have a well-earned rest." + +It was as he said. The well-knit frames of the Englishmen were vastly +superior to the diseased bodies of the lepers, and long before the +bottom of the hill was reached their two pursuers were but dimly +visible on the dusty road. + +Once again the road led upwards. Not a village was to be seen, only a +vast undulating plain, unbroken except for an occasional clump of +trees, while in the distance the blue outlines of a lofty range of +hills showed that some stiff climbing would be necessary ere Hennebon +was in sight. + +An hour later and they had all but gained the ridge of the next hill. +By the roadside was a heather-covered bank, while between a mass of +rocks a spring gushed forth, the water making a pleasant sound in the +ears of the weary travellers. + +Father and son drank at the spring, then clambering over the bank, +lay down on the springy heather, where, without being seen, they +could command the road for nearly a league. + +"'Tis quite evident that we can outpace those poor wretches," said +Raymond, stretching out his limbs to their fullest extent in +appreciation of his natural bed. "Here we can rest in comfort till +they draw nigh; then, refreshed, we can hasten onwards once more." + +For nearly an hour they remained, sleep all but claiming them. Not a +word was spoken, though Redward gave an occasional grunt as he raised +himself on his elbow at intervals to watch the advancing lepers. + +The heat, too, was terrific, the sun beating down with fierce +violence on their unprotected resting-place. + +Suddenly Raymond raised himself and looked along the road they had +just traversed. There were the two grey-robed figures moving slowly +up the hill, but away in the distance the sun glittered upon a +swiftly-moving mass of steel, followed by a thick cloud of dust. + +"Soldiers!" he exclaimed. + +Redward raised himself. "I like it not," he exclaimed. "They are +following us. That rogue of a barber hath betrayed us. Lie low, +Raymond, and let them pass; I perceive 'twill mean a journey by night +for us." + +Stretching side by side, and concealing their hoods with sprays of +heather, father and son waited and watched. The two lepers were +within two hundred paces ere they heard the thunder of the horses' +hoofs behind them. With a cry of terror one of the twain turned and +fled; the other, ignorant of the intentions of the pursuing horsemen, +held his ground, flourishing his rattle with the vigour that danger +bestowed upon him. + +Like a flash the foremost soldier was upon him; a back-handed sweeping +cut with his sword and the grey-robed figure was dashed to the earth, +and ere his companion had come level with the spot where the +Englishmen were concealed, he was transfixed by a lance-thrust and +was trampled beneath the horses' hoofs. + +With wild cries of exultation the troop of horsemen reined in their +steeds and surveyed the result of their fell work. + +"Quickly, Geoffroi! Strip those cloaks from the bodies of these +accursed English and search them for concealed papers," ordered their +leader. "By St. Denis, 'tis a smart piece of work, though I little +thought the rogues would have died so tamely!" + +The soldier addressed dismounted, handed his still reeking lance to a +comrade, and bent over the corpse of the man he had slain. With a +quick motion he tore aside the robe. But the next instant, uttering a +shriek of terror, he jumped backwards, covering his eyes with his +hands as if to ward off a blow. + +"_Mon Dieu!_" exclaimed the captain, craning over the neck of his +charger. "What have we done? They are in truth real lepers! Dolt of a +barber! A curse upon Raoul de Rohein! He hath deceived us! Is it the +same with the other?" + +The first victim had fallen on his back, and his hood, stained with +his blood, had slipped from off his head, disclosing the repulsive +disease-eaten features of a man whose malady was far advanced. + +"Stand back, all of you!" shouted the captain, beside himself with +rage and mortification. "Stand back! Do thou, Jehan, cast thy sword +and its sheath from thee lest thou die! And do thou, Geoffroi, ride +fifty paces behind us, and hold communication with no man till the +law respecting contagion is complied with. Now back to the town with +all speed, _mes enfants_, for I have an account to settle with Maitre +Raoul! What will they say of us when they hear we have vanquished +nought but a pair of lepers?" + +The troop galloped away down the dusty road towards St. Brieuc, the +unfortunate soldier following in the rear, his face ashen with terror +at the thought of the loathsome death he had courted, while two +mottled grey corpses, a discarded sword, and the imprints of the +hoofs of the cavalry alone remained to mark the scene of so swift and +terrible a tragedy. + +Shuddering at the thought of their narrow escape, Raymond and his +father rose, and with averted faces, left behind them the bodies of +the ill-fated men, and pursued their journey. Not till they were two +leagues from the spot did they halt; then, selecting a secluded +coppice, they threw themselves on the ground and were soon deep in +dreamless slumber. + +The sun had set and the stars were beginning to twinkle in the +darkening sky ere the travellers awoke stiff and cramped with lying +on the bare earth; but stern duty urged them onwards, and with +swinging stride they resumed their way. + +Along the deserted highway, past the slumbering village of Ploeue +they jogged, too discomforted and weary even to engage in +conversation. + +About two hours after midnight they were startled by hearing the +sound of horsemen behind them. Without hesitation Redward sprang to +the side of the road, dragging the squire with him; then kneeling +down and placing his ear to the ground he listened intently. + +"'Tis but a pair of horsemen," he whispered. "See to thy sword, for +there will be work afoot for us!" + +The riders had now slackened down to a slow trot, and by their +conversation the Englishmen recognised that one of them was an old +acquaintance--none other than the Sieur d'Erqui. + +"Once have we met him, and once at least hath he done us a service," +muttered the bowman in a low tone. "Methinks yet another service will +he render us. Now, follow me!" + +Giving a tremendous salute with his rattle, Redward, with Raymond +close at his heels, sprang into the road and barred the Sieur's way. +Taken aback, his face livid with superstitious fear, d'Erqui reined +in his steed, while his companion, evidently a retainer, did +likewise. + +"Dismount, monsieur, lest I lay hands on thee and thou diest a +horrible death," exclaimed Redward in a sepulchral voice, relying on +the cowardice of the foppish Frenchman to gain his end. + +Without a word the Sieur leapt, or, rather, rolled, from the saddle +and cowered down in the darkness by the roadside. Seizing the horse's +bridle by the left hand, the soldier advanced towards the other +horseman. + +Made of sterner stuff, the latter had recovered from the first +surprise, and, perceiving that he had no supernatural foes to deal +with, he drew his sword and rode towards his challenger. Avoiding +with ease a terrific sweep of the heavy weapon, Redward returned the +blow without effect, but, ere the man could shorten his sword, the +young squire rushed in, seized him round the waist and hurled him +from the saddle to the ground, where he had enough reason to remain +quiet. + +It was the work of a moment for the Englishmen to mount the captured +steeds, then, giving a parting salute to the discomforted Sieur, they +pricked the horses with the points of their weapons, and urged them +into a brisk canter. + +"Bravely done, Raymond," exclaimed his father. "It will fare ill with +us now if Hennebon sees us not by to-morrow's dawn!" + +"But how can we ride in this disguise?" asked Raymond. "It is not the +custom for lepers to go about on horseback." + +"There is a good two hours ere daybreak, and by that time, I trow, we +shall be at least five leagues from here. Then, I hope, the saints +being with us, that thou wilt be the Sieur d'Erqui, and I his man!" + +"The Sieur d'Erqui?" + +"Yea, and why not? Thou hast played the part of the Sieur before to +good purpose, and why not now? But, oh for a plentiful repast! Dry +bread and apples are but a sorry meal when one is used to English +beef!" + +Maintaining a hot pace the travellers rode through the night; then +just as day was breaking they halted, watered their horses, and, +after hobbling them, turned them out to graze. They then divested +themselves of their hideous cloaks and hoods, rolled the garments +into a small compass, and resumed the rôle of soldiers. + +About eight o'clock they arrived at the village of Pontivy, and +reining-in at the inn, Redward dismounted and strode up to mine host, +who saw in every armed man a spoiler, whether he were for Montfort or +for Blois. + +"Hark ye, garçon!" exclaimed the master-bowman, "thy best food and +wine in plenty, and provender for our horses! And, as thou valuest +thy hide, say not one word to my master, the worthy Sieur d'Erqui, +for he is in a bad mood, and woe betide the man who addresses him!" + +Their steeds were led away, and Raymond and his father were shown +into the largest room of the inn, while the waiting-maids, urged by +the host, bustled about preparing the meal. + +Raymond did not belie the character his father had given him as the +Sieur, but his reticence was due to bodily fatigue. For, while +awaiting the meal, fitful sleep claimed him, but it was only to +awaken with a start as his head fell forward on his chest. + +Never was a repast better enjoyed, and never was the desire to sleep +so irresistible, but Redward, though weary himself, was inexorable. + +"Maybe swift pursuit is already at our heels," said he. "So onward we +must go. Holà !" he shouted, hammering on the trestled board with his +sword-hilt. + +In answer to the summons the host appeared, trembling in his shoes. + +"How is the army ordered before Hennebon And where shall my master +find the banners of the Duke Charles?" + +"Sir, report hath it that the force of Blois lieth thickest about +where this road approaches the town, so, without doubt, the banners +of the Duke are there." + +Throwing down a coin to pay for their repast (whereat the host +marvelled greatly, seeing it was not the custom of the times), +Redward followed the supposed Sieur from the inn; their horses were +brought round, and soon they were clattering over the pavé of the +village towards the open country. + +Redward glanced backwards several times to see if there were any +signs of pursuit, but to his great satisfaction none could be +detected. + +"Thou hast heard what the rogue said the foe lie thickest along this +road? Should any follow us we have laid a false scent, for I do not +wish to ride straight into the camp of Blois. To that end let us turn +off along the road to Aurai, and thence follow the coast to the walls +of Hennebon." + +Accordingly they turned aside at a cross-road, having learned from a +peasant that it led to the town of Aurai. A league or so farther on +they again left the road and rested in a wood, sleeping without +molestation till late in the afternoon. + +Darkness was drawing on as they struck the road between Hennebon and +Aurai, about a bow-shot from the latter place. Avoiding the town the +travellers turned towards their goal, now but a short four leagues +distance. + +"We must be doubly cautious, Raymond," said his father, "for methinks +another troop of horsemen is approaching." + +Once again they withdrew from the road, and, hiding beneath the +shadow of some tall trees, they waited. Nearer and nearer came the +sound, till, like a whirlwind, a large body of knights and mounted +men-at-arms dashed by in the darkness, and, with a thunder of hoofs +and a cloud of dust that rose slowly in the still night air, they +vanished into the gloom. + +"By St. George! What doth it mean?" exclaimed Raymond. + +"Nay, I cannot say, save it be they of Blois fleeing from those of +Montfort; every man was riding for dear life, and, mark you, with +loose rein and hot spur!" + +"Then onwards, father! An hour will decide whether we reach Hennebon +unscathed, or have to fight our way in." + +Almost before they were aware of the fact they rode right into the +camp of the besiegers, but, instead of being instantly challenged and +taken prisoners, it was like a progress through a city of the dead. +Most of the tents were cut down, several of the temporary wooden huts +still smouldered, while here and there their horses had to step aside +to avoid treading on the corpse of an unarmoured man. + +Still wondering at this unlooked-for sight, the Englishmen spurred on +till they drew rein outside the twin towers that guarded the gate of +Hennebon. A hoarse voice challenged them, and torches flickered on +the battlements as the garrison stood to their arms. + +"Open! We would see the Countess!" roared Redward, standing in his +stirrups. + +"Who are ye, and whence come ye?" was the reply. + +"Messengers from the King of England." + +Cries of delight greeted this announcement, the drawbridge fell with +a ponderous clang, the great gates were thrown wide open, and, +conscious that a great duty had been well carried out, Raymond, +followed by his father, entered the town of Hennebon. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE RELIEF OF HENNEBON + + +"THY name and style, fair sir?" + +"My name is Raymond Buckland, squire to Sir John Hacket, Constable of +the King's Castle of Portchester and Governor of the town of +Portsmouth. Lead me, I pray, to her grace the Countess of Montfort, +for I have a letter which I have to give her by my own hand." + +"Nay," was the reply, "that cannot be--at least not at this moment. +The Countess led a sortie yesterday at noon, and, alas, hath not yet +returned. I, Henri Barbenoire, seigneur of the castle of Ploeac and +Seneschal, in the absence of the Countess of this town will receive +thy message." + +"That cannot be," replied Raymond courteously, "for to the Countess +alone must I hand this letter." + +Barbenoire, a Breton whole-heartedly devoted to his mistress, did not +press the point, but ordering a hasty meal to be prepared, remained +with the young squire. It was but a sorry repast, for already the +supplies were low, nevertheless Raymond did justice to the simple +fare, listening awhile to the narrative of the events of the siege. + +Cheered by the touching confidence that the heroic Countess had given +to the townsmen of Hennebon, the garrison had fought bravely and +well. The Countess herself wore armour, and rode on a huge warhorse +through the narrow streets, encouraging her people to make good +defence, reminding them of the help she hoped would be forthcoming +from the King of England. Nor did she spare the womenfolk, for she +caused them to discard their long trains and heavy skirts and to don +short kirtles so that they could move with freedom. This done, they +were employed in carrying stones and arrows to the walls to replenish +the missiles of the defenders, and so emboldened were they by the +example of their mistress that the women did not hesitate to hurl the +stones down upon the invaders. + +At length one day the Frenchmen massed outside the northern wall for +a grand assault, and, ascending a lofty tower, the Countess perceived +that their camp was empty. Instantly calling together a body of +knights and mounted men-at-arms the lady mounted her steed and, +placing herself at their head, rode straight for the French camp, +cutting down tents and setting fire to everything that would readily +burn. + +The watchers on the walls saw the French host desist from the assault +and retire to intercept the Countess. Finding herself cut off from +the town, she called in her followers, and rode furiously away to +Aural, hotly pursued by Sir Louis d'Espagne, the second in command of +Charles of Blois. + +Thus it was that Raymond had seen the Countess and her troops pass by +him without knowledge of their identity; and now the garrison was +ignorant of the fate of their beloved leader, none knowing whether +she had been killed or taken, or whether she had baffled pursuit. + +On the morning following the arrival of Raymond and his father, the +host of Blois still encompassed the town, yet no attempt was made to +renew the assault. + +The two Englishmen were enrolled as members of the garrison, and as +the days went past they with their foreign comrades gazed eagerly +from the battlements in the hope of seeing the banners of the +returning Countess. + +On the fifth day, Barbenoire had ascended the lofty east tower. +Despair for his mistress had filled his soul, yet, inspiring the +townsfolk by word and deed, he gave no sign of misgiving, being +resolved to hold Hennebon as long as a single fighting-man was left. + +The rising sun dazzled his vision, but a movement on the skyline +riveted his attention. Calling one of his captains, he pointed out +the spot, and both agreed that it was a body of troops approaching. + +A very short time sufficed to spread the news, though Barbenoire +commanded that no demonstration should be made lest it should attract +the notice of the besiegers. + +Soon it was beyond doubt that the Countess was returning. Collecting +a body of one hundred archers and spearmen, the Seneschal ordered +them to make a feint sortie from the western side while the gateway +on the opposite side was thrown open to receive the Countess. Then, +when safely within the walls with all her company and an additional +force of five hundred spears, the redoubtable Châtelaine was greeted +with a great noise of trumpets to the cheers of the delighted +townsfolk. + +The besiegers, finding themselves tricked, could not refrain from +praising the boldness and skill of the Countess of Montfort. +Nevertheless, they advanced to the assault, and the struggle waxed +fierce until noon, when, unable to gain a lodgment, the partisans of +Blois sullenly retreated to their camp. + +Directly the attack was repulsed, Raymond hastened to the presence of +the Countess. She had now divested herself of her bascinet and steel +jupon, and the young squire saw before him a tall, stately lady of +about thirty years of age. Her finely chiselled face was crowned by a +wealth of auburn hair, which, ruffled by the removal of her +headpiece, served to hide the somewhat lofty brow. + +Raymond could but marvel that such a truly feminine form possessed +the courage and endurance of a man, and his astonishment was +increased when she addressed him in low, sweet tones, for he had +heard of the Countess's soul-stirring speech, when, holding her +little son by the hand, she had so successfully appealed to the +chivalrous instincts of her knights and to the loyalty of the +townsfolk. + +Concealing her agitation at the arrival of such important news from +England, the Countess broke the seals and opened the letter. Her face +flushed with pleasure as she read its contents. + +"Hearken, my fair lords, to the message of our noble overlord the +King of England," she cried, turning to those who were with her. +"Four score ships by now are on their way to aid us, and ere long +three thousand men, under Sir Robert of Artois and Sir Walter Manny, +will be on the heels of our enemies." + +Shouts of exultation greeted this announcement, and, the news quickly +spreading, the whole town was given over to rejoicing. + +But meanwhile active preparations were being made by Charles of Blois +to make another general assault, and the arrival of some formidable +siege-engines enabled him to breach the walls in several places; +while the garrison, kept in a state of constant alarm, were worn with +toil and endless vigil. + +Every morning at sunrise, for nearly two months, the Countess would +ascend the loftiest tower in Hennebon and gaze towards the distant +Cape of Ushant in the hope of catching sight of the sails of the +English fleet. But her expectations remained unrealised, for seaward +the horizon was unbroken, while around the town lay the close lines +of her relentless foes. + +At length one of her partisans, the Bishop of Leon, informed her that +his nephew, Henri de Rohan, who was in the camp of Blois, desired to +hold converse with her; and, being granted safe conduct, the knight +entered the town for the purpose of inducing the besieged to +surrender, promising an honourable capitulation, with permission for +the garrison to withdraw. + +For a while it seemed as if De Rohan's words would gain the day, till +the Countess, supported by Barbenoire, again harangued her knights, +and the ecclesiastic withdrew discomfited. + +Thereupon the French advanced to the grand assault, while the +besieged caught up their arms and silently yet resolutely awaited +their approach. + +But ere the archers could begin their hail of arrows which was to +open the attack, the ringing voice of the Countess was heard from the +summit of the tower:-- + +"Voilà , le secours! Voilà le secours anglais! Courage, enfans; nous +sommes sauvés!" + +"Will they be in time?" asked Raymond anxiously, as he stood by his +father on the shattered wall. + +"If we can but make good the battlements for one hour all will be +well. Canst see aught of the ships?" + +"Not as yet." + +"Then heaven forfend the Countess be not mistaken. Stand to it, +Raymond, for here they come!" + +All conversation was stopped by the on-coming foemen. The squire +closed his visor, and crouching behind his shield, awaited the +attack. Under cover of the archers the men-at-arms advanced. Though +some fell before the darts of the besieged, the main body pressed +steadily onward, till they reached the breach in the shattered +masonry. + +The impact of the two forces was terrific; men went down on both +sides, and, as sword and lance were shattered, axes, mauls, and maces +continued the deadly work. The air was rent with the clash of arms, +the shouts of the combatants, and the groans of the dying; but the +townsfolk held their own, and after an hour's desperate struggle the +attacking party retired. + +"'Tis hot work!" exclaimed Redward breathlessly, throwing down a +heavy axe and removing his steel cap to cool his heated head. "Run +and see if our comrades are yet in sight." + +To gain the summit of the tower was the work of a moment, and to the +squire's great delight he saw the English ships already within easy +distance of the harbour, their sails bellying out before the +favouring breeze, and the water churned by the lash of the oars. + +"They come! They come!" he shouted joyously. + +"And so doth the foe," replied Redward grimly. "Haste back to the +breach, for, by St. George, 'tis touch-and-go with Hennebon!" + +Again the attackers advanced, one knight, utterly regardless of his +life, urging his horse towards the gap in the wall. Crouching, with +lance in rest, the Frenchman spurred over the shattered stones, +received yet recked not a hail of arrows, and rode furiously towards +Raymond, who, sword in hand, awaited his approach. + +It would have gone hardly with the young squire had it not been for +the unevenness of the ground, for the horse stumbled over a loose +stone, throwing its rider heavily on the ground. + +In spite of the weight of his armour and the shock of his fall, the +knight, a man of gigantic strength, rose to his feet, dropping his +lance and wrenching his mace from the saddle-bow. As he did so +Raymond struck him a heavy blow with his weapon, but the steel turned +against the crest of his casque and was shattered close to the hilt. +In a moment the mace beat down the squire's shield and descended upon +his head, and without a cry the squire dropped senseless to the +ground. + +But his fall was speedily avenged. Wielding his heavy axe, Redward +sprang forward and smote at the Frenchman's helm. Realising his +danger, the knight sprang aside; but, though avoiding a fatal blow, +he did not escape, for the axe, glancing off the crest, caught the +projecting visor. Unable to stand the strain, the leathern laces of +his helmet burst, and the bascinet, though prevented by the camail +from falling off, was turned back to front, so that the unfortunate +wearer was unable to see through the openings of the visor. + +Dazed by the blow and in total darkness, the Frenchman staggered +blindly about, still striking feeble and aimless blows, till the +defenders, with taunts and execrations, beat him to the ground and +despatched him with their axes. + +Meanwhile Redward bent over the prostrate form of his son, but ere he +could ascertain whether the blow had been fatal the main attack had +commenced. Gallantly the besieged met the shock; many fell on both +sides, and for the space of a quarter of an hour the issue hung in +the balance. + +At length, reinforced by a band of knights under Louis d'Espagne, the +assailants bore back all before them. Barbenoire, fighting gallantly +to the last, fell covered with wounds. Redward, standing over his +son's body, kept back the press for a time, till, borne down by the +weight of numbers, he was struck to the earth, but ere he lost +consciousness he was dimly aware of the sound of English voices and +the renewed clash of arms. + +At the critical moment the long-expected aid had arrived! + +Once more the tide of battle turned, and the followers of the House +of Blois, unable to withstand the fierce onslaught of the English, +fled panic-stricken before the reinforcements, the knights and +mounted men-at-arms of Sir Walter Manny riding down all who came in +their way. + +When at length the victorious Manny returned from the pursuit, the +Countess of Montfort came forth and warmly greeted him. + +"Of a truth, fair sir," she exclaimed, as the warrior knelt and +kissed her hand, "I cannot but liken you to the Archangel Michael +sent from heaven in answer to our prayers!" + +Meanwhile the inhabitants of the town were busy pillaging the camp of +their enemies, bringing in additional food supplies and tending their +own wounded--for those of their assailants who were left in their +hands were mercilessly despatched, save where their rank made them +likely subjects for ransom. + +Redward and his son were found surrounded by the bodies of friend and +foe, senseless but still breathing. The Countess had been apprised of +the fall of her gallant messenger, and had ordered the young squire +and his father to be carried into her own house within the castle. +Sir Walter Manny himself also came frequently to see how fared the +forerunner of his arrival, and brought with him his own chirurgeon to +attend the two. + +For four days Raymond lay unconscious, till one morning his scattered +senses returned, and he opened his eyes to find himself in a roomy +apartment overlooking the town walls. Instead of the clash of arms +the sun was shining brightly and the birds were singing. Beside him +were the Countess and a group of Englishmen of quality; a little +distance off lay Redward on a soft couch, his gaze fixed intently +upon his son. + +Then the young squire realised that Hennebon was saved, and that his +father was still with him; and with a sigh of contentment he fell +into a deep and natural slumber. + +The wounds of both Raymond and his father were severe, and a +considerable time elapsed ere they were capable of moving about, +while their complete recovery, in spite of the kindly climate of fair +Brittany, was a tedious business. Thus they missed the remaining +portion of the Brittany campaign, in which Robert of Artois captured +Vannes, and was soon afterwards driven from that town by a surprise +attack on the part of some Breton adherents of Charles of Blois. + +Shortly after, the existing treaty between England and France was +terminated, for during the struggle in Brittany a truce was nominally +in force, the armies of England and France ostentatiously supporting +the claim of the rival dukes; but on the expiration of the treaty war +was openly resumed between the two great nations. + +The King of England landed at Marbain with 12,000 men, and +simultaneously laid siege to Vannes, Rennes, and Mantes, but the +triple task was beyond his power, and under the influence of the +Pope's legates he agreed to observe a truce for three years. + +Immediately following this pacific arrangement King Edward +re-embarked for his own dominions, and with the army went Raymond and +Redward, the former despondent at the news of the truce, regarding it +as being fatal to his cherished hopes of winning the golden spurs of +knighthood. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +RAYMOND'S ERRAND + + +NEARLY four years have elapsed since the young squire's mission to +Hennebon. They have been years of comparatively uneventful waiting. +To him the dark clouds of unkind fate showed no signs of the silver +lining of good fortune, for he fully realised that until he had risen +above the rank of squire he dare not hope for the hand of the fair +Lady Audrey Scarsdale. + +Thus, there was nothing to do but wait patiently, under the orders of +kindly Sir John Hacket, fervently hoping for the call to arms that +would give him the opportunities of winning his spurs upon the soil +of France. + +The three years' truce had been ill-kept. Already the Earl of Derby +had crossed into Guienne, but news, though scanty, was far from +reassuring, and daily the Constable of Portchester was awaiting the +summons to assemble his men and march to join the King's forces at +Southampton. + +One afternoon, in the month of May 1346, the watch on the keep of the +castle perceived a man limping towards the gate. He was tall, +broad-shouldered, and bronzed-faced, yet bent with physical +infirmity, being compelled to use a rough crutch to aid his tottering +footsteps. + +"Ho, Watkin!" exclaimed one of the soldiers to a comrade. "Surely +that looks like Long Edney, of Wickham, yet methinks I am mistaken." + +"If't be, then, certes, he hath made a grievous error; for he went to +Guienne, hoping to return speedily with much booty. This man hath +pain to carry himself, let alone the plunder he hath not!" + +"'Tis Edney, of a surety. See, he waves his hand to us!" + +In a few moments the luckless man-at-arms was within the castle, +surrounded by a crowd of rough sympathisers. Hearing the sound of +voices, Sir John Hacket appeared, and, recognising the man as one who +had left his service some time previously to join the forces under +Lord Norwich, sent Raymond to lead Edney into his presence. + +"'Tis a sad home-coming for thee," exclaimed the knight +sympathetically. "Yet Heaven knows there are many such. The highways +are thick with broken soldiers." + +"Ay, Sir John," returned the man despondently. "A bolt through the +thigh is a sorry return for my trouble, and not a silver penny's +worth of spoil to show for it! Nevertheless, the saints helping me, I +hope to adventure myself again in this matter." + +"And with better luck," rejoined the Constable. "And, now tell me, +how goes the war in Guienne?" + +"Faith, it goeth against us in the main. Pembroke and Sir Walter +Manny are shut up in Aiguillon, and when I left Bordeaux they had +sent urgent appeals for succour. For my part I know but little of +Aiguillon, being besieged with Lord Norwich in Angoulême." + +"And how fared Norwich?" + +"As crafty as ever." + +"How so?" + +"The Duke of Normandy pressed him sorely, so that the French looked +likely to take the town by escalade. Thereupon Norwich beat a parley. +'How, now!' exclaimed the Duke. 'Dost wish to give in?' 'Nay,' +replied our leader, 'but as to-morrow is the Feast of the Virgin, to +whom we both bear great devotion, I desire a cessation of strife for +that day.' 'Right willingly,' replied the Duke, and Norwich, nigh +bursting with badly-concealed merriment, descended from the walls. +That night he ordered us to prepare our baggage, and early next +morning we marched out straight for the enemy's camp. The Frenchmen +flew to arms, but Norwich, forbidding our men to draw, sent a knight +to remind the Duke of his promise." + +"And what did the Duke?" + +"He kept his word. 'I see the sly fox has outwitted us, but let us be +content with gaining the town,' he exclaimed; and right between the +lines of astonished Frenchmen we marched, without losing as much as a +single stick." + +"Ho! ho! ho!" laughed Sir John. "A clever trick, but, methinks, +'twill not pass another time. And Pembroke hath sent an urgent +message to the King for aid, didst thou say?" + +"Ay, directly our ship tied up alongside the quay at Southampton the +messenger rode off at headlong speed to Windsor, although he could +scarce keep his seat by reason of sea-sickness." + +"Then, Raymond," exclaimed the Constable, turning to his squire, "the +summons will be here anon. But, mark my word, this will be no +child's-play, for, methinks, the King will be loth to let Guienne +slip through his fingers. And now, bring me the tally of the bows, +arrows, and spears, for no time must be lost." + +Joyfully the squire hastened away to get the required information, +and the castle was soon alive with excitement at the thought of +active service. + +The old knight was not wrong; the call to arms came, and, thanks to +his sagacity and forethought, the Constable was soon ready to take +the field. Ere June had arrived Sir John's company had marched into +Southampton to await the King's good pleasure. + +Raymond saw great changes as he gazed around the old familiar place. +The walls had been raised and strengthened; larger houses had taken +the place of the charred ruins that the French invaders had left +behind them, while a fleet of large ships showed that Southampton had +quickly recovered from the horrors of pillage. + +The fleet was typical of the resources of Hampshire, for Southampton +contributed twenty-one ships manned by 476 mariners, Lymington sent +nine, Portsmouth five, Leepe, Newtown, and Yarmouth two each, while +the county of Dorset supplied twenty-five vessels, of which Weymouth +sent twenty-one and Poole four. + +Farther down the Water towards Hythe lay a larger fleet, composed of +vessels from the Cinque Ports, London, Ipswich, and Great Yarmouth, +while towards the Netley side were the West Country ships from +Dartmouth, Sutton, Fowey, and Falmouth. + +Altogether there were not far short of eight hundred sail, assembled +in less than fourteen days, to bear across the Channel the huge army +destined for the conquest of France. + +On Midsummer Day, the Feast of St. John the Baptist, the news came +that the King had left the Queen in the care of his cousin, the Earl +of Kent, and was on the road to Southampton. + +Instantly the work of embarking the troops, horses, and baggage +began, and never before did the good townsmen of Southampton behold +such a fair and martial sight. Throughout the long June day the task +proceeded, and a seemingly endless procession wended through the West +Gate, each division having its appointed order. + +The Portsmouth ships were to form the rearguard, so that it was the +duty of the Constable of Portchester to embark last of all. From his +quarters, close to the West Gate, Sir John watched the embarkation, +pointing out to his squires the respective devices and banners of the +various contingents. + +From all parts of the kingdom, save the northern counties, whose men +were required to watch the restive Scots, had this army foregathered, +the flower of chivalry and the stoutest of the yeomen of England. +There were the lions rampant of the Percies, Mowbrays, and d'Albini, +each distinguishable by the "field," the ruddy chevrons of the de +Claves, the gilded cockle-shell of the de Malets, and the more +complicated devices of de Montfichet, Quince, Fortibus, de Bohun, de. +Vere, and Fitz-Walter. Each baron had his following of men-at-arms +and archers, the former having to lower the points of their long +slender spears as they passed beneath the vaulted archway. After the +feudal army, numbering four thousand men-at-arms and ten thousand +archers, came a horde of fierce-eyed, hairy men of short stature, +each armed with a long knife and a double-bladed axe. + +"Ah," exclaimed Sir John, noting the look of inquiry on Raymond's +face. "Heaven help the Frenchman who falls wounded in the field, for +these are the Welsh levies. I have marked their method of fighting +before to-day, and, certes, I am of no mind to praise them for it." + +The Welshmen were succeeded by a straggling body of tall, +gaunt-looking men, armed with a small shield and short spear. They +lacked the grim stolidity of the Englishmen, and marched with merry +laugh and careless jest uttered in a strange tongue. + +"The Irish levies from Leinster," remarked the Constable, +"good-natured in peace, honest fighting-men, yet terrible when +roused. I can recall a little affair before Cadsand, but 'tis too +long to relate at the moment. But hark!" + +Redoubled cheering echoed down the narrow sloping street, and the +knight and his squires strained their ears to ascertain the cause. +The last of the troops had passed, yet still the archers who lined +the route pushed back the excited townsmen with their six-foot +staves. + +"The King!" exclaimed the Constable. + +Attended by a number of lords and barons, Edward rode slowly through +the crowded street, acknowledging the acclamations by the faintest +inclination of his head. He was then in his thirty-fourth year, yet +the cares of his kingdom and the claims of his Lombard and Flemish +creditors had made him look considerably older. A longish dark beard +partially concealed a hard, firm mouth, while his dark piercing eyes, +glittering beneath his broad forehead and bushy eyebrows, betokened a +war-like temperament. His coat of plate-armour, fashioned in the +latest style, was covered by a surcoat, upon which were embroidered +his newly-assumed arms, the fleur-de-lis of France, quartered with +the silver lions of England, while a velvet cap took the place, for +the time being, of his plumed bascinet. + +At his right hand rode his fifteen-year-old son, Edward, afterwards +known to fame as The Black Prince; while at his left rode Lord +Godfrey of Harcourt, the King's much-esteemed councillor. + +Burning with ill-concealed impatience Edward, with his suite, +embarked that very evening, and ere morning dawned the fleet had left +the shelter of Southampton Water, and was heading westward for the +English Channel, the Portsmouth ships, with the Constable and his +company, rolling sluggishly in the rear, about a league astern of the +main body. + +With the favouring north-easterly breeze all went well, and steadily +the floating army neared the coasts of France; but on the third day +came a flat calm, so that the ships were compelled to use their +sweeps to prevent themselves drifting into one another. + +The calm was succeeded by a strong south-westerly gale, so that all +advantage of the previous favourable breeze was totally lost; and, +unable to make headway, the fleet was driven back towards the English +coast, taking shelter in the Cornish harbour of Fowey. + +For six days the fleet lay weather-bound, till Sir Godfrey of +Harcourt counselled the King to give up the idea of landing in +Gascony. + +"Sire," he exclaimed, "Normandy is one of the plenteous countries of +the world. On jeopardy of my head, if thou wouldst land there, there +is none to resist thee. The people of Normandy are not used to war, +and all the knights and squires of the country are now at the siege +before Aiguillon." + +The advice, though hardly correct, the King took, and, the wind +moderating and blowing more in their favour, the fleet again put to +sea, and reached La Hogue without further incident. + +Arrived on the coast of Normandy, the English began to make a +revengeful attack on the ports of Cherbourg and Barfleur, the ships +of these ports having harried the coasts of England in times past, +and with fierce shouts the soldiers pillaged the defenceless towns, +burning every ship they found in the harbours. + +One night, Sir John Hacket, who had been in audience with the King, +returned to his quarters in high glee. + +"Raymond," he exclaimed, "the King hath again done signal honour to +my Company. News hath reached us that the Count of Tancarville, who +is the most puissant noble in Normandy, lieth at a hunting lodge near +the village of Brique, within five leagues of the camp. He hath, we +are told, no knowledge of our presence. Could we but entrap him and +bring him a prisoner into the camp, it will clear the way for our +advance, for, bereft of the counsel of the Count of Tancarville, all +Normandy would be masterless. Now, consider; I have a free hand in +this small matter, and can use the whole of my Company to my +advancement. What think ye? Is it better to take but a few mounted +men, or adventure with them all?" + +"In my humble opinion, Sir John," replied Raymond, "the matter is +best undertaken by but a few. Too many would give alarm. A few would, +in the case of our plans miscarrying, be but little missed, and if +they do succeed, then the greater the honour!" + +"Thy words do thee credit, Raymond, and, by St. George, a better +leader for the enterprise than thou I cannot choose. Take your choice +of mounted men, and begone. A guide is even now detained in the camp, +who will lead you to Brique. Now, remember, alive or dead, bring the +Count into the camp, but alive by choice." + +Quickly the young squire went about preparations for his mission. +Five trusted men-at-arms were chosen, and their arms and horses +carefully inspected by their young leader, who resolved to leave +nothing to chance. Then, placing their guide, a heavy-limbed Norman +peasant, upon a spare horse, and attaching a light chain to his wrist +(one end being held by a soldier with orders to despatch the man at +the first sign of treachery), the little party left the camp, passed +the outlying cordon of sentries, and plunged into the darkness. + +By degrees the horsemen became accustomed to the gloom, and, riding +closely together, with the guide in their midst, they maintained a +brisk pace towards their goal, and ere long the camp-fires of their +comrades were lost to sight behind them. + +The night was sultry; not a leaf stirred on the branches of the trees +that lined the road, and a dull oppressive feeling pervaded the +atmosphere. + +Suddenly the faint rumble of distant thunder was borne to their ears, +and instinctively the horsemen glanced at one another, for a +thunder-storm was looked upon by the mediaeval soldier as a harbinger +of evil. + +Nearer and nearer came the storm, till the lightning flashed across +their path, illuminating the horizon with its sulphurous glow, but as +yet not a drop of rain had fallen. + +Meanwhile their guide had kept perfectly silent, answering the +questions put to him with either a nod or a shake of his head. Though +Raymond had acquired a smattering of the French language he was +unable to understand the patois of the peasant, so one of the +men-at-arms was deputed to put any necessary question to their +impassive guide. + +At length they reached the confines of a dense forest, and hardly had +they gained the dangerous shelter of the trees than down came the +rain, accompanied by almost incessant flashes of lightning. + +Dazzled by the appalling light, and almost deafened by the sharp +detonating rattle of the thunder, the little party rode in fear and +trembling till their guide stopped them with a motion of his hand, +and indicating an almost invisible avenue that forked from the road +they were following, exclaimed, "V'là , m'sieurs!" + +"Ask him how far it is to the Count's hunting-lodge!" exclaimed +Raymond. + +"He says 'not far.'" + +"Certes, I am as wise as before. Ask him again." The man mumbled +something unintelligible, then held up two fingers. + +"A murrain on his thick-headedness; fair Sir, I cannot rightly tell +what he doth mean." + +"Then be cautious. Remember, directly we catch sight of the place, +one man remains with the guide and the rest follow me!" + +The path was too narrow for two to ride abreast, so they proceeded in +single file, the guide leading, with a soldier, leaning over his +crupper to give the necessary length of chain, following closely +behind and through the avenue, so dense that even the lightning +almost failed to illumine, Raymond's party rode on their desperate +errand. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +TRAPPED! + + +BEFORE the raiders had proceeded very far a short exclamation from +one of the men-at-arms caused them to pull up sharply. + +"What's amiss?" demanded Raymond in a whisper. + +"The peasant's horse hath gone lame," replied one of the soldiers. +"Can we not despatch the guide, for, certes, he is of no further use, +and it will save us the trouble of looking after him?" + +"Nay!" replied Raymond sturdily. "I am loth to cause a harmless +peasant to be slain. Make him mount behind thee, Robert, but keep a +tight hold on his chain." + +Once again the advance was resumed, the horses floundering over the +slippery, leaf-strewn path, their riders being put to great trouble +by reason of the overhanging branches that often almost swept them +from their saddles. + +Presently they began to descend a steep declivity, the slope +requiring all the skill of the horsemen to keep their steeds on their +feet, while the rain, now falling in torrents, had transformed the +little path into a foaming stream. + +Suddenly a vivid flash of lightning rent the darkness of the night, +and in the dazzling glare Raymond beheld, with a thrill of horror, +two of the men who were leading disappear into a yawning chasm almost +at his feet, their cries drowned by the appalling crash of the +accompanying thunder. By dint of reining in his horse till the animal +was almost on its haunches, the young squire saved himself from a +similar fate, and slipping to the ground he awaited, in terrible +suspense, the next flash that would give some idea of his position. +The succeeding period of darkness seemed to weigh upon him like a +suffocating shroud, while the silence was broken only by the frantic +prancing of the remaining horses, the feeble groans of one of the +fallen men, and a low gurgling sound a short distance away--a sound +that caused indescribable terror in the mind of the young squire. + +Then came another crash and a ponderous mass fell across the path he +had just passed, and another shriek of agony rent the air. To the +horrified Raymond, whose superstitious feelings were aroused by the +war of the elements and the tragedy of his surroundings, the place +savoured of the infernal regions; and gazing with wide-open eyes into +the inky blackness, he dumbly awaited the next gleam of blinding +light. + +At length, after a seemingly endless suspense, it came--a double +flash. Short as was the duration of the glare it served to intensify +the horror of his position. + +At his feet yawned the pit, wherein the feebly-moving limbs of two +of his men still writhed in the throes of death, while their horses +were frantically kicking each other in the confined space. Behind him +lay another man-at-arms, the blood welling from a gaping wound in his +throat, while a fourth lay crushed--beyond recognition by a heavy +tree-trunk that, falling across the path, effectually prevented a +retreat. There was no sign of their guide, but the fifth soldier was +leaning against a tree-trunk, his hands pressed tightly over his eyes +as if trying to shut out the ghastly scene. + +The next flash showed that he, too, had vanished, and Raymond was +alone, though the shouts and cries of the unfortunate man-at-arms +betokened that he was being haled off through the forest by some +invisible agency--whether by men, animals, or spirits the squire +dared not imagine. + +And now the underwood on either side seemed alive with movement, and +Raymond felt, or fancied he felt, rough hands groping towards him. +Frenzy took possession of his shaking body, and, lashed into the +energy of despair, he unsheathed his sword and slashed madly about +him. The blade came in violent contact with an overhanging bough and +snapped off close to the hilt; at the same moment the squire felt a +pair of sinewy arms encircle his feet, and with a lusty heave he was +upset and thrown with a crash to the ground, the point of a knife +pressing against his throat warning him of the utter uselessness of +further resistance. + +Bound hand and foot, the unfortunate squire was carried or dragged +through a thick growth of underwood, till at length his captors +gained a large clearing. By the aid of a momentary flash he saw the +outlines of a low building. In response to a violent knocking he +heard the sound of bolts being withdrawn, and, borne on the shoulders +of four strong men, he was carried into the house, and dropped +unceremoniously upon the rush-strewn floor. + +Some one took a torch from its socket and bent over the prostrate +squire. Raymond recognised the features--it was the traitorous guide! +But gone was the heavy lustreless expression of his eyes and the +stolid set of his swarthy jaws; instead a look of malevolent +intelligence overspread his face, and by the subservience with which +he was treated by his comrades it was evident that he was a man of +authority. + +"Ah! Dolt, fool, beast of an Englishman! How nicely hast thou borne +the Count of Tancarville back to the camp of the cursed invader of +Normandy! Dead or alive, eh? Little didst thou know how near thy +purpose was fulfilled when thy base _routier_ made to pass a knife +across my throat. I--even I--am the Count of Tancarville!" + +He paused to observe the effect of this startling announcement, but +Raymond preserved a dignified silence. + +"And that simpleton the Constable, thy master," he resumed. "To think +that the Count of Tancarville would be dallying at a hunting lodge +when base English defile the coasts of Normandy! Ah! That was a near +one," he added as another blinding flash of lightning lit up the +room. + +"Knowest thou, thou miserable fool," he continued as soon as the +crash of the thunder permitted, "that did that fiery fork but touch +this place thou and I would be scattered, so that all the armies of +Philip and Edward would fail to find a fragment? Eh, I interest thee? +'Tis well; I'll tell thee more, seeing that the knowledge will profit +thee but little. Henri! Cut asunder the bonds that bind this +Englishman's legs, and do thou and Etienne stand close lest he do +himself an injury!" + +Handing the torch to a serving-man, the Count led the way, closely +followed by Raymond and his two guards. In an adjoining apartment, so +open to the winds that the torch was almost extinguished, lay seven +sinister-looking objects, which the squire readily recognised as +bombards. + +These early cannon were composed of straight lengths of flat iron, +held together by shrunk-on iron hoops, and lashed down to a heavy +baulk of timber, so that in training these clumsy contrivances, +carriage and gun were practically one piece. + +"These are the beasts I hunt in this forest," quoth the Count. "King +Philip hath need of them, and, by our Lady of Nîmes, 'twill be a +sight to see the vaunted English bowmen being bowled over by these +bombards. And food these beasts must have! Forward, garçons, and show +this dolt mine animals' food. But, Bertrand, stand aside with that +torch. I am in no mind to go heavenwards yet awhile." + +The next room was little better than a cell, lightened by the feeble +light of an oil lamp that glimmered through a horn lanthorn. In a far +corner could be discerned the bent figure of a monk, his cowl thrown +back on his shoulders and his arms bared to the elbow. Ignoring the +interruption, he continued his labours, working a pestle with +untiring energy. + +"Behold the worthy successor to Michael Schwartz! My faith! It does +my heart good to show the accursed English the resources of la belle +France; yet, 'tis passing strange that the secret of the making of +the devil's powder should be divulged to a priest of God. Five score +barrels full of the powder are ready for the use of our forces, and +I'll warrant---- Ah! What wouldst thou? Down with him, mes garçons!" + +For Raymond, suddenly fired with a reckless determination, had thrown +himself upon the torch-bearer, and with a shower of sparks the +burning brand was dashed upon the floor, missing the bench with its +dangerous compound by less than a span! + +The Count and the monk, both white with fear, stamped upon the +blazing embers, while the guards with no gentle hand had forced their +prisoner to the ground. + +"A senseless piece of folly," growled the Norman. "And little credit +to thyself." + +"'Twould have rid the King of England of a dangerous foe," replied +Raymond stoutly, opening his lips for the first time since his +capture. + +"Away with him, till I find a means to make use of him, Etienne!" +exclaimed the Count, taking no notice of the squire's remark. + +"To the oubliette?" + +"Nay; two of these accursed Englishmen in one den would plague us far +more than if kept apart. One never knows what the rogues get up to +when they plan amongst themselves. Lock him in the old arrow-store." + +The old arrow-store was a damp and dismal chamber next to the cell +where Raymond had seen the monk at his researches. It was on the +ground floor, and lighted only by one lancet-shaped window, far too +narrow to admit the passage of a man. The roof was vaulted, the +arches springing from a central pillar, while the floor was paved +with heavy slabs set in strong cement. + +This much the young squire saw while the men were making a cursory +examination by the aid of two additional torches; and after removing +an old chest they quitted the room, bolting and locking the heavy +iron-plated door behind them. + +Left to himself, Raymond fell a prey to the deepest despondency. The +failure of his ill-starred attempt, the comparative ease of his +capture, and the mortification which the Constable would feel at his +non-return, weighed upon the unhappy squire far more than the danger +of his hopeless position, and, grief-stricken, he lay on a stone +bench, listlessly marking the sound of the rapidly-retreating storm, +till a feeble glimmer through the lancet window betokened that the +day was dawning. He had one consolation, sorry though it was--there +remained another Englishman within the stronghold, the solitary +survivor of five picked men-at-arms. + +Presently Raymond stood up and stretched his cramped limbs, then +standing on the bench he found that he could just reach the window. +Grasping the stone ledge with his hands, he raised himself +sufficiently to look out. + +It was a cheerless outlook. In front, a bow-shot away, lay the dense +masses of the forest, still hazy with the morning mist. An open +space, broken only by a moat full of slimy water, lay between the +forest and the stronghold, though no drawbridge was visible on that +side. + +And beyond the forest lay, at an unknown distance, the English camp, +where even now Sir John Hacket was doubtless expecting his return +with the expected captive. Overcome with the irony of the situation, +Raymond clambered down from the window and relapsed into his moody +and despondent attitude. + +For several hours he remained thus, till aroused by the drawing back +of the bolts of his prison door. The door was thrown open, and an +armed man entered, bearing a pitcher of water and a trencher of black +bread, while another man stood without, for fear of an outburst of +the prisoner. Without a word the jailer set down the meal and +retired. + +Twice daily was this done, and thus the days sped, slowly and +cheerlessly, but no visit from the Count of Tancarville served to +break the dismal monotony. + +On the fifth day Raymond heard the sound of martial preparations, and +climbing to the window he caught a brief glimpse of a body of armed +and mounted men riding past his prison; one of whom, he had no doubt, +was the Count. Then came the rumble of heavily-laden wains, but in +which direction the party disappeared the squire was unable to see. + +Evidently the little garrison of this sylvan fortress was +considerably depleted, for Raymond noticed that his jailer came into +his prison alone. He thought, though, that this might have been +through a sense of familiarity at his prisoner's dejected mien. Yet +daily, for hours together, the sound of the pestle, dimly heard +through the thick adjoining wall, showed that the taciturn old monk +still pursued his dangerous task. + +Four more days passed in dreadful solitude, till, maddened by the +hopelessness of his condition, Raymond resolved on desperate measures +to attempt his escape. Plan after plan flashed through his brain, +only to be put aside as impracticable. Feigning death, burrowing +through the stone walls of his prison, attacking his jailer, all +seemed hopeless, till at length a scheme, hazardous in the extreme, +yet capable of meeting with possible success, matured in his mind and +hourly increased his hopes of ultimate success. + +Usually the jailer found him sitting dejectedly upon the stone bench, +practically invisible in the gloom to any one entering from the +dazzling sunlight without. But on this particular morning Raymond, +awaiting the jailer's footsteps, carefully removed his surcoat and +hid behind the door. Directly the man entered he made, as was his +wont, direct for the bench, when the squire, springing upon him from +behind, muffled his head in the surcoat and bore him to the ground. +The jug and platter fell with a resounding crash, and Raymond, +seizing the broken pitcher, struck the jailer such a shrewd blow that +it all but split his skull, leaving him senseless on the floor. + +Hastily dragging his body across to the darkest corner, Raymond +possessed himself of his dagger and escaped from his prison. + +Without a moment's hesitation he burst into the adjoining apartment, +where the old monk, engrossed in his work, did not take the slightest +notice of his abrupt entry. Raymond had argued with himself that a +priest engaged in warlike pursuits thereby puts himself without the +pale of the Church; so, overcoming his scruples, he wrenched the +pestle from the hand of the astonished monk and stunned him ere he +could utter a sound. + +Then with feverish haste he stripped off and donned the monk's +capacious gown, pulling the cowl well down over his eyes; then, +strapping the wooden sandals over his own pointed shoes, he walked +boldly into the corridor, with bent head and clattering gait. + +At the end of the passage was another heavily-barred door, at which a +spearman stood on guard. Holding his dagger firmly in his right hand +and concealing it within the folds of his long sleeve, Raymond moved +straight up to the man. The sentinel opened the door, and with bowed +head stood aside to let the supposed monk pass. In a well-feigned +highly-pitched voice the young squire gave the customary blessing; +then, almost amazed at his good fortune, he gained the free air once +more. + +But his difficulties were not yet over. The road from the stronghold +ran under the shelter of the low walls for some distance, then turned +abruptly and crossed the moat by a drawbridge, at the end of which +was a small postern and barbican. + +All went well till Raymond was upon the bridge, and the gate-keeper +was making ready to throw open the outer gate, when the sham monk +dropped one sandal upon the bridge, where it lay conspicuously in the +dazzling sunshine. + +For a moment the guard paused, gazing in undisguised astonishment at +the tell-tale object, then with a crash he closed the gate and raised +a horn to his lips. But ere he could blow a blast Raymond was upon +him; a glint of cold steel, and the man uttering a choking cry, threw +up his arms and fell in a huddled heap. + +Disguise was no longer necessary, and the squire, opening the gate +and casting off his gown as he ran, sped over the open space towards +the sheltering forest. + +He heard some one behind him shouting the alarm, but by the time the +watchers on the wall could wind their cross-bows Raymond was almost +out of range, though a dropping bolt, shot at a venture, hummed close +to his head and buried itself in the springy turf at the foot of the +nearest tree. + +Though skilled in finding a course by observing the position of the +sun, Raymond was but indifferently versed in woodcraft, and in the +gloom of the forest all idea of direction was beyond him. Onward he +plunged, crashing through the bracken and undergrowth, till to his +great delight he struck a narrow path. This he followed, till at +length he came upon the scene of his ambuscade. A yawning pit, +partially concealed by a screen of hurdles and bracken, lay across +the narrow way, while a score of paces beyond was a tree trunk, +which, having been skilfully cut through close to its base, needed +but little effort to fall into its present position, effectually +barring the road to any but unmounted men. + +With a sickening feeling of horror Raymond gazed into the pit, where +lay the mangled remains of two of his men-at-arms, though it was +evident that the plunderer had already been there, as the corpses +were stripped of their arms and accoutrements, while the trappings of +the horses had vanished. + +Under the fallen trunk lay the body of the third soldier, plundered +also as far as the ponderous timber would allow, while of the fourth +no trace remained but a dark stain on the clayey soil. + +Clambering over the last obstacle, the squire found himself on the +steep path that had been so dangerous a road but a short fortnight +before. On and on he hastened, till he emerged on the high road that +led to the camp, which he estimated to be about four and a half +leagues distant, provided a general advance had not taken place in +the meantime. + +He was hatless and without his surcoat, having left that garment with +his late jailer, and there were no distinguishing marks to show that +he belonged either to the army of the King of England or of Philip of +France. + +Tying his blood-stained scarf over his chin, he strode boldly +forward, trusting in the rôle of a wounded soldier to avoid being +questioned. At length he gained the summit of a hill, from which he +looked down upon a lovely fertile valley, and in the distance the +blue waters of the English Channel. + +A spur of rising ground hid the view on his right, but a few minutes +sufficed to gain its crest, and on looking down he saw a sight that +filled him with joy, for below lay a large unwalled town, which he +rightly guessed to be Caen, while a league off was the English host +in battle array, and between him and the army was a motley array of +Frenchmen issuing from the town to join battle with the invaders. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE TABLES TURNED + + +ONLY one thing could Raymond do. He sat down on the grassy hillock +and watched, knowing well that the fight could but end in one way. + +A little group of Norman knights led the van of the French, whose +forces were composed mostly of townsmen, desperate in their vain +attempt to save their town from pillage. Eagerly the keen eyes of the +squire followed their disorderly advance, till they were almost lost +to view in the distance. + +To him it seemed as if the white-coated lines of English archers +stirred neither hand nor foot, but he knew full well that the blast +of deadly arrows had sped, for as if by magic the dark masses of the +Frenchmen broke and fled, without coming to hand-grips. Already the +English cavalry were in hot pursuit, and the white winding road +leading to the town was outlined with clouds of dust, which almost +concealed the disorderly remnants of the defeated fugitives. + +Directly the advance guard of the fleeing army began to draw near, +Raymond rose from the grass and ran swiftly towards the road. The +Frenchmen, each intent upon his own safety, rushed past him, throwing +off their armour to aid their flight, the mounted fugitives +ruthlessly riding down their less fortunate countrymen. + +Seated by the roadside was a man-at-arms, who, sorely wounded in the +shoulder, was endeavouring to divest himself of his hauberk in order +to ease the pain. Actuated both by his own requirements and a feeling +of pity, Raymond helped him to unburden himself of the steel-ringed +coat, and having donned the Frenchman's discarded armour, he bathed +his wound, a deep lance-thrust, with water obtained from a rivulet +that ran by the roadside. + +After rendering this service he proceeded to complete his own +equipment. A heavy sword and a light shield were soon found, and it +did not require much effort on the part of the active squire to seize +a riderless horse. + +With difficulty curbing the restlessness of his newly-acquired steed, +Raymond urged it into an adjoining field to avoid being swept away by +the panic-stricken horde of fugitives, and eagerly awaited the +arrival of the English host. + +Soon the tide of fleeing Frenchmen slackened, and the braver spirits, +maintaining a running fight, alone remained to uphold the honour of +the ill-assorted army of the citizens of Caen. + +Suddenly Raymond's attention was drawn to a knot of mailed figures, +who, surrounded by a press of Englishmen, fought savagely with the +courage of despair. One by one the French mounted men-at-arms and +squires fell, till only two knights remained. + +The pair, keeping side by side, held their enemies at bay by a shower +of blows from sword and mace, till one, his horse slain by a +Welshman, who paid for his act by having his head cleft by a +back-handed sweep, was dashed to the ground and made prisoner. + +On seeing his comrade's fate, the other knight urged his horse +through the crowd of assailants and made a dash for the open field, +where Raymond awaited the chance to join his friends. + +Directly the squire caught sight of his emblazoned surcoat and shield +he recognised the Frenchman--it was none other than the Count of +Tancarville! + +Shaking off his pursuers, who preferred to return to squabble over +their rights to the ransom of the captive knight, the Count rode +straight for the place where Raymond was concealed. When he was +twenty paces off the squire rode forward and barred his way. + +"Yield thyself, Sir Knight!" exclaimed Raymond. + +For a moment the Count gazed with undisguised astonishment at the man +whom he had last seen as a prisoner in his stronghold, then, +recovering himself, he put spur to his horse and rode furiously at +the squire. + +The combatants were evenly matched, for the advantage of the +Frenchman's complete coat of mail was balanced by the comparative +freshness of his opponent and his steed. The knight had lost his +lance, so that the fight was with swords. + +Reining back his horse, Raymond skilfully avoided the first rush, the +Count's sword-point missing his unguarded face by a hand's breadth, +while the squire's return blow fell harmlessly on his adversary's +shield. Instantly Raymond closed in, and before the knight could turn +his steed to meet the counter-attack, the squire's sword had bit +deeply into his enemy's thigh. Then their blades met, and amid a +shower of sparks and the clicking and rasping of steel, Raymond found +himself at pains to defend his unvisored face, and it was not long +before the blood was flowing freely from a cut on his cheek. But the +Count's previous exertions and the loss of blood from several deep +wounds were beginning to tell. His blows did not fall with the same +strength that marked his first rush, though the squire could not +break down his guard. + +Long they fought, their horses prancing and curveting as if realising +that their efforts would materially aid their masters' sword-play, +till Raymond's untried blade snapped off close to the hilt, and, with +the exception of a short knife, he was left weaponless. + +A quick pull at the reins, and the squire's horse ranged alongside +that of the Norman. The next instant Raymond had grasped his opponent +round the body, and with a mighty heave sought to tear him from the +saddle. + +Between the two plunging steeds the combatants fell, locked in a +close embrace, Raymond uppermost; but before he could make good his +advantage and demand his enemy's surrender a stunning kick from the +Count's horse left its master at the Englishman's mercy. + +Raymond rose to his feet bruised and breathless, and at that moment a +band of soldiers came hurrying towards them. The newcomers were the +wild-looking Welsh mercenaries, intent on plunder; and, unable to +make them understand who he was, the squire was for a while in danger +of being set upon by these lawless booty-seeking warriors. Standing +over the body of the prostrate knight, he beckoned, shouted, and +threatened, till a highly-pitched voice behind him demanded who and +what he was. + +Raymond turned and saw a gigantic, swarthy, and black-bearded man, +clad in a bronze-coloured suit of armour, having a green dragon +emblazoned on his surcoat and shield. + +"Squire to Sir John Hacket of Hamptonshire," he replied breathlessly. +"I pray thee bid these rascals desist." + +A word from the stranger in an unknown tongue, and the Welshmen +retired. + +"Rascals, iss what ye call tem?" asked the new arrival, laughing +boisterously. "I would haf yes know, poy, tat tey are from +Glamorgan--from Glamorgan, I tell you! And tey are the best men in +the Army, I tell ye, poy, for tey are my men, I, David Evans, knight +off Glamorgan. I pray ye pear tat in mind. I myself tought ye wass a +Norman, or at pest a Gascon, seeing ye wass to wear a Frenchman's +hauberk." + +The Welsh leader rode off, leaving Raymond to wonder how he could +escape molestation from his friends and still stand by his captive. +Most of the pursuers kept to the highway, and only a few came close +to where he stood. In vain he begged and entreated the passing +soldiers to give a hand to carry off the unconscious Count. Even the +promise of a silver penny had no effect, for the English, intent on +plunder, were already streaming into Caen with the last of their +foes, and the comparatively bountiful offer of payment was invariably +rejected with contempt. + +At length, despairing of obtaining assistance, Raymond left his +prisoner and made his way back to the road, hoping to see a familiar +face amongst the victorious soldiers who were hurrying forward to +join in the sack of the town, but there were none of the Hampshire +companies. + +Picking up another sword to replace his broken weapon, the squire +preferred to go back to guard his captive, consoling himself with the +thought that on the Count's return to consciousness he could lead him +into the camp; then, suddenly bethinking himself of the rivulet +higher up the road, he hastened towards it to slake his burning +thirst. + +This he did, and thereupon made his way back by a different route to +where the Count lay. Barely had he gone half the distance than he +came to a dry ditch, where, to his surprise, he found two fugitives +cowering in the long grass that grew in the trench. + +"Je me rends!" they both exclaimed, grovelling at his feet in fear of +instant death, for, being but peasants, they knew that scant mercy +was shown to those who were unable to offer ransom. + +In a moment Raymond saw and seized his chance. "Vous êtes mes +prisonniers," he exclaimed, brandishing his weapon. "Venez avec moi." + +Driving them before him, the squire soon reached the place where he +had left the Count of Tancarville, and indicated by signs that they +should carry him. This they did, panting with their exertions, for +the knight in his complete armour was a heavy burden. Their progress +was slow, till on arriving on the highway Raymond made them take two +broken lances, and forming a rough litter, they were able to make a +better pace. + +At length, they came in sight of the camp, and to his great joy +Raymond saw the well-known banner of the crescent on the blue field, +waving close to the pavilion over which floated the royal standard of +England, for the Constable of Portchester's company was that day +detailed as guard to the camp. + +Great was the delight and astonishment of Sir John Hacket and his men +on Raymond's reappearance, for he had been given up for lost; and +greater was the Constable's surprise when his squire, pointing to the +litter, exclaimed with pardonable pride: "Behold, sir, I bring thee +the Count of Tancarville according to thy instructions." + +Having handed over his three prisoners and given a brief account of +his adventures, Raymond retired to a tent to enjoy a well-earned meal +and a rest. From one of the archers he learned that his father, +maddened by grief and rage at the supposed loss of his son, had +obtained permission to join for the time being the Sussex company of +Sir Guy of Bramber, vowing that twenty Norman lives would but +ill-balance Raymond's death. + +The squire's leisure was of short duration, for Sir John Hacket came +in person to inform him that the King had ordered him to appear +before him. + +Raymond's eyes sparkled with delight, for this was a step at least +towards his coveted reward, and hastily attiring himself suitably for +the royal presence, he followed the Constable to the King's pavilion. + +It was a large tent, hung with damask, and divided into two parts by +a heavy curtain. In the ante-room were crowds of knights awaiting an +audience, their names and titles being carefully set down by a +herald, while another, stationed at the flap of the partitioning +curtain, where two knights in full armour stood on guard, announced +the various personages who had business with their Sovereign. + +Each knight who was ushered into the inner apartment had but a short +stay in the royal presence, and to Raymond, as he waited in +breathless expectation, it seemed as if there was a continuous +procession of warriors, some elated with the prospect of praise and +honour, others nervously ignorant of why they were summoned thither; +while others, knowing that their master had cause for displeasure, +were pacing the crowded ante-chamber, biting their lips in their +anxiety. + +All the while a buzz of suppressed voices was heard from the inner +room, and occasionally Edward's hearty voice could be clearly +distinguished as he praised or chid according to the merits or +demerits of the person before him. + +Suddenly the sound of a galloping horse was heard, coming rapidly +nearer, then, amid a hum of ill-concealed excitement, a knight, +covered in mud from head to foot, and breathless from hard riding, +burst into the ante-chamber. + +"Ah, Sir William!" he exclaimed to the royal herald, "I pray thee +announce me to the King with all despatch. The matter brooks not +delay!" And clanking in his heavy armour at the heels of the herald +he disappeared behind the curtain that concealed the royal presence +from the crowd of waiting knights. + +"'Tis Lord Bassett," whispered Sir John to his squire. "Certes, some +event of much moment hath occurred to bring him from the field. +Hearken!" + +The newcomer's voice was distinctly audible to those who waited +without. "The men of Caen are holding out stubbornly, Sire, every +house being closed to our troops, and our losses from the darts of +those within are exceeding great. The Welsh levies, aye, and our own +men as well, are killing without mercy man, woman, and child, yet +their acts do but increase the fury of the men of Caen. I pray you, +Sire, that the word goes forth that every soldier shall withdraw from +the city, for otherwise they threaten to destroy it with fire." + +"But wherefore should we hold our hand?" inquired the King. "They of +Caen set themselves in battle against our hosts, and must of +necessity abide the consequences." + +"But the spoil, Sire, the spoil! 'Tis the richest town in all +Normandy. If we can but prevail on the citizens to lay down their +arms, then the sack can be resumed with more profit and less risk." + +"There's wisdom in thy words," replied Edward, "but thy advice is +every whit the same as the Cardinal Legates gave to us but an hour +agone. These we told that it was our resolve to brook no interference +of the Holy Father in matters appertaining to war, but, by my +halidome, the suggestion commends itself to us. Therefore withdraw +our troops. Beat a parley with the townsmen, and demand their +surrender with promise of quarter. Stay! I'll to the front myself! +Herald! Dismiss the knights in waiting, and inform them that we will +receive them on the morrow." + +Thus Raymond's opportunity had passed for the present, for when the +morrow came, the King in person met the chief magistrate of Caen, and +in the presence of the Papal Envoys, agreed to accept the +unconditional surrender of the town, pledging his kingly word, +however, that the massacre should cease, and before the evening came +the squire was detailed for another errand. + +"Raymond," quoth Sir John Hacket, "I have it in mind that a slight +advancement and no little honour can be obtained if we can seize the +stronghold of the Count of Tancarville, and gain possession of the +store of powder and the bombards of which thou hast spoken. What +think ye? All the powder was not taken away by the Count?" + +"I think not, sir." + +"And the bombards?" + +"I saw none go; nevertheless they may have sent them away." + +"Then I'll go to Chandos and crave permission to lead the company +against this strange hunting-lodge in the Forest of Brique. Meanwhile +have thy two prisoners closely questioned, for, methinks, they know +exactly where this stronghold lieth." + +The Constable hastened to the tent of Sir John Chandos to obtain the +required boon, while Raymond sent for the two Normans whose lives he +had spared. They were, so the squire ascertained, brothers, and one +had been in the service of the Count of Eu, and knew the precise +position of the Count of Tancarville's forest castle. + +Soon Sir John returned, having succeeded in his mission. One of the +prisoners was made to act as guide, and to avoid another blunder he +was told that should the enterprise fail through his neglect or +treachery his brother's life would be forfeit. Rations were served +out to the company, and an hour later Sir John's command, consisting +of three squires, thirty men-at-arms, and fifty mounted archers, +moved out of camp amid the encouraging shouts of their comrades, and +disappeared in the gathering gloom towards the dark masses of the +Forest of Brique. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE FALL OF THE COUNT'S STRONGHOLD + + +UNDER the guidance of the Norman, the company proceeded by a +different route to that by which Raymond made his escape; and, as +night fell, they dismounted and off-saddled in a clearing within half +a league of the Count's stronghold. + +Sentries were posted, and every precaution taken against surprise, +but nothing untoward occurred to disturb the camp. + +Day dawned, but a thick, fleecy mist prevailed, the moisture dripping +from the steel caps of the soldiers, who, in spite of it being a +summer's morn in fair Normandy, actually shivered with cold. No fires +were allowed to be lighted for fear of giving warning of their +approach, and after a hasty breakfast the company started on the last +portion of the journey. + +The way lay through a narrow avenue, similar to that in which +Raymond's ill-fated men-at-arms met with disaster, and the Norman +guide, anxious for his own and his brother's safety, used all his +skill and cunning as a woodman to ensure a successful surprise. + +Presently through the mist two gnarled trunks attracted his +attention, and, halting, he beckoned to the Constable to dismount. In +low tones he explained that he wanted a riderless horse to be driven +in front of the company, and, the Constable assenting, one of the +archers dismounted and urged his steed to the head of the column. + +To Raymond, who knew the perils of the path, the act occasioned no +surprise, but most of the soldiers watched the action with +wonderment. + +The horse had proceeded but a short distance when it stumbled over +some invisible obstacle, and before it could recover itself, a heavy +beam, furnished with a metal barb, came crashing down from the +mist--hidden branches above, pinning the devoted animal to the earth. + +A score of willing hands dragged the timber and its victim from the +path. "I pray you send another horse on ahead," exclaimed the +Constable calmly, as if unmoved by his narrow escape, for had he been +in his customary place at the head of the company his fate would have +been sealed. + +Silently, and fully anticipating a fresh trap, the troop advanced, +the successor to the ill-fated horse walking cautiously as if +instinctively aware of its perilous mission. A bow-shot farther it +stopped, and, in spite of the application of the point of a dagger, +it refused to move another step. + +"Prenez garde, messieurs, c'est un piège," whispered the Norman. +"Mais sans doute c'est le dernier empêchement." + +"Step forward, Lavant," exclaimed the Constable in a low tone to one +of the men-at-arms. "Thrust out thy spear and see what lieth here." + +The man did so, and almost without resistance the weapon sank in +turf. A twist of the spear and a large piece of what looked to be +green sward gave way, disclosing a yawning cavity, its length being +too great to permit a horse to leap across, while its depth was +sufficient to kill or maim any man or beast that had the misfortune +to fall therein. + +At a sign from their leader the soldiers dismounted. One man was told +off to every four horses, a party set silently to work to cut a way +through the dense thicket, so as to make a detour round the pitfall, +and the rest of the soldiers stood where they were, resting on their +arms till the path was cleared. + +This done, the company, now diminished in fighting numbers by +one-fourth, resumed their march, and, as the guide had foretold, were +unmolested by any other obstacle till they emerged from the forest at +the edge of the extensive clearing in which stood the stronghold of +the Count of Tancarville. + +The sun was now above the tree-tops, and slowly the mist was +dispersing, so that the outlines of the fortress were just visible in +the clouds of lifting vapour. + +Ordering his men to lie down within the shelter of the undergrowth, +Sir John called his squires, the master bowman who had taken the +place of the absent Redward, and the oldest man-at-arms, and held a +hasty consultation upon the plan of attack. + +Though Raymond had not seen the castle from without, he found that +his idea of the place did not differ greatly from the appearance of +the actual building. It was a long, low structure, but one story in +height, save at one corner, where a low tower commanded the rest of +the stronghold. The walls were pierced with narrow loopholes for the +discharge of arrows, and crowned by a battlemented breastwork. Around +the walls was, as Raymond already knew, a ditch or moat. The +drawbridge was raised, and the outer fortalice or barbican was +furnished with a massive door. + +There were no signs of the garrison, which, at the most, numbered +less than two score men, but the possibility of a surprise was +guarded against by the fact that the doorway of the barbican was +closed. + +For several hours the little English force lay in front of the +stronghold, the soldiers prone on the grass, their leaders standing +behind a dense thicket, so that no assailant was visible to the +still unsuspecting inmates of the castle. + +At length some of the archers who had remained with the horses joined +the main body, dragging with them two peasants who were captured +while on their way to the Count's fortress. The two men bore huge +baskets full of bread on their backs, and the booty was distributed +and eagerly devoured by the soldiers, while the peasants, securely +bound, were detained a short distance in the forest under a guard of +three archers. + +Presently one of the men-at-arms approached Raymond. "I beg of thee, +sir, to ask the Constable that he give me leave to force an entry +into yonder fortress." + +"How so, Peter? Wouldst essay the task alone?" + +"Nay, Master Raymond, but with my comrade, Myles of Fareham, 'tis +easy to attempt." + +"And easier to fail? What wouldst thou do?" + +"If we don the peasant's clothes and carry their baskets filled with +stones on our backs, I trow 'twill be an easy business to fool those +that are within. Once they open the gate two honest Englishmen can +hold it against a score of Frenchmen till the main body hath time to +come to our aid." + +"By St. George! Thou sayest aright; I'll speak to Sir John at once." + +The Constable received the project with delight, and preparations for +the assault were instantly made. The two men-at-arms drew the +gabardines of the peasants over their armour, so that they closely +resembled the thick-set, shambling Normans, and shouldering their +heavy baskets, they advanced boldly towards the outwork. + +Meanwhile their comrades were eager and alert. The bowmen had chosen +their arrows and strung their bows; the men-at-arms had drawn their +swords and had discarded their belts and sheaths to enable them to +run the quicker to the aid of the two devoted men, and with eyes +intently fixed on the gate of the barbican they awaited the signal to +rush headlong across the open space that lay between them and the +fortress. + +To the waiting soldiers it seemed hours ere their two comrades drew +near to the outer work, but when within a few paces of it a sentinel +stood forth on the wall and challenged them. Then, apparently +suspicious of their errand, he blew a loud blast on a horn, which was +immediately answered by the appearance of five or six men from within +the barbican, while over a score lined the walls of the main +stronghold, some of whom began to wind their cross-bows. + +At the same time the door was thrown open, and a man, apparently a +captain, stood on the threshold. Up to now these preparations were +simply a matter of form, no matter who the newcomer might be, and +fortunately the iron-nerved Englishmen understood this, for, +staggering under their loads, they still advanced with bent heads to +avoid recognition. + +Suddenly the guardian of the gate realised that it was not a pair of +ignorant peasants that he had to parley with. But the knowledge came +too late. Peter of Purbrook had thrown down his load and dashed, +sword in hand, at the astonished Norman. Before the latter could +retreat a step he had fallen with his head cleft to the chin. His +body lay athwart the threshold, and ere the others could rush to +close the gate the Englishmen had pushed their baskets, filled with +stones, against the door, and were awaiting the onslaught of their +foes. + +With hoarse shouts of encouragement the English men-at-arms rose from +their ambush and rushed madly to their comrades' aid, while the +archers, shooting rapidly and coolly, directed a dropping fire of +arrows at the defenders on the walls. But they of the outwork had +gathered to defend the gate, and already a fierce struggle was taking +place, the two gallant Englishmen being hard pressed by the enraged +Normans. + +With axe, spear, and mace the defenders strove to thrust back the +daring intruders, while the latter, regardless of their own safety, +essayed to keep open the gate. Two of the Normans fell, their bodies +adding to the ghastly pile at the entrance to the barbican, but +directly afterwards Myles of Fareham was slain by a savage +spear-thrust. + +Undismayed by the fall of his comrade, Peter of Purbrook hurled an +axe at the helm of the slayer of his friend, then, clearing at a +bound the heap of corpses, bade fair to drive back the defenders +single-handed, while his comrades, with Raymond well in the fore, +were already halfway across the intervening space. + +Carried away by the heat of battle, Raymond saw as in a dream the +figure of the devoted man-at-arms clearing a path for his countrymen; +the next instant there was a blinding flash, a deafening roar, and a +thick, choking cloud of sulphurous smoke. + +One of the defenders, with the fury of despair, had fired off a +bombard, the huge stone ball crashing through friend and foe alike, +and bounding over the springy turf till it came to a stop a few paces +from the edge of the forest. + +Appalled by the sound, the soldiers hesitated, but when the smoke had +partially cleared away the gateway was deserted. + +Then the Constable's voice was heard amid the din, "Onwards, men, the +place is ours," and regaining their wits, the Englishmen rushed +forward and reached the deserted barbican. + +The discharge from the bombard, by which the remaining Frenchmen, +save one, and four English men-at-arms, including the ill-fated +Peter, had been swept away, was attended by one good result. The +drawbridge had been lowered, and, after applying the linstock, the +cannonier had darted back across it to take refuge in the fortress, +while the heavy bombard, wrenching asunder the leather thongs that +bound it to the carriage, had recoiled till its weight rested on the +end of the drawbridge, effectually preventing it from being raised by +the defenders. + +In the meanwhile the English archers, while engaged in keeping down +the fire of the cross-bowmen, had marked the fugitive cannonier as he +sped back to gain the entrance. Ere he had run but half the distance +he fell, transfixed by a dozen arrows, while the attacking party +roared with excitement and jubilation. + +Even if the defenders had had another bombard available they would +have been prevented by the hail of shafts from training it on their +adversaries; and, led by the Constable and his squires, the +men-at-arms crossed the drawbridge and thundered at the main gate +with their axes, while the archers, advancing in close order, kept up +a hot fire against every point where a Norman dared show the crest of +his steel cap. + +Under the furious blows the door was splintered; then with a united +effort the shattered woodwork gave way, and the victorious Englishmen +rushed headlong into the castle, only to find that not a man of the +garrison was to be seen. + +With his own hands the Constable tore down the scarlet wolves' heads +of the banner of the Count of Tancarville, and the blue guidon with +the demi-lune floated in its place, amidst a fanfare of trumpets and +the cheers of the victors. + +Then a systematic search of the stronghold was undertaken, but no +trace of the Normans was found till an archer stumbled over a heavy +trap-door, which, on being raised, disclosed a flight of dank stone +steps leading to a subterranean passage. Listening intently, the +Constable and his squires heard the faint sounds of retreating +footsteps echoing along the stone walls of the tunnel. + +"It matters not," quoth Sir John. "I doubt whether there be any +person of quality amongst them. Their burrow doubtless leads to some +spot in the forest, and I can ill-afford to risk more lives in a +needless undertaking." + +To close the entrance, pieces of heavy timber weighted with stone +were thrown down the yawning pit, and having made all chance of a +return by this outlet impossible, the soldiers devoted their energies +to the exploration of the building. + +It was more of a fortified arsenal than a castle, the Count's +principal fortress being ten leagues off, but the spoils of war were +both numerous and useful. + +In all, including the bombard in the barbican, there were eleven +pieces of ordnance, a score barrels of powder, steel caps, hauberks, +and weapons of all descriptions. Unwilling to leave the booty where +it might again fall into the hands of the Normans, the Constable made +preparations to carry off the whole of the munitions of war. + +Dragging long planks across the open ground, a party of archers +returned to where the horses had been left. By bridging the pitfall, +the steeds were led safely across the fatal trap, and in less than an +hour were within the stronghold, where rough carts in abundance were +ready to be loaded up with the spoil. + +Meanwhile Raymond had not forgotten the unfortunate man-at-arms who +had been captured with him in the first attempt to seize the Count. +Aided by a couple of archers, he searched vainly for the secret +oubliette, till at length he bethought him of the two peasants who +had been taken earlier in the day. + +These were brought before him, and without much difficulty were +compelled to lead the way. In the floor of the lowest apartment the +peasants pointed out a small door, almost invisible in the deep +gloom. Procuring a torch, Raymond and the archers shot back the +bolts, and on lifting the trapdoor, a dark, evil-smelling dungeon was +disclosed, unlighted and almost unventilated. Mingled with the noise +of scores of rats a low moaning was heard, and in the fitful glare of +the torchlight a narrow circular hole could be distinguished in the +centre of the dungeon, its mouth unprotected by a barrier of any +kind. + +"Art there, Robert?" asked the squire, his voice shaking with pity +and emotion. + +The only reply was another low moan, as of a human being in direst +distress. Sending one of the archers back for assistance, Raymond +impatiently waited by the yawning pit. The man soon returned, and +with him four lusty men-at-arms, one of whom carried a coil of stout +rope and two more torches. + +Directing the men to lower him slowly and carefully, Raymond knotted +one end of the rope under his arms and boldly descended, holding a +flaming torch above his head. The light flickered on the slimy walls +of the pit, which, as he descended, began to increase in size, till +at length he reached the bottom of a deep, bottle-shaped cavity, the +only approach to which being the narrow neck through which he had +been lowered. + +The floor was ankle-deep in filth and slime; and, by the aid of the +torch, the squire saw, crouched in the corner, apparently heedless of +the presence of his rescuer, the figure of a man. + +Bending over him, Raymond failed at first to recognise his ill-fated +companion-in-arms, for the soldier's face, instead of being the +deep-bronzed, healthy colour that comes of a life in the open air, +was of a ghastly greenish hue, and his eyes, dazzled by the glimmer +of the torch, blinked with a peculiar vacant expression that +suggested madness. + +Finding that the man was too weak to stand the strain of the rope +round his chest, Raymond, placing the torch on the ground, lifted him +to his feet, and taking him in his arms, called out to those above to +haul up. Shielding the soldier as well as he could from the rough +sides of the shaft, the squire with his pitiful burden came slowly to +the surface, where rough but kindly hands took charge of the rescued +prisoner, who was little more than a corpse. + +[Illustration: A PITIFUL DISCOVERY] + +On rejoining the Constable, Raymond found that a discovery had been +made of another score of barrels filled with powder, and the question +of transport was troubling Sir John sorely. For not only was the +quantity too great for the numbers of men and waggons at their +disposal, but the difficulty arose how to reach the highway, the path +by which they had come being quite unsuitable for the carts. + +Two scouts were therefore sent out with instructions to follow the +cart-tracks, and to find out whether any of the late garrison still +remained in the neighbourhood. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +REDWARD'S CONFESSION + + +IT was close on nightfall ere the two scouts sent out by Sir John +Hacket returned to the captured fortress. They reported that there +was a fairly wide road which joined the highway to Caen about three +leagues from that town, and that there were no signs of any hostile +force in the district they had explored. + +So that night the company made merry in the stronghold of the Count +of Tancarville, wine and food being found in abundance, although Sir +John did not for one moment relax the vigilance so necessary in a +strange country. + +At daybreak preparations were made for the evacuation of the +fortress, and, headed by the two scouts, the little force set out on +its march to the camp. + +First came a strong party of men-at-arms, ready for instant action in +case of attack. Then followed the Constable and his squires, +accompanied by the two peasants and the Norman guide, and surrounded +by a body of dismounted archers, who marched with their bows strung +and their quivers swinging from the hip. + +The carts came next, drawn by the horses of the dismounted archers, +and piled high with the spoils of the fortress, including the +captured bombards and as much powder as they could possibly hold. + +Next came a small troop of men-at-arms, followed by some more carts, +in which the wounded, including the rescued soldier, lay on heaps of +hay and straw; while the rear was composed of the rest of the +men-at-arms and mounted archers. + +In this order they issued under the great gateway, passed over the +drawbridge, and crossed the wide belt of open ground. When the head +of the column reached the edge of the gloomy forest a tucket sounded +and the soldiers came to a halt. + +Seeing Sir John and his squires gazing intently at the abandoned +stronghold the men did likewise. They saw the grim and gaunt pile +standing clearly out against the dark background of the forest, and +from the black flag-staff fluttered the blue banner of the company, +with its well-known device of the golden crescent. + +Even as they watched, the figure of a man made its appearance on the +battlements; the banner was slowly lowered, and the man disappeared. + +A few moments later the same man, mounted on a swift steed, emerged +from the gateway and thundered across the turf. Reining in his horse +before Sir John, the rider handed the banner to the guidon-bearer, +saluted, and fell in with his comrades; but still the Constable kept +his eyes steadfastly on the fortress. + +What could it mean? + +Slowly the moments sped. To the perplexity of the soldiers, the +castle had an irresistible fascination for their leaders, and, +following their example, they, too, looked in silent wonderment at +the gaunt masses of masonry. + +Suddenly, with a flash, a roar, and a cloud of smoke and dust, the +castle appeared to split asunder; huge masses of stone flew skyward, +then with an appalling crash the walls subsided, and in place of the +massive outlines of the fortress there was nothing to be seen save a +pile of blackened stones, over which floated a heavy pall of dense +vapour. + +The remainder of the powder had been fired, and the sylvan stronghold +of the Count of Tancarville was no more! + +"'Tis well done," was Sir John's only comment, then, on receiving the +word of command, the company resumed its march, and plunged into the +sombre shadows of the forest. + +Almost unnoticed, the little force reached the camp, for in the +excitement of the sack of the rich town of Caen the absence of the +company on their successful raid was of small moment to the rest of +the army intent as they were on the gain of booty. + +There were two exceptions at least. One was Redward Buckland, who, +being apprised of his son's safety, had left the Sussex company, only +to find to his great disappointment that his comrades had departed on +their raid. + +The other was the great Chandos, who, recognising more than most +Englishmen of his day the possibilities of artillery, showed the +greatest interest in Sir John Hacket's report of the expedition, +promising at the first available opportunity to inform the King of +the great service rendered by the Constable of Portchester and his +favourite squire. + +But other events were taking place that effectually eclipsed for the +time being the glory of the brilliant raid. Edward, having plundered +Caen, described by Froissart as "large, strong, full of draperies and +all sorts of merchandise; rich citizens, noble dames, damsels, and +fine churches," had reserved for his own share all the plate, jewels, +and choice cloths. The plunder, together with three hundred of the +more opulent citizens, was placed on board the English ships and sent +over the Channel; then, hoping to sack Rouen in a similar manner, the +King advanced with his army up the fertile valley of the Seine. + +Foiled in this attempt, he continued his march towards Paris, only to +find the bridges broken down, with a strong hostile force on the +nether bank, and Philip with a large army rapidly approaching from +Guienne. + +A desolate track, dotted with the ashes of countless towns and +villages, marked the ruthless advance of the English, till at the +very gates of Paris the flood-tide of invasion became the ebb of +retreat, and Edward, hard pressed, was in danger of being cut off by +overwhelming numbers. + +One night, when lying near the village of Poissy, the camp was +aroused, and orders given to prepare to march. + +"Whither are we bound?" asked Raymond of his father as they met in +the semi-darkness. + +Redward shook his head. "'Tis not a soldier's part to question +orders," quoth he. "I did hear that the King would try to reach +Flanders, but methinks this way leadeth to Paris." + +There was no occasion for silence, and, talking freely amongst +themselves, the soldiers struck their tents, and at daybreak were +well on the road to Paris, while the light-armed horsemen attached to +the French army, who hovered around the flanks, wheeled about and +galloped off to inform the French King of the advance of the +invaders. + +Hardly had the cavalry disappeared than a halt was ordered; then, +with great celerity, the whole English army turned and retraced its +footsteps. + +The Hampshire companies, which at the outset formed the rearguard, +now found themselves in the van, and great was their delight when it +was rumoured that the King had entrusted to them the task of forcing +the passage of the Seine. + +"'Tis Sir John Chandos' own doing," remarked Redward, "and as clever +a feint as ever I met with. While the French are massing to prevent +our supposed march on Paris, we are quietly slipping away towards +Flanders." + +As they came in sight of the turbid river a horseman spurred madly +towards them. "The bridge! The bridge is broken down!" he shouted, +then without slackening his speed he rode onwards towards the main +body which the King had under his own command. + +"The bridge!" growled Redward, "what of the bridge? 'Tis easily +repaired, provided the enemy do not line the farther bank." + +"Then show all men what we can do," exclaimed the Constable. "Pull +down that house for me, and I'll warrant there will be a goodly stock +of timber sufficient to build a bridge, let alone patch one up." + +The men worked with a will, and soon the house was a shapeless mass +of wood and plaster, while the soldiers, selecting the largest and +strongest beams, dragged them to the spot where the jagged ends of +the riven bridge gaped a good ten yards apart. + +Meanwhile Redward and two score of his comrades had thrown off their +armour and quilted jackets, and, with ropes fastened to their waists, +plunged into the swift-flowing river. + +To clamber up the woodwork of the broken arch was the work of a few +minutes; then, hauling at the ropes with a will, they dragged two of +the largest beams across the chasm, and after this was done the work +of completing the temporary bridge was a comparatively easy matter. + +By this time the whole English army had crowded on its advance guard, +and many anxious glances were thrown backwards in the direction from +which the French attack was expected, but to every one's relief no +enemy appeared till the last waggon of the retreating host had +rumbled over the swaying structure. Then, as the van of the French +army came in sight, the temporary span, together with two additional +arches, crashed into the river, effectually preventing all pursuit +for a considerable period. + +The retreat continued, the King making towards Flanders, yet at the +same time gradually approaching the shores of the English Channel, so +as to be able to re-embark should he find himself hemmed in by the +hordes of infuriated Frenchmen. + +As the English came on swiftly and in good order, a considerable +force, under Godemar de Faye, fell back before them, seeking a +favourable chance to hinder their advance, while in their rear came +the hundred thousand armed men of King Philip, who had meantime found +means of crossing the Seine and were swiftly pursuing. + +At length the English reached the valley of the Somme. Here the same +difficulty awaited them. The bridges were broken down by the +redoubtable Godemar, after he had crossed and drawn up his troops on +the right bank to oppose the passage of the retreating army. + +Edward was sore puzzled with the problem of how to effect a crossing, +till a miserable Norman peasant, one Gobin Agace, was brought before +him. Not by threats, but by promises of rich reward, was this +unworthy Frenchman induced to betray his country; and, on his +informing the King of a certain ford, the order for a general advance +was at once given. + +Led by the peasant, the English rushed towards the ford. In front +flowed the river, lapping over the white stones and shingle as it +babbled along, an apparently peaceful stream, towards the sea. + +On the opposite bank lay the troops of Godemar; but not for one +moment did the King hesitate. Commanding the archers to pour a heavy +covering fire into the masses of Frenchmen, he drew his sword, and +setting himself at the head of his knights and mounted troops, Edward +dashed across the river. Short and fierce was the conflict, but +unable to withstand the fierce onslaught, the Frenchmen gave way, and +were soon in headlong flight. + +"Haste, sir," exclaimed Sir John Chandos; "command the main body to +cross." And even as he spoke the dark outlines of the pursuing army +appeared on the crest of a distant hill. + +Never was a ford crossed with such celerity. The waggons were dragged +or lifted by the united efforts of crowds of archers, and though +waist-deep in water, the whole army crossed in safety. + +Then the order was given to resume the march, the Hampshire companies +being given the post of honour--the task of covering the retreat. + +As Raymond stood with his men watching the advancing Frenchmen, their +innumerable banners waving like a reed-covered pond, the archers had +slipped into a long, extended line, and quietly, yet resolutely, +awaited the oncoming enemy. + +Suddenly the squire noticed a change in the appearance of the river. +Instead of a silently-flowing stream that ran towards the sea, a wave +of foaming water rushed up in the opposite direction, and almost +instantly the river became a mass of broken water, impassable to man +or beast. The flood-tide had begun, and for six hours at least King +Philip was doomed to rave in fruitless anger on the wrong side of the +Somme. + +"We are safe enough for the present," remarked Redward to his son, +"but methinks before daybreak there will be few of us left, for the +best we can do is to hold them in check for an hour after the tide +has run out. Many a tight corner have we been in ere now, but, +certes, this is the worst." + +But the master-bowman was wrong, for presently a messenger came to +Sir John Hacket with an urgent order from the King. With an +irrepressible shout of delight, the fiery old knight summoned his +sturdy little band around him. + +"It is not fated that our bones bleach on the banks of this river, +_mes enfans_," he exclaimed. "News hath arrived that the King intends +to give battle with the enemy, and hath already ordered his forces in +a strong position but three leagues hence. Thither we are to repair +with all haste. Forward, then, and ere night we shall be with the +main body!" + +Eagerly the company fell in, and with hope renewed they set out for +the camp. + +"Mark my word, Raymond," said his father, "'tis but putting off the +evil day. A great fight is before us, and, by the rood, 'tis hard to +say how it will end. But I have a small matter on my mind of which I +would speak anon. As soon, therefore, as we arrive in camp, come +aside with me for one brief hour." + +Raymond assented, and in silence they rode onwards towards their +destination, a journey which was to many the last they would ever +make on earth. + +The sun was sinking low ere they heard the trumpets of the English +host. The place Edward had chosen to make a stand was one of great +natural strength. The army was encamped on the edge of a low plateau, +the right wing being additionally protected by a narrow stream, while +in the rear was a small wood. On the summit of the hill a wooden +windmill stood out clearly against the sky, while but a bowshot away +was the little village of Crécy, its houses, though ransacked by the +invaders, still standing--a contrast to those which had previously +stood in the path of the ruthless army. + +As the Constable's company moved towards the quarters assigned them, +Raymond noticed that the archers were already hard at work digging +trenches and cutting stakes for palisades, for the King had given +orders that everything should be ready ere night, so as to allow his +troops a well-earned rest. + +After a good repast, for provisions were plentiful in that fertile +valley, Raymond sought his father, and together they walked through +the camp towards the solitude of the neighbouring wood. On the way +they passed the royal pavilion, where, with his chief lords, King +Edward sat at supper, and, judging by the cheerful voices of the +company, it was evident that few doubts were entertained as to the +issue of to-morrow's conflict. + +But, silent and sad, the master-bowman and his son went on their way, +for Raymond knew instinctively that there was a great burden on his +father's mind. At length they reached the dark shadows of the wood, +and here Redward halted. + +"Raymond, my beloved son," he exclaimed in a voice broken with +emotion, "'tis hard that I should have to tell thee what I am about +to utter, but, before Heaven, I must do it, both for mine own peace +of mind and for thine own. Two score and three years ago this very +day I slew a man. The quarrel was of his own seeking, 'tis true, but, +nevertheless, the law was set against me, and I was made outlaw!" + +The master-bowman paused to note the effect of this announcement, +but, beyond a tightening of his lips, Raymond betrayed no sign of +dismay at this astounding confession. + +"Then I fled from the country, and assumed a name to which I have no +right," resumed Redward. "In this I did thee a great injustice, for +the ban falls on the outlaw's children equally with himself; and on +this account I ought never to have taken a wife or to have had a +son." + +"I care not for myself, father. But what if, even now, thou art +recognised?" + +"It matters not, my son. A secret kept for over two score years may +well remain a secret; but I have a misgiving that I shall never see +the sun set to-morrow." + +"Father!" + +"Nay, Raymond, 'tis but a small matter. I cannot live much longer, +and to fall in battle is a worthy end. But the worst is to be told. +Thou wouldst marry the Lady Audrey!" + +The young squire shuddered at the altered prospect. + +"Alack a day!" he groaned. + +"Ay, Raymond. I fear thou wilt curse the day thou camest into the +world, for to my sorrow I must tell thee--the brother of that lady's +father was the man I slew!" + +For a moment the squire was incapable of speech, then, recovering +himself with an effort, he exclaimed, "Nay, father, I blame you not. +It is rather the fate of circumstances and my own foolish pride that +made me look so high. I cannot for one moment continue my suit for +the hand of the Lady Audrey, neither can I ever hope to wear the +spurs of knighthood; but I am still thy son." + +"And wouldst thou know thy true name?" + +"Not unless it please thee, father; 'Raymond Buckland' hath served me +well these four-and-twenty years; but," he added with pardonable +curiosity, "if I may I would desire to know." + +"Dost call to mind Sir Edmund Revyngton?" + +"Indifferently so; I wot he is a knight of Devon." + +"He is also my brother, and, being without issue, his heir would be, +but for the bar of outlawry, Redward Revyngton, now known to all men +as Redward Buckland." + +It was a long story, that narrative of life marred by an act +committed in a moment of anger, but breathlessly Raymond listened +till the master-bowman had finished. + +"And if so be thou comest scatheless from the wars," he added, "the +abbot of Netley will deliver into thy hands certain documents +pertaining to thy welfare, and, should Heaven grant that this decree +of outlawry be rescinded (though I shall never live to see the day), +I pray that thou wilt ever acquit thyself as an honourable gentleman +of Devon." + +Slowly father and son returned towards the camp, and as they passed +between the long lines of tents, Redward paused before a lodging in +front of which was a shield displaying a mailed hand argent on a +field azure. + +Leaving Raymond standing in the gloom, the master-bowman went up and +spoke to a man-at-arms who stood outside the tent. + +"My master cannot hold converse with any one this night, especially +an archer," exclaimed the man roughly. + +"Convey my message to thy master and leave him to decide the point, +sirrah!" replied Redward in a tone of authority, and, on seeing that +a squire had joined him, the soldier obeyed. + +Soon he reappeared, and holding open the flap of the tent, signed for +the visitors to enter. + +Following his father, Raymond saw a tall, well-built man, who in +spite of his grey hairs and carefully-trimmed white beard, carried +his years with ease. He had laid aside his armour, and, judging by +the still lighted candles in front of a prie-dieu, he had but just +risen from his orisons. + +With a knightly courtesy he waited for the master-bowman to speak, +thinking that one of his followers had come to ask a boon, when to +his surprise Redward addressed him by name. + +"Sir Maurice," he exclaimed. "Dost thou not know me? I am thy brother +Redward!" + +"Redward? Back from the dead after all these years? Nay, it cannot +be! But yet----" + +Drawing nearer he looked closely into the master-bowman's rugged and +bronzed face, then, "Thank Heaven! I have found thee!" he exclaimed, +and Raymond beheld the extraordinary sight of a belted knight and a +surcoated archer falling on one another's necks in a transport of +joy. + +Then the squire had to be presented to his uncle. "A fine and gallant +youth, and a credit to the old stock of Revyngtons," declared the +knight. "But, tell me, Redward, why didst thou not seek me out ere +now, knowing I was in the camp?" + +"But for one thing, Maurice, I had as lief let it be thought that +Redward Revyngton was no longer in this world. It is Raymond of whom +I think, for I know that to-morrow's battle will count me amongst the +slain. How think ye, Maurice? Is there hope that the King will set +aside the outlawry, and free my son from its curse?" + +The knight shook his head sorrowfully. "Sir Reginald Scarsdale is +ever with the King, and his wrath against his brother's slayer dies +not." + +"And to make matters worse Raymond, ignorant of my past, seeks his +daughter's hand in marriage." + +Sir Maurice smiled grimly. + +"I'll do my best, even if it be to beg a favour of Scarsdale himself! +But sit down, Redward, and let us talk at ease, for the hours of +darkness fly quickly, and there is much to be said." + +It was after midnight before the brothers bade each other farewell, +and Redward and Raymond returned to their tents. + +On gaining the lines of the Hampshire companies, father and son +parted, the former to compose his mind for his anticipated death, the +latter to ponder over the astounding revelations he had just heard. +Sleep was banished from Raymond's eyes, and long he tossed uneasily +on his hard pallet, till the dawn grew ruddy in the east and the +trumpets heralded the advent of the eventful day. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +CRÉCY + + +FOR a short space after the trumpets had sounded all was bustle, men +running hither and thither, each with a fixed purpose. Directly +Raymond had donned his armour he emerged from his tent to find all +the Hampshire companies busily engaged in breaking their fast, as +were most of the troops, the King having ordered that every man +should make a hearty meal, so as to be sustained throughout the day. + +This over, the men formed into their accustomed ranks, and instantly +there was a long procession of camp-followers and lackeys leading the +horses to the enclosure behind the camp, for the order had gone forth +that all combatants were to fight afoot. + +Long was that parade remembered by the young squire. The +white-surcoated archers, with their well-filled quivers and, in most +cases, an additional sheaf of arrows in their belts, the +heavily-armed men-at-arms with rusty headpieces and war-worn +accoutrements, all standing fast in regular lines, made a picture +that gladdened the hearts of their leaders as they gazed upon the +stern, bronzed faces of their men. + +Already the more remote columns were deploying, and soon the order +came for the first division to march to the ground where the King had +decided to make his stand. The battlefield was well chosen, being on +the edge of the plateau overlooking the little valley that lay +between the English and the direction from which the French attack +was expected. + +On arriving at the allotted station, Raymond found that the supreme +command of his division was entrusted to the Prince of Wales, a mere +youth of fifteen, who had already shown great promise of a notable +military career. With him were the Earls of Warwick and Oxford and a +host of noble lords, the brunt of the fight being expected to fall +upon this division. + +Raymond found that this division was drawn up in two lines, the two +thousand bowmen being in front and the men-at-arms, numbering eight +hundred, in the second rank, while right behind were the wild-looking +Welsh and Irish auxiliaries, each man eagerly whetting his long knife +for use when the time came for them to be let loose on their +discomfited foes. + +Away on the left was another large division of archers and +men-at-arms drawn up in similar order, under the command of the Earl +of Northampton; while, glancing backwards towards the +windmill-crowned hill, Raymond saw the close ranks of the reserve +division, composed of seven hundred men-at-arms and two thousand +archers, under the direct command of the King. + +Looking in the direction of Abbeville, Raymond could see no signs of +the French host, and, after all, he wondered whether the attack would +be made, seeing the strength of the natural defences occupied by the +English. + +At length a dull hum of excitement ran along the ranks. The voices of +the company-commanders could be heard ordering their men to stand to +their arms, and in a few moments, mounted on a white palfrey and +bearing a white rod in his hand, the King rode slowly along the front +of those rigid lines of warriors. + +At intervals he reined in his steed in order to address the troops, +bidding them stand stoutly to their arms and take heed to his honour +in the fight. A roar of cheering greeted the monarch as he left the +first division to inspect the second, and the men were told to stand +at ease, and again refresh themselves with food and rest. + +Although awaiting an attack is one of the worst ordeals that can be +undergone, Raymond was amazed at the coolness of the soldiers, as +with merry laugh and jest they sat or sprawled on the ground. Many +were busily engaged in fixing new strings to their bows, smoothing +out the feathers of their arrows, or waxing or greasing the heads of +their deadly shafts to enable them to pierce an obstacle with greater +ease, while others crowded round the master-bowmen, asking advice or +information on the coming struggle. + +Redward had shaken off his depression, and greeted his son with a +cheerfulness that was all the more remarkable by reason of his +confession on the eve of battle. + +"A goodly sight," he exclaimed, "and never can I hope to be in better +company. Look at the lads! One would think they were about to try +their turn at the butts." + +"And think'st thou that the French will fight?" + +"Assuredly; they seek to overwhelm and crush us with the weight of +numbers. Can the archers but hold the ridge for one hour the day will +go with us." + +"But 'twill be eventide ere the enemy come to blows?" + +"Ay; but if mine eyes do not deceive me, there they are, right on the +skyline." + +Raymond looked, and in the distance he saw the cloud of dust that +invariably envelops an army on the march. Others had detected the +sight, and there was a general stir amongst the troops. Exclamations +of satisfaction burst from all lips at the prospect of the approach +of the French host. + +"'Twill be six or seven hours ere they draw nigh," remarked Redward, +"and footsore and weary will they be after a three leagues' march in +battle array. But, see, Raymond, there is thine uncle, Sir Maurice +Revyngton, at the head of the men of Totnes, and, mark you, Sir +Reginald Scarsdale is in close converse with him. What doth it mean, +I wonder?" + +A little later in the day the sun, which had been shining brightly in +the eyes of the English host, disappeared behind a thick bank of +clouds. The air was close and sultry, and at midday the gloom was so +intense that it seemed as if night was drawing nigh. With raucous +cries a vast number of crows, ever regarded as birds of ill-omen, +flew across the front of the army and alighted on the plain beneath; +then resuming their flight they disappeared in the direction of the +advancing Frenchmen. + +"It will go ill with the King of France," remarked Sir John Hacket to +his squire. "If he reads the sign aright methinks he will stay his +hand. But see, a thunder-storm approaches rapidly!" + +"Pass the word for the archers to protect their bow-strings," +exclaimed the Earl of Warwick to the nearest Constable, and in +obedience to the order the bowmen either drew waterproof cases over +their bows or, if unprovided with these, unstrung their weapons and +placed the cords under their quilted coats. + +Hardly were these preparations completed than the rain descended in a +torrential downpour, blotting out the horizon in a mirky blur, then, +as suddenly as it came, the cloud passed over on its way towards +Abbeville, and the sun again shone brilliantly, its warmth soon +drying the sodden clothing of the soldiers. + +Nearer and nearer came the dark masses of Frenchmen, till within a +league of their enemies they halted. Shortly afterwards a group of +horsemen could be seen riding towards the English position, and, amid +breathless excitement, it was observed that four French knights were +approaching. + +Either from absolute contempt for their enemies or relying on the +chivalrous instincts that frequently show themselves between opposing +enemies, the Frenchmen rode within a bow-shot of the English lines, +then, calmly trotting along the whole front of the army, they +appeared to be making careful observations of the dispositions of +their foe. + +Several knights besought the Prince of Wales to be allowed to have +their chargers brought them, so that they might earn a slight +advancement by engaging the intrepid Frenchmen; others requested that +the archers should shoot them down; but to all entreaties the Prince +firmly but courteously returned a refusal, and in perfect silence the +English allowed the French knights to complete their reconnaissance, +and to retire in safety to their own host. + +Slowly the hours passed, and still the French army showed no signs of +advancing. The sun was now shining well behind the English, and would +serve to dazzle the eyes of their attackers. Meanwhile the archers +had planted their pointed stakes, and the men-at-arms in charge of +the bombards had loaded these cumbersome engines and trained them on +the plain across which the enemy must advance. + +Once again the wearisome monotony was broken by the appearance of a +man who was observed to make his way steadily and rapidly towards the +English lines. When within bowshot he waved his arms in token of +friendship, and four archers were sent out to escort him to the +Prince. The new-comer was a tall, lightly-built man, with long, +spider-like legs and arms, and sharp, projecting elbow-joints and +knees. He was attired in a close-fitting dress of blue cloth that +served to increase his angularities, and from his belt hung an +ink-horn counterbalanced by a short knife. + +"Mark ye," quoth Sir John Hacket to his squire, "yonder sly fox is on +no lawful errand, and, certes, 'twill go hard with him if he plays +the traitor with our Prince. Look at his protruding forehead and his +shifty, blinking eyes. A creature like that would fawn to one's face +and plunge a dagger into one's back! Hark to what he has to say." + +The man spoke in a deep yet quavering voice, yet so loudly that +Raymond could hear every word. + +"My name, fair sir, is Alexandre Gourdain, and I am clerk in the +household of King Philip." + +"Forbear to trouble me with thy name and calling," replied the Prince +curtly, "but deliver thy message." + +"Message, fair sir? Nay, I bear no message, but have come to tell +thee that, though counselled to tarry till to-morrow, my master has +decided to begin the fight----" + +"One moment! Thou bring'st this news on thy own behalf?" + +"Yea, fair sir." + +"And seekest a guerdon?" + +"Yea, fair sir; I do but ask----" + +"Enough, thou recreant! Think'st thou that I would list to a +double-faced rogue to learn the movements of a gallant foe? Hence +with ye! Ho, archers! Strip this coward's coat from off his back, and +give him a score lusty stripes with your bow-cords. Then turn him +loose, and if he go not back to his master, feather him with shafts. +Get thee gone, knave." + +"Is it not as I said?" remarked the Constable of Portchester in an +undertone. "See, the archers take a delight in their task." + +The twenty strokes were laid on with all the force of the soldiers' +sinewy arms, then, threatened by a hundred drawn bows, the miserable +wretch was pushed out of the lines and sent on his way towards the +army he had stooped to betray. + +Signs of animation were now observed in the dense masses of the +enemy. The heavily-armed cavalry rode forth in a disorderly mob, +brandishing their arms and shouting; then, retiring on the main body, +their places were taken by a body of archers, nearly two thousand +strong, who slowly advanced towards the foot of the rising ground, +where the English were posted in firm array. + +"'Tis the crossbowmen of Genoa. Steady, my lads; their bolts will be +singing over our heads anon," shouted Sir John, and at the same +moment the Prince of Wales gave the signal for the archers to stand +and make ready. + +Silently yet swiftly the white-surcoated lines of bowmen sprang to +their feet and took up their allotted stations in the formation of a +harrow. With feet planted firmly, and with arrows notched to their +six-foot bows, they stood ready for action. + +At length the Genoese came within bowshot, the clicking of their +windlacs as they drew the cords of their crossbows sounding like the +chirping of myriad crickets. Then with a loud shout they leaped from +the ground. Another shout, and the leap was repeated. + +"Do they take us for a crowd of yokels at a country fair?" asked one +archer of his fellow. "They prance for all the world like a +dog-baited bear." + +"They'll dance higher ere long, I'll warrant," replied his comrade +grimly. + +Once more the Genoese leapt, then levelling their crossbows, they let +fly a volley of short bolts. + +A shout of derision greeted this discharge, for, without exception, +the bolts fell far short of the proper distance, sticking in the +ground at a sharp angle and rendering the advance of the French +cavalry, when it should take place, full of additional peril. + +"That shows what the rain did for the strings of their crossbows," +said Sir John Hacket to the Constable of Lewes, who had joined him at +the beginning of the advance. "Steady, men. At the word, loose wholly +together." + +The long-drawn tension was broken by the voice of the great Lord +Chandos. "In the name of God and St. George--shoot!" + +The twang of two thousand longbows reverberated along the line. The +intervening space between the armies was white with a sleet of +arrows. Looking towards the Genoese, Raymond saw a dense mass of men +bending over their crossbows and working their windlacs in desperate +haste to reload their cumbersome weapons. The next moment the Genoese +were literally swept away. Hardly an arrow failed to find a mark; +heads, breasts, arms, and legs were transfixed by stinging shafts. +Dead, wounded, and unscathed were mixed in a writhing, struggling +mass, and the confusion was increased by the unwounded striving to +fall back upon the main body of the French host. + +All the while the English archers shot straight and true at the +disorganised Genoese. The squire, though unable to see the faces of +the bowmen in front of him, was astonished at the quiet, collected +manner in which they loosed their bows. + +Then, as he glanced towards the panic-stricken foemen, the squire +observed a strong body of French mounted troops charging down, as he +supposed, to the support of the ill-fated crossbowmen. The ground +trembled beneath the feet of the cavalry, as with loose rein and +wildly brandished weapons their riders pressed forward in a headlong +charge. + +But to Raymond's surprise, instead of deploying right and left of the +fugitives, the Frenchmen cut right through their Genoese mercenaries, +slashing at the miserable men with sword and axe. + +In this tangled web horsemen fell in scores. Genoese and Frenchmen +fought each other with the madness of fury and self-preservation, and +all the time the hail of English arrows swept down knight and +crossbow-man in indiscriminate slaughter. + +To add to the confusion, the bombards on the right of the Prince's +division opened fire, and amid clouds of thick, suffocating smoke the +heavy stone balls went crashing through the dense masses of the foe, +and, for the first time in warfare, it was seen that thrice-tempered +armour was useless before the power of artillery. + +Then a trumpet sounded from the English ranks, and the hail of arrows +ceased as by magic. There was a loud discordant shout, the trampling +of hundreds of feet, and through the now rapidly clearing smoke +Raymond saw the Welsh and Irish levies dash out upon the demoralised +foe. With their long knives they threw themselves on the Frenchmen, +and, in the heat of the fight, all thought of quarter was ignored, +and knights, worth a rich ransom, were slaughtered as they lay +helpless on the ground with as little compunction as if they were +peasants. + +So intently was Raymond engaged in watching the struggle before him +that for the time being he did not notice what was happening on the +flanks of the first division, till suddenly the hoarse voice of the +Earl of Oxford was heard shouting, "Stand to your arms, fair knights +and squires! The French are upon us!" + +For the first time on that memorable day a desperate hand-to-hand +conflict was about to take place. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +HIS LIFE FOR HIS FOE + + +UNSHEATHING his sword and holding his shield firmly on his left arm, +the squire followed the example of the knights and men-at-arms, and +hastened towards the left flank. + +Already the French cavalry, led by the Duke of Alençon, had, by sheer +weight of numbers, forced their way to within striking distance of +their foes, and the long rows of white-coated archers, who formed the +first rank of the defence, were swept aside by the rush of the +mounted French knights, for at close quarters the bowmen were useless +against the lances, swords, and axes of their mailed antagonists. + +Before Raymond and his companions could throw themselves into the +press, the horsemen had hewn a way right to the foot of the Royal +Standard, beneath which the Prince of Wales and a chosen body of +knights fought with magnificent courage. + +The French and German knights, intent on securing the Prince, hurled +themselves in a compact body towards the Standard, and as fast as one +warrior fell, two more took his place, till it seemed that the +desperate bravery of the attackers would attain its purpose. + +Raymond found himself engaged by a tall, broad-shouldered antagonist, +who bore on his shield the cognisance of the House of Luxemburg. For +a space they rained blows at each other, striving by sheer force to +cut down their respective guards, till, by a sweeping blow, the +Frenchman shivered the squire's sword, and only by swiftly leaping +backwards was Raymond able to avoid the deadly stroke: So narrow was +his escape that the point of the descending blade cut a long, clean +gash in his surcoat ere it buried itself a foot deep in the carcase +of a slain charger. Instantly the squire rushed in, struck the +Luxemburger with the edge of his shield, then, ere the man could +recover himself, plunged his dagger to the hilt in his brawny throat. + +Without pausing to recover his breath, Raymond rushed towards a group +of French knights who were surrounding a little knot of Englishmen. +It was the Prince's own bodyguard, who, hard pressed, strove their +utmost to defend their young master. Sir Reynold Cobham, beaten to +the ground, lay pinned down by the weight of his armour; the Earl of +Warwick, wounded in the face by a lance thrust, was fiercely beset by +two knights of Cologne, while Edward, though unscathed, was the mark +of nigh a score of determined Frenchmen. Nimbly avoiding one stroke, +parrying another, and diverting a thrust with his shield, the Prince +fought like a trained veteran rather than a mere lad of fifteen. + +At length a knight, armed with a huge double-handed sword, made a +swinging cut at the Prince just as the latter had all his attention +drawn by the fierce onslaught of a mounted knight of Sicily. For the +moment it seemed as if nothing could save the Prince from instant +death; but Raymond, regardless of his own safety, sprang forward, and +with his shield and his own body strove to stay the blow. The +knight's sword struck the squire's shield just above the upper +leathern loop that held it to the wearer's arm. The tough metal plate +was sheared through as if made of paper, and the blade, glancing +upwards against the squire's bascinet, struck the Prince a harmless +blow, merely slicing the crest of his helmet. + +Raymond fell at the Prince's feet, but the Constable of Portchester, +seeing his squire stricken to the earth, dashed out the swordsman's +brains with a crashing blow of his mace. For a short space Raymond +lay breathless on the ground, then, feeling terribly dazed, he raised +himself and looked around. To his utmost satisfaction he saw that the +Prince of Wales was unhurt. Already the danger was past, for the +Earls of Arundel and Northampton had brought up their division to the +aid of the sorely pressed Prince, and the attackers, beaten at every +point, were giving way in headlong flight. + +At length the squire staggered to his feet, and, assisted by an +archer of his company, he slowly and painfully made his way towards +the camp. Darkness was falling, and the English, having been ordered +to refrain from hazardous pursuit, stood in their ranks, while a vast +plain, dotted with thousands of corpses, of which but few wore the +red cross surcoats, silently testified to the hard-fought fight. + +As Raymond passed the ranks of his own company Sir John Hacket came +forward and grasped him by the hand. + +"My brave squire," he exclaimed. "Right nobly hast thou borne thyself +this day. The Prince hath spoken highly of thy courage and devotion, +and, without doubt, tidings of thy deeds will come to the cars of the +King. But, Raymond," he added sadly, "I have ill tidings for thee." + +"My father?" gasped the squire, reading the Constable's unspoken +words. + +"Ay, my boy, 'tis thy father. He fell in the thickest of the fight, +and thou hast lost a noble sire and I a brave soldier. Now, bear up, +Raymond, and get thee to the camp and attend to thy hurts, for thou +wilt be required anon." + +Wounded in body and mind, the young squire was led to the camp, where +it was found that the Frenchman's sword had driven the stout steel +bascinet heavily against his temple, leaving a dark blue bruise to +show how near he had been to death. Simple remedies were applied, +and, having divested himself of his armour, Raymond recovered himself +sufficiently to set out to find the body of his father, bearing a +torch to aid him in his quest. + +He remembered well the place where he had last seen him, close to a +little stunted thorn that grew on the edge of the slope which the +Prince's division had held so well. + +A veritable mound of bodies showed how firmly the archers had stood, +and how fierce had been the contest, for in a circle around the tree +lay a heap of red-crossed surcoats, their wearers lying still in +death with their faces to the foe, while around lay the bodies of +their attackers, three deep in places, their rich dress and armour +proving that the flower of French chivalry was unable to vanquish, +although it had broken through, that double line of English archers +and men-at-arms. + +The men of the Hampshire companies had suffered more severely than +any, and Raymond, as he pursued his quest, came across many faces +which he sadly recognised. + +Here and there, dotted over the ghastly field, were feeble glimmers +of torches showing that others were engaged in the doleful task of +looking for their fallen comrades, though in some instances ghouls +were engaged in their dastardly work of robbing the dead. + +At length the ruddy glare of the torch threw its beams upon the form +which Raymond recognised only too well. Stretched on his back, his +sightless eyes staring up at the starry sky, lay Redward, the outlaw +and master-bowman, the body bearing the ghastly traces of eight +separate wounds, all of which were in front, proving that to the last +he had fought with his face to the foe. + +Sorrowfully Raymond gazed upon his slain sire; then, realising that +the sooner he performed the last rites there would be the less chance +of the spoiler's fell work, he proceeded to carefully remove the body +to the shelter of the stunted tree, so that he could return to the +camp to find, if possible, the priest attached to the company. + +As he lifted the heavy corpse he was startled to hear a feeble voice +exclaim, "Blessings on thy kindness, noble sir; I pray thee assist +me." + +Recovering from his astonishment, the squire discovered, pinned +beneath his father's body, a wounded knight. Swiftly Raymond bent to +his aid, and, cutting asunder the laces of his bascinet, he found the +stranger to be none other than Sir Reginald Scarsdale! + +"Faith! I did think this would have been the end of me," quoth the +knight. "Hast a draught of wine?" + +Raymond shook his head. "I am returning to the camp, an' if it please +thee, I'll help thee back to thy company." + +"Do so, squire, for, what with a crack over the head with a +Frenchman's mace, and the weight of yon bowman atop o' me, I feel too +weak to stand of mine own will. What dost thou here?" + +"Yonder lies my father." + +"Thy father? By St. Wilfrid of Ripon, he was a gallant man! Had he +not stood over me the rascals would have settled my account. I pray +thee tell me his name?" + +For a moment Raymond paused, then, in a sudden outburst of +confidence, he exclaimed, "Redward Revyngton!" + +"What! Redward Revyngton! And to think that the man whom I, with a +mad desire for vengeance, hounded out of the country should have +given his life for me! Did he wot whom I was?" + +"Ay," said Raymond. "For but a few hours agone he and I saw thee in +converse with his brother, Sir Maurice." + +"Then out on me for my revengeful spirit! When it lay in his power to +thrust me through the back with a dagger, or even to let me be slain +by my enemies, what did he do? He saved my life! This indeed is +rendering good for evil." + +"And ye forgive him his trespass?" + +"Ay, young squire. Right willingly." + +"Then in my sorrow I thank Heaven," replied Raymond, and in silence +they returned slowly to the camp, Sir Reginald leaning heavily on the +arm of the outlaw's son. + +The moment the wounded knight was given into safe hands Raymond +hastened to his quarters, where he enlisted the services of the +priest and four stout archers. The latter took spades and torches +with them, and the melancholy procession set out for the scene of +Redward's last stand, Raymond with Sir John Hacket, who wished to pay +his last respects to his trusted servant, leading the way. + +Rapidly the bowmen plied their spades, and soon a deep grave gaped at +the foot of the solitary thorn. Raymond bent and kissed the cold +brow, then, amid the solemn voice of the priest reciting the psalm, +_Domine, refugium_, the body of the brave old master-bowman was laid +to rest. + +Bare-headed and dry-eyed, Raymond watched the dark earth being +shovelled down upon the mortal remains of his sire, then, when the +task was accomplished, he turned and walked slowly back to the camp. +There, in the retirement of his tent, his pent-up feelings found +relief, and throwing himself on the ground, he burst into a flood of +passionate weeping. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE REJECTED GUERDON + + +MORNING came, and with it the trumpets again sounded for the troops +to assemble. Was it that a renewal of the fight was expected? Nay, +for the French were in headlong flight, their King being already well +on the way to La Broye. But Edward, sensible of the advantage gained, +had determined to advance on Calais. + +Silently the weary soldiers fell into their ranks. The archers, their +white surcoats soiled with mud and stained with blood, the +men-at-arms, with battered armour, and, in many cases, +roughly-bandaged wounds, stood grimly in their martial array, +conscious of the many comrades who had stood thus but a day before +and had gone to their last account. + +Suddenly a fanfare of trumpets announced the approach of the King. +With his eyes shining with pardonable pride, the monarch rode slowly +down the war-worn lines, stopping at intervals to bestow honours and +praise as cases of individual merit were pointed out to him. At his +right hand rode the Prince of Wales, and attending him were Sir John +Chandos, the Earls of Warwick, Arundel, Oxford, and Southampton. + +When in front of the Hampshire companies the King again drew rein, +and surveyed the stern, determined faces of the men on whom the brunt +of the attack had fallen. Sir John Hacket, attended by his three +squires, stood in front of his command, the banners, according to +custom, being lowered to the ground in the presence of the Sovereign. + +"By Our Lady! 'Tis our trusted Constable of Portchester!" exclaimed +Edward. "And by report thou didst hold thyself right gallantly on +yesterday's field. Ah, Sir John, we have something in store to make +amends for our former forgetfulness. Advance thy banner!" + +The Constable, taking his banner from the hands of the guidon-bearer, +stepped forward, and, with bended knee, presented the blue silk +emblazoned with the golden crescent to the King, who, drawing a +dagger from his belt, deftly cut off the pointed end of the pennon. +Handing the severed portion to a knight in attendance, the King +returned the banner to Sir John. + +The action, simple as it seemed, roused the company to the highest +pitch of enthusiasm, for their adored leader had achieved the great +distinction of being created a knight-banneret, the greatest honour +to be paid by the sovereign, only on the field of battle. + +Ere the cheering had died away, the Prince of Wales had plucked his +father's sleeve, and whispered in his ear. + +"Of a truth, 'tis the squire who brought the Count of Tancarville to +our camp! And he is the man that came betwixt thee and thine enemies +in the thickest of the fray! 'Tis our pleasure to bestow honours +freely to-day, though, methinks, they be well deserved, and no man +will chide us for being too freehanded. Thy squire's name, Sir John?" + +"He is named Raymond Buckland, sire." + +"Come hither, squire," commanded the King, alighting from his palfrey +and taking a sword from the hand of the Earl of Warwick. + +The supreme moment of Raymond's life was at hand, but the squire, +instead of kneeling to receive the honour of knighthood, advanced a +few paces and stood irresolutely before his sovereign. + +"On thy knees, squire!" commanded Edward. + +"Nay, sire, I cannot," replied the unhappy Raymond. Low murmurs of +astonishment arose from the King's attendants, while Sir John Hacket, +placing his hand heavily on his squire's shoulder, hissed into his +ear, "Kneel, thou fool! Art bereft of thy senses?" + +A dark cloud gathered on the King's face. Then a thought seemed to +strike him, and he spoke again. + +"Here, sirrah, tell us the reason of this strange refusal. Nay, have +no fear," he added, in a more kindly tone, observing the squire's +dejection, "for we perceive there is something amiss that will +account for thy demeanour." + +Encouraged by the King's words, and rendered bold by the desperate +position in which circumstances had placed him, Raymond replied, in a +low yet distinct voice, "Sire, I am the son of an outlaw, and +therefore unworthy of the honour thou would'st bestow." + +"Ah!" exclaimed the King. "This requires further consideration. Sir +John, knowest aught of this?" + +"Nay, sire," replied the amazed Constable. + +Once again the young Prince of Wales whispered in his father's ear. +The King nodded in response, and again addressed the squire. + +"It is our desire to hear more of this matter. See to it that thou +comest before us in our pavilion at noon, Sir John. I hold thee +responsible for thy squire's appearance. And, Sir William," he added, +turning to his scrivener, "I pray thee see to it that the worthy +Constable of Portchester and his squire be instantly admitted to our +presence at that hour." + +Remounting his steed, the King, accompanied by his retinue, continued +his tour of inspection, and, on this being completed, he returned to +his pavilion. The ranks broke, and the men were told to enjoy a +well-earned rest ere the march to Calais was begun on the morrow, +while the camp-followers were put to the melancholy task of burying +the dead who had fallen in the fight. + +On hearing the story from Raymond's own lips, the kind-hearted Sir +John Hacket's expressions of surprise and pity were unbounded. For +not for one moment had he suspected that the sturdy master-bowman, +though an outlaw, was at one time a gentleman of quality. + +"Take it not too much to heart, Raymond," he said. "Many a man hath +been in a worse scrape. I am of a mind to bring Sir Maurice Revyngton +with us when we repair to the King's presence, and 'twould be well if +I saw the knight at once." + +So saying, the Constable hastened away, leaving his squire still torn +with conflicting emotions of hope and fear--hope that his own +stainless character and deeds of bravery would wipe out the +undeserved blot that threatened to mar his prospects, and fear that +the formidable barrier of social custom and royal etiquette would for +ever debar him from the road to success. + +In less than an hour Sir John returned, a broad smile of satisfaction +overspreading his grim features. "Thy uncle will bear us company, ay, +and another knight, if I mistake not, will interest himself on thy +behalf. Now, bear thyself cheerfully, for I perceive that things will +turn out aright. Waste no more time in gloomy meditations, but make +thyself fit to appear in the King's presence, for the hour of +audience is at hand." + +"And the style of mine attire?" + +"In full harness, Raymond, for the King will doubtless think fit to +reward thee for bravery on the field, and on that score I have no +doubt. 'Tis meet that thou shouldst appear in the garb of a soldier +rather than in the dress of a common suppliant. And, moreover, our +King delights in the wearing of harness, and looks with favour on +those who doff their armour but rarely when they come to the wars. So +again I tell thee, hasten!" + +The squire repaired to his own tent and put on his complete suit of +armour--the same that his father had given him years ago on the eve +of the sack of Hamble--and well the dented and tarnished steel +befitted his tall and erect figure. Then girding on his scabbard, +wherein was thrust the remaining part of the broken blade, and +grasping the fragment of the shield that had diverted the murderous +sweep of the Frenchman's two-handed sword, Raymond repaired to his +master's tent. + +The Constable surveyed him with appreciation. "Eh, lad, thou dost +well to bear the silent testimony of thy courage on thine arm. In any +case but the present, when thy future is at stake, 'twould have been +a braggart's ruse. But the King doth know full well that thou art no +boaster, seeing that it was in thy power to accept honour at his +hands, and thou didst shrink from it. But come, the hour of noon is +near. Let us make for the royal pavilion." + +Between the long lines of tents, where crowds of soldiers gathered, +in silent wonder, to see the man who had so strangely withstood his +sovereign, the knight and the squire walked side by side, and with a +fresh wave of doubt and fear sweeping over him, Raymond found himself +in the anteroom of the royal tent. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +SIR RAYMOND + + +SIR JOHN HACKET, having formally announced his rank and that of his +companion, as well as the nature of their business, to the herald, +removed his velvet cap, though he held his bascinet in his left hand, +and at the same time removed his right-hand gauntlet. His squire did +likewise, and, breathing a fervent prayer for courage, he prepared to +follow his master into the royal presence. + +The heavy damask curtains were drawn aside by two knights in waiting, +and Raymond heard the sonorous voice of the herald repeating the +title and style of the Constable and his squire. Another moment and +Raymond stood before, but at a respectful distance from, the royal +daïs. + +King Edward, who still wore the mailed coat in which he rode along +the ranks earlier in the day, was attended by a number of earls and +barons, while by his side stood the young Prince of Wales, who +regarded the squire with an encouraging smile. + +At the foot of the daïs, a little distance to the left, stood +Raymond's uncle, Sir Maurice Revyngton, and his late father's former +enemy, Sir Reginald Scarsdale, who, though still weak and suffering +from his wounds, had, at Sir John's desire, appeared on the young +squire's behalf. + +"Ah, squire," quoth the King, fixing his dark, keen eyes upon the +young man's face, "when we summoned thee to appear before us we +looked for an explanation from thine own lips. But thou hast been +forestalled, for these two knights have already told us of thy +condition. Now, what hast thou to say why thou shouldst not be driven +from the camp, being the son of an outlaw?" + +"Nothing, sire; 'tis but the law." + +"Thou couldst not have said much less," remarked the King, with a +grim laugh. "How sayest thou, Sir Reginald Scarsdale. Hast thou a +desire to press thy claims?" + +"Nay, sire," replied the knight stoutly. "For his father, knowingly +and willingly, came to my aid in the thickest of the fight, and but +for his courage I should have been worsted." + +"But thine oath of vengeance?" + +"Sire, my desire for revenge departed the moment I heard from this +squire the name of his father, who, in truth, slew my only brother. +Furthermore, 'tis my intention to repair, as soon as this war is +over, to the shrine of St. Swithin of Winchester and to seek +absolution from mine oath." + +"And thou hast no wish to harm this squire?" + +"None, sire. On the contrary I wish him good----" + +"Hold, Sir Knight," interrupted the King sharply. "We asked thee a +plain question, to be answered by 'Yea' or 'Nay,' not by +suggestions." + +"And thou, Sir John," continued Edward, addressing the Constable. +"Hast thou aught to add in favour of thy squire, beyond what thou +didst tell us but a short time back?" + +"Nothing more, sire." + +"'Tis well. And now, squire, we have carefully considered thy case, +and we are favourably disposed towards thee." Then, turning to his +barons, he added, with a sly reference to the growing power of +Parliament, "We take it, fair lords, that we shall not offend our +faithful commoners assembled at Westminster by assuming a right to +revoke a decree of outlawry?" + +A low murmur of assent was the reply. + +"Then, Raymond Revyngton, we hereby pardon thee for an offence that +thou hast not committed--to wit, thou art no longer the son of an +outlaw. Sir William de Saye, our scrivener, will draw up the deed of +revocation, and a copy for the Lord Bishop of Winchester. Art +content?" + +"Sire, I thank thee," replied Raymond, bending low before his +sovereign. + +"There is yet another matter. Of thy valour there has been no +question. We have in mind the affair with the Count of Tancarville, +and, going farther back, thy journey to Hennebon. But more especially +thy conduct in yesterday's fight, when our dear son, the Prince of +Wales, was succoured by thine aid. We have a mind to inspect thy +cloven shield, which, we do perceive, thou hast brought in case our +memory were in need of a reminder." + +The squire, still kneeling, handed his buckler to an attendant, who +in turn presented it to the King. + +"A lusty stroke," commented Edward, carefully examining the clean cut +in the metal plate. "Our cousin of France hath men of sinew who in +open fight would be worthy and gallant opponents. Had their peasants +been as good bowmen as our gallant archers but few of us would be +here. Squire," he added, "arise and hand over thy sword." + +With martial alertness, Raymond drew the fragment of steel, and a +look of surprise o'erspread the King's face. + +"Thine equipment seems at fault," he remarked, smiling a little +grimly. "Nay, we know 'twas done in a gallant fight. Advance, squire, +and kneel before us." + +This time Raymond did not refuse, for was he not a man free from the +fatal taint that had threatened to mar everything in his career? With +rapid stride and uplifted head he advanced to the steps of the daïs, +his armour clanking as he moved. Presenting the hilt of his weapon to +the King, the squire sank on his knees. + +As in a dream he felt the flat of the broken blade touch his right +shoulder, and the King's voice, in bold and decisive tones, saying, +"Arise, Sir Raymond Revyngton!" + +When at length Raymond found himself without the royal pavilion, he +was overwhelmed by the congratulations of his friends, including Sir +Reginald Scarsdale. + +"'Twould ill become a belted knight if I did not make amends for the +past," quoth the latter. "And to that end all I can do for thee I'll +do willingly." + +"Then on thy knightly honour I hold thee to thy promise," replied +Raymond, catching at the opportunity with new-born courage, "for I +have a matter of much weight of which I would speak." + +"Then say on." + +Sir John and Sir Maurice, having an inkling of what was coming, +exchanged a knowing smile, and Raymond continued, though his voice +faltered a little. + +"Sir Reginald, I love thy daughter Audrey, and would ask thy consent +to win her hand in marriage." + +For a while the old knight was too much astonished to reply, then, +holding out his hand, he replied, "Then thou art the youth who +rendered her service at that little affair with the French at +Hampton? Out on me for a thickhead for not linking thee with that +bold feat before. Certes! I will not be less good than my word. Take +the maid, if she be willing to wed thee!" Thus it was that the +newly-made knight found that success begets success, though in his +heart he had not expected to win Sir Reginald's consent so readily. +Yet in the midst of his good fortune the one dark shadow was the +haunting thought of the loss of his father, and he grieved in his +heart that death had deprived his sire of life just as his son was on +the threshold of fame and honour. + +Slowly the four knights, Sir Reginald being stiff with his hurts, +proceeded towards the lines of the Hampshire companies, where Sir +John had invited the others to partake of refreshment. Already the +news of Raymond's advancement had preceded them, and the soldiers, +with loud shouts, welcomed the new knight; for the master-bowman's +son was ever popular in the ranks of the men of Portsmouth and +Southampton. + +"What are thy plans for the future," asked the Constable later in the +day, "for as heir to Sir Maurice it is fitting that thou shouldst +join him with the men of Devon." + +"Nay, by the rood," answered Raymond warmly. "Thou hast ever been a +good master to me, Sir John, and with thee I'll abide till the end of +the war." + +"I thank thee for thine appreciation, Raymond, for ever since thou +wert my squire I have loved thee as a son. But now concerning the +maid, the Lady Audrey?" + +"Until Sir Reginald returns home I will not press my suit, but should +he do so I hope I may be permitted to withdraw from the camp for a +few weeks to accompany him. Even then, how can I tell that the Lady +Audrey will deal favourably with me?" + +"I know that she loves thee, Raymond." + +"How so, Sir John, seeing that I know not myself?" + +"Raymond, I am afraid thou art more forward with the art of war than +with the affairs of the heart. Would a maid have sent a messenger to +me every week whilst thou wert in Hennebon to know if there were +tidings of thee, if she did not love thee?" + +"But how knew she that I was in Brittany?" was the amazed question. + +"How? Didst thou not give me a letter to send to her?" + +"Only in case I did not return." + +"Didst thou? Didst thou? Certes now I remember! But now I think on +the matter, I must have forgotten that, for I did send it," replied +Sir John, with pardonable deceit and well-feigned dismay. "But mind +it not, Raymond, 'twas after all for the best, and, mark my words, +she'll have thee--sure enough." + +On the morrow the march was resumed, the King having decided to lay +siege to Calais, and slowly the long lines of English troops, every +man heavily laden with booty, proceeded from the field of Crécy. + +Edward had long looked with covetous eyes upon the port of Calais, +for owing to the death of his Flemish ally, Jacques d'Artevelde, at +the hands of fellow-countrymen, and the consequent estrangement with +the Flemings, the King was in need of a continental port for the +distribution of English wool, and, once Calais were taken, the nest +of pirates who made their headquarters there, to the great annoyance +of English ships, would be dispersed. Also an entry for his troops +would be secured within easy distance from the English coast. So, +with these strong incentives, Edward hastened to reduce the town. + +Within a week of Crécy, the English lay in a triple ring around the +land side of the town, while a strong fleet cruised constantly +between Grisnez and Gravelines to prevent any succour being sent by +sea, and, without attempting to carry the defences by assault, Edward +relied upon famine to bring about the downfall of Calais. + +Throughout the long winter of 1346-47 the blockade was maintained, +and the works of the besiegers resembled the outer walls of a city +rather than temporary trenches, so that the English were in a +position both to keep the citizens of Calais within their walls and +to repel any attempt on the part of the French to raise the siege. + +Early in the spring dysentery broke out in the ranks of the English, +and amongst those who were attacked was Sir Raymond. In spite of the +rough yet devoted attention of his men, the skill of the harassed +physicians, and the solicitude of his friends, the young knight was, +for a time, in great danger, and even when the crisis was passed his +progress towards recovery was slow and tedious. + +One day as he lay alone in his tent, weak and worn, Raymond heard the +well-known sound of troops marching hurriedly out of camp, and the +blare of trumpets denoted that something untoward was afoot. + +Feebly he called the names of the men who usually waited on him, but +in vain; there was no response to his summons, and at length the +tramp of feet died away, leaving the camp as silent as the grave, +save for the flapping of the canvas as the keen wind whistled around +the tents. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE ADVENTURE AT THE RUINED MILL + + +IN his tent, in terrible suspense, the young knight, Raymond +Revyngton, lay helpless, wondering how went the fight. In due course, +through the opening of his tent, he saw a stream of wounded men +returning, singly or in small parties, some with rough bandages round +their limbs or their heads. + +At length came one whom he knew--an archer of the Portchester +company. + +"Stephen! Stephen!" called Raymond, as loudly as he could. + +In obedience to the knight's cry, the man entered the tent, nursing +the maimed fingers of his right hand with his left, while the blood +poured freely from the stumps and trickled in a crimson stream down +his arm, soaking his sleeve. + +Deftly and quickly, notwithstanding his weakness, Raymond bound the +wounded hand, and poured out a cup of wine for the almost fainting +archer. The draught revived him, and the colour began to steal back +into his ashy-grey face. + +"How goes the battle?" asked Raymond anxiously. + +"'Tis not a battle, Sir Raymond, but a slight passage of arms, though +I perceive that as a bowman my work is done. The French King hath +tried to relieve the town, but my Lord Chandos and seven thousand of +our men have withstood him amid the sand-hills and marshes. Save for +a few hand-to-hand blows, the French never made a stand, and already +they are in full flight." + +"Dost feel well enough to walk?" the young knight asked, after a long +pause. + +"Yea, Sir Raymond." + +"Then get thee outside the camp, and bring me fresh tidings." + +The man obeyed, but ere long he returned, exclaiming: "'Tis all over. +The enemy are nowhere in sight and our men are even now returning." + +"Then do not tarry longer, but go to thine own tent, for thou needest +better care for thy hurts than I can give thee. This flask of wine I +give thee, for, by St. Thomas, thou hast need of it. Nay, do not +thank me, but away!" + +Once more the camp was alive with men, for the threatened attack of +the huge army that Philip had gathered together for the relief of +Calais had been ignominiously repelled, and it was known that the +fate of the town was sealed. Raymond gathered a fairly true account +of the fight from the conversation and joyous exclamations of the +elated soldiery, and presently Sir John Hacket, covered with dust and +showing signs of the conflict, entered the tent. + +"Art feeling better, Raymond?" + +"Ay, Sir John. But how goes it with us?" + +"Passably well but ever I seem to be a messenger of momentous tidings +to thee, whether of good or evil." + +"Then there is something amiss?" questioned the young man eagerly, +instinctively surmising that the news was unfavourable. + +"Yea, Raymond. My speech was ever blunt, and methinks the sooner I +unburden myself of a message of ill-tidings the easier 'tis for both +of us. Briefly, Sir Maurice hath fallen like the true and gallant +knight he was, and thou art the last of the Revyngtons of Churston." + +"Alack-a-me that it should be so! For though I knew but little of +him, I esteemed him a gallant, gentle, and honourable knight even +before I wot he was my kinsman. And Sir Reginald Scarsdale--what of +him?" + +"His heart is stronger than his body. In the first impact he was +swept from his saddle by a mere stripling." + +"And he is killed, wounded, or taken?" + +"Neither, save that he is shaken by the fall, and the King vows that +since he cannot hold his own against a youth he will send him home, +seeing that his fighting days are over." + +"And does Sir Reginald know of this?" + +"Ay, and if the King will not relent--and he is hard to turn from his +purpose--'twill be the first Scarsdale since the Conquest whose feet +on his altar-tomb rest not upon a lion." + +"Alas! the King's decision will hit him hard! Do you, Sir John, +convey my expressions of regret to the gentle knight, and say that it +will give me great pleasure should he deign to visit me." + +For several days more Raymond lay weak and ill in his tent, but as +April drew on and the weather became warmer his strength began slowly +to return. At length, pale and wan, the young knight was able to walk +slowly about the camp, supported by two of his archers. + +Still the siege continued, a long-drawn, tedious task, with little +chance of knightly deeds of daring to earn advancement. The +close-drawn lines of the besiegers still kept tenacious grip upon the +town, and, though famine and disease wrought havoc amongst its +gallant defenders, the end seemed as far off as ever. + +The return of summer found Sir Raymond Revyngton completely restored +in health, though still chafing with impatience at the life of +inactivity, for the younger knights looked with disfavour upon the +King's methods of conducting the siege, and would rather have had the +opportunity of leading their men to the assault than sit down before +the town waiting for famine to do its fell work. + +Friendly tilting-matches, hawking, and sports of a similar nature +were indulged in, and Raymond, with an exuberance of energy, took a +leading part in the pastimes. Many a pleasant afternoon was spent in +the open country around the English lines, hunting or making sport +with hounds and falcons, for not an armed Frenchman was to be seen +within twenty leagues of Calais, save the starving wretches within +its gates. + +One afternoon in July Raymond and a score of young knights rode +south-eastwards along the sand-dunes, each knight accompanied by a +mounted serving-man and a number of hounds. The country was not of a +nature to yield much sport, yet, eager to while away the time, the +little cavalcade rode carelessly on over the low sandhills. + +On their right spread the blue waters of the English Channel, in +front towered the chalky heights of Gris-nez, while behind lay the +red-tiled houses and grey walls of Calais, with the semicircle of +tents that marked the English lines. + +At length they reached the summit of a low hill, and here they reined +in their steeds. + +"No sign of a living creature," remarked one of the party, "though +the land away on our left seemeth well wooded. How call you yonder +forest, Armand?" he inquired, addressing one of the attendants, a +Gascon who had spent the greater part of his life in the +neighbourhood of Calais. + +"'Tis the forest of Ambleteuse, sir," replied the man; "there the +wild boar is to be found." + +"Ah There is good sport, fair sirs Let us ride forward." + +Half-an-hour's sharp canter brought them to the edge of the wood, and +in a long, straggling line the gay-hearted Englishmen, with loud +shouts and many a blast upon their horns, plunged into the gloom of +the forest glades. + +For a while no signs of animal life appeared, then suddenly there +came from one of the rearmost horsemen shouts of "A boar!" + +Instantly the party turned, and crashing through the underwood, made +towards the sound. Raymond, who had been in the van, now found +himself in the rear, and, spurring his steed and calling to his +attendant to follow, he strove to overtake his companions, while the +loud grunts of the hunted boar could be distinctly heard amid the +snapping of the brushwood. + +At length the glade descended towards a babbling brook, and here the +press of horsemen became so thick that many were riding hip to hip. +Suddenly Raymond's horse trod in a rabbit-hole, and before he could +realise what had happened he found himself hurtling through the air +and striking the soft earth with a heavy thud. Fortunately, the young +knight was lightly clad, and fell without injury, but on leaping to +his feet he saw his body-servant lying, senseless on the ground, +while the two steeds, entangled in their fall, were madly kicking +each other with their iron-shod hoofs. + +In the excitement of the chase the rest of the cavalcade had rushed +onwards, heedless of their companions' misfortunes, and the sound of +feet was already dying away. + +With a bound Raymond sprang to the side of his attendant and dragged +him out of the reach of the perilous hoofs. Then he sought for his +horn to summon assistance, but the instrument was crushed and +rendered useless by the fall. Baffled in his purpose, he applied his +energies to the task of restoring the unconscious man, bathing his +forehead with water obtained from the brook. + +His efforts at length were rewarded, for the servant sat up and gazed +around in a dazed way. + +"Art hurt, Thompson?" asked Raymond anxiously. + +"Can scarcely tell, Sir Raymond, save that my head is swimming round +like a roasting joint, and my shoulder-blades seem growing out of my +neck." + +"'Tis of small moment. But stand up if thou canst." Thompson +staggered to his feet, and to the knight's satisfaction he found that +none of the man's limbs were broken. + +"'Tis a sorry pass, for we must needs find our way back afoot. Pull +thyself together, man, for 'tis a goodly step betwixt us and the +camp." + +Drawing his hunting-knife, Raymond put the two struggling +horses--each of whom had a leg broken--out of their misery, then the +twain set out on their homeward way. By the time they emerged from +the forest their shadows fell far athwart the path, for the sun was +sinking in the west; but Thompson was rapidly recovering, and their +pace was well maintained. + +"There is the hill from whence we first saw the wood," remarked the +knight. "But methinks we can leave that well on our left, for the +camp lies yonder." + +"I deem thee to be right, fair sir. But, mark ye! Look at yonder +clouds." + +Raymond looked in the direction indicated, and saw that a storm was +rapidly driving towards them. + +"Night cometh on apace, and with it a tempest," quoth he. "Hasten, or +we shall be benighted in this dreary plain." + +Hardly had they traversed a distance of three arrow-flights than the +wind, hitherto a faint westerly breeze, sprang up with terrific +violence. The sand rose in thick clouds, shutting out everything +except in their immediate vicinity, and the sun, in a mist of pale +yellow sky, sank beneath the indigo-coloured clouds. + +Onward they steadily plodded through the heavy yielding sand, the +swiftly-falling darkness bringing with it a heavy storm of rain and +hail. Wondering whether his comrades were faring as badly, the young +knight stumbled and plunged resolutely onwards, his serving-man +following closely at his heels, the whistling of the wind making +conversation impossible. + +For over two hours the twain pursued their uncomfortable walk, till +at length a dark object blocked their path. It was a ruined windmill. +Making their way round its massive base, the weary travellers found +some slight shelter from the force of the wind, and, panting from +their exertions, they leaned against the stonework to recover their +breath. + +"Dost know where we are?" shouted Raymond, his voice almost inaudible +in the howling wind. + +"No, sir," replied the man. + +"But a short distance from where we left the wood, I marked this +tower on our left, and, certes, we have been walking round and round +for half the night." + +"Then we must needs set out once more?" + +"Nay. This will suffice for the present, and here we'll rest till +daylight comes and the storm spends itself. The door is not barred, I +hope." + +Walking slowly round the mill, the knight felt for the opening, till +he stumbled over a low stone step. Cautiously ascending, he found at +the fourth step a flat ledge, protected by a broken rail, and here +was the door hanging by a solitary rusted hinge. + +[Illustration: TREACHERY AFOOT] + +Yielding to the pressure of his shoulder, the door flew open, and the +knight and his companion carefully groped their way in, closing the +door after them. Here, in absolute blackness, they found shelter, the +storm howling wildly outside, yet scarcely to be heard within the +massive stone walls. They had no means of procuring a light, but by +continuing their investigations they felt a pile of broken hurdles +and the lower-most rungs of a ladder. + +Raymond was about to ascend, when his servant laid a detaining hand +upon his arm. "Hist!" he exclaimed. "Some one moves in the room +above." + +"Nay, thou dreamest!... Ay, thou art right! Hide here, quickly. Art +armed?" + +"Nought but a knife." + +"'Twill suffice. Now, hold thyself in readiness, but act not till I +give the word." + +Crouching behind the pile of hurdles, knight and servant waited in +breathless silence. There was the sound of a heavy trap-door being +raised, and a voice exclaimed in French: "Is it thou, Jehan?" + +Receiving no reply, the questioner slowly descended a few steps of +the ladder, and drawing a horn lantern from underneath a cloak, swung +it around him, peering about the room. + +Then, perceiving no one, he muttered: "Mon Dieu! It is but fancy, yet +why doth he tarry?" And again concealing the light, he ascended to +the upper story and dropped the trap-hatch with a resounding thud. + +"There's fell treachery afoot," whispered Raymond. "Dost know who it +is?" + +"'Tis René de Caux, of the following of the Captal de Buche, our +King's trusted favourite. Wait patiently, for ere long no little +advancement will be gained." + +Silently the Englishmen waited, every fiercer blast of the storm +causing them to imagine that the expected visitor had arrived. At +last they heard the door pushed open, and a dark form made its way +into the room with a confidence gained by long practice. A low +whistle, like the cry of a night-bird, and the trapdoor was again +removed. + +"Ah, Jehan! 'Tis thou at last! Close the door ere I show a light." + +"A thousand pests take the weather. This storm hath all but been my +undoing." + +The light of the lantern shone upon the face of the new arrival. He +was a tall, slender man, with light hair and refined features, and on +removing his sodden cloak a garment of slashed velvet was revealed, +betokening that the wearer was a gentleman of quality. Armour he wore +none, but a light sword hung from his belt, balanced by a large +leather bag. + +"And how fares Sir John de Vienne?" + +"Strong in courage when last I saw him." + +"And that was----?" + +"But yesternight." + +"And he agreed to allow you to poison the wells?" + +"Nay, by Our Lady, he would not." + +"Well spoken, like a brave and gallant knight, for, by St. Denis, the +plan is not to my liking even though these insolent islanders deserve +all that is evil. But, see here! This letter must be given to the +Governor of the town by to-morrow, though, alas! it is cold comfort +to Sir John. Canst arrange to deliver it?" + +"They will admit me by the postern of the Boulogne Gate at midnight. +'Twill be done." + +"Then take thy reward. Hold the light closer while I count, for I +know a Gascon of old! See to it: all bright crowns, of good weight." + +The Frenchman addressed as Jehan handed a sealed document to the +Gascon, who placed it in his doublet; then, setting the lantern on +the ground and extending his hand, the latter counted the coins as +Jehan took them from his wallet. + +Loosening his poignard and motioning to Thompson to draw his knife, +Raymond prepared to spring from his hiding-place. + +Ere the two conspirators could recover from their astonishment the +young knight had leapt upon them, and with one thrust of his weapon +laid the traitorous Gascon dead at his feet. Instinctively the +Frenchman sprang backwards and whipped out his sword. + +"Yield thee!" thundered Raymond. + +"To no man!" + +In an instant their blades met, the dull light of the lantern +flashing on the glittering steel. Though Jehan had the longer weapon, +he possessed neither the strength nor the skill of his antagonist, +and in less than half a minute's swordplay the Frenchman's blade +caught in the notch that the hilt of most poignards possess, and with +a quick, powerful turn of the wrist Raymond snapped the sword off +close to the guard. + +"Now wilt yield?" + +"If thou art a gentleman I will; if not, pass the dagger through me +rather than let me disgrace myself." + +"I am Sir Raymond Revyngton, knight." + +"Then, Sir Raymond, I yield myself to thee; though I pray thee, +certify my master that I fought well ere I yielded." + +"And thy name and quality?" + +"I am Jehan de Sous-Cahors, seneschal de Vimereux, and of the +household of King Philip." + +"Then I have had great honour in taking thee!" said Raymond with due +courtesy. "And now have I thy promise that there shall +be no attempt at escape? Otherwise, though it grieve me to mishandle +a knight, thou must be brought bound into the camp." + +"I swear, by St. Denis." + +The grey dawn was beginning to break, and the storm was dying away. +Raymond looked out of the door, and saw with great satisfaction the +knight's horse stabled in a small adjoining hut that had been +invisible on the previous night. There in the distance the smoke of +the English camp-fires showed distinctly in the now clear air, while +less than a bowshot from the mill lay the wood that had been the +cause of their misfortune. + +Suddenly the young knight heard the sound of scuffling and Thompson's +voice shouting "Help, master, help!" + +Darting back to the room, he found his servant engaged in a desperate +struggle with the captive, who was endeavouring to destroy the letter +he had entrusted to the double-dealing Gascon, a portion of which he +had attempted to swallow. + +With no gentle hand Raymond aided his man to throw the prisoner on +his back and wrench the missive from him. + +"Thy parole, Sir Knight!" he exclaimed. + +"----has been kept," gasped the captive, "but I trow thou wilt admit +that no farther compact was made. I am foiled in this matter, but I +pray thee, of thy courtesy, give me leave to finish my work and +destroy this missive." + +"That I cannot do. This letter, which I doubt not is of great moment, +I will take charge of, and hand over to my Lord Chandos. 'Tis now +daylight, and we must needs return to the camp. I am loth to let thee +walk, but as there is but one horse between two knights, 'tis better +that neither ride." + +Walking side by side, and followed by Thompson leading the captive's +horse, Raymond and the French knight arrived at the camp without +further incident, and, after handing his prisoner over to the +camp-martial, the young knight repaired with all despatch to find Sir +John Hacket. + +On hearing Raymond's story the Constable accompanied him to the tent +of Sir John Chandos, whose banner floated close to the royal +pavilion. + +Lord Chandos opened the letter which Raymond had gained possession +of, and found that its contents were practically undamaged in the +struggle. + +"Canst read?" he asked of the Constable. "For this crabbed fist doth +sorely try my one eye." + +"Nay," replied Sir John Hacket with a grim smile. "Only enough for +mine own use, for from my seventh year the sword ever proved a more +pleasing companion than a scrawling, musty parchment." + +"And canst thou, Sir Raymond?" + +"I will try my best, fair sir." + +Raymond took the missive and began to read the superscription, +written in French: "To the very puissant knight, Sir John de Vienne, +seneschal of our town of Calais, greeting." + +The body of the letter began by thanking the Governor for his brave +resistance, and expressing hopes of being able to speedily succour +the besieged. It then confirmed the arrangements, previously made +through the Gascon traitor, for a sally, in conjunction with an +attempt on the part of the French forces to break the English lines +from without. Should the French be unable to carry out their part and +attack the English camp, three white lights were to be shown from the +ruins of an old mill near Sangatte, and the besieged would then be at +liberty to make the best terms they could for the surrender of +Calais. The epistle was signed by no less a personage than King +Philip of France. + +"By St. George, we have them," exclaimed Chandos, striking his fist +heavily upon an oaken chest. "Though I would rather that René de Caux +were swinging from a gallows in view of the town than lying dead at +thy hands in the ruined mill. No matter; this letter must reach the +Governor of Calais. Five hundred lances and two thousand archers will +suffice to keep the Frenchmen from advancing upon us; and to-morrow +night will see three white lights from the old mill at Sangatte." + +At nightfall a squire of the Captal de Buche crept cautiously to the +postern of the Boulogne Gate, and, representing himself as an +emissary of the false René de Caux, handed the fatal letter to the +Governor, Sir John de Vienne. The presence of a strong force of +Englishmen beyond the dunes of Sangatte prevented the expected French +army from occupying the mill and signalling to their friends in the +beleaguered city, and the following night three white lights flashed +their message of despair to the hitherto undaunted garrison. + +Thus the fall of Calais was hastened, but Raymond saw nothing of the +final act in the drama, when the heroic Eustace de St. Pierre and his +five companions were nearly sacrificed to appease the anger of the +English King (Queen Philippa's intercession alone saved their lives), +for the young knight was with the five hundred lances that guarded +the approach from Boulogne; and on the 6th of August, two days after +Edward had taken possession of the town, the Hampshire companies, +with whom was Sir Reginald Scarsdale, embarked for the shores of +England. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE HOMECOMING + + +AFTER four days of light but favourable winds the little fleet, +consisting of seven vessels, that bore the Hampshire men homewards +arrived off the Isle of Wight. Battle and disease had thinned their +ranks, but the survivors returned in high spirits, flushed with +victory and rich with the loads of spoil that lay in the holds. + +At Spithead the flotilla separated, Sir John Hacket's two ships +making for Portsmouth Harbour, three heading for Southampton, and the +remaining two setting a course down the Solent for Lepe and Lymington +respectively. Amid a fanfare of trumpets and the farewell shouts of +the troops to their former companions in arms, the Constable's +vessels pointed to the north-west in the direction of the even lines +of Portsdown, under the shadow of which lay the Castle of +Portchester. + +The shields of the three knights were displayed over the side of the +leading ship, while from her truck floated the blue banner with the +device of the crescent and star, and on the poop were gathered Sir +John Hacket, Sir Reginald Scarsdale, and Sir Raymond Revyngton, +engaged in joyous conversation at the prospect of a speedy landing on +their native soil. + +"And what dost thou purpose to do, Raymond?" inquired the Constable. +"Surely there is little need to hasten westwards to thy newly-gained +estates; 'twould be better far to wait the return of the Devonshire +men. Tarry awhile at Portchester, for methinks there is much to be +done here before setting out on thy travels. And thou, Sir Reginald? +Wilt accept such hospitality that my poor castle can offer?" + +"I must first seek out my daughter Audrey," quoth Sir Reginald. "And +I have but little doubt that Raymond will bear me company." + +"Doth she know of thy return?" + +"Nay, and I'll warrant the maid will be taken aback when we arrive at +the town of Farnham." + +A strange smile flitted over Sir John's face. + +"Well, Raymond, what are thy plans?" + +"I bear Sir Reginald company; then, having won or lost my suit, I +will return to the castle, Sir John. For there are several small +matters I must give attention to at Hamble and at the Abbey of +Netley, without which I cannot go to Churston." + +The vessel was now slipping through the water with a fair wind and +favouring tide, and already the low-lying island of Portsea lay +abeam, and the Castle of Portchester was momentarily growing more +distinct. + +"By St. George, they expect us!" exclaimed Raymond excitedly. "See, +thy banner floats above the keep, and the walls are thick with +people. And the garlands over the water-gate! Of a surety they were +not placed there at an hour's notice." + +"Now that I bethink me," remarked Sir John drily, "I did send a +messenger to Winchelsea, so perchance he hath taken a horse and +ridden hot-foot to Portchester." + +For awhile they watched in silence the grey outlines of the castle +topped with its living fringe. The master-shipman gave an order, and +the long yard, with its bellying sail, sank from the masthead; and +the vessel, carried onward by its momentum and the rush of the tide, +came abreast of the fortress. Another order, and the anchor with its +hempen cable fell with a sudden plunge into the water; the ship +snubbed at the tautened rope, swung round and brought up, riding +easily to wind and tide. The voyage was over. + +"See, Raymond," suddenly exclaimed Sir Reginald, "thine eyes are +younger than mine, yet if I mistake not.... There, to the right of +the water-gate!" + +"Ay, the saints be praised. 'Tis the Lady Audrey!" + +A small boat, manned by men wearing the Constable's livery, was +quickly alongside, and Sir John and Sir Reginald stepped aboard, +Raymond following with unknightly haste. Amidst the shouts of the +excited throng of soldiers and villagers the boat's fore-foot grated +on the shingle, and the three distinguished warriors again set foot +on their native land. + +"See, Audrey," said her father, after the paternal salute had been +given and returned, "I bring thee an old acquaintance--not the +squire, Raymond Buckland, who saved they life at Southampton, but the +gallant and worthy knight, Sir Raymond Revyngton." + +* * * * * + +Within a week a wedding was celebrated in the little chapel of St. +Mary within the castle walls, and Sir Raymond Revyngton and the Lady +Audrey Scarsdale were made man and wife. After the ceremony the +kindly Constable congratulated the bride, and it must be confessed +that the bridegroom's eyes were opened by Lady Audrey Revyngton's +reply. + +"To thee, Sir John, I owe much of my happiness, for Raymond was ever +a bashful lover. An he were but a simple squire I would have married +him, but when thou toldest me that he had been made a knight I was +filled with joy. And for thy kindly thought in sending a special +messenger to bring me hither to await your arrival I deem myself ever +indebted to thee!" + +"Nay, thank me not, fair lady," replied the gallant old warrior. "Is +it not the bounden duty of a true knight to help another? For +Raymond, though ever first in the field of war, hath been a laggard +in the lists of love. Yet I am but a feeble instrument in this case, +for against thy charms he would be powerless but in my heart I thank +God for the part I played in bringing together two noble families +estranged by a fatal feud." + +* * * * * + +Little remains to be told. Sir Reginald Scarsdale, in spite of his +old age and infirmities, died as he wished, falling in defence of the +Border against a band of Scottish raiders, and in a quiet Yorkshire +church he rests, his altar-tomb showing his effigy with the lions at +his feet, making a fitting addition to the four crossed-legged images +of his crusading ancestors. + +Sir John Hacket, after seeing further service in France, acquiring +additional glory and renown at Poictiers, died peacefully at a great +age within sight of the castle whose Constableship he had held so +worthily. + +And as for Sir Raymond and the fair Lady Audrey, they lived a life of +unalloyed happiness in their manor of Churston, in the midst of the +hills of Devon. Yet when the call to arms sounded, the redoubtable +Sir Raymond did not shrink from its summons, and at Poictiers and at +the slaughter of Najera in the wilds of Spain he added to his +laurels. And does not the prowess of the head of the Revyngtons at +the repulse of the French descent upon Dartmouth in 1377 still linger +amongst the annals of the sons of Devon? + +From the union of the rival Revyngton and Scarsdale families +descended the successors of a noble heritage--men courageous and +generous in war, noble and law-abiding in peace, men whose names have +helped to make the British Empire what it is to-day, and whose motto +has been, and let us hope will ever be-- + +"Non sibi, sed patriae." + + +THE END + + +Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & Co. 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Westerman—A Project +Gutenberg eBook</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world 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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you +are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws +of the +country where you are located before using this eBook. +</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; +margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Winning of the Golden +Spurs</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; +margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Percy F. +Westerman</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: May 16, 2011 +[eBook #36122]<br /> +[Most recently updated: March 15, 2022]</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: +UTF-8</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced +by: R.G.P.M. van Giesen</div> +<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE +PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WINNING OF THE GOLDEN SPURS ***</div> + + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" +alt="Cover" /> + +<p class="fs125 bold">THE WINNING OF<br />THE GOLDEN +SPURS</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/frontispiece.jpg" +alt="Frontispiece" /> + +<p class="fs125 bold"> RAYMOND SAVES THE BLACK PRINCE</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="center noindent"> +<h1 class="sp4 bold">THE WINNING OF<br />THE GOLDEN +SPURS</h1> + +<p class="fs90 sp1">BY</p> + +<p class="fs110 bold sp1">PERCY F. WESTERMAN</p> + <p class="fs75">AUTHOR OF "A LAD OF GRIT," "THE SEA +MONARCH," <br />"THE TREASURE OF THE SAN +PHILIPO," ETC.</p> + +<p class="fs90 bold sp2">LONDON<br /> +JAMES NISBET & CO., LIMITED<br /> +22 BERNERS STREET, W.<br /> +1911<br /></p> + +<p class="fs90 bold sp2">Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.<br /> +At the Ballantyne Press, Edinburgh</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center"><a +id="Contents">CONTENTS</a></h2> +</div> + +<table class="center" width="80%"> + +<tbody><tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">CHAP.</td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> </td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top"> </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter00">PROLOGUE</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">I. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter01">THE ARCHER, REDWARD BUCKLAND</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">II. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter02">THE SHADOW OF WAR</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">III. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter03">OF THE MIDNIGHT DESCENT OF THE FRENCH INVADERS</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">IV. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter04">OF THE GALLANT STAND OF THE NINE ARCHERS</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">V. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter05">THE MEN OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE GENOESE GALLEY</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">VI. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter06">AT THE ABBEY</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">VII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter07">THE SACK OF SOUTHAMPTON</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">VIII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter08">OF THE ASSAULT ON ST. BARBARA'S TOWER</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">IX. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter09">ON THE HEELS OF THE ENEMY</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">X. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter10">FATHER AND SON SET OUT FOR HENNEBON</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XI. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter11">THE CHIRURGEON OF LÉGUÉ</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter12">THE JOURNEY PERILOUS</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XIII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter13">THE RELIEF OF HENNEBON</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XIV. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter14">RAYMOND'S ERRAND</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XV. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter15">TRAPPED!</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XVI. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter16">THE TABLES TURNED</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XVII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter17">THE FALL OF THE COUNT'S STRONGHOLD</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XVIII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter18">REDWARD'S CONFESSION</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XIX. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter19">CRÉCY</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XX. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter20">HIS LIFE FOR HIS FOE</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XXI. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter21">THE REJECTED GUERDON</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XXII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter22">SIR RAYMOND</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XXIII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter23">THE ADVENTURE AT THE RUINED MILL</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XXIV. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter24">THE HOMECOMING</a></td> +</tr> + +</tbody></table> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<p class="fs150 bold sp4 center">THE WINNING OF THE<br />GOLDEN +SPURS</p> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4" id="CONTENTS"><a +id="chapter00">PROLOGUE</a></h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2">IT was early morning on the 5th day of August, 1303, +the Royal City +of Winchester. The sun had not yet risen, but a cold grey light +filtered in through a narrow window and dimly illumined a small, +scantily-furnished room overlooking the city walls.</p> + +<p>Seated on a rough wooden stool, his face buried in his hands, was a +young fellow of about twenty years of age. His body swayed with +uncontrollable grief, and, though dry-eyed, deep sobs of mingled +remorse and despair showed the anguish that rent his body and +distracted his mind.</p> + +<p>In a corner of the room a torch, burnt low in its iron socket, +threw +a yellow light that was fast being overmastered by the growing dawn, +yet the glimmer was sufficient to play upon the naked blade of a +sword, the steel of which was discoloured towards its point by a +dull, rust-coloured stain.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the sound of a heavy footstep was heard on the stairs. The +youth started to his feet and gazed wildly around, as if seeking a +place of concealment or some means of escape. He was tall, well +formed, and, in spite of his haggard looks, comely of face, and his +clothes, though rent and covered with chalk and dust, showed that he +was of no mean position.</p> + +<p>Realising the impossibility of hiding himself, he stood erect and +alert, awaiting the arrival of what he took to be his fate; but, +instead of a thundering summons of the officers of the law, there +came a gentle rap, and the door was slowly pushed ajar.</p> + +<p>"Hist! Art there, Master Revyngton? 'Tis I, Nicholas Hobbes!"</p> + +<p>"Enter, Nicholas! Certes I thought 'twas the watch."</p> + +<p>The new arrival was a man some few years older than the fugitive. He +was clad in a rough leather suit, frayed at elbows and knees, and to +which shavings and feathers still clung—a silent witness to his +trade of fletcher.</p> + +<p>"'Tis a sorry pass, Master Revyngton. How came it about?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, that I will say right willingly; but first tell me—how knowest +thou that I am here?"</p> + +<p>"Easily said! Dick Ford told me that thou wert a fugitive in his +house, and asked me to use my scatterbrain wits to find a way to +smuggle thee out of the city. That being so, 'twere best I saw thee, +and to that purpose I am here. But, again, how came it to pass?"</p> + +<p>"Faith! I can scarce say. 'Twas in the meads, yestereven. Young +Stephen Scarsdale and Reginald, his brother, were on this side of the +stream, I on the nether bank, with Wulf, my favourite hound. 'Ho +there!' cried Stephen. 'What meanst thou by trespassing on the ground +of my Lord Bishop?' 'I do not trespass,' I replied. 'The Mead hath +ever been free to the men of this city, and no one hath yet said me +nay.' 'I'll warrant thou art after my Lord Bishop's trout. By the +rood, I'll send a bolt through the head of thy lurcher.' 'Thy aim +must be more sure than when I beat thee at the butts,' I replied, +little thinking but that he spoke in jest, but in answer he levelled +his crossbow, and ere I was aware of it poor Wulf was lying +transfixed on the ground."</p> + +<p>"Then I was seized by a thousand devils, and sprang across the narrow +plank bridge to hurl the slayer of my hound into the river, but +Stephen, whipping out his blade, bade me do likewise. In less time +than it takes to tell our swords crossed, though, mark ye, I meant +not to harm him; yet, like a fool, he ran in upon my blade, and 'twas +all over in an instant."</p> + +<p>"And then?"</p> + +<p>"The younger Scarsdale, who is a worthy gentleman compared with his +witless brother, tried to stop me as I fled. There was no help for +it, so he, too, went down, though I trow he is not much hurt. Hast +heard aught of Stephen?"</p> + +<p>"Naught save that he is as dead as a door-nail. But, Master +Revyngton, 'tis, as I said, a sorry pass. What wilt thou do?"</p> + +<p>"Do? Give myself into the hands of the law. What else wouldst thou +have me do?"</p> + +<p>"Anything but that. Consider! Thou art young and full of life. Why +shouldst thou grace a halter if it can be avoided, for, mark well, +the Scarsdales are a powerful family, and moreover Stephen was of the +Bishop's household. How thinkst thou to make good thy case before thy +peers when the weight of title and position is set against thee? Be +sober, young master, and think on't."</p> + +<p>"Ay, 'tis hard to die thus."</p> + +<p>"No need to die at all—at any rate, just yet. Flee the country. +France or the States of the Rhine ever offer an attraction for a +roving blade, and peradventure in a few years the affair will have +blown over."</p> + +<p>"But how can I escape?"</p> + +<p>"There thou hast me. Where is Dick Ford?"</p> + +<p>"Gone to gather tidings. He will be here anon."</p> + +<p>Both men relapsed into silence, staring moodily at the narrow window, +through which could be seen the battlements of the city gilded by the +rising sun, while ever and again came the sweet strains of a lark as +it soared heavenwards from the dew-sodden meadows without the walls.</p> + +<p>Again came the sound of footsteps, and Dick Ford, the bowyer, +entered. He was a short, red-complexioned man, with a cheerful +countenance, as if nothing could upset his good nature, though at +times his looks belied him, and the worthy citizens of Winchester oft +had cause to remember his tongue when it ran riot. Like the fletcher, +his appearance betrayed him, for the sharp wittle that hung from his +girdle, the daubs of beeswax, and the faint reek of varnish marked +his calling as a maker of the famous English longbows.</p> + +<p>"A pretty hornet's nest thou hast raised, Master Revyngton," he +exclaimed, shaking his head. "Yesternight the city crier called thee +at the market-cross, and on the Soke Bridge. The Bishop's Court hath +claimed thee, and in default of thy appearance thou wilt be declared +outlaw. Furthermore, the gates are doubly guarded, and men are even +now in ambush on the road to the sanctuary at St. Cross if so be thou +seekest refuge therein. By the saintly Swithun, I trow thou art the +most sought-for man in Winton."</p> + +<p>"He hath made up his mind, Dick," exclaimed Hobbes. "Better an outlaw +with a heavy conscience than a corpse with none at all."</p> + +<p>"Ay, let me but get once clear of the city and I'll reck not what I +become."</p> + +<p>"Bravely spoken, Master Revyngton! And now, how canst thou make good +thine escape? Thou canst count on us to a surety, for 'twould ill +requite thy father's kindness to us in times past if we let thee fall +into the hands of the Bishop's men. Where is thine arrow-wain, Dick?"</p> + +<p>"Below, in the barn."</p> + +<p>"And laden?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, but it soon could be. Wherefore?"</p> + +<p>"Place Master Revyngton in the cart and cover him with arrows. 'Tis +the day thou journeyest to Bishopstoke and Botley. He would then be +well on his way to the abbey at Netley."</p> + +<p>"Steady, Dick, steady! Should the guard at Kingsgate search the wain +my neck is as good as if fitted with a halter. Yet I'll take the +risk; but see to it, young master, if the plan goeth amiss, thou'lt +bear me witness that I wot not of thy presence?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, good Nicholas. But if they question thee and search the cart I +must make a bid for freedom, so stand in the way, and I'll warrant +I'll knock thee down just to give colour to the deceit."</p> + +<p>"But strike not too hard, Master Revyngton, neither on the face, for +I am in no mind to go home to my good wife with my nose awry or mine +eyes closed up. A gentle tap, I pray thee—like this—and I'll +warrant I'll fall as surely as if I were smitten with the club of the +Southampton giant Ascupart."</p> + +<p>"After all's said and done," remarked the fletcher, "there may be no +need to smite thee, Nick, for 'tis unlikely that they will search thy +cart. But the day groweth apace. If it is to be done, the sooner the +better, say I."</p> + +<p>"Then make a good meal, Master Revyngton," said Hobbes, setting a +loaf of brown bread, some cheese, and a jack of ale, "for if not +thou'lt feel the want of it ere long. Now set to like a good +trencherman, though, being but plain men, our fare is likewise plain. +Thou knowest the road?"</p> + +<p>"Passably well, save the latter part."</p> + +<p>"Then keep close, but not on it if perchance thou art pursued, for it +is to Southampton that they'll think thou art bound. Take the by-road +to Botley, whence the abbey lies but a league or so away."</p> + +<p>While the fletcher and the bowyer were giving advice the younger man +did justice to the food; then, at a sign from Ford, his companion +stole softly down the rough ladder that did duty as a staircase, and +peered cautiously up and down the street. Another moment, and the +three men had darted across the narrow road to a small barn, the +mutual property of several of the inhabitants of that quarter, and +shortly afterwards a rough cart, laden with bundles of +newly-feathered arrows, was jolting over the rough stones towards +Kingsgate, Nicholas Hobbes leading the sorry nag and whistling a +lively air as well as the anticipation of being floored would permit.</p> + +<p>"Thou art early abroad, Nick," quoth one of the guards, as he made +ready to throw open the heavy door. "There's naught but arrows in thy +wain, I take it?"</p> + +<p>"What meanest thou?"</p> + +<p>"Why, hast heard naught of the slaying of Master Scarsdale, that tall +youth belonging to the Bishop's household? Surely thou hast him in +mind?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, I knew him; is he dead?"</p> + +<p>"Where hath been thine eyes and thine ears since yesternoon?"</p> + +<p>"I have but small time for gossip, Tom, above all towards the end of +the week, when my stock hath to be renewed. But I'll hear the story +anon, for time is precious."</p> + +<p>The heavy gate swung slowly open, the fletcher called to his horse, +and the cart with its living burden moved towards the open country +and safety.</p> + +<p>"Hold!" cried a hoarse voice. "Tom, thou arrant rascal, wouldst let +the cart through unsearched What were thine orders from the captain +of the gate?"</p> + +<p>And, to the fletcher's terror, a burly man-at-arms came down a flight +of steps at the side of the gate, and advanced towards him.</p> + +<p>The first soldier sullenly strolled over to the back of the cart, +but, suddenly recovering himself, Nicholas Hobbes backed his horse, +causing the man to be pinned between the wheel and the stonework of +the arch. There was a sudden scattering of the arrows, an indistinct +mass hurtling through the air, and the fletcher found himself, as he +had foretold, lying prone in the dust. When he sat up the soldiers +were calling wildly to the rest of the guard, while a fleeing figure, +already growing small in the distance, showed that the fugitive +Revyngton was well on his way to freedom.</p> + +<p>With the din of the soldiers' shouts still ringing in his ears, +Revyngton ran steadily onwards with a long, steady swing, his elbows +pressed against his sides, and breathing easily, for he was no mean +runner.</p> + +<p>Away in front rose the gaunt outline of St. Catherine's Hill, with +the square tower of the Hospital of St. Cross, which sanctuary he +knew was denied him, slightly to the right. Between ran the +swift-flowing river Itchen, and the fugitive realised that he would +have to run the gauntlet of the watchers before the sanctuary ere he +could reach the ford where the river swept the base of the hill. His +way lay through the meadows where, but a few hours ago, he had +wandered in blissful, though then unappreciated, freedom, and +shudderingly, and with averted face, he raced past the scene of the +fatal encounter. Fortunately his local knowledge prevented him from +crossing the narrow plank bridge that led solely to a marshy meadow +enclosed by two arms of the river, so, keeping close to the shadow of +the pollard willows, he held steadily on his way, the babbling of the +river as it flowed with sparkling eddies in the bright sunshine +sounding like soothing music to the hunted man.</p> + +<p>Just as he reached the ford his movements were observed by a party of +the officers of the law who had been keeping a toilsome vigil around +the outer wall of St. Cross, and a crossbow bolt, shot at a high +angle, boomed through the air and buried itself less than twenty +yards from him.</p> + +<p>There was a general scene of confusion, some of the men running after +him afoot, others rushing off to where their horses stood tethered in +a clump of trees.</p> + +<p>It being the hot season, the river was but ankle-deep at the ford, +and, refreshed by the coldness of the water, Revyngton hastened his +pace up the long, dusty road towards the hamlet of Twyford. As he ran +he could not resist the inclination to look back, and from the +elevated position of the highway he could see the whole of the +distance betwixt him and the cathedral city.</p> + +<p>To his satisfaction he saw that he was more than holding his own with +those who pursued afoot, and even now they were giving up the pursuit +and the horsemen of the party had not yet started, but away along the +city road a number of dark, swiftly-moving objects showed that a +troop of mounted soldiers and retainers of the episcopal authorities +were rapidly covering the distance between them and their quarry.</p> + +<p>The sun, though the morning was yet young, smote down upon him with +relentless strength, and there was not the faintest zephyr to cool +his heated frame, yet onwards he sped, though the strain of the +pursuit was gradually yet surely telling upon him.</p> + +<p>Through the almost deserted village of Twyford he ran, one or two of +the earlier risers looking with open-mouthed astonishment at the +fugitive, while a little way further a black-robed monk gazed +amazedly at the approaching man, till, fearing violence, he gathered +up his ragged gown and fled across a field at the roadside, his +sandals clattering as he ran.</p> + +<p>At length, worn out by his exertions, Revyngton reached a spot where +a road branched off to his left, while between it and the highway he +was following lay a large pond, surrounded by trees and fringed with +clusters of reeds. Here he threw himself down on the spongy turf, +thrust his head and arms in the limpid water, and lay panting on the +grass, oblivious of his danger, till the regular thud of horses' +hoofs roused his jaded energies.</p> + +<p>Quickly he looked around, and to his joy he perceived the gnarled +trunk of a tree that had fallen into a horizontal position over the +pond, its branches forming a dark, shady shelter. Silently and +swiftly as an eel he plunged into the water, and a few powerful +strokes brought him to the friendly refuge. Secure from observation, +he drew himself upon a branch and waited the arrival of the horsemen.</p> + +<p>In a cloud of dust they appeared—five bronzed men-at-arms, with +long, straight swords strapped against their thighs; four lay +servants of the Bishop, with hard-set mouths and scowling faces that +ill-matched their calling as members of an ecclesiastical house; and +three of the city watch, more lightly armed than their companions, +carrying crossbows across their backs. Revyngton realised that scant +mercy could be expected at their hands.</p> + +<p>At a word from their leader the party halted, there was a hurried +consultation, and two of the men trotted their horses to the edge of +the pond, while the rest resumed their headlong pursuit.</p> + +<p>Then Revyngton felt that he stared death in the face, for less than +five paces from him were the two soldiers, sitting motionless on +their steeds and staring fixedly at the spot where he lay concealed, +their reflections being clearly mirrored in the still water. To the +fugitive it seemed as if his leafy bower were rent asunder, and that +he lay exposed to his pursuers in utter helplessness; but at length, +to his great relief, one of the men spoke.</p> + +<p>"Why this fool's errand for the sake of a hot-blooded youth? Faith, I +am not averse to earning the five marks reward, yet 'tis a useless +quest. Far rather would I be in a snug inn, for my throat is as dry +as a friar's sermon."</p> + +<p>"There's drink for thee," replied the other, indicating the pond with +a nod of his steel-capped head.</p> + +<p>"Water!" exclaimed the first with an oath; "I like it not, neither +inside nor out, to be plain-spoken. Art game to return to Twyford, +where the ale is of the best?"</p> + +<p>"Give them time to get out of hearing, thou dolt. Why doth the +sheriff keep bloodhounds and use them not, eh, Giles?"</p> + +<p>"'Twould have been the better way. But now, comrade, let's away!"</p> + +<p>Revyngton waited till the sound of their horses' hoofs had died away, +then, swimming softly back to the bank, he emerged and resumed his +way.</p> + +<p>Now the dangers were doubled, for not only had his pursuers placed +themselves between him and his refuge, but he knew not but that every +bush or hedge concealed a foe. Thus he was compelled to forsake the +high road and follow it at some distance away, keeping as close as +possible to the shelter of the coppices and dells that formed the +chief features of the district.</p> + +<p>As he neared the village of Fair Oak he struck the highway between +Bishopstoke and the Bishop's hunting lodge at Waltham, and for a long +time he lay hidden in the bracken ere the road was free from the +seemingly endless cavalcade of huntsmen that journeyed towards the +famous Waltham Chase, while hucksters from Southampton and Romsey, +intent on doing a good business, were hurrying in the same direction.</p> + +<p>At length the opportunity came, and the fugitive darted across the +road and gained the fields beyond. Here the nature of the country +changed, the ground offering less shelter, but away to the south rose +the dark, fir-clad hills that lay close to his goal.</p> + +<p>He had now left the Botley road well on his left, and he could +perceive the haze of smoke that marked the hollow where the village +lay. His clothes were long dried, and the heat was well-nigh +unbearable, so, overcoming his fears, he turned aside to a cottage, +the thatched roof of which rose amid a thicket. Here he found that +another by-road or lane crossed his path, but there was no sign of +any one passing; the cottage itself looked deserted.</p> + +<p>As the fugitive approached a dog barked, and there was a sound of +some one moving about in an outhouse, and to the tortured man the +sight of several pails of milk was irresistible. The yelping of the +cur brought a woman to the door of the shed, a strong-limbed, +coarse-featured creature, with a face lined with innumerable wrinkles +and a back bent with years of toil in the fields.</p> + +<p>"What lack ye?" she demanded sourly.</p> + +<p>"Am I on the right road for the abbey at Netley?"</p> + +<p>"Yea. Turn to thy left hand at the cross-roads."</p> + +<p>"Also, I prithee, give me a draught of milk."</p> + +<p>"Begone, for a worthless clown! Begone, I say, or the dog shall fly +at thee," she shrieked, wild with fury; but Revyngton heeded her not, +and seizing a small earthenware pitcher, drained its contents, then +turning on his heel, he resumed his fearsome journey.</p> + +<p>"Haste, Tom, run up to the village and get help!" shouted the woman. +"'Tis a gadabout churl, or a riever, or worse," and as the fugitive +ran he heard the farm-servant making off towards Botley, while the +woman unloosed the dog.</p> + +<p>Ere Revyngton had gone a bowshot from the cottage the cur was barking +and yelping at his heels, showing its teeth, but fearing to close, +till at length it drew off, leaving the man to wonder at the +churlishness of the hard-faced woman compared with the reception of +wayfarers on his father's manor in Devon, where meat and drink were +ever at the disposal of even the most humble stranger.</p> + +<p>At the brow of the hill he saw the tower of the abbey amid the trees +a mile or more away, with the beautiful expanse of Southampton Water +as a fitting background to the peaceful scene. Yet the fugitive had +neither time nor inclination to appreciate the natural surroundings; +to him the abbey meant rest and safety, and with renewed hope he sped +towards the monastic buildings.</p> + +<p>Weary and footsore he reached the outer door, his senses reeling with +the effects of his exertions. Seeing his plight the porter gave him +wine, and sent a lay brother to summon the abbot.</p> + +<p>As the venerable head of the establishment appeared, Revyngton raised +himself with an effort and knelt before him.</p> + +<p>"Thy blessing, father."</p> + +<p>"<i>Benedicite</i>, my son; what wouldst thou?"</p> + +<p>"Sanctuary, father."</p> + +<p>The abbot shook his head sorrowfully.</p> + +<p>"'Tis not permitted, my son; such blessed privileges belong only to +our parent abbey at Beaulieu and to the Hospital of St. Cross. I +trow there is no other within the jurisdiction of the Lord Bishop of +Winchester. What crime bast thou committed?"</p> + +<p>"I slew a man in anger, and even now my pursuers are hard at my +heels."</p> + +<p>The abbot turned to a lay brother.</p> + +<p>"Tell Brother Balthazar to repair to the tower and to quickly bring +me word if any soldiers appear." Then to the fugitive he added, +"Confess thy sin and seek God's pardon; then perchance the means of +thy earthly salvation may be vouchsafed to thee. Follow me, my son."</p> + +<p>To the venerable abbot Revyngton told the whole of the circumstances +of the case; then, having eased his soul, the abbot took care to +relieve his body, causing food and drink to be set before him, while +a brother washed his cut and travel-worn feet.</p> + +<p>"Thou must make for the Abbey of the Blessed Mary at Beaulieu, where +thou shalt find sanctuary. Knowest thou the way?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, father," replied the man, sad at heart at the prospect of +another journey at the peril of his life.</p> + +<p>"Then listen, my son. Two of the brethren will take thee across the +arm of the sea that thou canst see yonder. Thence it is but an hour's +sharp travel across the heath to the abbey, the path being well worn +by reason of many of the brethren who travel thereby. There are three +ways from the spot where thou wilt land the one on the left hand +goeth towards Fawley and the town of Lepe, the one on the right to +the village of Hythe, but the way thou must take goeth neither right +nor left, but leads towards the sun just before the hour of +vespers——Ah! What is thy message, my son?"</p> + +<p>The last question was addressed to a novice, who, panting +breathlessly, was standing in the doorway with folded arms and bent +head, awaiting the abbot's pleasure.</p> + +<p>"Horsemen, father; a score or more have appeared on the hill and are +making towards the abbey."</p> + +<p>"Then summon Brother Angelique and Brother Petrox. Hasten, for 'tis +no season for leisure."</p> + +<p>Quickly the two brethren—tall, gaunt, yet sinewy men, with faces and +arms tanned a deep red by reason of their calling as boatmen of the +abbey—answered the behest, and with the reverence due to their +superior awaited his commands.</p> + +<p>"Take this man across and put him fairly on his way to our parent +abbey. Tarry not on thy journey, for the matter is urgent."</p> + +<p>"Is it thy wish, father, to land him at Ashlett or Cadland?" asked +one of the monks.</p> + +<p>"At Cadland, should the tide prove aright. Now, my son," he added to +the refugee, "take mine earnest blessing and go, and may the blessed +Saints Mary and Edward, the patrons of our abbey, be with thee."</p> + +<p>There was little time to lose, for already the horsemen were within +two bow-shots of the abbey, and with a loud clatter of sandals the +two monks led the way, Revyngton following closely at their heels, +the brethren of the abbey speeding him on his way with prayers and +cries of encouragement.</p> + +<p>At the end of a little causeway a boat, broadbeamed and lofty of head +and stem, rode on the little wavelets. With a sign Brother Petrox +motioned the fugitive to step aboard, then unfastening the rope that +held the craft to the quay, he followed Brother Angelique and pushed +off.</p> + +<p>Both monks rolled the sleeves of their gowns above their elbows, +seized the two heavy ash oars, and rowed with a will, Revyngton +sitting on a rough fishing-tray at the stern of the boat and drinking +in the cool sea breezes. The rush of events had well-nigh bewildered +him, and listlessly he watched the rhythmical motion of the sinewy +arms as the rowers urged the boat towards the opposite shore.</p> + +<p>Suddenly his reveries were broken by an exclamation from one of the +monks. "They follow us; pull thy hardest!"</p> + +<p>Revyngton turned and looked astern. From the place they had left but +a quarter of an hour before half a score of men were dragging a heavy +boat down the steep beach.</p> + +<p>"By the blessed Peter, my holy namesake," groaned one of the monks, +"I had overlooked that, and the oars are in the boat. See, already +they have launched it."</p> + +<p>"'Tis after all but a crare."</p> + +<p>"With a crew of lusty fellows to make amends for its weight. The +saints forfend them!"</p> + +<p>"Let us trust that they cannot handle the sails, for, mark well, the +wind bloweth fair."</p> + +<p>The rowers relapsed into silence, and with long, heavy strokes, that +seemed far too slow to the hunted fugitive, they resolutely and +unfalteringly lessened the distance betwixt them and the nether +shore. The hour of noon had already passed, and the sun's rays +attained a greater strength than they had previously in the day, yet, +though streaming with moisture, the monks laboured in their efforts +to shake off their pursuers.</p> + +<p>"We hold our own," muttered one over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Nay, I doubt it; but we must needs make for Ashlett Creek, for the +other channel is yet uncovered."</p> + +<p>Accordingly the boat's head was turned towards a distant opening in +the mud-fringed shore, and the pursuing craft followed suit, thereby +gaining considerably on the fugitive, who could now distinguish the +dress of the men.</p> + +<p>"They overtake us," quoth he, speaking for the first time since the +abbey gates had closed behind him. "See, a bowman makes ready!"</p> + +<p>Gradually the distance between the boats lessened, but the monks' +craft was now close to the creek, and Revyngton saw in front an +apparently closed-in basin surrounded by a high bank of slimy mud. A +few more strokes and the boat was within the creek, which wound its +sinuous way up to the shore, while the little waves caused by their +rapid motion through the water lapped the sides of the narrow +channel.</p> + +<p>Just as they were about to round the first bend the bowman let loose, +and an arrow sung over their heads and struck the mud with a dull +swish. Revyngton instinctively bent his head, but his companions, +though men of peace, barely took notice of the deadly shaft.</p> + +<p>"Safe for the time," commented Brother Angelique, as the boat shot +behind a sheltering bank.</p> + +<p>"But how about thy safety?" asked the fugitive.</p> + +<p>"By St. Edward, 'tis not to be thought of," replied the monk, +thrusting back his sleeve, which in his exertions had slipped down. +"They seek not us."</p> + +<p>"But thou hast aided a fugitive from justice."</p> + +<p>"Nay, that I wot not of. Besides, how am I to know that these men are +the officers of justice They might well be but water-pikers for aught +I know.... Oh!"</p> + +<p>An exclamation of pain interrupted his words, for an arrow, shot +haphazard from the bend of the creek over the intervening bank, had +pierced his forearm betwixt elbow and wrist, while another shaft +trembled with its head buried in the thwart.</p> + +<p>"On, Brother Petrox! On! 'Tis but a small matter," he gasped, and as +the other monk seized his companion's oar, the wounded man, shutting +his eyes tightly, snapped off the head of the arrow with his free +hand and drew the broken shaft from the wound.</p> + +<p>A gush of blood followed, but the brave monk, gripping the wounded +member to stop the crimson flow, never ceased to urge the rower to +greater effort, while ever and again a shaft shot by their still +invisible pursuers flew perilously close to their heads.</p> + +<p>At length the boat grounded on the hard bed of the channel, and +Brother Petrox called to Revyngton to jump out. Wading through the +shallow water the two started for the shore, leaving the wounded monk +calmly seated in the deserted craft.</p> + +<p>From the mud hovels of the village of Ashlett wimpled women and +rough-haired children looked interestedly at the two runners, the +layman in his travel-stained apparel and the monk in his sombre garb. +Men there were none, for the hours of toil had called them to the +fields or out on the waters, where they sought a livelihood by +fishing; but had there been, the sight of the two speeding along +would hardly have excited anything but curiosity in the minds of +these dull-witted sons of the soil.</p> + +<p>"I can go with thee no farther," panted the monk, as they reached the +cross-roads. "Follow yonder path, and God be with thee." And as +Revyngton sped onwards towards the rolling expanse of purple heather, +he saw the solitary figure of his benefactor waving encouragingly +towards the distant and invisible goal.</p> + +<p>Settling down to a steady pace, the fugitive kept doggedly on his +way, his eyes fixed on a distant clump of trees that marked the brow +of the hill overlooking the valley of the Exe where lay the abbey.</p> + +<p>Narrower and narrower became the road, till it deteriorated into a +mere footpath, the prickly gorse encroaching on either side and +hurting his feet as he ran. Yet, spurred onward by renewed hope, his +strength seemed well-nigh inexhaustible.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, from behind a low heather-clad hillock at the side of the +road, four wild-looking men sprang up and barred his progress.</p> + +<p>"Hold, stranger!" shouted one, brandishing a club. "Whither goest +thou? Hast aught in thy scrip that we would relieve thee of, for the +lighter thou art the easier thou'lt run."</p> + +<p>"I have nothing in the world. Let me pass, I pray; 'tis a matter that +brooks no delay."</p> + +<p>"Nay, not so fast, young master. What is thine errand?"</p> + +<p>"My errand?" replied Revyngton, with a mirthless laugh. "I seek +sanctuary."</p> + +<p>"Art without the pale of the law?"</p> + +<p>"Of that there is little doubt."</p> + +<p>"Then throw in thy lot with us. A free life in the forest glades, +with many a weighty scrip to balance the lightness of our minds, is +better than being cooped up in yonder monastery."</p> + +<p>The fugitive shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Nay, 'tis not to my liking."</p> + +<p>"Neither is the other, I trow, but look!"</p> + +<p>Following the direction of his hand, Revyngton saw coming over the +brow of a distant hill which he had crossed but a short while ago a +number of his pursuers. Three had procured horses, while the rest, +some five in number, ran by their side, holding on to the stirrups to +aid their speed.</p> + +<p>Instantly the robbers vanished into the tangle of bracken, leaving +the fugitive alone on the narrow path, and once again he broke into a +headlong pace, his pursuers thundering along but three arrow-flights +behind him.</p> + +<p>Fortunately the unevenness of the path prevented the horsemen from +riding their hardest, and when at length Revyngton, exhausted and +faint, reached the brow of the hill, he saw that the situation was +still in his favour. Blindly plunging onwards, with laboured +breathing and aching sides, he ran down the hill, at the foot of +which clustered the extensive buildings of the abbey.</p> + +<p>Through a gap in the trees on his left he caught a glimpse of the +silvery river as it wound in majestic splendour towards the sea, but +to the hunted man the beauty of the scene was lost; all that +concerned him was the thought of the possibility of being overtaken +ere he could cover the last stretch of dusty road.</p> + +<p>He was dimly conscious of hearing a crash behind him, and of looking +round for one brief moment, thereby catching a glimpse of two of the +horsemen mingled in utter confusion on the rough path. And still the +sound of the rapidly approaching hoofs of the remaining horse thudded +in his ears.</p> + +<p>Now he had gained the angle of the abbey wall. The gate, with its +massive iron knocker, was within his grasp. The noise of the +footfalls of the pursuer's steed ceased; there was a sharp hiss, and +an arrow pierced the fugitive's leg just above the knee. Then, with a +final effort, he thundered at the portal, and, as his head swam and +his limbs gave way under him, he was dimly aware that he was +surrounded by a group of grey-robed figures. He had found +sanctuary.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter01">CHAPTER I</a><br /><br />THE ARCHER, REDWARD +BUCKLAND</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +IT was early morning in the month of August, 1338, so early that the +slanting rays of the sun still lit up the north side of the Norman +church of St. Andrew, and cast a shadow seven times its height across +the dew-soaked meadows.</p> + +<p>Betwixt the high ground where stood the church and the narrow creek, +known as the Hamble River, clustered the mud-walled and thatched-roof +houses of the village of Hamble-le-Rice. Away to the north could be +traced the course of the tree-fringed creek till it lost itself +behind a range of low hills, while in the other direction lay the +estuary of the river, where it mingled itself with the salt waves of +Southampton Water, which, in its turn, was backed by the dark, dense +masses of trees that formed that tract of country so well known in +history and romance—the New Forest.</p> + +<p>Peaceful, indeed, was the situation of this quiet little Hampshire +village, and peaceful also was the general existence of its +inhabitants. Situated on an out-of-the-way angle, far from the old +Roman highway that led from Clausentum to Portchester, and at that +period, as now, formed the highway between Southampton and +Portsmouth, Hamble village was all but cut off from the rest of the +world. Save for an occasional visit by the grey-robed monks from the +Priory of St. Mary and St. Edward at Netley, a chance journey of a +huckster or Chapman from Southampton or Winchester fairs, or the +unpreventable arrival of some vessel driven by stress of weather to +shelter in the estuary, strangers in the village were few and far +between.</p> + +<p>Slow in thought, slower in speech, and backward in giving or taking +offence, yet terrible when roused to anger, the Hamble folk were +typical examples of the mediaeval English peasant whose descendants +have made history in all parts of the globe.</p> + +<p>For years past the social condition of England had been in a +deplorable state. The strife between King Edward II. and De Spenser +on the one hand, and Queen Isabella and Mortimer on the other, had +encouraged lawlessness in all grades of society. Robbers, thieves, +murderers, and criminals of all kinds had multiplied to an enormous +degree, and were openly protected by the great barons, as being +useful tools in their hands. Guilds, founded for self-protective +measures, became instruments of oppression, and, generally speaking, +every man looked solely to his own interest.</p> + +<p>But in the village of Hamble there was little to ruffle the even +tenor of its existence. Little did it matter whether the seamen of +Southampton had a feud with the men of the Cinque Ports, or whether +the monks of Beaulieu or Netley had a difference with the Bishop of +Winchester; but should a strange craft appear in the river, or a band +of marauders attempt to swoop down from the leafy fastnesses of +Waltham Chase, 'twas only necessary to ring the great bell of St. +Andrew's, and instantly the peaceful villagers would be turned into +an angry array of armed men, ready to sell their lives dearly in +defence of their hearths and homes.</p> + +<p>But the time was at hand when Englishmen would have to sink their +differences and unite against a common foe. Edward III. had laid +claim to the throne of France, and, though the stake was a great one, +the enterprise was popular, inasmuch as the possibilities of +individual gain in the shape of plunder held out great inducements to +all classes of these island warriors.</p> + +<p>On this particular morning early a man emerged from one of the houses +on the outskirts of the village, which, by reason of being built of +stone and being fair-sized, betokened that its owner was a man of +position—as far as the place was concerned. The house lay some two +hundred yards away from the rest, occupying the summit of an +even-crested ridge, and was surrounded by a palisade of stout pointed +stakes, that afforded complete protection against the attacks of any +ordinary band of adventurers.</p> + +<p>The man was a tall, well-made individual, with a bronzed face +surmounted by a thick crop of reddish hair, and partially concealed +by a heavy beard, that grew high upon his cheeks. Bushy eyebrows +helped to further conceal his face, but any one could see from the +grey glint of his blue eyes that the profusion of hair covered a +comely countenance.</p> + +<p>A well-worn leather jerkin, that had once been of a vivid red colour, +but was now nearly black with hard usage, failed to conceal the +mighty expanse of his chest, while the short sleeves of the garment +fitted tightly over the gnarled muscles of his arms. His lower limbs +were also covered by leathern hose, which, by reason of exposure to +salt water and the rough wear and tear of daily toil, were now +colourless and frayed till all semblance of dressed leather was +lacking. His legs, however, though of great size, did not betoken an +equality with the strength of his arms, and, moreover, he walked with +a slight limp.</p> + +<p>A crimson scarf, bound tightly round his head, did duty for a +head-dress, while from a narrow black belt hung a short dagger on his +right side, counterbalanced by a leather purse or pouch on his left.</p> + +<p>Over his shoulder he bore a pair of long ash oars, their blades still +covered with a deposit of dry mud, while in his left hand he carried +a six-foot yew-bow, which, unstrung, was as straight as a lance.</p> + +<p>Redward Buckland, for such was his name, was not a Hamble man in the +strict sense of the word, yet so good-natured and easy-going was he, +so upright in his dealings, and withal a man of such great bodily +strength, that he was a popular member of the little community.</p> + +<p>Of his past he said little, and was asked but little. He had been +master bowman in a company, had served against the Scots at +Bannockburn, with the Gascons in their feudal bickerings, and there +was hardly a castle in Normandy, Maine, Touraine, Anjou, Poitou, or +Limousin that he did not know.</p> + +<p>Eleven years prior to the time of this story he suddenly appeared at +Hamble, bringing with him his son Raymond, then a child five years of +age. Men often talked of their coming; the bowman, in rusty +brigandine and dented headpiece, the boy, a lusty, laughing +youngster, perched on his shoulder, a wain jogging behind with a +heavy load of rich stuff—booty from many a foreign part—the like of +which had never before been seen in Hamble.</p> + +<p>Thereupon he purchased a farmhouse, and settled down with the +intention of passing the rest of his days in comfort. Being a highly +religious man—though, like most of his companions in arms, he could +swear roundly at times—Redward Buckland acted in accordance with the +custom of the times. Four marks and a seven-pound candle of pure wax +he gave to the priory at Netley, and a gold-embroidered cloth to the +church of St. Andrew at Hamble.</p> + +<p>These presents he accounted sufficient atonement and thank-offering +alike for delinquencies and deliverances from peril during his +sojourn abroad, and thence-forth he meant to live a quiet, +well-ordered life, though, unable to resist the call to arms, he had +served in short campaigns against the Scots, and had but a year +previously crossed the Channel to take part in the Battle of Cadsand. +Yet Hamble was his home, and to Hamble he returned as soon as each +particular expedition had ended.</p> + +<p>Raymond Buckland, now a lad of sixteen, had little in common with his +father as far as appearance went. He was tall, slim, yet well-knit, +with curly flaxen hair, though the colour had a redeeming tinge of +reddish-gold that is necessary to impart a warmth to what would +otherwise be a lustreless head of hair. He moved with a grace and +ease that contrasted vividly with his father's comparatively awkward +gait, but his limbs were not wanting in strength.</p> + +<p>A vigorous outdoor life had done much to develop his frame. Mentally +Raymond was well educated, according to the standard of the age, +having but recently returned from the Cistercian priory at Netley, +where for the last seven years he had been a novice. His long +intercourse with a monastic life had somewhat deadened his natural +inclinations, but since his return to the outside world the active +delights of youth seemed sweeter still.</p> + +<p>"Hasten, Raymond," said his father, pausing to look back towards the +house, where the youth still lingered. "The young flood hath just +begun, and tide tarries for no man! And," he added, "fail not to +bring my quiver with the black-feathered arrows."</p> + +<p>"And can I bring my crossbow?" inquired Raymond.</p> + +<p>His father gave a gruff yet good-natured assent, and, resuming his +walk, sauntered gently towards the river.</p> + +<p>Before he had passed the church Raymond had overtaken him, carrying +the quiver in his left hand, while across his back was slung a short +yet powerful crossbow, his own quiver with its stock of heavy +quarrels hanging from his belt.</p> + +<p>"Ha! That crossbow again!" exclaimed Redward, in good-natured +contempt. "'Tis strange that an English boy should lean towards a +windlac-drawn weapon rather than a sturdy yew-bow. An thou wert a +Provençal or Genoese I could have understood it."</p> + +<p>"Why, father?"</p> + +<p>"Why, forsooth! Thou wert made a sturdy Englishman, with sinews and +muscles wherewith to bend an honest longbow—not to have to turn a +handle, like a butter-making wench, ere the bolt can be shot. And, +moreover, suppose thou wert matched against an archer; before thy +weapon were levelled I'll warrant there would be a dozen cloth-yard +shafts bristling in thine hide—though one would be enough, I trow!"</p> + +<p>"But the Genoese?"</p> + +<p>"The Genoese, my son, were ever underhanded fighters, preferring to +cause a gaping wound with a quarrel rather than a wholesome hole with +an arrow. 'Tis said that on more than one occasion the Pope hath +forbidden the use of the crossbow, and that the Second Lateran +Council, a hundred years ago, did likewise."</p> + +<p>"How, then, do we find the crossbow still in use?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell, Raymond, save it be the natural perversity of men. +But here we are at the shore."</p> + +<p>They had passed through the village, between rows of thatched +cottages. Smoke was already beginning to issue from the hole in the +roof that did duty for a chimney, showing that the inhabitants were +early astir. The narrow road plunged sharply down to the mud-fringed +shores of the river, for the tide was low, and long flats of +treacherous slime extended almost from bank to bank, save for a +channel of deep water midway between.</p> + +<p>With the air of a man who is thoroughly acquainted with the place, +Redward Buckland followed an almost invisible path—termed throughout +uncountable ages a Hard—that led across the mud flats to the edge of +the water, Raymond treading carefully at his heels. At the end of the +Hard lay a large, bluff-bowed boat, and, pulling the craft ashore by +a length of rope, the archer tossed the oars into it and beckoned to +his son to jump on board.</p> + +<p>"Whither are we going, father?" asked Raymond, as his sire pushed +off, stepped awkwardly into the boat, and began to haul on board the +heavy stone that served as an anchor.</p> + +<p>"Up the river to Botley, my son there to see Master Nicholas Hobbes."</p> + +<p>"And who is he?" rejoined Raymond with the inquisitiveness of youth.</p> + +<p>"Master Hobbes, of the city of Winton, is a fletcher, and his arrows +are well known as the very best in the country. Also he brings with +him a stock of bows made by Master Ford, whose fame as a bowyer +extends well beyond the borders of Hamptonshire."</p> + +<p>"But why buy arrows, father; surely thou canst make thine own?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, Raymond! Raymond!" replied his father, shaking his head +doubtfully, "thou hast yet to learn that though I could fashion mine +own weapons, yet custom demands that I get them from a member of the +honourable guild of bowyers and fletchers. Didst ever hear of a +belted knight welding his own coat of mail?"</p> + +<p>The boy, in truth, had yet to learn of the existence of the powerful +guilds, or combinations of trades, which, founded for the purpose of +self-protection against the rapacity of the barons and the +lawlessness of their retainers, became strong enough to be regarded +with respect by these turbulent personages. As the guilds grew they +obtained charters from their sovereign, till they reached a state +that enabled them to deal harshly with those without the pale. Thus, +for instance, any man following the occupation of a tanner "not being +free"—<i>i.e.</i> made a member of a guild—was amerced, or fined, or +even subjected to corporal punishment.</p> + +<p>Urged by the archer's long, powerful strokes the boat shot up-stream +with the tide, passing between steeply rising banks, where the +freshly leafed trees cast dark shadows across the verdant fields. +Raymond sat on the stern-thwart, looking with silent admiration on +the scene, for, as far as he could remember, it was his first +experience of a journey by water.</p> + +<p>At length they came to a place where on the western side a smaller +creek joined the river. Redward rested on his oars and looked towards +the mud banks, which were even now nearly covered by the rising +water.</p> + +<p>"We have hurried apace," he remarked, "and 'tis even too soon to go +right up to the town. This is called Badnam Creek, and, by St. +George, I'll wager we'll find some waterfowl amongst the reeds. Take +thy crossbow, Raymond, and I'll pit my six-foot bow against it."</p> + +<p>Eagerly the boy took his weapon and wound the windlac till the +highly-drawn string clicked against the catch. Then he fitted a bolt, +and, having done so, turned to watch his sire's movements. The archer +had already notched the cord, and the bow, with a couple of arrows, +lay on the thwart by his side.</p> + +<p>"Steady, my son!" exclaimed the archer in alarm. "Be careful where +thou pointest that hell-designed toy. 'Tis bad enough to have a +foeman's shaft through one leg without having mine own son's bolt +through the other. Hold it over the side, I pray thee!"</p> + +<p>The boat was run amid a cluster of reeds, and the twain waited +silently and eagerly for some sign of feathered life. They were not +kept long in suspense, for from a marsh hard by came two wild geese, +their necks extended and their wings flapping noisily as they flew.</p> + +<p>"Quick, Raymond!" whispered his father, "loose directly they are +overhead!"</p> + +<p>In his excitement the youth sprang to his feet, and poised his +crossbow.</p> + +<p>But alas for his inexperience! Unaccustomed to the swaying of the +boat he lost his balance and fell backwards across the thwart; his +crossbow twanged, and with a deep humming sound the quarrel flew +aimlessly into space.</p> + +<p>In a moment Raymond raised himself into a sitting position, only to +see his father loose his second arrow.</p> + +<p>"And thou hast missed also!" he exclaimed in a tone of reproach.</p> + +<p>"Peace, lad; wait and see!"</p> + +<p>The birds still continued their passage, one gliding with wings +outstretched, the other still beating the air with redoubled haste; +then, even as they looked, both birds swayed in their flight, and +fell into the water within two score paces of each other.</p> + +<p>Without further remark Redward pushed the boat clear of the reeds, +and rowed towards his spoil. One of the geese was still transfixed by +an arrow, the other's neck had a small wound, showing that the shaft +had passed completely through it.</p> + +<p>"Another groat gone!" exclaimed the archer, ruefully contemplating +the bird that had failed to stop the arrow. "But that was a grand +shot of thine, Raymond, I trow," he added in a bantering tone; +"'twas not learned of the monks of Netley?"</p> + +<p>Then, observing a flush of mortification overspread the boy's +features, he continued, "Never mind, my son, even the best archer in +the kingdom would be at a loss in a small boat at first."</p> + +<p>Presently they rounded an abrupt spur of land on their left, and came +to a spot where the creek narrowed considerably, being enclosed by +lofty hills on either side. A broad white road descended these hills +to the water's edge, where it was broken by the flowing tide. A rough +wooden hut, with a large open boat close at hand, marked the spot +where wayfarers were ferried across to the opposite side, where a +horn, chained to a post, was blown as a signal to attract the +ferryman.</p> + +<p>"This is the road 'twixt Southampton and Portsmouth," said the +archer, indicating the dusty streak by a nod of his head. "At +Bursledon, on this side, is the fortalice of the Hewitts, though from +here 'tis hidden by the trees. On the other side is Swanwick Shore, +whence come some of the best mariners who man the cogs of +Southampton. But, mark ye! Here comes a great company of armed men; +by St. Etienne of Tours, it makes my heart glad to hear the clatter +of harness once more! I wonder under whose banners they march?"</p> + +<p>And resting on his oars, Redward Buckland shaded his eyes from the +glare of the sun, and peered steadfastly up the hill where the white +road was now alive with men, a grey cloud of dust hanging over them +like a marsh mist in autumn, through which the Cross of St. George +blazoned on the white surcoats of the archers stood out bravely +against the dark foliage.</p> + +<p>When the vanguard reached the foot of the hill, a bowshot from where +the watchers sat in their little craft, a tucket sounded and the +company halted.</p> + +<p>Then Redward's accustomed eyes lighted upon their banner, which bore +a golden half-moon on an azure field, and unable to contain himself, +he stood upright, waving his cap in boisterous delight.</p> + +<p>"By Our Lady, 'tis as I thought—the company of the Governor of +Portchester! Haste we to the shore, Raymond, that I may welcome mine +old comrades!"</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter02">CHAPTER II</a><br /><br />THE SHADOW OF WAR</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +A FEW strokes and the boat's keel grated on the shingle. Redward +sprang out, hastily secured the craft, and strode towards the crowd +of armed men, Raymond following closely at his heels.</p> + +<p>Again a tucket sounded, and the ranks broke, most of the archers +throwing themselves down by the roadside, as if weary of foot; the +mounted men-at-arms led their horses to the grassy glades of the +wood, while a couple of squires rode towards the water's edge to +summon the ferryman.</p> + +<p>On reaching the outskirts of the throng the old archer looked around +to try and recognise some of his former comrades; nor did he look in +vain.</p> + +<p>"Red Buckland, by the Rood!" exclaimed a bronzed and bearded +man-at-arms, seizing him vigorously by the hand. "Right glad am I to +see thee again. Ho, Giles, Wat, Dick!" he shouted to some of his +comrades, "come hither and greet an old friend!"</p> + +<p>The pair were instantly surrounded by a mob of archers—burly, +bearded men, rough in speech and coarse in manner, yet full-hearted, +honest soldiers, the backbone of the feudalism of mediaeval England.</p> + +<p>Raymond stood at the edge of the circle of men, gazing open-mouthed +at the unusual sight and listening with youthful eagerness, not +unmixed with feelings of awe, as the archers talked, fighting their +battles o'er again, or discussed their future movements.</p> + +<p>"'Twill be Francewards again ere long," remarked one, a man-at-arms, +who, having removed his headpiece, disclosed a close crop of hair +furrowed by a long white mark, the legacy of a Norman's axe. "Word +came yesternight that we had to repair to Hampton to join the army +that the King leads across the Channel."</p> + +<p>"Would I were with you, comrades," said Redward, wistfully gazing on +the accoutrements of the troops, the sight of which roused old +memories of camp and battlefield.</p> + +<p>"And wherefore not," replied another. "There's more to be made in a +week's march in France than ten years' delving in Merry England. Ay, +and I'll warrant that ere long there'll be nought but old men, women, +and babes left to guard our hearths."</p> + +<p>"Then I must be reckoned amongst the old men," replied Redward, with +a mirthful laugh. "Though, methinks, at two score and fifteen years, +I am not yet too aged to strike a shrewd blow or to receive hard +knocks!"</p> + +<p>"Then why tarry?"</p> + +<p>"Didst ever have a son, Dickon?"</p> + +<p>"Nay," replied the man, shaking his head. "Neither kith nor kin have +I in this world, save my comrades."</p> + +<p>"Then thou knowest not how a man's whole being can be wrapped up in +his child. I have a son—he stands yonder. How could I leave him—a +boy of sixteen—to fare for himself while I follow the banners of +England in foreign parts?"</p> + +<p>"But thou hast done so aforetimes?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, but then the boy was in safe keeping in the abbey of Netley. Now +that he is too old, seeing that it is my wish and his desire not to +remain within the priory walls, I must needs stay with him."</p> + +<p>"Red Buckland, thou art becoming chicken-hearted in thine old age. +The boy—a lusty youth he looks—cannot remain with thee for ever," +argued the soldier. "Now, what say you; join our company once again, +and bring him with thee? Methinks there are many such, nay, even +younger and of less frame and brawn, who have already set out for the +wars. Come, now; again I ask thee, wilt join?"</p> + +<p>"Dickon, thou dost press me hard so that I can scarce refuse. Yet no +answer will I give till I have spoken with my boy."</p> + +<p>At that moment a trumpet sounded, and the men stood to their arms, +forming up in two lines on either side of the road. The archers, +armed with short swords or axes in addition to the deadly longbow, +faced the men-at-arms, who, protected with breastplate, iron helmet, +gorget and greaves, grasped their twelve-foot spears, gazing +steadfastly in front as their leader rode slowly between the lines.</p> + +<p>Sir John Hacket, Constable of the King's Castle at Portchester, and +Governor of the Town of Portsmouth (to give him his official title), +was then in his fortieth year, yet, from the effects of campaigning +under exceptional circumstances in all parts of Western Europe, he +looked considerably older, his hair being a snowy white, contrasting +vividly with his brick-red complexion.</p> + +<p>He was accoutred <i>cap-à -pie</i> in banded mail with aillettes, +rerebraces, vambraces, and roundels, his richly embroidered surcoat +being emblazoned with his arms.</p> + +<p>By his left side hung a long falchion, while over the right hip was +the <i>misericorde</i>, or dagger, with which a knight demanded his +dismounted adversary's surrender or else gave him a <i>coup de +grâce</i>.</p> + +<p>On his head he wore a flat cap of crimson velvet, his steel bascinet +being carried by a squire; while a mounted man-at-arms bore his lance.</p> + +<p>As he proceeded between the lines of armed men, noting with +undisguised satisfaction their martial bearing, Sir John's glance +fell upon Redward and his son as they stood, with a knot of +spectators from the neighbouring village, a little way behind the +archers.</p> + +<p>"Certes," he cried to one of his attendant squires, "'tis my old +master-bowman! Bring him hither."</p> + +<p>Thus Redward, with doffed cap, found himself once again before his +beloved chief.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Buckland, I see the blood of a good old stock still flows in thy +veins," he said, after questioning him over various matters +pertaining to his welfare, "I trust I shall see thee again under my +banner anon!" And setting spurs to his charger the knight rode to the +edge of the river, leaving the old archer tormented with thoughts of +the rival claims of home and camp.</p> + +<p>The work of transporting the detachment across the Hamble river +proceeded apace, the whole of the operations being under the personal +supervision of the Constable; and, true to the usages of warfare, the +task was carried out in strictly military fashion.</p> + +<p>First a vanguard of archers and men-at-arms was ferried across, the +party taking up an extended formation on the opposite shore. Then +came the main body, with the mounted men-at-arms, the horses being +conveyed across in a large flat-bottomed boat. Leaving only a +rear-guard, Sir John and his personal attendants then crossed, and +finally the rear-guard followed, leaving Redward Buckland and his son +gazing wistfully after them from the other shore.</p> + +<p>"Heart alive, Raymond," said his father. "We, too, must be on the +move, for the tide will not serve much longer." And pushing off, they +turned the boat's head up-stream and continued their journey.</p> + +<p>"Didst hear what the archers said but now?" inquired Redward, resting +on his oars, and looking doubtfully at his son, as if half afraid +that the fighting strain would not manifest itself.</p> + +<p>"Ay, father!"</p> + +<p>"And what thinkest thou?"</p> + +<p>"I would go Francewards with thee."</p> + +<p>"Heaven be praised, my son! I was afraid that the monks of Netley had +made thee fitted for nought but a life within a monastery; yet thou +wouldst do well to ponder over this matter, for a life midst the +sound of arms is not lightly taken up. Thou hast seen but little of +the world, and look only on the glowing side of a soldier's life. The +risks and hardships of forced marches, famine, sickness, ay, and +possibly defeat, cannot be lightly put aside, though, when once +passed, one is apt to look back upon them as but trifling +adventures."</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless, I would fain go to France and fight for our King to +help him in his just enterprise."</p> + +<p>Poor Raymond! little did he think that there would be fighting in +plenty in store for him ere he set foot on French soil!</p> + +<p>There were nearly four miles to be covered ere their destination was +reached, and, though favoured by the tide, the work of pulling a +heavy boat began to tell even on the hardy frame of the archer, so, +in reply to Raymond's entreaty to be allowed to take the oars, his +sire consented and relinquished the heavy sticks.</p> + +<p>But his son's attempt at rowing failed to please his exacting father, +especially when the blades threw up showers of spray under the +vigorous yet inexperienced efforts of the young man.</p> + +<p>"Steady, Raymond! I would fain arrive at Botley with a dry skin, and +methinks, a little less strength would avail better! Put thy back +into it, my boy, rather than thine arms—so! I call to mind when I +rowed down the Scheldt in a pitch-dark night, when the splash of an +oar or the creaking of a thole would have loosened a hail of arrows +from five hundred archers on either bank."</p> + +<p>"Tell me about it, father?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, lad; the story will keep. But look ahead. Dost mark a row of +black posts standing above the water on yonder side?"</p> + +<p>Raymond looked.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but what are they?"</p> + +<p>"All that is left of what was once a Danish galley, the scourge of +our shore. There she lies, much the same as when burned by the great +Alfred, now five hundred years or more ago. May a like fate befall +every foreign craft that comes to harry our coasts!"</p> + +<p>Soon the channel became yet narrower, till the trees on the opposite +banks met overhead. Redward had resumed the oars, and bend after bend +of the river soon slipped past.</p> + +<p>"There's Botley Mill," said he, pointing to a low building, +thatched-roofed and enclosed by walls of timber and mud, while above +the rustle of the trees could be heard the dull roar of the stream as +it swept under the water-wheel.</p> + +<p>At a landing-place close to the road they left the boat and walked up +a short, steep incline to where the houses of the town encompassed +the market-place.</p> + +<p>"Ah, there is Master Hobbes," said Redward, indicating a short, +full-bodied man, clad in a suit of green cloth, who, surrounded by a +crowd of yeomen and villagers, was disposing of his stock of arrows +to the accompaniment of the latest news of the city of Winchester, +and the prospects of the war against the French.</p> + +<p>"Ho, gossip!" cried the archer. "Hast aught of thy stock left for +me?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, Master Buckland," replied the other, "'twould be an evil day for +me if I failed to supply the good folk of Hamble with +arrows—particularly thy noble self," he added with a servile bow.</p> + +<p>"Tut! tut!" growled the archer deprecatingly. "A truce to such +compliments. These the arrows? A goodly bundle! But—stand aside with +me a moment—how fares it with him?" he added in a mysterious manner.</p> + +<p>"As before no better, though perchance a trifle worse!"</p> + +<p>"But has he ceased to——"</p> + +<p>"Nay, nay! Far from it."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" muttered the archer moodily, "'tis as I feared, though not for +myself. Then, perchance he has had tidings?"</p> + +<p>"That I cannot say."</p> + +<p>"That being so, Nick, I had best be on the move overseas, under Sir +John Hacket's banner once again. That I'll do, and take Raymond with +me! Thanks, good Master Hobbes," he added in a louder tone. "'Tis as +I said before, a goodly bundle. God speed you!"</p> + +<p>And taking the arrows from the fletcher's hand, Redward called to his +son to follow him and strode rapidly back to the boat.</p> + +<p>During the return journey Raymond noticed that something was amiss. +His sire relapsed into a stony silence, treating any question with an +unusual disregard that showed that his thoughts were far away. This +puzzled Raymond, and he strove to find some reason for this +unlooked-for reticence, the reference to the mysterious "he" which he +had overheard persistently coming uppermost in his mind. Yet never a +word on the subject did the boy let fall, and it was in no little +bewilderment that he followed his father from the Hard back to the +house on the hill-top.</p> + +<p>The interior of Buckland's home was plainly yet well furnished after +the style of the age. Glass in the windows there was none, oiled +linen doing duty for that then costly material. The floor of the +living-room was strewn with rushes, the walls hung with woven material +and skins of animals. Portions of armour such as were worn by +men-at-arms, a few bucklers, and a medley of arms also found places +on the walls, while in a corner was a bundle of bows and two cases of +arrows. In the centre was a log fire, the sweet-smelling reek of the +pine logs finding its way through a hole in the roof. The sleeping +apartment opened out of this room, the building being but +one-storeyed.</p> + +<p>As darkness set in Redward secured the doors with a massive bar of +wood, heaped more logs on the fire, and lighted a couple of +rushlights.</p> + +<p>His fit of depression had passed, and he resumed his usual +cheerfulness of manner. Going into one of the adjoining rooms he +caught hold of a huge oak chest, which, in spite of his strength, +took all the power at his command to move. At length the chest was +dragged across the threshold into the larger room; then, sitting down +on a settle, the archer breathlessly gazed upon it with evident +satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Since it is fated that we go to the wars together," said he, "'tis +fitting that thou shouldst be properly attired and armed. Let us see +what this chest will provide."</p> + +<p>And, unlocking a strange yet strongly made clasp, Redward threw open +the lid, and for a moment the boy's eyes were dazzled with the +martial nature of its contents. There was a complete suit of armour, +similar to that worn by the Constable of Portchester, though lacking +the rich ornamentations, other portions of armour, and a small store +of equipments such as were worn by mounted men-at-arms and soldiers +of superior quality.</p> + +<p>Redward noticed the flash of excitement in his son's eyes as they +lighted upon the suit of armour.</p> + +<p>"Nay, my son," said he, "'tis not for thee—at least, not till thou +hast proved worthy of it. Here is a suitable garb, a quilted and +padded coat—a trifle large for thee, perhaps, yet 'tis better to err +on the generous side. This I found at the sack of Tournay, and 'tis +warranted to turn a sword-cut or to stop an arrow at two score paces. +This breastplate will also serve—and this steel cap. Now as to +thy +arms. Here is a sword, slightly heavy for thee, yet anon thou'lt +become accustomed to the feel of it, though a bowman stands an ill +chance should he suffer a troop of lances to come within striking +distance! Now into yonder corner throw thy crossbow, for, as I have +shown, 'tis but a clumsy and unwieldy tool for an Englishman. Here is +a better—a full-sized English longbow; that is the king of weapons! +To-morrow we'll hie to the butts, and ere a week hath passed a sturdy +archer thou'lt be or thou art no son of mine!"</p> + +<p>Raymond took the proffered articles and, with the pride of youth, +fitted them on, to the no small satisfaction of his sire. Still +garbed in his martial attire, he remained for a space listening to +his father's tales of past campaigns, till at length, worn out with +excitement, he retired for the night.</p> + +<p>When he had gone, Redward pored over the contents of the chest, +handling each article with an almost reverent care, then replacing +everything save Raymond's accoutrements, he relocked the heavy box, +and was soon tossing uneasily on his rough couch.</p> + +<p>For over an hour Redward lay awake pondering over the events of the +day, but just as sleep was about to gain the mastery, a hoarse shout +fell upon his ear. Another followed, and a veritable babel of shrieks +betokened that something untoward was happening in the village.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter03">CHAPTER III</a><br /><br />OF THE MIDNIGHT DESCENT OF +THE FRENCH INVADERS</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +THE first shout was enough to rouse the old archer into active +alertness, for, with his experience of camp life, he was accustomed +to awaken readily at the least noise. Hastily springing up, he rushed +to the window, swung aside the wooden flap and the flimsy fabric that +served to admit the light, and looked out. The darkness was intense, +save for some small tongues of dark red flame that were beginning to +shoot up from one of the houses near the waterside, the fire casting +a dull glare upon the neighbouring buildings and serving but to +intensify the inky blackness of the night.</p> + +<p>"A fire," he said aloud, yet on second thoughts the ever-increasing +shrieks, groans, shouts, and curses that were borne on the air belied +his surmise. Moreover, his quick ear detected commands and +ejaculations in a foreign language—the tongues of Picardy, Normandy, +and Spain.</p> + +<p>His ready brain grasped the situation—it must be a raid by the +French and Spaniards, who at that time swarmed in the English +Channel.</p> + +<p>These inroads upon our shores by the French during the Hundred Years' +War are apt to be ignored or lightly passed over by modern +historians, yet during a time when England was busy pouring the best +of her blood and treasure into France there was hardly a town on the +South Coast that escaped the ravages of the French and their allies, +the Spaniards and Genoese.</p> + +<p>"Awake! awake! Raymond!" shouted his father. "The French are upon +us!"</p> + +<p>Raymond sprang up and began to hastily don his clothes, while the +archer laid hands on every heavy article in the room, barricading the +door and securing the windows. Then, having made ready his bow, he +again looked out towards the village.</p> + +<p>By this time a series of unequal combats were taking place in the +narrow streets or within the houses, where the terrified inhabitants +were being routed out like rabbits. All who came across the path of +the ruthless invaders were cut down without mercy—men, women, and +children—while their homes were being plundered and afterwards fired +by men to whom the sacking of a town was almost a familiar task.</p> + +<p>To add to the din the church bell was ringing a violent tocsin, and +all who were able to escape fled either to the stout Norman tower to +seek shelter, or else across the open country towards the town of +Southampton.</p> + +<p>Raymond, white-faced with pardonable fear and shaking in every limb, +now joined his father. Flight for them was now out of the question, +for already some of the foemen had passed the house, hard in pursuit +of a party of fugitives, the slowest of whom fell under the weapons +of the relentless marauders. Like bloodhounds on the trail, this band +of pursuers passed by the solitary house, ignoring its existence or +else meaning to plunder it at their leisure after the chase of the +fugitives was ended.</p> + +<p>Suddenly four or five dark figures, silhouetted against the now +bright glare of the burning village, came running up the hill and +headed straight for the house.</p> + +<p>"Quickly, Raymond, notch a shaft!" hissed the archer, and setting an +example, he fitted an arrow to his bow and waited, with the weapon +slightly bent, the opportunity to let fly.</p> + +<p>"By St. George, they are our friends!" exclaimed Redward.</p> + +<p>"Andrew Walter! Dick!" he shouted. "This way, for your lives, and ye +are safe!" And throwing his great bulk against the barricade behind +the door, he moved it sufficiently to enable the door to be opened to +admit the fugitives.</p> + +<p>Then the furniture was replaced against the door, and the men sank +breathless and panic-stricken on the floor. There were six in all, so +that the little garrison now amounted to eight men, whereof three had +had experience in warfare.</p> + +<p>"Get ye up!" ordered Redward roughly. "Think ye that I opened my +doors to allow a set of cowardly curs to lie about my hearth? Up with +ye!"</p> + +<p>Stung by the rebuke, the men armed themselves with bow and sword, +gripping their weapons with newborn resolve.</p> + +<p>"Ah, by Our Lady, 'tis well ye look on the right side o' things. But +if we are to see the light of another day we must stand firm," said +the archer grimly. "And," he added, "let no man loose bow till I give +the word, and may God and St. George look favourably upon us this +night!"</p> + +<p>"Ay, gossip!" replied Walter Bevis, a veteran of Falkirk. "An' if we +cannot live we can at least die like Englishmen! But, who comes?"</p> + +<p>Another dark figure came flying up the hill, hotly pursued by half a +score of Frenchmen.</p> + +<p>"'Tis Will Lightfoot, of Hook!" replied one of the defenders. "Run, +Will, run!"</p> + +<p>"Now loose!" cried Redward, and immediately five arrows flew on their +deadly errand. It was the first time that Raymond had seen a shaft +sped in anger, and the sight thrilled him strangely. The pursuers, +standing out strongly against the glare, made easy marks; four of +them fell face forwards on the ground, writhing in mortal agony; the +fifth, struck in the right fore-arm, dropped his sword and yelled +lustily. The others, amazed at meeting with any attempt at organised +resistance, turned and fled towards the village, two more falling as +the result of a second flight of the deadly arrows.</p> + +<p>Will Lightfoot, holding a dagger in his left hand and a broken sword +in his right, came up to the improvised fortress with an easy stride, +for his name well suited him amid the encouraging shouts of his +friends.</p> + +<p>"Wait while I unbar the door," called Redward to the fugitive, at the +same time directing the others to assist him in removing the +barricade.</p> + +<p>"Nay, keep the door fast; the villains will be here anon," replied +Lightfoot. "I'll find a way in."</p> + +<p>And suiting the action to the word, he sprang on a low fence, and +from thence vaulted easily on to the thatched roof. Getting a grip +with his broken sword and dagger, he ran up the sloping roof of +thatch like a cat, and dropped through the aperture that did duty for +a chimney, and alighted in the midst of the smouldering logs on the +hearth.</p> + +<p>"Pardon, friends, for my mode of entry," he exclaimed. "But methinks +the mischief I have done to thy roof, Master Buckland, will ill +compare with the damage that our attackers will do ere a few hours +are spent."</p> + +<p>In the lull that followed the besieged took steps to strengthen their +defences. Redward brought out a large oaken chest filled with arrows, +whereat his son wondered all the more at the reason for the journey +to Botley on the previous day. Thick boards were spiked to the +windows, dividing each opening into two oylets, or slots for +discharging arrows, while on the side where no windows existed a few +of the stones were removed so as to form an additional outlook +commanding the hitherto invisible ground on the north.</p> + +<p>Food they had sufficient for three or four days, but water was +scarce. This necessary they must procure, so once again the door was +opened, and Raymond crept out stealthily with two leathern jacks to +procure some of the precious fluid from the well, while the others +crowded to the loopholes to cover his retreat if molested.</p> + +<p>With an indescribable feeling of fear, mingled with the dread of +being thought a coward by the defenders, Raymond did his work +silently and quickly. Thrice did he go to the well, till there was +sufficient water stored in the house to last for a considerable +time.</p> + +<p>All the while the shouts, groans, and cries continued, the crackling +and roaring of the flames making a fitting accompaniment, and giving +evidence that resistance was still being kept up in another quarter.</p> + +<p>At length the pale dawn began to show a welcome change to the anxious +men, on whom the weary waiting told far more than the actual +struggle.</p> + +<p>Gradually the daylight increased, and by its aid the besieged were +able to realise more fully their hazardous position. Nearly every +house was in flames, some even now reduced to a heap of glowing +ashes. Here and there the corpse of a Spaniard or a Frenchman showed +that, in spite of the surprise, the attack had been fiercely opposed. +Those villagers who had taken refuge in the church tower still +resisted, though, from the desultory arrows that came from the top of +the structure, it was evident that their store of missiles was +well-nigh exhausted.</p> + +<p>The invaders, too, were aware of this, for those wearing armour +advanced also to the base of the tower, avoiding, however, the pieces +of stone that the desperate men detached from the pinnacles and +hurled down on their adversaries. Others, keeping further off, shot +their bolts at the tower, stamping and jumping as if to terrify their +quarry. Some of the foreign crossbowmen were so close to the house +that sheltered Buckland's party that they could hear the clicking of +their moulinets and the deep bass hum of the strings as the quarrels +sped towards the mark.</p> + +<p>Out in mid-stream, their hulls swinging to the tide, lay three long, +low-lying galleys, and between them and the shore a number of small +boats were rowing to and fro, those putting off being full of +plunder; and as fast as each little craft discharged its load into +the capacious hold of its parent galley it returned to the shore to +remove some of the huge heap of booty, which was still being +replenished by parties of foragers.</p> + +<p>Loud and long were the maledictions of the men in Redward's house, as +they saw their homes given to the flames and their kinsfolk and +friends either cruelly murdered or else houseless fugitives; but soon +their attention was riveted on the final scene in the resistance of +those on the church tower.</p> + +<p>The crossbowmen redoubled their fire, and, covered by the heavy rain +of missiles, a party of men-at-arms advanced with their shields held +over their heads. A shower of blows with their heavy battle-axes soon +splintered the oaken door, and when at length only a few fragments +of wood and the bent and battered remains of the massive hinges +remained, the men retreated in the same order, though two were left +lying crushed beneath a ponderous piece of coping that the assailed +had toppled over.</p> + +<p>Already the church was sacked. Crucifixes, candlesticks, +altar-cloths, rich vestments, and tapestries had been ruthlessly +taken off to the galleys; while the priest, with a score of persons, +men, women and children, who had vainly sought sanctuary, lay dead +within the altar rails.</p> + +<p>And now a body of lightly-armed men—Spaniards, judging by their +swarthy complexions—advanced, bearing bundles of straw and faggots, +almost unmolested, for the arrows of the besieged had long given out, +and the hail of bolts from the crossbows skimmed across the top of +the parapet like hail. The men reached the base of the tower, where +they heaped their burdens within the doorway.</p> + +<p>A lighted torch was applied to the fuel, and a tongue of flame, +darting from amid the thick cloud of suffocating smoke, licked the +grim stone walls, while the spiral staircase, acting like a lofty +chimney, fanned the fire till it glowed like a potter's furnace.</p> + +<p>A ring of armed men surrounded the tower. The crossbowmen, their work +done, ceased their firing, discharging only an occasional bolt as the +tormented wretches on the tower, unable to bear the choking heat, +showed themselves above the protection of the parapet. Some of the +defenders, maddened by their agony, threw themselves headlong; +others, sword in hand, attempted to descend the stairs, and hurl +themselves upon their enemies, though they perished in the flames +long before they reached the ground; others, defying and cursing the +invaders, shook their weapons in impotent rage, till a well-directed +quarrel or the rapidly-increasing flames claimed the last of the +gallant band of forgotten heroes.</p> + +<p>When resistance in this quarter was at an end, the invaders were free +to direct their energies against the solitary stone house that had +already wrought great mischief upon them; and, led by two knights in +complete armour, the men-at-arms began to fall in in close order at a +distance of two hundred paces from where Redward Buckland and his +devoted companions awaited the onslaught.</p> + +<p>"With yonder ruin to serve as an example," said the master-bowman, +pointing to the flaming tower, "we must fight to the death. While +there is yet time it would be well that each man doth confess his +sins for the betterment of his soul."</p> + +<p>So saying, all the defenders knelt down reverently, though Redward, +trained soldier that he was, kept an eye on their gathering foes. The +prayers <i>in extremis</i> were hurriedly said; then, in the absence of a +friar, they confessed to each other, according to the Roman custom +when in peril of death. One of the villagers produced a slip of the +Holy Thorn, brought from the miraculous tree of Glastonbury, and this +they all kissed devoutly in the hope of obtaining spiritual +consolation.</p> + +<p>This done, they arose from their knees, embraced each other, and +hurried to their posts.</p> + +<p>All preparations for the attack having apparently been completed, the +leaders advanced to the head of their men and harangued them, though +the distance was too great for the Englishmen to hear what was said. +This done, one of the knights closed his visor, and the other tried +to follow his example, but the calque, dented from the effects of a +blow, refused to allow the visor to descend. A couple of squires +sprang forward to aid their lord, and the group, standing well in +front of the rest, made a tempting mark.</p> + +<p>Redward was quick to act.</p> + +<p>"Quickly, Dick; nine score paces, and no windage!"</p> + +<p>Dick, a lusty yet experienced archer, had already notched his bow and +fitted an arrow. Leaning slightly forward, and throwing all his +weight into the act of drawing the six-foot bow, the man loosed the +shaft. Even as it sped Buckland also let fly, and the defenders +anxiously awaited the result of their comrades' skill.</p> + +<p>The first arrow struck and shivered itself against the uplifted visor +of the French knight; but Redward's fared better, for, hitting the +mail-clad figure under the raised arm, it sank deeply into the +leader's body. Amid a roar of execrations on the invaders' side, and +a hearty English cheer on the part of the bowmen, the knight +staggered and fell on his face. The two squires stood their ground +bravely, and with difficulty raised the ponderous armour-clad body of +their master and bore it to the rear.</p> + +<p>"Here they come!" shouted the master-bowman. "See, they shoot! On +your faces, men!"</p> + +<p>Crouching down behind the friendly shelter of the stone walls, the +eight defenders awaited the onslaught, Redward alone watching the +advance through a loophole, his head protected by an iron cap, while +he held a stout buckler over the aperture as an additional protection +against the deadly hail of arrows and bolts.</p> + +<p>Raymond, crouching close to his father, felt that the bitterness of +death had passed; his terror had vanished, and he was as ready as the +rest to strike a blow in self-defence, though against tremendous +odds. The unfamiliar sound of the arrows striking the woodwork and +quivering with an indescribable <i>ping</i>, or shattering themselves +against the stonework, the invaders' war cry of "St. Denis," and the +metallic clanging of the advancing men-at-arms were signs of an +invisible enemy whom he was on the point of meeting in mortal combat, +and when, after a seemingly long and weary wait, the hail of arrows +slackened and he heard his father cry, "To arms!" he actually +welcomed what might prove to be his death-summons.</p> + +<p>At the word of command the defenders sprang to their feet, rushed to +the loopholes, and fired as fast as they were able into the dense +masses of the advancing enemy. At that short range neither leathern +coat nor iron hauberk was proof against the deadly arrows, and man +after man fell writhing on the ground, their fall serving to dismay +their comrades and to cheer their antagonists.</p> + +<p>Clambering over the low fencing, the men-at-arms still advanced; the +air was thick with the groans of the wounded and the shouts of "St. +Denis!" "Tuez les miserables!" "A bas les poltrons!" To which the +defenders answered not a word, but in grim silence discharged their +arrows into the disorderly press before them.</p> + +<p>By sheer weight of numbers the French men-at-arms gained the front of +the house, and with reckless bravery attempted to tear away the +improvised defences. Bows were cast aside, and the defenders, seizing +swords and spears, made vicious thrusts through the loopholes as the +shadows of the enemy were thrown across them.</p> + +<p>At length the planks across one of the windows gave way, and a crowd +of mail-clad warriors essayed to clamber through. Thereupon the +defenders retreated to the opposite wall, and resuming their bows, +volleyed their deadly shafts against the rash intruders, who, +overwhelmed by the concentration of arrows in the narrow space, gave +back in disorder.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a figure clad from head to foot in plate armour—a form of +defensive mail only just coming into use—appeared in the window. In +vain the arrows rattled on the thrice-welded plate, and for a moment +it seemed certain that the intaking was accomplished. But Redward, +dropping his weapon, sprang forward, and before the mail-clad warrior +could swing his long and heavy sword, the archer had thrown himself +bodily upon the Frenchman.</p> + +<p>Realising the danger, the man tried to return, but Redward, seizing +him in his powerful grip, strove to drag him into the house. Lying +across the window ledge, his bulk filling the whole aperture, the +Frenchman effectually prevented any of his comrades from coming to +his assistance, his mail-clad legs, kicking and sprawling without, +keeping his would-be helpers at a discreet distance.</p> + +<p>Then came a terrific struggle, Redward heaving and hauling on his +enemy's bascinet, while the other tried his utmost to shake off the +relentless grip. Nothing short of the breaking of the laces of the +Frenchman's calque would release the man, and even then his +unprotected head would be pierced by a ready arrow.</p> + +<p>The knight's resistance grew feebler, till at length a hollow voice +exclaimed, "Je me rends!"</p> + +<p>"No quarter to base ravagers!" was the stern reply, and with a final +mighty heave Redward dragged the steel-clad warrior through the +window, and cast him with a sickening clang upon the stone floor. +Then, drawing the knight's own <i>misericorde</i>, he cut the laces of his +bascinet and plunged the dagger into his Adversary's throat.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter04">CHAPTER IV</a><br /><br />OF THE GALLANT STAND OF THE +NINE ARCHERS</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +DISMAYED by the fall of their second leader, the attackers retired +out of bowshot, leaving the nine defenders weary and spent, yet +exultant over their success.</p> + +<p>Their respite, however, was short, for, joined by another body of men +from the galleys, the invaders again advanced, this time led by +another knight, a short, broad-shouldered man, cased, like his +unfortunate predecessor, in plate armour, over which he wore a yellow +surcoat charged with the arms of the Spinola family.</p> + +<p>"Ah! A rascally Genoese!" exclaimed Redward as he saw the device. +"Now we must look to ourselves, for these Genoese combine the skill +of the French and the roguery and treachery of the Spaniards; +moreover, they have rendered a good account of themselves both by +land and sea in their wars with the State of Venice."</p> + +<p>Halting at a safe distance, the crossbowmen, protected by mantlets, +faced the side of the house where the last attack had been made; a +body of men-at-arms deployed and took up a position on each of the +two adjacent sides; while a strong detachment of routiers, or +lightly-armed men, worked round to the rear, the house thus being +entirely surrounded.</p> + +<p>Once again the hail of bolts began, and under the cover of this heavy +discharge the men-at-arms gained the walls without the slaughter that +marked their previous attempt.</p> + +<p>With their axes they commenced a violent onslaught on the door, while +the defenders were almost without the means of replying, firing only +through the loopholes whenever a head appeared or a chance missile +was thrown into the room.</p> + +<p>At length, emboldened by the slight resistance, one of the +men-at-arms was hoisted on the shoulders of two of his comrades, +whence he climbed upon the roof. Here he began to vigorously attack +the thatch for the purpose of annoying the besieged and diverting +their attempts to hold the door.</p> + +<p>Alarmed by the noise overhead, Raymond took his despised crossbow, +and firing haphazard, sent a bolt through the roof. There was a loud +cry, and with a mass of thatch and broken rafters the body of the +soldier came crashing down, his chest transfixed by the thick, heavy +bolt.</p> + +<p>Immediately Redward was hoisted up to the gaping hole, and, +regardless of the danger of being picked off by an arrow, he hurled a +small sack of quicklime upon the men who were battering at the door.</p> + +<p>Blinded by the powerful chemical they gave way, and ran screeching +with agony, their leader circling round in an aimless manner, +striving the while to tear off his bascinet and clear his eyes from +the dust that was slowly and surely depriving him of sight.</p> + +<p>Once more the English took heart at the repulse, taunting their +enemies as they fell back. Again they had a short respite, though the +inaction told more on their wearied bodies than the excitement of the +fight.</p> + +<p>Raymond felt a warm stream trickle down his arm, and found, to his +surprise, that he had received a clean cut on his left shoulder. How +or when it occurred he was unable to understand, for in the heat of +the struggle he had been blind to his surroundings and the sense of +pain.</p> + +<p>The rest of the garrison all showed signs of the tremendous odds. +Buckland was gashed across the forehead by an arrow, while his hands +were bruised and bleeding from the effects of his struggle with the +knight at the window.</p> + +<p>Walter Bevis was sitting in a corner of the room, trying to extricate +a crossbow shaft that had all but buried itself in the upper part of +his right leg, and in spite of the excruciating pain was slowly +drawing out the barbed head, muttering the while prayers to the +Virgin and his patron saints.</p> + +<p>The others, having bound up their slighter injuries, cheered the +sufferer, and in response to his entreaties, withdrew the bolt. A +gush of blood followed, and the man, unable to bear the agony, +fainted. Hastily applying a bandage, with the rude knowledge of +surgery that they possessed, his comrades left him and returned to +their posts to await the next assault.</p> + +<p>"Certes! They do not mean to let us be," exclaimed Redward; "it +passeth my understanding why they should waste time and many lives in +attempting to take our little fortress. Courage, my friends! Another +repulse and they will leave us in peace."</p> + +<p>But, notwithstanding his repeated encouragements, the master-bowman +looked doubtfully on the new phase of the attack. A party of men were +bringing a huge mangonel ashore from one of the galleys, and setting +it in position, prepared to bombard the house with heavy stones, each +capable of tearing a jagged hole in the stonework. At the same time, +the French archers advanced on all sides with wisps of burning tow +affixed to the heads of their arrows.</p> + +<p>At a score paces from the house stood a solitary gnarled trunk of a +dead tree, and towards this the bowman cast a hasty yet anxious +glance. Then noting with satisfaction that the little wind there was +blew from that direction, he gave a sigh of relief.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile the men about the mangonel had set the powerful +spring, and a mass of rock lay poised on the gigantic spoon, awaiting +only the release of the engine to cast the deadly missile towards the +doomed house.</p> + +<p>In terrible suspense the garrison crouched behind the stoutest part +of the masonry, expecting each moment to find the huge stone crashing +over their heads.</p> + +<p>The noise of the spring as it was released could be distinctly heard, +then with a whirlwind of dust the stone struck the ground at a short +distance from the house and rolled harmlessly against the wall.</p> + +<p>The next discharge sent the projectile fairly into the roof, knocking +away the greater part and half filling the house with fragments of +rafters, beams, and thatch.</p> + +<p>"'Twill be less thatch to burn!" remarked Buckland encouragingly, +though the moral effect of the mangonel was beginning to tell.</p> + +<p>Suddenly there was a crash that shook the building to its +foundations, and amid a shower of stones and dust a piece of rock +forced its way into a corner of the building, leaving a gap a bow's +length in width, through which the daylight streamed in, dazzling the +defenders with the sudden change from semi-darkness.</p> + +<p>At the same time a shower of firebrands descended on the remains of +the roof, and in a moment the house was enveloped in flames.</p> + +<p>"We are lost!" shouted one and another of the little garrison in +dismay. "Let us sally out and die like men, rather than rats in a +trap!"</p> + +<p>But the master-bowman, cool and collected in the hour of trial, shook +his head, and, shouting—for the din was deafening—to his comrades +to bear a hand, he seized an iron bar and attacked a large flag in +the floor, plying the tool with skill and celerity.</p> + +<p>The square stone was dislodged, disclosing a gaping hole in the +ground, the top of a rough ladder being dimly visible against its +edge.</p> + +<p>"Down with ye!" he shouted, and once more hope sprang up in the +breast of the despairing men. One by one they vanished into the +chasm, till only Redward, Dick, and the unconscious Walter Bevis +remained.</p> + +<p>There was not a moment to be lost; the flames were already scorching +their hair and clothing, while the thick, suffocating fumes caused +them to gasp and splutter. Raising their wounded comrade, the other +two men lowered him into the arms of those who had already gained +safety. Dick then descended, but Redward, after giving a glance at +the attackers, who still maintained a respectful distance, suddenly +stooped, dragging the body of the hapless French knight across the +floor, and dropped it down the hole. Then he swiftly followed, +pausing for a moment to draw a large, steel-plated shield over the +aperture, and joined his companions in the security of their +underground chamber.</p> + +<p>For a while they remained motionless, as if unable to realise the +turn of fortune, and listening to the dull roar of the flames and the +muffled crash of the falling timbers, while the confined air grew hot +as the furnace overhead grew fiercer, and the clammy atmosphere of +the vault began to give off a humid vapour.</p> + +<p>"Silence!" said Redward sternly, as some of the men began to talk +excitedly. "Or, if ye do speak, speak only in whispers; for if the +rascals discover us they'll smoke us out."</p> + +<p>Through a narrow shaft at the far end of the chamber a streak of +light faintly filtered, and ere long the men's eyes became accustomed +to the darkness. The underground room was about ten paces by four, +with a stone-vaulted ceiling. A rough wall of later date cut off one +end, but it was evident that this apartment was at one time a portion +of a subterranean tunnel which, it was rumoured, led from the church +towards the Abbey of Netley, but for some reason was uncompleted.</p> + +<p>Again motioning his friends to keep silent, Buckland walked over to +the shaft, and, ascending by a rough wooden ladder, gained the hollow +trunk of the decayed tree, where, without being seen, he could +observe the movements of the invaders.</p> + +<p>Four blackened walls and a heap of smoking timbers was all that +remained of what was but a short time back his home. Satisfied by +destroying the house and, as they thought, its determined inmates, +the foe had now retired, and were busy preparing a meal, save a few +of the common soldiers, who were either despoiling the dead of their +weapons and armour or carrying the wounded back to the shore to +embark on board the galleys.</p> + +<p>Reassuring himself that their presence was unsuspected, the archer +returned to his companions and reported the state of affairs.</p> + +<p>"By St. George, thou hast done a clever thing," said Dick admiringly. +"But for thee we would have been roast meat ere now. But why didst +thou keep us without knowledge of the place so long?"</p> + +<p>"To make thee fight the more lustily," replied Redward bluntly. +"Hadst thou but known that an asylum awaited thee, thou wouldst have +hurried here like a fox to earth, and the Frenchmen, finding the +house still standing, would have discovered us and burned us out. Do +I not speak aright?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, Master Redward! And 'twas as well ye did!"</p> + +<p>"And having, as ye admit, saved your lives, I demand a promise in +return. I require ye to swear, on pain of forfeiting your eternal +salvation, that not a word concerning this place shall pass your lips +to any other living creature. Moreover, if I fail to come out alive, +my son, Raymond, shall have undisputed possession of this place and +its contents, for all I have on this earth is now stored herein."</p> + +<p>In solemn silence each man, save the still unconscious Walter, took +the required oath, kissing the hilt of a sword in confirmation of his +sacred promise. Then, as if a load were lifted off his mind, Redward +again ascended the shaft to resume his observations.</p> + +<p>Slowly the long day passed. The sun was now overhead, yet the +invaders remained inactive, neither advancing into the country nor +returning to their ships. Gradually the fires died out, leaving only +a number of thin columns of smoke, rising into the still sultry air, +to mark what had but lately been a prosperous English village.</p> + +<p>After a while Redward again descended into the vault, his place being +taken by Will Lightfoot. The opening in the hollow tree only +commanded the village and the river, so another hole was laboriously +cut in the trunk so as to look towards Southampton, whence Redward +expected a speedy arrival of the companies then encamped outside the +town.</p> + +<p>An hour later there was a stir amongst the foreign soldiers. A +trumpet sounded, and they stood to arms, forming in a line on the +brow of the hill where Buckland's house formerly stood.</p> + +<p>As there was only room for one person in the tree-trunk, +Lightfoot had +to announce the movements to his comrades below, and, to their joy, +they heard him cry out that a vast host of armed men was advancing.</p> + +<p>The invaders were unaware of the presence of a large force in the +neighbourhood, and, dismayed by the numbers of their attackers, they +turned and fled in a disorderly mob to their boats. At the same time +the watcher espied the lofty hulls and bellying sails of five English +ships standing down Southampton Water with the intention of cutting +off the three hostile galleys.</p> + +<p>Barely had the boats made a second journey to the galleys with their +load of panic-stricken men than a troop of lances, displaying the +banners of Lord Willoughby and Sir Charles Bassett, came charging +across the undulating ground and through the smouldering street of +the village, sweeping aside all opposition and driving the remnant of +the Genoese and Spaniards into the river.</p> + +<p>It was now high tide, and in the treacherous mud scores of the +miserable wretches died a horrible death, for quarter was neither +asked nor given. A few of those unencumbered by armour succeeded in +swimming off to the galleys, though their companions, with abject +cowardice, thought only of getting to sea, letting many of the +fugitives drown alongside their ships without even throwing a rope to +save them.</p> + +<p>Close at the heels of the lances came a body of mounted archers, who, +on arriving at the shore, dismounted and poured volleys of arrows +into the galleys. Notwithstanding the hail of darts that wrought +havoc amongst the slaves who banked the oars, the three vessels +slipped their cables and stood towards the mouth of the river, +endeavouring to reach Southampton Water before the advancing English +ships should bar their passage.</p> + +<p>The moment had arrived for Buckland and his companions to leave their +underground refuge. Tying three spears together to form a stout +battering ram, they applied one end to the mass of metal and charred +wood that was once a shield, and which formed the door of their +prison.</p> + +<p>With a mighty thrust the obstruction was removed, and through a +smouldering pile of charred timbers emerged the eight men, their +faces disfigured with dried blood and blackened with soot and smoke. +Bevis they left, till, on Redward's suggestion, two of them returned +and brought him up, semi-conscious and weak from the effect of his +wounds.</p> + +<p>At that moment the companies of the Constable of Portchester and the +Constable of Southampton came swinging along, the sun shining on +their arms and accoutrements, while at their head rode Sir John +Hacket and Walter de Brakkeleye, one of the Bailiffs of Southampton.</p> + +<p>"Certes!" exclaimed Sir John, reining in his horse and gazing +open-eyed with astonishment at Redward and his band. "What have we +here?"</p> + +<p>"Sir Knight," replied Redward, raising the hilt of his sword to his +battered headpiece, "here thou dost see all that is left of the six +score inhabitants of Hamble!" And, overcome by the loss of blood from +no less than six wounds, he reeled and fell heavily on his face +before the amazed Constable.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter05">CHAPTER V</a><br /><br />THE MEN OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE +GENOESE GALLEY</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +HAVING given orders to some of his followers to convey the wounded +men on litters to the shelter of Netley Abbey, the Constable and his +troops resumed their march to the shore, to aid their advance-guard +in the pursuit of the galleys.</p> + +<p>The lances and mounted archers had already galloped along the right +bank of the river towards the Salterns at its mouth; while a body of +men-at-arms crossed the stream by means of the abandoned boats, and +followed the galleys on the other shore.</p> + +<p>As if by magic, the men-at-arms were joined by vast numbers of +countrymen from the neighbouring villages of Hook, Swanwick, +Titchfield, and Stubbington. All of them were tolerably good bowmen, +and from both sides of the stream a well-directed fire of arrows was +maintained on the fugitive vessels.</p> + +<p>The wind, though favourable to the English ships that were rapidly +nearing the scene of action, was too much abeam to enable the galleys +to hoist their sails, and the slaves toiled at the oars to gain the +open water. Thus sped, and with the favouring tide, the vessels +slipped rapidly past the shore.</p> + +<p>Many an anxious eye was turned towards the advancing English ships, +and many an opinion was offered upon the foreigners' chances, for +once they weathered the long mud spit, their sails would be hoisted +and their superior speed would soon bear them out of sight.</p> + +<p>Holding their own, yet scarcely able to reply to the stinging hail of +arrows, the three galleys bore steadily onwards. The foremost, +bearing the red cross of Genoa emblazoned upon its lofty stern, led +the forlorn procession, a Spaniard being second, while in the rear +floundered a French vessel, one of the famous fleet of Sluys, her +sides, like those of her consorts, bristling with English arrows.</p> + +<p>Soon the leading vessel, ill-judging her distance, turned towards the +Solent, hoisting her huge sail, on which flamed the arms of Luigi +Spinola. Shouts of anger and disappointment rose from the English as +they saw the sail drawing, and the hated Genoese cleaving through the +water with increased speed. But their cries quickly turned into a +roar of delight as the galley ran hard and fast upon the treacherous +and unseen mud-bank, her mast going by the board with a resounding +crash!</p> + +<p>In spite of the frantic efforts of the rowers, the crew were unable +to back the long, snake-like hull from the deadly embrace of the mud, +and with the fast falling tide it was evident that the galley was +doomed to capture.</p> + +<p>Taking warning from their consort's misfortune, the other vessels +gave her a wide berth, and, avoiding the mud spit, turned +south-eastward. The Spaniard hoisted her sail with all speed, the +white foam flying from her sharp bows; but the French galley, having +had her halliards cut through by a chance bolt, was soon overhauled +by the Southampton ships.</p> + +<p>In less than five minutes she was boarded on both quarters and +carried, the Frenchmen being either slain or driven overboard, and +the watchers on shore beheld the Cross of St. George hoisted over the +Fleur-de-Lys. A fanfare of trumpets from the conquering vessels +announced that the English mariners had again proved themselves +worthy of their traditions.</p> + +<p>The prize and three of the English ships anchored to await a +favourable tide to bear them back to the town of Southampton, while +the two remaining vessels stood towards the stranded galley of Genoa. +The tide had now left her high and dry, with a slight list towards +the sea, at two hundred paces from the nearest shore. The +deep-draughted English ships could not approach within that distance, +so they were compelled to cast anchor within easy bow-shot.</p> + +<p>Under the terrible cross-fire the galley remained, her crew seeking +shelter from the shower of arrows, not daring to show so much as a +hair above the low bulwarks.</p> + + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/boarding.jpg" +alt="boarding" /> + +<p class="fs125 bold">BOARDING THE GENOESE GALLEY</p> +</div> + +<p>"By our Lady! The rogues lie close," exclaimed the Constable. "'Tis +but a waste of good arrows. And yet we must have at them ere long, +for already the sun is low in the heavens."</p> + +<p>"Once darkness falls they will, of a surety, escape, for with the +next tide they can make across the shallows, where our ships dare not +follow," replied the Bailiff.</p> + +<p>"If I mistake not, they left a mangonel behind them——"</p> + +<p>"Ay; but 'twould take a good five hours to bring it hither."</p> + +<p>Sir John saw the truth of this statement, and puckered his brows in +his perplexity.</p> + +<p>"Craving thy pardon, sir," said a grizzled man-at-arms, standing +within earshot of the two officers, "I know how the galley can be +held till the morrow."</p> + +<p>"How so, sirrah?" demanded the Constable.</p> + +<p>"For over thirty years I was a marshman of Poole——"</p> + +<p>"Forbear to speak of what thou hast been," replied Sir John Hacket +curtly, "and tell us what thou dolt propose to do."</p> + +<p>"As a marshman I know how to walk over this mud. Give me leave, with +five of my comrades, and I'll warrant that the galley will never +float again."</p> + +<p>"How can the man possibly reach the vessel by walking on the mud?" +demanded Lord Willoughby, who at that moment had joined the Constable +in order to confer with him on a plan of action. "Even now two score +or more of the knaves lie swallowed up by the filthy slime."</p> + +<p>"Let him have his way, my Lord," replied the Constable; "and," he +added, addressing the soldier, "get ye gone, and do your work +quickly. A rose-noble apiece shall be your reward if ye succeed."</p> + +<p>The man-at-arms departed, and, with his chosen comrades, crossed the +river and followed the bank till they came as close to the galley as +they could without leaving the firm ground.</p> + +<p>Here they divested themselves of their armour, and, clad in their +leather jerkins, gripping no other weapon but a heavy hammer and a +short iron spike apiece, they looked more like peaceful village +smiths than soldiers setting out on a desperate venture.</p> + +<p>From the rude huts where the Hamble fishermen kept their stores came +a man bearing a dozen square boards, each having four small holes +bored through it with leathern thongs attached. These the +men-at-arms, with the quickness of frequent use, bound to their feet.</p> + +<p>"Are ye ready, comrades?"</p> + +<p>A gruff yet determined assent was given, and the men, walking with +short, ungainly steps, gained the edge of the mud.</p> + +<p>"Now, hark ye," exclaimed their leader, turning to the master-bowman +who commanded the archers, "give the word that the bowmen keep up a +dropping fire to cover our approach. And I pray thee, let no man +shoot who cannot be depended upon, for, little as I reck a shaft in +fair fight, I am not in a mind to be feathered in the back by an +English arrow!"</p> + +<p>The sun was now low down beyond the dark outlines of the New Forest, +shining straight into the eyes of the archers. Nevertheless, they +shot rapidly and well, the arrows making graceful curves as they sped +towards the mark. No sign of life was visible on board the Genoese +ship, as slowly and steadily the six men-at-arms plodded, with their +boards squelching in the liquid mud, towards their goal.</p> + +<p>As they drew near, the covering volleys ceased; but, suspecting a ruse +to draw them from shelter, the Genoese refused to show themselves. +Thus, without opposition, the Englishmen reached the shelter of the +lofty hull of the stranded galley, so that they were protected by her +bulging sides from any missile the enemy might launch overboard.</p> + +<p>Soon the terrified crew were still more panic-stricken by hearing a +succession of dull blows against their ship's side. Lustily swinging +their mauls as well as their precarious foothold would allow, the +Englishmen drove their iron spikes deep into the seams of the doomed +vessel. Oaken tree-nails and iron bolts were unable to stand the +wrench, and in a few moments a gaping hole four ells in length and a +span in breadth proved that the boast of the man-at-arms that the +galley would never again float was an accomplished fact.</p> + +<p>But now the startled crew were lashed into active resistance. Over +the side, lowered by stout ropes, came the figure of a man fully clad +in plate armour—the dreaded Luigi Spinola himself. Though deprived +of the sight of one eye and nearly blind in the other—thanks to +Redward Buckland's reception at the attack on his house—the Genoese +knight could dimly see the forms of his attackers, and that sufficed.</p> + +<p>Before the Englishmen could realise their danger the keen blade of +the Italian had cleft the skull of the nearest. Preventing himself +from turning like a sack at the end of a rope, Spinola stretched out +his left hand to steady himself against the side of the vessel, while +he raised his right arm to repeat the deadly stroke. One of the +men-at-arms seized his opportunity, and floundering in on the +knight's blind side, smashed his gauntleted left hand into a +shapeless mass by a blow from his maul.</p> + +<p>With a roar of agony and fury his arm fell helpless against his side, +his body swung round, and in a moment the heavy hammer again +descended, this time on the visor of the knight's bascinet. With a +groan the Genoese died—literally at the rope's end; and, their work +accomplished, the five Englishmen began their hazardous retreat, +leaving the body of their hapless companion slowly sinking in the +pitiless mire.</p> + +<p>Again the covering flight of arrows sped towards the galley; but, with +the courage of despair, some of the Genoese crossbowmen sprang upon +the towering forecastle and fired at the retreating men-at-arms. One +of the latter fell with a heavy bolt between his shoulder-blades; +another had a shaft completely transfixing his arm, while their +intrepid leader was menaced by two of the best crossbowmen of the +galley.</p> + +<p>By pure chance a stray arrow pierced the brain of one of the Genoese +just as he was about to pull the trigger. As he fell he struck his +companion, whose aim was affected by the sudden jolt, and the quarrel +flew aimlessly over the Englishmen's heads.</p> + +<p>Unable to stand against the arrows of the English bowmen, the +remainder of the Genoese again sought shelter in the waist, and, amid +the cheers of their comrades, the four men-at-arms regained the +shore.</p> + +<p>All that night the English slept on their arms, sentinels being +posted to give the alarm should any of the foemen attempt to leave +their water-logged craft. It was a still, moonless night, and the +time of spring tides, and as the water ran inch by inch over the +waist of the doomed galley, the watchers could distinctly hear the +cries and lamentations, and appeals to the saints, borne on the night +air from the demoralised Crew, as they clustered in frightened groups +upon the raised forecastle and poop.</p> + +<p>At break of day the Englishmen stood at their arms and gazed seaward. +There, in the same place, lay the galley, though sunk a little lower +in the mud, while her sides were covered with seaweed that on the now +falling tide had been caught by the arrows which bristled in her +sides.</p> + +<p>Plenty of provisions were brought in from the countryside for the +English forces, and, seated round roaring fires, for the morning air +was sharp even for the time of year, the archers and men-at-arms ate +and were merry, while the famished and disheartened Genoese, their +stores spoiled by the water in the hold, gazed despairingly on their +implacable enemies.</p> + +<p>The Constable of Portchester and the Bailiff of Southampton crossed +the river about three hours after daybreak, and visited the troops on +the east side of the stream, their arrival being greeted with +acclamation.</p> + +<p>Calling the remnant of the men-at-arms who had so effectually +performed their hazardous task, Sir John Hacket thanked them before +their comrades and bestowed upon them the promised guerdon.</p> + +<p>"We have these Genoese rascals safe enough!" exclaimed the Constable. +"But what do they?"</p> + +<p>At that moment there were signs of activity in the galley. Men were +busily engaged in cutting away the broken mast and its tangled gear +and cordage, while others were seen to be dividing the great sail +into long strips.</p> + +<p>"They mean to stop the leaks by nailing the flaxen cloth over the +outside," replied Walter de Brakkeleye. "Then, perchance, they can +float off on the next tide."</p> + +<p>"But to what purpose?" questioned the knight. "With our two ships +lying in the stream how can they, without mast and sail, hope to +escape?"</p> + +<p>"I know not, Sir Knight, except it be to forestall the end, and they +would close with us."</p> + +<p>"Then, I pray you, make them desist. A score of archers will keep +them in play; in the meantime send mounted messengers along the banks +to order every boat in the river to be sent down without delay!"</p> + +<p>These orders were promptly carried out, and long before the next high +water twenty open boats of all sizes were lying off the Hard, while +the Constable had already summoned the masters of the two Southampton +ships to confer with them on the plan of attack.</p> + +<p>"By St. George!" exclaimed Sir John, "I already see the remnants of +these foreign scoundrels under lock and key in the King's Castle of +Portchester!"</p> + +<p>"Nay, by the Rood!" replied Walter Brakkeleye; "for I have sworn that, +ere to-morrow's sun hath set, the rogues will grace a line of gibbets +outside the Water Gate of Southampton!"</p> + +<p>"Ah, an' ye would flout my authority?" demanded the choleric knight. +"Am I, Constable of Portchester and Governor of the town of +Portsmouth, to be overridden by a mere Bailiff of Southampton?"</p> + +<p>"But the galley now lies in this river, which is within my +bailiwick," retorted Brakkeleye stoutly. "Nay, she lies on the other +side of the low water channel, which, you will accept, is within the +bailiwick of Titchfield. That being so, as Governor I hold authority +over that half of the river."</p> + +<p>The dispute waxed hot, the question of precedence outweighing the +common cause of destroying a national foe. To what length the +disputants would have gone it is impossible to say, but the opportune +arrival of Lord Willoughby and Sir Charles Bassett settled the wordy +strife.</p> + +<p>"'Tis our duty to settle our account with the Genoese," quoth Lord +Willoughby. "And as ye both claim the river and all it contains, +methinks your difference is best settled thus—all the prisoners +taken on this side shall belong to the Bailiff of Southampton; all +those who are taken on yonder side Sir John can hale to the castle of +Portchester. Now be content and sink your differences in a common +cause."</p> + +<p>This they agreed to, little knowing that neither authority would in +the end claim a single Genoese.</p> + +<p>Directly the tide served the boats were filled with men-at-arms and +archers, and a long procession rowed down the stream to carry the +galley by escalade, a mantlet being raised in each boat to protect +the men from any arrows or bolts that might assail them.</p> + +<p>Already the sea was four feet deep over the mud, and the galley, her +waist full of water and her bulwarks awash amidships, resembled two +lofty castles joined by a low wooden wall.</p> + +<p>Grim and determined, though faint with hunger and fatigue, the +Genoese stood to their arms. Knowing that death in some form awaited +them, they preferred to die in the heat of battle to dangling from a +gallows. On the aftercastle, or poop, stood Guido and Andrea Spinola, +brothers of the ill-fated Luigi, with two score men-at-arms and a +number of lightly-armed slaves, though the latter were not to be +relied upon. On the forecastle nearly a like number clustered round +Simon and Chigi Doria, brothers of the famous Rafaele Doria, the +ruler of the State of Genoa.</p> + +<p>On the approach of the English the trumpets blared a note of +defiance, and the noble leaders, drawing their swords, cast their +scabbards into the sea as a sign that they scorned to give or accept +quarter.</p> + +<p>The poop, being nearest the deep water, was the first object of +attack. The English archers fired but one volley, then, casting aside +their bows, drew sword or grasped their hammers and axes and made +ready to spring directly the boats ran alongside the galley.</p> + +<p>A huge stone, thrown from the highest part of the after-castle, came +crashing through the bottom of the first boat, which instantly sank. +Those of her crew who were unable to maintain their foothold on the +submerged boat perished miserably in the mud and water, for those in +the other boats, filled with the mad desire of fight, paid slight +heed to their misfortunes, being only intent on gaining a foothold on +their enemy's decks.</p> + +<p>In a short space the after-part of the galley was surrounded by nine +large boats, while the remaining ten headed for the forecastle, and +with shouts of fury the English strove to effect an entrance.</p> + +<p>The lofty sides and stern rendered their task very difficult and +hazardous, the Genoese striking lustily with sword, axe, and mace +whenever a foeman's head appeared, and it was not until, by Sir John +Hacket's order, a portion of the amidship bulwarks were cut through +and some of the boats floated over the submerged waist, that a living +Englishman stood on the decks of the Genoese.</p> + +<p>Headed by the Constable, a party of men-at-arms carried the poop +ladder by a determined rush and gained the poop. Here they were met +by Guido and Andrea Spinola and some of the best swordsmen amongst +the Genoese, and for a while a fierce struggle ensued, though, +profiting by the diversion, another party of Englishmen secured a +foothold on the stern of the galley.</p> + +<p>Unable to withstand the sweeping blows of the Constable's sword, the +Genoese gave back, two of their number going down with their +headpieces shattered and their skulls cleft to the chin, and Guido +and Andrea alone remained in the van to bar the Englishman's passage.</p> + +<p>With lightning rapidity their blades met, Sir John warding off the +double attack with marvellous skill. Suddenly the elder brother, +putting all his strength into the blow, delivered a mighty stroke +with his heavy sword at the Constable's head.</p> + +<p>Stepping nimbly aside, the knight avoided the deadly sweep of the +weapon, and ere the Italian could recover himself Sir John cut him +through the gorget till the blade met the top of his enemy's +breastplate.</p> + +<p>Guido fell forward, and the Constable, unable to withdraw his weapon +from the corpse, was obliged to relinquish his sword and take to his +mace. With this ponderous instrument of offence Sir John pressed his +antagonist so strongly that the latter could but attempt to guard +himself. At last, with a crashing blow, the Englishman beat down the +defence of the Genoese, shattering his sword and crushing his helmet +like an egg-shell.</p> + +<p>Disheartened by the fall of both their leaders, and pressed before +and behind by increasing numbers, the Genoese retreated till they +gathered in a small ring of steel, surrounded by their incensed +attackers. Fighting to the last, they fell, till none but those +wearing the surcoat of St. George stood upon the after-castle, and +close on five score bodies littered the narrow blood-stained poop.</p> + +<p>By the Constable's order one of his squires displayed his banner, and +this was the signal for a hearty cheer from the crews of the two +Southampton ships and the crowd of armed men on shore.</p> + +<p>But the combat was not yet over. Those of the forecastle still +stoutly resisted, and as yet none of the Southampton men, headed by +the brave and impetuous Walter de Brakkeleye, had gained any +advantage, though, by the Bailiff's order, some of the archers had +rowed a short distance off, firing anew on the Genoese whenever they +attempted to show themselves above the side.</p> + +<p>With the fall of the after-castle, the Genoese were additionally +assailed by the English bowmen, who now held the captured part of the +galley; and, on the arrival of a fresh supply of arrows, the deadly +hail smote the scanty remnant, who strove in vain to seek shelter.</p> + +<p>At length, when no one was left standing upon the forecastle, the +English men-at-arms rushed the hard-won stronghold, mercilessly +killing those who yet remained alive, and casting their bodies +overboard, and the shattered galley was given to the flames.</p> + +<p>Then, with shouts and rejoicings, the soldiers returned to the shore. +The countrymen dispersed to their homes, the two English ships +hoisted sail and made for Southampton, whither Lord Willoughby's +lances had already gone. The Constable of Portchester and the Bailiff +of Southampton marshalled their followers, and marched through the +devastated village towards their camp at Woolston.</p> + +<p>All that was left to mark the raid were the charred remains of what +had been a prosperous hamlet and the blazing timbers of the +once-dreaded galley of Luigi Spinola.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter06">CHAPTER VI</a><br /><br />AT THE ABBEY</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +CALM and peaceful appeared the grey Abbey to the war-worn defenders, +as, carried in litters or supported by the men of the Constable of +Portchester's company, the nine archers passed through the great +gateway.</p> + +<p>The vesper bell had just ceased its tuneful tolling, and in its place +rose the deep, lusty voices of the monks, who, having completed yet +another day of hard manual labour, were uniting once more in prayer +and thanksgiving.</p> + +<p>For awhile, save for the porter, a lay brother of gigantic size and +jovial mien, the secular portions of the Abbey were deserted, but the +arrival of this host of rough soldiers and their wounded charges +contrasted ill with the pious solitude of the place.</p> + +<p>The Cistercian Abbey, founded as the Priory of Saints Mary and Edward +in 1237, was at that time in the zenith of its prosperity. Favoured +by royal charters, the natural zeal of the monks exerted itself to +such an extent that within a few years of its birth the Abbey bade +fair to outshine its parent foundation at Beaulieu, and a large +triple-aisled church, a sumptuous Abbot's house, lofty dormitories, +architecturally perfect cloisters, a number of extensive +outbuildings, and two artificial fish-ponds testified to the work of +these pioneers of civilisation.</p> + +<p>Awed by the solemnity of their surroundings, the soldiers clustered +in small, silent knots, looking around with open-mouthed astonishment +at the unaccustomed beauty of the delicate architecture and listening +to the distant chanting of the monks.</p> + +<p>If an archer dared even to whisper his comrades silenced him by a +look, while, when a man-at-arms dropped his short spear on the tiled +floor, the culprit stooped, picked up the weapon guiltily, and +crossed himself for very shame.</p> + +<p>At length the singing ceased, the doors of the church were thrown +wide open, and out came a long line of grey-gowned monks, walking two +and two with bent heads and downcast eyes, while at the rear of the +procession came the Sub-Prior and the Abbot. The former was a +comfortable-looking, well-fed personage, with a benign countenance +that neither fast nor penance could subdue, while the Abbot, a tall, +gaunt man with wan features, redeemed by a pair of glittering eyes, +looked a man whose natural sternness was increased by the strict +rigidity of a celibate.</p> + +<p>Immediately the soldiers drew themselves up into two lines, looking +straight in front in military style, though as the Abbot passed they +bent their heads to receive his benison, even the wounded, save +Walter Bevis, standing unaided to share in the blessing.</p> + +<p>It was a stirring and picturesque sight. The grey stones of the +arched cloisters, the green patch of grass in the cloister court, and +the still evening quiet were fitting surroundings for a procession of +monks as their sandals clattered on the tiled floor; but the white +surcoats bearing the red cross, the armour and weapons of the +soldiers, and the pallid features of the wounded bespeaking strife +and suffering, presented a strange contrast to the peacefulness of +the Abbey.</p> + +<p>Attended by two novices, the Abbot presently returned, and, learning +the cause of the unusual visit, gave orders for the wounded men to be +taken care of in the Abbey infirmary. He had already learned of the +sack and burning of Hamble, but the deed of Redward Buckland and his +comrades moved him greatly, and he desired to speak with the +master-bowman.</p> + +<p>Redward, his head still bound with a blood-stained bandage, was led +before the Abbot. He had removed his steel cap, and the dying +sunlight played on his thickly-cropped head and heightened the +reddish hue of his beard. The Abbot gave an involuntary start of +recognition, but, composing himself, he asked:</p> + +<p>"How art thou, my son? I see thou art sore hurt."</p> + +<p>"Nay, Father, it is but a scratch."</p> + +<p>"A brave man to speak so lightly of so great a matter. And thou didst +keep the press of enemies back till help arrived?"</p> + +<p>"'Twas also a little matter, seeing we were behind stout walls."</p> + +<p>"And yet, by God's grace, thy valour saved us."</p> + +<p>"Saved you, Father?"</p> + +<p>"Yea, my son. Saved the priory of the blessed Saints Mary and Edward; +for, had ye not been there to bar the way, the Frenchmen would of a +certainty have ravaged our holy retreat."</p> + +<p>"This knowledge is beyond my understanding, yet, the saints be +praised, I was but an instrument to that end."</p> + +<p>"The gratitude of us all is due to you, my son, and if in any way we +can render thee a service, do but ask it. Thou'rt weary; return to thy +friends and rest well."</p> + +<p>The master-bowman bent his head for the Abbot's blessing, then he +turned and hobbled slowly back to join his comrades.</p> + +<p>Great was the astonishment and delight of the monks, on washing the +thick cake of dried blood, slime, and soot from the face of their +youngest patient, to find that it was none other than their late +novice, Raymond, whose wound—a deep cut in his left shoulder—had +been skilfully dressed by the monks, to whom surgery was a special +feature of their work. He was now sleeping peacefully, a draught of +cooling medicine having completely taken away all symptoms of fever.</p> + +<p>Walter Bevis, his leg swathed in bandages, was lying on a pallet, his +eyes rolling and his hands tightly clenched as he strove to suppress +a groan. Already he was in a state of semi-delirium, and in spite of +the constant attention of two of the monks, he strove at intervals to +rise from his couch and fly at some imaginary foe.</p> + +<p>As for the rest, with the exception of Will Lightfoot, who was busily +devouring a platter of soup, they all were sleeping off the effects +of a terrible mental strain. Submitting himself to the hands of two +of the brethren, Redward had his injuries dressed, and was cleansed +from the effects of the fire and battle; then, staggering to a couch, +he lay down and was soon lost in dreamless sleep.</p> + +<p>The sun was high in the heavens ere Buckland awoke, feeling vastly +refreshed and filled with renewed energy. His first inquiry was for +his son and his comrades, then for the latest tidings of the raiders.</p> + +<p>On this latter point he could not be enlightened, save that a mounted +messenger had passed the Abbey that morning without drawing rein. +Though giving no news by word of mouth, the man had shown by a +gesture that the English had been successful, though at that time the +fate of the Genoese galley had not yet been decided.</p> + +<p>One by one the wounded archers began to awaken, till all, save +Raymond and Bevis, were up and about. For some time Redward sat by +his son's bedside, looking anxiously at his pale and pain-racked +features.</p> + +<p>The master-bowman was torn by conflicting emotions. On the one hand +he wanted to be again on the scene of action to revenge himself on +his enemies—for the destruction of his home, and also to take steps +to safeguard his chattels that lay in the underground chamber. On the +other hand, he felt it impossible to tear himself away from his son, +in whose welfare he was so much absorbed, till he was satisfied that +there was no cause for anxiety on his account.</p> + +<p>While deep in this mental debate Redward was summoned by a novice to +proceed to the private apartment of the Abbot.</p> + +<p>Following closely at the heels of his guide, Buckland was ushered +into a room which, in the frigid plainness of its appearance, +differed little from the cells of the ordinary brethren, only it was +larger.</p> + +<p>The stone floor was strewn with rushes, and the walls were bare and +unbroken, save for two narrow lancet windows and the low, +Gothic-arched door by which the archer entered. In the centre of the +room stood a plain oaken table, on which was a small ivory crucifix, +which, together with a number of richly-bound books of illuminated +vellum—the most highly-prized objects within the monastery +walls—gave a fitting setting to the gaunt figure of the stern yet +revered Abbot. Two heavy wooden stools completed the furniture of the +apartment, one of which was for the head of the Abbey himself, the +other for the use of any visitor of equal or higher rank; otherwise, +all who were called into the presence of the Abbot were obliged to +stand, with bent head, patiently waiting to be addressed, and not +daring to speak save when spoken to.</p> + +<p>"Well, my son," quoth the Abbot, after the customary benediction had +been given. "I have a small matter of which I would speak. Raymond, +thy son, was until recently with us as a novice."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Father."</p> + +<p>"But thou didst send for him?"</p> + +<p>"I could not do without him."</p> + +<p>"Yet he was ill spared by us a youth of much promise. Did he not ask +to be allowed to take the vows of chastity and obedience?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, Father."</p> + +<p>"What, then, is in thy mind with regard to his up-bringing?"</p> + +<p>"But two days agone he did ask to go with me to the wars."</p> + +<p>"Alas! Alack!" groaned the Abbot, speaking half to his visitor, half +to himself. "To think that one brought up in the sanctity of this +place should have a mind for the horror of war! It but shows that +men's minds are by nature inclined to strife, and that we must ever +be subduing the desires of malice and hatred, which, though dormant +for years, are too often ready to burst forth with renewed strength. +Ah me! And I did think Raymond was a brand plucked from the burning. +Thinkst thou that 'tis not too late to turn him from his purpose and +bring him into the brotherhood?"</p> + +<p>"Father," replied the master-bowman earnestly, "many a time have I +pondered the matter over in my heart, for he is very dear to me. In +my wanderings I knew him to be in safe keeping in this peaceful +place, yet I look to my son as a tried companion of my old age, for I +have no other kith or kin in the world. To the wars he would go, yet +Heaven forfend that ill should happen to him."</p> + +<p>"But if he wish to stay?"</p> + +<p>"Then he may do so, though as a monk he will be as far from me as +ever."</p> + +<p>"Then he shall be asked, my son. Should he remain with us the Order +profiteth; should he go Franceward, then the saints be with him and +bring him safely home again. But, I ask," he added, fixing his dark +eyes intently on the archer, "when Raymond left us didst thou fetch +him away?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, Father, I——"</p> + +<p>"Then where have I met thee before?"</p> + +<p>For a moment a pallor, quickly succeeded by a deep flush, overspread +the tanned features of the master-bowman, and his mind travelled back +for nigh two score years. Then in quick, short sentences he replied, +telling the story of the tragedy which had darkened his life.</p> + +<p>"Ah! I thought my memory played me not false," returned the Abbot. +"But of that enough! I knew it! And, for an archer, thou art +certainly apt in speech. Canst read?"</p> + +<p>"Yea, Father."</p> + +<p>"And write?"</p> + +<p>"Yea, Father. Many a time have I acted as scrivener to Sir John +Hacket, the Constable of the Castle of Portchester."</p> + +<p>"'Tis well; and rest assured, my son, that, by my holy calling, no +word of thy past shall fall from my lips."</p> + +<p>"And there is another small matter of which I would speak," said +Redward.</p> + +<p>The Abbot frowned, for the archer had taken the initiative, but, +nevertheless, he signed for Redward to continue.</p> + +<p>"When we are gone to the wars," quoth the archer, "'twill be +necessary for me to leave my small belongings in safe keeping, and no +better place can I think of than this Abbey."</p> + +<p>"Think not to turn this holy place into a house of merchandise, my +son!"</p> + +<p>"Nay, Father, not merchandise, but treasure."</p> + +<p>"Treasure?" interrupted the Abbot, his interest kindling. "How say +you?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, a trifle saved from the wreck of my past, together with a little +I have amassed during some twenty years of wandering. Of a surety I +would offer the Abbey a good percentum for the care thereof, together +with the right to retain all profits from its use."</p> + +<p>"My son, thou art generous to Holy Mother Church."</p> + +<p>"Nay, but I go farther. Should aught amiss happen to Raymond or me, +the whole of my worldly goods I leave to the Abbey, without +condition."</p> + +<p>"Then, my son, I accept, in the name of the Order, the charge +confided to us. I will see to it this instant that Brother Aloysius, +our scribe, will draft the agreement thereunto." And going to the +door, the Abbot, his eyes shining at the thought of adding to the +treasury, rang a bell that brought one of the lay servitors hastening +to his presence.</p> + +<p>"Bring Brother Aloysius hither."</p> + +<p>With little loss of time the scrivener arrived, and the agreement was +drawn up and signed. This done, the Abbot dismissed Redward, and, +once more alone, leaned back in his chair with intense satisfaction.</p> + +<p>Keep Raymond within the Abbey, let him take the oaths of the Order, +and all would be well. The Abbey would benefit considerably, for, +once a monk, Raymond would be heirless. On the other hand, should +father and son go to the wars—well, there were chances that they +might not return, and then——. The Abbot sighed, for, in spite of +his pious greed, he chid himself for his momentary satisfaction at +the thought of harm happening to the young man, of whose presence as +a novice he had many pleasing recollections.</p> + +<p>On Redward's return to his son's bedside he found, to his great +delight, that Raymond was awake.</p> + +<p>"How fares it with thee, Raymond?" he asked, taking the lad's limp +hand in his great palm and gently patting it.</p> + +<p>"I feel much better, father, and hope soon to be abroad again."</p> + +<p>"I trust so; but I have something to tell thee. Even now the Abbot has +asked me to let thee stay with him. He himself will ask thee anon."</p> + +<p>"But I do not wish to, father. My one desire is to follow the banner +of the Constable."</p> + +<p>"I like thy pluck, Raymond, seeing what thou hast been through. 'Twas +an ill start for a soldier's life."</p> + +<p>"Yet we came out with honour," replied the boy, his eyes glistening +at the thought of the unequal encounter. "When thinkest thou that we +shall be able to leave this place?"</p> + +<p>"A matter of a few days. For my part, I must hasten back to Hamble to +gather together the remains of my goods and chattels, and also to +ease the dead Frenchman of his harness, for 'tis, a goodly suit of +armour. Also, there is a fair portion of plate and money which I am +leaving in the care of the Abbot. Some day 'twill be thine, Raymond, +but of that matter I'll speak more anon."</p> + +<p>Towards eventide the peacefulness of the Abbey was disturbed by the +tramp of armed men—the victorious troops returning to their camp at +Southampton; and by the Abbot's leave most of the wounded men, with +their escort of archers, passed out of the gate and lined the dusty +road to welcome their rescuers and comrades. Even the monks, carried +away by their feelings, crowded round the gateway to catch a glimpse +of the gallant companies. News of the capture of one galley and the +destruction of the other had already reached them, and enthusiasm ran +high as the bronzed and dust-covered soldiers tramped homewards.</p> + +<p>Redward Buckland knew most of the banners of the various companies, +and imparted his knowledge to his companions, while the archers who +formed their escort cheered lustily as their fellow-soldiers turned +to throw out words of pleasant banter.</p> + +<p>At length the master-bowman gave a loud shout. "Look, comrades, the +company of the Constable of Portchester! See the crescent <i>or</i> on a +field <i>azure!</i>"</p> + +<p>Marching four abreast, their white surcoats soiled with mud, water, +and dust, came the Portchester garrison. For, save a few who remained +to hold the castle and the adjacent town of Portsmouth, the whole of +Sir John Hacket's men were with the army now encamped at Woolston, on +the outskirts of Southampton.</p> + +<p>At their head rode the fiery knight, attended by his squires, while +at his bridle-arm, mounted on a white jennet, was Walter de +Brakkeleye, the Bailiff of Southampton, whose men had already passed +by. The two leaders were engaged in animated conversation, all traces +of their bickering on the question of precedence having completely +vanished.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the knight caught sight of the little knot of men outside +the Abbey gate.</p> + +<p>"By the Rood, 'tis my old master-bowman and his party of villagers +who held the Frenchmen at bay!" he exclaimed. "When I sent them to +the Abbey I little thought to see any of them out and about so soon."</p> + +<p>In obedience to an order, the company halted and faced about. Sir +John rode up to the little band, who respectfully saluted him, +following Redward's example in military etiquette.</p> + +<p>"By St. George," said the knight, "'tis hard to do justice to your +bravery; for I have only now had time to ponder over your deeds. But +this I know—had ye not held the rascals in check the countryside +would have been laid bare far more than it is."</p> + +<p>"But," he went on reflectively, "ye are, for the most part, homeless +men; why not serve under my banner? Francewards riches and honour +await you. I'll warrant ye will gain more in one campaign than in a +lifetime in England. Buckland, I have heard, will rejoin my company. +He will be, as before, one of my sub-officers, and if ye come with +him, in his division ye'll be placed. I am loth to lose any of you. +So who's for an archer's life?"</p> + +<p>With one accord Redward's companions signified their eagerness to +follow the yellow crescent, and Sir John's face beamed with delight +at their decision. "Then get ye back to the Abbey till ye be +thoroughly healed of your wounds," he said, "and join the camp as +soon as possible. I thought aright that the taste of fighting would +but whet your appetites."</p> + +<p>"And you, Hubert," he added, addressing one of his squires, "take +this purse and present to the Abbot as a token of my esteem for the +kindly treatment of these men. Also make excuses for me, as the night +draws on apace."</p> + +<p>Then, commanding the archers who had conveyed Redward's party to the +Abbey to fall in with the rest of his company, Sir John gave the +order to march. The column moved onwards, leaving behind it the new +recruits to the banner of the Constable of the King's Castle of +Portchester.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter07">CHAPTER VII</a><br /><br />THE SACK OF SOUTHAMPTON</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +TWO months have elapsed since Redward Buckland and his companions +made their gallant stand against the foreign raiders; Raymond had +developed into a full-fledged archer. Making a rapid recovery from +his wound, the lad, with his seven companions, joined the Constable's +banner at Southampton, whither Redward, having settled his affairs, +had preceded them.</p> + +<p>The badly-wounded Bevis made but slow progress; fighting, he +vehemently declared, was not in his line, so one morning he limped +slowly through the Abbey gateway to make his way back to Hamble, +there to rebuild his cottage and again to ply his calling as a +fisherman.</p> + +<p>Lack of money compelled King Edward III. to remain inactive. A tax on +wool was levied and grudgingly paid, for his subjects, finding that +no great deed of arms was likely to ensue, lacked the enthusiasm that +the glorious victories of later years were bound to create. Thus the +greater part of the huge host was dispersed; many of the troops were +moved to Rye and Winchelsea, others sent back to their own homes, +and, save for a few soldiers, the town of Southampton resumed its +normal appearance.</p> + +<p>By the King's special command, however, a portion of Sir John +Hacket's company was retained at Southampton to man some of the ships +that were to be fitted out against the rovers who still lingered in +the Channel, and thus Raymond found himself quartered in Saint +Barbara's Tower, a small defensive work on the south walls.</p> + +<p>Before dealing with the stirring events that happened in this ancient +and distinguished town, it would be well to briefly describe the +Southampton of the fourteenth century.</p> + +<p>Roughly, the town formed an irregular rectangle, with the +south-western corner rounded off. On the north side the walls were +pierced by the Bargate, and protected by several small towers, with a +larger erection, termed the Polymond Tower, at the north-eastern +angle. The eastern side was defended by a wall nearly 800 yards in +length, further protected by twenty-seven half-round towers, and +pierced by the East Gate and two posterns.</p> + +<p>On the south the walls were in a somewhat ruinous condition, though +it ought to have been clear that these were more open to attack. Here +were two entrances—the God's House Tower gate at the +south-eastern +angle and the Water Gate. Several towers added to the defensive works +at this point, the chief being the God's House Tower, the Watch +Tower, the Square Tower, St. Barbara's Tower, and the Bugle Tower.</p> + +<p>The western face was by far the best protected, the arcaded walls +being of great height, terminating at Catchcold Tower near the +north-western angle. Two large gates—West Gate and Biddlesgate—gave +access to the water-front on the western shore, and in addition were +several posterns, one of which, the Water Gate, led to the courtyard +of the Castle, whose keep, a large circular Norman tower standing on +an artificial mound, dominated the whole town.</p> + +<p>Sunday, the 14th of October, 1338, was a black day in the annals of +Southampton.</p> + +<p>A few days previously more of the troops had been withdrawn, thus +leaving practically only the men of Southampton to guard the town. +Rumours of a large hostile fleet within the sheltered waters of the +Solent caused bodies of men to be hastily dispatched to Lepe, +Lymington, and other neighbouring sea-coast towns, while Sir John +Hacket, hurriedly summoned to Portsmouth on an urgent matter of +defence, had taken the greater part of his company with him.</p> + +<p>Redward's sub-division was amongst those left at Southampton, but he +himself had crossed to Hythe, where he hired a horse and rode to the +town of Lepe to gather tidings of the foemen. Thus there remained of +his party some two score archers and men-at-arms, under the command +of Richard Wyatt, the grizzled old warrior who had recognised his old +comrade Redward at the passage of the Hamble River.</p> + +<p>On this particular Sunday a white mist overspread Southampton. So +dense was the fog that even the oldest inhabitants could not recall +the like. Raymond and his comrades were busily engaged in overhauling +their bows and shafts, for on that afternoon a shooting match had +been arranged between ten men of the Constable's company and ten of +the town guard of Southampton, for displays of archery were then +usual at the close of church service.</p> + +<p>"A pest take the fog!" grumbled the old man-at-arms. "If it does not +lift 'twill be too thick to hold the contest."</p> + +<p>"Even this room is full of it," cried an archer, twanging his +bow-string with his thumb. "Look, this cord is as dead as the giant +Ascupart, whom these Southampton folk brag so much about!"</p> + +<p>"At all events, both parties fare alike. If we but win a groat apiece +the weather can bide—that is, so long as we can see the butts!"</p> + +<p>Just then the bells of St. Michael's and the Maison Dieu struck out +to summon the townspeople to Mass, and soon the streets were teeming +with gaily dressed folk, all hastening to their respective churches, +though to the men in the tower they appeared but ghostly shapes +gliding in the misty air.</p> + +<p>"Who will come with me on to the top of the tower?" asked one of the +archers. "I'd as lief get wet through in the open as perish with cold +in this fog-laden room."</p> + +<p>"I am with thee," replied Raymond.</p> + +<p>"And I—and I," said several voices.</p> + +<p>Ascending a narrow spiral flight of stone steps, the comrades gained +the summit of St. Barbara's Tower. Rearing itself sixty feet above +the ground and thirty feet above the line of battlemented walls, this +building was crowned by a low breastwork, and roofed with large slabs +of stone sufficiently sloping to carry off the rainwater, but at the +same time capable of being walked upon without difficulty.</p> + +<p>"Ha! The mist rises a little!" exclaimed one. "Though 'twill be only +for a time."</p> + +<p>"I can perceive the watch-fire," remarked another, indicating the +dull glow of the burning wood in an open brazier that at night or in +thick weather was always fired on the summit of the Water Gate.</p> + +<p>"Ho! Peterkin—Simon!" shouted a hoarse voice immediately below them. +"Out on ye for scurvy knaves! Hasten and bring oars, or I'll lay my +staff athwart your backs!"</p> + +<p>"'Tis old John Draper, the water-bailiff," remarked one of the +archers. "Some vessel hath found her way up the Water, and he's going +to board her."</p> + +<p>They heard the oars tossed into the boat, and the rasping voice of +the water-bailiff as he descended the stone steps of the quay and +stepped into the boat. Then the sound of oars straining against the +tholepins grew fainter and fainter, till the little craft was lost to +sight and sound in the dense fog.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a piercing shriek, followed by the dull noise of a heavy +splash, fell upon the ears of the archers in the tower.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" inquired one, his indifference changed into alert +activity.</p> + +<p>"Nothing, thick head—except, perhaps, that old Draper hath missed +his foothold and received a ducking!"</p> + +<p>"I like it not," replied the first archer. "There's black devilment +afoot."</p> + +<p>"Thou art ever looking for trouble, Hal. Didst ever——"</p> + +<p>"Nay, methinks he's right," interrupted Will Lightfoot. "Hearken!"</p> + +<p>Leaning over the edge of the parapet the archers strove to ascertain +the meaning of a subdued splashing that every moment grew louder.</p> + +<p>"Oars, comrades, oars! And not a score not two score, either. The +water's <i>alive</i> with them!"</p> + +<p>And now through the mist loomed scores of great indistinct shapes +that only too soon resolved themselves into the outlines of long +galleys, their size magnified by the thick veil of vapour. Before the +astonished archers could realise their danger the huge craft ran +alongside the quay or beached themselves with a grinding crunch on +the gravel of the foreshore abreast the Water Gate, and from them +leaped hordes of armed men, shouting and giving orders in half the +tongues of Southern Europe.</p> + +<p>The surprise was complete. The Water Gate was rushed ere the massive +gates could be closed, and the foe, with the quickness of martial +experience, wedged the grooves of the double portcullis to prevent +the lowering of the heavy iron slides. Into the town they poured, +slaying all who crossed their path, and before the startled +inhabitants, most of whom were still at Mass, could grasp the +situation, close upon five thousand French and Genoese soldiers had +gained possession of the greater part of the town.</p> + +<p>To add to the tumult, the bell over the watchtower began a dismal +tocsin, and continued till a party of soldiers, climbing to the +summit, hurled the devoted bellman crashing down upon the stones +beneath. But other bells took up the warning note, till the Bar Gate, +at the northern end of Southampton, gave a more timely alarm to the +dwellers about the upper part of the town.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the archers of St. Barbara's Tower, lashed into +activity by the orders and example of Dick Wyatt, had closed, barred, +and bolted the great oaken door, and hastily arming themselves, +ascended the tower, where they crouched, arrow on string, behind the +low, battlemented parapet.</p> + +<p>"Methinks 'tis all up with Southampton," exclaimed the grizzled +warrior. "But lie close, and do not loose string till they find us +out."</p> + +<p>"But what can we do?"</p> + +<p>"Very little till the fog lifts. Then it will be seen, which of the +towers still hold out."</p> + +<p>"Have they carried the Castle, think you?"</p> + +<p>"Not if the garrison have had the least warning, and, thank Heaven, +there's enough noise to waken the Seven Sleepers. Hearken!"</p> + +<p>Above the noise of the still disembarking foreign soldiery could be +heard pitiful screams and cries for mercy, as men, women, and +children were cut down indiscriminately by the ruthless foe, while a +distant clash of arms showed that in some quarters of the town the +invaders were meeting with some amount of resistance.</p> + +<p>As if by magic, the mist suddenly rolled away, and the pale October +sun streamed down upon a sight that was but too common in those days. +Two score and ten galleys lay along the sea-front, their prows +touching the shore just as the first high water was beginning to ebb, +while in mid-stream fifty-five heavier vessels rode at anchor. From +this powerful fleet close on twelve thousand Normans, Picards, +Genoese, and Spaniards had landed.</p> + +<p>Already the southern portion of the town, with the exception of St. +Barbara's and God's House Towers, was in their hands. Robert de la +Barre, one of the bailiffs, held the Castle and the West Gate; Walter +de Brakkeleye, the other, lay within Catchcold Tower; while through +the Bar Gate poured a mob of terrified citizens, some of whom fled +hot-foot even as far as Winchester.</p> + +<p>Having made sure of the lower part of the town, the invaders began +their accustomed excesses, plundering and burning in all directions.</p> + +<p>A strong body of Genoese could be seen coming down the road that +followed the inner side of the South Wall.</p> + +<p>"Stand fast, if ye would see to-morrow's sun!" cried the old +man-at-arms warningly. "And do not give any sign till they discover +us: then an arrow for each black heart!"</p> + +<p>On the opposite side of the street, which, for military reasons, was +wider than those away from the walls, was a house of superior quality +to its neighbours. It was a two-storeyed, half-timbered building, +standing in a large extent of ground. Attracted by its more imposing +appearance, three of the marauders stopped and began to batter on the +outer gate with their short, heavy axes.</p> + +<p>"'Tis the house of Sir Reginald Scarsdale," quoth one of the archers, +a Southampton man. "'Tis out of the frying-pan into the fire, I trow, +with him."</p> + +<p>"What dost thou mean?" asked Raymond.</p> + +<p>"Why, this: twice his castle in the county of Yorks hath been burned +by the Scots; so, to keep his womenfolk out of harm's way, he sends +them down here, while he keeps watch and ward at Berwick."</p> + +<p>"His womenfolk?"</p> + +<p>"Ay! His wife, the Lady Hilda, and his daughter, the Lady Audrey. +Pray Heaven they be not in the house!"</p> + +<p>"But they are!" exclaimed another. "I heard from one of their +servants but a few hours back that the old lady was seized with an +ague. And the younger, a sweet little lass, left to the mercies of +those wretches! Alas! And we can do nothing!"</p> + +<p>Raymond's only reply was to compress his lips tightly and clutch the +hilt of his short sword. Carefully he peered over the edge of the +parapet, and looked down on the scene below.</p> + +<p>Already the gate was giving way before the lusty blows of the axes. +Then, throwing his ponderous body against the shattered woodwork, a +burly Genoese burst the remaining fragments with a resounding crash, +and, with wild shouts of triumph, the three plunderers rushed across +the grounds and attacked the door of the house, while the screams of +terrified women rent the air.</p> + +<p>Without a moment's hesitation Raymond seized a coil of rope which was +used for hauling up materials to the top of the tower, and hastily +knotted one end round his body. He looked down. The street was now +clear of any wandering soldiers. Taking his bow and quiver, as well +as his sword, the youth persuaded his comrades to lower him with all +despatch.</p> + +<p>Round and round he spun in his hazardous descent, till, with bleeding +hands and a swimming sensation in his head, Raymond found himself on +the ground. Instantly he unloosed the rope, darted quickly across the +road and gained the outer gateway.</p> + +<p>By this time the inner door had been wrenched open, and the three +Genoese were holding a debate amongst themselves, gesticulating and +talking volubly till it seemed as if a quarrel was likely to ensue. +Finally two entered the house, the third keeping guard outside, +possibly to prevent any fugitive from leaving, or to keep others of +their comrades from sharing in what promised to be a rich haul.</p> + +<p>Raymond saw and seized his chance. The man's back was turned towards +him, yet—the raiders being mere pirates and deserving of no +mercy—without hesitation, the youth drew string, and the next +instant the soldier was lying on his face, his back pierced by an +arrow.</p> + +<p>Guided by the redoubled sound of shrieks, the lad sped across the +ground, grasping his drawn sword in his hand, and ascended the stairs +with quick yet noiseless footsteps.</p> + +<p>At the head of the stairs lay the corpse of an old man, evidently a +servitor, the blood welling in a crimson flood from a gaping wound in +his throat. Without stopping, Raymond sprang over the body and burst +into a room whence the shrieks came with terrifying shrillness.</p> + +<p>There a sight met his gaze that transformed him into a terrible +avenging spirit rather than a human being. On the floor lay an +elderly lady, her eyes rolling in semi-stupor, while the two ruffians +were maltreating a young and beautiful girl, whose age could not have +been more than sixteen. In spite of her furious struggles and +piercing cries the two Genoese were dragging her out of the room, and +her strength was well-nigh exhausted.</p> + +<p>With a loud shout of anger Raymond rushed upon the two men, who were +totally unprepared for any onslaught while engaged in their work of +cruelty and rapine. A strong sweeping blow with his sword and one of +the villains fell lifeless to the ground, but, before the young +archer could strike again, the second turned upon him, and in a +moment both were struggling on the floor in a deadly embrace, the +Genoese, a great lusty fellow, being uppermost. Raymond still +retained his sword, though unable to shorten it, while his enemy +strove to draw a dagger that he wore at his belt. Seeing this the lad +dropped his sword and grasped the other's wrist, while, in turn, +Raymond's arm was gripped to prevent him from drawing his own knife.</p> + +<p>At length the weight of his foeman's body began to tell, and slowly +the breath was forced out of the lad's lungs by the relentless +pressure. Raymond thought that the end was near, his face was turning +black, red lights flashed across his eyes, and, as in a dream, he saw +the Genoese wrench his hand free from the retaining grasp and seize +the hilt of his dagger.</p> + +<p>"Flee!" gasped Raymond, glancing towards the maiden, and he had +steeled himself to receive the expected <i>coup de grace</i>, suddenly he +felt his enemy's body grow limp and a flood of hot blood rained upon +his face.</p> + +<p>Struggling to his feet, faint, dazed, and unable for the moment to +realise that it was not his own life's blood, Raymond gazed vacantly +upon the body of his foeman. Then, as his scattered senses began to +return, the youth realised that his miraculous deliverance was due to +the prompt action of the girl to whose aid he had flown; for seeing +how matters were turning, and desperate for her own and her rescuer's +safety, she had possessed herself of the dagger of the slain ruffian +and had plunged it up to the hilt in the neck of the other.</p> + +<p>For the first time Raymond could take notice of the girl. Looking at +her white face, he could see that she was a maiden of quality and +unquestionable beauty. As she stood there, with flashing eyes and the +reeking dagger in her hand, she seemed in the eyes of the young +archer like one of the mythological heroines of whom he had read in +the library of the Abbey. But with the sense of safety came the +inevitable reaction. She dropped the knife, and, falling beside her +mother, burst into tears.</p> + +<p>Raymond, in spite of his inexperience, saw only too clearly that the +elder lady was beyond pain and suffering.</p> + +<p>"Come," he said gently. "We must needs go quickly. Thy mother is—" +He was unable to finish the sentence, but the girl understood.</p> + +<p>"I am ready," she said, in a far-away voice, "but whither shall we +go?"</p> + +<p>Pausing to throw a coverlet over the still form of the lady, Raymond +gave a final glance at the bodies of his late adversaries; then, +taking the girl by the hand, he drew her gently from the room.</p> + +<p>The cool, fresh air revived his scattered wits considerably, so that +he was able to take the necessary precautions to regain St. Barbara's +Tower. Bidding the girl wait behind a thick shrubbery, Raymond looked +cautiously out of the gate. The street seemed to be clear, while his +comrades were alert and waiting his return.</p> + +<p>Calling the girl, he led her quickly across the street; the end of a +rope was thrown down, and hastily the lad looped it round her supple +form. Then at a signal the little garrison pulled up the rope, and +its precious burden was safe within the shelter of St. Barbara's +Tower!</p> + +<p>"Haste thee, boy!" shouted old Dicky Wyatt, the grizzled man-at-arms. +"The French be upon thee!"</p> + +<p>There was not a moment to be lost. The lad seized the end of the rope +as it descended, and hanging on like a jackanapes, was soon dangling +in the air. A party of the enemy were running down the street, and +already a few quarrels and arrows were whistling past his ears or +splintering themselves against the stonework of the tower. Then a +well-directed flight of cloth-yard shafts held the enemy in check, +and aided by willing hands, Raymond was helped over the parapet.</p> + +<p>"A plucky deed," growled Wyatt, "but thou hast sold us, my lad. See, +they have gone to bring reinforcements to carry the tower by +escalade!"</p> + +<p>"Certes, Raymond," exclaimed an archer, "thou dost look like a +butcher What hast thou been about?"</p> + +<p>"Never mind that: the tale will keep," interrupted the man-at-arms. +"I'll warrant we'll all look worse than that ere long! Here, +Lightfoot! Away with Ye to the kitchen, and see that plenty of water +is put to boil. And you, Ned, fetch an axe and hew off some of this +lead and melt it. Methinks the townsmen of Southampton will not +amerce us with the damage, whether we hold the tower or not!"</p> + +<p>While the preparations for defence were in progress a loud shout from +one of the archers gave warning that the enemy were returning to the +attack, and the two score Englishmen from the height of the tower +looked down upon ten times their number of Picards, Normans, and +Spaniards, to whom the assault on a fortress or the sack of a +defenceless town were looked upon as ordinary occurrences.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter08">CHAPTER VIII</a><br /><br />OF THE ASSAULT ON ST. +BARBARA'S TOWER</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +WITH fierce cries and menacing gestures the foreigners rushed down +the street, many of them carrying axes and torches, while others bore +a stout beam for the purpose of battering down the door of the tower. +Their archers and crossbowmen, eager to join in the fray, had slung +their bows, and with knives, swords, or short spears in their hands, +surged along in a confused mass with the men-at-arms.</p> + +<p>"Now! Altogether! Loose, my lads!" shouted old Richard, and with the +well-known twang nearly a score of bows sent their missiles crashing +into the armed mob below.</p> + +<p>Many of the advancing foemen fell, transfixed by the deadly shafts, +while those in the rear, pressing blindly forward, stumbled over +those who lay writhing on the ground. When, at length, the foremost +had reached the base of the tower, where they were safe from the +stinging shower, they were met with a stream of molten lead, which, +burning through hauberk and leathern jerkin with equal ease, sent the +assailants reeling back with screams of agony.</p> + +<p>The men bearing the beam were all shot down, and the main body +retiring hastily, in a few moments the street was deserted but for a +number of corpses, and the solitary standing figure of a man in full +armour. Disdaining to turn his back upon the foe, the knight walked +slowly backwards, shaking his ponderous mace in speechless anger, +while the arrows rattled harmlessly off his proof-plate mail.</p> + +<p>"Save your arrows, comrades, and give him a heavy stone or a dose of +hot lead should he approach," said old Wyatt. "Methinks I've seen his +device before. 'Tis Enrico, son of the King of Sicily."</p> + +<p>Just then the prince, his spurred heels tripping on the body of a +man-at-arms, fell prostrate on his back, amid a roar of laughter from +the Englishmen.</p> + +<p>"Now stand by," exclaimed one of the archers, "and directly he moves +a limb, let fly at his armpits or behind his knees!"</p> + +<p>But the Italian was not lacking in cunning, for knowing that the +weight of his armour would effectually prevent his rising, he lay +perfectly quiet, his arms pressed closely to his side, till some +varlets, bearing a heavy mantlet before them, came running up and +lifted their master on his feet. Then, with measured step, the prince +retired out of sight.</p> + +<p>"Ah! As I thought, the rascals have learned a trick or two!" growled +Wyatt, pointing to the Woolhouse Tower, a structure of greater height +than St. Barbara's Tower, and standing less than three hundred paces +distant.</p> + +<p>Abandoned by its garrison at the first alarm, the Woolhouse Tower was +occupied by a strong body of French archers, while an equally +formidable band of crossbowmen took possession of the lofty Woolhouse +hard by, so that a flight of missiles was poured upon the Englishmen +from two different points.</p> + +<p>"Lie down, men; 'tis useless to return their fire!" commanded the +man-at-arms. But before his advice could be acted upon five archers +and two soldiers were hit, one of the latter, his brain pierced by a +bolt, toppling forwards over the parapet, and falling with a +sickening thud upon the wall below.</p> + +<p>"Would it not be well to abandon the roof and seek shelter below?" +inquired one.</p> + +<p>"And give the rascals an easy chance to carry the tower," rejoined +old Wyatt derisively. "Nay, we must hold the flats at all cost. +Quickly, my lads! Bring up everything ye can find that will do to +raise a mantlet! There are plenty of hides in the store, and planks +and poles as well."</p> + +<p>Swiftly the archers fell to work, and in a very short space they had +stretched some stout ox-hides on poles and had raised them above the +parapet. Strengthening their hasty barricade with several heavy +planks, they were soon in comparative security; while through the +narrow space betwixt the top of the battlement and the lower edge of +the hides they could keep up a brisk discharge of arrows upon their +assailants, while the muffled thud of shafts and quarrels striking +upon the loosely hung hides showed both the vehemence of the attack +and the efficacy of the defence.</p> + +<p>The defenders had now time to survey their surroundings; and, to +every one's surprise, the Lady Audrey, calm and self-possessed, was +busily engaged in making bandages for the wounded men.</p> + +<p>"My faith!" exclaimed Dick Wyatt, roughly yet kindly. "'Tis no place +for thee, girl! Away with thee to the room below, and, if nursing be +thy desire, I'll warrant there'll be enough work for thee ere long!"</p> + +<p>Reluctantly, the maiden obeyed; and the wounded archers were taken +below so that their hurts could receive attention, while the +survivors would be less encumbered on the narrow extent of the roof.</p> + +<p>"Stand to it once more!" shouted their leader. "They come again! Now, +Will, be ready with the molten lead and the boiling water!"</p> + +<p>Assailed on three sides at once, the defenders were hard put to it to +keep the attackers in check. In addition to the showers of arrows and +stones, the enemy had gained a lodgment on the town wall, and two +long ladders were placed against the tower, their ends resting or +projecting above the battlements. Up swarmed a number of +heavily-armed men, till the ladders creaked and groaned under their +weight. Harassed by the hail of missiles, and impeded by the curtains +of bulls' hides, the defenders could not repel the assault, and, to +their consternation, the leaders of the attack appeared above the +battlements.</p> + +<p>Once the mailed warriors gained the roof, all would be lost! But at +the critical moment Richard Wyatt, seizing a massive crowbar, +loosened a heavy coping-stone. Then, calling a couple of strong +archers to his aid, the ponderous stone was deftly toppled over the +battlements. Missing the first man, the stone hurled the next two +from their swaying foothold, then, crashing through the woodwork of +the ladder, it fell upon the heads of the men who were supporting +those who had already ascended.</p> + +<p>The ladder cracked and broke, bringing down the other ladder in its +fall, the fragments descending in opposite directions athwart the +wall, where a ghastly litter of woodwork and mangled corpses marked +the failure of the enterprise.</p> + +<p>The man who had first gained the edge of the parapet, feeling the +ladder give beneath him, sprang for the roof; but, encumbered by his +heavy armour, he slipped, and, clinging only by his mailed gauntlets, +he hung dangling over the abyss.</p> + +<p>Through the bars of his visor the defenders could see his eyes +starting from his head in his terror. But it was no time for pity. +With gibes and fierce jests the Englishmen watched his desperate +struggles, till, his fingers growing numb with the strain, he relaxed +his hold and fell, with a hoarse cry, to join the crushed and mangled +bodies of his comrades.</p> + +<p>Carried away by his enthusiasm, old Richard tore aside side the +curtain of hides, and stood upon the parapet to view the scene of his +triumph; but his imprudence cost him dear, fora crossbow bolt struck +him in the side, and he fell backwards into the arms of two of the +archers.</p> + +<p>"Lay me down," he cried feebly. "I am done for at last!" Presently he +added, "Send Raymond to me."</p> + +<p>Quickly the young archer came and knelt beside the dying soldier, +across whose eyes a misty film was already beginning to gather.</p> + +<p>"Raymond," he gasped, "thou'rt but a lad, but thou hast a cool head. +Take charge of the Tower, and yield to no man. If the saints bring ye +out scatheless, tell my master, Sir John, that I did my duty.... +And now, Pearce," he added, addressing another of the archers who +crowded around, "thou hast a strong steady hand. Grasp the bolt, I +pray thee, and pluck it out. It would ease and hasten my passing."</p> + +<p>But the archer could not bring himself to hasten the end, in spite of +the faint entreaties of the dying man. Then, by a supreme effort, +Dick Wyatt struggled to his feet and tore out the deadly shaft. A +rush of dark blood followed, and, with a loud cry of "St. George for +England!" the old man-at-arms fell dead.</p> + +<p>The little garrison was now in sore straits. Of the original two +score men nine were killed and twelve grievously wounded, and of the +survivors only eleven were left to guard the roof of the Tower and +eight to man the oylets and windows of the lower storeys.</p> + +<p>At Raymond's suggestion the steel caps of the killed and wounded were +shown above the walls to deceive the enemy as to the strength of the +garrison. Then, leaving two men to keep a sharp look-out, the +remainder of the worn and famished warriors descended into a lower +room to partake of a hasty yet plentiful meal.</p> + +<p>"I would we had a sack or two of quicklime," remarked Raymond to Will +Lightfoot, who had charge of the defence of the lowermost storey. "We +would then give them a warm welcome such as my father did at Hamble."</p> + +<p>Will was evidently thinking.</p> + +<p>"There is very little that will burn," he said at last reflectively. +"They threw in some flaming wood, but, methinks, they had a good +exchange—molten lead is not much to the taste of these rogues!"</p> + +<p>"True, the Tower cannot be fired, but why didst thou mention it?"</p> + +<p>"Because in the cellar are several bundles of straw and hay. I would +counsel that we set them alight and hurl them on the scaling +ladders!"</p> + +<p>"By St. George! A good device!"</p> + +<p>Once more the invaders renewed the assault, and this time ladders +were brought against two opposite sides of the building. But, thanks +to the trusses of flaming straw and hay, the attackers could not +bring themselves to face the hazardous ascent.</p> + +<p>Neither did the attack upon the door at the base of the Tower meet +with better success, for the arrows of the besieged kept the +battering-ram inactive, while those bolder than their fellows who +attacked the door with axes found that, however accustomed they were +to give or receive hard knocks, molten lead and boiling water were +more than they could stand.</p> + +<p>At length night drew on, and, save for an occasional arrow, the +garrison were unmolested. Many of the French and Genoese, having had +their fill of plunder, were busy removing their booty to the galleys. +Others, mad with drink, paraded the streets uttering wild oaths and +strange cries.</p> + +<p>Those houses that had been plundered were set on fire, and, as +darkness fell over the ill-fated town, the glare of fifty burning +buildings illuminated the country for miles around, and served to +lash the surviving inhabitants into a host of desperate and +revengeful defenders of their country's shores.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter09">CHAPTER IX</a><br /><br />ON THE HEELS OF THE +ENEMY</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +ALTHOUGH the two bailiffs, Walter de Brakkeleye and Robert de la +Barre, had remained disgracefully inactive within their defences, the +men of Winchester, Romsey, and other neighbouring towns and villages +were massing to aid the men of Southampton, and a large and +well-appointed army had gathered at Bassett, ready to wrest the +pillaged town from the invaders and drive them back to their ships.</p> + +<p>Throughout the night the defenders of St. Barbara's Tower kept +anxious vigil. Of the preparations for their relief they knew +nothing. But hardly had the pale dawn begun to gather in the east +than the foreigners were astir, taking steps to keep the galleys +afloat on the now falling tide, as if they purposed embarking once +more.</p> + +<p>Then, with a crash and a roar, the sound of fighting was heard +towards the centre of the town, and from their elevated position the +sorry remnant of the defenders saw the lances of the English charge +down the High Street, bearing all before them. In other quarters the +invaders, entangled in the narrow streets, were cut off by swarms of +the infuriated inhabitants, who, knowing the peculiarities of their +town, moved with consummate ease, hurling down stones and shooting +arrows from the houses upon their entrapped enemy.</p> + +<p>And now, from the Castle and the West Gate and Catchcold Towers +poured the liberated garrison, eager to avenge their disgrace. Many +were the encounters between the Southampton men and their foes in +this quarter of the town, till, driven back by weight of numbers, the +enemy, who were mostly Genoese, returned slowly past St. Barbara's +Tower, contesting every inch of ground.</p> + +<p>The little band of defenders now occupied themselves by annoying the +retreating Italians with well-directed arrows, while, all danger of +an assault being at an end, the barricades behind the door were +removed so that the garrison could sally out and join their friends.</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer came the sound of conflict, till Raymond and his +comrades perceived the red-crossed surcoats of the Englishmen +pressing back the discomfited Genoese. At length, unable to withstand +the flanking fire of arrows, the enemy fled past out of bowshot of +the Tower—all save one, whom Raymond recognised as the son of the +King of Sicily. Burning to achieve a further deed of honour, Raymond +threw open the door and rushed out to intercept the mailclad knight, +who, with sweeping strokes of his sword, kept the men-at-arms at a +respectful distance. But the lad was forestalled. A huge countryman, +who had lost his all in the sack of the town, had crept behind the +Prince, and, with a swinging blow of a massive club, smote the +Italian behind the knees.</p> + +<p>With a snarl of rage and pain the Prince fell to the ground, and, +with a shout of triumph, his assailant stood over him with his club +upraised to give the fatal blow. Finding further resistance +impossible, the knight dropped his sword.</p> + +<p>"<i>Je me rends!</i>" he exclaimed. "<i>Je vous donnerai +rançon!</i>"</p> + +<p>"Yea, I know thou art a Françon," thundered the Englishman, +misunderstanding the Prince's appeal for mercy, "and therefore thou +shalt die!" And, notwithstanding a warning shout from Raymond and +several of the Englishmen, the club descended with tremendous force, +and the Italian lay dead upon the ground.</p> + +<p>"I'll trouble thee to mind thy own business, my master!" hissed the +countryman, turning fiercely on Raymond.</p> + +<p>"But he was a gentleman of quality. He surrendered to thee, and he +was worth a heavy ransom!"</p> + +<p>"Ransom, forsooth!" rejoined the man, in a frenzy. "What ransom can +atone for a wife and five children slain? Speak not to me of ransom!" +And, shouldering his club, the man rushed off in pursuit of the +fugitives as they hastened towards the Water Gate.</p> + +<p>Beaten back at every point, the invaders crowded on board their +galleys, and during the embarkation the slaughter was greater; for, +from the walls, as well as from the shore, a heavy fire of arrows was +hailed upon them by the infuriated townsmen.</p> + +<p>At length, with the exception of a few galleys that, caught by the +falling tide, were burned and their crews slaughtered, the hostile +ships withdrew, and, with a steady north-west breeze, bore away down +Southampton Water, leaving behind them a half-burned and pillaged +town—the terrible penalty of unpreparedness!</p> + +<p>After the <i>mêlée</i> Raymond returned with the remnant of the +Constable's detachment to the Tower they had held so well, and, to +his surprise and delight, found his father awaiting him, though +Redward hardly recognised his son. Stained with his own blood and the +blood of the Genoese, covered with dust and grime from head to foot, +Raymond looked a very different person from the gentle youth of three +months back.</p> + +<p>"By St. Edward of Netley!" exclaimed Redward, "wherever I go, whether +Francewards or otherwise, thou shalt go too; for methinks there is as +much danger in Merrie England as in the land of the Fleur-de-Lys!"</p> + +<p>"But how camest thou here, father?" asked Raymond. "I thought thou +wert at Lepe."</p> + +<p>"Ah, lad! it was there I saw the foemen sail towards Southampton; so I +rode hot-foot to Hythe.[1] There I took a boat—stole it, I fear—and +tried to cross; but in the fog I nearly ran into the thick of the +galleys. Then I knew I was too late; so back to the shore I rowed, +and came round the head of the Water by land. 'Twas a long journey by +Totton, and by the time I reached Millbrook it was daylight, and the +men of Romsey were marching in upon the town."</p> + +<p>By this time Raymond had washed his face and hands, and had brushed +most of the grime from his clothes, having removed his white surcoat +and breastplate.</p> + +<p>"We have had a hot time, father. They pressed us hard. Fourteen men +lie stretched upon the straw, and nine are dead. Poor old Dick Wyatt +is no more."</p> + +<p>"Heaven rest his soul!" exclaimed Redward, piously crossing himself. +"He was a good and true comrade to me through thick and thin, and I +trow 'tis hard to be stricken down almost within sight of home."</p> + +<p>Together father and son ascended the winding stair that led to the +upper rooms. There lay the wounded defenders, carefully tended by the +Lady Audrey. As Raymond entered the room, she looked at him in a +puzzled manner. Then, holding out her hand, she exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Why, 'tis my gallant preserver! And what a difference a clean face +doth make ye are but a boy, and a handsome one at that!"</p> + +<p>A deep flush overspread the youth's face. Redward, knowing nothing of +the circumstances of her rescue, could but express his astonishment, +and, leaving the pair engaged in eager talk, he ascended to the roof, +where lay the bodies of Richard Wyatt and the other soldiers, each +grim and stern in death.</p> + +<p>From Will Lightfoot he learned most of the particulars of the +defence, including his son's intrepid act of rescue.</p> + +<p>"Ay! Buckland," said Will, "'tis not every archer who hath the good +fortune to rescue a noble lady such as the Lady Audrey Scarsdale!"</p> + +<p>"Scarsdale?" repeated Redward.</p> + +<p>"Ay Scarsdale—daughter of Sir Reginald Scarsdale."</p> + +<p>The master-bowman staggered as if struck by an invisible blow; then, +recovering himself by an effort, asked Lightfoot if there were any +tidings of Sir John Hacket.</p> + +<p>Even Will Lightfoot could not fail to notice the change in Redward's +appearance; but, putting it down to the fearful strain of the fight, +suggested adjourning to partake of refreshment.</p> + +<p>The task of laying to rest the bodies of their comrades was next +proceeded with. Then Raymond, with two of his fellow-archers, entered +the ill-fated house of the Lady Scarsdale, and removed the bodies of +the three Genoese.</p> + +<p>Placing the corpse of the Lady Hilda reverently on a bed, they locked +up the house and gave the keys into the custody of the Sheriff, who, +knowing the Scarsdale family, took the necessary steps to ensure a +fitting burial of the knight's wife, while Lady Audrey was taken care +of by some relatives who resided in another part of Hampshire.</p> + +<p>Early the following morning Sir John Hacket, having assured himself +that the enemy had made for the Channel and were not likely to return +to raid some other coast town, rode into Southampton from Portsmouth, +attended by his squires and a troop of lances and mounted archers.</p> + +<p>Proudly, yet sadly, the stern old knight gazed upon the sorry remnant +of the detachment he had left at Southampton but a week before.</p> + +<p>"By St. George!" he exclaimed, "ye are a credit to me, and the one +bright jewel in the sable field of incompetence and neglect! The King +shall hear of your deeds! Ye see," he added aside to his squires, +"what that ranter, Walter de Brakkeleye, and his co-bailiff, de la +Barre, have done. Had they given more thought to the safe keeping of +the town, instead of bickering, as Brakkeleye did with me respecting +the jurisdiction of his bailiwick, not a house in Southampton would +have been touched by foreign foemen, not one of the townsfolk harmed. +Should the King think fit to hang them on the battlements 'twould be +but their deserts!"</p> + +<p>"And now," he continued, addressing the archers, "I will take care +that bravery hath its reward. Another penny a day shall be added to +your pay, and, as for Raymond Buckland, who, I am told, undertook the +defence after my trusted Wyatt's death, from this time forth he shall +be one of my squires! Let him but acquit himself as he hath done +since he hath been in my company, and he will be on the road to win a +pair of gilded spurs!"</p> + +<p> +[1] Not, of course, the well-known coast town in Kent, but the +ancient village of that name on the New Forest side of Southampton +Water.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter10">CHAPTER X</a><br /><br />FATHER AND SON SET OUT FOR +HENNEBON</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +NEARLY four years have elapsed since the events recorded in the last +chapter—years full of national interest. The naval battle of Sluys +had been fought and won, and for the time the English fleet ruled the +Channel, so that scarce a French or Spanish vessel dared to show +itself betwixt Ushant and Cape Grisnez.</p> + +<p>After the siege of Tournay, a treaty had been concluded between King +Edward III. and Philip of France, but the former was ever on the +alert to seize a favourable opportunity of renewing hostilities, and +late in 1341 an incident occurred that gave the King the excuse to +prosecute the war once more—a step that led to the glorious victory +at Crécy and the overrunning of nearly the whole of France by the +victorious arms of England.</p> + +<p>The Duchy of Brittany was disputed between John of Montfort and +Charles of Blois, and, while the latter was pressing his claims at +the French Court, Montfort, by force or intrigue, had acquired the +fortresses of Rennes, Nantes, Brest, and Hennebon; and in order to +obtain a powerful supporter he had journeyed to England and concluded +an offensive and defensive alliance with King Edward, at the same +time offering to do him homage for the Duchy of Brittany.</p> + +<p>Keeping this treaty a deep secret, Montfort did not hesitate to +return to Paris to defend his case, but realising that the French +King did not favour him, and fearing violence at his hands, the Earl +retired to Brittany and declared war against the Count of Blois.</p> + +<p>Philip sent his son, the Duke of Normandy, with a powerful force to +aid Charles of Blois, and Montfort, after sending urgent requests for +assistance to the King of England, shut himself up in Nantes, which +was immediately besieged by the French.</p> + +<p>By the treachery of the inhabitants Nantes fell, and Montfort, taken +prisoner, was hurried to Paris, where he was loaded with chains and +thrown into a loathsome dungeon in the Louvre.</p> + +<p>But, though low, the fortunes of the Montforts were destined to +recover. The cause was taken up by the Countess Joan of Montfort, the +heroic wife of the imprisoned Earl, and being loyally supported by +the Bretons, she withdrew her forces to the town of Hennebon, where +she awaited the onslaught of the French, trusting in the expected aid +from England.</p> + +<p class="center">* * * * *</p> + +<p>But to return to Raymond Buckland and his adventures. As squire to +Sir John Hacket, the Constable of the King's Castle of Portchester, +he was now a member of the knight's household, spending the greater +part of his time within the grey walls of the fortress.</p> + +<p>Four years had made a great change in Raymond's appearance. He was +now a youth of twenty, tall and well built. Thanks to his +surroundings, he was skilled in the arts of warfare, and few could +withstand him at the jousts and spear-runnings that were frequently +held in the extensive grass-grown square that formed the outer bailey +of the castle. Moreover, his monkish training admirably fitted him +for the more clerkly duties that fell to him, and by his diligence, +intelligence, and courage he was held in high esteem by the fiery old +knight.</p> + +<p>Redward, too, for his tried devotion and experience was made head +master-bowman of the Constable's company, and, when occasion served, +Sir John was not above asking his advice in the ordering of the +castle and its defences.</p> + +<p>But over Raymond hung a dark cloud of perplexity. The image of the +fair Lady Audrey was ever present in his mind, and, encouraged by the +Constable's prediction that in due course he might be entitled to +wear the gilded spurs of knighthood, his hopes ran high of one day +being in a position to win the maiden's heart and hand. But to his +unbounded surprise, Raymond found that his father was tacitly opposed +to this, his dearest wish. With difficulty Redward had been persuaded +to allow the young squire to wait upon Sir Reginald Scarsdale, when +that knight wished to thank him for his services. Any mention of the +name of Scarsdale served to plunge the master-bowman into moodiness +and silence, and any question that the lad put to his sire on the +subject was turned in a way that puzzled Raymond in no small degree.</p> + +<p>One day an event happened that was to transfer the lad from the +pleasant life of ease at the castle to a far more active and +dangerous sphere.</p> + +<p>How well Raymond remembered it in after years. That morning he and +another squire had mounted the four-storeyed Norman keep, and from +the battlements looked down upon the scene below. It was a striking +picture; the keep stood at the north-west-angle of the huge fortified +enclosure. Immediately beneath the east and south faces of the donjon +lay the inner bailey. In the far corner of the outer bailey stood the +church, and close by was the water-gate, at which lay the Constable's +state barge. Away to the south stretched the wide expanse of +Portsmouth Harbour, its waters dotted with the sails of high-sided +cogs and other merchant vessels, as they threaded their way up the +sinuous deep-water channels that led to the castle.</p> + +<p>Immediately opposite the water-gate was the landport, or gateway +giving access to the castle from the land. The lads could follow the +line of the dusty road as it passed through the little village, swept +round the head of the harbour, and eventually was lost in the +distance as it ran towards the City of London.</p> + +<p>"Look, Raymond," exclaimed his companion, a Hampshire lad named +Oswald Mant. "A horseman approaches, and, my faith, he does not spare +his steed!"</p> + +<p>"'Tis not one of the company?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, look at the livery—murrey slashed with green—he is of the +household of Sir John Chandos."</p> + +<p>"Then something of importance hath taken place. I would 'twere good +tidings from France!"</p> + +<p>Leaving a dense white cloud of chalky dust behind him, the messenger +clattered down the road, pulled up for a moment at the outer gateway +to reply to the challenge of the guard, then spurred madly across the +courtyard to the foot of the steps leading to the keep. Here a page +ran forward to hold his horse, and, throwing himself wearily from the +saddle, the rider staggered up the steps and disappeared under a low +archway that gave access to the Constable's quarters.</p> + +<p>An hour passed ere the messenger reappeared, and, after draining a +cup of wine, he remounted and spurred his horse on his homeward +journey.</p> + +<p>While the two squires were debating over the matter, a page sought +them, summoning Raymond to instantly repair to Sir John's apartment.</p> + +<p>With beating heart, as if anticipating some good fortune, Raymond +followed the page, and was ushered into the Constable's presence, +where he found that Redward was already before him. It was a long, +narrow room, lighted with lancet windows and hung with rich arras. At +one end was a heavy table littered with papers and plans, and, for +the nonce, unmindful of the dignity of his position, Sir John was +sitting on its edge, swinging one leg, with the air of a man who is +occupied by a perplexing problem.</p> + +<p>Directly the page had retired, the Constable signed to Redward to +draw a thick hanging over the door.</p> + +<p>"Raymond," quoth he, "the King hath done us a signal honour. A +messenger hath arrived with orders for me to send a trusty squire to +the Countess of Montfort, who, as ye know, is beleaguere in Hennebon. +'Twill be a grave and hazardous task, yet withal one of great honour. +To my mind, I cannot name a more promising messenger than thee. Art +willing to take the risk?"</p> + +<p>"To have a chance to distinguish myself in the King's service is my +ardent desire, sir!"</p> + +<p>"'Tis well. Now listen. Hennebon is on the sea coast of Brittany, +betwixt the great River Loire and the town of Brest. As the foemen +lie thick around it, and have also, I doubt not, a strong +water-guard, 'tis a matter of stratagem rather than open work. But, +in any case, this packet must be delivered into the hands of the +Countess at all costs—at all costs, I repeat. I give thee a free +hand in the matter. Take what men thou dost deem fit—though, +methinks, the smaller the party the more chance of success."</p> + +<p>"Methinks my father will be sufficient company for me, sir."</p> + +<p>"Ah! as I thought. Thou hast chosen wisely. Now take this map and +mark it well—'tis by the hand of the King's own guide—and get you +gone to prepare for thy journey, for to-morrow morn a stout little +craft will lie off the water-gate ready to bear thee over the sea."</p> + +<p>Overjoyed at the prospects of such an adventure Raymond withdrew, and +consulted with his father on the best means of getting through the +cordon that was drawn round the beleaguered town.</p> + +<p>As night drew on, father and son repaired to the little church within +the walls, and for seven long hours kept an earnest vigil before the +altar, praying fervently for the success of their enterprise, and +invoking the protection of their patron saints against the perils of +land and sea. Then, as daylight dawned, they arose, weary and stiff, +to partake of food and drink ere embarking.</p> + +<p>Tidings of their mission had already spread throughout the garrison +of the castle, and when, accompanied by the Constable himself, the +two travellers made their way to the water-gate, a large concourse of +soldiers and members of the household flocked behind them to cheer +them on their way and to wish them God-speed.</p> + +<p>Riding easily at her hempen cable, on the first of the ebb tide, lay +the staunch vessel that was to carry them across the Channel. On her +stern were engraved the words <i>Les Trois Frères de Guernesey</i>, +showing her to be one of the Channel Islands boats, whose crew, brave +and hardy fishermen, were the best pilots obtainable.</p> + +<p>They were, in fact, the only vessels that in those days were capable +of making any pretence of sailing into the wind, and even then only, +in nautical language, "full and bye." The usual type of ships, with +their huge square sail, could only run before the breeze.</p> + +<p>The skiff of <i>Les Trois Frères</i> was waiting at the little +Hard, and +the farewells were quickly said. The precious despatch was sewn in +the hem of Raymond's jerkin, and once again the stern old knight +impressed upon his squire the necessity of the utmost caution. Then +he extended his hand to the lad.</p> + +<p>"God be with thee, and bring thee safely home again. I would be loth +to lose so promising a lad!" exclaimed Sir John.</p> + +<p>"Thanks for thy good wishes, fair sir," replied Raymond. "And should +I not return," he added, with a faint catch in his voice which, in +spite of his stout heart, he was unable to conceal, "I pray you send +this packet to the lady whose superscription appears hereon." And, +thrusting into the knight's hand a bulky missive, Raymond turned +quickly on his heel, to hide his rising colour, and stepped into the +skiff.</p> + +<p>The Constable watched the Guernsey bark hoist her sails, and waited +till she was well on her way down towards the harbour's mouth; then +he returned slowly towards his quarters.</p> + +<p>Glancing at the packet, he deciphered with difficulty the +superscription, written in a scrawling hand: "To ye richt +worshippefulle Ladye Audrey Scarsdale."</p> + +<p>"Heaven bless the lad," he mused. "Certes I am of a mind to forward +this missive whether he returns or not!"</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter11">CHAPTER XI</a><br /><br />THE CHIRURGEON OF LÉGUÉ</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +WITH a powerful following wind, <i>Les Trois Frères</i> made a rapid +passage down the harbour, and, before Raymond fully realised the +fact, the little vessel was lifting to the gentle heave of the +Channel.</p> + +<p>By midday the chalk cliffs of the Isle of Wight were all that was +visible of the shores of England, and, though a careful watch was +kept for hostile ships, not a sail was to be seen on the wide expanse +of water.</p> + +<p>The master, Pierre de la Corbière, was a huge-limbed, swarthy +Guernseyman, who spoke in a guttural patois that was almost +unintelligible to the young squire, though Redward, to whom most of +the dialects of France were familiar, could make himself understood +with comparative ease.</p> + +<p>Nine men and a boy composed the crew, a large one for so small a +craft; but the perils of war, added to the dangers of the sea, were a +sufficient excuse for their numbers. Each man, picturesquely clothed +and wearing silver earrings, was a trained pilot, and most of them +had served in that capacity on board the ships that had on past +occasions taken the King and his troops to France and Flanders. All +of them carried short daggers or knives in their belts, while a large +chest, lashed to ringbolts in the deck, contained a good supply of +swords and axes.</p> + +<p>"If this wind lasts," remarked the master, "we shall sight Cap de la +Hogue within a couple of hours. Whither would ye land, good sir?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, I know not," replied Redward. "And, moreover, I care not, so +long as it be not too close to the town."</p> + +<p>"There are the ports of Quimper, Doualan, Auray, and Morbihan," said +Pierre, counting them on his fingers. "All of easy distance from +Hennebon—though, perchance, we may receive a rough handling when we +arrive. Ma foi! And the passage of the Chenal du Four 'Twould be +quicker and safer to run into St. Brieuc."</p> + +<p>"St. Brieuc!" exclaimed Redward, referring to a very rough plan. +"Why, 'tis at least twenty leagues from the town to which we +journey."</p> + +<p>"Twenty leagues by land, as ye say," replied the Guernseyman +doggedly. "But if 'tis a question of time, commend me to St. Brieuc, +for if we lose the wind or have a contrary wind off Ushant, it may +mean a week's buffeting in the Chenal du Four, with a score of reefs +and unseen rocks on each side of us."</p> + +<p>"As ye will, then," assented Redward; and he moved away to tell +Raymond of the alteration of their plans.</p> + +<p>But the young squire was in no fit mood to be informed. The long, +swinging motion and the heat of the sun had done their work, and he +lay prone on the deck in the miseries of sea-sickness. Knowing that +any attempt at consolation would only aggravate the malady, the +master-bowman turned away, and, leaning against the low bulwarks, +gazed intently towards the still invisible French coast.</p> + +<p>Late in the afternoon the grey cliffs of La Hogue and the dark +outline of the Isle of Aurigny were sighted; but just before sundown +the wind died utterly away, leaving the little craft wallowing +heavily in the long swell, her sail flapping idly against the mast.</p> + +<p>The sky, hitherto clear and cloudless, was now overcast, and away +towards the southward a succession of flashes of lightning betokened +an approaching storm.</p> + +<p>Even Pierre de la Corbière, bold fisherman as he was, looked +anxious, +for the vessel was now beginning to feel the influence of the +dreadful Race of Alderney, and, with a lack of wind and a dark night +to boot, the terrors of the Race were considerably magnified.</p> + +<p>About midnight they were in the thick of it. A slight breeze had +sprung up, but barely sufficient to give the boat steerage-way. All +around were tremendous broken waves, and, although Pierre stood +gripping the tiller in an endeavour to avoid the heaviest breakers, +the boat was urged onwards through the Race at the rate that a horse +would trot, her mast threatening to snap under the irregular action +of the vicious cross seas.</p> + +<p>Throughout the tumult Raymond lay like a log, utterly unmindful of +the danger, his illness having completely overcome him. His father +took the precaution to lash him to the mast, and throughout that +fearful night Redward remained by his side, making endless vows to +the saints, which he heartily meant to fulfil should they ever again +reach dry land.</p> + +<p>Fortunately the threatened storm passed away, and as daylight broke +<i>Les Trois Frères</i> was beyond the influence of the Race, Guernsey +and +its attendant islands, Sark and Herm, being plainly visible.</p> + +<p>With a skill acquired by long years of experience, the Guernseyman +steered his craft between the islands, taking advantage of every +current that would help to bear them south, and, before the sun was +high, the Island of Jersey was abeam. The waters, too, were dotted +with the sails of fishing boats, forming a pleasing contrast to the +dreary waste of water they had traversed on the previous day.</p> + +<p>Worn out and faint from the effect of his long fast, Raymond sat up +and looked around, as if unable to bring himself to recall his +surroundings; but after a scanty meal of dry bread and water, he felt +the giddiness leave him, and with an effort he stood on his feet, +gripping his father tightly for fear of falling.</p> + +<p>"Where are we?" he asked dejectedly.</p> + +<p>"Nearly there," replied Redward. "A sailorman thou'lt be some day, +but beshrew me if thou lookest like one now! An hour ashore will make +all the difference; but rest awhile, my son, for there's work enow +ere long for both of us."</p> + +<p>Late in the afternoon <i>Les Trois Frères</i> entered St. Brieuc +Bay, the +high ground showing up distinctly, while far away they could discern +the lofty Bretagne hills, that lay between them and their +destination; and, just as the sun was sinking low behind the Brittany +coast, the little craft brought up under the shadow of the gloomy +castle of Cesson.</p> + +<p>Redward and the master conferred long and anxiously on the subject of +how to gain the shore without observation, but at length a light +dawned upon the dull mind of the Guernseyman.</p> + +<p>"Thou hast said well," he remarked. "Of a truth we cannot make sure +whether they of St. Brieuc are for the Countess of Montfort or +against her. And none of us wishes to put his head into the wolf's +mouth. But I know of a man—a foster-brother of mine—at whose house +ye could stay until the way is clear for ye to journey across +country. He dwells at Légué, but a mile from St. Brieuc, and I will +go ashore and converse with him."</p> + +<p>Silently and in the now black night the little skiff was lowered, and +Pierre de la Corbière was rowed ashore by two of his men.</p> + +<p>For nearly two hours Redward and the young squire remained on board, +anxiously listening for the sound of oars, till at length the little +boat shot noiselessly alongside, and the master sprang upon the deck.</p> + +<p>"'Tis easily done, though they of Blois hold the town," he exclaimed +breathlessly. "Raoul de Rohein, of whom I spoke, is willing to +receive you, for which service he demands five sols. He is a barber +and chirurgeon, and lives in the Rue Mortbec. Hasten, ere it be +light, for we must leave on top o' the tide."</p> + +<p>Once more the skiff, deeply laden, started for the shore. Raymond, in +his light armour, had discarded his surcoat with the conspicuous +cross of St. George, Redward in his harness could hardly be +distinguished from a Breton, and could rely upon his knowledge of the +French tongue to pass for a Gascon, or a Burgundian, as occasion +served. With them went Pierre de la Corbière and a sailor, both of +whom rowed while the squire and his father sat in the stern-sheets.</p> + +<p>Half-an-hour's steady pulling and the skiff grounded on the sandy +shore. Silently the three disembarked, leaving the seaman to look +after the boat, and quickly they made their way towards the house of +refuge.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the master stopped. "<i>Mon Dieu</i>," he exclaimed, "<i>c'est les +gardes!</i>"</p> + +<p>Coming straight towards them was a body of halberdiers, accompanied +by an officer. Retreat, without arousing suspicion, was impossible; +but in a few words the ever-resourceful Redward had devised a plan. +Raymond lay down in the road, his father lifted him by the shoulders +while Pierre took him by the feet, and, staggering under their heavy +burden, they advanced to meet the watch.</p> + +<p>"<i>Halte! Qui v'la?</i>" demanded the officer, flashing a lantern upon +the trio.</p> + +<p>"'Tis le Sieur d'Erqui, Monsieur," replied the Guernseyman, speaking +in a patois which is common between the Bretons and the Channel +Islanders. "He has been roystering and brawling, and has been sore +hurt."</p> + +<p>"One cannot put old heads on young shoulders," remarked the officer, +with a deprecating shrug. "What folly has he been at?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot say, monsieur."</p> + +<p>"Eh, bien! All the wine-shops will have the tale to-morrow! <i>En +avant, mes enfants!</i>" he added to his men, and to the great relief of +Raymond and his companions the watch shouldered their halberts and +moved on towards St. Brieuc.</p> + +<p>"A narrow escape," exclaimed Pierre, crossing himself. "If we were +discovered, three against seven would be long odds."</p> + +<p>"I've been in a worse fix before to-day," replied Redward sturdily. +"And we could have taken them by surprise."</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless, fighting is not in my line—on land, at least—and I +am thankful it did not come to blows."</p> + +<p>At length they arrived at a narrow street, where storeys of the +houses projected beyond those below, till the uppermost ones appeared +almost to meet, shutting out even the dim gloom of the now +starlit sky.</p> + +<p>With the air of a man who feels certain of his ground Pierre strode +rapidly ahead, the others following closely at his heels. Presently +he stopped outside a house, and drawing his dagger, struck lightly +upon the door with the hilt. After a few seconds' delay they heard +the sound of some one moving within, and the door was carefully +unbarred and thrown open.</p> + +<p>Pierre whispered a few words to the occupant, then, bidding his +former passengers farewell, he turned on his heel and walked swiftly +and silently towards the shore.</p> + +<p>The Englishmen followed their host into a low, ill-lighted room, and +for the first time they were able to see what manner of man he was.</p> + +<p>A misshapen, undersized body, surmounted by a lean, yellow-skinned +face, and furnished with a pair of long arms, the hands of which, +shaking as if with ague, resembled the claws of a bird, formed the +outward appearance of the barber and chirurgeon of Légué; and Raymond +could not repress a shudder as he gazed upon this caricature of a +human being.</p> + +<p>"Ye are for Hennebon?" he asked in a quavering tone, rolling his +lustreless eyes from one to the other.</p> + +<p>"Ay," replied Redward, "but how, by Saint Gregoire of Brittany, didst +thou know?"</p> + +<p>"The shipman, my foster-brother, hath told me. But the money, the +money?" he added, opening his withered hand.</p> + +<p>"A curse on the shipman," growled Redward to himself, "his tongue +will be our undoing. Here, take this," he added, counting out a sum +of money equivalent to the five sols demanded. "Canst furnish us with +a horse apiece?"</p> + +<p>Ignoring the question, the barber counted the pieces, putting each +coin between his toothless gums, as if doubtful of their quality.</p> + +<p>"Didst hear me—respecting the use of two horses?" demanded Redward +sternly.</p> + +<p>"Yea, noble master," replied the barber. "But there are none to be +had."</p> + +<p>"None?"</p> + +<p>"None! They have all been seized by those of Blois till the affair is +over. Therefore, by necessity, ye must go afoot—and the roads are +very unsafe for travellers at present, especially Englishmen bound +for Hennebon!"</p> + +<p>"A pest on your words! What would ye have us do?"</p> + +<p>The old man advanced a step, peering with his bleared eyes into the +face of the master-bowman.</p> + +<p>"For money there is much to be had!" he croaked, a sardonic smile +overspreading his withered face, while his long fingers clawed +invisible heaps of gold.</p> + +<p>"Out on thee for an arrant cheat! Give thy plan and name the price."</p> + +<p>Slowly and deliberately, his voice hardly above a whisper, the Breton +replied: "Did it ever occur to thy noble self that the dress of a +leper would make the best protection?"</p> + +<p>Redward recoiled, in spite of his hardened nerves, for sufferers from +that loathsome and incurable disease were far from rare in Western +Europe in those days. In France they were compelled by law to wear +long grey gowns and hoods, and to carry a "barillet," or rattle, to +give due warning of their approach. Under severe penalties they were +forbidden to remain in the larger cities and towns, or to beg or use +their rattle for the purpose of exciting pity. Thus it was common to +see them wandering over the countryside in pairs, their approach +being the signal for other wayfarers to pass them at a safe +distance.[1]</p> + +<p>"But the dress?" asked Redward.</p> + +<p>"That is easily to be had. I have a stock of them in this house. And +the price——"</p> + +<p>"They have not been used?" interrupted the master-bowman anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Certainly not, monsieur," replied the barber, with a hideous leer. +"'Twould be impossible. But the price I ask—and they be of good +quality—is but one livre, five sols—quite a small sum for a wealthy +gentleman like monsieur!"</p> + +<p>At that moment a loud rapping was heard. The squire and his father +sprang up, and, suspecting danger, their hands flew to their +sword-hilts.</p> + +<p>With a motion of his hand, their host indicated that they should hide +behind a heavy curtain; then, taking a torch from its socket, he made +towards the door.</p> + +<p>After considerable parleying the nocturnal visitor was admitted, and, +through a small hole in the mouldy curtain, Redward could see him +without risk. That he was a man of quality was apparent by the long +furred gown he wore; and further, by the length of the garment and +its rich violet colour, and the mortier or silk cap, ornamented with +Valenciennes lace, worn instead of the hat affected by the bourgeois, +his rank was of importance.</p> + +<p>"Art thou Raoul de Rohein, the chirurgeon?" he asked, in a lisping +voice, flourishing a musk-perfumed handkerchief as if to ward off the +hideous shape before him.</p> + +<p>"At thy service, my lord—barber, chirurgeon, apothecary, having been +duly examined and licensed by the great John Pitart, surgeon of the +Châtelet of Paris."</p> + +<p>"'Tis well! I am the Sieur d'Erqui, and I am bound for the army of +Charles of Blois, that lieth before Hennebon. In camps one has always +the fear of plague. Therefore, believing that forewarned is +forearmed, I come to thee for a remedy or, rather, a +preventative—'gainst the fell disorder."</p> + +<p>"I have the very thing, monsieur! But five sols nine deniers the +box—the nine deniers being devoted to the funds of the hospital of +St. Brieuc, <i>bien entendu!</i> By the holy St. Mark, the very thing! A +mixture of sulphur, viper's cake, powder of pearls, confection of +hyacinth, and an extract of the juice of <i>scorsonera</i>, all prepared +according to the recipe of the learned John Pitart, and made into +tablets covered with gold foil. One drachm three times a week, in the +morning, is the dose, monsieur, and if exposed to the infection two +drachms before going to bed!"</p> + +<p>"And is that all?" inquired the Sieur anxiously, as if the presence +of the barber was a presage of the plague.</p> + +<p>"Nay, of thine own ordering there is much to be done. I perceive that +monsieur carries the perfume of musk about with him. That is wrong. +Instead, let him take a citron pricked with cloves. Never walk out +fasting, neither drink wine immoderately; and, in the case of +immediate danger, take a little theriaque; and I'll warrant Erqui +will welcome its Sieur home in due course. And the fee, monsieur, is, +as I said, seven sols nine deniers."</p> + +<p>"But now thou didst ask five sols and nine deniers!"</p> + +<p>"Two sols in addition for the advice—excellent advice, monsieur. +<i>Merci, monsieur, et bon voyage!</i>"</p> + +<p>The Sieur had gone, and Raymond and his father came from their +hiding-place. Redward explained to his son, in a few words, the +nature of their disguise. Once again the talon-like hand of the +miserly Raoul closed over the money, and away he went to look for the +required garments.</p> + +<p>In a few moments he returned. The Englishmen donned the repulsive +insignia of the leper, and took the barillets in their hands. The +barber again unfastened the door and listened intently for any sound. +There was none.</p> + +<p>"Take the road through the village; it leads to Pontivy. There, +perchance, ye may find horses. Fare ye well!"</p> + +<p>And, passing out into the darkness of the night, the Englishmen began +their long journey afoot, stealing silently through the almost +deserted streets towards the frowning hills of Brittany.</p> + +<p> +[1] It was not until thirty years later that the hospitals of St. +Lazare and St. Germain were founded in Paris for the relief of these +unfortunate sufferers. On systematic steps being taken to deal with +the malady, the number of its victims quickly diminished; till the +scourge was practically wiped out.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter12">CHAPTER XII</a><br /><br />THE JOURNEY PERILOUS</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +LONG before the grey morn began to dawn Redward and his son had +covered a couple of leagues, and were at the foot of a long range of +hills. Slowly they began the ascent, and, ere the summit was reached, +the light was sufficient for them to see their grotesque and horrible +garb.</p> + +<p>"A safe disguise," exclaimed Raymond, "yet right glad will I be when +we can doff these garments."</p> + +<p>"A safe disguise enough, should the barber not play us false," +replied his father. "I liked not his looks, though I trow he is in +no ways to blame for the cut of his face."</p> + +<p>"But dost think that he will play us false?"</p> + +<p>"'Tis not unlikely; so the more leagues we place between us and St. +Brieuc the better. Canst get at thy sword-hilt?"</p> + +<p>"Not easily. Wherefore dost thou ask?"</p> + +<p>"Danger might come apace and at any time. See, I have cut a slit in +my gown so that I can grasp my sword without delay. I pray thee do +likewise."</p> + +<p>On the brow of the first hill was a long farmstead, sheltered more or +less by a clump of stunted pine-trees. Behind the house was an +orchard, its branches laden with fruit, while amongst the trees were +several cows, their heads tethered to their forefeet, after the +manner of those parts, so that the animals could not tear down the +branches of the fruit-trees.</p> + +<p>"A sight to gladden the eyes of an old campaigner!" exclaimed the +master-bowman, and, taking his steel cap from beneath his cowl, he +stole cautiously towards the cattle, Raymond waiting behind a +sheltering tree.</p> + +<p>With the deftness born of old experience Redward did his work, and +soon returned with his casque filled to the brim with warm milk. +Having drunk their fill, the travellers helped themselves to a +bounteous supply of fruit, and proceeded on their way, the fruit, +together with some dry bread they had brought with them, making a +passable breakfast.</p> + +<p>At the bottom of the hill they entered a small village. Although +still early, most of the inhabitants were astir, and the Englishmen +had their first experience of the efficacy of their disguise. For +directly they rattled their barillets the villagers ran hither and +thither to avoid the supposed sufferers, save a horseman and an old +woman. The former passed them at a distance of a few paces, throwing +them a couple of deniers. With his usual presence of mind Redward +stooped, picked up the coins, and louted to the donor. The woman +threw them a rusk loaf, and this was caught and quickly concealed +beneath the sheltering cloaks.</p> + +<p>Once clear of the village they mended their pace, and, with the +exception of a pair of shepherds, and a peasant clattering along in +his heavy sabots, not a soul did they meet till close on midday, when +the travellers arrived at a cross-road, where the monotony of the +outlook was broken by four avenues of trees.</p> + +<p>"I would fain have rested here awhile," exclaimed Redward. "But with +that for company methinks we shall do better if we get about a +bow-shot further on!"</p> + +<p>"A corpse?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, lad; a malefactor hanged close to the scene of his crime. See, +already the crows have begun their work."</p> + +<p>With averted heads the twain passed the gallows; but on giving a +glance down the cross-road they saw a sight that filled them with +misgiving, for plodding wearily along were two figures dressed like +themselves!</p> + +<p>"Lepers, indeed!" exclaimed Redward. "My faith, they would bear us +company."</p> + +<p>Waving their arms to attract and arrest their supposed +fellow-sufferers, the two grey-robed men quickened their pace, but, +directly the Englishmen had gained the cover of the tree-lined road, +they, too, hastened to avoid being overtaken, so that by the time the +lepers had turned the corner, Raymond and his father were some +distance ahead.</p> + +<p>"We more than hold our own," quoth Redward, glancing over his +shoulder. "Directly we shake them off we'll have a well-earned rest."</p> + +<p>It was as he said. The well-knit frames of the Englishmen were vastly +superior to the diseased bodies of the lepers, and long before the +bottom of the hill was reached their two pursuers were but dimly +visible on the dusty road.</p> + +<p>Once again the road led upwards. Not a village was to be seen, only a +vast undulating plain, unbroken except for an occasional clump of +trees, while in the distance the blue outlines of a lofty range of +hills showed that some stiff climbing would be necessary ere Hennebon +was in sight.</p> + +<p>An hour later and they had all but gained the ridge of the next hill. +By the roadside was a heather-covered bank, while between a mass of +rocks a spring gushed forth, the water making a pleasant sound in the +ears of the weary travellers.</p> + +<p>Father and son drank at the spring, then clambering over the bank, +lay down on the springy heather, where, without being seen, they +could command the road for nearly a league.</p> + +<p>"'Tis quite evident that we can outpace those poor wretches," said +Raymond, stretching out his limbs to their fullest extent in +appreciation of his natural bed. "Here we can rest in comfort till +they draw nigh; then, refreshed, we can hasten onwards once more."</p> + +<p>For nearly an hour they remained, sleep all but claiming them. Not a +word was spoken, though Redward gave an occasional grunt as he raised +himself on his elbow at intervals to watch the advancing lepers.</p> + +<p>The heat, too, was terrific, the sun beating down with fierce +violence on their unprotected resting-place.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Raymond raised himself and looked along the road they had +just traversed. There were the two grey-robed figures moving slowly +up the hill, but away in the distance the sun glittered upon a +swiftly-moving mass of steel, followed by a thick cloud of dust.</p> + +<p>"Soldiers!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>Redward raised himself. "I like it not," he exclaimed. "They are +following us. That rogue of a barber hath betrayed us. Lie low, +Raymond, and let them pass; I perceive 'twill mean a journey by night +for us."</p> + +<p>Stretching side by side, and concealing their hoods with sprays of +heather, father and son waited and watched. The two lepers were +within two hundred paces ere they heard the thunder of the horses' +hoofs behind them. With a cry of terror one of the twain turned and +fled; the other, ignorant of the intentions of the pursuing horsemen, +held his ground, flourishing his rattle with the vigour that danger +bestowed upon him.</p> + +<p>Like a flash the foremost soldier was upon him; a back-handed sweeping +cut with his sword and the grey-robed figure was dashed to the earth, +and ere his companion had come level with the spot where the +Englishmen were concealed, he was transfixed by a lance-thrust and +was trampled beneath the horses' hoofs.</p> + +<p>With wild cries of exultation the troop of horsemen reined in their +steeds and surveyed the result of their fell work.</p> + +<p>"Quickly, Geoffroi! Strip those cloaks from the bodies of these +accursed English and search them for concealed papers," ordered their +leader. "By St. Denis, 'tis a smart piece of work, though I little +thought the rogues would have died so tamely!"</p> + +<p>The soldier addressed dismounted, handed his still reeking lance to a +comrade, and bent over the corpse of the man he had slain. With a +quick motion he tore aside the robe. But the next instant, uttering a +shriek of terror, he jumped backwards, covering his eyes with his +hands as if to ward off a blow.</p> + +<p>"<i>Mon Dieu!</i>" exclaimed the captain, craning over the neck of his +charger. "What have we done? They are in truth real lepers! Dolt of a +barber! A curse upon Raoul de Rohein! He hath deceived us! Is it the +same with the other?"</p> + +<p>The first victim had fallen on his back, and his hood, stained with +his blood, had slipped from off his head, disclosing the repulsive +disease-eaten features of a man whose malady was far advanced.</p> + +<p>"Stand back, all of you!" shouted the captain, beside himself with +rage and mortification. "Stand back! Do thou, Jehan, cast thy sword +and its sheath from thee lest thou die! And do thou, Geoffroi, ride +fifty paces behind us, and hold communication with no man till the +law respecting contagion is complied with. Now back to the town with +all speed, <i>mes enfants</i>, for I have an account to settle with Maitre +Raoul! What will they say of us when they hear we have vanquished +nought but a pair of lepers?"</p> + +<p>The troop galloped away down the dusty road towards St. Brieuc, the +unfortunate soldier following in the rear, his face ashen with terror +at the thought of the loathsome death he had courted, while two +mottled grey corpses, a discarded sword, and the imprints of the +hoofs of the cavalry alone remained to mark the scene of so swift and +terrible a tragedy.</p> + +<p>Shuddering at the thought of their narrow escape, Raymond and his +father rose, and with averted faces, left behind them the bodies of +the ill-fated men, and pursued their journey. Not till they were two +leagues from the spot did they halt; then, selecting a secluded +coppice, they threw themselves on the ground and were soon deep in +dreamless slumber.</p> + +<p>The sun had set and the stars were beginning to twinkle in the +darkening sky ere the travellers awoke stiff and cramped with lying +on the bare earth; but stern duty urged them onwards, and with +swinging stride they resumed their way.</p> + +<p>Along the deserted highway, past the slumbering village of Ploeue +they jogged, too discomforted and weary even to engage in +conversation.</p> + +<p>About two hours after midnight they were startled by hearing the +sound of horsemen behind them. Without hesitation Redward sprang to +the side of the road, dragging the squire with him; then kneeling +down and placing his ear to the ground he listened intently.</p> + +<p>"'Tis but a pair of horsemen," he whispered. "See to thy sword, for +there will be work afoot for us!"</p> + +<p>The riders had now slackened down to a slow trot, and by their +conversation the Englishmen recognised that one of them was an old +acquaintance—none other than the Sieur d'Erqui.</p> + +<p>"Once have we met him, and once at least hath he done us a service," +muttered the bowman in a low tone. "Methinks yet another service will +he render us. Now, follow me!"</p> + +<p>Giving a tremendous salute with his rattle, Redward, with Raymond +close at his heels, sprang into the road and barred the Sieur's way. +Taken aback, his face livid with superstitious fear, d'Erqui reined +in his steed, while his companion, evidently a retainer, did +likewise.</p> + +<p>"Dismount, monsieur, lest I lay hands on thee and thou diest a +horrible death," exclaimed Redward in a sepulchral voice, relying on +the cowardice of the foppish Frenchman to gain his end.</p> + +<p>Without a word the Sieur leapt, or, rather, rolled, from the saddle +and cowered down in the darkness by the roadside. Seizing the horse's +bridle by the left hand, the soldier advanced towards the other +horseman.</p> + +<p>Made of sterner stuff, the latter had recovered from the first +surprise, and, perceiving that he had no supernatural foes to deal +with, he drew his sword and rode towards his challenger. Avoiding +with ease a terrific sweep of the heavy weapon, Redward returned the +blow without effect, but, ere the man could shorten his sword, the +young squire rushed in, seized him round the waist and hurled him +from the saddle to the ground, where he had enough reason to remain +quiet.</p> + +<p>It was the work of a moment for the Englishmen to mount the captured +steeds, then, giving a parting salute to the discomforted Sieur, they +pricked the horses with the points of their weapons, and urged them +into a brisk canter.</p> + +<p>"Bravely done, Raymond," exclaimed his father. "It will fare ill with +us now if Hennebon sees us not by to-morrow's dawn!"</p> + +<p>"But how can we ride in this disguise?" asked Raymond. "It is not the +custom for lepers to go about on horseback."</p> + +<p>"There is a good two hours ere daybreak, and by that time, I trow, we +shall be at least five leagues from here. Then, I hope, the saints +being with us, that thou wilt be the Sieur d'Erqui, and I his man!"</p> + +<p>"The Sieur d'Erqui?"</p> + +<p>"Yea, and why not? Thou hast played the part of the Sieur before to +good purpose, and why not now? But, oh for a plentiful repast! Dry +bread and apples are but a sorry meal when one is used to English +beef!"</p> + +<p>Maintaining a hot pace the travellers rode through the night; then +just as day was breaking they halted, watered their horses, and, +after hobbling them, turned them out to graze. They then divested +themselves of their hideous cloaks and hoods, rolled the garments +into a small compass, and resumed the rôle of soldiers.</p> + +<p>About eight o'clock they arrived at the village of Pontivy, and +reining-in at the inn, Redward dismounted and strode up to mine host, +who saw in every armed man a spoiler, whether he were for Montfort or +for Blois.</p> + +<p>"Hark ye, garçon!" exclaimed the master-bowman, "thy best food and +wine in plenty, and provender for our horses! And, as thou valuest +thy hide, say not one word to my master, the worthy Sieur d'Erqui, +for he is in a bad mood, and woe betide the man who addresses him!"</p> + +<p>Their steeds were led away, and Raymond and his father were shown +into the largest room of the inn, while the waiting-maids, urged by +the host, bustled about preparing the meal.</p> + +<p>Raymond did not belie the character his father had given him as the +Sieur, but his reticence was due to bodily fatigue. For, while +awaiting the meal, fitful sleep claimed him, but it was only to +awaken with a start as his head fell forward on his chest.</p> + +<p>Never was a repast better enjoyed, and never was the desire to sleep +so irresistible, but Redward, though weary himself, was inexorable.</p> + +<p>"Maybe swift pursuit is already at our heels," said he. "So onward we +must go. Holà !" he shouted, hammering on the trestled board with his +sword-hilt.</p> + +<p>In answer to the summons the host appeared, trembling in his shoes.</p> + +<p>"How is the army ordered before Hennebon And where shall my master +find the banners of the Duke Charles?"</p> + +<p>"Sir, report hath it that the force of Blois lieth thickest about +where this road approaches the town, so, without doubt, the banners +of the Duke are there."</p> + +<p>Throwing down a coin to pay for their repast (whereat the host +marvelled greatly, seeing it was not the custom of the times), +Redward followed the supposed Sieur from the inn; their horses were +brought round, and soon they were clattering over the pavé of the +village towards the open country.</p> + +<p>Redward glanced backwards several times to see if there were any +signs of pursuit, but to his great satisfaction none could be +detected.</p> + +<p>"Thou hast heard what the rogue said the foe lie thickest along this +road? Should any follow us we have laid a false scent, for I do not +wish to ride straight into the camp of Blois. To that end let us turn +off along the road to Aurai, and thence follow the coast to the walls +of Hennebon."</p> + +<p>Accordingly they turned aside at a cross-road, having learned from a +peasant that it led to the town of Aurai. A league or so farther on +they again left the road and rested in a wood, sleeping without +molestation till late in the afternoon.</p> + +<p>Darkness was drawing on as they struck the road between Hennebon and +Aurai, about a bow-shot from the latter place. Avoiding the town the +travellers turned towards their goal, now but a short four leagues +distance.</p> + +<p>"We must be doubly cautious, Raymond," said his father, "for methinks +another troop of horsemen is approaching."</p> + +<p>Once again they withdrew from the road, and, hiding beneath the +shadow of some tall trees, they waited. Nearer and nearer came the +sound, till, like a whirlwind, a large body of knights and mounted +men-at-arms dashed by in the darkness, and, with a thunder of hoofs +and a cloud of dust that rose slowly in the still night air, they +vanished into the gloom.</p> + +<p>"By St. George! What doth it mean?" exclaimed Raymond.</p> + +<p>"Nay, I cannot say, save it be they of Blois fleeing from those of +Montfort; every man was riding for dear life, and, mark you, with +loose rein and hot spur!"</p> + +<p>"Then onwards, father! An hour will decide whether we reach Hennebon +unscathed, or have to fight our way in."</p> + +<p>Almost before they were aware of the fact they rode right into the +camp of the besiegers, but, instead of being instantly challenged and +taken prisoners, it was like a progress through a city of the dead. +Most of the tents were cut down, several of the temporary wooden huts +still smouldered, while here and there their horses had to step aside +to avoid treading on the corpse of an unarmoured man.</p> + +<p>Still wondering at this unlooked-for sight, the Englishmen spurred on +till they drew rein outside the twin towers that guarded the gate of +Hennebon. A hoarse voice challenged them, and torches flickered on +the battlements as the garrison stood to their arms.</p> + +<p>"Open! We would see the Countess!" roared Redward, standing in his +stirrups.</p> + +<p>"Who are ye, and whence come ye?" was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Messengers from the King of England."</p> + +<p>Cries of delight greeted this announcement, the drawbridge fell with +a ponderous clang, the great gates were thrown wide open, and, +conscious that a great duty had been well carried out, Raymond, +followed by his father, entered the town of Hennebon.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter13">CHAPTER XIII</a><br /><br />THE RELIEF OF HENNEBON</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +"THY name and style, fair sir?"</p> + +<p>"My name is Raymond Buckland, squire to Sir John Hacket, Constable of +the King's Castle of Portchester and Governor of the town of +Portsmouth. Lead me, I pray, to her grace the Countess of Montfort, +for I have a letter which I have to give her by my own hand."</p> + +<p>"Nay," was the reply, "that cannot be—at least not at this moment. +The Countess led a sortie yesterday at noon, and, alas, hath not yet +returned. I, Henri Barbenoire, seigneur of the castle of Ploeac and +Seneschal, in the absence of the Countess of this town will receive +thy message."</p> + +<p>"That cannot be," replied Raymond courteously, "for to the Countess +alone must I hand this letter."</p> + +<p>Barbenoire, a Breton whole-heartedly devoted to his mistress, did not +press the point, but ordering a hasty meal to be prepared, remained +with the young squire. It was but a sorry repast, for already the +supplies were low, nevertheless Raymond did justice to the simple +fare, listening awhile to the narrative of the events of the siege.</p> + +<p>Cheered by the touching confidence that the heroic Countess had given +to the townsmen of Hennebon, the garrison had fought bravely and +well. The Countess herself wore armour, and rode on a huge warhorse +through the narrow streets, encouraging her people to make good +defence, reminding them of the help she hoped would be forthcoming +from the King of England. Nor did she spare the womenfolk, for she +caused them to discard their long trains and heavy skirts and to don +short kirtles so that they could move with freedom. This done, they +were employed in carrying stones and arrows to the walls to replenish +the missiles of the defenders, and so emboldened were they by the +example of their mistress that the women did not hesitate to hurl the +stones down upon the invaders.</p> + +<p>At length one day the Frenchmen massed outside the northern wall for +a grand assault, and, ascending a lofty tower, the Countess perceived +that their camp was empty. Instantly calling together a body of +knights and mounted men-at-arms the lady mounted her steed and, +placing herself at their head, rode straight for the French camp, +cutting down tents and setting fire to everything that would readily +burn.</p> + +<p>The watchers on the walls saw the French host desist from the assault +and retire to intercept the Countess. Finding herself cut off from +the town, she called in her followers, and rode furiously away to +Aural, hotly pursued by Sir Louis d'Espagne, the second in command of +Charles of Blois.</p> + +<p>Thus it was that Raymond had seen the Countess and her troops pass by +him without knowledge of their identity; and now the garrison was +ignorant of the fate of their beloved leader, none knowing whether +she had been killed or taken, or whether she had baffled pursuit.</p> + +<p>On the morning following the arrival of Raymond and his father, the +host of Blois still encompassed the town, yet no attempt was made to +renew the assault.</p> + +<p>The two Englishmen were enrolled as members of the garrison, and as +the days went past they with their foreign comrades gazed eagerly +from the battlements in the hope of seeing the banners of the +returning Countess.</p> + +<p>On the fifth day, Barbenoire had ascended the lofty east tower. +Despair for his mistress had filled his soul, yet, inspiring the +townsfolk by word and deed, he gave no sign of misgiving, being +resolved to hold Hennebon as long as a single fighting-man was left.</p> + +<p>The rising sun dazzled his vision, but a movement on the skyline +riveted his attention. Calling one of his captains, he pointed out +the spot, and both agreed that it was a body of troops approaching.</p> + +<p>A very short time sufficed to spread the news, though Barbenoire +commanded that no demonstration should be made lest it should attract +the notice of the besiegers.</p> + +<p>Soon it was beyond doubt that the Countess was returning. Collecting +a body of one hundred archers and spearmen, the Seneschal ordered +them to make a feint sortie from the western side while the gateway +on the opposite side was thrown open to receive the Countess. Then, +when safely within the walls with all her company and an additional +force of five hundred spears, the redoubtable Châtelaine was greeted +with a great noise of trumpets to the cheers of the delighted +townsfolk.</p> + +<p>The besiegers, finding themselves tricked, could not refrain from +praising the boldness and skill of the Countess of Montfort. +Nevertheless, they advanced to the assault, and the struggle waxed +fierce until noon, when, unable to gain a lodgment, the partisans of +Blois sullenly retreated to their camp.</p> + +<p>Directly the attack was repulsed, Raymond hastened to the presence of +the Countess. She had now divested herself of her bascinet and steel +jupon, and the young squire saw before him a tall, stately lady of +about thirty years of age. Her finely chiselled face was crowned by a +wealth of auburn hair, which, ruffled by the removal of her +headpiece, served to hide the somewhat lofty brow.</p> + +<p>Raymond could but marvel that such a truly feminine form possessed +the courage and endurance of a man, and his astonishment was +increased when she addressed him in low, sweet tones, for he had +heard of the Countess's soul-stirring speech, when, holding her +little son by the hand, she had so successfully appealed to the +chivalrous instincts of her knights and to the loyalty of the +townsfolk.</p> + +<p>Concealing her agitation at the arrival of such important news from +England, the Countess broke the seals and opened the letter. Her face +flushed with pleasure as she read its contents.</p> + +<p>"Hearken, my fair lords, to the message of our noble overlord the +King of England," she cried, turning to those who were with her. +"Four score ships by now are on their way to aid us, and ere long +three thousand men, under Sir Robert of Artois and Sir Walter Manny, +will be on the heels of our enemies."</p> + +<p>Shouts of exultation greeted this announcement, and, the news quickly +spreading, the whole town was given over to rejoicing.</p> + +<p>But meanwhile active preparations were being made by Charles of Blois +to make another general assault, and the arrival of some formidable +siege-engines enabled him to breach the walls in several places; +while the garrison, kept in a state of constant alarm, were worn with +toil and endless vigil.</p> + +<p>Every morning at sunrise, for nearly two months, the Countess would +ascend the loftiest tower in Hennebon and gaze towards the distant +Cape of Ushant in the hope of catching sight of the sails of the +English fleet. But her expectations remained unrealised, for seaward +the horizon was unbroken, while around the town lay the close lines +of her relentless foes.</p> + +<p>At length one of her partisans, the Bishop of Leon, informed her that +his nephew, Henri de Rohan, who was in the camp of Blois, desired to +hold converse with her; and, being granted safe conduct, the knight +entered the town for the purpose of inducing the besieged to +surrender, promising an honourable capitulation, with permission for +the garrison to withdraw.</p> + +<p>For a while it seemed as if De Rohan's words would gain the day, till +the Countess, supported by Barbenoire, again harangued her knights, +and the ecclesiastic withdrew discomfited.</p> + +<p>Thereupon the French advanced to the grand assault, while the +besieged caught up their arms and silently yet resolutely awaited +their approach.</p> + +<p>But ere the archers could begin their hail of arrows which was to +open the attack, the ringing voice of the Countess was heard from the +summit of the tower:—</p> + +<p>"Voilà , le secours! Voilà le secours anglais! Courage, enfans; +nous +sommes sauvés!"</p> + +<p>"Will they be in time?" asked Raymond anxiously, as he stood by his +father on the shattered wall.</p> + +<p>"If we can but make good the battlements for one hour all will be +well. Canst see aught of the ships?"</p> + +<p>"Not as yet."</p> + +<p>"Then heaven forfend the Countess be not mistaken. Stand to it, +Raymond, for here they come!"</p> + +<p>All conversation was stopped by the on-coming foemen. The squire +closed his visor, and crouching behind his shield, awaited the +attack. Under cover of the archers the men-at-arms advanced. Though +some fell before the darts of the besieged, the main body pressed +steadily onward, till they reached the breach in the shattered +masonry.</p> + +<p>The impact of the two forces was terrific; men went down on both +sides, and, as sword and lance were shattered, axes, mauls, and maces +continued the deadly work. The air was rent with the clash of arms, +the shouts of the combatants, and the groans of the dying; but the +townsfolk held their own, and after an hour's desperate struggle the +attacking party retired.</p> + +<p>"'Tis hot work!" exclaimed Redward breathlessly, throwing down a +heavy axe and removing his steel cap to cool his heated head. "Run +and see if our comrades are yet in sight."</p> + +<p>To gain the summit of the tower was the work of a moment, and to the +squire's great delight he saw the English ships already within easy +distance of the harbour, their sails bellying out before the +favouring breeze, and the water churned by the lash of the oars.</p> + +<p>"They come! They come!" he shouted joyously.</p> + +<p>"And so doth the foe," replied Redward grimly. "Haste back to the +breach, for, by St. George, 'tis touch-and-go with Hennebon!"</p> + +<p>Again the attackers advanced, one knight, utterly regardless of his +life, urging his horse towards the gap in the wall. Crouching, with +lance in rest, the Frenchman spurred over the shattered stones, +received yet recked not a hail of arrows, and rode furiously towards +Raymond, who, sword in hand, awaited his approach.</p> + +<p>It would have gone hardly with the young squire had it not been for +the unevenness of the ground, for the horse stumbled over a loose +stone, throwing its rider heavily on the ground.</p> + +<p>In spite of the weight of his armour and the shock of his fall, the +knight, a man of gigantic strength, rose to his feet, dropping his +lance and wrenching his mace from the saddle-bow. As he did so +Raymond struck him a heavy blow with his weapon, but the steel turned +against the crest of his casque and was shattered close to the hilt. +In a moment the mace beat down the squire's shield and descended upon +his head, and without a cry the squire dropped senseless to the +ground.</p> + +<p>But his fall was speedily avenged. Wielding his heavy axe, Redward +sprang forward and smote at the Frenchman's helm. Realising his +danger, the knight sprang aside; but, though avoiding a fatal blow, +he did not escape, for the axe, glancing off the crest, caught the +projecting visor. Unable to stand the strain, the leathern laces of +his helmet burst, and the bascinet, though prevented by the camail +from falling off, was turned back to front, so that the unfortunate +wearer was unable to see through the openings of the visor.</p> + +<p>Dazed by the blow and in total darkness, the Frenchman staggered +blindly about, still striking feeble and aimless blows, till the +defenders, with taunts and execrations, beat him to the ground and +despatched him with their axes.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Redward bent over the prostrate form of his son, but ere he +could ascertain whether the blow had been fatal the main attack had +commenced. Gallantly the besieged met the shock; many fell on both +sides, and for the space of a quarter of an hour the issue hung in +the balance.</p> + +<p>At length, reinforced by a band of knights under Louis d'Espagne, the +assailants bore back all before them. Barbenoire, fighting gallantly +to the last, fell covered with wounds. Redward, standing over his +son's body, kept back the press for a time, till, borne down by the +weight of numbers, he was struck to the earth, but ere he lost +consciousness he was dimly aware of the sound of English voices and +the renewed clash of arms.</p> + +<p>At the critical moment the long-expected aid had arrived!</p> + +<p>Once more the tide of battle turned, and the followers of the House +of Blois, unable to withstand the fierce onslaught of the English, +fled panic-stricken before the reinforcements, the knights and +mounted men-at-arms of Sir Walter Manny riding down all who came in +their way.</p> + +<p>When at length the victorious Manny returned from the pursuit, the +Countess of Montfort came forth and warmly greeted him.</p> + +<p>"Of a truth, fair sir," she exclaimed, as the warrior knelt and +kissed her hand, "I cannot but liken you to the Archangel Michael +sent from heaven in answer to our prayers!"</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the inhabitants of the town were busy pillaging the camp of +their enemies, bringing in additional food supplies and tending their +own wounded—for those of their assailants who were left in their +hands were mercilessly despatched, save where their rank made them +likely subjects for ransom.</p> + +<p>Redward and his son were found surrounded by the bodies of friend and +foe, senseless but still breathing. The Countess had been apprised of +the fall of her gallant messenger, and had ordered the young squire +and his father to be carried into her own house within the castle. +Sir Walter Manny himself also came frequently to see how fared the +forerunner of his arrival, and brought with him his own chirurgeon to +attend the two.</p> + +<p>For four days Raymond lay unconscious, till one morning his scattered +senses returned, and he opened his eyes to find himself in a roomy +apartment overlooking the town walls. Instead of the clash of arms +the sun was shining brightly and the birds were singing. Beside him +were the Countess and a group of Englishmen of quality; a little +distance off lay Redward on a soft couch, his gaze fixed intently +upon his son.</p> + +<p>Then the young squire realised that Hennebon was saved, and that his +father was still with him; and with a sigh of contentment he fell +into a deep and natural slumber.</p> + +<p>The wounds of both Raymond and his father were severe, and a +considerable time elapsed ere they were capable of moving about, +while their complete recovery, in spite of the kindly climate of fair +Brittany, was a tedious business. Thus they missed the remaining +portion of the Brittany campaign, in which Robert of Artois captured +Vannes, and was soon afterwards driven from that town by a surprise +attack on the part of some Breton adherents of Charles of Blois.</p> + +<p>Shortly after, the existing treaty between England and France was +terminated, for during the struggle in Brittany a truce was nominally +in force, the armies of England and France ostentatiously supporting +the claim of the rival dukes; but on the expiration of the treaty war +was openly resumed between the two great nations.</p> + +<p>The King of England landed at Marbain with 12,000 men, and +simultaneously laid siege to Vannes, Rennes, and Mantes, but the +triple task was beyond his power, and under the influence of the +Pope's legates he agreed to observe a truce for three years.</p> + +<p>Immediately following this pacific arrangement King Edward +re-embarked for his own dominions, and with the army went Raymond and +Redward, the former despondent at the news of the truce, regarding it +as being fatal to his cherished hopes of winning the golden spurs of +knighthood.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter14">CHAPTER XIV</a><br /><br />RAYMOND'S ERRAND</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +NEARLY four years have elapsed since the young squire's mission to +Hennebon. They have been years of comparatively uneventful waiting. +To him the dark clouds of unkind fate showed no signs of the silver +lining of good fortune, for he fully realised that until he had risen +above the rank of squire he dare not hope for the hand of the fair +Lady Audrey Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>Thus, there was nothing to do but wait patiently, under the orders of +kindly Sir John Hacket, fervently hoping for the call to arms that +would give him the opportunities of winning his spurs upon the soil +of France.</p> + +<p>The three years' truce had been ill-kept. Already the Earl of Derby +had crossed into Guienne, but news, though scanty, was far from +reassuring, and daily the Constable of Portchester was awaiting the +summons to assemble his men and march to join the King's forces at +Southampton.</p> + +<p>One afternoon, in the month of May 1346, the watch on the keep of the +castle perceived a man limping towards the gate. He was tall, +broad-shouldered, and bronzed-faced, yet bent with physical +infirmity, being compelled to use a rough crutch to aid his tottering +footsteps.</p> + +<p>"Ho, Watkin!" exclaimed one of the soldiers to a comrade. "Surely +that looks like Long Edney, of Wickham, yet methinks I am mistaken."</p> + +<p>"If't be, then, certes, he hath made a grievous error; for he went to +Guienne, hoping to return speedily with much booty. This man hath +pain to carry himself, let alone the plunder he hath not!"</p> + +<p>"'Tis Edney, of a surety. See, he waves his hand to us!"</p> + +<p>In a few moments the luckless man-at-arms was within the castle, +surrounded by a crowd of rough sympathisers. Hearing the sound of +voices, Sir John Hacket appeared, and, recognising the man as one who +had left his service some time previously to join the forces under +Lord Norwich, sent Raymond to lead Edney into his presence.</p> + +<p>"'Tis a sad home-coming for thee," exclaimed the knight +sympathetically. "Yet Heaven knows there are many such. The highways +are thick with broken soldiers."</p> + +<p>"Ay, Sir John," returned the man despondently. "A bolt through the +thigh is a sorry return for my trouble, and not a silver penny's +worth of spoil to show for it! Nevertheless, the saints helping me, I +hope to adventure myself again in this matter."</p> + +<p>"And with better luck," rejoined the Constable. "And, now tell me, +how goes the war in Guienne?"</p> + +<p>"Faith, it goeth against us in the main. Pembroke and Sir Walter +Manny are shut up in Aiguillon, and when I left Bordeaux they had +sent urgent appeals for succour. For my part I know but little of +Aiguillon, being besieged with Lord Norwich in Angoulême."</p> + +<p>"And how fared Norwich?"</p> + +<p>"As crafty as ever."</p> + +<p>"How so?"</p> + +<p>"The Duke of Normandy pressed him sorely, so that the French looked +likely to take the town by escalade. Thereupon Norwich beat a parley. +'How, now!' exclaimed the Duke. 'Dost wish to give in?' 'Nay,' +replied our leader, 'but as to-morrow is the Feast of the Virgin, to +whom we both bear great devotion, I desire a cessation of strife for +that day.' 'Right willingly,' replied the Duke, and Norwich, nigh +bursting with badly-concealed merriment, descended from the walls. +That night he ordered us to prepare our baggage, and early next +morning we marched out straight for the enemy's camp. The Frenchmen +flew to arms, but Norwich, forbidding our men to draw, sent a knight +to remind the Duke of his promise."</p> + +<p>"And what did the Duke?"</p> + +<p>"He kept his word. 'I see the sly fox has outwitted us, but let us be +content with gaining the town,' he exclaimed; and right between the +lines of astonished Frenchmen we marched, without losing as much as a +single stick."</p> + +<p>"Ho! ho! ho!" laughed Sir John. "A clever trick, but, methinks, +'twill not pass another time. And Pembroke hath sent an urgent +message to the King for aid, didst thou say?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, directly our ship tied up alongside the quay at Southampton the +messenger rode off at headlong speed to Windsor, although he could +scarce keep his seat by reason of sea-sickness."</p> + +<p>"Then, Raymond," exclaimed the Constable, turning to his squire, "the +summons will be here anon. But, mark my word, this will be no +child's-play, for, methinks, the King will be loth to let Guienne +slip through his fingers. And now, bring me the tally of the bows, +arrows, and spears, for no time must be lost."</p> + +<p>Joyfully the squire hastened away to get the required information, +and the castle was soon alive with excitement at the thought of +active service.</p> + +<p>The old knight was not wrong; the call to arms came, and, thanks to +his sagacity and forethought, the Constable was soon ready to take +the field. Ere June had arrived Sir John's company had marched into +Southampton to await the King's good pleasure.</p> + +<p>Raymond saw great changes as he gazed around the old familiar place. +The walls had been raised and strengthened; larger houses had taken +the place of the charred ruins that the French invaders had left +behind them, while a fleet of large ships showed that Southampton had +quickly recovered from the horrors of pillage.</p> + +<p>The fleet was typical of the resources of Hampshire, for Southampton +contributed twenty-one ships manned by 476 mariners, Lymington sent +nine, Portsmouth five, Leepe, Newtown, and Yarmouth two each, while +the county of Dorset supplied twenty-five vessels, of which Weymouth +sent twenty-one and Poole four.</p> + +<p>Farther down the Water towards Hythe lay a larger fleet, composed of +vessels from the Cinque Ports, London, Ipswich, and Great Yarmouth, +while towards the Netley side were the West Country ships from +Dartmouth, Sutton, Fowey, and Falmouth.</p> + +<p>Altogether there were not far short of eight hundred sail, assembled +in less than fourteen days, to bear across the Channel the huge army +destined for the conquest of France.</p> + +<p>On Midsummer Day, the Feast of St. John the Baptist, the news came +that the King had left the Queen in the care of his cousin, the Earl +of Kent, and was on the road to Southampton.</p> + +<p>Instantly the work of embarking the troops, horses, and baggage +began, and never before did the good townsmen of Southampton behold +such a fair and martial sight. Throughout the long June day the task +proceeded, and a seemingly endless procession wended through the West +Gate, each division having its appointed order.</p> + +<p>The Portsmouth ships were to form the rearguard, so that it was the +duty of the Constable of Portchester to embark last of all. From his +quarters, close to the West Gate, Sir John watched the embarkation, +pointing out to his squires the respective devices and banners of the +various contingents.</p> + +<p>From all parts of the kingdom, save the northern counties, whose men +were required to watch the restive Scots, had this army foregathered, +the flower of chivalry and the stoutest of the yeomen of England. +There were the lions rampant of the Percies, Mowbrays, and d'Albini, +each distinguishable by the "field," the ruddy chevrons of the de +Claves, the gilded cockle-shell of the de Malets, and the more +complicated devices of de Montfichet, Quince, Fortibus, de Bohun, de. +Vere, and Fitz-Walter. Each baron had his following of men-at-arms +and archers, the former having to lower the points of their long +slender spears as they passed beneath the vaulted archway. After the +feudal army, numbering four thousand men-at-arms and ten thousand +archers, came a horde of fierce-eyed, hairy men of short stature, +each armed with a long knife and a double-bladed axe.</p> + +<p>"Ah," exclaimed Sir John, noting the look of inquiry on Raymond's +face. "Heaven help the Frenchman who falls wounded in the field, for +these are the Welsh levies. I have marked their method of fighting +before to-day, and, certes, I am of no mind to praise them for it."</p> + +<p>The Welshmen were succeeded by a straggling body of tall, +gaunt-looking men, armed with a small shield and short spear. They +lacked the grim stolidity of the Englishmen, and marched with merry +laugh and careless jest uttered in a strange tongue.</p> + +<p>"The Irish levies from Leinster," remarked the Constable, +"good-natured in peace, honest fighting-men, yet terrible when +roused. I can recall a little affair before Cadsand, but 'tis too +long to relate at the moment. But hark!"</p> + +<p>Redoubled cheering echoed down the narrow sloping street, and the +knight and his squires strained their ears to ascertain the cause. +The last of the troops had passed, yet still the archers who lined +the route pushed back the excited townsmen with their six-foot +staves.</p> + +<p>"The King!" exclaimed the Constable.</p> + +<p>Attended by a number of lords and barons, Edward rode slowly through +the crowded street, acknowledging the acclamations by the faintest +inclination of his head. He was then in his thirty-fourth year, yet +the cares of his kingdom and the claims of his Lombard and Flemish +creditors had made him look considerably older. A longish dark beard +partially concealed a hard, firm mouth, while his dark piercing eyes, +glittering beneath his broad forehead and bushy eyebrows, betokened a +war-like temperament. His coat of plate-armour, fashioned in the +latest style, was covered by a surcoat, upon which were embroidered +his newly-assumed arms, the fleur-de-lis of France, quartered with +the silver lions of England, while a velvet cap took the place, for +the time being, of his plumed bascinet.</p> + +<p>At his right hand rode his fifteen-year-old son, Edward, afterwards +known to fame as The Black Prince; while at his left rode Lord +Godfrey of Harcourt, the King's much-esteemed councillor.</p> + +<p>Burning with ill-concealed impatience Edward, with his suite, +embarked that very evening, and ere morning dawned the fleet had left +the shelter of Southampton Water, and was heading westward for the +English Channel, the Portsmouth ships, with the Constable and his +company, rolling sluggishly in the rear, about a league astern of the +main body.</p> + +<p>With the favouring north-easterly breeze all went well, and steadily +the floating army neared the coasts of France; but on the third day +came a flat calm, so that the ships were compelled to use their +sweeps to prevent themselves drifting into one another.</p> + +<p>The calm was succeeded by a strong south-westerly gale, so that all +advantage of the previous favourable breeze was totally lost; and, +unable to make headway, the fleet was driven back towards the English +coast, taking shelter in the Cornish harbour of Fowey.</p> + +<p>For six days the fleet lay weather-bound, till Sir Godfrey of +Harcourt counselled the King to give up the idea of landing in +Gascony.</p> + +<p>"Sire," he exclaimed, "Normandy is one of the plenteous countries of +the world. On jeopardy of my head, if thou wouldst land there, there +is none to resist thee. The people of Normandy are not used to war, +and all the knights and squires of the country are now at the siege +before Aiguillon."</p> + +<p>The advice, though hardly correct, the King took, and, the wind +moderating and blowing more in their favour, the fleet again put to +sea, and reached La Hogue without further incident.</p> + +<p>Arrived on the coast of Normandy, the English began to make a +revengeful attack on the ports of Cherbourg and Barfleur, the ships +of these ports having harried the coasts of England in times past, +and with fierce shouts the soldiers pillaged the defenceless towns, +burning every ship they found in the harbours.</p> + +<p>One night, Sir John Hacket, who had been in audience with the King, +returned to his quarters in high glee.</p> + +<p>"Raymond," he exclaimed, "the King hath again done signal honour to +my Company. News hath reached us that the Count of Tancarville, who +is the most puissant noble in Normandy, lieth at a hunting lodge near +the village of Brique, within five leagues of the camp. He hath, we +are told, no knowledge of our presence. Could we but entrap him and +bring him a prisoner into the camp, it will clear the way for our +advance, for, bereft of the counsel of the Count of Tancarville, all +Normandy would be masterless. Now, consider; I have a free hand in +this small matter, and can use the whole of my Company to my +advancement. What think ye? Is it better to take but a few mounted +men, or adventure with them all?"</p> + +<p>"In my humble opinion, Sir John," replied Raymond, "the matter is +best undertaken by but a few. Too many would give alarm. A few would, +in the case of our plans miscarrying, be but little missed, and if +they do succeed, then the greater the honour!"</p> + +<p>"Thy words do thee credit, Raymond, and, by St. George, a better +leader for the enterprise than thou I cannot choose. Take your choice +of mounted men, and begone. A guide is even now detained in the camp, +who will lead you to Brique. Now, remember, alive or dead, bring the +Count into the camp, but alive by choice."</p> + +<p>Quickly the young squire went about preparations for his mission. +Five trusted men-at-arms were chosen, and their arms and horses +carefully inspected by their young leader, who resolved to leave +nothing to chance. Then, placing their guide, a heavy-limbed Norman +peasant, upon a spare horse, and attaching a light chain to his wrist +(one end being held by a soldier with orders to despatch the man at +the first sign of treachery), the little party left the camp, passed +the outlying cordon of sentries, and plunged into the darkness.</p> + +<p>By degrees the horsemen became accustomed to the gloom, and, riding +closely together, with the guide in their midst, they maintained a +brisk pace towards their goal, and ere long the camp-fires of their +comrades were lost to sight behind them.</p> + +<p>The night was sultry; not a leaf stirred on the branches of the trees +that lined the road, and a dull oppressive feeling pervaded the +atmosphere.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the faint rumble of distant thunder was borne to their ears, +and instinctively the horsemen glanced at one another, for a +thunder-storm was looked upon by the mediaeval soldier as a harbinger +of evil.</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer came the storm, till the lightning flashed across +their path, illuminating the horizon with its sulphurous glow, but as +yet not a drop of rain had fallen.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile their guide had kept perfectly silent, answering the +questions put to him with either a nod or a shake of his head. Though +Raymond had acquired a smattering of the French language he was +unable to understand the patois of the peasant, so one of the +men-at-arms was deputed to put any necessary question to their +impassive guide.</p> + +<p>At length they reached the confines of a dense forest, and hardly had +they gained the dangerous shelter of the trees than down came the +rain, accompanied by almost incessant flashes of lightning.</p> + +<p>Dazzled by the appalling light, and almost deafened by the sharp +detonating rattle of the thunder, the little party rode in fear and +trembling till their guide stopped them with a motion of his hand, +and indicating an almost invisible avenue that forked from the road +they were following, exclaimed, "V'là , m'sieurs!"</p> + +<p>"Ask him how far it is to the Count's hunting-lodge!" exclaimed +Raymond.</p> + +<p>"He says 'not far.'"</p> + +<p>"Certes, I am as wise as before. Ask him again." The man mumbled +something unintelligible, then held up two fingers.</p> + +<p>"A murrain on his thick-headedness; fair Sir, I cannot rightly tell +what he doth mean."</p> + +<p>"Then be cautious. Remember, directly we catch sight of the place, +one man remains with the guide and the rest follow me!"</p> + +<p>The path was too narrow for two to ride abreast, so they proceeded in +single file, the guide leading, with a soldier, leaning over his +crupper to give the necessary length of chain, following closely +behind and through the avenue, so dense that even the lightning +almost failed to illumine, Raymond's party rode on their desperate +errand.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter15">CHAPTER XV</a><br /><br />TRAPPED!</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +BEFORE the raiders had proceeded very far a short exclamation from +one of the men-at-arms caused them to pull up sharply.</p> + +<p>"What's amiss?" demanded Raymond in a whisper.</p> + +<p>"The peasant's horse hath gone lame," replied one of the soldiers. +"Can we not despatch the guide, for, certes, he is of no further use, +and it will save us the trouble of looking after him?"</p> + +<p>"Nay!" replied Raymond sturdily. "I am loth to cause a harmless +peasant to be slain. Make him mount behind thee, Robert, but keep a +tight hold on his chain."</p> + +<p>Once again the advance was resumed, the horses floundering over the +slippery, leaf-strewn path, their riders being put to great trouble +by reason of the overhanging branches that often almost swept them +from their saddles.</p> + +<p>Presently they began to descend a steep declivity, the slope +requiring all the skill of the horsemen to keep their steeds on their +feet, while the rain, now falling in torrents, had transformed the +little path into a foaming stream.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a vivid flash of lightning rent the darkness of the night, +and in the dazzling glare Raymond beheld, with a thrill of horror, +two of the men who were leading disappear into a yawning chasm almost +at his feet, their cries drowned by the appalling crash of the +accompanying thunder. By dint of reining in his horse till the animal +was almost on its haunches, the young squire saved himself from a +similar fate, and slipping to the ground he awaited, in terrible +suspense, the next flash that would give some idea of his position. +The succeeding period of darkness seemed to weigh upon him like a +suffocating shroud, while the silence was broken only by the frantic +prancing of the remaining horses, the feeble groans of one of the +fallen men, and a low gurgling sound a short distance away—a sound +that caused indescribable terror in the mind of the young squire.</p> + +<p>Then came another crash and a ponderous mass fell across the path he +had just passed, and another shriek of agony rent the air. To the +horrified Raymond, whose superstitious feelings were aroused by the +war of the elements and the tragedy of his surroundings, the place +savoured of the infernal regions; and gazing with wide-open eyes into +the inky blackness, he dumbly awaited the next gleam of blinding +light.</p> + +<p>At length, after a seemingly endless suspense, it came—a double +flash. Short as was the duration of the glare it served to intensify +the horror of his position.</p> + +<p>At his feet yawned the pit, wherein the feebly-moving limbs of two +of his men still writhed in the throes of death, while their horses +were frantically kicking each other in the confined space. Behind him +lay another man-at-arms, the blood welling from a gaping wound in his +throat, while a fourth lay crushed—beyond recognition by a heavy +tree-trunk that, falling across the path, effectually prevented a +retreat. There was no sign of their guide, but the fifth soldier was +leaning against a tree-trunk, his hands pressed tightly over his eyes +as if trying to shut out the ghastly scene.</p> + +<p>The next flash showed that he, too, had vanished, and Raymond was +alone, though the shouts and cries of the unfortunate man-at-arms +betokened that he was being haled off through the forest by some +invisible agency—whether by men, animals, or spirits the squire +dared not imagine.</p> + +<p>And now the underwood on either side seemed alive with movement, and +Raymond felt, or fancied he felt, rough hands groping towards him. +Frenzy took possession of his shaking body, and, lashed into the +energy of despair, he unsheathed his sword and slashed madly about +him. The blade came in violent contact with an overhanging bough and +snapped off close to the hilt; at the same moment the squire felt a +pair of sinewy arms encircle his feet, and with a lusty heave he was +upset and thrown with a crash to the ground, the point of a knife +pressing against his throat warning him of the utter uselessness of +further resistance.</p> + +<p>Bound hand and foot, the unfortunate squire was carried or dragged +through a thick growth of underwood, till at length his captors +gained a large clearing. By the aid of a momentary flash he saw the +outlines of a low building. In response to a violent knocking he +heard the sound of bolts being withdrawn, and, borne on the shoulders +of four strong men, he was carried into the house, and dropped +unceremoniously upon the rush-strewn floor.</p> + +<p>Some one took a torch from its socket and bent over the prostrate +squire. Raymond recognised the features—it was the traitorous guide! +But gone was the heavy lustreless expression of his eyes and the +stolid set of his swarthy jaws; instead a look of malevolent +intelligence overspread his face, and by the subservience with which +he was treated by his comrades it was evident that he was a man of +authority.</p> + +<p>"Ah! Dolt, fool, beast of an Englishman! How nicely hast thou borne +the Count of Tancarville back to the camp of the cursed invader of +Normandy! Dead or alive, eh? Little didst thou know how near thy +purpose was fulfilled when thy base <i>routier</i> made to pass a knife +across my throat. I—even I—am the Count of Tancarville!"</p> + +<p>He paused to observe the effect of this startling announcement, but +Raymond preserved a dignified silence.</p> + +<p>"And that simpleton the Constable, thy master," he resumed. "To think +that the Count of Tancarville would be dallying at a hunting lodge +when base English defile the coasts of Normandy! Ah! That was a near +one," he added as another blinding flash of lightning lit up the +room.</p> + +<p>"Knowest thou, thou miserable fool," he continued as soon as the +crash of the thunder permitted, "that did that fiery fork but touch +this place thou and I would be scattered, so that all the armies of +Philip and Edward would fail to find a fragment? Eh, I interest thee? +'Tis well; I'll tell thee more, seeing that the knowledge will profit +thee but little. Henri! Cut asunder the bonds that bind this +Englishman's legs, and do thou and Etienne stand close lest he do +himself an injury!"</p> + +<p>Handing the torch to a serving-man, the Count led the way, closely +followed by Raymond and his two guards. In an adjoining apartment, so +open to the winds that the torch was almost extinguished, lay seven +sinister-looking objects, which the squire readily recognised as +bombards.</p> + +<p>These early cannon were composed of straight lengths of flat iron, +held together by shrunk-on iron hoops, and lashed down to a heavy +baulk of timber, so that in training these clumsy contrivances, +carriage and gun were practically one piece.</p> + +<p>"These are the beasts I hunt in this forest," quoth the Count. "King +Philip hath need of them, and, by our Lady of Nîmes, 'twill be a +sight to see the vaunted English bowmen being bowled over by these +bombards. And food these beasts must have! Forward, garçons, and show +this dolt mine animals' food. But, Bertrand, stand aside with that +torch. I am in no mind to go heavenwards yet awhile."</p> + +<p>The next room was little better than a cell, lightened by the feeble +light of an oil lamp that glimmered through a horn lanthorn. In a far +corner could be discerned the bent figure of a monk, his cowl thrown +back on his shoulders and his arms bared to the elbow. Ignoring the +interruption, he continued his labours, working a pestle with +untiring energy.</p> + +<p>"Behold the worthy successor to Michael Schwartz! My faith! It does +my heart good to show the accursed English the resources of la belle +France; yet, 'tis passing strange that the secret of the making of +the devil's powder should be divulged to a priest of God. Five score +barrels full of the powder are ready for the use of our forces, and +I'll warrant—— Ah! What wouldst thou? Down with him, mes +garçons!"</p> + +<p>For Raymond, suddenly fired with a reckless determination, had thrown +himself upon the torch-bearer, and with a shower of sparks the +burning brand was dashed upon the floor, missing the bench with its +dangerous compound by less than a span!</p> + +<p>The Count and the monk, both white with fear, stamped upon the +blazing embers, while the guards with no gentle hand had forced their +prisoner to the ground.</p> + +<p>"A senseless piece of folly," growled the Norman. "And little credit +to thyself."</p> + +<p>"'Twould have rid the King of England of a dangerous foe," replied +Raymond stoutly, opening his lips for the first time since his +capture.</p> + +<p>"Away with him, till I find a means to make use of him, Etienne!" +exclaimed the Count, taking no notice of the squire's remark.</p> + +<p>"To the oubliette?"</p> + +<p>"Nay; two of these accursed Englishmen in one den would plague us far +more than if kept apart. One never knows what the rogues get up to +when they plan amongst themselves. Lock him in the old arrow-store."</p> + +<p>The old arrow-store was a damp and dismal chamber next to the cell +where Raymond had seen the monk at his researches. It was on the +ground floor, and lighted only by one lancet-shaped window, far too +narrow to admit the passage of a man. The roof was vaulted, the +arches springing from a central pillar, while the floor was paved +with heavy slabs set in strong cement.</p> + +<p>This much the young squire saw while the men were making a cursory +examination by the aid of two additional torches; and after removing +an old chest they quitted the room, bolting and locking the heavy +iron-plated door behind them.</p> + +<p>Left to himself, Raymond fell a prey to the deepest despondency. The +failure of his ill-starred attempt, the comparative ease of his +capture, and the mortification which the Constable would feel at his +non-return, weighed upon the unhappy squire far more than the danger +of his hopeless position, and, grief-stricken, he lay on a stone +bench, listlessly marking the sound of the rapidly-retreating storm, +till a feeble glimmer through the lancet window betokened that the +day was dawning. He had one consolation, sorry though it was—there +remained another Englishman within the stronghold, the solitary +survivor of five picked men-at-arms.</p> + +<p>Presently Raymond stood up and stretched his cramped limbs, then +standing on the bench he found that he could just reach the window. +Grasping the stone ledge with his hands, he raised himself +sufficiently to look out.</p> + +<p>It was a cheerless outlook. In front, a bow-shot away, lay the dense +masses of the forest, still hazy with the morning mist. An open +space, broken only by a moat full of slimy water, lay between the +forest and the stronghold, though no drawbridge was visible on that +side.</p> + +<p>And beyond the forest lay, at an unknown distance, the English camp, +where even now Sir John Hacket was doubtless expecting his return +with the expected captive. Overcome with the irony of the situation, +Raymond clambered down from the window and relapsed into his moody +and despondent attitude.</p> + +<p>For several hours he remained thus, till aroused by the drawing back +of the bolts of his prison door. The door was thrown open, and an +armed man entered, bearing a pitcher of water and a trencher of black +bread, while another man stood without, for fear of an outburst of +the prisoner. Without a word the jailer set down the meal and +retired.</p> + +<p>Twice daily was this done, and thus the days sped, slowly and +cheerlessly, but no visit from the Count of Tancarville served to +break the dismal monotony.</p> + +<p>On the fifth day Raymond heard the sound of martial preparations, and +climbing to the window he caught a brief glimpse of a body of armed +and mounted men riding past his prison; one of whom, he had no doubt, +was the Count. Then came the rumble of heavily-laden wains, but in +which direction the party disappeared the squire was unable to see.</p> + +<p>Evidently the little garrison of this sylvan fortress was +considerably depleted, for Raymond noticed that his jailer came into +his prison alone. He thought, though, that this might have been +through a sense of familiarity at his prisoner's dejected mien. Yet +daily, for hours together, the sound of the pestle, dimly heard +through the thick adjoining wall, showed that the taciturn old monk +still pursued his dangerous task.</p> + +<p>Four more days passed in dreadful solitude, till, maddened by the +hopelessness of his condition, Raymond resolved on desperate measures +to attempt his escape. Plan after plan flashed through his brain, +only to be put aside as impracticable. Feigning death, burrowing +through the stone walls of his prison, attacking his jailer, all +seemed hopeless, till at length a scheme, hazardous in the extreme, +yet capable of meeting with possible success, matured in his mind and +hourly increased his hopes of ultimate success.</p> + +<p>Usually the jailer found him sitting dejectedly upon the stone bench, +practically invisible in the gloom to any one entering from the +dazzling sunlight without. But on this particular morning Raymond, +awaiting the jailer's footsteps, carefully removed his surcoat and +hid behind the door. Directly the man entered he made, as was his +wont, direct for the bench, when the squire, springing upon him from +behind, muffled his head in the surcoat and bore him to the ground. +The jug and platter fell with a resounding crash, and Raymond, +seizing the broken pitcher, struck the jailer such a shrewd blow that +it all but split his skull, leaving him senseless on the floor.</p> + +<p>Hastily dragging his body across to the darkest corner, Raymond +possessed himself of his dagger and escaped from his prison.</p> + +<p>Without a moment's hesitation he burst into the adjoining apartment, +where the old monk, engrossed in his work, did not take the slightest +notice of his abrupt entry. Raymond had argued with himself that a +priest engaged in warlike pursuits thereby puts himself without the +pale of the Church; so, overcoming his scruples, he wrenched the +pestle from the hand of the astonished monk and stunned him ere he +could utter a sound.</p> + +<p>Then with feverish haste he stripped off and donned the monk's +capacious gown, pulling the cowl well down over his eyes; then, +strapping the wooden sandals over his own pointed shoes, he walked +boldly into the corridor, with bent head and clattering gait.</p> + +<p>At the end of the passage was another heavily-barred door, at which a +spearman stood on guard. Holding his dagger firmly in his right hand +and concealing it within the folds of his long sleeve, Raymond moved +straight up to the man. The sentinel opened the door, and with bowed +head stood aside to let the supposed monk pass. In a well-feigned +highly-pitched voice the young squire gave the customary blessing; +then, almost amazed at his good fortune, he gained the free air once +more.</p> + +<p>But his difficulties were not yet over. The road from the stronghold +ran under the shelter of the low walls for some distance, then turned +abruptly and crossed the moat by a drawbridge, at the end of which +was a small postern and barbican.</p> + +<p>All went well till Raymond was upon the bridge, and the gate-keeper +was making ready to throw open the outer gate, when the sham monk +dropped one sandal upon the bridge, where it lay conspicuously in the +dazzling sunshine.</p> + +<p>For a moment the guard paused, gazing in undisguised astonishment at +the tell-tale object, then with a crash he closed the gate and raised +a horn to his lips. But ere he could blow a blast Raymond was upon +him; a glint of cold steel, and the man uttering a choking cry, threw +up his arms and fell in a huddled heap.</p> + +<p>Disguise was no longer necessary, and the squire, opening the gate +and casting off his gown as he ran, sped over the open space towards +the sheltering forest.</p> + +<p>He heard some one behind him shouting the alarm, but by the time the +watchers on the wall could wind their cross-bows Raymond was almost +out of range, though a dropping bolt, shot at a venture, hummed close +to his head and buried itself in the springy turf at the foot of the +nearest tree.</p> + +<p>Though skilled in finding a course by observing the position of the +sun, Raymond was but indifferently versed in woodcraft, and in the +gloom of the forest all idea of direction was beyond him. Onward he +plunged, crashing through the bracken and undergrowth, till to his +great delight he struck a narrow path. This he followed, till at +length he came upon the scene of his ambuscade. A yawning pit, +partially concealed by a screen of hurdles and bracken, lay across +the narrow way, while a score of paces beyond was a tree trunk, +which, having been skilfully cut through close to its base, needed +but little effort to fall into its present position, effectually +barring the road to any but unmounted men.</p> + +<p>With a sickening feeling of horror Raymond gazed into the pit, where +lay the mangled remains of two of his men-at-arms, though it was +evident that the plunderer had already been there, as the corpses +were stripped of their arms and accoutrements, while the trappings of +the horses had vanished.</p> + +<p>Under the fallen trunk lay the body of the third soldier, plundered +also as far as the ponderous timber would allow, while of the fourth +no trace remained but a dark stain on the clayey soil.</p> + +<p>Clambering over the last obstacle, the squire found himself on the +steep path that had been so dangerous a road but a short fortnight +before. On and on he hastened, till he emerged on the high road that +led to the camp, which he estimated to be about four and a half +leagues distant, provided a general advance had not taken place in +the meantime.</p> + +<p>He was hatless and without his surcoat, having left that garment with +his late jailer, and there were no distinguishing marks to show that +he belonged either to the army of the King of England or of Philip of +France.</p> + +<p>Tying his blood-stained scarf over his chin, he strode boldly +forward, trusting in the rôle of a wounded soldier to avoid being +questioned. At length he gained the summit of a hill, from which he +looked down upon a lovely fertile valley, and in the distance the +blue waters of the English Channel.</p> + +<p>A spur of rising ground hid the view on his right, but a few minutes +sufficed to gain its crest, and on looking down he saw a sight that +filled him with joy, for below lay a large unwalled town, which he +rightly guessed to be Caen, while a league off was the English host +in battle array, and between him and the army was a motley array of +Frenchmen issuing from the town to join battle with the invaders.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter16">CHAPTER XVI</a><br /><br />THE TABLES TURNED</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +ONLY one thing could Raymond do. He sat down on the grassy hillock +and watched, knowing well that the fight could but end in one way.</p> + +<p>A little group of Norman knights led the van of the French, whose +forces were composed mostly of townsmen, desperate in their vain +attempt to save their town from pillage. Eagerly the keen eyes of the +squire followed their disorderly advance, till they were almost lost +to view in the distance.</p> + +<p>To him it seemed as if the white-coated lines of English archers +stirred neither hand nor foot, but he knew full well that the blast +of deadly arrows had sped, for as if by magic the dark masses of the +Frenchmen broke and fled, without coming to hand-grips. Already the +English cavalry were in hot pursuit, and the white winding road +leading to the town was outlined with clouds of dust, which almost +concealed the disorderly remnants of the defeated fugitives.</p> + +<p>Directly the advance guard of the fleeing army began to draw near, +Raymond rose from the grass and ran swiftly towards the road. The +Frenchmen, each intent upon his own safety, rushed past him, throwing +off their armour to aid their flight, the mounted fugitives +ruthlessly riding down their less fortunate countrymen.</p> + +<p>Seated by the roadside was a man-at-arms, who, sorely wounded in the +shoulder, was endeavouring to divest himself of his hauberk in order +to ease the pain. Actuated both by his own requirements and a feeling +of pity, Raymond helped him to unburden himself of the steel-ringed +coat, and having donned the Frenchman's discarded armour, he bathed +his wound, a deep lance-thrust, with water obtained from a rivulet +that ran by the roadside.</p> + +<p>After rendering this service he proceeded to complete his own +equipment. A heavy sword and a light shield were soon found, and it +did not require much effort on the part of the active squire to seize +a riderless horse.</p> + +<p>With difficulty curbing the restlessness of his newly-acquired steed, +Raymond urged it into an adjoining field to avoid being swept away by +the panic-stricken horde of fugitives, and eagerly awaited the +arrival of the English host.</p> + +<p>Soon the tide of fleeing Frenchmen slackened, and the braver spirits, +maintaining a running fight, alone remained to uphold the honour of +the ill-assorted army of the citizens of Caen.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Raymond's attention was drawn to a knot of mailed figures, +who, surrounded by a press of Englishmen, fought savagely with the +courage of despair. One by one the French mounted men-at-arms and +squires fell, till only two knights remained.</p> + +<p>The pair, keeping side by side, held their enemies at bay by a shower +of blows from sword and mace, till one, his horse slain by a +Welshman, who paid for his act by having his head cleft by a +back-handed sweep, was dashed to the ground and made prisoner.</p> + +<p>On seeing his comrade's fate, the other knight urged his horse +through the crowd of assailants and made a dash for the open field, +where Raymond awaited the chance to join his friends.</p> + +<p>Directly the squire caught sight of his emblazoned surcoat and shield +he recognised the Frenchman—it was none other than the Count of +Tancarville!</p> + +<p>Shaking off his pursuers, who preferred to return to squabble over +their rights to the ransom of the captive knight, the Count rode +straight for the place where Raymond was concealed. When he was +twenty paces off the squire rode forward and barred his way.</p> + +<p>"Yield thyself, Sir Knight!" exclaimed Raymond.</p> + +<p>For a moment the Count gazed with undisguised astonishment at the man +whom he had last seen as a prisoner in his stronghold, then, +recovering himself, he put spur to his horse and rode furiously at +the squire.</p> + +<p>The combatants were evenly matched, for the advantage of the +Frenchman's complete coat of mail was balanced by the comparative +freshness of his opponent and his steed. The knight had lost his +lance, so that the fight was with swords.</p> + +<p>Reining back his horse, Raymond skilfully avoided the first rush, the +Count's sword-point missing his unguarded face by a hand's breadth, +while the squire's return blow fell harmlessly on his adversary's +shield. Instantly Raymond closed in, and before the knight could turn +his steed to meet the counter-attack, the squire's sword had bit +deeply into his enemy's thigh. Then their blades met, and amid a +shower of sparks and the clicking and rasping of steel, Raymond found +himself at pains to defend his unvisored face, and it was not long +before the blood was flowing freely from a cut on his cheek. But the +Count's previous exertions and the loss of blood from several deep +wounds were beginning to tell. His blows did not fall with the same +strength that marked his first rush, though the squire could not +break down his guard.</p> + +<p>Long they fought, their horses prancing and curveting as if realising +that their efforts would materially aid their masters' sword-play, +till Raymond's untried blade snapped off close to the hilt, and, with +the exception of a short knife, he was left weaponless.</p> + +<p>A quick pull at the reins, and the squire's horse ranged alongside +that of the Norman. The next instant Raymond had grasped his opponent +round the body, and with a mighty heave sought to tear him from the +saddle.</p> + +<p>Between the two plunging steeds the combatants fell, locked in a +close embrace, Raymond uppermost; but before he could make good his +advantage and demand his enemy's surrender a stunning kick from the +Count's horse left its master at the Englishman's mercy.</p> + +<p>Raymond rose to his feet bruised and breathless, and at that moment a +band of soldiers came hurrying towards them. The newcomers were the +wild-looking Welsh mercenaries, intent on plunder; and, unable to +make them understand who he was, the squire was for a while in danger +of being set upon by these lawless booty-seeking warriors. Standing +over the body of the prostrate knight, he beckoned, shouted, and +threatened, till a highly-pitched voice behind him demanded who and +what he was.</p> + +<p>Raymond turned and saw a gigantic, swarthy, and black-bearded man, +clad in a bronze-coloured suit of armour, having a green dragon +emblazoned on his surcoat and shield.</p> + +<p>"Squire to Sir John Hacket of Hamptonshire," he replied breathlessly. +"I pray thee bid these rascals desist."</p> + +<p>A word from the stranger in an unknown tongue, and the Welshmen +retired.</p> + +<p>"Rascals, iss what ye call tem?" asked the new arrival, laughing +boisterously. "I would haf yes know, poy, tat tey are from +Glamorgan—from Glamorgan, I tell you! And tey are the best men in +the Army, I tell ye, poy, for tey are my men, I, David Evans, knight +off Glamorgan. I pray ye pear tat in mind. I myself tought ye wass a +Norman, or at pest a Gascon, seeing ye wass to wear a Frenchman's +hauberk."</p> + +<p>The Welsh leader rode off, leaving Raymond to wonder how he could +escape molestation from his friends and still stand by his captive. +Most of the pursuers kept to the highway, and only a few came close +to where he stood. In vain he begged and entreated the passing +soldiers to give a hand to carry off the unconscious Count. Even the +promise of a silver penny had no effect, for the English, intent on +plunder, were already streaming into Caen with the last of their +foes, and the comparatively bountiful offer of payment was invariably +rejected with contempt.</p> + +<p>At length, despairing of obtaining assistance, Raymond left his +prisoner and made his way back to the road, hoping to see a familiar +face amongst the victorious soldiers who were hurrying forward to +join in the sack of the town, but there were none of the Hampshire +companies.</p> + +<p>Picking up another sword to replace his broken weapon, the squire +preferred to go back to guard his captive, consoling himself with the +thought that on the Count's return to consciousness he could lead him +into the camp; then, suddenly bethinking himself of the rivulet +higher up the road, he hastened towards it to slake his burning +thirst.</p> + +<p>This he did, and thereupon made his way back by a different route to +where the Count lay. Barely had he gone half the distance than he +came to a dry ditch, where, to his surprise, he found two fugitives +cowering in the long grass that grew in the trench.</p> + +<p>"Je me rends!" they both exclaimed, grovelling at his feet in fear of +instant death, for, being but peasants, they knew that scant mercy +was shown to those who were unable to offer ransom.</p> + +<p>In a moment Raymond saw and seized his chance. "Vous êtes mes +prisonniers," he exclaimed, brandishing his weapon. "Venez avec moi."</p> + +<p>Driving them before him, the squire soon reached the place where he +had left the Count of Tancarville, and indicated by signs that they +should carry him. This they did, panting with their exertions, for +the knight in his complete armour was a heavy burden. Their progress +was slow, till on arriving on the highway Raymond made them take two +broken lances, and forming a rough litter, they were able to make a +better pace.</p> + +<p>At length, they came in sight of the camp, and to his great joy +Raymond saw the well-known banner of the crescent on the blue field, +waving close to the pavilion over which floated the royal standard of +England, for the Constable of Portchester's company was that day +detailed as guard to the camp.</p> + +<p>Great was the delight and astonishment of Sir John Hacket and his men +on Raymond's reappearance, for he had been given up for lost; and +greater was the Constable's surprise when his squire, pointing to the +litter, exclaimed with pardonable pride: "Behold, sir, I bring thee +the Count of Tancarville according to thy instructions."</p> + +<p>Having handed over his three prisoners and given a brief account of +his adventures, Raymond retired to a tent to enjoy a well-earned meal +and a rest. From one of the archers he learned that his father, +maddened by grief and rage at the supposed loss of his son, had +obtained permission to join for the time being the Sussex company of +Sir Guy of Bramber, vowing that twenty Norman lives would but +ill-balance Raymond's death.</p> + +<p>The squire's leisure was of short duration, for Sir John Hacket came +in person to inform him that the King had ordered him to appear +before him.</p> + +<p>Raymond's eyes sparkled with delight, for this was a step at least +towards his coveted reward, and hastily attiring himself suitably for +the royal presence, he followed the Constable to the King's pavilion.</p> + +<p>It was a large tent, hung with damask, and divided into two parts by +a heavy curtain. In the ante-room were crowds of knights awaiting an +audience, their names and titles being carefully set down by a +herald, while another, stationed at the flap of the partitioning +curtain, where two knights in full armour stood on guard, announced +the various personages who had business with their Sovereign.</p> + +<p>Each knight who was ushered into the inner apartment had but a short +stay in the royal presence, and to Raymond, as he waited in +breathless expectation, it seemed as if there was a continuous +procession of warriors, some elated with the prospect of praise and +honour, others nervously ignorant of why they were summoned thither; +while others, knowing that their master had cause for displeasure, +were pacing the crowded ante-chamber, biting their lips in their +anxiety.</p> + +<p>All the while a buzz of suppressed voices was heard from the inner +room, and occasionally Edward's hearty voice could be clearly +distinguished as he praised or chid according to the merits or +demerits of the person before him.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the sound of a galloping horse was heard, coming rapidly +nearer, then, amid a hum of ill-concealed excitement, a knight, +covered in mud from head to foot, and breathless from hard riding, +burst into the ante-chamber.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Sir William!" he exclaimed to the royal herald, "I pray thee +announce me to the King with all despatch. The matter brooks not +delay!" And clanking in his heavy armour at the heels of the herald +he disappeared behind the curtain that concealed the royal presence +from the crowd of waiting knights.</p> + +<p>"'Tis Lord Bassett," whispered Sir John to his squire. "Certes, some +event of much moment hath occurred to bring him from the field. +Hearken!"</p> + +<p>The newcomer's voice was distinctly audible to those who waited +without. "The men of Caen are holding out stubbornly, Sire, every +house being closed to our troops, and our losses from the darts of +those within are exceeding great. The Welsh levies, aye, and our own +men as well, are killing without mercy man, woman, and child, yet +their acts do but increase the fury of the men of Caen. I pray you, +Sire, that the word goes forth that every soldier shall withdraw from +the city, for otherwise they threaten to destroy it with fire."</p> + +<p>"But wherefore should we hold our hand?" inquired the King. "They of +Caen set themselves in battle against our hosts, and must of +necessity abide the consequences."</p> + +<p>"But the spoil, Sire, the spoil! 'Tis the richest town in all +Normandy. If we can but prevail on the citizens to lay down their +arms, then the sack can be resumed with more profit and less risk."</p> + +<p>"There's wisdom in thy words," replied Edward, "but thy advice is +every whit the same as the Cardinal Legates gave to us but an hour +agone. These we told that it was our resolve to brook no interference +of the Holy Father in matters appertaining to war, but, by my +halidome, the suggestion commends itself to us. Therefore withdraw +our troops. Beat a parley with the townsmen, and demand their +surrender with promise of quarter. Stay! I'll to the front myself! +Herald! Dismiss the knights in waiting, and inform them that we will +receive them on the morrow."</p> + +<p>Thus Raymond's opportunity had passed for the present, for when the +morrow came, the King in person met the chief magistrate of Caen, and +in the presence of the Papal Envoys, agreed to accept the +unconditional surrender of the town, pledging his kingly word, +however, that the massacre should cease, and before the evening came +the squire was detailed for another errand.</p> + +<p>"Raymond," quoth Sir John Hacket, "I have it in mind that a slight +advancement and no little honour can be obtained if we can seize the +stronghold of the Count of Tancarville, and gain possession of the +store of powder and the bombards of which thou hast spoken. What +think ye? All the powder was not taken away by the Count?"</p> + +<p>"I think not, sir."</p> + +<p>"And the bombards?"</p> + +<p>"I saw none go; nevertheless they may have sent them away."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll go to Chandos and crave permission to lead the company +against this strange hunting-lodge in the Forest of Brique. Meanwhile +have thy two prisoners closely questioned, for, methinks, they know +exactly where this stronghold lieth."</p> + +<p>The Constable hastened to the tent of Sir John Chandos to obtain the +required boon, while Raymond sent for the two Normans whose lives he +had spared. They were, so the squire ascertained, brothers, and one +had been in the service of the Count of Eu, and knew the precise +position of the Count of Tancarville's forest castle.</p> + +<p>Soon Sir John returned, having succeeded in his mission. One of the +prisoners was made to act as guide, and to avoid another blunder he +was told that should the enterprise fail through his neglect or +treachery his brother's life would be forfeit. Rations were served +out to the company, and an hour later Sir John's command, consisting +of three squires, thirty men-at-arms, and fifty mounted archers, +moved out of camp amid the encouraging shouts of their comrades, and +disappeared in the gathering gloom towards the dark masses of the +Forest of Brique.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter17">CHAPTER XVII</a><br /><br />THE FALL OF THE COUNT'S +STRONGHOLD</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +UNDER the guidance of the Norman, the company proceeded by a +different route to that by which Raymond made his escape; and, as +night fell, they dismounted and off-saddled in a clearing within half +a league of the Count's stronghold.</p> + +<p>Sentries were posted, and every precaution taken against surprise, +but nothing untoward occurred to disturb the camp.</p> + +<p>Day dawned, but a thick, fleecy mist prevailed, the moisture dripping +from the steel caps of the soldiers, who, in spite of it being a +summer's morn in fair Normandy, actually shivered with cold. No fires +were allowed to be lighted for fear of giving warning of their +approach, and after a hasty breakfast the company started on the last +portion of the journey.</p> + +<p>The way lay through a narrow avenue, similar to that in which +Raymond's ill-fated men-at-arms met with disaster, and the Norman +guide, anxious for his own and his brother's safety, used all his +skill and cunning as a woodman to ensure a successful surprise.</p> + +<p>Presently through the mist two gnarled trunks attracted his +attention, and, halting, he beckoned to the Constable to dismount. In +low tones he explained that he wanted a riderless horse to be driven +in front of the company, and, the Constable assenting, one of the +archers dismounted and urged his steed to the head of the column.</p> + +<p>To Raymond, who knew the perils of the path, the act occasioned no +surprise, but most of the soldiers watched the action with +wonderment.</p> + +<p>The horse had proceeded but a short distance when it stumbled over +some invisible obstacle, and before it could recover itself, a heavy +beam, furnished with a metal barb, came crashing down from the +mist—hidden branches above, pinning the devoted animal to the earth.</p> + +<p>A score of willing hands dragged the timber and its victim from the +path. "I pray you send another horse on ahead," exclaimed the +Constable calmly, as if unmoved by his narrow escape, for had he been +in his customary place at the head of the company his fate would have +been sealed.</p> + +<p>Silently, and fully anticipating a fresh trap, the troop advanced, +the successor to the ill-fated horse walking cautiously as if +instinctively aware of its perilous mission. A bow-shot farther it +stopped, and, in spite of the application of the point of a dagger, +it refused to move another step.</p> + +<p>"Prenez garde, messieurs, c'est un piège," whispered the Norman. +"Mais sans doute c'est le dernier empêchement."</p> + +<p>"Step forward, Lavant," exclaimed the Constable in a low tone to one +of the men-at-arms. "Thrust out thy spear and see what lieth here."</p> + +<p>The man did so, and almost without resistance the weapon sank in +turf. A twist of the spear and a large piece of what looked to be +green sward gave way, disclosing a yawning cavity, its length being +too great to permit a horse to leap across, while its depth was +sufficient to kill or maim any man or beast that had the misfortune +to fall therein.</p> + +<p>At a sign from their leader the soldiers dismounted. One man was told +off to every four horses, a party set silently to work to cut a way +through the dense thicket, so as to make a detour round the pitfall, +and the rest of the soldiers stood where they were, resting on their +arms till the path was cleared.</p> + +<p>This done, the company, now diminished in fighting numbers by +one-fourth, resumed their march, and, as the guide had foretold, were +unmolested by any other obstacle till they emerged from the forest at +the edge of the extensive clearing in which stood the stronghold of +the Count of Tancarville.</p> + +<p>The sun was now above the tree-tops, and slowly the mist was +dispersing, so that the outlines of the fortress were just visible in +the clouds of lifting vapour.</p> + +<p>Ordering his men to lie down within the shelter of the undergrowth, +Sir John called his squires, the master bowman who had taken the +place of the absent Redward, and the oldest man-at-arms, and held a +hasty consultation upon the plan of attack.</p> + +<p>Though Raymond had not seen the castle from without, he found that +his idea of the place did not differ greatly from the appearance of +the actual building. It was a long, low structure, but one story in +height, save at one corner, where a low tower commanded the rest of +the stronghold. The walls were pierced with narrow loopholes for the +discharge of arrows, and crowned by a battlemented breastwork. Around +the walls was, as Raymond already knew, a ditch or moat. The +drawbridge was raised, and the outer fortalice or barbican was +furnished with a massive door.</p> + +<p>There were no signs of the garrison, which, at the most, numbered +less than two score men, but the possibility of a surprise was +guarded against by the fact that the doorway of the barbican was +closed.</p> + +<p>For several hours the little English force lay in front of the +stronghold, the soldiers prone on the grass, their leaders standing +behind a dense thicket, so that no assailant was visible to the +still unsuspecting inmates of the castle.</p> + +<p>At length some of the archers who had remained with the horses joined +the main body, dragging with them two peasants who were captured +while on their way to the Count's fortress. The two men bore huge +baskets full of bread on their backs, and the booty was distributed +and eagerly devoured by the soldiers, while the peasants, securely +bound, were detained a short distance in the forest under a guard of +three archers.</p> + +<p>Presently one of the men-at-arms approached Raymond. "I beg of thee, +sir, to ask the Constable that he give me leave to force an entry +into yonder fortress."</p> + +<p>"How so, Peter? Wouldst essay the task alone?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, Master Raymond, but with my comrade, Myles of Fareham, 'tis +easy to attempt."</p> + +<p>"And easier to fail? What wouldst thou do?"</p> + +<p>"If we don the peasant's clothes and carry their baskets filled with +stones on our backs, I trow 'twill be an easy business to fool those +that are within. Once they open the gate two honest Englishmen can +hold it against a score of Frenchmen till the main body hath time to +come to our aid."</p> + +<p>"By St. George! Thou sayest aright; I'll speak to Sir John at once."</p> + +<p>The Constable received the project with delight, and preparations for +the assault were instantly made. The two men-at-arms drew the +gabardines of the peasants over their armour, so that they closely +resembled the thick-set, shambling Normans, and shouldering their +heavy baskets, they advanced boldly towards the outwork.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile their comrades were eager and alert. The bowmen had chosen +their arrows and strung their bows; the men-at-arms had drawn their +swords and had discarded their belts and sheaths to enable them to +run the quicker to the aid of the two devoted men, and with eyes +intently fixed on the gate of the barbican they awaited the signal to +rush headlong across the open space that lay between them and the +fortress.</p> + +<p>To the waiting soldiers it seemed hours ere their two comrades drew +near to the outer work, but when within a few paces of it a sentinel +stood forth on the wall and challenged them. Then, apparently +suspicious of their errand, he blew a loud blast on a horn, which was +immediately answered by the appearance of five or six men from within +the barbican, while over a score lined the walls of the main +stronghold, some of whom began to wind their cross-bows.</p> + +<p>At the same time the door was thrown open, and a man, apparently a +captain, stood on the threshold. Up to now these preparations were +simply a matter of form, no matter who the newcomer might be, and +fortunately the iron-nerved Englishmen understood this, for, +staggering under their loads, they still advanced with bent heads to +avoid recognition.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the guardian of the gate realised that it was not a pair of +ignorant peasants that he had to parley with. But the knowledge came +too late. Peter of Purbrook had thrown down his load and dashed, +sword in hand, at the astonished Norman. Before the latter could +retreat a step he had fallen with his head cleft to the chin. His +body lay athwart the threshold, and ere the others could rush to +close the gate the Englishmen had pushed their baskets, filled with +stones, against the door, and were awaiting the onslaught of their +foes.</p> + +<p>With hoarse shouts of encouragement the English men-at-arms rose from +their ambush and rushed madly to their comrades' aid, while the +archers, shooting rapidly and coolly, directed a dropping fire of +arrows at the defenders on the walls. But they of the outwork had +gathered to defend the gate, and already a fierce struggle was taking +place, the two gallant Englishmen being hard pressed by the enraged +Normans.</p> + +<p>With axe, spear, and mace the defenders strove to thrust back the +daring intruders, while the latter, regardless of their own safety, +essayed to keep open the gate. Two of the Normans fell, their bodies +adding to the ghastly pile at the entrance to the barbican, but +directly afterwards Myles of Fareham was slain by a savage +spear-thrust.</p> + +<p>Undismayed by the fall of his comrade, Peter of Purbrook hurled an +axe at the helm of the slayer of his friend, then, clearing at a +bound the heap of corpses, bade fair to drive back the defenders +single-handed, while his comrades, with Raymond well in the fore, +were already halfway across the intervening space.</p> + +<p>Carried away by the heat of battle, Raymond saw as in a dream the +figure of the devoted man-at-arms clearing a path for his countrymen; +the next instant there was a blinding flash, a deafening roar, and a +thick, choking cloud of sulphurous smoke.</p> + +<p>One of the defenders, with the fury of despair, had fired off a +bombard, the huge stone ball crashing through friend and foe alike, +and bounding over the springy turf till it came to a stop a few paces +from the edge of the forest.</p> + +<p>Appalled by the sound, the soldiers hesitated, but when the smoke had +partially cleared away the gateway was deserted.</p> + +<p>Then the Constable's voice was heard amid the din, "Onwards, men, the +place is ours," and regaining their wits, the Englishmen rushed +forward and reached the deserted barbican.</p> + +<p>The discharge from the bombard, by which the remaining Frenchmen, +save one, and four English men-at-arms, including the ill-fated +Peter, had been swept away, was attended by one good result. The +drawbridge had been lowered, and, after applying the linstock, the +cannonier had darted back across it to take refuge in the fortress, +while the heavy bombard, wrenching asunder the leather thongs that +bound it to the carriage, had recoiled till its weight rested on the +end of the drawbridge, effectually preventing it from being raised by +the defenders.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile the English archers, while engaged in keeping down +the fire of the cross-bowmen, had marked the fugitive cannonier as he +sped back to gain the entrance. Ere he had run but half the distance +he fell, transfixed by a dozen arrows, while the attacking party +roared with excitement and jubilation.</p> + +<p>Even if the defenders had had another bombard available they would +have been prevented by the hail of shafts from training it on their +adversaries; and, led by the Constable and his squires, the +men-at-arms crossed the drawbridge and thundered at the main gate +with their axes, while the archers, advancing in close order, kept up +a hot fire against every point where a Norman dared show the crest of +his steel cap.</p> + +<p>Under the furious blows the door was splintered; then with a united +effort the shattered woodwork gave way, and the victorious Englishmen +rushed headlong into the castle, only to find that not a man of the +garrison was to be seen.</p> + +<p>With his own hands the Constable tore down the scarlet wolves' heads +of the banner of the Count of Tancarville, and the blue guidon with +the demi-lune floated in its place, amidst a fanfare of trumpets and +the cheers of the victors.</p> + +<p>Then a systematic search of the stronghold was undertaken, but no +trace of the Normans was found till an archer stumbled over a heavy +trap-door, which, on being raised, disclosed a flight of dank stone +steps leading to a subterranean passage. Listening intently, the +Constable and his squires heard the faint sounds of retreating +footsteps echoing along the stone walls of the tunnel.</p> + +<p>"It matters not," quoth Sir John. "I doubt whether there be any +person of quality amongst them. Their burrow doubtless leads to some +spot in the forest, and I can ill-afford to risk more lives in a +needless undertaking."</p> + +<p>To close the entrance, pieces of heavy timber weighted with stone +were thrown down the yawning pit, and having made all chance of a +return by this outlet impossible, the soldiers devoted their energies +to the exploration of the building.</p> + +<p>It was more of a fortified arsenal than a castle, the Count's +principal fortress being ten leagues off, but the spoils of war were +both numerous and useful.</p> + +<p>In all, including the bombard in the barbican, there were eleven +pieces of ordnance, a score barrels of powder, steel caps, hauberks, +and weapons of all descriptions. Unwilling to leave the booty where +it might again fall into the hands of the Normans, the Constable made +preparations to carry off the whole of the munitions of war.</p> + +<p>Dragging long planks across the open ground, a party of archers +returned to where the horses had been left. By bridging the pitfall, +the steeds were led safely across the fatal trap, and in less than an +hour were within the stronghold, where rough carts in abundance were +ready to be loaded up with the spoil.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Raymond had not forgotten the unfortunate man-at-arms who +had been captured with him in the first attempt to seize the Count. +Aided by a couple of archers, he searched vainly for the secret +oubliette, till at length he bethought him of the two peasants who +had been taken earlier in the day.</p> + +<p>These were brought before him, and without much difficulty were +compelled to lead the way. In the floor of the lowest apartment the +peasants pointed out a small door, almost invisible in the deep +gloom. Procuring a torch, Raymond and the archers shot back the +bolts, and on lifting the trapdoor, a dark, evil-smelling dungeon was +disclosed, unlighted and almost unventilated. Mingled with the noise +of scores of rats a low moaning was heard, and in the fitful glare of +the torchlight a narrow circular hole could be distinguished in the +centre of the dungeon, its mouth unprotected by a barrier of any +kind.</p> + +<p>"Art there, Robert?" asked the squire, his voice shaking with pity +and emotion.</p> + +<p>The only reply was another low moan, as of a human being in direst +distress. Sending one of the archers back for assistance, Raymond +impatiently waited by the yawning pit. The man soon returned, and +with him four lusty men-at-arms, one of whom carried a coil of stout +rope and two more torches.</p> + +<p>Directing the men to lower him slowly and carefully, Raymond knotted +one end of the rope under his arms and boldly descended, holding a +flaming torch above his head. The light flickered on the slimy walls +of the pit, which, as he descended, began to increase in size, till +at length he reached the bottom of a deep, bottle-shaped cavity, the +only approach to which being the narrow neck through which he had +been lowered.</p> + +<p>The floor was ankle-deep in filth and slime; and, by the aid of the +torch, the squire saw, crouched in the corner, apparently heedless of +the presence of his rescuer, the figure of a man.</p> + +<p>Bending over him, Raymond failed at first to recognise his ill-fated +companion-in-arms, for the soldier's face, instead of being the +deep-bronzed, healthy colour that comes of a life in the open air, +was of a ghastly greenish hue, and his eyes, dazzled by the glimmer +of the torch, blinked with a peculiar vacant expression that +suggested madness.</p> + +<p>Finding that the man was too weak to stand the strain of the rope +round his chest, Raymond, placing the torch on the ground, lifted him +to his feet, and taking him in his arms, called out to those above to +haul up. Shielding the soldier as well as he could from the rough +sides of the shaft, the squire with his pitiful burden came slowly to +the surface, where rough but kindly hands took charge of the rescued +prisoner, who was little more than a corpse.</p> + + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/pitiful.jpg" +alt="pitiful" /> + +<p class="fs125 bold">A PITIFUL DISCOVERY</p> +</div> + + +<p>On rejoining the Constable, Raymond found that a discovery had been +made of another score of barrels filled with powder, and the question +of transport was troubling Sir John sorely. For not only was the +quantity too great for the numbers of men and waggons at their +disposal, but the difficulty arose how to reach the highway, the path +by which they had come being quite unsuitable for the carts.</p> + +<p>Two scouts were therefore sent out with instructions to follow the +cart-tracks, and to find out whether any of the late garrison still +remained in the neighbourhood.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter18">CHAPTER XVIII</a><br /><br />REDWARD'S CONFESSION</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +IT was close on nightfall ere the two scouts sent out by Sir John +Hacket returned to the captured fortress. They reported that there +was a fairly wide road which joined the highway to Caen about three +leagues from that town, and that there were no signs of any hostile +force in the district they had explored.</p> + +<p>So that night the company made merry in the stronghold of the Count +of Tancarville, wine and food being found in abundance, although Sir +John did not for one moment relax the vigilance so necessary in a +strange country.</p> + +<p>At daybreak preparations were made for the evacuation of the +fortress, and, headed by the two scouts, the little force set out on +its march to the camp.</p> + +<p>First came a strong party of men-at-arms, ready for instant action in +case of attack. Then followed the Constable and his squires, +accompanied by the two peasants and the Norman guide, and surrounded +by a body of dismounted archers, who marched with their bows strung +and their quivers swinging from the hip.</p> + +<p>The carts came next, drawn by the horses of the dismounted archers, +and piled high with the spoils of the fortress, including the +captured bombards and as much powder as they could possibly hold.</p> + +<p>Next came a small troop of men-at-arms, followed by some more carts, +in which the wounded, including the rescued soldier, lay on heaps of +hay and straw; while the rear was composed of the rest of the +men-at-arms and mounted archers.</p> + +<p>In this order they issued under the great gateway, passed over the +drawbridge, and crossed the wide belt of open ground. When the head +of the column reached the edge of the gloomy forest a tucket sounded +and the soldiers came to a halt.</p> + +<p>Seeing Sir John and his squires gazing intently at the abandoned +stronghold the men did likewise. They saw the grim and gaunt pile +standing clearly out against the dark background of the forest, and +from the black flag-staff fluttered the blue banner of the company, +with its well-known device of the golden crescent.</p> + +<p>Even as they watched, the figure of a man made its appearance on the +battlements; the banner was slowly lowered, and the man disappeared.</p> + +<p>A few moments later the same man, mounted on a swift steed, emerged +from the gateway and thundered across the turf. Reining in his horse +before Sir John, the rider handed the banner to the guidon-bearer, +saluted, and fell in with his comrades; but still the Constable kept +his eyes steadfastly on the fortress.</p> + +<p>What could it mean?</p> + +<p>Slowly the moments sped. To the perplexity of the soldiers, the +castle had an irresistible fascination for their leaders, and, +following their example, they, too, looked in silent wonderment at +the gaunt masses of masonry.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, with a flash, a roar, and a cloud of smoke and dust, the +castle appeared to split asunder; huge masses of stone flew skyward, +then with an appalling crash the walls subsided, and in place of the +massive outlines of the fortress there was nothing to be seen save a +pile of blackened stones, over which floated a heavy pall of dense +vapour.</p> + +<p>The remainder of the powder had been fired, and the sylvan stronghold +of the Count of Tancarville was no more!</p> + +<p>"'Tis well done," was Sir John's only comment, then, on receiving the +word of command, the company resumed its march, and plunged into the +sombre shadows of the forest.</p> + +<p>Almost unnoticed, the little force reached the camp, for in the +excitement of the sack of the rich town of Caen the absence of the +company on their successful raid was of small moment to the rest of +the army intent as they were on the gain of booty.</p> + +<p>There were two exceptions at least. One was Redward Buckland, who, +being apprised of his son's safety, had left the Sussex company, only +to find to his great disappointment that his comrades had departed on +their raid.</p> + +<p>The other was the great Chandos, who, recognising more than most +Englishmen of his day the possibilities of artillery, showed the +greatest interest in Sir John Hacket's report of the expedition, +promising at the first available opportunity to inform the King of +the great service rendered by the Constable of Portchester and his +favourite squire.</p> + +<p>But other events were taking place that effectually eclipsed for the +time being the glory of the brilliant raid. Edward, having plundered +Caen, described by Froissart as "large, strong, full of draperies and +all sorts of merchandise; rich citizens, noble dames, damsels, and +fine churches," had reserved for his own share all the plate, jewels, +and choice cloths. The plunder, together with three hundred of the +more opulent citizens, was placed on board the English ships and sent +over the Channel; then, hoping to sack Rouen in a similar manner, the +King advanced with his army up the fertile valley of the Seine.</p> + +<p>Foiled in this attempt, he continued his march towards Paris, only to +find the bridges broken down, with a strong hostile force on the +nether bank, and Philip with a large army rapidly approaching from +Guienne.</p> + +<p>A desolate track, dotted with the ashes of countless towns and +villages, marked the ruthless advance of the English, till at the +very gates of Paris the flood-tide of invasion became the ebb of +retreat, and Edward, hard pressed, was in danger of being cut off by +overwhelming numbers.</p> + +<p>One night, when lying near the village of Poissy, the camp was +aroused, and orders given to prepare to march.</p> + +<p>"Whither are we bound?" asked Raymond of his father as they met in +the semi-darkness.</p> + +<p>Redward shook his head. "'Tis not a soldier's part to question +orders," quoth he. "I did hear that the King would try to reach +Flanders, but methinks this way leadeth to Paris."</p> + +<p>There was no occasion for silence, and, talking freely amongst +themselves, the soldiers struck their tents, and at daybreak were +well on the road to Paris, while the light-armed horsemen attached to +the French army, who hovered around the flanks, wheeled about and +galloped off to inform the French King of the advance of the +invaders.</p> + +<p>Hardly had the cavalry disappeared than a halt was ordered; then, +with great celerity, the whole English army turned and retraced its +footsteps.</p> + +<p>The Hampshire companies, which at the outset formed the rearguard, +now found themselves in the van, and great was their delight when it +was rumoured that the King had entrusted to them the task of forcing +the passage of the Seine.</p> + +<p>"'Tis Sir John Chandos' own doing," remarked Redward, "and as clever +a feint as ever I met with. While the French are massing to prevent +our supposed march on Paris, we are quietly slipping away towards +Flanders."</p> + +<p>As they came in sight of the turbid river a horseman spurred madly +towards them. "The bridge! The bridge is broken down!" he shouted, +then without slackening his speed he rode onwards towards the main +body which the King had under his own command.</p> + +<p>"The bridge!" growled Redward, "what of the bridge? 'Tis easily +repaired, provided the enemy do not line the farther bank."</p> + +<p>"Then show all men what we can do," exclaimed the Constable. "Pull +down that house for me, and I'll warrant there will be a goodly stock +of timber sufficient to build a bridge, let alone patch one up."</p> + +<p>The men worked with a will, and soon the house was a shapeless mass +of wood and plaster, while the soldiers, selecting the largest and +strongest beams, dragged them to the spot where the jagged ends of +the riven bridge gaped a good ten yards apart.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Redward and two score of his comrades had thrown off their +armour and quilted jackets, and, with ropes fastened to their waists, +plunged into the swift-flowing river.</p> + +<p>To clamber up the woodwork of the broken arch was the work of a few +minutes; then, hauling at the ropes with a will, they dragged two of +the largest beams across the chasm, and after this was done the work +of completing the temporary bridge was a comparatively easy matter.</p> + +<p>By this time the whole English army had crowded on its advance guard, +and many anxious glances were thrown backwards in the direction from +which the French attack was expected, but to every one's relief no +enemy appeared till the last waggon of the retreating host had +rumbled over the swaying structure. Then, as the van of the French +army came in sight, the temporary span, together with two additional +arches, crashed into the river, effectually preventing all pursuit +for a considerable period.</p> + +<p>The retreat continued, the King making towards Flanders, yet at the +same time gradually approaching the shores of the English Channel, so +as to be able to re-embark should he find himself hemmed in by the +hordes of infuriated Frenchmen.</p> + +<p>As the English came on swiftly and in good order, a considerable +force, under Godemar de Faye, fell back before them, seeking a +favourable chance to hinder their advance, while in their rear came +the hundred thousand armed men of King Philip, who had meantime found +means of crossing the Seine and were swiftly pursuing.</p> + +<p>At length the English reached the valley of the Somme. Here the same +difficulty awaited them. The bridges were broken down by the +redoubtable Godemar, after he had crossed and drawn up his troops on +the right bank to oppose the passage of the retreating army.</p> + +<p>Edward was sore puzzled with the problem of how to effect a crossing, +till a miserable Norman peasant, one Gobin Agace, was brought before +him. Not by threats, but by promises of rich reward, was this +unworthy Frenchman induced to betray his country; and, on his +informing the King of a certain ford, the order for a general advance +was at once given.</p> + +<p>Led by the peasant, the English rushed towards the ford. In front +flowed the river, lapping over the white stones and shingle as it +babbled along, an apparently peaceful stream, towards the sea.</p> + +<p>On the opposite bank lay the troops of Godemar; but not for one +moment did the King hesitate. Commanding the archers to pour a heavy +covering fire into the masses of Frenchmen, he drew his sword, and +setting himself at the head of his knights and mounted troops, Edward +dashed across the river. Short and fierce was the conflict, but +unable to withstand the fierce onslaught, the Frenchmen gave way, and +were soon in headlong flight.</p> + +<p>"Haste, sir," exclaimed Sir John Chandos; "command the main body to +cross." And even as he spoke the dark outlines of the pursuing army +appeared on the crest of a distant hill.</p> + +<p>Never was a ford crossed with such celerity. The waggons were dragged +or lifted by the united efforts of crowds of archers, and though +waist-deep in water, the whole army crossed in safety.</p> + +<p>Then the order was given to resume the march, the Hampshire companies +being given the post of honour—the task of covering the retreat.</p> + +<p>As Raymond stood with his men watching the advancing Frenchmen, their +innumerable banners waving like a reed-covered pond, the archers had +slipped into a long, extended line, and quietly, yet resolutely, +awaited the oncoming enemy.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the squire noticed a change in the appearance of the river. +Instead of a silently-flowing stream that ran towards the sea, a wave +of foaming water rushed up in the opposite direction, and almost +instantly the river became a mass of broken water, impassable to man +or beast. The flood-tide had begun, and for six hours at least King +Philip was doomed to rave in fruitless anger on the wrong side of the +Somme.</p> + +<p>"We are safe enough for the present," remarked Redward to his son, +"but methinks before daybreak there will be few of us left, for the +best we can do is to hold them in check for an hour after the tide +has run out. Many a tight corner have we been in ere now, but, +certes, this is the worst."</p> + +<p>But the master-bowman was wrong, for presently a messenger came to +Sir John Hacket with an urgent order from the King. With an +irrepressible shout of delight, the fiery old knight summoned his +sturdy little band around him.</p> + +<p>"It is not fated that our bones bleach on the banks of this river, +<i>mes enfans</i>," he exclaimed. "News hath arrived that the King intends +to give battle with the enemy, and hath already ordered his forces in +a strong position but three leagues hence. Thither we are to repair +with all haste. Forward, then, and ere night we shall be with the +main body!"</p> + +<p>Eagerly the company fell in, and with hope renewed they set out for +the camp.</p> + +<p>"Mark my word, Raymond," said his father, "'tis but putting off the +evil day. A great fight is before us, and, by the rood, 'tis hard to +say how it will end. But I have a small matter on my mind of which I +would speak anon. As soon, therefore, as we arrive in camp, come +aside with me for one brief hour."</p> + +<p>Raymond assented, and in silence they rode onwards towards their +destination, a journey which was to many the last they would ever +make on earth.</p> + +<p>The sun was sinking low ere they heard the trumpets of the English +host. The place Edward had chosen to make a stand was one of great +natural strength. The army was encamped on the edge of a low plateau, +the right wing being additionally protected by a narrow stream, while +in the rear was a small wood. On the summit of the hill a wooden +windmill stood out clearly against the sky, while but a bowshot away +was the little village of Crécy, its houses, though ransacked by the +invaders, still standing—a contrast to those which had previously +stood in the path of the ruthless army.</p> + +<p>As the Constable's company moved towards the quarters assigned them, +Raymond noticed that the archers were already hard at work digging +trenches and cutting stakes for palisades, for the King had given +orders that everything should be ready ere night, so as to allow his +troops a well-earned rest.</p> + +<p>After a good repast, for provisions were plentiful in that fertile +valley, Raymond sought his father, and together they walked through +the camp towards the solitude of the neighbouring wood. On the way +they passed the royal pavilion, where, with his chief lords, King +Edward sat at supper, and, judging by the cheerful voices of the +company, it was evident that few doubts were entertained as to the +issue of to-morrow's conflict.</p> + +<p>But, silent and sad, the master-bowman and his son went on their way, +for Raymond knew instinctively that there was a great burden on his +father's mind. At length they reached the dark shadows of the wood, +and here Redward halted.</p> + +<p>"Raymond, my beloved son," he exclaimed in a voice broken with +emotion, "'tis hard that I should have to tell thee what I am about +to utter, but, before Heaven, I must do it, both for mine own peace +of mind and for thine own. Two score and three years ago this very +day I slew a man. The quarrel was of his own seeking, 'tis true, but, +nevertheless, the law was set against me, and I was made outlaw!"</p> + +<p>The master-bowman paused to note the effect of this announcement, +but, beyond a tightening of his lips, Raymond betrayed no sign of +dismay at this astounding confession.</p> + +<p>"Then I fled from the country, and assumed a name to which I have no +right," resumed Redward. "In this I did thee a great injustice, for +the ban falls on the outlaw's children equally with himself; and on +this account I ought never to have taken a wife or to have had a +son."</p> + +<p>"I care not for myself, father. But what if, even now, thou art +recognised?"</p> + +<p>"It matters not, my son. A secret kept for over two score years may +well remain a secret; but I have a misgiving that I shall never see +the sun set to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Father!"</p> + +<p>"Nay, Raymond, 'tis but a small matter. I cannot live much longer, +and to fall in battle is a worthy end. But the worst is to be told. +Thou wouldst marry the Lady Audrey!"</p> + +<p>The young squire shuddered at the altered prospect.</p> + +<p>"Alack a day!" he groaned.</p> + +<p>"Ay, Raymond. I fear thou wilt curse the day thou camest into the +world, for to my sorrow I must tell thee—the brother of that lady's +father was the man I slew!"</p> + +<p>For a moment the squire was incapable of speech, then, recovering +himself with an effort, he exclaimed, "Nay, father, I blame you not. +It is rather the fate of circumstances and my own foolish pride that +made me look so high. I cannot for one moment continue my suit for +the hand of the Lady Audrey, neither can I ever hope to wear the +spurs of knighthood; but I am still thy son."</p> + +<p>"And wouldst thou know thy true name?"</p> + +<p>"Not unless it please thee, father; 'Raymond Buckland' hath served me +well these four-and-twenty years; but," he added with pardonable +curiosity, "if I may I would desire to know."</p> + +<p>"Dost call to mind Sir Edmund Revyngton?"</p> + +<p>"Indifferently so; I wot he is a knight of Devon."</p> + +<p>"He is also my brother, and, being without issue, his heir would be, +but for the bar of outlawry, Redward Revyngton, now known to all men +as Redward Buckland."</p> + +<p>It was a long story, that narrative of life marred by an act +committed in a moment of anger, but breathlessly Raymond listened +till the master-bowman had finished.</p> + +<p>"And if so be thou comest scatheless from the wars," he added, "the +abbot of Netley will deliver into thy hands certain documents +pertaining to thy welfare, and, should Heaven grant that this decree +of outlawry be rescinded (though I shall never live to see the day), +I pray that thou wilt ever acquit thyself as an honourable gentleman +of Devon."</p> + +<p>Slowly father and son returned towards the camp, and as they passed +between the long lines of tents, Redward paused before a lodging in +front of which was a shield displaying a mailed hand argent on a +field azure.</p> + +<p>Leaving Raymond standing in the gloom, the master-bowman went up and +spoke to a man-at-arms who stood outside the tent.</p> + +<p>"My master cannot hold converse with any one this night, especially +an archer," exclaimed the man roughly.</p> + +<p>"Convey my message to thy master and leave him to decide the point, +sirrah!" replied Redward in a tone of authority, and, on seeing that +a squire had joined him, the soldier obeyed.</p> + +<p>Soon he reappeared, and holding open the flap of the tent, signed for +the visitors to enter.</p> + +<p>Following his father, Raymond saw a tall, well-built man, who in +spite of his grey hairs and carefully-trimmed white beard, carried +his years with ease. He had laid aside his armour, and, judging by +the still lighted candles in front of a prie-dieu, he had but just +risen from his orisons.</p> + +<p>With a knightly courtesy he waited for the master-bowman to speak, +thinking that one of his followers had come to ask a boon, when to +his surprise Redward addressed him by name.</p> + +<p>"Sir Maurice," he exclaimed. "Dost thou not know me? I am thy brother +Redward!"</p> + +<p>"Redward? Back from the dead after all these years? Nay, it cannot +be! But yet——"</p> + +<p>Drawing nearer he looked closely into the master-bowman's rugged and +bronzed face, then, "Thank Heaven! I have found thee!" he exclaimed, +and Raymond beheld the extraordinary sight of a belted knight and a +surcoated archer falling on one another's necks in a transport of +joy.</p> + +<p>Then the squire had to be presented to his uncle. "A fine and gallant +youth, and a credit to the old stock of Revyngtons," declared the +knight. "But, tell me, Redward, why didst thou not seek me out ere +now, knowing I was in the camp?"</p> + +<p>"But for one thing, Maurice, I had as lief let it be thought that +Redward Revyngton was no longer in this world. It is Raymond of whom +I think, for I know that to-morrow's battle will count me amongst the +slain. How think ye, Maurice? Is there hope that the King will set +aside the outlawry, and free my son from its curse?"</p> + +<p>The knight shook his head sorrowfully. "Sir Reginald Scarsdale is +ever with the King, and his wrath against his brother's slayer dies +not."</p> + +<p>"And to make matters worse Raymond, ignorant of my past, seeks his +daughter's hand in marriage."</p> + +<p>Sir Maurice smiled grimly.</p> + +<p>"I'll do my best, even if it be to beg a favour of Scarsdale himself! +But sit down, Redward, and let us talk at ease, for the hours of +darkness fly quickly, and there is much to be said."</p> + +<p>It was after midnight before the brothers bade each other farewell, +and Redward and Raymond returned to their tents.</p> + +<p>On gaining the lines of the Hampshire companies, father and son +parted, the former to compose his mind for his anticipated death, the +latter to ponder over the astounding revelations he had just heard. +Sleep was banished from Raymond's eyes, and long he tossed uneasily +on his hard pallet, till the dawn grew ruddy in the east and the +trumpets heralded the advent of the eventful day.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter19">CHAPTER XIX</a><br /><br />CRÉCY</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +FOR a short space after the trumpets had sounded all was bustle, men +running hither and thither, each with a fixed purpose. Directly +Raymond had donned his armour he emerged from his tent to find all +the Hampshire companies busily engaged in breaking their fast, as +were most of the troops, the King having ordered that every man +should make a hearty meal, so as to be sustained throughout the day.</p> + +<p>This over, the men formed into their accustomed ranks, and instantly +there was a long procession of camp-followers and lackeys leading the +horses to the enclosure behind the camp, for the order had gone forth +that all combatants were to fight afoot.</p> + +<p>Long was that parade remembered by the young squire. The +white-surcoated archers, with their well-filled quivers and, in most +cases, an additional sheaf of arrows in their belts, the +heavily-armed men-at-arms with rusty headpieces and war-worn +accoutrements, all standing fast in regular lines, made a picture +that gladdened the hearts of their leaders as they gazed upon the +stern, bronzed faces of their men.</p> + +<p>Already the more remote columns were deploying, and soon the order +came for the first division to march to the ground where the King had +decided to make his stand. The battlefield was well chosen, being on +the edge of the plateau overlooking the little valley that lay +between the English and the direction from which the French attack +was expected.</p> + +<p>On arriving at the allotted station, Raymond found that the supreme +command of his division was entrusted to the Prince of Wales, a mere +youth of fifteen, who had already shown great promise of a notable +military career. With him were the Earls of Warwick and Oxford and a +host of noble lords, the brunt of the fight being expected to fall +upon this division.</p> + +<p>Raymond found that this division was drawn up in two lines, the two +thousand bowmen being in front and the men-at-arms, numbering eight +hundred, in the second rank, while right behind were the wild-looking +Welsh and Irish auxiliaries, each man eagerly whetting his long knife +for use when the time came for them to be let loose on their +discomfited foes.</p> + +<p>Away on the left was another large division of archers and +men-at-arms drawn up in similar order, under the command of the Earl +of Northampton; while, glancing backwards towards the +windmill-crowned hill, Raymond saw the close ranks of the reserve +division, composed of seven hundred men-at-arms and two thousand +archers, under the direct command of the King.</p> + +<p>Looking in the direction of Abbeville, Raymond could see no signs of +the French host, and, after all, he wondered whether the attack would +be made, seeing the strength of the natural defences occupied by the +English.</p> + +<p>At length a dull hum of excitement ran along the ranks. The voices of +the company-commanders could be heard ordering their men to stand to +their arms, and in a few moments, mounted on a white palfrey and +bearing a white rod in his hand, the King rode slowly along the front +of those rigid lines of warriors.</p> + +<p>At intervals he reined in his steed in order to address the troops, +bidding them stand stoutly to their arms and take heed to his honour +in the fight. A roar of cheering greeted the monarch as he left the +first division to inspect the second, and the men were told to stand +at ease, and again refresh themselves with food and rest.</p> + +<p>Although awaiting an attack is one of the worst ordeals that can be +undergone, Raymond was amazed at the coolness of the soldiers, as +with merry laugh and jest they sat or sprawled on the ground. Many +were busily engaged in fixing new strings to their bows, smoothing +out the feathers of their arrows, or waxing or greasing the heads of +their deadly shafts to enable them to pierce an obstacle with greater +ease, while others crowded round the master-bowmen, asking advice or +information on the coming struggle.</p> + +<p>Redward had shaken off his depression, and greeted his son with a +cheerfulness that was all the more remarkable by reason of his +confession on the eve of battle.</p> + +<p>"A goodly sight," he exclaimed, "and never can I hope to be in better +company. Look at the lads! One would think they were about to try +their turn at the butts."</p> + +<p>"And think'st thou that the French will fight?"</p> + +<p>"Assuredly; they seek to overwhelm and crush us with the weight of +numbers. Can the archers but hold the ridge for one hour the day will +go with us."</p> + +<p>"But 'twill be eventide ere the enemy come to blows?"</p> + +<p>"Ay; but if mine eyes do not deceive me, there they are, right on the +skyline."</p> + +<p>Raymond looked, and in the distance he saw the cloud of dust that +invariably envelops an army on the march. Others had detected the +sight, and there was a general stir amongst the troops. Exclamations +of satisfaction burst from all lips at the prospect of the approach +of the French host.</p> + +<p>"'Twill be six or seven hours ere they draw nigh," remarked Redward, +"and footsore and weary will they be after a three leagues' march in +battle array. But, see, Raymond, there is thine uncle, Sir Maurice +Revyngton, at the head of the men of Totnes, and, mark you, Sir +Reginald Scarsdale is in close converse with him. What doth it mean, +I wonder?"</p> + +<p>A little later in the day the sun, which had been shining brightly in +the eyes of the English host, disappeared behind a thick bank of +clouds. The air was close and sultry, and at midday the gloom was so +intense that it seemed as if night was drawing nigh. With raucous +cries a vast number of crows, ever regarded as birds of ill-omen, +flew across the front of the army and alighted on the plain beneath; +then resuming their flight they disappeared in the direction of the +advancing Frenchmen.</p> + +<p>"It will go ill with the King of France," remarked Sir John Hacket to +his squire. "If he reads the sign aright methinks he will stay his +hand. But see, a thunder-storm approaches rapidly!"</p> + +<p>"Pass the word for the archers to protect their bow-strings," +exclaimed the Earl of Warwick to the nearest Constable, and in +obedience to the order the bowmen either drew waterproof cases over +their bows or, if unprovided with these, unstrung their weapons and +placed the cords under their quilted coats.</p> + +<p>Hardly were these preparations completed than the rain descended in a +torrential downpour, blotting out the horizon in a mirky blur, then, +as suddenly as it came, the cloud passed over on its way towards +Abbeville, and the sun again shone brilliantly, its warmth soon +drying the sodden clothing of the soldiers.</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer came the dark masses of Frenchmen, till within a +league of their enemies they halted. Shortly afterwards a group of +horsemen could be seen riding towards the English position, and, amid +breathless excitement, it was observed that four French knights were +approaching.</p> + +<p>Either from absolute contempt for their enemies or relying on the +chivalrous instincts that frequently show themselves between opposing +enemies, the Frenchmen rode within a bow-shot of the English lines, +then, calmly trotting along the whole front of the army, they +appeared to be making careful observations of the dispositions of +their foe.</p> + +<p>Several knights besought the Prince of Wales to be allowed to have +their chargers brought them, so that they might earn a slight +advancement by engaging the intrepid Frenchmen; others requested that +the archers should shoot them down; but to all entreaties the Prince +firmly but courteously returned a refusal, and in perfect silence the +English allowed the French knights to complete their reconnaissance, +and to retire in safety to their own host.</p> + +<p>Slowly the hours passed, and still the French army showed no signs of +advancing. The sun was now shining well behind the English, and would +serve to dazzle the eyes of their attackers. Meanwhile the archers +had planted their pointed stakes, and the men-at-arms in charge of +the bombards had loaded these cumbersome engines and trained them on +the plain across which the enemy must advance.</p> + +<p>Once again the wearisome monotony was broken by the appearance of a +man who was observed to make his way steadily and rapidly towards the +English lines. When within bowshot he waved his arms in token of +friendship, and four archers were sent out to escort him to the +Prince. The new-comer was a tall, lightly-built man, with long, +spider-like legs and arms, and sharp, projecting elbow-joints and +knees. He was attired in a close-fitting dress of blue cloth that +served to increase his angularities, and from his belt hung an +ink-horn counterbalanced by a short knife.</p> + +<p>"Mark ye," quoth Sir John Hacket to his squire, "yonder sly fox is on +no lawful errand, and, certes, 'twill go hard with him if he plays +the traitor with our Prince. Look at his protruding forehead and his +shifty, blinking eyes. A creature like that would fawn to one's face +and plunge a dagger into one's back! Hark to what he has to say."</p> + +<p>The man spoke in a deep yet quavering voice, yet so loudly that +Raymond could hear every word.</p> + +<p>"My name, fair sir, is Alexandre Gourdain, and I am clerk in the +household of King Philip."</p> + +<p>"Forbear to trouble me with thy name and calling," replied the Prince +curtly, "but deliver thy message."</p> + +<p>"Message, fair sir? Nay, I bear no message, but have come to tell +thee that, though counselled to tarry till to-morrow, my master has +decided to begin the fight——"</p> + +<p>"One moment! Thou bring'st this news on thy own behalf?"</p> + +<p>"Yea, fair sir."</p> + +<p>"And seekest a guerdon?"</p> + +<p>"Yea, fair sir; I do but ask——"</p> + +<p>"Enough, thou recreant! Think'st thou that I would list to a +double-faced rogue to learn the movements of a gallant foe? Hence +with ye! Ho, archers! Strip this coward's coat from off his back, and +give him a score lusty stripes with your bow-cords. Then turn him +loose, and if he go not back to his master, feather him with shafts. +Get thee gone, knave."</p> + +<p>"Is it not as I said?" remarked the Constable of Portchester in an +undertone. "See, the archers take a delight in their task."</p> + +<p>The twenty strokes were laid on with all the force of the soldiers' +sinewy arms, then, threatened by a hundred drawn bows, the miserable +wretch was pushed out of the lines and sent on his way towards the +army he had stooped to betray.</p> + +<p>Signs of animation were now observed in the dense masses of the +enemy. The heavily-armed cavalry rode forth in a disorderly mob, +brandishing their arms and shouting; then, retiring on the main body, +their places were taken by a body of archers, nearly two thousand +strong, who slowly advanced towards the foot of the rising ground, +where the English were posted in firm array.</p> + +<p>"'Tis the crossbowmen of Genoa. Steady, my lads; their bolts will be +singing over our heads anon," shouted Sir John, and at the same +moment the Prince of Wales gave the signal for the archers to stand +and make ready.</p> + +<p>Silently yet swiftly the white-surcoated lines of bowmen sprang to +their feet and took up their allotted stations in the formation of a +harrow. With feet planted firmly, and with arrows notched to their +six-foot bows, they stood ready for action.</p> + +<p>At length the Genoese came within bowshot, the clicking of their +windlacs as they drew the cords of their crossbows sounding like the +chirping of myriad crickets. Then with a loud shout they leaped from +the ground. Another shout, and the leap was repeated.</p> + +<p>"Do they take us for a crowd of yokels at a country fair?" asked one +archer of his fellow. "They prance for all the world like a +dog-baited bear."</p> + +<p>"They'll dance higher ere long, I'll warrant," replied his comrade +grimly.</p> + +<p>Once more the Genoese leapt, then levelling their crossbows, they let +fly a volley of short bolts.</p> + +<p>A shout of derision greeted this discharge, for, without exception, +the bolts fell far short of the proper distance, sticking in the +ground at a sharp angle and rendering the advance of the French +cavalry, when it should take place, full of additional peril.</p> + +<p>"That shows what the rain did for the strings of their crossbows," +said Sir John Hacket to the Constable of Lewes, who had joined him at +the beginning of the advance. "Steady, men. At the word, loose wholly +together."</p> + +<p>The long-drawn tension was broken by the voice of the great Lord +Chandos. "In the name of God and St. George—shoot!"</p> + +<p>The twang of two thousand longbows reverberated along the line. The +intervening space between the armies was white with a sleet of +arrows. Looking towards the Genoese, Raymond saw a dense mass of men +bending over their crossbows and working their windlacs in desperate +haste to reload their cumbersome weapons. The next moment the Genoese +were literally swept away. Hardly an arrow failed to find a mark; +heads, breasts, arms, and legs were transfixed by stinging shafts. +Dead, wounded, and unscathed were mixed in a writhing, struggling +mass, and the confusion was increased by the unwounded striving to +fall back upon the main body of the French host.</p> + +<p>All the while the English archers shot straight and true at the +disorganised Genoese. The squire, though unable to see the faces of +the bowmen in front of him, was astonished at the quiet, collected +manner in which they loosed their bows.</p> + +<p>Then, as he glanced towards the panic-stricken foemen, the squire +observed a strong body of French mounted troops charging down, as he +supposed, to the support of the ill-fated crossbowmen. The ground +trembled beneath the feet of the cavalry, as with loose rein and +wildly brandished weapons their riders pressed forward in a headlong +charge.</p> + +<p>But to Raymond's surprise, instead of deploying right and left of the +fugitives, the Frenchmen cut right through their Genoese mercenaries, +slashing at the miserable men with sword and axe.</p> + +<p>In this tangled web horsemen fell in scores. Genoese and Frenchmen +fought each other with the madness of fury and self-preservation, and +all the time the hail of English arrows swept down knight and +crossbow-man in indiscriminate slaughter.</p> + +<p>To add to the confusion, the bombards on the right of the Prince's +division opened fire, and amid clouds of thick, suffocating smoke the +heavy stone balls went crashing through the dense masses of the foe, +and, for the first time in warfare, it was seen that thrice-tempered +armour was useless before the power of artillery.</p> + +<p>Then a trumpet sounded from the English ranks, and the hail of arrows +ceased as by magic. There was a loud discordant shout, the trampling +of hundreds of feet, and through the now rapidly clearing smoke +Raymond saw the Welsh and Irish levies dash out upon the demoralised +foe. With their long knives they threw themselves on the Frenchmen, +and, in the heat of the fight, all thought of quarter was ignored, +and knights, worth a rich ransom, were slaughtered as they lay +helpless on the ground with as little compunction as if they were +peasants.</p> + +<p>So intently was Raymond engaged in watching the struggle before him +that for the time being he did not notice what was happening on the +flanks of the first division, till suddenly the hoarse voice of the +Earl of Oxford was heard shouting, "Stand to your arms, fair knights +and squires! The French are upon us!"</p> + +<p>For the first time on that memorable day a desperate hand-to-hand +conflict was about to take place.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter20">CHAPTER XX</a><br /><br />HIS LIFE FOR HIS FOE</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +UNSHEATHING his sword and holding his shield firmly on his left arm, +the squire followed the example of the knights and men-at-arms, and +hastened towards the left flank.</p> + +<p>Already the French cavalry, led by the Duke of Alençon, had, by +sheer +weight of numbers, forced their way to within striking distance of +their foes, and the long rows of white-coated archers, who formed the +first rank of the defence, were swept aside by the rush of the +mounted French knights, for at close quarters the bowmen were useless +against the lances, swords, and axes of their mailed antagonists.</p> + +<p>Before Raymond and his companions could throw themselves into the +press, the horsemen had hewn a way right to the foot of the Royal +Standard, beneath which the Prince of Wales and a chosen body of +knights fought with magnificent courage.</p> + +<p>The French and German knights, intent on securing the Prince, hurled +themselves in a compact body towards the Standard, and as fast as one +warrior fell, two more took his place, till it seemed that the +desperate bravery of the attackers would attain its purpose.</p> + +<p>Raymond found himself engaged by a tall, broad-shouldered antagonist, +who bore on his shield the cognisance of the House of Luxemburg. For +a space they rained blows at each other, striving by sheer force to +cut down their respective guards, till, by a sweeping blow, the +Frenchman shivered the squire's sword, and only by swiftly leaping +backwards was Raymond able to avoid the deadly stroke: So narrow was +his escape that the point of the descending blade cut a long, clean +gash in his surcoat ere it buried itself a foot deep in the carcase +of a slain charger. Instantly the squire rushed in, struck the +Luxemburger with the edge of his shield, then, ere the man could +recover himself, plunged his dagger to the hilt in his brawny throat.</p> + +<p>Without pausing to recover his breath, Raymond rushed towards a group +of French knights who were surrounding a little knot of Englishmen. +It was the Prince's own bodyguard, who, hard pressed, strove their +utmost to defend their young master. Sir Reynold Cobham, beaten to +the ground, lay pinned down by the weight of his armour; the Earl of +Warwick, wounded in the face by a lance thrust, was fiercely beset by +two knights of Cologne, while Edward, though unscathed, was the mark +of nigh a score of determined Frenchmen. Nimbly avoiding one stroke, +parrying another, and diverting a thrust with his shield, the Prince +fought like a trained veteran rather than a mere lad of fifteen.</p> + +<p>At length a knight, armed with a huge double-handed sword, made a +swinging cut at the Prince just as the latter had all his attention +drawn by the fierce onslaught of a mounted knight of Sicily. For the +moment it seemed as if nothing could save the Prince from instant +death; but Raymond, regardless of his own safety, sprang forward, and +with his shield and his own body strove to stay the blow. The +knight's sword struck the squire's shield just above the upper +leathern loop that held it to the wearer's arm. The tough metal plate +was sheared through as if made of paper, and the blade, glancing +upwards against the squire's bascinet, struck the Prince a harmless +blow, merely slicing the crest of his helmet.</p> + +<p>Raymond fell at the Prince's feet, but the Constable of Portchester, +seeing his squire stricken to the earth, dashed out the swordsman's +brains with a crashing blow of his mace. For a short space Raymond +lay breathless on the ground, then, feeling terribly dazed, he raised +himself and looked around. To his utmost satisfaction he saw that the +Prince of Wales was unhurt. Already the danger was past, for the +Earls of Arundel and Northampton had brought up their division to the +aid of the sorely pressed Prince, and the attackers, beaten at every +point, were giving way in headlong flight.</p> + +<p>At length the squire staggered to his feet, and, assisted by an +archer of his company, he slowly and painfully made his way towards +the camp. Darkness was falling, and the English, having been ordered +to refrain from hazardous pursuit, stood in their ranks, while a vast +plain, dotted with thousands of corpses, of which but few wore the +red cross surcoats, silently testified to the hard-fought fight.</p> + +<p>As Raymond passed the ranks of his own company Sir John Hacket came +forward and grasped him by the hand.</p> + +<p>"My brave squire," he exclaimed. "Right nobly hast thou borne thyself +this day. The Prince hath spoken highly of thy courage and devotion, +and, without doubt, tidings of thy deeds will come to the cars of the +King. But, Raymond," he added sadly, "I have ill tidings for thee."</p> + +<p>"My father?" gasped the squire, reading the Constable's unspoken +words.</p> + +<p>"Ay, my boy, 'tis thy father. He fell in the thickest of the fight, +and thou hast lost a noble sire and I a brave soldier. Now, bear up, +Raymond, and get thee to the camp and attend to thy hurts, for thou +wilt be required anon."</p> + +<p>Wounded in body and mind, the young squire was led to the camp, where +it was found that the Frenchman's sword had driven the stout steel +bascinet heavily against his temple, leaving a dark blue bruise to +show how near he had been to death. Simple remedies were applied, +and, having divested himself of his armour, Raymond recovered himself +sufficiently to set out to find the body of his father, bearing a +torch to aid him in his quest.</p> + +<p>He remembered well the place where he had last seen him, close to a +little stunted thorn that grew on the edge of the slope which the +Prince's division had held so well.</p> + +<p>A veritable mound of bodies showed how firmly the archers had stood, +and how fierce had been the contest, for in a circle around the tree +lay a heap of red-crossed surcoats, their wearers lying still in +death with their faces to the foe, while around lay the bodies of +their attackers, three deep in places, their rich dress and armour +proving that the flower of French chivalry was unable to vanquish, +although it had broken through, that double line of English archers +and men-at-arms.</p> + +<p>The men of the Hampshire companies had suffered more severely than +any, and Raymond, as he pursued his quest, came across many faces +which he sadly recognised.</p> + +<p>Here and there, dotted over the ghastly field, were feeble glimmers +of torches showing that others were engaged in the doleful task of +looking for their fallen comrades, though in some instances ghouls +were engaged in their dastardly work of robbing the dead.</p> + +<p>At length the ruddy glare of the torch threw its beams upon the form +which Raymond recognised only too well. Stretched on his back, his +sightless eyes staring up at the starry sky, lay Redward, the outlaw +and master-bowman, the body bearing the ghastly traces of eight +separate wounds, all of which were in front, proving that to the last +he had fought with his face to the foe.</p> + +<p>Sorrowfully Raymond gazed upon his slain sire; then, realising that +the sooner he performed the last rites there would be the less chance +of the spoiler's fell work, he proceeded to carefully remove the body +to the shelter of the stunted tree, so that he could return to the +camp to find, if possible, the priest attached to the company.</p> + +<p>As he lifted the heavy corpse he was startled to hear a feeble voice +exclaim, "Blessings on thy kindness, noble sir; I pray thee assist +me."</p> + +<p>Recovering from his astonishment, the squire discovered, pinned +beneath his father's body, a wounded knight. Swiftly Raymond bent to +his aid, and, cutting asunder the laces of his bascinet, he found the +stranger to be none other than Sir Reginald Scarsdale!</p> + +<p>"Faith! I did think this would have been the end of me," quoth the +knight. "Hast a draught of wine?"</p> + +<p>Raymond shook his head. "I am returning to the camp, an' if it please +thee, I'll help thee back to thy company."</p> + +<p>"Do so, squire, for, what with a crack over the head with a +Frenchman's mace, and the weight of yon bowman atop o' me, I feel too +weak to stand of mine own will. What dost thou here?"</p> + +<p>"Yonder lies my father."</p> + +<p>"Thy father? By St. Wilfrid of Ripon, he was a gallant man! Had he +not stood over me the rascals would have settled my account. I pray +thee tell me his name?"</p> + +<p>For a moment Raymond paused, then, in a sudden outburst of +confidence, he exclaimed, "Redward Revyngton!"</p> + +<p>"What! Redward Revyngton! And to think that the man whom I, with a +mad desire for vengeance, hounded out of the country should have +given his life for me! Did he wot whom I was?"</p> + +<p>"Ay," said Raymond. "For but a few hours agone he and I saw thee in +converse with his brother, Sir Maurice."</p> + +<p>"Then out on me for my revengeful spirit! When it lay in his power to +thrust me through the back with a dagger, or even to let me be slain +by my enemies, what did he do? He saved my life! This indeed is +rendering good for evil."</p> + +<p>"And ye forgive him his trespass?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, young squire. Right willingly."</p> + +<p>"Then in my sorrow I thank Heaven," replied Raymond, and in silence +they returned slowly to the camp, Sir Reginald leaning heavily on the +arm of the outlaw's son.</p> + +<p>The moment the wounded knight was given into safe hands Raymond +hastened to his quarters, where he enlisted the services of the +priest and four stout archers. The latter took spades and torches +with them, and the melancholy procession set out for the scene of +Redward's last stand, Raymond with Sir John Hacket, who wished to pay +his last respects to his trusted servant, leading the way.</p> + +<p>Rapidly the bowmen plied their spades, and soon a deep grave gaped at +the foot of the solitary thorn. Raymond bent and kissed the cold +brow, then, amid the solemn voice of the priest reciting the psalm, +<i>Domine, refugium</i>, the body of the brave old master-bowman was laid +to rest.</p> + +<p>Bare-headed and dry-eyed, Raymond watched the dark earth being +shovelled down upon the mortal remains of his sire, then, when the +task was accomplished, he turned and walked slowly back to the camp. +There, in the retirement of his tent, his pent-up feelings found +relief, and throwing himself on the ground, he burst into a flood of +passionate weeping.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter21">CHAPTER XXI</a><br /><br />THE REJECTED GUERDON</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +MORNING came, and with it the trumpets again sounded for the troops +to assemble. Was it that a renewal of the fight was expected? Nay, +for the French were in headlong flight, their King being already well +on the way to La Broye. But Edward, sensible of the advantage gained, +had determined to advance on Calais.</p> + +<p>Silently the weary soldiers fell into their ranks. The archers, their +white surcoats soiled with mud and stained with blood, the +men-at-arms, with battered armour, and, in many cases, +roughly-bandaged wounds, stood grimly in their martial array, +conscious of the many comrades who had stood thus but a day before +and had gone to their last account.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a fanfare of trumpets announced the approach of the King. +With his eyes shining with pardonable pride, the monarch rode slowly +down the war-worn lines, stopping at intervals to bestow honours and +praise as cases of individual merit were pointed out to him. At his +right hand rode the Prince of Wales, and attending him were Sir John +Chandos, the Earls of Warwick, Arundel, Oxford, and Southampton.</p> + +<p>When in front of the Hampshire companies the King again drew rein, +and surveyed the stern, determined faces of the men on whom the brunt +of the attack had fallen. Sir John Hacket, attended by his three +squires, stood in front of his command, the banners, according to +custom, being lowered to the ground in the presence of the Sovereign.</p> + +<p>"By Our Lady! 'Tis our trusted Constable of Portchester!" exclaimed +Edward. "And by report thou didst hold thyself right gallantly on +yesterday's field. Ah, Sir John, we have something in store to make +amends for our former forgetfulness. Advance thy banner!"</p> + +<p>The Constable, taking his banner from the hands of the guidon-bearer, +stepped forward, and, with bended knee, presented the blue silk +emblazoned with the golden crescent to the King, who, drawing a +dagger from his belt, deftly cut off the pointed end of the pennon. +Handing the severed portion to a knight in attendance, the King +returned the banner to Sir John.</p> + +<p>The action, simple as it seemed, roused the company to the highest +pitch of enthusiasm, for their adored leader had achieved the great +distinction of being created a knight-banneret, the greatest honour +to be paid by the sovereign, only on the field of battle.</p> + +<p>Ere the cheering had died away, the Prince of Wales had plucked his +father's sleeve, and whispered in his ear.</p> + +<p>"Of a truth, 'tis the squire who brought the Count of Tancarville to +our camp! And he is the man that came betwixt thee and thine enemies +in the thickest of the fray! 'Tis our pleasure to bestow honours +freely to-day, though, methinks, they be well deserved, and no man +will chide us for being too freehanded. Thy squire's name, Sir John?"</p> + +<p>"He is named Raymond Buckland, sire."</p> + +<p>"Come hither, squire," commanded the King, alighting from his palfrey +and taking a sword from the hand of the Earl of Warwick.</p> + +<p>The supreme moment of Raymond's life was at hand, but the squire, +instead of kneeling to receive the honour of knighthood, advanced a +few paces and stood irresolutely before his sovereign.</p> + +<p>"On thy knees, squire!" commanded Edward.</p> + +<p>"Nay, sire, I cannot," replied the unhappy Raymond. Low murmurs of +astonishment arose from the King's attendants, while Sir John Hacket, +placing his hand heavily on his squire's shoulder, hissed into his +ear, "Kneel, thou fool! Art bereft of thy senses?"</p> + +<p>A dark cloud gathered on the King's face. Then a thought seemed to +strike him, and he spoke again.</p> + +<p>"Here, sirrah, tell us the reason of this strange refusal. Nay, have +no fear," he added, in a more kindly tone, observing the squire's +dejection, "for we perceive there is something amiss that will +account for thy demeanour."</p> + +<p>Encouraged by the King's words, and rendered bold by the desperate +position in which circumstances had placed him, Raymond replied, in a +low yet distinct voice, "Sire, I am the son of an outlaw, and +therefore unworthy of the honour thou would'st bestow."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" exclaimed the King. "This requires further consideration. Sir +John, knowest aught of this?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, sire," replied the amazed Constable.</p> + +<p>Once again the young Prince of Wales whispered in his father's ear. +The King nodded in response, and again addressed the squire.</p> + +<p>"It is our desire to hear more of this matter. See to it that thou +comest before us in our pavilion at noon, Sir John. I hold thee +responsible for thy squire's appearance. And, Sir William," he added, +turning to his scrivener, "I pray thee see to it that the worthy +Constable of Portchester and his squire be instantly admitted to our +presence at that hour."</p> + +<p>Remounting his steed, the King, accompanied by his retinue, continued +his tour of inspection, and, on this being completed, he returned to +his pavilion. The ranks broke, and the men were told to enjoy a +well-earned rest ere the march to Calais was begun on the morrow, +while the camp-followers were put to the melancholy task of burying +the dead who had fallen in the fight.</p> + +<p>On hearing the story from Raymond's own lips, the kind-hearted Sir +John Hacket's expressions of surprise and pity were unbounded. For +not for one moment had he suspected that the sturdy master-bowman, +though an outlaw, was at one time a gentleman of quality.</p> + +<p>"Take it not too much to heart, Raymond," he said. "Many a man hath +been in a worse scrape. I am of a mind to bring Sir Maurice Revyngton +with us when we repair to the King's presence, and 'twould be well if +I saw the knight at once."</p> + +<p>So saying, the Constable hastened away, leaving his squire still torn +with conflicting emotions of hope and fear—hope that his own +stainless character and deeds of bravery would wipe out the +undeserved blot that threatened to mar his prospects, and fear that +the formidable barrier of social custom and royal etiquette would for +ever debar him from the road to success.</p> + +<p>In less than an hour Sir John returned, a broad smile of satisfaction +overspreading his grim features. "Thy uncle will bear us company, ay, +and another knight, if I mistake not, will interest himself on thy +behalf. Now, bear thyself cheerfully, for I perceive that things will +turn out aright. Waste no more time in gloomy meditations, but make +thyself fit to appear in the King's presence, for the hour of +audience is at hand."</p> + +<p>"And the style of mine attire?"</p> + +<p>"In full harness, Raymond, for the King will doubtless think fit to +reward thee for bravery on the field, and on that score I have no +doubt. 'Tis meet that thou shouldst appear in the garb of a soldier +rather than in the dress of a common suppliant. And, moreover, our +King delights in the wearing of harness, and looks with favour on +those who doff their armour but rarely when they come to the wars. So +again I tell thee, hasten!"</p> + +<p>The squire repaired to his own tent and put on his complete suit of +armour—the same that his father had given him years ago on the eve +of the sack of Hamble—and well the dented and tarnished steel +befitted his tall and erect figure. Then girding on his scabbard, +wherein was thrust the remaining part of the broken blade, and +grasping the fragment of the shield that had diverted the murderous +sweep of the Frenchman's two-handed sword, Raymond repaired to his +master's tent.</p> + +<p>The Constable surveyed him with appreciation. "Eh, lad, thou dost +well to bear the silent testimony of thy courage on thine arm. In any +case but the present, when thy future is at stake, 'twould have been +a braggart's ruse. But the King doth know full well that thou art no +boaster, seeing that it was in thy power to accept honour at his +hands, and thou didst shrink from it. But come, the hour of noon is +near. Let us make for the royal pavilion."</p> + +<p>Between the long lines of tents, where crowds of soldiers gathered, +in silent wonder, to see the man who had so strangely withstood his +sovereign, the knight and the squire walked side by side, and with a +fresh wave of doubt and fear sweeping over him, Raymond found himself +in the anteroom of the royal tent.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter22">CHAPTER XXII</a><br /><br />SIR RAYMOND</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +SIR JOHN HACKET, having formally announced his rank and that of his +companion, as well as the nature of their business, to the herald, +removed his velvet cap, though he held his bascinet in his left hand, +and at the same time removed his right-hand gauntlet. His squire did +likewise, and, breathing a fervent prayer for courage, he prepared to +follow his master into the royal presence.</p> + +<p>The heavy damask curtains were drawn aside by two knights in waiting, +and Raymond heard the sonorous voice of the herald repeating the +title and style of the Constable and his squire. Another moment and +Raymond stood before, but at a respectful distance from, the royal +daïs.</p> + +<p>King Edward, who still wore the mailed coat in which he rode along +the ranks earlier in the day, was attended by a number of earls and +barons, while by his side stood the young Prince of Wales, who +regarded the squire with an encouraging smile.</p> + +<p>At the foot of the daïs, a little distance to the left, stood +Raymond's uncle, Sir Maurice Revyngton, and his late father's former +enemy, Sir Reginald Scarsdale, who, though still weak and suffering +from his wounds, had, at Sir John's desire, appeared on the young +squire's behalf.</p> + +<p>"Ah, squire," quoth the King, fixing his dark, keen eyes upon the +young man's face, "when we summoned thee to appear before us we +looked for an explanation from thine own lips. But thou hast been +forestalled, for these two knights have already told us of thy +condition. Now, what hast thou to say why thou shouldst not be driven +from the camp, being the son of an outlaw?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing, sire; 'tis but the law."</p> + +<p>"Thou couldst not have said much less," remarked the King, with a +grim laugh. "How sayest thou, Sir Reginald Scarsdale. Hast thou a +desire to press thy claims?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, sire," replied the knight stoutly. "For his father, knowingly +and willingly, came to my aid in the thickest of the fight, and but +for his courage I should have been worsted."</p> + +<p>"But thine oath of vengeance?"</p> + +<p>"Sire, my desire for revenge departed the moment I heard from this +squire the name of his father, who, in truth, slew my only brother. +Furthermore, 'tis my intention to repair, as soon as this war is +over, to the shrine of St. Swithin of Winchester and to seek +absolution from mine oath."</p> + +<p>"And thou hast no wish to harm this squire?"</p> + +<p>"None, sire. On the contrary I wish him good——"</p> + +<p>"Hold, Sir Knight," interrupted the King sharply. "We asked thee a +plain question, to be answered by 'Yea' or 'Nay,' not by +suggestions."</p> + +<p>"And thou, Sir John," continued Edward, addressing the Constable. +"Hast thou aught to add in favour of thy squire, beyond what thou +didst tell us but a short time back?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing more, sire."</p> + +<p>"'Tis well. And now, squire, we have carefully considered thy case, +and we are favourably disposed towards thee." Then, turning to his +barons, he added, with a sly reference to the growing power of +Parliament, "We take it, fair lords, that we shall not offend our +faithful commoners assembled at Westminster by assuming a right to +revoke a decree of outlawry?"</p> + +<p>A low murmur of assent was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Then, Raymond Revyngton, we hereby pardon thee for an offence that +thou hast not committed—to wit, thou art no longer the son of an +outlaw. Sir William de Saye, our scrivener, will draw up the deed of +revocation, and a copy for the Lord Bishop of Winchester. Art +content?"</p> + +<p>"Sire, I thank thee," replied Raymond, bending low before his +sovereign.</p> + +<p>"There is yet another matter. Of thy valour there has been no +question. We have in mind the affair with the Count of Tancarville, +and, going farther back, thy journey to Hennebon. But more especially +thy conduct in yesterday's fight, when our dear son, the Prince of +Wales, was succoured by thine aid. We have a mind to inspect thy +cloven shield, which, we do perceive, thou hast brought in case our +memory were in need of a reminder."</p> + +<p>The squire, still kneeling, handed his buckler to an attendant, who +in turn presented it to the King.</p> + +<p>"A lusty stroke," commented Edward, carefully examining the clean cut +in the metal plate. "Our cousin of France hath men of sinew who in +open fight would be worthy and gallant opponents. Had their peasants +been as good bowmen as our gallant archers but few of us would be +here. Squire," he added, "arise and hand over thy sword."</p> + +<p>With martial alertness, Raymond drew the fragment of steel, and a +look of surprise o'erspread the King's face.</p> + +<p>"Thine equipment seems at fault," he remarked, smiling a little +grimly. "Nay, we know 'twas done in a gallant fight. Advance, squire, +and kneel before us."</p> + +<p>This time Raymond did not refuse, for was he not a man free from the +fatal taint that had threatened to mar everything in his career? With +rapid stride and uplifted head he advanced to the steps of the daïs, +his armour clanking as he moved. Presenting the hilt of his weapon to +the King, the squire sank on his knees.</p> + +<p>As in a dream he felt the flat of the broken blade touch his right +shoulder, and the King's voice, in bold and decisive tones, saying, +"Arise, Sir Raymond Revyngton!"</p> + +<p>When at length Raymond found himself without the royal pavilion, he +was overwhelmed by the congratulations of his friends, including Sir +Reginald Scarsdale.</p> + +<p>"'Twould ill become a belted knight if I did not make amends for the +past," quoth the latter. "And to that end all I can do for thee I'll +do willingly."</p> + +<p>"Then on thy knightly honour I hold thee to thy promise," replied +Raymond, catching at the opportunity with new-born courage, "for I +have a matter of much weight of which I would speak."</p> + +<p>"Then say on."</p> + +<p>Sir John and Sir Maurice, having an inkling of what was coming, +exchanged a knowing smile, and Raymond continued, though his voice +faltered a little.</p> + +<p>"Sir Reginald, I love thy daughter Audrey, and would ask thy consent +to win her hand in marriage."</p> + +<p>For a while the old knight was too much astonished to reply, then, +holding out his hand, he replied, "Then thou art the youth who +rendered her service at that little affair with the French at +Hampton? Out on me for a thickhead for not linking thee with that +bold feat before. Certes! I will not be less good than my word. Take +the maid, if she be willing to wed thee!" Thus it was that the +newly-made knight found that success begets success, though in his +heart he had not expected to win Sir Reginald's consent so readily. +Yet in the midst of his good fortune the one dark shadow was the +haunting thought of the loss of his father, and he grieved in his +heart that death had deprived his sire of life just as his son was on +the threshold of fame and honour.</p> + +<p>Slowly the four knights, Sir Reginald being stiff with his hurts, +proceeded towards the lines of the Hampshire companies, where Sir +John had invited the others to partake of refreshment. Already the +news of Raymond's advancement had preceded them, and the soldiers, +with loud shouts, welcomed the new knight; for the master-bowman's +son was ever popular in the ranks of the men of Portsmouth and +Southampton.</p> + +<p>"What are thy plans for the future," asked the Constable later in the +day, "for as heir to Sir Maurice it is fitting that thou shouldst +join him with the men of Devon."</p> + +<p>"Nay, by the rood," answered Raymond warmly. "Thou hast ever been a +good master to me, Sir John, and with thee I'll abide till the end of +the war."</p> + +<p>"I thank thee for thine appreciation, Raymond, for ever since thou +wert my squire I have loved thee as a son. But now concerning the +maid, the Lady Audrey?"</p> + +<p>"Until Sir Reginald returns home I will not press my suit, but should +he do so I hope I may be permitted to withdraw from the camp for a +few weeks to accompany him. Even then, how can I tell that the Lady +Audrey will deal favourably with me?"</p> + +<p>"I know that she loves thee, Raymond."</p> + +<p>"How so, Sir John, seeing that I know not myself?"</p> + +<p>"Raymond, I am afraid thou art more forward with the art of war than +with the affairs of the heart. Would a maid have sent a messenger to +me every week whilst thou wert in Hennebon to know if there were +tidings of thee, if she did not love thee?"</p> + +<p>"But how knew she that I was in Brittany?" was the amazed question.</p> + +<p>"How? Didst thou not give me a letter to send to her?"</p> + +<p>"Only in case I did not return."</p> + +<p>"Didst thou? Didst thou? Certes now I remember! But now I think on +the matter, I must have forgotten that, for I did send it," replied +Sir John, with pardonable deceit and well-feigned dismay. "But mind +it not, Raymond, 'twas after all for the best, and, mark my words, +she'll have thee—sure enough."</p> + +<p>On the morrow the march was resumed, the King having decided to lay +siege to Calais, and slowly the long lines of English troops, every +man heavily laden with booty, proceeded from the field of Crécy.</p> + +<p>Edward had long looked with covetous eyes upon the port of Calais, +for owing to the death of his Flemish ally, Jacques d'Artevelde, at +the hands of fellow-countrymen, and the consequent estrangement with +the Flemings, the King was in need of a continental port for the +distribution of English wool, and, once Calais were taken, the nest +of pirates who made their headquarters there, to the great annoyance +of English ships, would be dispersed. Also an entry for his troops +would be secured within easy distance from the English coast. So, +with these strong incentives, Edward hastened to reduce the town.</p> + +<p>Within a week of Crécy, the English lay in a triple ring around the +land side of the town, while a strong fleet cruised constantly +between Grisnez and Gravelines to prevent any succour being sent by +sea, and, without attempting to carry the defences by assault, Edward +relied upon famine to bring about the downfall of Calais.</p> + +<p>Throughout the long winter of 1346-47 the blockade was maintained, +and the works of the besiegers resembled the outer walls of a city +rather than temporary trenches, so that the English were in a +position both to keep the citizens of Calais within their walls and +to repel any attempt on the part of the French to raise the siege.</p> + +<p>Early in the spring dysentery broke out in the ranks of the English, +and amongst those who were attacked was Sir Raymond. In spite of the +rough yet devoted attention of his men, the skill of the harassed +physicians, and the solicitude of his friends, the young knight was, +for a time, in great danger, and even when the crisis was passed his +progress towards recovery was slow and tedious.</p> + +<p>One day as he lay alone in his tent, weak and worn, Raymond heard the +well-known sound of troops marching hurriedly out of camp, and the +blare of trumpets denoted that something untoward was afoot.</p> + +<p>Feebly he called the names of the men who usually waited on him, but +in vain; there was no response to his summons, and at length the +tramp of feet died away, leaving the camp as silent as the grave, +save for the flapping of the canvas as the keen wind whistled around +the tents.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter23">CHAPTER XXIII</a><br /><br />THE ADVENTURE AT THE +RUINED MILL</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +IN his tent, in terrible suspense, the young knight, Raymond +Revyngton, lay helpless, wondering how went the fight. In due course, +through the opening of his tent, he saw a stream of wounded men +returning, singly or in small parties, some with rough bandages round +their limbs or their heads.</p> + +<p>At length came one whom he knew—an archer of the Portchester +company.</p> + +<p>"Stephen! Stephen!" called Raymond, as loudly as he could.</p> + +<p>In obedience to the knight's cry, the man entered the tent, nursing +the maimed fingers of his right hand with his left, while the blood +poured freely from the stumps and trickled in a crimson stream down +his arm, soaking his sleeve.</p> + +<p>Deftly and quickly, notwithstanding his weakness, Raymond bound the +wounded hand, and poured out a cup of wine for the almost fainting +archer. The draught revived him, and the colour began to steal back +into his ashy-grey face.</p> + +<p>"How goes the battle?" asked Raymond anxiously.</p> + +<p>"'Tis not a battle, Sir Raymond, but a slight passage of arms, though +I perceive that as a bowman my work is done. The French King hath +tried to relieve the town, but my Lord Chandos and seven thousand of +our men have withstood him amid the sand-hills and marshes. Save for +a few hand-to-hand blows, the French never made a stand, and already +they are in full flight."</p> + +<p>"Dost feel well enough to walk?" the young knight asked, after a long +pause.</p> + +<p>"Yea, Sir Raymond."</p> + +<p>"Then get thee outside the camp, and bring me fresh tidings."</p> + +<p>The man obeyed, but ere long he returned, exclaiming: "'Tis all over. +The enemy are nowhere in sight and our men are even now returning."</p> + +<p>"Then do not tarry longer, but go to thine own tent, for thou needest +better care for thy hurts than I can give thee. This flask of wine I +give thee, for, by St. Thomas, thou hast need of it. Nay, do not +thank me, but away!"</p> + +<p>Once more the camp was alive with men, for the threatened attack of +the huge army that Philip had gathered together for the relief of +Calais had been ignominiously repelled, and it was known that the +fate of the town was sealed. Raymond gathered a fairly true account +of the fight from the conversation and joyous exclamations of the +elated soldiery, and presently Sir John Hacket, covered with dust and +showing signs of the conflict, entered the tent.</p> + +<p>"Art feeling better, Raymond?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, Sir John. But how goes it with us?"</p> + +<p>"Passably well but ever I seem to be a messenger of momentous tidings +to thee, whether of good or evil."</p> + +<p>"Then there is something amiss?" questioned the young man eagerly, +instinctively surmising that the news was unfavourable.</p> + +<p>"Yea, Raymond. My speech was ever blunt, and methinks the sooner I +unburden myself of a message of ill-tidings the easier 'tis for both +of us. Briefly, Sir Maurice hath fallen like the true and gallant +knight he was, and thou art the last of the Revyngtons of Churston."</p> + +<p>"Alack-a-me that it should be so! For though I knew but little of +him, I esteemed him a gallant, gentle, and honourable knight even +before I wot he was my kinsman. And Sir Reginald Scarsdale—what of +him?"</p> + +<p>"His heart is stronger than his body. In the first impact he was +swept from his saddle by a mere stripling."</p> + +<p>"And he is killed, wounded, or taken?"</p> + +<p>"Neither, save that he is shaken by the fall, and the King vows that +since he cannot hold his own against a youth he will send him home, +seeing that his fighting days are over."</p> + +<p>"And does Sir Reginald know of this?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, and if the King will not relent—and he is hard to turn from his +purpose—'twill be the first Scarsdale since the Conquest whose feet +on his altar-tomb rest not upon a lion."</p> + +<p>"Alas! the King's decision will hit him hard! Do you, Sir John, +convey my expressions of regret to the gentle knight, and say that it +will give me great pleasure should he deign to visit me."</p> + +<p>For several days more Raymond lay weak and ill in his tent, but as +April drew on and the weather became warmer his strength began slowly +to return. At length, pale and wan, the young knight was able to walk +slowly about the camp, supported by two of his archers.</p> + +<p>Still the siege continued, a long-drawn, tedious task, with little +chance of knightly deeds of daring to earn advancement. The +close-drawn lines of the besiegers still kept tenacious grip upon the +town, and, though famine and disease wrought havoc amongst its +gallant defenders, the end seemed as far off as ever.</p> + +<p>The return of summer found Sir Raymond Revyngton completely restored +in health, though still chafing with impatience at the life of +inactivity, for the younger knights looked with disfavour upon the +King's methods of conducting the siege, and would rather have had the +opportunity of leading their men to the assault than sit down before +the town waiting for famine to do its fell work.</p> + +<p>Friendly tilting-matches, hawking, and sports of a similar nature +were indulged in, and Raymond, with an exuberance of energy, took a +leading part in the pastimes. Many a pleasant afternoon was spent in +the open country around the English lines, hunting or making sport +with hounds and falcons, for not an armed Frenchman was to be seen +within twenty leagues of Calais, save the starving wretches within +its gates.</p> + +<p>One afternoon in July Raymond and a score of young knights rode +south-eastwards along the sand-dunes, each knight accompanied by a +mounted serving-man and a number of hounds. The country was not of a +nature to yield much sport, yet, eager to while away the time, the +little cavalcade rode carelessly on over the low sandhills.</p> + +<p>On their right spread the blue waters of the English Channel, in +front towered the chalky heights of Gris-nez, while behind lay the +red-tiled houses and grey walls of Calais, with the semicircle of +tents that marked the English lines.</p> + +<p>At length they reached the summit of a low hill, and here they reined +in their steeds.</p> + +<p>"No sign of a living creature," remarked one of the party, "though +the land away on our left seemeth well wooded. How call you yonder +forest, Armand?" he inquired, addressing one of the attendants, a +Gascon who had spent the greater part of his life in the +neighbourhood of Calais.</p> + +<p>"'Tis the forest of Ambleteuse, sir," replied the man; "there the +wild boar is to be found."</p> + +<p>"Ah There is good sport, fair sirs Let us ride forward."</p> + +<p>Half-an-hour's sharp canter brought them to the edge of the wood, and +in a long, straggling line the gay-hearted Englishmen, with loud +shouts and many a blast upon their horns, plunged into the gloom of +the forest glades.</p> + +<p>For a while no signs of animal life appeared, then suddenly there +came from one of the rearmost horsemen shouts of "A boar!"</p> + +<p>Instantly the party turned, and crashing through the underwood, made +towards the sound. Raymond, who had been in the van, now found +himself in the rear, and, spurring his steed and calling to his +attendant to follow, he strove to overtake his companions, while the +loud grunts of the hunted boar could be distinctly heard amid the +snapping of the brushwood.</p> + +<p>At length the glade descended towards a babbling brook, and here the +press of horsemen became so thick that many were riding hip to hip. +Suddenly Raymond's horse trod in a rabbit-hole, and before he could +realise what had happened he found himself hurtling through the air +and striking the soft earth with a heavy thud. Fortunately, the young +knight was lightly clad, and fell without injury, but on leaping to +his feet he saw his body-servant lying, senseless on the ground, +while the two steeds, entangled in their fall, were madly kicking +each other with their iron-shod hoofs.</p> + +<p>In the excitement of the chase the rest of the cavalcade had rushed +onwards, heedless of their companions' misfortunes, and the sound of +feet was already dying away.</p> + +<p>With a bound Raymond sprang to the side of his attendant and dragged +him out of the reach of the perilous hoofs. Then he sought for his +horn to summon assistance, but the instrument was crushed and +rendered useless by the fall. Baffled in his purpose, he applied his +energies to the task of restoring the unconscious man, bathing his +forehead with water obtained from the brook.</p> + +<p>His efforts at length were rewarded, for the servant sat up and gazed +around in a dazed way.</p> + +<p>"Art hurt, Thompson?" asked Raymond anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Can scarcely tell, Sir Raymond, save that my head is swimming round +like a roasting joint, and my shoulder-blades seem growing out of my +neck."</p> + +<p>"'Tis of small moment. But stand up if thou canst." Thompson +staggered to his feet, and to the knight's satisfaction he found that +none of the man's limbs were broken.</p> + +<p>"'Tis a sorry pass, for we must needs find our way back afoot. Pull +thyself together, man, for 'tis a goodly step betwixt us and the +camp."</p> + +<p>Drawing his hunting-knife, Raymond put the two struggling +horses—each of whom had a leg broken—out of their misery, then the +twain set out on their homeward way. By the time they emerged from +the forest their shadows fell far athwart the path, for the sun was +sinking in the west; but Thompson was rapidly recovering, and their +pace was well maintained.</p> + +<p>"There is the hill from whence we first saw the wood," remarked the +knight. "But methinks we can leave that well on our left, for the +camp lies yonder."</p> + +<p>"I deem thee to be right, fair sir. But, mark ye! Look at yonder +clouds."</p> + +<p>Raymond looked in the direction indicated, and saw that a storm was +rapidly driving towards them.</p> + +<p>"Night cometh on apace, and with it a tempest," quoth he. "Hasten, or +we shall be benighted in this dreary plain."</p> + +<p>Hardly had they traversed a distance of three arrow-flights than the +wind, hitherto a faint westerly breeze, sprang up with terrific +violence. The sand rose in thick clouds, shutting out everything +except in their immediate vicinity, and the sun, in a mist of pale +yellow sky, sank beneath the indigo-coloured clouds.</p> + +<p>Onward they steadily plodded through the heavy yielding sand, the +swiftly-falling darkness bringing with it a heavy storm of rain and +hail. Wondering whether his comrades were faring as badly, the young +knight stumbled and plunged resolutely onwards, his serving-man +following closely at his heels, the whistling of the wind making +conversation impossible.</p> + +<p>For over two hours the twain pursued their uncomfortable walk, till +at length a dark object blocked their path. It was a ruined windmill. +Making their way round its massive base, the weary travellers found +some slight shelter from the force of the wind, and, panting from +their exertions, they leaned against the stonework to recover their +breath.</p> + +<p>"Dost know where we are?" shouted Raymond, his voice almost inaudible +in the howling wind.</p> + +<p>"No, sir," replied the man.</p> + +<p>"But a short distance from where we left the wood, I marked this +tower on our left, and, certes, we have been walking round and round +for half the night."</p> + +<p>"Then we must needs set out once more?"</p> + +<p>"Nay. This will suffice for the present, and here we'll rest till +daylight comes and the storm spends itself. The door is not barred, I +hope."</p> + +<p>Walking slowly round the mill, the knight felt for the opening, till +he stumbled over a low stone step. Cautiously ascending, he found at +the fourth step a flat ledge, protected by a broken rail, and here +was the door hanging by a solitary rusted hinge.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/treachery.jpg" +alt="treachery" /> + +<p class="fs125 bold">TREACHERY AFOOT</p> +</div> + +<p>Yielding to the pressure of his shoulder, the door flew open, and the +knight and his companion carefully groped their way in, closing the +door after them. Here, in absolute blackness, they found shelter, the +storm howling wildly outside, yet scarcely to be heard within the +massive stone walls. They had no means of procuring a light, but by +continuing their investigations they felt a pile of broken hurdles +and the lower-most rungs of a ladder.</p> + +<p>Raymond was about to ascend, when his servant laid a detaining hand +upon his arm. "Hist!" he exclaimed. "Some one moves in the room +above."</p> + +<p>"Nay, thou dreamest!... Ay, thou art right! Hide here, quickly. Art +armed?"</p> + +<p>"Nought but a knife."</p> + +<p>"'Twill suffice. Now, hold thyself in readiness, but act not till I +give the word."</p> + +<p>Crouching behind the pile of hurdles, knight and servant waited in +breathless silence. There was the sound of a heavy trap-door being +raised, and a voice exclaimed in French: "Is it thou, Jehan?"</p> + +<p>Receiving no reply, the questioner slowly descended a few steps of +the ladder, and drawing a horn lantern from underneath a cloak, swung +it around him, peering about the room.</p> + +<p>Then, perceiving no one, he muttered: "Mon Dieu! It is but fancy, yet +why doth he tarry?" And again concealing the light, he ascended to +the upper story and dropped the trap-hatch with a resounding thud.</p> + +<p>"There's fell treachery afoot," whispered Raymond. "Dost know who it +is?"</p> + +<p>"'Tis René de Caux, of the following of the Captal de Buche, our +King's trusted favourite. Wait patiently, for ere long no little +advancement will be gained."</p> + +<p>Silently the Englishmen waited, every fiercer blast of the storm +causing them to imagine that the expected visitor had arrived. At +last they heard the door pushed open, and a dark form made its way +into the room with a confidence gained by long practice. A low +whistle, like the cry of a night-bird, and the trapdoor was again +removed.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Jehan! 'Tis thou at last! Close the door ere I show a light."</p> + +<p>"A thousand pests take the weather. This storm hath all but been my +undoing."</p> + +<p>The light of the lantern shone upon the face of the new arrival. He +was a tall, slender man, with light hair and refined features, and on +removing his sodden cloak a garment of slashed velvet was revealed, +betokening that the wearer was a gentleman of quality. Armour he wore +none, but a light sword hung from his belt, balanced by a large +leather bag.</p> + +<p>"And how fares Sir John de Vienne?"</p> + +<p>"Strong in courage when last I saw him."</p> + +<p>"And that was——?"</p> + +<p>"But yesternight."</p> + +<p>"And he agreed to allow you to poison the wells?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, by Our Lady, he would not."</p> + +<p>"Well spoken, like a brave and gallant knight, for, by St. Denis, the +plan is not to my liking even though these insolent islanders deserve +all that is evil. But, see here! This letter must be given to the +Governor of the town by to-morrow, though, alas! it is cold comfort +to Sir John. Canst arrange to deliver it?"</p> + +<p>"They will admit me by the postern of the Boulogne Gate at midnight. +'Twill be done."</p> + +<p>"Then take thy reward. Hold the light closer while I count, for I +know a Gascon of old! See to it: all bright crowns, of good weight."</p> + +<p>The Frenchman addressed as Jehan handed a sealed document to the +Gascon, who placed it in his doublet; then, setting the lantern on +the ground and extending his hand, the latter counted the coins as +Jehan took them from his wallet.</p> + +<p>Loosening his poignard and motioning to Thompson to draw his knife, +Raymond prepared to spring from his hiding-place.</p> + +<p>Ere the two conspirators could recover from their astonishment the +young knight had leapt upon them, and with one thrust of his weapon +laid the traitorous Gascon dead at his feet. Instinctively the +Frenchman sprang backwards and whipped out his sword.</p> + +<p>"Yield thee!" thundered Raymond.</p> + +<p>"To no man!"</p> + +<p>In an instant their blades met, the dull light of the lantern +flashing on the glittering steel. Though Jehan had the longer weapon, +he possessed neither the strength nor the skill of his antagonist, +and in less than half a minute's swordplay the Frenchman's blade +caught in the notch that the hilt of most poignards possess, and with +a quick, powerful turn of the wrist Raymond snapped the sword off +close to the guard.</p> + +<p>"Now wilt yield?"</p> + +<p>"If thou art a gentleman I will; if not, pass the dagger through me +rather than let me disgrace myself."</p> + +<p>"I am Sir Raymond Revyngton, knight."</p> + +<p>"Then, Sir Raymond, I yield myself to thee; though I pray thee, +certify my master that I fought well ere I yielded."</p> + +<p>"And thy name and quality?"</p> + +<p>"I am Jehan de Sous-Cahors, seneschal de Vimereux, and of the +household of King Philip."</p> + +<p>"Then I have had great honour in taking thee!" said Raymond with due +courtesy. "And now have I thy promise that there shall +be no attempt at escape? Otherwise, though it grieve me to mishandle +a knight, thou must be brought bound into the camp."</p> + +<p>"I swear, by St. Denis."</p> + +<p>The grey dawn was beginning to break, and the storm was dying away. +Raymond looked out of the door, and saw with great satisfaction the +knight's horse stabled in a small adjoining hut that had been +invisible on the previous night. There in the distance the smoke of +the English camp-fires showed distinctly in the now clear air, while +less than a bowshot from the mill lay the wood that had been the +cause of their misfortune.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the young knight heard the sound of scuffling and Thompson's +voice shouting "Help, master, help!"</p> + +<p>Darting back to the room, he found his servant engaged in a desperate +struggle with the captive, who was endeavouring to destroy the letter +he had entrusted to the double-dealing Gascon, a portion of which he +had attempted to swallow.</p> + +<p>With no gentle hand Raymond aided his man to throw the prisoner on +his back and wrench the missive from him.</p> + +<p>"Thy parole, Sir Knight!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"——has been kept," gasped the captive, "but I trow thou wilt admit +that no farther compact was made. I am foiled in this matter, but I +pray thee, of thy courtesy, give me leave to finish my work and +destroy this missive."</p> + +<p>"That I cannot do. This letter, which I doubt not is of great moment, +I will take charge of, and hand over to my Lord Chandos. 'Tis now +daylight, and we must needs return to the camp. I am loth to let thee +walk, but as there is but one horse between two knights, 'tis better +that neither ride."</p> + +<p>Walking side by side, and followed by Thompson leading the captive's +horse, Raymond and the French knight arrived at the camp without +further incident, and, after handing his prisoner over to the +camp-martial, the young knight repaired with all despatch to find Sir +John Hacket.</p> + +<p>On hearing Raymond's story the Constable accompanied him to the tent +of Sir John Chandos, whose banner floated close to the royal +pavilion.</p> + +<p>Lord Chandos opened the letter which Raymond had gained possession +of, and found that its contents were practically undamaged in the +struggle.</p> + +<p>"Canst read?" he asked of the Constable. "For this crabbed fist doth +sorely try my one eye."</p> + +<p>"Nay," replied Sir John Hacket with a grim smile. "Only enough for +mine own use, for from my seventh year the sword ever proved a more +pleasing companion than a scrawling, musty parchment."</p> + +<p>"And canst thou, Sir Raymond?"</p> + +<p>"I will try my best, fair sir."</p> + +<p>Raymond took the missive and began to read the superscription, +written in French: "To the very puissant knight, Sir John de Vienne, +seneschal of our town of Calais, greeting."</p> + +<p>The body of the letter began by thanking the Governor for his brave +resistance, and expressing hopes of being able to speedily succour +the besieged. It then confirmed the arrangements, previously made +through the Gascon traitor, for a sally, in conjunction with an +attempt on the part of the French forces to break the English lines +from without. Should the French be unable to carry out their part and +attack the English camp, three white lights were to be shown from the +ruins of an old mill near Sangatte, and the besieged would then be at +liberty to make the best terms they could for the surrender of +Calais. The epistle was signed by no less a personage than King +Philip of France.</p> + +<p>"By St. George, we have them," exclaimed Chandos, striking his fist +heavily upon an oaken chest. "Though I would rather that René de Caux +were swinging from a gallows in view of the town than lying dead at +thy hands in the ruined mill. No matter; this letter must reach the +Governor of Calais. Five hundred lances and two thousand archers will +suffice to keep the Frenchmen from advancing upon us; and to-morrow +night will see three white lights from the old mill at Sangatte."</p> + +<p>At nightfall a squire of the Captal de Buche crept cautiously to the +postern of the Boulogne Gate, and, representing himself as an +emissary of the false René de Caux, handed the fatal letter to the +Governor, Sir John de Vienne. The presence of a strong force of +Englishmen beyond the dunes of Sangatte prevented the expected French +army from occupying the mill and signalling to their friends in the +beleaguered city, and the following night three white lights flashed +their message of despair to the hitherto undaunted garrison.</p> + +<p>Thus the fall of Calais was hastened, but Raymond saw nothing of the +final act in the drama, when the heroic Eustace de St. Pierre and his +five companions were nearly sacrificed to appease the anger of the +English King (Queen Philippa's intercession alone saved their lives), +for the young knight was with the five hundred lances that guarded +the approach from Boulogne; and on the 6th of August, two days after +Edward had taken possession of the town, the Hampshire companies, +with whom was Sir Reginald Scarsdale, embarked for the shores of +England.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h2 class="nobreak center sp4"><a +id="chapter24">CHAPTER XXIV</a><br /><br />THE HOMECOMING</h2> +</div> + + +<p class="sp2"> +AFTER four days of light but favourable winds the little fleet, +consisting of seven vessels, that bore the Hampshire men homewards +arrived off the Isle of Wight. Battle and disease had thinned their +ranks, but the survivors returned in high spirits, flushed with +victory and rich with the loads of spoil that lay in the holds.</p> + +<p>At Spithead the flotilla separated, Sir John Hacket's two ships +making for Portsmouth Harbour, three heading for Southampton, and the +remaining two setting a course down the Solent for Lepe and Lymington +respectively. Amid a fanfare of trumpets and the farewell shouts of +the troops to their former companions in arms, the Constable's +vessels pointed to the north-west in the direction of the even lines +of Portsdown, under the shadow of which lay the Castle of +Portchester.</p> + +<p>The shields of the three knights were displayed over the side of the +leading ship, while from her truck floated the blue banner with the +device of the crescent and star, and on the poop were gathered Sir +John Hacket, Sir Reginald Scarsdale, and Sir Raymond Revyngton, +engaged in joyous conversation at the prospect of a speedy landing on +their native soil.</p> + +<p>"And what dost thou purpose to do, Raymond?" inquired the Constable. +"Surely there is little need to hasten westwards to thy newly-gained +estates; 'twould be better far to wait the return of the Devonshire +men. Tarry awhile at Portchester, for methinks there is much to be +done here before setting out on thy travels. And thou, Sir Reginald? +Wilt accept such hospitality that my poor castle can offer?"</p> + +<p>"I must first seek out my daughter Audrey," quoth Sir Reginald. "And +I have but little doubt that Raymond will bear me company."</p> + +<p>"Doth she know of thy return?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, and I'll warrant the maid will be taken aback when we arrive at +the town of Farnham."</p> + +<p>A strange smile flitted over Sir John's face.</p> + +<p>"Well, Raymond, what are thy plans?"</p> + +<p>"I bear Sir Reginald company; then, having won or lost my suit, I +will return to the castle, Sir John. For there are several small +matters I must give attention to at Hamble and at the Abbey of +Netley, without which I cannot go to Churston."</p> + +<p>The vessel was now slipping through the water with a fair wind and +favouring tide, and already the low-lying island of Portsea lay +abeam, and the Castle of Portchester was momentarily growing more +distinct.</p> + +<p>"By St. George, they expect us!" exclaimed Raymond excitedly. "See, +thy banner floats above the keep, and the walls are thick with +people. And the garlands over the water-gate! Of a surety they were +not placed there at an hour's notice."</p> + +<p>"Now that I bethink me," remarked Sir John drily, "I did send a +messenger to Winchelsea, so perchance he hath taken a horse and +ridden hot-foot to Portchester."</p> + +<p>For awhile they watched in silence the grey outlines of the castle +topped with its living fringe. The master-shipman gave an order, and +the long yard, with its bellying sail, sank from the masthead; and +the vessel, carried onward by its momentum and the rush of the tide, +came abreast of the fortress. Another order, and the anchor with its +hempen cable fell with a sudden plunge into the water; the ship +snubbed at the tautened rope, swung round and brought up, riding +easily to wind and tide. The voyage was over.</p> + +<p>"See, Raymond," suddenly exclaimed Sir Reginald, "thine eyes are +younger than mine, yet if I mistake not.... There, to the right of +the water-gate!"</p> + +<p>"Ay, the saints be praised. 'Tis the Lady Audrey!"</p> + +<p>A small boat, manned by men wearing the Constable's livery, was +quickly alongside, and Sir John and Sir Reginald stepped aboard, +Raymond following with unknightly haste. Amidst the shouts of the +excited throng of soldiers and villagers the boat's fore-foot grated +on the shingle, and the three distinguished warriors again set foot +on their native land.</p> + +<p>"See, Audrey," said her father, after the paternal salute had been +given and returned, "I bring thee an old acquaintance—not the +squire, Raymond Buckland, who saved they life at Southampton, but the +gallant and worthy knight, Sir Raymond Revyngton."</p> + +<p class="center">* * * * *</p> + +<p>Within a week a wedding was celebrated in the little chapel of St. +Mary within the castle walls, and Sir Raymond Revyngton and the Lady +Audrey Scarsdale were made man and wife. After the ceremony the +kindly Constable congratulated the bride, and it must be confessed +that the bridegroom's eyes were opened by Lady Audrey Revyngton's +reply.</p> + +<p>"To thee, Sir John, I owe much of my happiness, for Raymond was ever +a bashful lover. An he were but a simple squire I would have married +him, but when thou toldest me that he had been made a knight I was +filled with joy. And for thy kindly thought in sending a special +messenger to bring me hither to await your arrival I deem myself ever +indebted to thee!"</p> + +<p>"Nay, thank me not, fair lady," replied the gallant old warrior. "Is +it not the bounden duty of a true knight to help another? For +Raymond, though ever first in the field of war, hath been a laggard +in the lists of love. Yet I am but a feeble instrument in this case, +for against thy charms he would be powerless but in my heart I thank +God for the part I played in bringing together two noble families +estranged by a fatal feud."</p> + +<p class="center">* * * * *</p> + +<p>Little remains to be told. Sir Reginald Scarsdale, in spite of his +old age and infirmities, died as he wished, falling in defence of the +Border against a band of Scottish raiders, and in a quiet Yorkshire +church he rests, his altar-tomb showing his effigy with the lions at +his feet, making a fitting addition to the four crossed-legged images +of his crusading ancestors.</p> + +<p>Sir John Hacket, after seeing further service in France, acquiring +additional glory and renown at Poictiers, died peacefully at a great +age within sight of the castle whose Constableship he had held so +worthily.</p> + +<p>And as for Sir Raymond and the fair Lady Audrey, they lived a life of +unalloyed happiness in their manor of Churston, in the midst of the +hills of Devon. Yet when the call to arms sounded, the redoubtable +Sir Raymond did not shrink from its summons, and at Poictiers and at +the slaughter of Najera in the wilds of Spain he added to his +laurels. And does not the prowess of the head of the Revyngtons at +the repulse of the French descent upon Dartmouth in 1377 still linger +amongst the annals of the sons of Devon?</p> + +<p>From the union of the rival Revyngton and Scarsdale families +descended the successors of a noble heritage—men courageous and +generous in war, noble and law-abiding in peace, men whose names have +helped to make the British Empire what it is to-day, and whose motto +has been, and let us hope will ever be—</p> + +<p>"Non sibi, sed patriae."</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div class="center noindent"> +<p class="sp2 bold fs125">THE END</p> + +<p class="sp2 bold fs110">Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & Co. +Edinburgh & London</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> + +<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT +GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WINNING OF THE GOLDEN SPURS ***</div> +<div style='text-align:left'> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions +will +be renamed. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law 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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Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..28a9acc --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #36122 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/36122) diff --git a/old/36122-8.txt b/old/36122-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..57d8ef4 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/36122-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8851 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Winning of the Golden Spurs, by Percy F. Westerman + +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 Winning of the Golden Spurs + +Author: Percy F. Westerman + +Release Date: May 16, 2011 [EBook #36122] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WINNING OF THE GOLDEN SPURS *** + + + + +Produced by R.G.P.M. van Giesen + + + + +THE WINNING OF THE +GOLDEN SPURS + +[Illustration: RAYMOND SAVES THE BLACK PRINCE] + +THE WINNING OF +THE GOLDEN SPURS + +BY + +PERCY F. WESTERMAN +AUTHOR OF "A LAD OF GRIT," "THE SEA MONARCH," +"THE TREASURE OF THE SAN PHILIPO," ETC. + + +LONDON +JAMES NISBET & CO., LIMITED +22 BERNERS STREET, W. +1911 + + + +Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO. +At the Ballantyne Press, Edinburgh + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAP. + PROLOGUE + I. THE ARCHER, REDWARD BUCKLAND + II. THE SHADOW OF WAR + III. OF THE MIDNIGHT DESCENT OF THE FRENCH INVADERS + IV. OF THE GALLANT STAND OF THE NINE ARCHERS + V. THE MEN OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE GENOESE GALLEY + VI. AT THE ABBEY + VII. THE SACK OF SOUTHAMPTON + VIII. OF THE ASSAULT ON ST. BARBARA'S TOWER + IX. ON THE HEELS OF THE ENEMY + X. FATHER AND SON SET OUT FOR HENNEBON + XI. THE CHIRURGEON OF LÉGUÉ + XII. THE JOURNEY PERILOUS + XIII. THE RELIEF OF HENNEBON + XIV. RAYMOND'S ERRAND + XV. TRAPPED! + XVI. THE TABLES TURNED + XVII. THE FALL OF THE COUNT'S STRONGHOLD + XVIII. REDWARD'S CONFESSION + XIX. CRÉCY + XX. HIS LIFE FOR HIS FOE + XXI. THE REJECTED GUERDON + XXII. SIR RAYMOND + XXIII. THE ADVENTURE AT THE RUINED MILL + XXIV. THE HOMECOMING + + + + +THE WINNING OF THE GOLDEN SPURS + +PROLOGUE + +IT was early morning on the 5th day of August, 1303, the Royal City +of Winchester. The sun had not yet risen, but a cold grey light +filtered in through a narrow window and dimly illumined a small, +scantily-furnished room overlooking the city walls. + +Seated on a rough wooden stool, his face buried in his hands, was a +young fellow of about twenty years of age. His body swayed with +uncontrollable grief, and, though dry-eyed, deep sobs of mingled +remorse and despair showed the anguish that rent his body and +distracted his mind. + +In a corner of the room a torch, burnt low in its iron socket, threw +a yellow light that was fast being overmastered by the growing dawn, +yet the glimmer was sufficient to play upon the naked blade of a +sword, the steel of which was discoloured towards its point by a +dull, rust-coloured stain. + +Suddenly the sound of a heavy footstep was heard on the stairs. The +youth started to his feet and gazed wildly around, as if seeking a +place of concealment or some means of escape. He was tall, well +formed, and, in spite of his haggard looks, comely of face, and his +clothes, though rent and covered with chalk and dust, showed that he +was of no mean position. + +Realising the impossibility of hiding himself, he stood erect and +alert, awaiting the arrival of what he took to be his fate; but, +instead of a thundering summons of the officers of the law, there +came a gentle rap, and the door was slowly pushed ajar. + +"Hist! Art there, Master Revyngton? 'Tis I, Nicholas Hobbes!" + +"Enter, Nicholas! Certes I thought 'twas the watch." + +The new arrival was a man some few years older than the fugitive. He +was clad in a rough leather suit, frayed at elbows and knees, and to +which shavings and feathers still clung--a silent witness to his +trade of fletcher. + +"'Tis a sorry pass, Master Revyngton. How came it about?" + +"Ay, that I will say right willingly; but first tell me--how knowest +thou that I am here?" + +"Easily said! Dick Ford told me that thou wert a fugitive in his +house, and asked me to use my scatterbrain wits to find a way to +smuggle thee out of the city. That being so, 'twere best I saw thee, +and to that purpose I am here. But, again, how came it to pass?" + +"Faith! I can scarce say. 'Twas in the meads, yestereven. Young +Stephen Scarsdale and Reginald, his brother, were on this side of the +stream, I on the nether bank, with Wulf, my favourite hound. 'Ho +there!' cried Stephen. 'What meanst thou by trespassing on the ground +of my Lord Bishop?' 'I do not trespass,' I replied. 'The Mead hath +ever been free to the men of this city, and no one hath yet said me +nay.' 'I'll warrant thou art after my Lord Bishop's trout. By the +rood, I'll send a bolt through the head of thy lurcher.' 'Thy aim +must be more sure than when I beat thee at the butts,' I replied, +little thinking but that he spoke in jest, but in answer he levelled +his crossbow, and ere I was aware of it poor Wulf was lying +transfixed on the ground." + +"Then I was seized by a thousand devils, and sprang across the narrow +plank bridge to hurl the slayer of my hound into the river, but +Stephen, whipping out his blade, bade me do likewise. In less time +than it takes to tell our swords crossed, though, mark ye, I meant +not to harm him; yet, like a fool, he ran in upon my blade, and 'twas +all over in an instant." + +"And then?" + +"The younger Scarsdale, who is a worthy gentleman compared with his +witless brother, tried to stop me as I fled. There was no help for +it, so he, too, went down, though I trow he is not much hurt. Hast +heard aught of Stephen?" + +"Naught save that he is as dead as a door-nail. But, Master +Revyngton, 'tis, as I said, a sorry pass. What wilt thou do?" + +"Do? Give myself into the hands of the law. What else wouldst thou +have me do?" + +"Anything but that. Consider! Thou art young and full of life. Why +shouldst thou grace a halter if it can be avoided, for, mark well, +the Scarsdales are a powerful family, and moreover Stephen was of the +Bishop's household. How thinkst thou to make good thy case before thy +peers when the weight of title and position is set against thee? Be +sober, young master, and think on't." + +"Ay, 'tis hard to die thus." + +"No need to die at all--at any rate, just yet. Flee the country. +France or the States of the Rhine ever offer an attraction for a +roving blade, and peradventure in a few years the affair will have +blown over." + +"But how can I escape?" + +"There thou hast me. Where is Dick Ford?" + +"Gone to gather tidings. He will be here anon." + +Both men relapsed into silence, staring moodily at the narrow window, +through which could be seen the battlements of the city gilded by the +rising sun, while ever and again came the sweet strains of a lark as +it soared heavenwards from the dew-sodden meadows without the walls. + +Again came the sound of footsteps, and Dick Ford, the bowyer, +entered. He was a short, red-complexioned man, with a cheerful +countenance, as if nothing could upset his good nature, though at +times his looks belied him, and the worthy citizens of Winchester oft +had cause to remember his tongue when it ran riot. Like the fletcher, +his appearance betrayed him, for the sharp wittle that hung from his +girdle, the daubs of beeswax, and the faint reek of varnish marked +his calling as a maker of the famous English longbows. + +"A pretty hornet's nest thou hast raised, Master Revyngton," he +exclaimed, shaking his head. "Yesternight the city crier called thee +at the marketcross, and on the Soke Bridge. The Bishop's Court hath +claimed thee, and in default of thy appearance thou wilt be declared +outlaw. Furthermore, the gates are doubly guarded, and men are even +now in ambush on the road to the sanctuary at St. Cross if so be thou +seekest refuge therein. By the saintly Swithun, I trow thou art the +most sought-for man in Winton." + +"He hath made up his mind, Dick," exclaimed Hobbes. "Better an outlaw +with a heavy conscience than a corpse with none at all." + +"Ay, let me but get once clear of the city and I'll reck not what I +become." + +"Bravely spoken, Master Revyngton! And now, how canst thou make good +thine escape? Thou canst count on us to a surety, for 'twould ill +requite thy father's kindness to us in times past if we let thee fall +into the hands of the Bishop's men. Where is thine arrow-wain, Dick?" + +"Below, in the barn." + +"And laden?" + +"Nay, but it soon could be. Wherefore?" + +"Place Master Revyngton in the cart and cover him with arrows. 'Tis +the day thou journeyest to Bishopstoke and Botley. He would then be +well on his way to the abbey at Netley." + +"Steady, Dick, steady! Should the guard at Kingsgate search the wain +my neck is as good as if fitted with a halter. Yet I'll take the +risk; but see to it, young master, if the plan goeth amiss, thou'lt +bear me witness that I wot not of thy presence?" + +"Ay, good Nicholas. But if they question thee and search the cart I +must make a bid for freedom, so stand in the way, and I'll warrant +I'll knock thee down just to give colour to the deceit." + +"But strike not too hard, Master Revyngton, neither on the face, for +I am in no mind to go home to my good wife with my nose awry or mine +eyes closed up. A gentle tap, I pray thee--like this--and I'll +warrant I'll fall as surely as if I were smitten with the club of the +Southampton giant Ascupart." + +"After all's said and done," remarked the fletcher, "there may be no +need to smite thee, Nick, for 'tis unlikely that they will search thy +cart. But the day groweth apace. If it is to be done, the sooner the +better, say I." + +"Then make a good meal, Master Revyngton," said Hobbes, setting a +loaf of brown bread, some cheese, and a jack of ale, "for if not +thou'lt feel the want of it ere long. Now set to like a good +trencherman, though, being but plain men, our fare is likewise plain. +Thou knowest the road?" + +"Passably well, save the latter part." + +"Then keep close, but not on it if perchance thou art pursued, for it +is to Southampton that they'll think thou art bound. Take the by-road +to Botley, whence the abbey lies but a league or so away." + +While the fletcher and the bowyer were giving advice the younger man +did justice to the food; then, at a sign from Ford, his companion +stole softly down the rough ladder that did duty as a staircase, and +peered cautiously up and down the street. Another moment, and the +three men had darted across the narrow road to a small barn, the +mutual property of several of the inhabitants of that quarter, and +shortly afterwards a rough cart, laden with bundles of +newly-feathered arrows, was jolting over the rough stones towards +Kingsgate, Nicholas Hobbes leading the sorry nag and whistling a +lively air as well as the anticipation of being floored would permit. + +"Thou art early abroad, Nick," quoth one of the guards, as he made +ready to throw open the heavy door. "There's naught but arrows in thy +wain, I take it?" + +"What meanest thou?" + +"Why, hast heard naught of the slaying of Master Scarsdale, that tall +youth belonging to the Bishop's household? Surely thou hast him in +mind?" + +"Ay, I knew him; is he dead?" + +"Where hath been thine eyes and thine ears since yesternoon?" + +"I have but small time for gossip, Tom, above all towards the end of +the week, when my stock hath to be renewed. But I'll hear the story +anon, for time is precious." + +The heavy gate swung slowly open, the fletcher called to his horse, +and the cart with its living burden moved towards the open country +and safety. + +"Hold!" cried a hoarse voice. "Tom, thou arrant rascal, wouldst let +the cart through unsearched What were thine orders from the captain +of the gate?" + +And, to the fletcher's terror, a burly man-at-arms came down a flight +of steps at the side of the gate, and advanced towards him. + +The first soldier sullenly strolled over to the back of the cart, +but, suddenly recovering himself, Nicholas Hobbes backed his horse, +causing the man to be pinned between the wheel and the stonework of +the arch. There was a sudden scattering of the arrows, an indistinct +mass hurtling through the air, and the fletcher found himself, as he +had foretold, lying prone in the dust. When he sat up the soldiers +were calling wildly to the rest of the guard, while a fleeing figure, +already growing small in the distance, showed that the fugitive +Revyngton was well on his way to freedom. + +With the din of the soldiers' shouts still ringing in his ears, +Revyngton ran steadily onwards with a long, steady swing, his elbows +pressed against his sides, and breathing easily, for he was no mean +runner. + +Away in front rose the gaunt outline of St. Catherine's Hill, with +the square tower of the Hospital of St. Cross, which sanctuary he +knew was denied him, slightly to the right. Between ran the +swift-flowing river Itchen, and the fugitive realised that he would +have to run the gauntlet of the watchers before the sanctuary ere he +could reach the ford where the river swept the base of the hill. His +way lay through the meadows where, but a few hours ago, he had +wandered in blissful, though then unappreciated, freedom, and +shudderingly, and with averted face, he raced past the scene of the +fatal encounter. Fortunately his local knowledge prevented him from +crossing the narrow plank bridge that led solely to a marshy meadow +enclosed by two arms of the river, so, keeping close to the shadow of +the pollard willows, he held steadily on his way, the babbling of the +river as it flowed with sparkling eddies in the bright sunshine +sounding like soothing music to the hunted man. + +Just as he reached the ford his movements were observed by a party of +the officers of the law who had been keeping a toilsome vigil around +the outer wall of St. Cross, and a crossbow bolt, shot at a high +angle, boomed through the air and buried itself less than twenty +yards from him. + +There was a general scene of confusion, some of the men running after +him afoot, others rushing off to where their horses stood tethered in +a clump of trees. + +It being the hot season, the river was but ankle deep at the ford, +and, refreshed by the coldness of the water, Revyngton hastened his +pace up the long, dusty road towards the hamlet of Twyford. As he ran +he could not resist the inclination to look back, and from the +elevated position of the highway he could see the whole of the +distance betwixt him and the cathedral city. + +To his satisfaction he saw that he was more than holding his own with +those who pursued afoot, and even now they were giving up the pursuit +and the horsemen of the party had not yet started, but away along the +city road a number of dark, swiftly-moving objects showed that a +troop of mounted soldiers and retainers of the episcopal authorities +were rapidly covering the distance between them and their quarry. + +The sun, though the morning was yet young, smote down upon him with +relentless strength, and there was not the faintest zephyr to cool +his heated frame, yet onwards he sped, though the strain of the +pursuit was gradually yet surely telling upon him. + +Through the almost deserted village of Twyford he ran, one or two of +the earlier risers looking with open-mouthed astonishment at the +fugitive, while a little way further a black-robed monk gazed +amazedly at the approaching man, till, fearing violence, he gathered +up his ragged gown and fled across a field at the roadside, his +sandals clattering as he ran. + +At length, worn out by his exertions, Revyngton reached a spot where +a road branched off to his left, while between it and the highway he +was following lay a large pond, surrounded by trees and fringed with +clusters of reeds. Here he threw himself down on the spongy turf, +thrust his head and arms in the limpid water, and lay panting on the +grass, oblivious of his danger, till the regular thud of horses' +hoofs roused his jaded energies. + +Quickly he looked around, and to his joy he perceived the gnarled +trunk of a tree that had fallen into a horizontal position over the +pond, its branches form ing a dark, shady shelter. Silently and +swiftly as an eel he plunged into the water, and a few powerful +strokes brought him to the friendly refuge. Secure from observation, +he drew himself upon a branch and waited the arrival of the horsemen. + +In a cloud of dust they appeared--five bronzed men-at-arms, with +long, straight swords strapped against their thighs; four lay +servants of the Bishop, with hard-set mouths and scowling faces that +ill-matched their calling as members of an ecclesiastical house; and +three of the city watch, more lightly armed than their companions, +carrying crossbows across their backs. Revyngton realised that scant +mercy could be expected at their hands. + +At a word from their leader the party halted, there was a hurried +consultation, and two of the men trotted their horses to the edge of +the pond, while the rest resumed their headlong pursuit. + +Then Revyngton felt that he stared death in the face, for less than +five paces from him were the two soldiers, sitting motionless on +their steeds and staring fixedly at the spot where he lay concealed, +their reflections being clearly mirrored in the still water. To the +fugitive it seemed as if his leafy bower were rent asunder, and that +he lay exposed to his pursuers in utter helplessness; but at length, +to his great relief, one of the men spoke. + +"Why this fool's errand for the sake of a hot-blooded youth? Faith, I +am not averse to earning the five marks reward, yet 'tis a useless +quest. Far rather would I be in a snug inn, for my throat is as dry +as a friar's sermon." + +"There's drink for thee," replied the other, indicating the pond with +a nod of his steel-capped head. + +"Water!" exclaimed the first with an oath; "I like it not, neither +inside nor out, to be plain-spoken. Art game to return to Twyford, +where the ale is of the best?" + +"Give them time to get out of hearing, thou dolt. Why doth the +sheriff keep bloodhounds and use them not, eh, Giles?" + +"'Twould have been the better way. But now, comrade, let's away!" + +Revyngton waited till the sound of their horses' hoofs had died away, +then, swimming softly back to the bank, he emerged and resumed his +way. + +Now the dangers were doubled, for not only had his pursuers placed +themselves between him and his refuge, but he knew not but that every +bush or hedge concealed a foe. Thus he was compelled to forsake the +high road and follow it at some distance away, keeping as close as +possible to the shelter of the coppices and dells that formed the +chief features of the district. + +As he neared the village of Fair Oak he struck the highway between +Bishopstoke and the Bishop's hunting lodge at Waltham, and for a long +time he lay hidden in the bracken ere the road was free from the +seemingly endless cavalcade of huntsmen that journeyed towards the +famous Waltham Chase, while hucksters from Southampton and Romsey, +intent on doing a good business, were hurrying in the same direction. + +At length the opportunity came, and the fugitive darted across the +road and gained the fields beyond. Here the nature of the country +changed, the ground offering less shelter, but away to the south rose +the dark, fir-clad hills that lay close to his goal. + +He had now left the Botley road well on his left, and he could +perceive the haze of smoke that marked the hollow where the village +lay. His clothes were long dried, and the heat was well-nigh +unbearable, so, overcoming his fears, he turned aside to a cottage, +the thatched roof of which rose amid a thicket. Here he found that +another by-road or lane crossed his path, but there was no sign of +any one passing; the cottage itself looked deserted. + +As the fugitive approached a dog barked, and there was a sound of +some one moving about in an outhouse, and to the tortured man the +sight of several pails of milk was irresistible. The yelping of the +cur brought a woman to the door of the shed, a strong-limbed, +coarse-featured creature, with a face lined with innumerable wrinkles +and a back bent with years of toil in the fields. + +"What lack ye?" she demanded sourly. + +"Am I on the right road for the abbey at Netley?" + +"Yea. Turn to thy left hand at the cross roads." + +"Also, I prithee, give me a draught of milk." + +"Begone, for a worthless clown! Begone, I say, or the dog shall fly +at thee," she shrieked, wild with fury; but Revyngton heeded her not, +and seizing a small earthenware pitcher, drained its contents, then +turning on his heel, he resumed his fearsome journey. + +"Haste, Tom, run up to the village and get help!" shouted the woman. +"'Tis a gadabout churl, or a riever, or worse," and as the fugitive +ran he heard the farm-servant making off towards Botley, while the +woman unloosed the dog. + +Ere Revyngton had gone a bowshot from the cottage the cur was barking +and yelping at his heels, showing its teeth, but fearing to close, +till at length it drew off, leaving the man to wonder at the +churlishness of the hard-faced woman compared with the reception of +wayfarers on his father's manor in Devon, where meat and drink were +ever at the disposal of even the most humble stranger. + +At the brow of the hill he saw the tower of the abbey amid the trees +a mile or more away, with the beautiful expanse of Southampton Water +as a fitting background to the peaceful scene. Yet the fugitive had +neither time nor inclination to appreciate the natural surroundings; +to him the abbey meant rest and safety, and with renewed hope he sped +towards the monastic buildings. + +Weary and footsore he reached the outer door, his senses reeling with +the effects of his exertions. Seeing his plight the porter gave him +wine, and sent a lay brother to summon the abbot. + +As the venerable head of the establishment appeared, Revyngton raised +himself with an effort and knelt before him. + +"Thy blessing, father." + +"_Benedicite_, my son; what wouldst thou?" + +"Sanctuary, father." + +The abbot shook his head sorrowfully. + +"'Tis not permitted, my son; such blessed privileges belong only to +our parent abbey at Beaulieu and to the Hospital of St. Cross. I +trow there is no other within the jurisdiction of the Lord Bishop of +Winchester. What crime bast thou committed?" + +"I slew a man in anger, and even now my pursuers are hard at my +heels." + +The abbot turned to a lay brother. + +"Tell Brother Balthazar to repair to the tower and to quickly bring +me word if any soldiers appear." Then to the fugitive he added, +"Confess thy sin and seek God's pardon; then perchance the means of +thy earthly salvation may be vouchsafed to thee. Follow me, my son." + +To the venerable abbot Revyngton told the whole of the circumstances +of the case; then, having eased his soul, the abbot took care to +relieve his body, causing food and drink to be set before him, while +a brother washed his cut and travel-worn feet. + +"Thou must make for the Abbey of the Blessed Mary at Beaulieu, where +thou shalt find sanctuary. Knowest thou the way?" + +"Nay, father," replied the man, sad at heart at the prospect of +another journey at the peril of his life. + +"Then listen, my son. Two of the brethren will take thee across the +arm of the sea that thou canst see yonder. Thence it is but an hour's +sharp travel across the heath to the abbey, the path being well worn +by reason of many of the brethren who travel thereby. There are three +ways from the spot where thou wilt land the one on the left hand +goeth towards Fawley and the town of Lepe, the one on the right to +the village of Hythe, but the way thou must take goeth neither right +nor left, but leads towards the sun just before the hour of +vespers----Ah! What is thy message, my son?" + +The last question was addressed to a novice, who, panting +breathlessly, was standing in the doorway with folded arms and bent +head, awaiting the abbot's pleasure. + +"Horsemen, father; a score or more have appeared on the hill and are +making towards the abbey." + +"Then summon Brother Angelique and Brother Petrox. Hasten, for 'tis +no season for leisure." + +Quickly the two brethren--tall, gaunt, yet sinewy men, with faces and +arms tanned a deep red by reason of their calling as boatmen of the +abbey--answered the behest, and with the reverence due to their +superior awaited his commands. + +"Take this man across and put him fairly on his way to our parent +abbey. Tarry not on thy journey, for the matter is urgent." + +"Is it thy wish, father, to land him at Ashlett or Cadland?" asked +one of the monks. + +"At Cadland, should the tide prove aright. Now, my son," he added to +the refugee, "take mine earnest blessing and go, and may the blessed +Saints Mary and Edward, the patrons of our abbey, be with thee." + +There was little time to lose, for already the horsemen were within +two bow-shots of the abbey, and with a loud clatter of sandals the +two monks led the way, Revyngton following closely at their heels, +the brethren of the abbey speeding him on his way with prayers and +cries of encouragement. + +At the end of a little causeway a boat, broadbeamed and lofty of head +and stem, rode on the little wavelets. With a sign Brother Petrox +motioned the fugitive to step aboard, then unfastening the rope that +held the craft to the quay, he followed Brother Angelique and pushed +off. + +Both monks rolled the sleeves of their gowns above their elbows, +seized the two heavy ash oars, and rowed with a will, Revyngton +sitting on a rough fishing-tray at the stern of the boat and drinking +in the cool sea breezes. The rush of events had well-nigh bewildered +him, and listlessly he watched the rhythmical motion of the sinewy +arms as the rowers urged the boat towards the opposite shore. + +Suddenly his reveries were broken by an exclamation from one of the +monks. "They follow us; pull thy hardest!" + +Revyngton turned and looked astern. From the place they had left but +a quarter of an hour before half a score of men were dragging a heavy +boat down the steep beach. + +"By the blessed Peter, my holy namesake," groaned one of the monks, +"I had overlooked that, and the oars are in the boat. See, already +they have launched it." + +"'Tis after all but a crare." + +"With a crew of lusty fellows to make amends for its weight. The +saints forfend them!" + +"Let us trust that they cannot handle the sails, for, mark well, the +wind bloweth fair." + +The rowers relapsed into silence, and with long, heavy strokes, that +seemed far too slow to the hunted fugitive, they resolutely and +unfalteringly lessened the distance betwixt them and the nether +shore. The hour of noon had already passed, and the sun's rays +attained a greater strength than they had previously in the day, yet, +though streaming with moisture, the monks laboured in their efforts +to shake off their pursuers. + +"We hold our own," muttered one over his shoulder. + +"Nay, I doubt it; but we must needs make for Ashlett Creek, for the +other channel is yet uncovered." + +Accordingly the boat's head was turned towards a distant opening in +the mud-fringed shore, and the pursuing craft followed suit, thereby +gaining considerably on the fugitive, who could now distinguish the +dress of the men. + +"They overtake us," quoth he, speaking for the first time since the +abbey gates had closed behind him. "See, a bowman makes ready!" + +Gradually the distance between the boats lessened, but the monks' +craft was now close to the creek, and Revyngton saw in front an +apparently closed-in basin surrounded by a high bank of slimy mud. A +few more strokes and the boat was within the creek, which wound its +sinuous way up to the shore, while the little waves caused by their +rapid motion through the water lapped the sides of the narrow +channel. + +Just as they were about to round the first bend the bowman let loose, +and an arrow sung over their heads and struck the mud with a dull +swish. Revyngton instinctively bent his head, but his companions, +though men of peace, barely took notice of the deadly shaft. + +"Safe for the time," commented Brother Angelique, as the boat shot +behind a sheltering bank. + +"But how about thy safety?" asked the fugitive. + +"By St. Edward, 'tis not to be thought of," replied the monk, +thrusting back his sleeve, which in his exertions had slipped down. +"They seek not us." + +"But thou hast aided a fugitive from justice." + +"Nay, that I wot not of. Besides, how am I to know that these men are +the officers of justice They might well be but water-pikers for aught +I know....Oh!" + +An exclamation of pain interrupted his words, for an arrow, shot +haphazard from the bend of the creek over the intervening bank, had +pierced his forearm betwixt elbow and wrist, while another shaft +trembled with its head buried in the thwart. + +"On, Brother Petrox! On! 'Tis but a small matter," he gasped, and as +the other monk seized his companion's oar, the wounded man, shutting +his eyes tightly, snapped off the head of the arrow with his free +hand and drew the broken shaft from the wound. + +A gush of blood followed, but the brave monk, gripping the wounded +member to stop the crimson flow, never ceased to urge the rower to +greater effort, while ever and again a shaft shot by their still +invisible pursuers flew perilously close to their heads. + +At length the boat grounded on the hard bed of the channel, and +Brother Petrox called to Revyngton to jump out. Wading through the +shallow water the two started for the shore, leaving the wounded monk +calmly seated in the deserted craft. + +From the mud hovels of the village of Ashlett wimpled women and +rough-haired children looked interestedly at the two runners, the +layman in his travel-stained apparel and the monk in his sombre garb. +Men there were none, for the hours of toil had called them to the +fields or out on the waters, where they sought a livelihood by +fishing; but had there been, the sight of the two speeding along +would hardly have excited anything but curiosity in the minds of +these dull-witted sons of the soil. + +"I can go with thee no farther," panted the monk, as they reached the +cross-roads. "Follow yonder path, and God be with thee." And as +Revyngton sped onwards towards the rolling expanse of purple heather, +he saw the solitary figure of his benefactor waving encouragingly +towards the distant and invisible goal. + +Settling down to a steady pace, the fugitive kept doggedly on his +way, his eyes fixed on a distant clump of trees that marked the brow +of the hill overlooking the valley of the Exe where lay the abbey. + +Narrower and narrower became the road, till it deteriorated into a +mere footpath, the prickly gorse encroaching on either side and +hurting his feet as he ran. Yet, spurred onward by renewed hope, his +strength seemed well-nigh inexhaustible. + +Suddenly, from behind a low heather-clad hillock at the side of the +road, four wild-looking men sprang up and barred his progress. + +"Hold, stranger!" shouted one, brandishing a club. "Whither goest +thou? Hast aught in thy scrip that we would relieve thee of, for the +lighter thou art the easier thou'lt run." + +"I have nothing in the world. Let me pass, I pray; 'tis a matter that +brooks no delay." + +"Nay, not so fast, young master. What is thine errand?" + +"My errand?" replied Revyngton, with a mirthless laugh. "I seek +sanctuary." + +"Art without the pale of the law?" + +"Of that there is little doubt." + +"Then throw in thy lot with us. A free life in the forest glades, +with many a weighty scrip to balance the lightness of our minds, is +better than being cooped up in yonder monastery." + +The fugitive shook his head. + +"Nay, 'tis not to my liking." + +"Neither is the other, I trow, but look!" + +Following the direction of his hand, Revyngton saw coming over the +brow of a distant hill which he had crossed but a short while ago a +number of his pursuers. Three had procured horses, while the rest, +some five in number, ran by their side, holding on to the stirrups to +aid their speed. + +Instantly the robbers vanished into the tangle of bracken, leaving +the fugitive alone on the narrow path, and once again he broke into a +headlong pace, his pursuers thundering along but three arrow-flights +behind him. + +Fortunately the unevenness of the path prevented the horsemen from +riding their hardest, and when at length Revyngton, exhausted and +faint, reached the brow of the hill, he saw that the situation was +still in his favour. Blindly plunging onwards, with laboured +breathing and aching sides, he ran down the hill, at the foot of +which clustered the extensive buildings of the abbey. + +Through a gap in the trees on his left he caught a glimpse of the +silvery river as it wound in majestic splendour towards the sea, but +to the hunted man the beauty of the scene was lost; all that +concerned him was the thought of the possibility of being overtaken +ere he could cover the last stretch of dusty road. + +He was dimly conscious of hearing a crash behind him, and of looking +round for one brief moment, thereby catching a glimpse of two of the +horsemen mingled in utter confusion on the rough path. And still the +sound of the rapidly approaching hoofs of the remaining horse thudded +in his ears. + +Now he had gained the angle of the abbey wall. The gate, with its +massive iron knocker, was within his grasp. The noise of the +footfalls of the pursuer's steed ceased; there was a sharp hiss, and +an arrow pierced the fugitive's leg just above the knee. Then, with a +final effort, he thundered at the portal, and, as his head swam and +his limbs gave way under him, he was dimly aware that he was +surrounded by a group of grey-robed figures. He had found sanctuary. + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE ARCHER, REDWARD BUCKLAND + + +IT was early morning in the month of August, 1338, so early that the +slanting rays of the sun still lit up the north side of the Norman +church of St. Andrew, and cast a shadow seven times its height across +the dew-soaked meadows. + +Betwixt the high ground where stood the church and the narrow creek, +known as the Hamble River, clustered the mud-walled and thatched-roof +houses of the village of Hamble-le-Rice. Away to the north could be +traced the course of the tree-fringed creek till it lost itself +behind a range of low hills, while in the other direction lay the +estuary of the river, where it mingled itself with the salt waves of +Southampton Water, which, in its turn, was backed by the dark, dense +masses of trees that formed that tract of country so well known in +history and romance--the New Forest. + +Peaceful, indeed, was the situation of this quiet little Hampshire +village, and peaceful also was the general existence of its +inhabitants. Situated on an out-of-the-way angle, far from the old +Roman highway that led from Clausentum to Portchester, and at that +period, as now, formed the highway between Southampton and +Portsmouth, Hamble village was all but cut off from the rest of the +world. Save for an occasional visit by the grey-robed monks from the +Priory of St. Mary and St. Edward at Netley, a chance journey of a +huckster or Chapman from Southampton or Winchester fairs, or the +unpreventable arrival of some vessel driven by stress of weather to +shelter in the estuary, strangers in the village were few and far +between. + +Slow in thought, slower in speech, and backward in giving or taking +offence, yet terrible when roused to anger, the Hamble folk were +typical examples of the mediaeval English peasant whose descendants +have made history in all parts of the globe. + +For years past the social condition of England had been in a +deplorable state. The strife between King Edward II. and De Spenser +on the one hand, and Queen Isabella and Mortimer on the other, had +encouraged lawlessness in all grades of society. Robbers, thieves, +murderers, and criminals of all kinds had multiplied to an enormous +degree, and were openly protected by the great barons, as being +useful tools in their hands. Guilds, founded for self-protective +measures, became instruments of oppression, and, generally speaking, +every man looked solely to his own interest. + +But in the village of Hamble there was little to ruffle the even +tenor of its existence. Little did it matter whether the seamen of +Southampton had a feud with the men of the Cinque Ports, or whether +the monks of Beaulieu or Netley had a difference with the Bishop of +Winchester; but should a strange craft appear in the river, or a band +of marauders attempt to swoop down from the leafy fastnesses of +Waltham Chase, 'twas only necessary to ring the great bell of St. +Andrew's, and instantly the peaceful villagers would be turned into +an angry array of armed men, ready to sell their lives dearly in +defence of their hearths and homes. + +But the time was at hand when Englishmen would have to sink their +differences and unite against a common foe. Edward III. had laid +claim to the throne of France, and, though the stake was a great one, +the enterprise was popular, inasmuch as the possibilities of +individual gain in the shape of plunder held out great inducements to +all classes of these island warriors. + +On this particular morning early a man emerged from one of the houses +on the outskirts of the village, which, by reason of being built of +stone and being fair-sized, betokened that its owner was a man of +position--as far as the place was concerned. The house lay some two +hundred yards away from the rest, occupying the summit of an +even-crested ridge, and was surrounded by a palisade of stout pointed +stakes, that afforded complete protection against the attacks of any +ordinary band of adventurers. + +The man was a tall, well-made individual, with a bronzed face +surmounted by a thick crop of reddish hair, and partially concealed +by a heavy beard, that grew high upon his cheeks. Bushy eyebrows +helped to further conceal his face, but any one could see from the +grey glint of his blue eyes that the profusion of hair covered a +comely countenance. + +A well-worn leather jerkin, that had once been of a vivid red colour, +but was now nearly black with hard usage, failed to conceal the +mighty expanse of his chest, while the short sleeves of the garment +fitted tightly over the gnarled muscles of his arms. His lower limbs +were also covered by leathern hose, which, by reason of exposure to +salt water and the rough wear and tear of daily toil, were now +colourless and frayed till all semblance of dressed leather was +lacking. His legs, however, though of great size, did not betoken an +equality with the strength of his arms, and, moreover, he walked with +a slight limp. + +A crimson scarf, bound tightly round his head, did duty for a +head-dress, while from a narrow black belt hung a short dagger on his +right side, counterbalanced by a leather purse or pouch on his left. + +Over his shoulder he bore a pair of long ash oars, their blades still +covered with a deposit of dry mud, while in his left hand he carried +a six-foot yew-bow, which, unstrung, was as straight as a lance. + +Redward Buckland, for such was his name, was not a Hamble man in the +strict sense of the word, yet so good-natured and easy-going was he, +so upright in his dealings, and withal a man of such great bodily +strength, that he was a popular member of the little community. + +Of his past he said little, and was asked but little. He had been +master bowman in a company, had served against the Scots at +Bannockburn, with the Gascons in their feudal bickerings, and there +was hardly a castle in Normandy, Maine, Touraine, Anjou, Poitou, or +Limousin that he did not know. + +Eleven years prior to the time of this story he suddenly appeared at +Hamble, bringing with him his son Raymond, then a child five years of +age. Men often talked of their coming; the bowman, in rusty +brigandine and dented headpiece, the boy, a lusty, laughing +youngster, perched on his shoulder, a wain jogging behind with a +heavy load of rich stuff--booty from many a foreign part--the like of +which had never before been seen in Hamble. + +Thereupon he purchased a farmhouse, and settled down with the +intention of passing the rest of his days in comfort. Being a highly +religious man--though, like most of his companions in arms, he could +swear roundly at times--Redward Buckland acted in accordance with the +custom of the times. Four marks and a seven-pound candle of pure wax +he gave to the priory at Netley, and a gold-embroidered cloth to the +church of St. Andrew at Hamble. + +These presents he accounted sufficient atonement and thankoffering +alike for delinquencies and deliverances from peril during his +sojourn abroad, and thence-forth he meant to live a quiet, +well-ordered life, though, unable to resist the call to arms, he had +served in short campaigns against the Scots, and had but a year +previously crossed the Channel to take part in the Battle of Cadsand. +Yet Hamble was his home, and to Hamble he returned as soon as each +particular expedition had ended. + +Raymond Buckland, now a lad of sixteen, had little in common with his +father as far as appearance went. He was tall, slim, yet well-knit, +with curly flaxen hair, though the colour had a redeeming tinge of +reddish-gold that is necessary to impart a warmth to what would +otherwise be a lustreless head of hair. He moved with a grace and +ease that contrasted vividly with his father's comparatively awkward +gait, but his limbs were not wanting in strength. + +A vigorous outdoor life had done much to develop his frame. Mentally +Raymond was well educated, according to the standard of the age, +having but recently returned from the Cistercian priory at Netley, +where for the last seven years he had been a novice. His long +intercourse with a monastic life had somewhat deadened his natural +inclinations, but since his return to the outside world the active +delights of youth seemed sweeter still. + +"Hasten, Raymond," said his father, pausing to look back towards the +house, where the youth still lingered. "The young flood hath just +begun, and tide tarries for no man! And," he added, "fail not to +bring my quiver with the black-feathered arrows." + +"And can I bring my crossbow?" inquired Raymond. + +His father gave a gruff yet good-natured assent, and, resuming his +walk, sauntered gently towards the river. + +Before he had passed the church Raymond had overtaken him, carrying +the quiver in his left hand, while across his back was slung a short +yet powerful crossbow, his own quiver with its stock of heavy +quarrels hanging from his belt. + +"Ha! That crossbow again!" exclaimed Redward, in good-natured +contempt. "'Tis strange that an English boy should lean towards a +windlac-drawn weapon rather than a sturdy yew-bow. An thou wert a +Provençal or Genoese I could have understood it." + +"Why, father?" + +"Why, forsooth! Thou wert made a sturdy Englishman, with sinews and +muscles wherewith to bend an honest longbow--not to have to turn a +handle, like a butter-making wench, ere the bolt can be shot. And, +moreover, suppose thou wert matched against an archer; before thy +weapon were levelled I'll warrant there would be a dozen cloth-yard +shafts bristling in thine hide--though one would be enough, I trow!" + +"But the Genoese?" + +"The Genoese, my son, were ever underhanded fighters, preferring to +cause a gaping wound with a quarrel rather than a wholesome hole with +an arrow. 'Tis said that on more than one occasion the Pope hath +forbidden the use of the crossbow, and that the Second Lateran +Council, a hundred years ago, did likewise." + +"How, then, do we find the crossbow still in use?" + +"I cannot tell, Raymond, save it be the natural perversity of men. +But here we are at the shore." + +They had passed through the village, between rows of thatched +cottages. Smoke was already beginning to issue from the hole in the +roof that did duty for a chimney, showing that the inhabitants were +early astir. The narrow road plunged sharply down to the mud-fringed +shores of the river, for the tide was low, and long flats of +treacherous slime extended almost from bank to bank, save for a +channel of deep water midway between. + +With the air of a man who is thoroughly acquainted with the place, +Redward Buckland followed an almost invisible path--termed throughout +uncountable ages a Hard--that led across the mud flats to the edge of +the water, Raymond treading carefully at his heels. At the end of the +Hard lay a large, bluff-bowed boat, and, pulling the craft ashore by +a length of rope, the archer tossed the oars into it and beckoned to +his son to jump on board. + +"Whither are we going, father?" asked Raymond, as his sire pushed +off, stepped awkwardly into the boat, and began to haul on board the +heavy stone that served as an anchor. + +"Up the river to Botley, my son there to see Master Nicholas Hobbes." + +"And who is he?" rejoined Raymond with the inquisitiveness of youth. + +"Master Hobbes, of the city of Winton, is a fletcher, and his arrows +are well known as the very best in the country. Also he brings with +him a stock of bows made by Master Ford, whose fame as a bowyer +extends well beyond the borders of Hamptonshire." + +"But why buy arrows, father; surely thou canst make thine own?" + +"Ah, Raymond! Raymond!" replied his father, shaking his head +doubtfully, "thou hast yet to learn that though I could fashion mine +own weapons, yet custom demands that I get them from a member of the +honourable guild of bowyers and fletchers. Didst ever hear of a +belted knight welding his own coat of mail?" + +The boy, in truth, had yet to learn of the existence of the powerful +guilds, or combinations of trades, which, founded for the purpose of +self-protection against the rapacity of the barons and the +lawlessness of their retainers, became strong enough to be regarded +with respect by these turbulent personages. As the guilds grew they +obtained charters from their sovereign, till they reached a state +that enabled them to deal harshly with those without the pale. Thus, +for instance, any man following the occupation of a tanner "not being +free"--_i.e._ made a member of a guild--was amerced, or fined, or +even subjected to corporal punishment. + +Urged by the archer's long, powerful strokes the boat shot up-stream +with the tide, passing between steeply rising banks, where the +freshly leafed trees cast dark shadows across the verdant fields. +Raymond sat on the stern-thwart, looking with silent admiration on +the scene, for, as far as he could remember, it was his first +experience of a journey by water. + +At length they came to a place where on the western side a smaller +creek joined the river. Redward rested on his oars and looked towards +the mud banks, which were even now nearly covered by the rising +water. + +"We have hurried apace," he remarked, "and 'tis even too soon to go +right up to the town. This is called Badnam Creek, and, by St. +George, I'll wager we'll find some waterfowl amongst the reeds. Take +thy crossbow, Raymond, and I'll pit my six-foot bow against it." + +Eagerly the boy took his weapon and wound the windlac till the +highly-drawn string clicked against the catch. Then he fitted a bolt, +and, having done so, turned to watch his sire's movements. The archer +had already notched the cord, and the bow, with a couple of arrows, +lay on the thwart by his side. + +"Steady, my son!" exclaimed the archer in alarm. "Be careful where +thou pointest that hell-designed toy. 'Tis bad enough to have a +foeman's shaft through one leg without having mine own son's bolt +through the other. Hold it over the side, I pray thee!" + +The boat was run amid a cluster of reeds, and the twain waited +silently and eagerly for some sign of feathered life. They were not +kept long in suspense, for from a marsh hard by came two wild geese, +their necks extended and their wings flapping noisily as they flew. + +"Quick, Raymond!" whispered his father, "loose directly they are +overhead!" + +In his excitement the youth sprang to his feet, and poised his +crossbow. + +But alas for his inexperience! Unaccustomed to the swaying of the +boat he lost his balance and fell backwards across the thwart; his +crossbow twanged, and with a deep humming sound the quarrel flew +aimlessly into space. + +In a moment Raymond raised himself into a sitting position, only to +see his father loose his second arrow. + +"And thou hast missed also!" he exclaimed in a tone of reproach. + +"Peace, lad; wait and see!" + +The birds still continued their passage, one gliding with wings +outstretched, the other still beating the air with redoubled haste; +then, even as they looked, both birds swayed in their flight, and +fell into the water within two score paces of each other. + +Without further remark Redward pushed the boat clear of the reeds, +and rowed towards his spoil. One of the geese was still transfixed by +an arrow, the other's neck had a small wound, showing that the shaft +had passed completely through it. + +"Another groat gone!" exclaimed the archer, ruefully contemplating +the bird that had failed to stop the arrow. "But that was a grand +shot of thine, Raymond, I trow," he added in a bantering tone; +"'twas not learned of the monks of Netley?" + +Then, observing a flush of mortification overspread the boy's +features, he continued, "Never mind, my son, even the best archer in +the kingdom would be at a loss in a small boat at first." + +Presently they rounded an abrupt spur of land on their left, and came +to a spot where the creek narrowed considerably, being enclosed by +lofty hills on either side. A broad white road descended these hills +to the water's edge, where it was broken by the flowing tide. A rough +wooden hut, with a large open boat close at hand, marked the spot +where wayfarers were ferried across to the opposite side, where a +horn, chained to a post, was blown as a signal to attract the +ferryman. + +"This is the road 'twixt Southampton and Portsmouth," said the +archer, indicating the dusty streak by a nod of his head. "At +Bursledon, on this side, is the fortalice of the Hewitts, though from +here 'tis hidden by the trees. On the other side is Swanwick Shore, +whence come some of the best mariners who man the cogs of +Southampton. But, mark ye! Here comes a great company of armed men; +by St. Etienne of Tours, it makes my heart glad to hear the clatter +of harness once more! I wonder under whose banners they march?" + +And resting on his oars, Redward Buckland shaded his eyes from the +glare of the sun, and peered steadfastly up the hill where the white +road was now alive with men, a grey cloud of dust hanging over them +like a marsh mist in autumn, through which the Cross of St. George +blazoned on the white surcoats of the archers stood out bravely +against the dark foliage. + +When the vanguard reached the foot of the hill, a bowshot from where +the watchers sat in their little craft, a tucket sounded and the +company halted. + +Then Redward's accustomed eyes lighted upon their banner, which bore +a golden half-moon on an azure field, and unable to contain himself, +he stood upright, waving his cap in boisterous delight. + +"By Our Lady, 'tis as I thought--the company of the Governor of +Portchester! Haste we to the shore, Raymond, that I may welcome mine +old comrades!" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE SHADOW OF WAR + + +A FEW strokes and the boat's keel grated on the shingle. Redward +sprang out, hastily secured the craft, and strode towards the crowd +of armed men, Raymond following closely at his heels. + +Again a tucket sounded, and the ranks broke, most of the archers +throwing themselves down by the roadside, as if weary of foot; the +mounted men-at-arms led their horses to the grassy glades of the +wood, while a couple of squires rode towards the water's edge to +summon the ferryman. + +On reaching the outskirts of the throng the old archer looked around +to try and recognise some of his former comrades; nor did he look in +vain. + +"Red Buckland, by the Rood!" exclaimed a bronzed and bearded +man-at-arms, seizing him vigorously by the hand. "Right glad am I to +see thee again. Ho, Giles, Wat, Dick!" he shouted to some of his +comrades, "come hither and greet an old friend!" + +The pair were instantly surrounded by a mob of archers--burly, +bearded men, rough in speech and coarse in manner, yet full-hearted, +honest soldiers, the backbone of the feudalism of mediaeval England. + +Raymond stood at the edge of the circle of men, gazing open-mouthed +at the unusual sight and listening with youthful eagerness, not +unmixed with feelings of awe, as the archers talked, fighting their +battles o'er again, or discussed their future movements. + +"'Twill be Francewards again ere long," remarked one, a man-at-arms, +who, having removed his headpiece, disclosed a close crop of hair +furrowed by a long white mark, the legacy of a Norman's axe. "Word +came yesternight that we had to repair to Hampton to join the army +that the King leads across the Channel." + +"Would I were with you, comrades," said Redward, wistfully gazing on +the accoutrements of the troops, the sight of which roused old +memories of camp and battlefield. + +"And wherefore not," replied another. "There's more to be made in a +week's march in France than ten years' delving in Merry England. Ay, +and I'll warrant that ere long there'll be nought but old men, women, +and babes left to guard our hearths." + +"Then I must be reckoned amongst the old men," replied Redward, with +a mirthful laugh. "Though, methinks, at two score and fifteen years, +I am not yet too aged to strike a shrewd blow or to receive hard +knocks!" + +"Then why tarry?" + +"Didst ever have a son, Dickon?" + +"Nay," replied the man, shaking his head. "Neither kith nor kin have +I in this world, save my comrades." + +"Then thou knowest not how a man's whole being can be wrapped up in +his child. I have a son--he stands yonder. How could I leave him--a +boy of sixteen--to fare for himself while I follow the banners of +England in foreign parts?" + +"But thou hast done so aforetimes?" + +"Ay, but then the boy was in safe keeping in the abbey of Netley. Now +that he is too old, seeing that it is my wish and his desire not to +remain within the priory walls, I must needs stay with him." + +"Red Buckland, thou art becoming chicken-hearted in thine old age. +The boy--a lusty youth he looks--cannot remain with thee for ever," +argued the soldier. "Now, what say you; join our company once again, +and bring him with thee? Methinks there are many such, nay, even +younger and of less frame and brawn, who have already set out for the +wars. Come, now; again I ask thee, wilt join?" + +"Dickon, thou dost press me hard so that I can scarce refuse. Yet no +answer will I give till I have spoken with my boy." + +At that moment a trumpet sounded, and the men stood to their arms, +forming up in two lines on either side of the road. The archers, +armed with short swords or axes in addition to the deadly longbow, +faced the men-at-arms, who, protected with breastplate, iron helmet, +gorget and greaves, grasped their twelve-foot spears, gazing +steadfastly in front as their leader rode slowly between the lines. + +Sir John Hacket, Constable of the King's Castle at Portchester, and +Governor of the Town of Portsmouth (to give him his official title), +was then in his fortieth year, yet, from the effects of campaigning +under exceptional circumstances in all parts of Western Europe, he +looked considerably older, his hair being a snowy white, contrasting +vividly with his brick-red complexion. + +He was accoutred _cap-à-pie_ in banded mail with aillettes, +rerebraces, vambraces, and roundels, his richly embroidered surcoat +being emblazoned with his arms. + +By his left side hung a long falchion, while over the right hip was +the _misericorde_, or dagger, with which a knight demanded his +dismounted adversary's surrender or else gave him a _coup de grâce_. + +On his head he wore a flat cap of crimson velvet, his steel bascinet +being carried by a squire; while a mounted man-at-arms bore his lance. + +As he proceeded between the lines of armed men, noting with +undisguised satisfaction their martial bearing, Sir John's glance +fell upon Redward and his son as they stood, with a knot of +spectators from the neighbouring village, a little way behind the +archers. + +"Certes," he cried to one of his attendant squires, "'tis my old +master-bowman! Bring him hither." + +Thus Redward, with doffed cap, found himself once again before his +beloved chief. + +"Ah, Buckland, I see the blood of a good old stock still flows in thy +veins," he said, after questioning him over various matters +pertaining to his welfare, "I trust I shall see thee again under my +banner anon!" And setting spurs to his charger the knight rode to the +edge of the river, leaving the old archer tormented with thoughts of +the rival claims of home and camp. + +The work of transporting the detachment across the Hamble river +proceeded apace, the whole of the operations being under the personal +supervision of the Constable; and, true to the usages of warfare, the +task was carried out in strictly military fashion. + +First a vanguard of archers and men-at-arms was ferried across, the +party taking up an extended formation on the opposite shore. Then +came the main body, with the mounted men-at-arms, the horses being +conveyed across in a large flat-bottomed boat. Leaving only a +rear-guard, Sir John and his personal attendants then crossed, and +finally the rear-guard followed, leaving Redward Buckland and his son +gazing wistfully after them from the other shore. + +"Heart alive, Raymond," said his father. "We, too, must be on the +move, for the tide will not serve much longer." And pushing off, they +turned the boat's head up-stream and continued their journey. + +"Didst hear what the archers said but now?" inquired Redward, resting +on his oars, and looking doubtfully at his son, as if half afraid +that the fighting strain would not manifest itself. + +"Ay, father!" + +"And what thinkest thou?" + +"I would go Francewards with thee." + +"Heaven be praised, my son! I was afraid that the monks of Netley had +made thee fitted for nought but a life within a monastery; yet thou +wouldst do well to ponder over this matter, for a life midst the +sound of arms is not lightly taken up. Thou hast seen but little of +the world, and look only on the glowing side of a soldier's life. The +risks and hardships of forced marches, famine, sickness, ay, and +possibly defeat, cannot be lightly put aside, though, when once +passed, one is apt to look back upon them as but trifling +adventures." + +"Nevertheless, I would fain go to France and fight for our King to +help him in his just enterprise." + +Poor Raymond! little did he think that there would be fighting in +plenty in store for him ere he set foot on French soil! + +There were nearly four miles to be covered ere their destination was +reached, and, though favoured by the tide, the work of pulling a +heavy boat began to tell even on the hardy frame of the archer, so, +in reply to Raymond's entreaty to be allowed to take the oars, his +sire consented and relinquished the heavy sticks. + +But his son's attempt at rowing failed to please his exacting father, +especially when the blades threw up showers of spray under the +vigorous yet inexperienced efforts of the young man. + +"Steady, Raymond! I would fain arrive at Botley with a dry skin, and +methinks, a little less strength would avail better! Put thy back +into it, my boy, rather than thine arms--so! I call to mind when I +rowed down the Scheldt in a pitch-dark night, when the splash of an +oar or the creaking of a thole would have loosened a hail of arrows +from five hundred archers on either bank." + +"Tell me about it, father?" + +"Nay, lad; the story will keep. But look ahead. Dost mark a row of +black posts standing above the water on yonder side?" + +Raymond looked. + +"Yes; but what are they?" + +"All that is left of what was once a Danish galley, the scourge of +our shore. There she lies, much the same as when burned by the great +Alfred, now five hundred years or more ago. May a like fate befall +every foreign craft that comes to harry our coasts!" + +Soon the channel became yet narrower, till the trees on the opposite +banks met overhead. Redward had resumed the oars, and bend after bend +of the river soon slipped past. + +"There's Botley Mill," said he, pointing to a low building, +thatched-roofed and enclosed by walls of timber and mud, while above +the rustle of the trees could be heard the dull roar of the stream as +it swept under the water-wheel. + +At a landing-place close to the road they left the boat and walked up +a short, steep incline to where the houses of the town encompassed +the market-place. + +"Ah, there is Master Hobbes," said Redward, indicating a short, +full-bodied man, clad in a suit of green cloth, who, surrounded by a +crowd of yeomen and villagers, was disposing of his stock of arrows +to the accompaniment of the latest news of the city of Winchester, +and the prospects of the war against the French. + +"Ho, gossip!" cried the archer. "Hast aught of thy stock left for +me?" + +"Ay, Master Buckland," replied the other, "'twould be an evil day for +me if I failed to supply the good folk of Hamble with +arrows--particularly thy noble self," he added with a servile bow. + +"Tut! tut!" growled the archer deprecatingly. "A truce to such +compliments. These the arrows? A goodly bundle! But--stand aside with +me a moment--how fares it with him?" he added in a mysterious manner. + +"As before no better, though perchance a trifle worse!" + +"But has he ceased to----" + +"Nay, nay! Far from it." + +"Ah!" muttered the archer moodily, "'tis as I feared, though not for +myself. Then, perchance he has had tidings?" + +"That I cannot say." + +"That being so, Nick, I had best be on the move overseas, under Sir +John Hacket's banner once again. That I'll do, and take Raymond with +me! Thanks, good Master Hobbes," he added in a louder tone. "'Tis as +I said before, a goodly bundle. God speed you!" + +And taking the arrows from the fletcher's hand, Redward called to his +son to follow him and strode rapidly back to the boat. + +During the return journey Raymond noticed that something was amiss. +His sire relapsed into a stony silence, treating any question with an +unusual disregard that showed that his thoughts were far away. This +puzzled Raymond, and he strove to find some reason for this +unlooked-for reticence, the reference to the mysterious "he" which he +had overheard persistently coming uppermost in his mind. Yet never a +word on the subject did the boy let fall, and it was in no little +bewilderment that he followed his father from the Hard back to the +house on the hill-top. + +The interior of Buckland's home was plainly yet well furnished after +the style of the age. Glass in the windows there was none, oiled +linen doing duty for that then costly material. The floor of the +livingroom was strewn with rushes, the walls hung with woven material +and skins of animals. Portions of armour such as were worn by +men-at-arms, a few bucklers, and a medley of arms also found places +on the walls, while in a corner was a bundle of bows and two cases of +arrows. In the centre was a log fire, the sweet-smelling reek of the +pine logs finding its way through a hole in the roof. The sleeping +apartment opened out of this room, the building being but +one-storeyed. + +As darkness set in Redward secured the doors with a massive bar of +wood, heaped more logs on the fire, and lighted a couple of +rushlights. + +His fit of depression had passed, and he resumed his usual +cheerfulness of manner. Going into one of the adjoining rooms he +caught hold of a huge oak chest, which, in spite of his strength, +took all the power at his command to move. At length the chest was +dragged across the threshold into the larger room; then, sitting down +on a settle, the archer breathlessly gazed upon it with evident +satisfaction. + +"Since it is fated that we go to the wars together," said he, "'tis +fitting that thou shouldst be properly attired and armed. Let us see +what this chest will provide." + +And, unlocking a strange yet strongly made clasp, Redward threw open +the lid, and for a moment the boy's eyes were dazzled with the +martial nature of its contents. There was a complete suit of armour, +similar to that worn by the Constable of Portchester, though lacking +the rich ornamentations, other portions of armour, and a small store +of equipments such as were worn by mounted men-at-arms and soldiers +of superior quality. + +Redward noticed the flash of excitement in his son's eyes as they +lighted upon the suit of armour. + +"Nay, my son," said he, "'tis not for thee--at least, not till thou +hast proved worthy of it. Here is a suitable garb, a quilted and +padded coat--a trifle large for thee, perhaps, yet 'tis better to err +on the generous side. This I found at the sack of Tournai, and 'tis +warranted to turn a swordcut or to stop an arrow at two score paces. +This breast-plate will also serve--and this steel cap. Now as to thy +arms Here is a sword, slightly heavy for thee, yet anon thou'lt +become accustomed to the feel of it, though a bowman stands an ill +chance should he suffer a troop of lances to come within striking +distance! Now into yonder corner throw thy crossbow, for, as I have +shown, 'tis but a clumsy and unwieldy tool for an Englishman. Here is +a better--a full-sized English longbow; that is the king of weapons! +To-morrow we'll hie to the butts, and ere a week hath passed a sturdy +archer thou'lt be or thou art no son of mine!" + +Raymond took the proffered articles and, with the pride of youth, +fitted them on, to the no small satisfaction of his sire. Still +garbed in his martial attire, he remained for a space listening to +his father's tales of past campaigns, till at length, worn out with +excitement, he retired for the night. + +When he had gone, Redward pored over the contents of the chest, +handling each article with an almost reverent care, then replacing +everything save Raymond's accoutrements, he relocked the heavy box, +and was soon tossing uneasily on his rough couch. + +For over an hour Redward lay awake pondering over the events of the +day, but just as sleep was about to gain the mastery, a hoarse shout +fell upon his ear. Another followed, and a veritable babel of shrieks +betokened that something untoward was happening in the village. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +OF THE MIDNIGHT DESCENT OF THE FRENCH INVADERS + + +THE first shout was enough to rouse the old archer into active +alertness, for, with his experience of camp life, he was accustomed +to awaken readily at the least noise. Hastily springing up, he rushed +to the window, swung aside the wooden flap and the flimsy fabric that +served to admit the light, and looked out. The darkness was intense, +save for some small tongues of dark red flame that were beginning to +shoot up from one of the houses near the waterside, the fire casting +a dull glare upon the neighbouring buildings and serving but to +intensify the inky blackness of the night. + +"A fire," he said aloud, yet on second thoughts the ever-increasing +shrieks, groans, shouts, and curses that were borne on the air belied +his surmise. Moreover, his quick ear detected commands and +ejaculations in a foreign language--the tongues of Picardy, Normandy, +and Spain. + +His ready brain grasped the situation--it must be a raid by the +French and Spaniards, who at that time swarmed in the English +Channel. + +These inroads upon our shores by the French during the Hundred Years' +War are apt to be ignored or lightly passed over by modern +historians, yet during a time when England was busy pouring the best +of her blood and treasure into France there was hardly a town on the +South Coast that escaped the ravages of the French and their allies, +the Spaniards and Genoese. + +"Awake! awake! Raymond!" shouted his father. "The French are upon +us!" + +Raymond sprang up and began to hastily don his clothes, while the +archer laid hands on every heavy article in the room, barricading the +door and securing the windows. Then, having made ready his bow, he +again looked out towards the village. + +By this time a series of unequal combats were taking place in the +narrow streets or within the houses, where the terrified inhabitants +were being routed out like rabbits. All who came across the path of +the ruthless invaders were cut down without mercy--men, women, and +children--while their homes were being plundered and afterwards fired +by men to whom the sacking of a town was almost a familiar task. + +To add to the din the church bell was ringing a violent tocsin, and +all who were able to escape fled either to the stout Norman tower to +seek shelter, or else across the open country towards the town of +Southampton. + +Raymond, white-faced with pardonable fear and shaking in every limb, +now joined his father. Flight for them was now out of the question, +for already some of the foemen had passed the house, hard in pursuit +of a party of fugitives, the slowest of whom fell under the weapons +of the relentless marauders. Like bloodhounds on the trail, this band +of pursuers passed by the solitary house, ignoring its existence or +else meaning to plunder it at their leisure after the chase of the +fugitives was ended. + +Suddenly four or five dark figures, silhouetted against the now +bright glare of the burning village, came running up the hill and +headed straight for the house. + +"Quickly, Raymond, notch a shaft!" hissed the archer, and setting an +example, he fitted an arrow to his bow and waited, with the weapon +slightly bent, the opportunity to let fly. + +"By St. George, they are our friends!" exclaimed Redward. + +"Andrew Walter! Dick!" he shouted. "This way, for your lives, and ye +are safe!" And throwing his great bulk against the barricade behind +the door, he moved it sufficiently to enable the door to be opened to +admit the fugitives. + +Then the furniture was replaced against the door, and the men sank +breathless and panic-stricken on the floor. There were six in all, so +that the little garrison now amounted to eight men, whereof three had +had experience in warfare. + +"Get ye up!" ordered Redward roughly. "Think ye that I opened my +doors to allow a set of cowardly curs to lie about my hearth? Up with +ye!" + +Stung by the rebuke, the men armed themselves with bow and sword, +gripping their weapons with newborn resolve. + +"Ah, by Our Lady, 'tis well ye look on the right side o' things. But +if we are to see the light of another day we must stand firm," said +the archer grimly. "And," he added, "let no man loose bow till I give +the word, and may God and St. George look favourably upon us this +night!" + +"Ay, gossip!" replied Walter Bevis, a veteran of Falkirk. "An' if we +cannot live we can at least die like Englishmen! But, who comes?" + +Another dark figure came flying up the hill, hotly pursued by half a +score of Frenchmen. + +"'Tis Will Lightfoot, of Hook!" replied one of the defenders. "Run, +Will, run!" + +"Now loose!" cried Redward, and immediately five arrows flew on their +deadly errand. It was the first time that Raymond had seen a shaft +sped in anger, and the sight thrilled him strangely. The pursuers, +standing out strongly against the glare, made easy marks; four of +them fell face forwards on the ground, writhing in mortal agony; the +fifth, struck in the right fore-arm, dropped his sword and yelled +lustily. The others, amazed at meeting with any attempt at organised +resistance, turned and fled towards the village, two more falling as +the result of a second flight of the deadly arrows. + +Will Lightfoot, holding a dagger in his left hand and a broken sword +in his right, came up to the improvised fortress with an easy stride, +for his name well suited him amid the encouraging shouts of his +friends. + +"Wait while I unbar the door," called Redward to the fugitive, at the +same time directing the others to assist him in removing the +barricade. + +"Nay, keep the door fast; the villains will be here anon," replied +Lightfoot. "I'll find a way in." + +And suiting the action to the word, he sprang on a low fence, and +from thence vaulted easily on to the thatched roof. Getting a grip +with his broken sword and dagger, he ran up the sloping roof of +thatch like a cat, and dropped through the aperture that did duty for +a chimney, and alighted in the midst of the smouldering logs on the +hearth. + +"Pardon, friends, for my mode of entry," he exclaimed. "But methinks +the mischief I have done to thy roof, Master Buckland, will ill +compare with the damage that our attackers will do ere a few hours +are spent." + +In the lull that followed the besieged took steps to strengthen their +defences. Redward brought out a large oaken chest filled with arrows, +whereat his son wondered all the more at the reason for the journey +to Botley on the previous day. Thick boards were spiked to the +windows, dividing each opening into two oylets, or slots for +discharging arrows, while on the side where no windows existed a few +of the stones were removed so as to form an additional outlook +commanding the hitherto invisible ground on the north. + +Food they had sufficient for three or four days, but water was +scarce. This necessary they must procure, so once again the door was +opened, and Raymond crept out stealthily with two leathern jacks to +procure some of the precious fluid from the well, while the others +crowded to the loopholes to cover his retreat if molested. + +With an indescribable feeling of fear, mingled with the dread of +being thought a coward by the defenders, Raymond did his work +silently and quickly. Thrice did he go to the well, till there was +sufficient water stored in the house to last for a considerable +time. + +All the while the shouts, groans, and cries continued, the crackling +and roaring of the flames making a fitting accompaniment, and giving +evidence that resistance was still being kept up in another quarter. + +At length the pale dawn began to show a welcome change to the anxious +men, on whom the weary waiting told far more than the actual +struggle. + +Gradually the daylight increased, and by its aid the besieged were +able to realise more fully their hazardous position. Nearly every +house was in flames, some even now reduced to a heap of glowing +ashes. Here and there the corpse of a Spaniard or a Frenchman showed +that, in spite of the surprise, the attack had been fiercely opposed. +Those villagers who had taken refuge in the church tower still +resisted, though, from the desultory arrows that came from the top of +the structure, it was evident that their store of missiles was +well-nigh exhausted. + +The invaders, too, were aware of this, for those wearing armour +advanced also to the base of the tower, avoiding, however, the pieces +of stone that the desperate men detached from the pinnacles and +hurled down on their adversaries. Others, keeping further off, shot +their bolts at the tower, stamping and jumping as if to terrify their +quarry. Some of the foreign crossbowmen were so close to the house +that sheltered Buckland's party that they could hear the clicking of +their moulinets and the deep bass hum of the strings as the quarrels +sped towards the mark. + +Out in mid-stream, their hulls swinging to the tide, lay three long, +low-lying galleys, and between them and the shore a number of small +boats were rowing to and fro, those putting off being full of +plunder; and as fast as each little craft discharged its load into +the capacious hold of its parent galley it returned to the shore to +remove some of the huge heap of booty, which was still being +replenished by parties of foragers. + +Loud and long were the maledictions of the men in Redward's house, as +they saw their homes given to the flames and their kinsfolk and +friends either cruelly murdered or else houseless fugitives; but soon +their attention was riveted on the final scene in the resistance of +those on the church tower. + +The crossbowmen redoubled their fire, and, covered by the heavy rain +of missiles, a party of men-at-arms advanced with their shields held +over their heads. A shower of blows with their heavy battle-axes soon +splintered the oaken door, and when at length only a few fragments +of wood and the bent and battered remains of the massive hinges +remained, the men retreated in the same order, though two were left +lying crushed beneath a ponderous piece of coping that the assailed +had toppled over. + +Already the church was sacked. Crucifixes, candlesticks, +altar-cloths, rich vestments, and tapestries had been ruthlessly +taken off to the galleys; while the priest, with a score of persons, +men, women and children, who had vainly sought sanctuary, lay dead +within the altar rails. + +And now a body of lightly-armed men--Spaniards, judging by their +swarthy complexions--advanced, bearing bundles of straw and faggots, +almost unmolested, for the arrows of the besieged had long given out, +and the hail of bolts from the crossbows skimmed across the top of +the parapet like hail. The men reached the base of the tower, where +they heaped their burdens within the doorway. + +A lighted torch was applied to the fuel, and a tongue of flame, +darting from amid the thick cloud of suffocating smoke, licked the +grim stone walls, while the spiral staircase, acting like a lofty +chimney, fanned the fire till it glowed like a potter's furnace. + +A ring of armed men surrounded the tower. The crossbowmen, their work +done, ceased their firing, discharging only an occasional bolt as the +tormented wretches on the tower, unable to bear the choking heat, +showed themselves above the protection of the parapet. Some of the +defenders, maddened by their agony, threw themselves headlong; +others, sword in hand, attempted to descend the stairs, and hurl +themselves upon their enemies, though they perished in the flames +long before they reached the ground; others, defying and cursing the +invaders, shook their weapons in impotent rage, till a well-directed +quarrel or the rapidly-increasing flames claimed the last of the +gallant band of forgotten heroes. + +When resistance in this quarter was at an end, the invaders were free +to direct their energies against the solitary stone house that had +already wrought great mischief upon them; and, led by two knights in +complete armour, the men-at-arms began to fall in in close order at a +distance of two hundred paces from where Redward Buckland and his +devoted companions awaited the onslaught. + +"With yonder ruin to serve as an example," said the master-bowman, +pointing to the flaming tower, "we must fight to the death. While +there is yet time it would be well that each man doth confess his +sins for the betterment of his soul." + +So saying, all the defenders knelt down reverently, though Redward, +trained soldier that he was, kept an eye on their gathering foes. The +prayers _in extremis_ were hurriedly said; then, in the absence of a +friar, they confessed to each other, according to the Roman custom +when in peril of death. One of the villagers produced a slip of the +Holy Thorn, brought from the miraculous tree of Glastonbury, and this +they all kissed devoutly in the hope of obtaining spiritual +consolation. + +This done, they arose from their knees, embraced each other, and +hurried to their posts. + +All preparations for the attack having apparently been completed, the +leaders advanced to the head of their men and harangued them, though +the distance was too great for the Englishmen to hear what was said. +This done, one of the knights closed his visor, and the other tried +to follow his example, but the calque, dented from the effects of a +blow, refused to allow the visor to descend. A couple of squires +sprang forward to aid their lord, and the group, standing well in +front of the rest, made a tempting mark. + +Redward was quick to act. + +"Quickly, Dick; nine score paces, and no windage!" + +Dick, a lusty yet experienced archer, had already notched his bow and +fitted an arrow. Leaning slightly forward, and throwing all his +weight into the act of drawing the six-foot bow, the man loosed the +shaft. Even as it sped Buckland also let fly, and the defenders +anxiously awaited the result of their comrades' skill. + +The first arrow struck and shivered itself against the uplifted visor +of the French knight; but Redward's fared better, for, hitting the +mail-clad figure under the raised arm, it sank deeply into the +leader's body. Amid a roar of execrations on the invaders' side, and +a hearty English cheer on the part of the bowmen, the knight +staggered and fell on his face. The two squires stood their ground +bravely, and with difficulty raised the ponderous armour-clad body of +their master and bore it to the rear. + +"Here they come!" shouted the master-bowman. "See, they shoot! On +your faces, men!" + +Crouching down behind the friendly shelter of the stone walls, the +eight defenders awaited the onslaught, Redward alone watching the +advance through a loophole, his head protected by an iron cap, while +he held a stout buckler over the aperture as an additional protection +against the deadly hail of arrows and bolts. + +Raymond, crouching close to his father, felt that the bitterness of +death had passed; his terror had vanished, and he was as ready as the +rest to strike a blow in self-defence, though against tremendous +odds. The unfamiliar sound of the arrows striking the woodwork and +quivering with an indescribable _ping_, or shattering themselves +against the stonework, the invaders' war cry of "St. Denis," and the +metallic clanging of the advancing men-at-arms were signs of an +invisible enemy whom he was on the point of meeting in mortal combat, +and when, after a seemingly long and weary wait, the hail of arrows +slackened and he heard his father cry, "To arms!" he actually +welcomed what might prove to be his death-summons. + +At the word of command the defenders sprang to their feet, rushed to +the loopholes, and fired as fast as they were able into the dense +masses of the advancing enemy. At that short range neither leathern +coat nor iron hauberk was proof against the deadly arrows, and man +after man fell writhing on the ground, their fall serving to dismay +their comrades and to cheer their antagonists. + +Clambering over the low fencing, the men-at-arms still advanced; the +air was thick with the groans of the wounded and the shouts of "St. +Denis!" "Tuez les miserables!" "A bas les poltrons!" To which the +defenders answered not a word, but in grim silence discharged their +arrows into the disorderly press before them. + +By sheer weight of numbers the French men-at-arms gained the front of +the house, and with reckless bravery attempted to tear away the +improvised defences. Bows were cast aside, and the defenders, seizing +swords and spears, made vicious thrusts through the loopholes as the +shadows of the enemy were thrown across them. + +At length the planks across one of the windows gave way, and a crowd +of mail-clad warriors essayed to clamber through. Thereupon the +defenders retreated to the opposite wall, and resuming their bows, +volleyed their deadly shafts against the rash intruders, who, +overwhelmed by the concentration of arrows in the narrow space, gave +back in disorder. + +Suddenly a figure clad from head to foot in plate armour--a form of +defensive mail only just coming into use--appeared in the window. In +vain the arrows rattled on the thrice-welded plate, and for a moment +it seemed certain that the intaking was accomplished. But Redward, +dropping his weapon, sprang forward, and before the mail-clad warrior +could swing his long and heavy sword, the archer had thrown himself +bodily upon the Frenchman. + +Realising the danger, the man tried to return, but Redward, seizing +him in his powerful grip, strove to drag him into the house. Lying +across the window ledge, his bulk filling the whole aperture, the +Frenchman effectually prevented any of his comrades from coming to +his assistance, his mail-clad legs, kicking and sprawling without, +keeping his would-be helpers at a discreet distance. + +Then came a terrific struggle, Redward heaving and hauling on his +enemy's bascinet, while the other tried his utmost to shake off the +relentless grip. Nothing short of the breaking of the laces of the +Frenchman's calque would release the man, and even then his +unprotected head would be pierced by a ready arrow. + +The knight's resistance grew feebler, till at length a hollow voice +exclaimed, "Je me rends!" + +"No quarter to base ravagers!" was the stern reply, and with a final +mighty heave Redward dragged the steel-clad warrior through the +window, and cast him with a sickening clang upon the stone floor. +Then, drawing the knight's own _misericorde_, he cut the laces of his +bascinet and plunged the dagger into his Adversary's throat. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +OF THE GALLANT STAND OF THE NINE ARCHERS + + +DISMAYED by the fall of their second leader, the attackers retired +out of bowshot, leaving the nine defenders weary and spent, yet +exultant over their success. + +Their respite, however, was short, for, joined by another body of men +from the galleys, the invaders again advanced, this time led by +another knight, a short, broad-shouldered man, cased, like his +unfortunate predecessor, in plate armour, over which he wore a yellow +surcoat charged with the arms of the Spinola family. + +"Ah! A rascally Genoese!" exclaimed Redward as he saw the device. +"Now we must look to ourselves, for these Genoese combine the skill +of the French and the roguery and treachery of the Spaniards; +moreover, they have rendered a good account of themselves both by +land and sea in their wars with the State of Venice." + +Halting at a safe distance, the crossbowmen, protected by mantlets, +faced the side of the house where the last attack had been made; a +body of men-at-arms deployed and took up a position on each of the +two adjacent sides; while a strong detachment of routiers, or +lightly-armed men, worked round to the rear, the house thus being +entirely surrounded. + +Once again the hail of bolts began, and under the cover of this heavy +discharge the men-at-arms gained the walls without the slaughter that +marked their previous attempt. + +With their axes they commenced a violent onslaught on the door, while +the defenders were almost without the means of replying, firing only +through the loopholes whenever a head appeared or a chance missile +was thrown into the room. + +At length, emboldened by the slight resistance, one of the +men-at-arms was hoisted on the shoulders of two of his comrades, +whence he climbed upon the roof. Here he began to vigorously attack +the thatch for the purpose of annoying the besieged and diverting +their attempts to hold the door. + +Alarmed by the noise overhead, Raymond took his despised crossbow, +and firing haphazard, sent a bolt through the roof. There was a loud +cry, and with a mass of thatch and broken rafters the body of the +soldier came crashing down, his chest transfixed by the thick, heavy +bolt. + +Immediately Redward was hoisted up to the gaping hole, and, +regardless of the danger of being picked off by an arrow, he hurled a +small sack of quicklime upon the men who were battering at the door. + +Blinded by the powerful chemical they gave way, and ran screeching +with agony, their leader circling round in an aimless manner, +striving the while to tear off his bascinet and clear his eyes from +the dust that was slowly and surely depriving him of sight. + +Once more the English took heart at the repulse, taunting their +enemies as they fell back. Again they had a short respite, though the +inaction told more on their wearied bodies than the excitement of the +fight. + +Raymond felt a warm stream trickle down his arm, and found, to his +surprise, that he had received a clean cut on his left shoulder. How +or when it occurred he was unable to understand, for in the heat of +the struggle he had been blind to his surroundings and the sense of +pain. + +The rest of the garrison all showed signs of the tremendous odds. +Buckland was gashed across the forehead by an arrow, while his hands +were bruised and bleeding from the effects of his struggle with the +knight at the window. + +Walter Bevis was sitting in a corner of the room, trying to extricate +a crossbow shaft that had all but buried itself in the upper part of +his right leg, and in spite of the excruciating pain was slowly +drawing out the barbed head, muttering the while prayers to the +Virgin and his patron saints. + +The others, having bound up their slighter injuries, cheered the +sufferer, and in response to his entreaties, withdrew the bolt. A +gush of blood followed, and the man, unable to bear the agony, +fainted. Hastily applying a bandage, with the rude knowledge of +surgery that they possessed, his comrades left him and returned to +their posts to await the next assault. + +"Certes! They do not mean to let us be," exclaimed Redward; "it +passeth my understanding why they should waste time and many lives in +attempting to take our little fortress. Courage, my friends! Another +repulse and they will leave us in peace." + +But, notwithstanding his repeated encouragements, the master-bowman +looked doubtfully on the new phase of the attack. A party of men were +bringing a huge mangonel ashore from one of the galleys, and setting +it in position, prepared to bombard the house with heavy stones, each +capable of tearing a jagged hole in the stonework. At the same time, +the French archers advanced on all sides with wisps of burning tow +affixed to the heads of their arrows. + +At a score paces from the house stood a solitary gnarled trunk of a +dead tree, and towards this the bowman cast a hasty yet anxious +glance. Then noting with satisfaction that the little wind there was +blew from that direction, he gave a sigh of relief. + +In the meanwhile the men about the mangonel had set the powerful +spring, and a mass of rock lay poised on the gigantic spoon, awaiting +only the release of the engine to cast the deadly missile towards the +doomed house. + +In terrible suspense the garrison crouched behind the stoutest part +of the masonry, expecting each moment to find the huge stone crashing +over their heads. + +The noise of the spring as it was released could be distinctly heard, +then with a whirlwind of dust the stone struck the ground at a short +distance from the house and rolled harmlessly against the wall. + +The next discharge sent the projectile fairly into the roof, knocking +away the greater part and half filling the house with fragments of +rafters, beams, and thatch. + +"'Twill be less thatch to burn!" remarked Buckland encouragingly, +though the moral effect of the mangonel was beginning to tell. + +Suddenly there was a crash that shook the building to its +foundations, and amid a shower of stones and dust a piece of rock +forced its way into a corner of the building, leaving a gap a bow's +length in width, through which the daylight streamed in, dazzling the +defenders with the sudden change from semi-darkness. + +At the same time a shower of firebrands descended on the remains of +the roof, and in a moment the house was enveloped in flames. + +"We are lost!" shouted one and another of the little garrison in +dismay. "Let us sally out and die like men, rather than rats in a +trap!" + +But the master-bowman, cool and collected in the hour of trial, shook +his head, and, shouting--for the din was deafening--to his comrades +to bear a hand, he seized an iron bar and attacked a large flag in +the floor, plying the tool with skill and celerity. + +The square stone was dislodged, disclosing a gaping hole in the +ground, the top of a rough ladder being dimly visible against its +edge. + +"Down with ye!" he shouted, and once more hope sprang up in the +breast of the despairing men. One by one they vanished into the +chasm, till only Redward, Dick, and the unconscious Walter Bevis +remained. + +There was not a moment to be lost; the flames were already scorching +their hair and clothing, while the thick, suffocating fumes caused +them to gasp and splutter. Raising their wounded comrade, the other +two men lowered him into the arms of those who had already gained +safety. Dick then descended, but Redward, after giving a glance at +the attackers, who still maintained a respectful distance, suddenly +stooped, dragging the body of the hapless French knight across the +floor, and dropped it down the hole. Then he swiftly followed, +pausing for a moment to draw a large, steel-plated shield over the +aperture, and joined his companions in the security of their +underground chamber. + +For a while they remained motionless, as if unable to realise the +turn of fortune, and listening to the dull roar of the flames and the +muffled crash of the falling timbers, while the confined air grew hot +as the furnace overhead grew fiercer, and the clammy atmosphere of +the vault began to give off a humid vapour. + +"Silence!" said Redward sternly, as some of the men began to talk +excitedly. "Or, if ye do speak, speak only in whispers; for if the +rascals discover us they'll smoke us out." + +Through a narrow shaft at the far end of the chamber a streak of +light faintly filtered, and ere long the men's eyes became accustomed +to the darkness. The underground room was about ten paces by four, +with a stone-vaulted ceiling. A rough wall of later date cut off one +end, but it was evident that this apartment was at one time a portion +of a subterranean tunnel which, it was rumoured, led from the church +towards the Abbey of Netley, but for some reason was uncompleted. + +Again motioning his friends to keep silent, Buckland walked over to +the shaft, and, ascending by a rough wooden ladder, gained the hollow +trunk of the decayed tree, where, without being seen, he could +observe the movements of the invaders. + +Four blackened walls and a heap of smoking timbers was all that +remained of what was but a short time back his home. Satisfied by +destroying the house and, as they thought, its determined inmates, +the foe had now retired, and were busy preparing a meal, save a few +of the common soldiers, who were either despoiling the dead of their +weapons and armour or carrying the wounded back to the shore to +embark on board the galleys. + +Reassuring himself that their presence was unsuspected, the archer +returned to his companions and reported the state of affairs. + +"By St. George, thou hast done a clever thing," said Dick admiringly. +"But for thee we would have been roast meat ere now. But why didst +thou keep us without knowledge of the place so long?" + +"To make thee fight the more lustily," replied Redward bluntly. +"Hadst thou but known that an asylum awaited thee, thou wouldst have +hurried here like a fox to earth, and the Frenchmen, finding the +house still standing, would have discovered us and burned us out. Do +I not speak aright?" + +"Ay, Master Redward! And 'twas as well ye did!" + +"And having, as ye admit, saved your lives, I demand a promise in +return. I require ye to swear, on pain of forfeiting your eternal +salvation, that not a word concerning this place shall pass your lips +to any other living creature. Moreover, if I fail to come out alive, +my son, Raymond, shall have undisputed possession of this place and +its contents, for all I have on this earth is now stored herein." + +In solemn silence each man, save the still unconscious Walter, took +the required oath, kissing the hilt of a sword in confirmation of his +sacred promise. Then, as if a load were lifted off his mind, Redward +again ascended the shaft to resume his observations. + +Slowly the long day passed. The sun was now overhead, yet the +invaders remained inactive, neither advancing into the country nor +returning to their ships. Gradually the fires died out, leaving only +a number of thin columns of smoke, rising into the still sultry air, +to mark what had but lately been a prosperous English village. + +After a while Redward again descended into the vault, his place being +taken by Will Lightfoot. The opening in the hollow tree only +commanded the village and the river, so another hole was laboriously +cut in the trunk so as to look towards Southampton, whence Redward +expected a speedy arrival of the companies then encamped outside the +town. + +An hour later there was a stir amongst the foreign soldiers. A +trumpet sounded, and they stood to arms, forming in a line on the +brow of the hill where Buckland's house formerly stood. + +As there was only room for one person in the treetrunk, Lightfoot had +to announce the movements to his comrades below, and, to their joy, +they heard him cry out that a vast host of armed men was advancing. + +The invaders were unaware of the presence of a large force in the +neighbourhood, and, dismayed by the numbers of their attackers, they +turned and fled in a disorderly mob to their boats. At the same time +the watcher espied the lofty hulls and bellying sails of five English +ships standing down Southampton Water with the intention of cutting +off the three hostile galleys. + +Barely had the boats made a second journey to the galleys with their +load of panic-stricken men than a troop of lances, displaying the +banners of Lord Willoughby and Sir Charles Bassett, came charging +across the undulating ground and through the smouldering street of +the village, sweeping aside all opposition and driving the remnant of +the Genoese and Spaniards into the river. + +It was now high tide, and in the treacherous mud scores of the +miserable wretches died a horrible death, for quarter was neither +asked nor given. A few of those unencumbered by armour succeeded in +swimming off to the galleys, though their companions, with abject +cowardice, thought only of getting to sea, letting many of the +fugitives drown alongside their ships without even throwing a rope to +save them. + +Close at the heels of the lances came a body of mounted archers, who, +on arriving at the shore, dismounted and poured volleys of arrows +into the galleys. Notwithstanding the hail of darts that wrought +havoc amongst the slaves who banked the oars, the three vessels +slipped their cables and stood towards the mouth of the river, +endeavouring to reach Southampton Water before the advancing English +ships should bar their passage. + +The moment had arrived for Buckland and his companions to leave their +underground refuge. Tying three spears together to form a stout +battering ram, they applied one end to the mass of metal and charred +wood that was once a shield, and which formed the door of their +prison. + +With a mighty thrust the obstruction was removed, and through a +smouldering pile of charred timbers emerged the eight men, their +faces disfigured with dried blood and blackened with soot and smoke. +Bevis they left, till, on Redward's suggestion, two of them returned +and brought him up, semi-conscious and weak from the effect of his +wounds. + +At that moment the companies of the Constable of Portchester and the +Constable of Southampton came swinging along, the sun shining on +their arms and accoutrements, while at their head rode Sir John +Hacket and Walter de Brakkeleye, one of the Bailiffs of Southampton. + +"Certes!" exclaimed Sir John, reining in his horse and gazing +open-eyed with astonishment at Redward and his band. "What have we +here?" + +"Sir Knight," replied Redward, raising the hilt of his sword to his +battered headpiece, "here thou dost see all that is left of the six +score inhabitants of Hamble!" And, overcome by the loss of blood from +no less than six wounds, he reeled and fell heavily on his face +before the amazed Constable. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE MEN OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE GENOESE GALLEY + + +HAVING given orders to some of his followers to convey the wounded +men on litters to the shelter of Netley Abbey, the Constable and his +troops resumed their march to the shore, to aid their advance-guard +in the pursuit of the galleys. + +The lances and mounted archers had already galloped along the right +bank of the river towards the Salterns at its mouth; while a body of +men-at-arms crossed the stream by means of the abandoned boats, and +followed the galleys on the other shore. + +As if by magic, the men-at-arms were joined by vast numbers of +countrymen from the neighbouring villages of Hook, Swanwick, +Titchfield, and Stubbington. All of them were tolerably good bowmen, +and from both sides of the stream a well-directed fire of arrows was +maintained on the fugitive vessels. + +The wind, though favourable to the English ships that were rapidly +nearing the scene of action, was too much abeam to enable the galleys +to hoist their sails, and the slaves toiled at the oars to gain the +open water. Thus sped, and with the favouring tide, the vessels +slipped rapidly past the shore. + +Many an anxious eye was turned towards the advancing English ships, +and many an opinion was offered upon the foreigners' chances, for +once they weathered the long mud spit, their sails would be hoisted +and their superior speed would soon bear them out of sight. + +Holding their own, yet scarcely able to reply to the stinging hail of +arrows, the three galleys bore steadily onwards. The foremost, +bearing the red cross of Genoa emblazoned upon its lofty stern, led +the forlorn procession, a Spaniard being second, while in the rear +floundered a French vessel, one of the famous fleet of Sluys, her +sides, like those of her consorts, bristling with English arrows. + +Soon the leading vessel, ill-judging her distance, turned towards the +Solent, hoisting her huge sail, on which flamed the arms of Luigi +Spinola. Shouts of anger and disappointment rose from the English as +they saw the sail drawing, and the hated Genoese cleaving through the +water with increased speed. But their cries quickly turned into a +roar of delight as the galley ran hard and fast upon the treacherous +and unseen mud-bank, her mast going by the board with a resounding +crash! + +In spite of the frantic efforts of the rowers, the crew were unable +to back the long, snake-like hull from the deadly embrace of the mud, +and with the fast falling tide it was evident that the galley was +doomed to capture. + +Taking warning from their consort's misfortune, the other vessels +gave her a wide berth, and, avoiding the mud spit, turned +south-eastward. The Spaniard hoisted her sail with all speed, the +white foam flying from her sharp bows; but the French galley, having +had her halliards cut through by a chance bolt, was soon overhauled +by the Southampton ships. + +In less than five minutes she was boarded on both quarters and +carried, the Frenchmen being either slain or driven overboard, and +the watchers on shore beheld the Cross of St. George hoisted over the +Fleur-de-Lys. A fanfare of trumpets from the conquering vessels +announced that the English mariners had again proved themselves +worthy of their traditions. + +The prize and three of the English ships anchored to await a +favourable tide to bear them back to the town of Southampton, while +the two remaining vessels stood towards the stranded galley of Genoa. +The tide had now left her high and dry, with a slight list towards +the sea, at two hundred paces from the nearest shore. The +deep-draughted English ships could not approach within that distance, +so they were compelled to cast anchor within easy bow-shot. + +Under the terrible cross-fire the galley remained, her crew seeking +shelter from the shower of arrows, not daring to show so much as a +hair above the low bulwarks. + +[Illustration: BOARDING THE GENOESE GALLEY] + +"By our Lady! The rogues lie close," exclaimed the Constable. "'Tis +but a waste of good arrows. And yet we must have at them ere long, +for already the sun is low in the heavens." + +"Once darkness falls they will, of a surety, escape, for with the +next tide they can make across the shallows, where our ships dare not +follow," replied the Bailiff. + +"If I mistake not, they left a mangonel behind them----" + +"Ay; but 'twould take a good five hours to bring it hither." + +Sir John saw the truth of this statement, and puckered his brows in +his perplexity. + +"Craving thy pardon, sir," said a grizzled man-at-arms, standing +within earshot of the two officers, "I know how the galley can be +held till the morrow." + +"How so, sirrah?" demanded the Constable. + +"For over thirty years I was a marshman of Poole----" + +"Forbear to speak of what thou hast been," replied Sir John Hacket +curtly, "and tell us what thou dolt propose to do." + +"As a marshman I know how to walk over this mud. Give me leave, with +five of my comrades, and I'll warrant that the galley will never +float again." + +"How can the man possibly reach the vessel by walking on the mud?" +demanded Lord Willoughby, who at that moment had joined the Constable +in order to confer with him on a plan of action. "Even now two score +or more of the knaves lie swallowed up by the filthy slime." + +"Let him have his way, my Lord," replied the Constable; "and," he +added, addressing the soldier, "get ye gone, and do your work +quickly. A rose-noble apiece shall be your reward if ye succeed." + +The man-at-arms departed, and, with his chosen comrades, crossed the +river and followed the bank till they came as close to the galley as +they could without leaving the firm ground. + +Here they divested themselves of their armour, and, clad in their +leather jerkins, gripping no other weapon but a heavy hammer and a +short iron spike apiece, they looked more like peaceful village +smiths than soldiers setting out on a desperate venture. + +From the rude huts where the Hamble fishermen kept their stores came +a man bearing a dozen square boards, each having four small holes +bored through it with leathern thongs attached. These the +men-at-arms, with the quickness of frequent use, bound to their feet. + +"Are ye ready, comrades?" + +A gruff yet determined assent was given, and the men, walking with +short, ungainly steps, gained the edge of the mud. + +"Now, hark ye," exclaimed their leader, turning to the master-bowman +who commanded the archers, "give the word that the bowmen keep up a +dropping fire to cover our approach. And I pray thee, let no man +shoot who cannot be depended upon, for, little as I reck a shaft in +fair fight, I am not in a mind to be feathered in the back by an +English arrow!" + +The sun was now low down beyond the dark outlines of the New Forest, +shining straight into the eyes of the archers. Nevertheless, they +shot rapidly and well, the arrows making graceful curves as they sped +towards the mark. No sign of life was visible on board the Genoese +ship, as slowly and steadily the six men-at-arms plodded, with their +boards squelching in the liquid mud, towards their goal. + +As they drew near, the covering volleys ceased; but, suspecting a ruse +to draw them from shelter, the Genoese refused to show themselves. +Thus, without opposition, the Englishmen reached the shelter of the +lofty hull of the stranded galley, so that they were protected by her +bulging sides from any missile the enemy might launch overboard. + +Soon the terrified crew were still more panic-stricken by hearing a +succession of dull blows against their ship's side. Lustily swinging +their mauls as well as their precarious foothold would allow, the +Englishmen drove their iron spikes deep into the seams of the doomed +vessel. Oaken tree-nails and iron bolts were unable to stand the +wrench, and in a few moments a gaping hole four ells in length and a +span in breadth proved that the boast of the man-at-arms that the +galley would never again float was an accomplished fact. + +But now the startled crew were lashed into active resistance. Over +the side, lowered by stout ropes, came the figure of a man fully clad +in plate armour--the dreaded Luigi Spinola himself. Though deprived +of the sight of one eye and nearly blind in the other--thanks to +Redward Buckland's reception at the attack on his house--the Genoese +knight could dimly see the forms of his attackers, and that sufficed. + +Before the Englishmen could realise their danger the keen blade of +the Italian had cleft the skull of the nearest. Preventing himself +from turning like a sack at the end of a rope, Spinola stretched out +his left hand to steady himself against the side of the vessel, while +he raised his right arm to repeat the deadly stroke. One of the +men-at-arms seized his opportunity, and floundering in on the +knight's blind side, smashed his gauntleted left hand into a +shapeless mass by a blow from his maul. + +With a roar of agony and fury his arm fell helpless against his side, +his body swung round, and in a moment the heavy hammer again +descended, this time on the visor of the knight's bascinet. With a +groan the Genoese died--literally at the rope's end; and, their work +accomplished, the five Englishmen began their hazardous retreat, +leaving the body of their hapless companion slowly sinking in the +pitiless mire. + +Again the covering flight of arrows sped towards the galley; but, with +the courage of despair, some of the Genoese crossbowmen sprang upon +the towering forecastle and fired at the retreating men-at-arms. One +of the latter fell with a heavy bolt between his shoulder-blades; +another had a shaft completely transfixing his arm, while their +intrepid leader was menaced by two of the best crossbowmen of the +galley. + +By pure chance a stray arrow pierced the brain of one of the Genoese +just as he was about to pull the trigger. As he fell he struck his +companion, whose aim was affected by the sudden jolt, and the quarrel +flew aimlessly over the Englishmen's heads. + +Unable to stand against the arrows of the English bowmen, the +remainder of the Genoese again sought shelter in the waist, and, amid +the cheers of their comrades, the four men-at-arms regained the +shore. + +All that night the English slept on their arms, sentinels being +posted to give the alarm should any of the foemen attempt to leave +their water-logged craft. It was a still, moonless night, and the +time of spring tides, and as the water ran inch by inch over the +waist of the doomed galley, the watchers could distinctly hear the +cries and lamentations, and appeals to the saints, borne on the night +air from the demoralised Crew, as they clustered in frightened groups +upon the raised forecastle and poop. + +At break of day the Englishmen stood at their arms and gazed seaward. +There, in the same place, lay the galley, though sunk a little lower +in the mud, while her sides were covered with seaweed that on the now +falling tide had been caught by the arrows which bristled in her +sides. + +Plenty of provisions were brought in from the countryside for the +English forces, and, seated round roaring fires, for the morning air +was sharp even for the time of year, the archers and men-at-arms ate +and were merry, while the famished and disheartened Genoese, their +stores spoiled by the water in the hold, gazed despairingly on their +implacable enemies. + +The Constable of Portchester and the Bailiff of Southampton crossed +the river about three hours after daybreak, and visited the troops on +the east side of the stream, their arrival being greeted with +acclamation. + +Calling the remnant of the men-at-arms who had so effectually +performed their hazardous task, Sir John Hacket thanked them before +their comrades and bestowed upon them the promised guerdon. + +"We have these Genoese rascals safe enough!" exclaimed the Constable. +"But what do they?" + +At that moment there were signs of activity in the galley. Men were +busily engaged in cutting away the broken mast and its tangled gear +and cordage, while others were seen to be dividing the great sail +into long strips. + +"They mean to stop the leaks by nailing the flaxen cloth over the +outside," replied Walter de Brakkeleye. "Then, perchance, they can +float off on the next tide." + +"But to what purpose?" questioned the knight. "With our two ships +lying in the stream how can they, without mast and sail, hope to +escape?" + +"I know not, Sir Knight, except it be to forestall the end, and they +would close with us." + +"Then, I pray you, make them desist. A score of archers will keep +them in play; in the meantime send mounted messengers along the banks +to order every boat in the river to be sent down without delay!" + +These orders were promptly carried out, and long before the next high +water twenty open boats of all sizes were lying off the Hard, while +the Constable had already summoned the masters of the two Southampton +ships to confer with them on the plan of attack. + +"By St. George!" exclaimed Sir John, "I already see the remnants of +these foreign scoundrels under lock and key in the King's Castle of +Portchester!" + +"Nay, by the Rood!" replied Walter Brakkeleye; "for I have sworn that, +ere to-morrow's sun hath set, the rogues will grace a line of gibbets +outside the Water Gate of Southampton!" + +"Ah, an' ye would flout my authority?" demanded the choleric knight. +"Am I, Constable of Portchester and Governor of the town of +Portsmouth, to be overridden by a mere Bailiff of Southampton?" + +"But the galley now lies in this river, which is within my +bailiwick," retorted Brakkeleye stoutly. "Nay, she lies on the other +side of the low water channel, which, you will accept, is within the +bailiwick of Titchfield. That being so, as Governor I hold authority +over that half of the river." + +The dispute waxed hot, the question of precedence outweighing the +common cause of destroying a national foe. To what length the +disputants would have gone it is impossible to say, but the opportune +arrival of Lord Willoughby and Sir Charles Bassett settled the wordy +strife. + +"'Tis our duty to settle our account with the Genoese," quoth Lord +Willoughby. "And as ye both claim the river and all it contains, +methinks your difference is best settled thus--all the prisoners +taken on this side shall belong to the Bailiff of Southampton; all +those who are taken on yonder side Sir John can hale to the castle of +Portchester. Now be content and sink your differences in a common +cause." + +This they agreed to, little knowing that neither authority would in +the end claim a single Genoese. + +Directly the tide served the boats were filled with men-at-arms and +archers, and a long procession rowed down the stream to carry the +galley by escalade, a mantlet being raised in each boat to protect +the men from any arrows or bolts that might assail them. + +Already the sea was four feet deep over the mud, and the galley, her +waist full of water and her bulwarks awash amidships, resembled two +lofty castles joined by a low wooden wall. + +Grim and determined, though faint with hunger and fatigue, the +Genoese stood to their arms. Knowing that death in some form awaited +them, they preferred to die in the heat of battle to dangling from a +gallows. On the aftercastle, or poop, stood Guido and Andrea Spinola, +brothers of the ill-fated Luigi, with two score men-at-arms and a +number of lightly-armed slaves, though the latter were not to be +relied upon. On the forecastle nearly a like number clustered round +Simon and Chigi Doria, brothers of the famous Rafaele Doria, the +ruler of the State of Genoa. + +On the approach of the English the trumpets blared a note of +defiance, and the noble leaders, drawing their swords, cast their +scabbards into the sea as a sign that they scorned to give or accept +quarter. + +The poop, being nearest the deep water, was the first object of +attack. The English archers fired but one volley, then, casting aside +their bows, drew sword or grasped their hammers and axes and made +ready to spring directly the boats ran alongside the galley. + +A huge stone, thrown from the highest part of the after-castle, came +crashing through the bottom of the first boat, which instantly sank. +Those of her crew who were unable to maintain their foothold on the +submerged boat perished miserably in the mud and water, for those in +the other boats, filled with the mad desire of fight, paid slight +heed to their misfortunes, being only intent on gaining a foothold on +their enemy's decks. + +In a short space the after-part of the galley was surrounded by nine +large boats, while the remaining ten headed for the forecastle, and +with shouts of fury the English strove to effect an entrance. + +The lofty sides and stern rendered their task very difficult and +hazardous, the Genoese striking lustily with sword, axe, and mace +whenever a foeman's head appeared, and it was not until, by Sir John +Hacket's order, a portion of the amidship bulwarks were cut through +and some of the boats floated over the submerged waist, that a living +Englishman stood on the decks of the Genoese. + +Headed by the Constable, a party of men-at-arms carried the poop +ladder by a determined rush and gained the poop. Here they were met +by Guido and Andrea Spinola and some of the best swordsmen amongst +the Genoese, and for a while a fierce struggle ensued, though, +profiting by the diversion, another party of Englishmen secured a +foothold on the stern of the galley. + +Unable to withstand the sweeping blows of the Constable's sword, the +Genoese gave back, two of their number going down with their +headpieces shattered and their skulls cleft to the chin, and Guido +and Andrea alone remained in the van to bar the Englishman's passage. + +With lightning rapidity their blades met, Sir John warding off the +double attack with marvellous skill. Suddenly the elder brother, +putting all his strength into the blow, delivered a mighty stroke +with his heavy sword at the Constable's head. + +Stepping nimbly aside, the knight avoided the deadly sweep of the +weapon, and ere the Italian could recover himself Sir John cut him +through the gorget till the blade met the top of his enemy's +breastplate. + +Guido fell forward, and the Constable, unable to withdraw his weapon +from the corpse, was obliged to relinquish his sword and take to his +mace. With this ponderous instrument of offence Sir John pressed his +antagonist so strongly that the latter could but attempt to guard +himself. At last, with a crashing blow, the Englishman beat down the +defence of the Genoese, shattering his sword and crushing his helmet +like an egg-shell. + +Disheartened by the fall of both their leaders, and pressed before +and behind by increasing numbers, the Genoese retreated till they +gathered in a small ring of steel, surrounded by their incensed +attackers. Fighting to the last, they fell, till none but those +wearing the surcoat of St. George stood upon the after-castle, and +close on five score bodies littered the narrow blood-stained poop. + +By the Constable's order one of his squires displayed his banner, and +this was the signal for a hearty cheer from the crews of the two +Southampton ships and the crowd of armed men on shore. + +But the combat was not yet over. Those of the forecastle still +stoutly resisted, and as yet none of the Southampton men, headed by +the brave and impetuous Walter de Brakkeleye, had gained any +advantage, though, by the Bailiff's order, some of the archers had +rowed a short distance off, firing anew on the Genoese whenever they +attempted to show themselves above the side. + +With the fall of the after-castle, the Genoese were additionally +assailed by the English bowmen, who now held the captured part of the +galley; and, on the arrival of a fresh supply of arrows, the deadly +hail smote the scanty remnant, who strove in vain to seek shelter. + +At length, when no one was left standing upon the forecastle, the +English men-at-arms rushed the hardwon stronghold, mercilessly +killing those who yet remained alive, and casting their bodies +overboard, and the shattered galley was given to the flames. + +Then, with shouts and rejoicings, the soldiers returned to the shore. +The countrymen dispersed to their homes, the two English ships +hoisted sail and made for Southampton, whither Lord Willoughby's +lances had already gone. The Constable of Portchester and the Bailiff +of Southampton marshalled their followers, and marched through the +devastated village towards their camp at Woolston. + +All that was left to mark the raid were the charred remains of what +had been a prosperous hamlet and the blazing timbers of the +once-dreaded galley of Luigi Spinola. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +AT THE ABBEY + + +CALM and peaceful appeared the grey Abbey to the war-worn defenders, +as, carried in litters or supported by the men of the Constable of +Portchester's company, the nine archers passed through the great +gateway. + +The vesper bell had just ceased its tuneful tolling, and in its place +rose the deep, lusty voices of the monks, who, having completed yet +another day of hard manual labour, were uniting once more in prayer +and thanksgiving. + +For awhile, save for the porter, a lay brother of gigantic size and +jovial mien, the secular portions of the Abbey were deserted, but the +arrival of this host of rough soldiers and their wounded charges +contrasted ill with the pious solitude of the place. + +The Cistercian Abbey, founded as the Priory of Saints Mary and Edward +in 1237, was at that time in the zenith of its prosperity. Favoured +by royal charters, the natural zeal of the monks exerted itself to +such an extent that within a few years of its birth the Abbey bade +fair to outshine its parent foundation at Beaulieu, and a large +triple-aisled church, a sumptuous Abbot's house, lofty dormitories, +architecturally perfect cloisters, a number of extensive +outbuildings, and two artificial fish-ponds testified to the work of +these pioneers of civilisation. + +Awed by the solemnity of their surroundings, the soldiers clustered +in small, silent knots, looking around with open-mouthed astonishment +at the unaccustomed beauty of the delicate architecture and listening +to the distant chanting of the monks. + +If an archer dared even to whisper his comrades silenced him by a +look, while, when a man-at-arms dropped his short spear on the tiled +floor, the culprit stooped, picked up the weapon guiltily, and +crossed himself for very shame. + +At length the singing ceased, the doors of the church were thrown +wide open, and out came a long line of grey-gowned monks, walking two +and two with bent heads and downcast eyes, while at the rear of the +procession came the Sub-Prior and the Abbot. The former was a +comfortable-looking, well-fed personage, with a benign countenance +that neither fast nor penance could subdue, while the Abbot, a tall, +gaunt man with wan features, redeemed by a pair of glittering eyes, +looked a man whose natural sternness was increased by the strict +rigidity of a celibate. + +Immediately the soldiers drew themselves up into two lines, looking +straight in front in military style, though as the Abbot passed they +bent their heads to receive his benison, even the wounded, save +Walter Bevis, standing unaided to share in the blessing. + +It was a stirring and picturesque sight. The grey stones of the +arched cloisters, the green patch of grass in the cloister court, and +the still evening quiet were fitting surroundings for a procession of +monks as their sandals clattered on the tiled floor; but the white +surcoats bearing the red cross, the armour and weapons of the +soldiers, and the pallid features of the wounded bespeaking strife +and suffering, presented a strange contrast to the peacefulness of +the Abbey. + +Attended by two novices, the Abbot presently returned, and, learning +the cause of the unusual visit, gave orders for the wounded men to be +taken care of in the Abbey infirmary. He had already learned of the +sack and burning of Hamble, but the deed of Redward Buckland and his +comrades moved him greatly, and he desired to speak with the +master-bowman. + +Redward, his head still bound with a blood-stained bandage, was led +before the Abbot. He had removed his steel cap, and the dying +sunlight played on his thickly-cropped head and heightened the +reddish hue of his beard. The Abbot gave an involuntary start of +recognition, but, composing himself, he asked: + +"How art thou, my son? I see thou art sore hurt." + +"Nay, Father, it is but a scratch." + +"A brave man to speak so lightly of so great a matter. And thou didst +keep the press of enemies back till help arrived?" + +"'Twas also a little matter, seeing we were behind stout walls." + +"And yet, by God's grace, thy valour saved us." + +"Saved you, Father?" + +"Yea, my son. Saved the priory of the blessed Saints Mary and Edward; +for, had ye not been there to bar the way, the Frenchmen would of a +certainty have ravaged our holy retreat." + +"This knowledge is beyond my understanding, yet, the saints be +praised, I was but an instrument to that end." + +"The gratitude of us all is due to you, my son, and if in any way we +can render thee a service, do but ask it. Thou'rt weary; return to thy +friends and rest well." + +The master-bowman bent his head for the Abbot's blessing, then he +turned and hobbled slowly back to join his comrades. + +Great was the astonishment and delight of the monks, on washing the +thick cake of dried blood, slime, and soot from the face of their +youngest patient, to find that it was none other than their late +novice, Raymond, whose wound--a deep cut in his left shoulder--had +been skilfully dressed by the monks, to whom surgery was a special +feature of their work. He was now sleeping peacefully, a draught of +cooling medicine having completely taken away all symptoms of fever. + +Walter Bevis, his leg swathed in bandages, was lying on a pallet, his +eyes rolling and his hands tightly clenched as he strove to suppress +a groan. Already he was in a state of semi-delirium, and in spite of +the constant attention of two of the monks, he strove at intervals to +rise from his couch and fly at some imaginary foe. + +As for the rest, with the exception of Will Lightfoot, who was busily +devouring a platter of soup, they all were sleeping off the effects +of a terrible mental strain. Submitting himself to the hands of two +of the brethren, Redward had his injuries dressed, and was cleansed +from the effects of the fire and battle; then, staggering to a couch, +he lay down and was soon lost in dreamless sleep. + +The sun was high in the heavens ere Buckland awoke, feeling vastly +refreshed and filled with renewed energy. His first inquiry was for +his son and his comrades, then for the latest tidings of the raiders. + +On this latter point he could not be enlightened, save that a mounted +messenger had passed the Abbey that morning without drawing rein. +Though giving no news by word of mouth, the man had shown by a +gesture that the English had been successful, though at that time the +fate of the Genoese galley had not yet been decided. + +One by one the wounded archers began to awaken, till all, save +Raymond and Bevis, were up and about. For some time Redward sat by +his son's bedside, looking anxiously at his pale and pain-racked +features. + +The master-bowman was torn by conflicting emotions. On the one hand +he wanted to be again on the scene of action to revenge himself on +his enemies--for the destruction of his home, and also to take steps +to safeguard his chattels that lay in the underground chamber. On the +other hand, he felt it impossible to tear himself away from his son, +in whose welfare he was so much absorbed, till he was satisfied that +there was no cause for anxiety on his account. + +While deep in this mental debate Redward was summoned by a novice to +proceed to the private apartment of the Abbot. + +Following closely at the heels of his guide, Buckland was ushered +into a room which, in the frigid plainness of its appearance, +differed little from the cells of the ordinary brethren, only it was +larger. + +The stone floor was strewn with rushes, and the walls were bare and +unbroken, save for two narrow lancet windows and the low, +Gothic-arched door by which the archer entered. In the centre of the +room stood a plain oaken table, on which was a small ivory crucifix, +which, together with a number of richly-bound books of illuminated +vellum--the most highly-prized objects within the monastery +walls--gave a fitting setting to the gaunt figure of the stern yet +revered Abbot. Two heavy wooden stools completed the furniture of the +apartment, one of which was for the head of the Abbey himself, the +other for the use of any visitor of equal or higher rank; otherwise, +all who were called into the presence of the Abbot were obliged to +stand, with bent head, patiently waiting to be addressed, and not +daring to speak save when spoken to. + +"Well, my son," quoth the Abbot, after the customary benediction had +been given. "I have a small matter of which I would speak. Raymond, +thy son, was until recently with us as a novice." + +"Yes, Father." + +"But thou didst send for him?" + +"I could not do without him." + +"Yet he was ill spared by us a youth of much promise. Did he not ask +to be allowed to take the vows of chastity and obedience?" + +"Nay, Father." + +"What, then, is in thy mind with regard to his up-bringing?" + +"But two days agone he did ask to go with me to the wars." + +"Alas! Alack!" groaned the Abbot, speaking half to his visitor, half +to himself. "To think that one brought up in the sanctity of this +place should have a mind for the horror of war! It but shows that +men's minds are by nature inclined to strife, and that we must ever +be subduing the desires of malice and hatred, which, though dormant +for years, are too often ready to burst forth with renewed strength. +Ah me! And I did think Raymond was a brand plucked from the burning. +Thinkst thou that 'tis not too late to turn him from his purpose and +bring him into the brotherhood?" + +"Father," replied the master-bowman earnestly, "many a time have I +pondered the matter over in my heart, for he is very dear to me. In +my wanderings I knew him to be in safe keeping in this peaceful +place, yet I look to my son as a tried companion of my old age, for I +have no other kith or kin in the world. To the wars he would go, yet +Heaven forfend that ill should happen to him." + +"But if he wish to stay?" + +"Then he may do so, though as a monk he will be as far from me as +ever." + +"Then he shall be asked, my son. Should he remain with us the Order +profiteth; should he go Franceward, then the saints be with him and +bring him safely home again. But, I ask," he added, fixing his dark +eyes intently on the archer, "when Raymond left us didst thou fetch +him away?" + +"Nay, Father, I----" + +"Then where have I met thee before?" + +For a moment a pallor, quickly succeeded by a deep flush, overspread +the tanned features of the master-bowman, and his mind travelled back +for nigh two score years. Then in quick, short sentences he replied, +telling the story of the tragedy which had darkened his life. + +"Ah! I thought my memory played me not false," returned the Abbot. +"But of that enough! I knew it! And, for an archer, thou art +certainly apt in speech. Canst read?" + +"Yea, Father." + +"And write?" + +"Yea, Father. Many a time have I acted as scrivener to Sir John +Hacket, the Constable of the Castle of Portchester." + +"'Tis well; and rest assured, my son, that, by my holy calling, no +word of thy past shall fall from my lips." + +"And there is another small matter of which I would speak," said +Redward. + +The Abbot frowned, for the archer had taken the initiative, but, +nevertheless, he signed for Redward to continue. + +"When we are gone to the wars," quoth the archer, "'twill be +necessary for me to leave my small belongings in safe keeping, and no +better place can I think of than this Abbey." + +"Think not to turn this holy place into a house of merchandise, my +son!" + +"Nay, Father, not merchandise, but treasure." + +"Treasure?" interrupted the Abbot, his interest kindling. "How say +you?" + +"Ay, a trifle saved from the wreck of my past, together with a little +I have amassed during some twenty years of wandering. Of a surety I +would offer the Abbey a good percentum for the care thereof, together +with the right to retain all profits from its use." + +"My son, thou art generous to Holy Mother Church." + +"Nay, but I go farther. Should aught amiss happen to Raymond or me, +the whole of my worldly goods I leave to the Abbey, without +condition." + +"Then, my son, I accept, in the name of the Order, the charge +confided to us. I will see to it this instant that Brother Aloysius, +our scribe, will draft the agreement thereunto." And going to the +door, the Abbot, his eyes shining at the thought of adding to the +treasury, rang a bell that brought one of the lay servitors hastening +to his presence. + +"Bring Brother Aloysius hither." + +With little loss of time the scrivener arrived, and the agreement was +drawn up and signed. This done, the Abbot dismissed Redward, and, +once more alone, leaned back in his chair with intense satisfaction. + +Keep Raymond within the Abbey, let him take the oaths of the Order, +and all would be well. The Abbey would benefit considerably, for, +once a monk, Raymond would be heirless. On the other hand, should +father and son go to the wars--well, there were chances that they +might not return, and then----. The Abbot sighed, for, in spite of +his pious greed, he chid himself for his momentary satisfaction at +the thought of harm happening to the young man, of whose presence as +a novice he had many pleasing recollections. + +On Redward's return to his son's bedside he found, to his great +delight, that Raymond was awake. + +"How fares it with thee, Raymond?" he asked, taking the lad's limp +hand in his great palm and gently patting it. + +"I feel much better, father, and hope soon to be abroad again." + +"I trust so; but I have something to tell thee. Even now the Abbot has +asked me to let thee stay with him. He himself will ask thee anon." + +"But I do not wish to, father. My one desire is to follow the banner +of the Constable." + +"I like thy pluck, Raymond, seeing what thou hast been through. 'Twas +an ill start for a soldier's life." + +"Yet we came out with honour," replied the boy, his eyes glistening +at the thought of the unequal encounter. "When thinkest thou that we +shall be able to leave this place?" + +"A matter of a few days. For my part, I must hasten back to Hamble to +gather together the remains of my goods and chattels, and also to +ease the dead Frenchman of his harness, for 'tis, a goodly suit of +armour. Also, there is a fair portion of plate and money which I am +leaving in the care of the Abbot. Some day 'twill be thine, Raymond, +but of that matter I'll speak more anon." + +Towards eventide the peacefulness of the Abbey was disturbed by the +tramp of armed men--the victorious troops returning to their camp at +Southampton; and by the Abbot's leave most of the wounded men, with +their escort of archers, passed out of the gate and lined the dusty +road to welcome their rescuers and comrades. Even the monks, carried +away by their feelings, crowded round the gateway to catch a glimpse +of the gallant companies. News of the capture of one galley and the +destruction of the other had already reached them, and enthusiasm ran +high as the bronzed and dust-covered soldiers tramped homewards. + +Redward Buckland knew most of the banners of the various companies, +and imparted his knowledge to his companions, while the archers who +formed their escort cheered lustily as their fellow-soldiers turned +to throw out words of pleasant banter. + +At length the master-bowman gave a loud shout. "Look, comrades, the +company of the Constable of Portchester! See the crescent _or_ on a +field _azure!_" + +Marching four abreast, their white surcoats soiled with mud, water, +and dust, came the Portchester garrison. For, save a few who remained +to hold the castle and the adjacent town of Portsmouth, the whole of +Sir John Hacket's men were with the army now encamped at Woolston, on +the outskirts of Southampton. + +At their head rode the fiery knight, attended by his squires, while +at his bridle-arm, mounted on a white jennet, was Walter de +Brakkeleye, the Bailiff of Southampton, whose men had already passed +by. The two leaders were engaged in animated conversation, all traces +of their bickering on the question of precedence having completely +vanished. + +Suddenly the knight caught sight of the little knot of men outside +the Abbey gate. + +"By the Rood, 'tis my old master-bowman and his party of villagers +who held the Frenchmen at bay!" he exclaimed. "When I sent them to +the Abbey I little thought to see any of them out and about so soon." + +In obedience to an order, the company halted and faced about. Sir +John rode up to the little band, who respectfully saluted him, +following Redward's example in military etiquette. + +"By St. George," said the knight, "'tis hard to do justice to your +bravery; for I have only now had time to ponder over your deeds. But +this I know--had ye not held the rascals in check the countryside +would have been laid bare far more than it is." + +"But," he went on reflectively, "ye are, for the most part, homeless +men; why not serve under my banner? Francewards riches and honour +await you. I'll warrant ye will gain more in one campaign than in a +lifetime in England. Buckland, I have heard, will rejoin my company. +He will be, as before, one of my sub-officers, and if ye come with +him, in his division ye'll be placed. I am loth to lose any of you. +So who's for an archer's life?" + +With one accord Redward's companions signified their eagerness to +follow the yellow crescent, and Sir John's face beamed with delight +at their decision. "Then get ye back to the Abbey till ye be +thoroughly healed of your wounds," he said, "and join the camp as +soon as possible. I thought aright that the taste of fighting would +but whet your appetites." + +"And you, Hubert," he added, addressing one of his squires, "take +this purse and present to the Abbot as a token of my esteem for the +kindly treatment of these men. Also make excuses for me, as the night +draws on apace." + +Then, commanding the archers who had conveyed Redward's party to the +Abbey to fall in with the rest of his company, Sir John gave the +order to march. The column moved onwards, leaving behind it the new +recruits to the banner of the Constable of the King's Castle of +Portchester. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE SACK OF SOUTHAMPTON + + +Two months have elapsed since Redward Buckland and his companions +made their gallant stand against the foreign raiders; Raymond had +developed into a full-fledged archer. Making a rapid recovery from +his wound, the lad, with his seven companions, joined the Constable's +banner at Southampton, whither Redward, having settled his affairs, +had preceded them. + +The badly-wounded Bevis made but slow progress; fighting, he +vehemently declared, was not in his line, so one morning he limped +slowly through the Abbey gateway to make his way back to Hamble, +there to rebuild his cottage and again to ply his calling as a +fisherman. + +Lack of money compelled King Edward III. to remain inactive. A tax on +wool was levied and grudgingly paid, for his subjects, finding that +no great deed of arms was likely to ensue, lacked the enthusiasm that +the glorious victories of later years were bound to create. Thus the +greater part of the huge host was dispersed; many of the troops were +moved to Rye and Winchelsea, others sent back to their own homes, +and, save for a few soldiers, the town of Southampton resumed its +normal appearance. + +By the King's special command, however, a portion of Sir John +Hacket's company was retained at Southampton to man some of the ships +that were to be fitted out against the rovers who still lingered in +the Channel, and thus Raymond found himself quartered in Saint +Barbara's Tower, a small defensive work on the south walls. + +Before dealing with the stirring events that happened in this ancient +and distinguished town, it would be well to briefly describe the +Southampton of the fourteenth century. + +Roughly, the town formed an irregular rectangle, with the +south-western corner rounded off. On the north side the walls were +pierced by the Bargate, and protected by several small towers, with a +larger erection, termed the Polymond Tower, at the northeastern +angle. The eastern side was defended by a wall nearly 800 yards in +length, further protected by twenty-seven half-round towers, and +pierced by the East Gate and two posterns. + +On the south the walls were in a somewhat ruinous condition, though +it ought to have been clear that these were more open to attack. Here +were two entrances--the God's House Tower gate at the southeastern +angle and the Water Gate. Several towers added to the defensive works +at this point, the chief being the God's House Tower, the Watch +Tower, the Square Tower, St. Barbara's Tower, and the Bugle Tower. + +The western face was by far the best protected, the arcaded walls +being of great height, terminating at Catchcold Tower near the +north-western angle. Two large gates--West Gate and Biddlesgate--gave +access to the water-front on the western shore, and in addition were +several posterns, one of which, the Water Gate, led to the courtyard +of the Castle, whose keep, a large circular Norman tower standing on +an artificial mound, dominated the whole town. + +Sunday, the 14th of October, 1338, was a black day in the annals of +Southampton. + +A few days previously more of the troops had been withdrawn, thus +leaving practically only the men of Southampton to guard the town. +Rumours of a large hostile fleet within the sheltered waters of the +Solent caused bodies of men to be hastily dispatched to Lepe, +Lymington, and other neighbouring sea-coast towns, while Sir John +Hacket, hurriedly summoned to Portsmouth on an urgent matter of +defence, had taken the greater part of his company with him. + +Redward's sub-division was amongst those left at Southampton, but he +himself had crossed to Hythe, where he hired a horse and rode to the +town of Lepe to gather tidings of the foemen. Thus there remained of +his party some two score archers and men-at-arms, under the command +of Richard Wyatt, the grizzled old warrior who had recognised his old +comrade Redward at the passage of the Hamble River. + +On this particular Sunday a white mist overspread Southampton. So +dense was the fog that even the oldest inhabitants could not recall +the like. Raymond and his comrades were busily engaged in overhauling +their bows and shafts, for on that afternoon a shooting match had +been arranged between ten men of the Constable's company and ten of +the town guard of Southampton, for displays of archery were then +usual at the close of church service. + +"A pest take the fog!" grumbled the old man-at-arms. "If it does not +lift 'twill be too thick to hold the contest." + +"Even this room is full of it," cried an archer, twanging his +bow-string with his thumb. "Look, this cord is as dead as the giant +Ascupart, whom these Southampton folk brag so much about!" + +"At all events, both parties fare alike. If we but win a groat apiece +the weather can bide--that is, so long as we can see the butts!" + +Just then the bells of St. Michael's and the Maison Dieu struck out +to summon the townspeople to Mass, and soon the streets were teeming +with gaily dressed folk, all hastening to their respective churches, +though to the men in the tower they appeared but ghostly shapes +gliding in the misty air. + +"Who will come with me on to the top of the tower?" asked one of the +archers. "I'd as lief get wet through in the open as perish with cold +in this fog-laden room." + +"I am with thee," replied Raymond. + +"And I--and I," said several voices. + +Ascending a narrow spiral flight of stone steps, the comrades gained +the summit of St. Barbara's Tower. Rearing itself sixty feet above +the ground and thirty feet above the line of battlemented walls, this +building was crowned by a low breastwork, and roofed with large slabs +of stone sufficiently sloping to carry off the rainwater, but at the +same time capable of being walked upon without difficulty. + +"Ha! The mist rises a little!" exclaimed one. "Though 'twill be only +for a time." + +"I can perceive the watch-fire," remarked another, indicating the +dull glow of the burning wood in an open brazier that at night or in +thick weather was always fired on the summit of the Water Gate. + +"Ho! Peterkin--Simon!" shouted a hoarse voice immediately below them. +"Out on ye for scurvy knaves! Hasten and bring oars, or I'll lay my +staff athwart your backs!" + +"'Tis old John Draper, the water-bailiff," remarked one of the +archers. "Some vessel hath found her way up the Water, and he's going +to board her." + +They heard the oars tossed into the boat, and the rasping voice of +the water-bailiff as he descended the stone steps of the quay and +stepped into the boat. Then the sound of oars straining against the +tholepins grew fainter and fainter, till the little craft was lost to +sight and sound in the dense fog. + +Suddenly a piercing shriek, followed by the dull noise of a heavy +splash, fell upon the ears of the archers in the tower. + +"What's that?" inquired one, his indifference changed into alert +activity. + +"Nothing, thick head--except, perhaps, that old Draper hath missed +his foothold and received a ducking!" + +"I like it not," replied the first archer. "There's black devilment +afoot." + +"Thou art ever looking for trouble, Hal. Didst ever----" + +"Nay, methinks he's right," interrupted Will Lightfoot. "Hearken!" + +Leaning over the edge of the parapet the archers strove to ascertain +the meaning of a subdued splashing that every moment grew louder. + +"Oars, comrades, oars! And not a score not two score, either. The +water's _alive_ with them!" + +And now through the mist loomed scores of great indistinct shapes +that only too soon resolved themselves into the outlines of long +galleys, their size magnified by the thick veil of vapour. Before the +astonished archers could realise their danger the huge craft ran +alongside the quay or beached themselves with a grinding crunch on +the gravel of the foreshore abreast the Water Gate, and from them +leaped hordes of armed men, shouting and giving orders in half the +tongues of Southern Europe. + +The surprise was complete. The Water Gate was rushed ere the massive +gates could be closed, and the foe, with the quickness of martial +experience, wedged the grooves of the double portcullis to prevent +the lowering of the heavy iron slides. Into the town they poured, +slaying all who crossed their path, and before the startled +inhabitants, most of whom were still at Mass, could grasp the +situation, close upon five thousand French and Genoese soldiers had +gained possession of the greater part of the town. + +To add to the tumult, the bell over the watchtower began a dismal +tocsin, and continued till a party of soldiers, climbing to the +summit, hurled the devoted bellman crashing down upon the stones +beneath. But other bells took up the warning note, till the Bar Gate, +at the northern end of Southampton, gave a more timely alarm to the +dwellers about the upper part of the town. + +In the meantime the archers of St. Barbara's Tower, lashed into +activity by the orders and example of Dick Wyatt, had closed, barred, +and bolted the great oaken door, and hastily arming themselves, +ascended the tower, where they crouched, arrow on string, behind the +low, battlemented parapet. + +"Methinks 'tis all up with Southampton," exclaimed the grizzled +warrior. "But lie close, and do not loose string till they find us +out." + +"But what can we do?" + +"Very little till the fog lifts. Then it will be seen, which of the +towers still hold out." + +"Have they carried the Castle, think you?" + +"Not if the garrison have had the least warning, and, thank Heaven, +there's enough noise to waken the Seven Sleepers. Hearken!" + +Above the noise of the still disembarking foreign soldiery could be +heard pitiful screams and cries for mercy, as men, women, and +children were cut down indiscriminately by the ruthless foe, while a +distant clash of arms showed that in some quarters of the town the +invaders were meeting with some amount of resistance. + +As if by magic, the mist suddenly rolled away, and the pale October +sun streamed down upon a sight that was but too common in those days. +Two score and ten galleys lay along the sea-front, their prows +touching the shore just as the first high water was beginning to ebb, +while in mid-stream fifty-five heavier vessels rode at anchor. From +this powerful fleet close on twelve thousand Normans, Picards, +Genoese, and Spaniards had landed. + +Already the southern portion of the town, with the exception of St. +Barbara's and God's House Towers, was in their hands. Robert de la +Barre, one of the bailiffs, held the Castle and the West Gate; Walter +de Brakkeleye, the other, lay within Catchcold Tower; while through +the Bar Gate poured a mob of terrified citizens, some of whom fled +hot-foot even as far as Winchester. + +Having made sure of the lower part of the town, the invaders began +their accustomed excesses, plundering and burning in all directions. + +A strong body of Genoese could be seen coming down the road that +followed the inner side of the South Wall. + +"Stand fast, if ye would see to-morrow's sun!" cried the old +man-at-arms warningly. "And do not give any sign till they discover +us: then an arrow for each black heart!" + +On the opposite side of the street, which, for military reasons, was +wider than those away from the walls, was a house of superior quality +to its neighbours. It was a two-storeyed, half-timbered building, +standing in a large extent of ground. Attracted by its more imposing +appearance, three of the marauders stopped and began to batter on the +outer gate with their short, heavy axes. + +"'Tis the house of Sir Reginald Scarsdale," quoth one of the archers, +a Southampton man. "'Tis out of the frying-pan into the fire, I trow, +with him." + +"What dost thou mean?" asked Raymond. + +"Why, this: twice his castle in the county of Yorks hath been burned +by the Scots; so, to keep his womenfolk out of harm's way, he sends +them down here, while he keeps watch and ward at Berwick." + +"His womenfolk?" + +"Ay! His wife, the Lady Hilda, and his daughter, the Lady Audrey. +Pray Heaven they be not in the house!" + +"But they are!" exclaimed another. "I heard from one of their +servants but a few hours back that the old lady was seized with an +ague. And the younger, a sweet little lass, left to the mercies of +those wretches! Alas! And we can do nothing!" + +Raymond's only reply was to compress his lips tightly and clutch the +hilt of his short sword. Carefully he peered over the edge of the +parapet, and looked down on the scene below. + +Already the gate was giving way before the lusty blows of the axes. +Then, throwing his ponderous body against the shattered woodwork, a +burly Genoese burst the remaining fragments with a resounding crash, +and, with wild shouts of triumph, the three plunderers rushed across +the grounds and attacked the door of the house, while the screams of +terrified women rent the air. + +Without a moment's hesitation Raymond seized a coil of rope which was +used for hauling up materials to the top of the tower, and hastily +knotted one end round his body. He looked down. The street was now +clear of any wandering soldiers. Taking his bow and quiver, as well +as his sword, the youth persuaded his comrades to lower him with all +despatch. + +Round and round he spun in his hazardous descent, till, with bleeding +hands and a swimming sensation in his head, Raymond found himself on +the ground. Instantly he unloosed the rope, darted quickly across the +road and gained the outer gateway. + +By this time the inner door had been wrenched open, and the three +Genoese were holding a debate amongst themselves, gesticulating and +talking volubly till it seemed as if a quarrel was likely to ensue. +Finally two entered the house, the third keeping guard outside, +possibly to prevent any fugitive from leaving, or to keep others of +their comrades from sharing in what promised to be a rich haul. + +Raymond saw and seized his chance. The man's back was turned towards +him, yet--the raiders being mere pirates and deserving of no +mercy--without hesitation, the youth drew string, and the next +instant the soldier was lying on his face, his back pierced by an +arrow. + +Guided by the redoubled sound of shrieks, the lad sped across the +ground, grasping his drawn sword in his hand, and ascended the stairs +with quick yet noiseless footsteps. + +At the head of the stairs lay the corpse of an old man, evidently a +servitor, the blood welling in a crimson flood from a gaping wound in +his throat. Without stopping, Raymond sprang over the body and burst +into a room whence the shrieks came with terrifying shrillness. + +There a sight met his gaze that transformed him into a terrible +avenging spirit rather than a human being. On the floor lay an +elderly lady, her eyes rolling in semi-stupor, while the two ruffians +were maltreating a young and beautiful girl, whose age could not have +been more than sixteen. In spite of her furious struggles and +piercing cries the two Genoese were dragging her out of the room, and +her strength was well-nigh exhausted. + +With a loud shout of anger Raymond rushed upon the two men, who were +totally unprepared for any onslaught while engaged in their work of +cruelty and rapine. A strong sweeping blow with his sword and one of +the villains fell lifeless to the ground, but, before the young +archer could strike again, the second turned upon him, and in a +moment both were struggling on the floor in a deadly embrace, the +Genoese, a great lusty fellow, being uppermost. Raymond still +retained his sword, though unable to shorten it, while his enemy +strove to draw a dagger that he wore at his belt. Seeing this the lad +dropped his sword and grasped the other's wrist, while, in turn, +Raymond's arm was gripped to prevent him from drawing his own knife. + +At length the weight of his foeman's body began to tell, and slowly +the breath was forced out of the lad's lungs by the relentless +pressure. Raymond thought that the end was near, his face was turning +black, red lights flashed across his eyes, and, as in a dream, he saw +the Genoese wrench his hand free from the retaining grasp and seize +the hilt of his dagger. + +"Flee!" gasped Raymond, glancing towards the maiden, and he had +steeled himself to receive the expected _coup de grace_, suddenly he +felt his enemy's body grow limp and a flood of hot blood rained upon +his face. + +Struggling to his feet, faint, dazed, and unable for the moment to +realise that it was not his own life's blood, Raymond gazed vacantly +upon the body of his foeman. Then, as his scattered senses began to +return, the youth realised that his miraculous deliverance was due to +the prompt action of the girl to whose aid he had flown; for seeing +how matters were turning, and desperate for her own and her rescuer's +safety, she had possessed herself of the dagger of the slain ruffian +and had plunged it up to the hilt in the neck of the other. + +For the first time Raymond could take notice of the girl. Looking at +her white face, he could see that she was a maiden of quality and +unquestionable beauty. As she stood there, with flashing eyes and the +reeking dagger in her hand, she seemed in the eyes of the young +archer like one of the mythological heroines of whom he had read in +the library of the Abbey. But with the sense of safety came the +inevitable reaction. She dropped the knife, and, falling beside her +mother, burst into tears. + +Raymond, in spite of his inexperience, saw only too clearly that the +elder lady was beyond pain and suffering. + +"Come," he said gently. "We must needs go quickly. Thy mother is--" +He was unable to finish the sentence, but the girl understood. + +"I am ready," she said, in a far-away voice, "but whither shall we +go?" + +Pausing to throw a coverlet over the still form of the lady, Raymond +gave a final glance at the bodies of his late adversaries; then, +taking the girl by the hand, he drew her gently from the room. + +The cool, fresh air revived his scattered wits considerably, so that +he was able to take the necessary precautions to regain St. Barbara's +Tower. Bidding the girl wait behind a thick shrubbery, Raymond looked +cautiously out of the gate. The street seemed to be clear, while his +comrades were alert and waiting his return. + +Calling the girl, he led her quickly across the street; the end of a +rope was thrown down, and hastily the lad looped it round her supple +form. Then at a signal the little garrison pulled up the rope, and +its precious burden was safe within the shelter of St. Barbara's +Tower! + +"Haste thee, boy!" shouted old Dicky Wyatt, the grizzled man-at-arms. +"The French be upon thee!" + +There was not a moment to be lost. The lad seized the end of the rope +as it descended, and hanging on like a jackanapes, was soon dangling +in the air. A party of the enemy were running down the street, and +already a few quarrels and arrows were whistling past his ears or +splintering themselves against the stonework of the tower. Then a +well-directed flight of cloth-yard shafts held the enemy in check, +and aided by willing hands, Raymond was helped over the parapet. + +"A plucky deed," growled Wyatt, "but thou hast sold us, my lad. See, +they have gone to bring re-inforcements to carry the tower by +escalade!" + +"Certes, Raymond," exclaimed an archer, "thou dost look like a +butcher What hast thou been about?" + +"Never mind that: the tale will keep," interrupted the man-at-arms. +"I'll warrant we'll all look worse than that ere long! Here, +Lightfoot! Away with Ye to the kitchen, and see that plenty of water +is put to boil. And you, Ned, fetch an axe and hew off some of this +lead and melt it. Methinks the townsmen of Southampton will not +amerce us with the damage, whether we hold the tower or not!" + +While the preparations for defence were in progress a loud shout from +one of the archers gave warning that the enemy were returning to the +attack, and the two score Englishmen from the height of the tower +looked down upon ten times their number of Picards, Normans, and +Spaniards, to whom the assault on a fortress or the sack of a +defenceless town were looked upon as ordinary occurrences. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +OF THE ASSAULT ON ST. BARBARA'S TOWER + + +WITH fierce cries and menacing gestures the foreigners rushed down +the street, many of them carrying axes and torches, while others bore +a stout beam for the purpose of battering down the door of the tower. +Their archers and crossbowmen, eager to join in the fray, had slung +their bows, and with knives, swords, or short spears in their hands, +surged along in a confused mass with the men-at-arms. + +"Now! Altogether! Loose, my lads!" shouted old Richard, and with the +well-known twang nearly a score of bows sent their missiles crashing +into the armed mob below. + +Many of the advancing foemen fell, transfixed by the deadly shafts, +while those in the rear, pressing blindly forward, stumbled over +those who lay writhing on the ground. When, at length, the foremost +had reached the base of the tower, where they were safe from the +stinging shower, they were met with a stream of molten lead, which, +burning through hauberk and leathern jerkin with equal ease, sent the +assailants reeling back with screams of agony. + +The men bearing the beam were all shot down, and the main body +retiring hastily, in a few moments the street was deserted but for a +number of corpses, and the solitary standing figure of a man in full +armour. Disdaining to turn his back upon the foe, the knight walked +slowly backwards, shaking his ponderous mace in speechless anger, +while the arrows rattled harmlessly off his proof-plate mail. + +"Save your arrows, comrades, and give him a heavy stone or a dose of +hot lead should he approach," said old Wyatt. "Methinks I've seen his +device before. 'Tis Enrico, son of the King of Sicily." + +Just then the prince, his spurred heels tripping on the body of a +man-at-arms, fell prostrate on his back, amid a roar of laughter from +the Englishmen. + +"Now stand by," exclaimed one of the archers, "and directly he moves +a limb, let fly at his armpits or behind his knees!" + +But the Italian was not lacking in cunning, for knowing that the +weight of his armour would effectually prevent his rising, he lay +perfectly quiet, his arms pressed closely to his side, till some +varlets, bearing a heavy mantlet before them, came running up and +lifted their master on his feet. Then, with measured step, the prince +retired out of sight. + +"Ah! As I thought, the rascals have learned a trick or two!" growled +Wyatt, pointing to the Woolhouse Tower, a structure of greater height +than St. Barbara's Tower, and standing less than three hundred paces +distant. + +Abandoned by its garrison at the first alarm, the Woolhouse Tower was +occupied by a strong body of French archers, while an equally +formidable band of crossbowmen took possession of the lofty Woolhouse +hard by, so that a flight of missiles was poured upon the Englishmen +from two different points. + +"Lie down, men; 'tis useless to return their fire!" commanded the +man-at-arms. But before his advice could be acted upon five archers +and two soldiers were hit, one of the latter, his brain pierced by a +bolt, toppling forwards over the parapet, and falling with a +sickening thud upon the wall below. + +"Would it not be well to abandon the roof and seek shelter below?" +inquired one. + +"And give the rascals an easy chance to carry the tower," rejoined +old Wyatt derisively. "Nay, we must hold the flats at all cost. +Quickly, my lads! Bring up everything ye can find that will do to +raise a mantlet! There are plenty of hides in the store, and planks +and poles as well." + +Swiftly the archers fell to work, and in a very short space they had +stretched some stout ox-hides on poles and had raised them above the +parapet. Strengthening their hasty barricade with several heavy +planks, they were soon in comparative security; while through the +narrow space betwixt the top of the battlement and the lower edge of +the hides they could keep up a brisk discharge of arrows upon their +assailants, while the muffled thud of shafts and quarrels striking +upon the loosely hung hides showed both the vehemence of the attack +and the efficacy of the defence. + +The defenders had now time to survey their surroundings; and, to +every one's surprise, the Lady Audrey, calm and self-possessed, was +busily engaged in making bandages for the wounded men. + +"My faith!" exclaimed Dick Wyatt, roughly yet kindly. "'Tis no place +for thee, girl! Away with thee to the room below, and, if nursing be +thy desire, I'll warrant there'll be enough work for thee ere long!" + +Reluctantly, the maiden obeyed; and the wounded archers were taken +below so that their hurts could receive attention, while the +survivors would be less encumbered on the narrow extent of the roof. + +"Stand to it once more!" shouted their leader. "They come again! Now, +Will, be ready with the molten lead and the boiling water!" + +Assailed on three sides at once, the defenders were hard put to it to +keep the attackers in check. In addition to the showers of arrows and +stones, the enemy had gained a lodgment on the town wall, and two +long ladders were placed against the tower, their ends resting or +projecting above the battlements. Up swarmed a number of +heavily-armed men, till the ladders creaked and groaned under their +weight. Harassed by the hail of missiles, and impeded by the curtains +of bulls' hides, the defenders could not repel the assault, and, to +their consternation, the leaders of the attack appeared above the +battlements. + +Once the mailed warriors gained the roof, all would be lost! But at +the critical moment Richard Wyatt, seizing a massive crowbar, +loosened a heavy coping-stone. Then, calling a couple of strong +archers to his aid, the ponderous stone was deftly toppled over the +battlements. Missing the first man, the stone hurled the next two +from their swaying foothold, then, crashing through the woodwork of +the ladder, it fell upon the heads of the men who were supporting +those who had already ascended. + +The ladder cracked and broke, bringing down the other ladder in its +fall, the fragments descending in opposite directions athwart the +wall, where a ghastly litter of woodwork and mangled corpses marked +the failure of the enterprise. + +The man who had first gained the edge of the parapet, feeling the +ladder give beneath him, sprang for the roof; but, encumbered by his +heavy armour, he slipped, and, clinging only by his mailed gauntlets, +he hung dangling over the abyss. + +Through the bars of his visor the defenders could see his eyes +starting from his head in his terror. But it was no time for pity. +With gibes and fierce jests the Englishmen watched his desperate +struggles, till, his fingers growing numb with the strain, he relaxed +his hold and fell, with a hoarse cry, to join the crushed and mangled +bodies of his comrades. + +Carried away by his enthusiasm, old Richard tore aside side the +curtain of hides, and stood upon the parapet to view the scene of his +triumph; but his imprudence cost him dear, fora crossbow bolt struck +him in the side, and he fell backwards into the arms of two of the +archers. + +"Lay me down," he cried feebly. "I am done for at last!" Presently he +added, "Send Raymond to me." + +Quickly the young archer came and knelt beside the dying soldier, +across whose eyes a misty film was already beginning to gather. + +"Raymond," he gasped, "thou'rt but a lad, but thou hast a cool head. +Take charge of the Tower, and yield to no man. If the saints bring ye +out scatheless, tell my master, Sir John, that I did my duty. . . . +And now, Pearce," he added, addressing another of the archers who +crowded around, "thou hast a strong steady hand. Grasp the bolt, I +pray thee, and pluck it out. It would ease and hasten my passing." + +But the archer could not bring himself to hasten the end, in spite of +the faint entreaties of the dying man. Then, by a supreme effort, +Dick Wyatt struggled to his feet and tore out the deadly shaft. A +rush of dark blood followed, and, with a loud cry of "St. George for +England!" the old man-at-arms fell dead. + +The little garrison was now in sore straits. Of the original two +score men nine were killed and twelve grievously wounded, and of the +survivors only eleven were left to guard the roof of the Tower and +eight to man the oylets and windows of the lower storeys. + +At Raymond's suggestion the steel caps of the killed and wounded were +shown above the walls to deceive the enemy as to the strength of the +garrison. Then, leaving two men to keep a sharp look-out, the +remainder of the worn and famished warriors descended into a lower +room to partake of a hasty yet plentiful meal. + +"I would we had a sack or two of quicklime," remarked Raymond to Will +Lightfoot, who had charge of the defence of the lowermost storey. "We +would then give them a warm welcome such as my father did at Hamble." + +Will was evidently thinking. + +"There is very little that will burn," he said at last reflectively. +"They threw in some flaming wood, but, methinks, they had a good +exchange--molten lead is not much to the taste of these rogues!" + +"True, the Tower cannot be fired, but why didst thou mention it?" + +"Because in the cellar are several bundles of straw and hay. I would +counsel that we set them alight and hurl them on the scaling +ladders!" + +"By St. George! A good device!" + +Once more the invaders renewed the assault, and this time ladders +were brought against two opposite sides of the building. But, thanks +to the trusses of flaming straw and hay, the attackers could not +bring themselves to face the hazardous ascent. + +Neither did the attack upon the door at the base of the Tower meet +with better success, for the arrows of the besieged kept the +battering-ram inactive, while those bolder than their fellows who +attacked the door with axes found that, however accustomed they were +to give or receive hard knocks, molten lead and boiling water were +more than they could stand. + +At length night drew on, and, save for an occasional arrow, the +garrison were unmolested. Many of the French and Genoese, having had +their fill of plunder, were busy removing their booty to the galleys. +Others, mad with drink, paraded the streets uttering wild oaths and +strange cries. + +Those houses that had been plundered were set on fire, and, as +darkness fell over the ill-fated town, the glare of fifty burning +buildings illuminated the country for miles around, and served to +lash the surviving inhabitants into a host of desperate and +revengeful defenders of their country's shores. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +ON THE HEELS OF THE ENEMY + + +ALTHOUGH the two bailiffs, Walter de Brakkeleye and Robert de la +Barre, had remained disgracefully inactive within their defences, the +men of Winchester, Romsey, and other neighbouring towns and villages +were massing to aid the men of Southampton, and a large and +well-appointed army had gathered at ready to wrest the pillaged town +from the Bassett, ready to wrest the pillaged town from the invaders +and drive them back to their ships. + +Throughout the night the defenders of St. Barbara's Tower kept +anxious vigil. Of the preparations for their relief they knew +nothing. But hardly had the pale dawn begun to gather in the east +than the foreigners were astir, taking steps to keep the galleys +afloat on the now falling tide, as if they purposed embarking once +more. + +Then, with a crash and a roar, the sound of fighting was heard +towards the centre of the town, and from their elevated position the +sorry remnant of the defenders saw the lances of the English charge +down the High Street, bearing all before them. In other quarters the +invaders, entangled in the narrow streets, were cut off by swarms of +the infuriated inhabitants, who, knowing the peculiarities of their +town, moved with consummate ease, hurling down stones and shooting +arrows from the houses upon their entrapped enemy. + +And now, from the Castle and the West Gate and Catchcold Towers +poured the liberated garrison, eager to avenge their disgrace. Many +were the encounters between the Southampton men and their foes in +this quarter of the town, till, driven back by weight of numbers, the +enemy, who were mostly Genoese, returned slowly past St. Barbara's +Tower, contesting every inch of ground. + +The little band of defenders now occupied themselves by annoying the +retreating Italians with well-directed arrows, while, all danger of +an assault being at an end, the barricades behind the door were +removed so that the garrison could sally out and join their friends. + +Nearer and nearer came the sound of conflict, till Raymond and his +comrades perceived the red-crossed surcoats of the Englishmen +pressing back the discomfited Genoese. At length, unable to withstand +the flanking fire of arrows, the enemy fled past out of bowshot of +the Tower--all save one, whom Raymond recognised as the son of the +King of Sicily. Burning to achieve a further deed of honour, Raymond +threw open the door and rushed out to intercept the mailclad knight, +who, with sweeping strokes of his sword, kept the men-at-arms at a +respectful distance. But the lad was forestalled. A huge countryman, +who had lost his all in the sack of the town, had crept behind the +Prince, and, with a swinging blow of a massive club, smote the +Italian behind the knees. + +With a snarl of rage and pain the Prince fell to the ground, and, +with a shout of triumph, his assailant stood over him with his club +upraised to give the fatal blow. Finding further resistance +impossible, the knight dropped his sword. + +"_Je me rends!_" he exclaimed. "_Je vous donnerai rançon!_" + +"Yea, I know thou art a Françon," thundered the Englishman, +misunderstanding the Prince's appeal for mercy, "and therefore thou +shalt die!" And, notwithstanding a warning shout from Raymond and +several of the Englishmen, the club descended with tremendous force, +and the Italian lay dead upon the ground. + +"I'll trouble thee to mind thy own business, my master!" hissed the +countryman, turning fiercely on Raymond. + +"But he was a gentleman of quality. He surrendered to thee, and he +was worth a heavy ransom!" + +"Ransom, forsooth!" rejoined the man, in a frenzy. "What ransom can +atone for a wife and five children slain? Speak not to me of ransom!" +And, shouldering his club, the man rushed off in pursuit of the +fugitives as they hastened towards the Water Gate. + +Beaten back at every point, the invaders crowded on board their +galleys, and during the embarkation the slaughter was greater; for, +from the walls, as well as from the shore, a heavy fire of arrows was +hailed upon them by the infuriated townsmen. + +At length, with the exception of a few galleys that, caught by the +falling tide, were burned and their crews slaughtered, the hostile +ships withdrew, and, with a steady north-west breeze, bore away down +Southampton Water, leaving behind them a half-burned and pillaged +town--the terrible penalty of unpreparedness! + +After the _mêlée_ Raymond returned with the remnant of the +Constable's detachment to the Tower they had held so well, and, to +his surprise and delight, found his father awaiting him, though +Redward hardly recognised his son. Stained with his own blood and the +blood of the Genoese, covered with dust and grime from head to foot, +Raymond looked a very different person from the gentle youth of three +months back. + +"By St. Edward of Netley!" exclaimed Redward, "wherever I go, whether +Francewards or otherwise, thou shalt go too; for methinks there is as +much danger in Merrie England as in the land of the Fleur-de-Lys!" + +"But how camest thou here, father?" asked Raymond. "I thought thou +wert at Lepe." + +"Ah, lad! it was there I saw the foemen sail towards Southampton; so I +rode hot-foot to Hythe.[1] There I took a boat--stole it, I fear--and +tried to cross; but in the fog I nearly ran into the thick of the +galleys. Then I knew I was too late; so back to the shore I rowed, +and came round the head of the Water by land. 'Twas a long journey by +Totton, and by the time I reached Millbrook it was daylight, and the +men of Romsey were marching in upon the town." + +By this time Raymond had washed his face and hands, and had brushed +most of the grime from his clothes, having removed his white surcoat +and breastplate. + +"We have had a hot time, father. They pressed us hard. Fourteen men +lie stretched upon the straw, and nine are dead. Poor old Dick Wyatt +is no more." + +"Heaven rest his soul!" exclaimed Redward, piously crossing himself. +"He was a good and true comrade to me through thick and thin, and I +trow 'tis hard to be stricken down almost within sight of home." + +Together father and son ascended the winding stair that led to the +upper rooms. There lay the wounded defenders, carefully tended by the +Lady Audrey. As Raymond entered the room, she looked at him in a +puzzled manner. Then, holding out her hand, she exclaimed: + +"Why, 'tis my gallant preserver! And what a difference a clean face +doth make ye are but a boy, and a handsome one at that!" + +A deep flush overspread the youth's face. Redward, knowing nothing of +the circumstances of her rescue, could but express his astonishment, +and, leaving the pair engaged in eager talk, he ascended to the roof, +where lay the bodies of Richard Wyatt and the other soldiers, each +grim and stern in death. + +From Will Lightfoot he learned most of the particulars of the +defence, including his son's intrepid act of rescue. + +"Ay! Buckland," said Will, "'tis not every archer who hath the good +fortune to rescue a noble lady such as the Lady Audrey Scarsdale!" + +"Scarsdale?" repeated Redward. + +"Ay Scarsdale--daughter of Sir Reginald Scarsdale." + +The master-bowman staggered as if struck by an invisible blow; then, +recovering himself by an effort, asked Lightfoot if there were any +tidings of Sir John Hacket. + +Even Will Lightfoot could not fail to notice the change in Redward's +appearance; but, putting it down to the fearful strain of the fight, +suggested adjourning to partake of refreshment. + +The task of laying to rest the bodies of their comrades was next +proceeded with. Then Raymond, with two of his fellow-archers, entered +the ill-fated house of the Lady Scarsdale, and removed the bodies of +the three Genoese. + +Placing the corpse of the Lady Hilda reverently on a bed, they locked +up the house and gave the keys into the custody of the Sheriff, who, +knowing the Scarsdale family, took the necessary steps to ensure a +fitting burial of the knight's wife, while Lady Audrey was taken care +of by some relatives who resided in another part of Hampshire. + +Early the following morning Sir John Hacket, having assured himself +that the enemy had made for the Channel and were not likely to return +to raid some other coast town, rode into Southampton from Portsmouth, +attended by his squires and a troop of lances and mounted archers. + +Proudly, yet sadly, the stern old knight gazed upon the sorry remnant +of the detachment he had left at Southampton but a week before. + +"By St. George!" he exclaimed, "ye are a credit to me, and the one +bright jewel in the sable field of incompetence and neglect! The King +shall hear of your deeds! Ye see," he added aside to his squires, +"what that ranter, Walter de Brakkeleye, and his co-bailiff, de la +Barre, have done. Had they given more thought to the safe keeping of +the town, instead of bickering, as Brakkeleye did with me respecting +the jurisdiction of his bailiwick, not a house in Southampton would +have been touched by foreign foemen, not one of the townsfolk harmed. +Should the King think fit to hang them on the battlements 'twould be +but their deserts!" + +"And now," he continued, addressing the archers, "I will take care +that bravery hath its reward. Another penny a day shall be added to +your pay, and, as for Raymond Buckland, who, I am told, undertook the +defence after my trusted Wyatt's death, from this time forth he shall +be one of my squires! Let him but acquit himself as he hath done +since he hath been in my company, and he will be on the road to win a +pair of gilded spurs!" + + +[1] Not, of course, the well-known coast town in Kent, but the +ancient villae of that name on the New Forest side of Southampton +Water. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +FATHER AND SON SET OUT FOR HENNEBON + + +NEARLY four years have elapsed since the events recorded in the last +chapter--years full of national interest. The naval battle of Sluy's +had been fought and won, and for the time the English fleet ruled the +Channel, so that scarce a French or Spanish vessel dared to show +itself betwixt Ushant and Cape Grisnez. + +After the siege of Tournay, a treaty had been concluded between King +Edward III. and Philip of France, but the former was ever on the +alert to seize a favourable opportunity of renewing hostilities, and +late in 1341 an incident occurred that gave the King the excuse to +prosecute the war once more--a step that led to the glorious victory +at Creçy and the overrunning of nearly the whole of France by the +victorious arms of England. + +The Duchy of Brittany was disputed between John of Montfort and +Charles of Blois, and, while the latter was pressing his claims at +the French Court, Montfort, by force or intrigue, had acquired the +fortresses of Rennes, Nantes, Brest, and Hennebon; and in order to +obtain a powerful supporter he had journeyed to England and concluded +an offensive and defensive alliance with King Edward, at the same +time offering to do him homage for the Duchy of Brittany. + +Keeping this treaty a deep secret, Montfort did not hesitate to +return to Paris to defend his case, but realising that the French +King did not favour him, and fearing violence at his hands, the Earl +retired to Brittany and declared war against the Count of Blois. + +Philip sent his son, the Duke of Normandy, with a powerful force to +aid Charles of Blois, and Montfort, after sending urgent requests for +assistance to the King of England, shut himself up in Nantes, which +was immediately besieged by the French. + +By the treachery of the inhabitants Nantes fell, and Montfort, taken +prisoner, was hurried to Paris, where he was loaded with chains and +thrown into a loathsome dungeon in the Louvre. + +But, though low, the fortunes of the Montforts were destined to +recover. The cause was taken up by the Countess Joan of Montfort, the +heroic wife of the imprisoned Earl, and being loyally supported by +the Bretons, she withdrew her forces to the town of Hennebon, where +she awaited the onslaught of the French, trusting in the expected aid +from England. + +* * * * * + +But to return to Raymond Buckland and his adventures. As squire to +Sir John Hacket, the Constable of the King's Castle of Portchester, +he was now a member of the knight's household, spending the greater +part of his time within the grey walls of the fortress. + +Four years had made a great change in Raymond's appearance. He was +now a youth of twenty, tall and well built. Thanks to his +surroundings, he was skilled in the arts of warfare, and few could +withstand him at the jousts and spear-runnings that were frequently +held in the extensive grass-grown square that formed the outer bailey +of the castle. Moreover, his monkish training admirably fitted him +for the more clerkly duties that fell to him, and by his diligence, +intelligence, and courage he was held in high esteem by the fiery old +knight. + +Redward, too, for his tried devotion and experience was made head +master-bowman of the Constable's company, and, when occasion served, +Sir John was not above asking his advice in the ordering of the +castle and its defences. + +But over Raymond hung a dark cloud of perplexity. The image of the +fair Lady Audrey was ever present in his mind, and, encouraged by the +Constable's prediction that in due course he might be entitled to +wear the gilded spurs of knighthood, his hopes ran high of one day +being in a position to win the maiden's heart and hand. But to his +unbounded surprise, Raymond found that his father was tacitly opposed +to this, his dearest wish. With difficulty Redward had been persuaded +to allow the young squire to wait upon Sir Reginald Scarsdale, when +that knight wished to thank him for his services. Any mention of the +name of Scarsdale served to plunge the master-bow-man into moodiness +and silence, and any question that the lad put to his sire on the +subject was turned in a way that puzzled Raymond in no small degree. + +One day an event happened that was to transfer the lad from the +pleasant life of ease at the castle to a far more active and +dangerous sphere. + +How well Raymond remembered it in after years. That morning he and +another squire had mounted the four-storeyed Norman keep, and from +the battlements looked down upon the scene below. It was a striking +picture; the keep stood at the north-west-angle of the huge fortified +enclosure. Immediately beneath the east and south faces of the donjon +lay the inner bailey. In the far corner of the outer bailey stood the +church, and close by was the water-gate, at which lay the Constable's +state barge. Away to the south stretched the wide expanse of +Portsmouth Harbour, its waters dotted with the sails of highsided +cogs and other merchant vessels, as they threaded their way up the +sinuous deep-water channels that led to the castle. + +Immediately opposite the water-gate was the landport, or gateway +giving access to the castle from the land. The lads could follow the +line of the dusty road as it passed through the little village, swept +round the head of the harbour, and eventually was lost in the +distance as it ran towards the City of London. + +"Look, Raymond," exclaimed his companion, a Hampshire lad named +Oswald Mant. "A horseman approaches, and, my faith, he does not spare +his steed!" + +"'Tis not one of the company?" + +"Nay, look at the livery--murrey slashed with green--he is of the +household of Sir John Chandos." + +"Then something of importance hath taken place. I would 'twere good +tidings from France!" + +Leaving a dense white cloud of chalky dust behind him, the messenger +clattered down the road, pulled up for a moment at the outer gateway +to reply to the challenge of the guard, then spurred madly across the +courtyard to the foot of the steps leading to the keep. Here a page +ran forward to hold his horse, and, throwing himself wearily from the +saddle, the rider staggered up the steps and disappeared under a low +archway that gave access to the Constable's quarters. + +An hour passed ere the messenger reappeared, and, after draining a +cup of wine, he remounted and spurred his horse on his homeward +journey. + +While the two squires were debating over the matter, a page sought +them, summoning Raymond to instantly repair to Sir John's apartment. + +With beating heart, as if anticipating some good fortune, Raymond +followed the page, and was ushered into the Constable's presence, +where he found that Redward was already before him. It was a long, +narrow room, lighted with lancet windows and hung with rich arras. At +one end was a heavy table littered with papers and plans, and, for +the nonce, unmindful of the dignity of his position, Sir John was +sitting on its edge, swinging one leg, with the air of a man who is +occupied by a perplexing problem. + +Directly the page had retired, the Constable signed to Redward to +draw a thick hanging over the door. + +"Raymond," quoth he, "the King hath done us a signal honour. A +messenger hath arrived with orders for me to send a trusty squire to +the Countess of Montfort, who, as ye know, is beleaguere in Hennebon. +'Twill be a grave and hazardous task, yet withal one of great honour. +To my mind, I cannot name a more promising messenger than thee. Art +willing to take the risk?" + +"To have a chance to distinguish myself in the King's service is my +ardent desire, sir!" + +"'Tis well. Now listen. Hennebon is on the sea coast of Brittany, +betwixt the great River Loire and the town of Brest. As the foemen +lie thick around it, and have also, I doubt not, a strong +water-guard, 'tis a matter of stratagem rather than open work. But, +in any case, this packet must be delivered into the hands of the +Countess at all costs--at all costs, I repeat. I give thee a free +hand in the matter. Take what men thou dost deem fit--though, +methinks, the smaller the party the more chance of success." + +"Methinks my father will be sufficient company for me, sir." + +"Ah! as I thought. Thou hast chosen wisely. Now take this map and +mark it well--'tis by the hand of the King's own guide--and get you +gone to prepare for thy journey, for to-morrow morn a stout little +craft will lie off the water-gate ready to bear thee over the sea." + +Overjoyed at the prospects of such an adventure Raymond withdrew, and +consulted with his father on the best means of getting through the +cordon that was drawn round the beleaguered town. + +As night drew on, father and son repaired to the little church within +the walls, and for seven long hours kept an earnest vigil before the +altar, praying fervently for the success of their enterprise, and +invoking the protection of their patron saints against the perils of +land and sea. Then, as daylight dawned, they arose, weary and stiff, +to partake of food and drink ere embarking. + +Tidings of their mission had already spread throughout the garrison +of the castle, and when, accompanied by the Constable himself, the +two travellers made their way to the water-gate, a large concourse of +soldiers and members of the household flocked behind them to cheer +them on their way and to wish them God-speed. + +Riding easily at her hempen cable, on the first of the ebb tide, lay +the staunch vessel that was to carry them across the Channel. On her +stern were engraved the words _Les Trois Frères de Guernesey_, +showing her to be one of the Channel Islands boats, whose crew, brave +and hardy fishermen, were the best pilots obtainable. + +They were, in fact, the only vessels that in those days were capable +of making any pretence of sailing into the wind, and even then only, +in nautical language, "full and bye." The usual type of ships, with +their huge square sail, could only run before the breeze. + +The skiff of _Les Trois Frères_ was waiting at the little Hard, and +the farewells were quickly said. The precious despatch was sewn in +the hem of Raymond's jerkin, and once again the stern old knight +impressed upon his squire the necessity of the utmost caution. Then +he extended his hand to the lad. + +"God be with thee, and bring thee safely home again. I would be loth +to lose so promising a lad!" exclaimed Sir John. + +"Thanks for thy good wishes, fair sir," replied Raymond. "And should +I not return," he added, with a faint catch in his voice which, in +spite of his stout heart, he was unable to conceal, "I pray you send +this packet to the lady whose superscription appears hereon." And, +thrusting into the knight's hand a bulky missive, Raymond turned +quickly on his heel, to hide his rising colour, and stepped into the +skiff. + +The Constable watched the Guernsey bark hoist her sails, and waited +till she was well on her way down towards the harbour's mouth; then +he returned slowly towards his quarters. + +Glancing at the packet, he deciphered with difficulty the +superscription, written in a scrawling hand: "To ye richt +worshippefulle Ladye Audrey Scarsdale." + +"Heaven bless the lad," he mused. "Certes I am of a mind to forward +this missive whether he returns or not!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE CHIRURGEON OF LÉGUÉ + + +WITH a powerful following wind, _Les Trois Frères_ made a rapid +passage down the harbour, and, before Raymond fully realised the +fact, the little vessel was lifting to the gentle heave of the +Channel. + +By midday the chalk cliffs of the Isle of Wight were all that was +visible of the shores of England, and, though a careful watch was +kept for hostile ships, not a sail was to be seen on the wide expanse +of water. + +The master, Pierre de la Corbière, was a huge-limbed, swarthy +Guernseyman, who spoke in a guttural patois that was almost +unintelligible to the young squire, though Redward, to whom most of +the dialects of France were familiar, could make himself understood +with comparative ease. + +Nine men and a boy composed the crew, a large one for so small a +craft; but the perils of war, added to the dangers of the sea, were a +sufficient excuse for their numbers. Each man, picturesquely clothed +and wearing silver earrings, was a trained pilot, and most of them +had served in that capacity on board the ships that had on past +occasions taken the King and his troops to France and Flanders. All +of them carried short daggers or knives in their belts, while a large +chest, lashed to ringbolts in the deck, contained a good supply of +swords and axes. + +"If this wind lasts," remarked the master, "we shall sight Cap de la +Hogue within a couple of hours. Whither would ye land, good sir?" + +"Nay, I know not," replied Redward. "And, moreover, I care not, so +long as it be not too close to the town." + +"There are the ports of Quimper, Doualan, Auray, and Morbihan," said +Pierre, counting them on his fingers. "All of easy distance from +Hennebon--though, perchance, we may receive a rough handling when we +arrive. Ma foi! And the passage of the Chenal du Four 'Twould be +quicker and safer to run into St. Brieuc." + +"St. Brieuc!" exclaimed Redward, referring to a very rough plan. +"Why, 'tis at least twenty leagues from the town to which we +journey." + +"Twenty leagues by land, as ye say," replied the Guernseyman +doggedly. "But if 'tis a question of time, commend me to St. Brieuc, +for if we lose the wind or have a contrary wind off Ushant, it may +mean a week's buffeting in the Chenal du Four, with a score of reefs +and unseen rocks on each side of us." + +"As ye will, then," assented Redward; and he moved away to tell +Raymond of the alteration of their plans. + +But the young squire was in no fit mood to be informed. The long, +swinging motion and the heat of the sun had done their work, and he +lay prone on the deck in the miseries of sea-sickness. Knowing that +any attempt at consolation would only aggravate the malady, the +master-bowman turned away, and, leaning against the low bulwarks, +gazed intently towards the still invisible French coast. + +Late in the afternoon the grey cliffs of La Hogue and the dark +outline of the Isle of Aurigny were sighted; but just before sundown +the wind died utterly away, leaving the little craft wallowing +heavily in the long swell, her sail flapping idly against the mast. + +The sky, hitherto clear and cloudless, was now overcast, and away +towards the southward a succession of flashes of lightning betokened +an approaching storm. + +Even Pierre de la Corbière, bold fisherman as he was, looked anxious, +for the vessel was now beginning to feel the influence of the +dreadful Race of Alderney, and, with a lack of wind and a dark night +to boot, the terrors of the Race were considerably magnified. + +About midnight they were in the thick of it. A slight breeze had +sprung up, but barely sufficient to give the boat steerage-way. All +around were tremendous broken waves, and, although Pierre stood +gripping the tiller in an endeavour to avoid the heaviest breakers, +the boat was urged onwards through the Race at the rate that a horse +would trot, her mast threatening to snap under the irregular action +of the vicious cross seas. + +Throughout the tumult Raymond lay like a log, utterly unmindful of +the danger, his illness having completely overcome him. His father +took the precaution to lash him to the mast, and throughout that +fearful night Redward remained by his side, making endless vows to +the saints, which he heartily meant to fulfil should they ever again +reach dry land. + +Fortunately the threatened storm passed away, and as daylight broke +_Les Trois Frères_ was beyond the influence of the Race, Guernsey and +its attendant islands, Sark and Herm, being plainly visible. + +With a skill acquired by long years of experience, the Guernseyman +steered his craft between the islands, taking advantage of every +current that would help to bear them south, and, before the sun was +high, the Island of Jersey was abeam. The waters, too, were dotted +with the sails of fishing boats, forming a pleasing contrast to the +dreary waste of water they had traversed on the previous day. + +Worn out and faint from the effect of his long fast, Raymond sat up +and looked around, as if unable to bring himself to recall his +surroundings; but after a scanty meal of dry bread and water, he felt +the giddiness leave him, and with an effort he stood on his feet, +gripping his father tightly for fear of falling. + +"Where are we?" he asked dejectedly. + +"Nearly there," replied Redward. "A sailorman thou'lt be some day, +but beshrew me if thou lookest like one now! An hour ashore will make +all the difference; but rest awhile, my son, for there's work enow +ere long for both of us." + +Late in the afternoon _Les Trois Frères_ entered St. Brieuc Bay, the +high ground showing up distinctly, while far away they could discern +the lofty Bretagne hills, that lay between them and their +destination; and, just as the sun was sinking low behind the Brittany +coast, the little craft brought up under the shadow of the gloomy +castle of Cesson. + +Redward and the master conferred long and anxiously on the subject of +how to gain the shore without observation, but at length a light +dawned upon the dull mind of the Guernseyman. + +"Thou hast said well," he remarked. "Of a truth we cannot make sure +whether they of St. Brieuc are for the Countess of Montfort or +against her. And none of us wishes to put his head into the wolf's +mouth. But I know of a man--a foster-brother of mine--at whose house +ye could stay until the way is clear for ye to journey across +country. He dwells at Légué, but a mile from St. Brieuc, and I will +go ashore and converse with him." + +Silently and in the now black night the little skiff was lowered, and +Pierre de la Corbière was rowed ashore by two of his men. + +For nearly two hours Redward and the young squire remained on board, +anxiously listening for the sound of oars, till at length the little +boat shot noiselessly alongside, and the master sprang upon the deck. + +"'Tis easily done, though they of Blois hold the town," he exclaimed +breathlessly. "Raoul de Rohein, of whom I spoke, is willing to +receive you, for which service he demands five sols. He is a barber +and chirurgeon, and lives in the Rue Mortbec. Hasten, ere it be +light, for we must leave on top o' the tide." + +Once more the skiff, deeply laden, started for the shore. Raymond, in +his light armour, had discarded his surcoat with the conspicuous +cross of St. George, Redward in his harness could hardly be +distinguished from a Breton, and could rely upon his knowledge of the +French tongue to pass for a Gascon, or a Burgundian, as occasion +served. With them went Pierre de la Corbiere and a sailor, both of +whom rowed while the squire and his father sat in the stern-sheets. + +Half-an-hour's steady pulling and the skiff grounded on the sandy +shore. Silently the three disembarked, leaving the seaman to look +after the boat, and quickly they made their way towards the house of +refuge. + +Suddenly the master stopped. "_Mon Dieu_," he exclaimed, "_c'est les +gardes!_" + +Coming straight towards them was a body of halberdiers, accompanied +by an officer. Retreat, without arousing suspicion, was impossible; +but in a few words the ever-resourceful Redward had devised a plan. +Raymond lay down in the road, his father lifted him by the shoulders +while Pierre took him by the feet, and, staggering under their heavy +burden, they advanced to meet the watch. + +"_Halte! Qui v'la?_" demanded the officer, flashing a lantern upon +the trio. + +"'Tis le Sieur d'Erqui, Monsieur," replied the Guernseyman, speaking +in a patois which is common between the Bretons and the Channel +Islanders. "He has been roystering and brawling, and has been sore +hurt." + +"One cannot put old heads on young shoulders," remarked the officer, +with a deprecating shrug. "What folly hash he been at?" + +"I cannot say, monsieur." + +"Eh, bien! All the wine-shops will have the tale to-morrow! _En +avant, mes enfants!_" he added to his men, and to the great relief of +Raymond and his companions the watch shouldered their halberts and +moved on towards St. Brieuc. + +"A narrow escape," exclaimed Pierre, crossing himself. "If we were +discovered, three against seven would be long odds." + +"I've been in a worse fix before to-day," replied Redward sturdily. +"And we could have taken them by surprise." + +"Nevertheless, fighting is not in my line--on land, at least--and I +am thankful it did not come to blows." + +At length they arrived at a narrow street, where storeys of the +houses projected beyond those below, till the uppermost ones appeared +almost to meet, shutting out even the dim gloom of the now +starlit-sky. + +With the air of a man who feels certain of his ground Pierre strode +rapidly ahead, the others following closely at his heels. Presently +he stopped outside a house, and drawing his dagger, struck lightly +upon the door with the hilt. After a few seconds' delay they heard +the sound of some one moving within, and the door was carefully +unbarred and thrown open. + +Pierre whispered a few words to the occupant, then, bidding his +former passengers farewell, he turned on his heel and walked swiftly +and silently towards the shore. + +The Englishmen followed their host into a low, ill-lighted room, and +for the first time they were able to see what manner of man he was. + +A misshapen, undersized body, surmounted by a lean, yellow-skinned +face, and furnished with a pair of long arms, the hands of which, +shaking as if with ague, resembled the claws of a bird, formed the +outward appearance of the barber and chirurgeon of Légué; and Raymond +could not repress a shudder as he gazed upon this caricature of a +human being. + +"Ye are for Hennebon?" he asked in a quavering tone, rolling his +lustreless eyes from one to the other. + +"Ay," replied Redward, "but how, by Saint Gregoire of Brittany, didst +thou know?" + +"The shipman, my foster-brother, hath told me. But the money, the +money?" he added, opening his withered hand. + +"A curse on the shipman," growled Redward to himself, "his tongue +will be our undoing. Here, take this," he added, counting out a sum +of money equivalent to the five sols demanded. "Canst furnish us with +a horse apiece?" + +Ignoring the question, the barber counted the pieces, putting each +coin between his toothless gums, as if doubtful of their quality. + +"Didst hear me--respecting the use of two horses?" demanded Redward +sternly. + +"Yea, noble master," replied the barber. "But there are none to be +had." + +"None?" + +"None! They have all been seized by those of Blois till the affair is +over. Therefore, by necessity, ye must go afoot--and the roads are +very unsafe for travellers at present, especially Englishmen bound +for Hennebon!" + +"A pest on your words! What would ye have us do?" + +The old man advanced a step, peering with his bleared eyes into the +face of the master-bowman. + +"For money there is much to be had!" he croaked, a sardonic smile +overspreading his withered face, while his long fingers clawed +invisible heaps of gold. + +"Out on thee for an arrant cheat! Give thy plan and name the price." + +Slowly and deliberately, his voice hardly above a whisper, the Breton +replied: "Did it ever occur to thy noble self that the dress of a +leper would make the best protection?" + +Redward recoiled, in spite of his hardened nerves, for sufferers from +that loathsome and incurable disease were far from rare in Western +Europe in those days. In France they were compelled by law to wear +long grey gowns and hoods, and to carry a "barillet," or rattle, to +give due warning of their approach. Under severe penalties they were +forbidden to remain in the larger cities and towns, or to beg or use +their rattle for the purpose of exciting pity. Thus it was common to +see them wandering over the countryside in pairs, their approach +being the signal for other wayfarers to pass them at a safe +distance.[1] + +"But the dress?" asked Redward. + +"That is easily to be had. I have a stock of them in this house. And +the price----" + +"They have not been used?" interrupted the master-bowman anxiously. + +"Certainly not, monsieur," replied the barber, with a hideous leer. +"'Twould be impossible. But the price I ask--and they be of good +quality--is but one livre, five sols--quite a small sum for a wealthy +gentleman like monsieur!" + +At that moment a loud rapping was heard. The squire and his father +sprang up, and, suspecting danger, their hands flew to their +sword-hilts. + +With a motion of his hand, their host indicated that they should hide +behind a heavy curtain; then, taking a torch from its socket, he made +towards the door. + +After considerable parleying the nocturnal visitor was admitted, and, +through a small hole in the mouldy curtain, Redward could see him +without risk. That he was a man of quality was apparent by the long +furred gown he wore; and further, by the length of the garment and +its rich violet colour, and the mortier or silk cap, ornamented with +Valenciennes lace, worn instead of the hat affected by the bourgeois, +his rank was of importance. + +"Art thou Raoul de Rohein, the chirurgeon?" he asked, in a lisping +voice, flourishing a musk-perfumed handkerchief as if to ward off the +hideous shape before him. + +"At thy service, my lord--barber, chirurgeon, apothecary, having been +duly examined and licensed by the great John Pitart, surgeon of the +Châtelet of Paris." + +"'Tis well! I am the Sieur d'Erqui, and I am bound for the army of +Charles of Blois, that lieth before Hennebon. In camps one has always +the fear of plague. Therefore, believing that forewarned is +forearmed, I come to thee for a remedy or, rather, a +preventative--'gainst the fell disorder." + +"I have the very thing, monsieur! But five sols nine deniers the +box--the nine deniers being devoted to the funds of the hospital of +St. Brieuc, _bien entendu!_ By the holy St. Mark, the very thing! A +mixture of sulphur, viper's cake, powder of pearls, confection of +hyacinth, and an extract of the juice of _scorsonera_, all prepared +according to the recipe of the learned John Pitart, and made into +tablets covered with gold foil. One drachm three times a week, in the +morning, is the dose, monsieur, and if exposed to the infection two +drachms before going to bed!" + +"And is that all?" inquired the Sieur anxiously, as if the presence +of the barber was a presage of the plague. + +"Nay, of thine own ordering there is much to be done. I perceive that +monsieur carries the perfume of musk about with him. That is wrong. +Instead, let him take a citron pricked with cloves. Never walk out +fasting, neither drink wine immoderately; and, in the case of +immediate danger, take a little theriaque; and I'll warrant Erqui +will welcome its Sieur home in due course. And the fee, monsieur, is, +as I said, seven sols nine deniers." + +"But now thou didst ask five sols and nine deniers!" + +"Two sols in addition for the advice--excellent advice, monsieur. +_Merci, monsieur, et bon voyage!_" + +The Sieur had gone, and Raymond and his father came from their +hiding-place. Redward explained to his son, in a few words, the +nature of their disguise. Once again the talon-like hand of the +miserly Raoul closed over the money, and away he went to look for the +required garments. + +In a few moments he returned. The Englishmen donned the repulsive +insignia of the leper, and took the barillets in their hands. The +barber again unfastened the door and listened intently for any sound. +There was none. + +"Take the road through the village; it leads to Pontivy. There, +perchance, ye may find horses. Fare ye well!" + +And, passing out into the darkness of the night, the Englishmen began +their long journey afoot, stealing silently through the almost +deserted streets towards the frowning hills of Brittany. + + +[1] It was not until thirty years later that the hospitals of St. +Lazare and St. Germain were founded in Paris for the relief of these +unfortunate sufferers. On systematic steps being taken to deal with +the malady, the number of its victims quickly diminished; till the +scourge was practically wiped out. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE JOURNEY PERILOUS + + +LONG before the grey morn began to dawn Redward and his son had +covered a couple of leagues, and were at the foot of a long range of +hills. Slowly they began the ascent, and, ere the summit was reached, +the light was sufficient for them to see their grotesque and horrible +garb. + +"A safe disguise," exclaimed Raymond, "yet right glad will I be when +we can doff these garments." + +"A safe disguise enough, should the barber not play us false," +replied his father. "I liked not his looks, though I trow he is in +no ways to blame for the cut of his face." + +"But dost think that he will play us false?" + +"'Tis not unlikely; so the more leagues we place between us and St. +Brieuc the better. Canst get at thy sword-hilt?" + +"Not easily. Wherefore dost thou ask?" + +"Danger might come apace and at any time. See, I have cut a slit in +my gown so that I can grasp my sword without delay. I pray thee do +likewise." + +On the brow of the first hill was a long farmstead, sheltered more or +less by a clump of stunted pinetrees. Behind the house was an +orchard, its branches laden with fruit, while amongst the trees were +several cows, their heads tethered to their forefeet, after the +manner of those parts, so that the animals could not tear down the +branches of the fruit-trees. + +"A sight to gladden the eyes of an old campaigner!" exclaimed the +master-bowman, and, taking his steel cap from beneath his cowl, he +stole cautiously towards the cattle, Raymond waiting behind a +sheltering tree. + +With the deftness born of old experience Redward did his work, and +soon returned with his casque filled to the brim with warm milk. +Having drunk their fill, the travellers helped themselves to a +bounteous supply of fruit, and proceeded on their way, the fruit, +together with some dry bread they had brought with them, making a +passable breakfast. + +At the bottom of the hill they entered a small village. Although +still early, most of the inhabitants were astir, and the Englishmen +had their first experience of the efficacy of their disguise. For +directly they rattled their barillets the villagers ran hither and +thither to avoid the supposed sufferers, save a horseman and an old +woman. The former passed them at a distance of a few paces, throwing +them a couple of deniers. With his usual presence of mind Redward +stooped, picked up the coins, and louted to the donor. The woman +threw them a rusk loaf, and this was caught and quickly concealed +beneath the sheltering cloaks. + +Once clear of the village they mended their pace, and, with the +exception of a pair of shepherds, and a peasant clattering along in +his heavy sabots, not a soul did they meet till close on midday, when +the travellers arrived at a cross-road, where the monotony of the +outlook was broken by four avenues of trees. + +"I would fain have rested here awhile," exclaimed Redward. "But with +that for company methinks we shall do better if we get about a +bow-shot further on!" + +"A corpse?" + +"Ay, lad; a malefactor hanged close to the scene of his crime. See, +already the crows have begun their work." + +With averted heads the twain passed the gallows; but on giving a +glance down the cross-road they saw a sight that filled them with +misgiving, for plodding wearily along were two figures dressed like +themselves! + +"Lepers, indeed!" exclaimed Redward. "My faith, they would bear us +company." + +Waving their arms to attract and arrest their supposed +fellow-sufferers, the two grey-robed men quickened their pace, but, +directly the Englishmen had gained the cover of the tree-lined road, +they, too, hastened to avoid being overtaken, so that by the time the +lepers had turned the corner, Raymond and his father were some +distance ahead. + +"We more than hold our own," quoth Redward, glancing over his +shoulder. "Directly we shake them off we'll have a well-earned rest." + +It was as he said. The well-knit frames of the Englishmen were vastly +superior to the diseased bodies of the lepers, and long before the +bottom of the hill was reached their two pursuers were but dimly +visible on the dusty road. + +Once again the road led upwards. Not a village was to be seen, only a +vast undulating plain, unbroken except for an occasional clump of +trees, while in the distance the blue outlines of a lofty range of +hills showed that some stiff climbing would be necessary ere Hennebon +was in sight. + +An hour later and they had all but gained the ridge of the next hill. +By the roadside was a heather-covered bank, while between a mass of +rocks a spring gushed forth, the water making a pleasant sound in the +ears of the weary travellers. + +Father and son drank at the spring, then clambering over the bank, +lay down on the springy heather, where, without being seen, they +could command the road for nearly a league. + +"'Tis quite evident that we can outpace those poor wretches," said +Raymond, stretching out his limbs to their fullest extent in +appreciation of his natural bed. "Here we can rest in comfort till +they draw nigh; then, refreshed, we can hasten onwards once more." + +For nearly an hour they remained, sleep all but claiming them. Not a +word was spoken, though Redward gave an occasional grunt as he raised +himself on his elbow at intervals to watch the advancing lepers. + +The heat, too, was terrific, the sun beating down with fierce +violence on their unprotected resting-place. + +Suddenly Raymond raised himself and looked along the road they had +just traversed. There were the two grey-robed figures moving slowly +up the hill, but away in the distance the sun glittered upon a +swiftly-moving mass of steel, followed by a thick cloud of dust. + +"Soldiers!" he exclaimed. + +Redward raised himself. "I like it not," he exclaimed. "They are +following us. That rogue of a barber hath betrayed us. Lie low, +Raymond, and let them pass; I perceive 'twill mean a journey by night +for us." + +Stretching side by side, and concealing their hoods with sprays of +heather, father and son waited and watched. The two lepers were +within two hundred paces ere they heard the thunder of the horses' +hoofs behind them. With a cry of terror one of the twain turned and +fled; the other, ignorant of the intentions of the pursuing horsemen, +held his ground, flourishing his rattle with the vigour that danger +bestowed upon him. + +Like a flash the foremost soldier was upon him; a back-handed sweeping +cut with his sword and the grey-robed figure was dashed to the earth, +and ere his companion had come level with the spot where the +Englishmen were concealed, he was transfixed by a lance-thrust and +was trampled beneath the horses' hoofs. + +With wild cries of exultation the troop of horsemen reined in their +steeds and surveyed the result of their fell work. + +"Quickly, Geoffroi! Strip those cloaks from the bodies of these +accursed English and search them for concealed papers," ordered their +leader. "By St. Denis, 'tis a smart piece of work, though I little +thought the rogues would have died so tamely!" + +The soldier addressed dismounted, handed his still reeking lance to a +comrade, and bent over the corpse of the man he had slain. With a +quick motion he tore aside the robe. But the next instant, uttering a +shriek of terror, he jumped backwards, covering his eyes with his +hands as if to ward off a blow. + +"_Mon Dieu!_" exclaimed the captain, craning over the neck of his +charger. "What have we done? They are in truth real lepers! Dolt of a +barber! A curse upon Raoul de Rohein! He hath deceived us! Is it the +same with the other?" + +The first victim had fallen on his back, and his hood, stained with +his blood, had slipped from off his head, disclosing the repulsive +disease-eaten features of a man whose malady was far advanced. + +"Stand back, all of you!" shouted the captain, beside himself with +rage and mortification. "Stand back! Do thou, Jehan, cast thy sword +and its sheath from thee lest thou die! And do thou, Geoffroi, ride +fifty paces behind us, and hold communication with no man till the +law respecting contagion is complied with. Now back to the town with +all speed, _mes enfants_, for I have an account to settle with Maitre +Raoul! What will they say of us when they hear we have vanquished +nought but a pair of lepers?" + +The troop galloped away down the dusty road towards St. Brieuc, the +unfortunate soldier following in the rear, his face ashen with terror +at the thought of the loathsome death he had courted, while two +mottled grey corpses, a discarded sword, and the imprints of the +hoofs of the cavalry alone remained to mark the scene of so swift and +terrible a tragedy. + +Shuddering at the thought of their narrow escape, Raymond and his +father rose, and with averted faces, left behind them the bodies of +the ill-fated men, and pursued their journey. Not till they were two +leagues from the spot did they halt; then, selecting a secluded +coppice, they threw themselves on the ground and were soon deep in +dreamless slumber. + +The sun had set and the stars were beginning to twinkle in the +darkening sky ere the travellers awoke stiff and cramped with lying +on the bare earth; but stern duty urged them onwards, and with +swinging stride they resumed their way. + +Along the deserted highway, past the slumbering village of Ploeue +they jogged, too discomforted and weary even to engage in +conversation. + +About two hours after midnight they were startled by hearing the +sound of horsemen behind them. Without hesitation Redward sprang to +the side of the road, dragging the squire with him; then kneeling +down and placing his ear to the ground he listened intently. + +"'Tis but a pair of horsemen," he whispered. "See to thy sword, for +there will be work afoot for us!" + +The riders had now slackened down to a slow trot, and by their +conversation the Englishmen recognised that one of them was an old +acquaintance--none other than the Sieur d'Erqui. + +"Once have we met him, and once at least hath he done us a service," +muttered the bowman in a low tone. "Methinks yet another service will +he render us. Now, follow me!" + +Giving a tremendous salute with his rattle, Redward, with Raymond +close at his heels, sprang into the road and barred the Sieur's way. +Taken aback, his face livid with superstitious fear, d'Erqui reined +in his steed, while his companion, evidently a retainer, did +likewise. + +"Dismount, monsieur, lest I lay hands on thee and thou diest a +horrible death," exclaimed Redward in a sepulchral voice, relying on +the cowardice of the foppish Frenchman to gain his end. + +Without a word the Sieur leapt, or, rather, rolled, from the saddle +and cowered down in the darkness by the roadside. Seizing the horse's +bridle by the left hand, the soldier advanced towards the other +horseman. + +Made of sterner stuff, the latter had recovered from the first +surprise, and, perceiving that he had no supernatural foes to deal +with, he drew his sword and rode towards his challenger. Avoiding +with ease a terrific sweep of the heavy weapon, Redward returned the +blow without effect, but, ere the man could shorten his sword, the +young squire rushed in, seized him round the waist and hurled him +from the saddle to the ground, where he had enough reason to remain +quiet. + +It was the work of a moment for the Englishmen to mount the captured +steeds, then, giving a parting salute to the discomforted Sieur, they +pricked the horses with the points of their weapons, and urged them +into a brisk canter. + +"Bravely done, Raymond," exclaimed his father. "It will fare ill with +us now if Hennebon sees us not by to-morrow's dawn!" + +"But how can we ride in this disguise?" asked Raymond. "It is not the +custom for lepers to go about on horseback." + +"There is a good two hours ere daybreak, and by that time, I trow, we +shall be at least five leagues from here. Then, I hope, the saints +being with us, that thou wilt be the Sieur d'Erqui, and I his man!" + +"The Sieur d'Erqui?" + +"Yea, and why not? Thou hast played the part of the Sieur before to +good purpose, and why not now? But, oh for a plentiful repast! Dry +bread and apples are but a sorry meal when one is used to English +beef!" + +Maintaining a hot pace the travellers rode through the night; then +just as day was breaking they halted, watered their horses, and, +after hobbling them, turned them out to graze. They then divested +themselves of their hideous cloaks and hoods, rolled the garments +into a small compass, and resumed the rôle of soldiers. + +About eight o'clock they arrived at the village of Pontivy, and +reining-in at the inn, Redward dismounted and strode up to mine host, +who saw in every armed man a spoiler, whether he were for Montfort or +for Blois. + +"Hark ye, garçon!" exclaimed the master-bowman, "thy best food and +wine in plenty, and provender for our horses! And, as thou valuest +thy hide, say not one word to my master, the worthy Sieur d'Erqui, +for he is in a bad mood, and woe betide the man who addresses him!" + +Their steeds were led away, and Raymond and his father were shown +into the largest room of the inn, while the waiting-maids, urged by +the host, bustled about preparing the meal. + +Raymond did not belie the character his father had given him as the +Sieur, but his reticence was due to bodily fatigue. For, while +awaiting the meal, fitful sleep claimed him, but it was only to +awaken with a start as his head fell forward on his chest. + +Never was a repast better enjoyed, and never was the desire to sleep +so irresistible, but Redward, though weary himself, was inexorable. + +"Maybe swift pursuit is already at our heels," said he. "So onward we +must go. Holá!" he shouted, hammering on the trestled board with his +sword-hilt. + +In answer to the summons the host appeared, trembling in his shoes. + +"How is the army ordered before Hennebon And where shall my master +find the banners of the Duke Charles?" + +"Sir, report hath it that the force of Blois lieth thickest about +where this road approaches the town, so, without doubt, the banners +of the Duke are there." + +Throwing down a coin to pay for their repast (whereat the host +marvelled greatly, seeing it was not the custom of the times), +Redward followed the supposed Sieur from the inn; their horses were +brought round, and soon they were clattering over the pavé of the +village towards the open country. + +Redward glanced backwards several times to see if there were any +signs of pursuit, but to his great satisfaction none could be +detected. + +"Thou hast heard what the rogue said the foe lie thickest along this +road? Should any follow us we have laid a false scent, for I do not +wish to ride straight into the camp of Blois. To that end let us turn +off along the road to Aurai, and thence follow the coast to the walls +of Hennebon." + +Accordingly they turned aside at a cross-road, having learned from a +peasant that it led to the town of Aurai. A league or so farther on +they again left the road and rested in a wood, sleeping without +molestation till late in the afternoon. + +Darkness was drawing on as they struck the road between Hennebon and +Aurai, about a bow-shot from the latter place. Avoiding the town the +travellers turned towards their goal, now but a short four leagues +distance. + +"We must be doubly cautious, Raymond," said his father, "for methinks +another troop of horsemen is approaching." + +Once again they withdrew from the road, and, hiding beneath the +shadow of some tall trees, they waited. Nearer and nearer came the +sound, till, like a whirlwind, a large body of knights and mounted +men-at-arms dashed by in the darkness, and, with a thunder of hoofs +and a cloud of dust that rose slowly in the still night air, they +vanished into the gloom. + +"By St. George! What doth it mean?" exclaimed Raymond. + +"Nay, I cannot say, save it be they of Blois fleeing from those of +Montfort; every man was riding for dear life, and, mark you, with +loose rein and hot spur!" + +"Then onwards, father! An hour will decide whether we reach Hennebon +unscathed, or have to fight our way in." + +Almost before they were aware of the fact they rode right into the +camp of the besiegers, but, instead of being instantly challenged and +taken prisoners, it was like a progress through a city of the dead. +Most of the tents were cut down, several of the temporary wooden huts +still smouldered, while here and there their horses had to step aside +to avoid treading on the corpse of an unarmoured man. + +Still wondering at this unlooked-for sight, the Englishmen spurred on +till they drew rein outside the twin towers that guarded the gate of +Hennebon. A hoarse voice challenged them, and torches flickered on +the battlements as the garrison stood to their arms. + +"Open! We would see the Countess!" roared Redward, standing in his +stirrups. + +"Who are ye, and whence come ye?" was the reply. + +"Messengers from the King of England." + +Cries of delight greeted this announcement, the drawbridge fell with +a ponderous clang, the great gates were thrown wide open, and, +conscious that a great duty had been well carried out, Raymond, +followed by his father, entered the town of Hennebon. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE RELIEF OF HENNEBON + + +"THY name and style, fair sir?" + +"My name is Raymond Buckland, squire to Sir John Hacket, Constable of +the King's Castle of Portchester and Governor of the town of +Portsmouth. Lead me, I pray, to her grace the Countess of Montfort, +for I have a letter which I have to give her by my own hand." + +"Nay," was the reply, "that cannot be--at least not at this moment. +The Countess led a sortie yesterday at noon, and, alas, hath not yet +returned. I, Henri Barbenoire, seigneur of the castle of Ploeac and +Seneschal, in the absence of the Countess of this town will receive +thy message." + +"That cannot be," replied Raymond courteously, "for to the Countess +alone must I hand this letter." + +Barbenoire, a Breton whole-heartedly devoted to his mistress, did not +press the point, but ordering a hasty meal to be prepared, remained +with the young squire. It was but a sorry repast, for already the +supplies were low, nevertheless Raymond did justice to the simple +fare, listening awhile to the narrative of the events of the siege. + +Cheered by the touching confidence that the heroic Countess had given +to the townsmen of Hennebon, the garrison had fought bravely and +well. The Countess herself wore armour, and rode on a huge warhorse +through the narrow streets, encouraging her people to make good +defence, reminding them of the help she hoped would be forthcoming +from the King of England. Nor did she spare the womenfolk, for she +caused them to discard their long trains and heavy skirts and to don +short kirtles so that they could move with freedom. This done, they +were employed in carrying stones and arrows to the walls to replenish +the missiles of the defenders, and so emboldened were they by the +example of their mistress that the women did not hesitate to hurl the +stones down upon the invaders. + +At length one day the Frenchmen massed outside the northern wall for +a grand assault, and, ascending a lofty tower, the Countess perceived +that their camp was empty. Instantly calling together a body of +knights and mounted men-at-arms the lady mounted her steed and, +placing herself at their head, rode straight for the French camp, +cutting down tents and setting fire to everything that would readily +burn. + +The watchers on the walls saw the French host desist from the assault +and retire to intercept the Countess. Finding herself cut off from +the town, she called in her followers, and rode furiously away to +Aural, hotly pursued by Sir Louis d'Espagne, the second in command of +Charles of Blois. + +Thus it was that Raymond had seen the Countess and her troops pass by +him without knowledge of their identity; and now the garrison was +ignorant of the fate of their beloved leader, none knowing whether +she had been killed or taken, or whether she had baffled pursuit. + +On the morning following the arrival of Raymond and his father, the +host of Blois still encompassed the town, yet no attempt was made to +renew the assault. + +The two Englishmen were enrolled as members of the garrison, and as +the days went past they with their foreign comrades gazed eagerly +from the battlements in the hope of seeing the banners of the +returning Countess. + +On the fifth day, Barbenoire had ascended the lofty east tower. +Despair for his mistress had filled his soul, yet, inspiring the +townsfolk by word and deed, he gave no sign of misgiving, being +resolved to hold Hennebon as long as a single fighting-man was left. + +The rising sun dazzled his vision, but a movement on the skyline +riveted his attention. Calling one of his captains, he pointed out +the spot, and both agreed that it was a body of troops approaching. + +A very short time sufficed to spread the news, though Barbenoire +commanded that no demonstration should be made lest it should attract +the notice of the besiegers. + +Soon it was beyond doubt that the Countess was returning. Collecting +a body of one hundred archers and spearmen, the Seneschal ordered +them to make a feint sortie from the western side while the gateway +on the opposite side was thrown open to receive the Countess. Then, +when safely within the walls with all her company and an additional +force of five hundred spears, the redoubtable Châtelaine was greeted +with a great noise of trumpets to the cheers of the delighted +townsfolk. + +The besiegers, finding themselves tricked, could not refrain from +praising the boldness and skill of the Countess of Montfort. +Nevertheless, they advanced to the assault, and the struggle waxed +fierce until noon, when, unable to gain a lodgment, the partisans of +Blois sullenly retreated to their camp. + +Directly the attack was repulsed, Raymond hastened to the presence of +the Countess. She had now divested herself of her bascinet and steel +jupon, and the young squire saw before him a tall, stately lady of +about thirty years of age. Her finely chiselled face was crowned by a +wealth of auburn hair, which, ruffled by the removal of her +headpiece, served to hide the somewhat lofty brow. + +Raymond could but marvel that such a truly feminine form possessed +the courage and endurance of a man, and his astonishment was +increased when she addressed him in low, sweet tones, for he had +heard of the Countess's soul-stirring speech, when, holding her +little son by the hand, she had so successfully appealed to the +chivalrous instincts of her knights and to the loyalty of the +townsfolk. + +Concealing her agitation at the arrival of such important news from +England, the Countess broke the seals and opened the letter. Her face +flushed with pleasure as she read its contents. + +"Hearken, my fair lords, to the message of our noble overlord the +King of England," she cried, turning to those who were with her. +"Four score ships by now are on their way to aid us, and ere long +three thousand men, under Sir Robert of Artois and Sir Walter Manny, +will be on the heels of our enemies." + +Shouts of exultation greeted this announcement, and, the news quickly +spreading, the whole town was given over to rejoicing. + +But meanwhile active preparations were being made by Charles of Blois +to make another general assault, and the arrival of some formidable +siege-engines enabled him to breach the walls in several places; +while the garrison, kept in a state of constant alarm, were worn with +toil and endless vigil. + +Every morning at sunrise, for nearly two months, the Countess would +ascend the loftiest tower in Hennebon and gaze towards the distant +Cape of Ushant in the hope of catching sight of the sails of the +English fleet. But her expectations remained unrealised, for seaward +the horizon was unbroken, while around the town lay the close lines +of her relentless foes. + +At length one of her partisans, the Bishop of Leon, informed her that +his nephew, Henri de Rohan, who was in the camp of Blois, desired to +hold converse with her; and, being granted safe conduct, the knight +entered the town for the purpose of inducing the besieged to +surrender, promising an honourable capitulation, with permission for +the garrison to withdraw. + +For a while it seemed as if De Rohan's words would gain the day, till +the Countess, supported by Barbenoire, again harangued her knights, +and the ecclesiastic withdrew discomfited. + +Thereupon the French advanced to the grand assault, while the +besieged caught up their arms and silently yet resolutely awaited +their approach. + +But ere the archers could begin their hail of arrows which was to +open the attack, the ringing voice of the Countess was heard from the +summit of the tower:-- + +"Voilà, le secours! Violà le secours anglais! Courage, enfans; nous +sommes sauvés!" + +"Will they be in time?" asked Raymond anxiously, as he stood by his +father on the shattered wall. + +"If we can but make good the battlements for one hour all will be +well. Canst see aught of the ships?" + +"Not as yet." + +"Then heaven forfend the Countess be not mistaken. Stand to it, +Raymond, for here they come!" + +All conversation was stopped by the on-coming foemen. The squire +closed his visor, and crouching behind his shield, awaited the +attack. Under cover of the archers the men-at-arms advanced. Though +some fell before the darts of the besieged, the main body pressed +steadily onward, till they reached the breach in the shattered +masonry. + +The impact of the two forces was terrific; men went down on both +sides, and, as sword and lance were shattered, axes, mauls, and maces +continued the deadly work. The air was rent with the clash of arms, +the shouts of the combatants, and the groans of the dying; but the +townsfolk held their own, and after an hour's desperate struggle the +attacking party retired. + +"'Tis hot work!" exclaimed Redward breathlessly, throwing down a +heavy axe and removing his steel cap to cool his heated head. "Run +and see if our comrades are yet in sight." + +To gain the summit of the tower was the work of a moment, and to the +squire's great delight he saw the English ships already within easy +distance of the harbour, their sails bellying out before the +favouring breeze, and the water churned by the lash of the oars. + +"They come! They come!" he shouted joyously. + +"And so doth the foe," replied Redward grimly. "Haste back to the +breach, for, by St. George, 'tis touch-and-go with Hennebon!" + +Again the attackers advanced, one knight, utterly regardless of his +life, urging his horse towards the gap in the wall. Crouching, with +lance in rest, the Frenchman spurred over the shattered stones, +received yet recked not a hail of arrows, and rode furiously towards +Raymond, who, sword in hand, awaited his approach. + +It would have gone hardly with the young squire had it not been for +the unevenness of the ground, for the horse stumbled over a loose +stone, throwing its rider heavily on the ground. + +In spite of the weight of his armour and the shock of his fall, the +knight, a man of gigantic strength, rose to his feet, dropping his +lance and wrenching his mace from the saddle-bow. As he did so +Raymond struck him a heavy blow with his weapon, but the steel turned +against the crest of his casque and was shattered close to the hilt. +In a moment the mace beat down the squire's shield and descended upon +his head, and without a cry the squire dropped senseless to the +ground. + +But his fall was speedily avenged. Wielding his heavy axe, Redward +sprang forward and smote at the Frenchman's helm. Realising his +danger, the knight sprang aside; but, though avoiding a fatal blow, +he did not escape, for the axe, glancing off the crest, caught the +projecting visor. Unable to stand the strain, the leathern laces of +his helmet burst, and the bascinet, though prevented by the camail +from falling off, was turned back to front, so that the unfortunate +wearer was unable to see through the openings of the visor. + +Dazed by the blow and in total darkness, the Frenchman staggered +blindly about, still striking feeble and aimless blows, till the +defenders, with taunts and execrations, beat him to the ground and +despatched him with their axes. + +Meanwhile Redward bent over the prostrate form of his son, but ere he +could ascertain whether the blow had been fatal the main attack had +commenced. Gallantly the besieged met the shock; many fell on both +sides, and for the space of a quarter of an hour the issue hung in +the balance. + +At length, reinforced by a band of knights under Louis d'Espagne, the +assailants bore back all before them. Barbenoire, fighting gallantly +to the last, fell covered with wounds. Redward, standing over his +son's body, kept back the press for a time, till, borne down by the +weight of numbers, he was struck to the earth, but ere he lost +consciousness he was dimly aware of the sound of English voices and +the renewed clash of arms. + +At the critical moment the long-expected aid had arrived! + +Once more the tide of battle turned, and the followers of the House +of Blois, unable to withstand the fierce onslaught of the English, +fled panic-stricken before the reinforcements, the knights and +mounted men-at-arms of Sir Walter Manny riding down all who came in +their way. + +When at length the victorious Manny returned from the pursuit, the +Countess of Montfort came forth and warmly greeted him. + +"Of a truth, fair sir," she exclaimed, as the warrior knelt and +kissed her hand, "I cannot but liken you to the Archangel Michael +sent from heaven in answer to our prayers!" + +Meanwhile the inhabitants of the town were busy pillaging the camp of +their enemies, bringing in additional food supplies and tending their +own wounded--for those of their assailants who were left in their +hands were mercilessly despatched, save where their rank made them +likely subjects for ransom. + +Redward and his son were found surrounded by the bodies of friend and +foe, senseless but still breathing. The Countess had been apprised of +the fall of her gallant messenger, and had ordered the young squire +and his father to be carried into her own house within the castle. +Sir Walter Manny himself also came frequently to see how fared the +forerunner of his arrival, and brought with him his own chirurgeon to +attend the two. + +For four days Raymond lay unconscious, till one morning his scattered +senses returned, and he opened his eyes to find himself in a roomy +apartment overlooking the town walls. Instead of the clash of arms +the sun was shining brightly and the birds were singing. Beside him +were the Countess and a group of Englishmen of quality; a little +distance off lay Redward on a soft couch, his gaze fixed intently +upon his son. + +Then the young squire realised that Hennebon was saved, and that his +father was still with him; and with a sigh of contentment he fell +into a deep and natural slumber. + +The wounds of both Raymond and his father were severe, and a +considerable time elapsed ere they were capable of moving about, +while their complete recovery, in spite of the kindly climate of fair +Brittany, was a tedious business. Thus they missed the remaining +portion of the Brittany campaign, in which Robert of Artois captured +Vannes, and was soon afterwards driven from that town by a surprise +attack on the part of some Breton adherents of Charles of Blois. + +Shortly after, the existing treaty between England and France was +terminated, for during the struggle in Brittany a truce was nominally +in force, the armies of England and France ostentatiously supporting +the claim of the rival dukes; but on the expiration of the treaty war +was openly resumed between the two great nations. + +The King of England landed at Marbain with 12,000 men, and +simultaneously laid siege to Vannes, Rennes, and Mantes, but the +triple task was beyond his power, and under the influence of the +Pope's legates he agreed to observe a truce for three years. + +Immediately following this pacific arrangement King Edward +re-embarked for his own dominions, and with the army went Raymond and +Redward, the former despondent at the news of the truce, regarding it +as being fatal to his cherished hopes of winning the golden spurs of +knighthood. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +RAYMOND'S ERRAND + + +NEARLY four years have elapsed since the young squire's mission to +Hennebon. They have been years of comparatively uneventful waiting. +To him the dark clouds of unkind fate showed no signs of the silver +lining of good fortune, for he fully realised that until he had risen +above the rank of squire he dare not hope for the hand of the fair +Lady Audrey Scarsdale. + +Thus, there was nothing to do but wait patiently, under the orders of +kindly Sir John Hacket, fervently hoping for the call to arms that +would give him the opportunities of winning his spurs upon the soil +of France. + +The three years' truce had been ill-kept. Already the Earl of Derby +had crossed into Guienne, but news, though scanty, was far from +reassuring, and daily the Constable of Portchester was awaiting the +summons to assemble his men and march to join the King's forces at +Southampton. + +One afternoon, in the month of May 1346, the watch on the keep of the +castle perceived a man limping towards the gate. He was tall, +broad-shouldered, and bronzed-faced, yet bent with physical +infirmity, being compelled to use a rough crutch to aid his tottering +footsteps. + +"Ho, Watkin!" exclaimed one of the soldiers to a comrade. "Surely +that looks like Long Edney, of Wickham, yet methinks I am mistaken." + +"If't be, then, certes, he hath made a grievous error; for he went to +Guienne, hoping to return speedily with much booty. This man hath +pain to carry himself, let alone the plunder he hath not!" + +"'Tis Edney, of a surety. See, he waves his hand to us!" + +In a few moments the luckless man-at-arms was within the castle, +surrounded by a crowd of rough sympathisers. Hearing the sound of +voices, Sir John Hacket appeared, and, recognising the man as one who +had left his service some time previously to join the forces under +Lord Norwich, sent Raymond to lead Edney into his presence. + +"'Tis a sad home-coming for thee," exclaimed the knight +sympathetically. "Yet Heaven knows there are many such. The highways +are thick with broken soldiers." + +"Ay, Sir John," returned the man despondently. "A bolt through the +thigh is a sorry return for my trouble, and not a silver penny's +worth of spoil to show for it! Nevertheless, the saints helping me, I +hope to adventure myself again in this matter." + +"And with better luck," rejoined the Constable. "And, now tell me, +how goes the war in Guienne?" + +"Faith, it goeth against us in the main. Pembroke and Sir Walter +Manny are shut up in Aiguillon, and when I left Bordeaux they had +sent urgent appeals for succour. For my part I know but little of +Aiguillon, being besieged with Lord Norwich in Angoulême." + +"And how fared Norwich?" + +"As crafty as ever." + +"How so?" + +"The Duke of Normandy pressed him sorely, so that the French looked +likely to take the town by escalade. Thereupon Norwich beat a parley. +'How, now!' exclaimed the Duke. 'Dost wish to give in?' 'Nay,' +replied our leader, 'but as to-morrow is the Feast of the Virgin, to +whom we both bear great devotion, I desire a cessation of strife for +that day.' 'Right willingly,' replied the Duke, and Norwich, nigh +bursting with badly-concealed merriment, descended from the walls. +That night he ordered us to prepare our baggage, and early next +morning we marched out straight for the enemy's camp. The Frenchmen +flew to arms, but Norwich, forbidding our men to draw, sent a knight +to remind the Duke of his promise." + +"And what did the Duke?" + +"He kept his word. 'I see the sly fox has outwitted us, but let us be +content with gaining the town,' he exclaimed; and right between the +lines of astonished Frenchmen we marched, without losing as much as a +single stick." + +"Ho! ho! ho!" laughed Sir John. "A clever trick, but, methinks, +'twill not pass another time. And Pembroke hath sent an urgent +message to the King for aid, didst thou say?" + +"Ay, directly our ship tied up alongside the quay at Southampton the +messenger rode off at headlong speed to Windsor, although he could +scarce keep his seat by reason of sea-sickness." + +"Then, Raymond," exclaimed the Constable, turning to his squire, "the +summons will be here anon. But, mark my word, this will be no +child's-play, for, methinks, the King will be loth to let Guienne +slip through his fingers. And now, bring me the tally of the bows, +arrows, and spears, for no time must be lost." + +Joyfully the squire hastened away to get the required information, +and the castle was soon alive with excitement at the thought of +active service. + +The old knight was not wrong; the call to arms came, and, thanks to +his sagacity and forethought, the Constable was soon ready to take +the field. Ere June had arrived Sir John's company had marched into +Southampton to await the King's good pleasure. + +Raymond saw great changes as he gazed around the old familiar place. +The walls had been raised and strengthened; larger houses had taken +the place of the charred ruins that the French invaders had left +behind them, while a fleet of large ships showed that Southampton had +quickly recovered from the horrors of pillage. + +The fleet was typical of the resources of Hampshire, for Southampton +contributed twenty-one ships manned by 476 mariners, Lymington sent +nine, Portsmouth five, Leepe, Newtown, and Yarmouth two each, while +the county of Dorset supplied twenty-five vessels, of which Weymouth +sent twenty-one and Poole four. + +Farther down the Water towards Hythe lay a larger fleet, composed of +vessels from the Cinque Ports, London, Ipswich, and Great Yarmouth, +while towards the Netley side were the West Country ships from +Dartmouth, Sutton, Fowey, and Falmouth. + +Altogether there were not far short of eight hundred sail, assembled +in less than fourteen days, to bear across the Channel the huge army +destined for the conquest of France. + +On Midsummer Day, the Feast of St. John the Baptist, the news came +that the King had left the Queen in the care of his cousin, the Earl +of Kent, and was on the road to Southampton. + +Instantly the work of embarking the troops, horses, and baggage +began, and never before did the good townsmen of Southampton behold +such a fair and martial sight. Throughout the long June day the task +proceeded, and a seemingly endless procession wended through the West +Gate, each division having its appointed order. + +The Portsmouth ships were to form the rearguard, so that it was the +duty of the Constable of Portchester to embark last of all. From his +quarters, close to the West Gate, Sir John watched the embarkation, +pointing out to his squires the respective devices and banners of the +various contingents. + +From all parts of the kingdom, save the northern counties, whose men +were required to watch the restive Scots, had this army foregathered, +the flower of chivalry and the stoutest of the yeomen of England. +There were the lions rampant of the Percies, Mowbrays, and d'Albini, +each distinguishable by the "field," the ruddy chevrons of the de +Claves, the gilded cockle-shell of the de Malets, and the more +complicated devices of de Montfichet, Quince, Fortibus, de Bohun, de. +Vere, and Fitz-Walter. Each baron had his following of men-at-arms +and archers, the former having to lower the points of their long +slender spears as they passed beneath the vaulted archway. After the +feudal army, numbering four thousand men-at-arms and ten thousand +archers, came a horde of fierce-eyed, hairy men of short stature, +each armed with a long knife and a double-bladed axe. + +"Ah," exclaimed Sir John, noting the look of inquiry on Raymond's +face. "Heaven help the Frenchman who falls wounded in the field, for +these are the Welsh levies. I have marked their method of fighting +before to-day, and, certes, I am of no mind to praise them for it." + +The Welshmen were succeeded by a straggling body of tall, +gaunt-looking men, armed with a small shield and short spear. They +lacked the grim stolidity of the Englishmen, and marched with merry +laugh and careless jest uttered in a strange tongue. + +"The Irish levies from Leinster," remarked the Constable, +"good-natured in peace, honest fighting-men, yet terrible when +roused. I can recall a little affair before Cadsand, but 'tis too +long to relate at the moment. But hark!" + +Redoubled cheering echoed down the narrow sloping street, and the +knight and his squires strained their ears to ascertain the cause. +The last of the troops had passed, yet still the archers who lined +the route pushed back the excited townsmen with their six-foot +staves. + +"The King!" exclaimed the Constable. + +Attended by a number of lords and barons, Edward rode slowly through +the crowded street, acknowledging the acclamations by the faintest +inclination of his head. He was then in his thirty-fourth year, yet +the cares of his kingdom and the claims of his Lombard and Flemish +creditors had made him look considerably older. A longish dark beard +partially concealed a hard, firm mouth, while his dark piercing eyes, +glittering beneath his broad forehead and bushy eyebrows, betokened a +war-like temperament. His coat of plate-armour, fashioned in the +latest style, was covered by a surcoat, upon which were embroidered +his newly-assumed arms, the fleur-de-lis of France, quartered with +the silver lions of England, while a velvet cap took the place, for +the time being, of his plumed bascinet. + +At his right hand rode his fifteen-year-old son, Edward, afterwards +known to fame as The Black Prince; while at his left rode Lord +Godfrey of Harcourt, the King's much-esteemed councillor. + +Burning with ill-concealed impatience Edward, with his suite, +embarked that very evening, and ere morning dawned the fleet had left +the shelter of Southampton Water, and was heading westward for the +English Channel, the Portsmouth ships, with the Constable and his +company, rolling sluggishly in the rear, about a league astern of the +main body. + +With the favouring north-easterly breeze all went well, and steadily +the floating army neared the coasts of France; but on the third day +came a flat calm, so that the ships were compelled to use their +sweeps to prevent themselves drifting into one another. + +The calm was succeeded by a strong south-westerly gale, so that all +advantage of the previous favourable breeze was totally lost; and, +unable to make headway, the fleet was driven back towards the English +coast, taking shelter in the Cornish harbour of Fowey. + +For six days the fleet lay weather-bound, till Sir Godfrey of +Harcourt counselled the King to give up the idea of landing in +Gascony. + +"Sire," he exclaimed, "Normandy is one of the plenteous countries of +the world. On jeopardy of my head, if thou wouldst land there, there +is none to resist thee. The people of Normandy are not used to war, +and all the knights and squires of the country are now at the siege +before Aiguillon." + +The advice, though hardly correct, the King took, and, the wind +moderating and blowing more in their favour, the fleet again put to +sea, and reached La Hogue without further incident. + +Arrived on the coast of Normandy, the English began to make a +revengeful attack on the ports of Cherbourg and Barfleur, the ships +of these ports having harried the coasts of England in times past, +and with fierce shouts the soldiers pillaged the defenceless towns, +burning every ship they found in the harbours. + +One night, Sir John Hacket, who had been in audience with the King, +returned to his quarters in high glee. + +"Raymond," he exclaimed, "the King hath again done signal honour to +my Company. News hath reached us that the Count of Tancarville, who +is the most puissant noble in Normandy, lieth at a hunting lodge near +the village of Brique, within five leagues of the camp. He hath, we +are told, no knowledge of our presence. Could we but entrap him and +bring him a prisoner into the camp, it will clear the way for our +advance, for, bereft of the counsel of the Count of Tancarville, all +Normandy would be masterless. Now, consider; I have a free hand in +this small matter, and can use the whole of my Company to my +advancement. What think ye? Is it better to take but a few mounted +men, or adventure with them all?" + +"In my humble opinion, Sir John," replied Raymond, "the matter is +best undertaken by but a few. Too many would give alarm. A few would, +in the case of our plans miscarrying, be but little missed, and if +they do succeed, then the greater the honour!" + +"Thy words do thee credit, Raymond, and, by St. George, a better +leader for the enterprise than thou I cannot choose. Take your choice +of mounted men, and begone. A guide is even now detained in the camp, +who will lead you to Brique. Now, remember, alive or dead, bring the +Count into the camp, but alive by choice." + +Quickly the young squire went about preparations for his mission. +Five trusted men-at-arms were chosen, and their arms and horses +carefully inspected by their young leader, who resolved to leave +nothing to chance. Then, placing their guide, a heavy-limbed Norman +peasant, upon a spare horse, and attaching a light chain to his wrist +(one end being held by a soldier with orders to despatch the man at +the first sign of treachery), the little party left the camp, passed +the outlying cordon of sentries, and plunged into the darkness. + +By degrees the horsemen became accustomed to the gloom, and, riding +closely together, with the guide in their midst, they maintained a +brisk pace towards their goal, and ere long the camp-fires of their +comrades were lost to sight behind them. + +The night was sultry; not a leaf stirred on the branches of the trees +that lined the road, and a dull oppressive feeling pervaded the +atmosphere. + +Suddenly the faint rumble of distant thunder was borne to their ears, +and instinctively the horsemen glanced at one another, for a +thunder-storm was looked upon by the mediaeval soldier as a harbinger +of evil. + +Nearer and nearer came the storm, till the lightning flashed across +their path, illuminating the horizon with its sulphurous glow, but as +yet not a drop of rain had fallen. + +Meanwhile their guide had kept perfectly silent, answering the +questions put to him with either a nod or a shake of his head. Though +Raymond had acquired a smattering of the French language he was +unable to understand the patois of the peasant, so one of the +men-at-arms was deputed to put any necessary question to their +impassive guide. + +At length they reached the confines of a dense forest, and hardly had +they gained the dangerous shelter of the trees than down came the +rain, accompanied by almost incessant flashes of lightning. + +Dazzled by the appalling light, and almost deafened by the sharp +detonating rattle of the thunder, the little party rode in fear and +trembling till their guide stopped them with a motion of his hand, +and indicating an almost invisible avenue that forked from the road +they were following, exclaimed, "V'là, m'sieurs!" + +"Ask him how far it is to the Count's hunting-lodge!" exclaimed +Raymond. + +"He says 'not far.'" + +"Certes, I am as wise as before. Ask him again." The man mumbled +something unintelligible, then held up two fingers. + +"A murrain on his thick-headedness; fair Sir, I cannot rightly tell +what he doth mean." + +"Then be cautious. Remember, directly we catch sight of the place, +one man remains with the guide and the rest follow me!" + +The path was too narrow for two to ride abreast, so they proceeded in +single file, the guide leading, with a soldier, leaning over his +crupper to give the necessary length of chain, following closely +behind and through the avenue, so dense that even the lightning +almost failed to illumine, Raymond's party rode on their desperate +errand. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +TRAPPED! + + +BEFORE the raiders had proceeded very far a short exclamation from +one of the men-at-arms caused them to pull up sharply. + +"What's amiss?" demanded Raymond in a whisper. + +"The peasant's horse hath gone lame," replied one of the soldiers. +"Can we not despatch the guide, for, certes, he is of no further use, +and it will save us the trouble of looking after him?" + +"Nay!" replied Raymond sturdily. "I am loth to cause a harmless +peasant to be slain. Make him mount behind thee, Robert, but keep a +tight hold on his chain." + +Once again the advance was resumed, the horses floundering over the +slippery, leaf-strewn path, their riders being put to great trouble +by reason of the overhanging branches that often almost swept them +from their saddles. + +Presently they began to descend a steep declivity, the slope +requiring all the skill of the horsemen to keep their steeds on their +feet, while the rain, now falling in torrents, had transformed the +little path into a foaming stream. + +Suddenly a vivid flash of lightning rent the darkness of the night, +and in the dazzling glare Raymond beheld, with a thrill of horror, +two of the men who were leading disappear into a yawning chasm almost +at his feet, their cries drowned by the appalling crash of the +accompanying thunder. By dint of reining in his horse till the animal +was almost on its haunches, the young squire saved himself from a +similar fate, and slipping to the ground he awaited, in terrible +suspense, the next flash that would give some idea of his position. +The succeeding period of darkness seemed to weigh upon him like a +suffocating shroud, while the silence was broken only by the frantic +prancing of the remaining horses, the feeble groans of one of the +fallen men, and a low gurgling sound a short distance away--a sound +that caused indescribable terror in the mind of the young squire. + +Then came another crash and a ponderous mass fell across the path he +had just passed, and another shriek of agony rent the air. To the +horrified Raymond, whose superstitious feelings were aroused by the +war of the elements and the tragedy of his surroundings, the place +savoured of the infernal regions; and gazing with wide-open eyes into +the inky blackness, he dumbly awaited the next gleam of blinding +light. + +At length, after a seemingly endless suspense, it came--a double +flash. Short as was the duration of the glare it served to intensify +the horror of his position. + +At his feet yawned the pit, wherein the feebly-moving limbs of two +of his men still writhed in the throes of death, while their horses +were frantically kicking each other in the confined space. Behind him +lay another man-at-arms, the blood welling from a gaping wound in his +throat, while a fourth lay crushed--beyond recognition by a heavy +tree-trunk that, falling across the path, effectually prevented a +retreat. There was no sign of their guide, but the fifth soldier was +leaning against a tree-trunk, his hands pressed tightly over his eyes +as if trying to shut out the ghastly scene. + +The next flash showed that he, too, had vanished, and Raymond was +alone, though the shouts and cries of the unfortunate man-at-arms +betokened that he was being haled off through the forest by some +invisible agency--whether by men, animals, or spirits the squire +dared not imagine. + +And now the underwood on either side seemed alive with movement, and +Raymond felt, or fancied he felt, rough hands groping towards him. +Frenzy took possession of his shaking body, and, lashed into the +energy of despair, he unsheathed his sword and slashed madly about +him. The blade came in violent contact with an overhanging bough and +snapped off close to the hilt; at the same moment the squire felt a +pair of sinewy arms encircle his feet, and with a lusty heave he was +upset and thrown with a crash to the ground, the point of a knife +pressing against his throat warning him of the utter uselessness of +further resistance. + +Bound hand and foot, the unfortunate squire was carried or dragged +through a thick growth of underwood, till at length his captors +gained a large clearing. By the aid of a momentary flash he saw the +outlines of a low building. In response to a violent knocking he +heard the sound of bolts being withdrawn, and, borne on the shoulders +of four strong men, he was carried into the house, and dropped +unceremoniously upon the rush-strewn floor. + +Some one took a torch from its socket and bent over the prostrate +squire. Raymond recognised the features--it was the traitorous guide! +But gone was the heavy lustreless expression of his eyes and the +stolid set of his swarthy jaws; instead a look of malevolent +intelligence overspread his face, and by the subservience with which +he was treated by his comrades it was evident that he was a man of +authority. + +"Ah! Dolt, fool, beast of an Englishman! How nicely hast thou borne +the Count of Tancarville back to the camp of the cursed invader of +Normandy! Dead or alive, eh? Little didst thou know how near thy +purpose was fulfilled when thy base _routier_ made to pass a knife +across my throat. I--even I--am the Count of Tancarville!" + +He paused to observe the effect of this startling announcement, but +Raymond preserved a dignified silence. + +"And that simpleton the Constable, thy master," he resumed. "To think +that the Count of Tancarville would be dallying at a hunting lodge +when base English defile the coasts of Normandy! Ah! That was a near +one," he added as another blinding flash of lightning lit up the +room. + +"Knowest thou, thou miserable fool," he continued as soon as the +crash of the thunder permitted, "that did that fiery fork but touch +this place thou and I would be scattered, so that all the armies of +Philip and Edward would fail to find a fragment? Eh, I interest thee? +'Tis well; I'll tell thee more, seeing that the knowledge will profit +thee but little. Henri! Cut asunder the bonds that bind this +Englishman's legs, and do thou and Etienne stand close lest he do +himself an injury!" + +Handing the torch to a serving-man, the Count led the way, closely +followed by Raymond and his two guards. In an adjoining apartment, so +open to the winds that the torch was almost extinguished, lay seven +sinister-looking objects, which the squire readily recognised as +bombards. + +These early cannon were composed of straight lengths of flat iron, +held together by shrunk-on iron hoops, and lashed down to a heavy +baulk of timber, so that in training these clumsy contrivances, +carriage and gun were practically one piece. + +"These are the beasts I hunt in this forest," quoth the Count. "King +Philip hath need of them, and, by our Lady of Nîmes, 'twill be a +sight to see the vaunted English bowmen being bowled over by these +bombards. And food these beasts must have! Forward, garçons, and show +this dolt mine animals' food. But, Bertrand, stand aside with that +torch. I am in no mind to go heavenwards yet awhile." + +The next room was little better than a cell, lightened by the feeble +light of an oil lamp that glimmered through a horn lanthorn. In a far +corner could be discerned the bent figure of a monk, his cowl thrown +back on his shoulders and his arms bared to the elbow. Ignoring the +interruption, he continued his labours, working a pestle with +untiring energy. + +"Behold the worthy successor to Michael Schwartz! My faith! It does +my heart good to show the accursed English the resources of la belle +France; yet, 'tis passing strange that the secret of the making of +the devil's powder should be divulged to a priest of God. Five score +barrels full of the powder are ready for the use of our forces, and +I'll warrant---- Ah! What wouldst thou? Down with him, mes garçons!" + +For Raymond, suddenly fired with a reckless determination, had thrown +himself upon the torch-bearer, and with a shower of sparks the +burning brand was dashed upon the floor, missing the bench with its +dangerous compound by less than a span! + +The Count and the monk, both white with fear, stamped upon the +blazing embers, while the guards with no gentle hand had forced their +prisoner to the ground. + +"A senseless piece of folly," growled the Norman. "And little credit +to thyself." + +"'Twould have rid the King of England of a dangerous foe," replied +Raymond stoutly, opening his lips for the first time since his +capture. + +"Away with him, till I find a means to make use of him, Etienne!" +exclaimed the Count, taking no notice of the squire's remark. + +"To the oubliette?" + +"Nay; two of these accursed Englishmen in one den would plague us far +more than if kept apart. One never knows what the rogues get up to +when they plan amongst themselves. Lock him in the old arrow-store." + +The old arrow-store was a damp and dismal chamber next to the cell +where Raymond had seen the monk at his researches. It was on the +ground floor, and lighted only by one lancet-shaped window, far too +narrow to admit the passage of a man. The roof was vaulted, the +arches springing from a central pillar, while the floor was paved +with heavy slabs set in strong cement. + +This much the young squire saw while the men were making a cursory +examination by the aid of two additional torches; and after removing +an old chest they quitted the room, bolting and locking the heavy +iron-plated door behind them. + +Left to himself, Raymond fell a prey to the deepest despondency. The +failure of his ill-starred attempt, the comparative ease of his +capture, and the mortification which the Constable would feel at his +non-return, weighed upon the unhappy squire far more than the danger +of his hopeless position, and, grief-stricken, he lay on a stone +bench, listlessly marking the sound of the rapidly-retreating storm, +till a feeble glimmer through the lancet window betokened that the +day was dawning. He had one consolation, sorry though it was--there +remained another Englishman within the stronghold, the solitary +survivor of five picked men-at-arms. + +Presently Raymond stood up and stretched his cramped limbs, then +standing on the bench he found that he could just reach the window. +Grasping the stone ledge with his hands, he raised himself +sufficiently to look out. + +It was a cheerless outlook. In front, a bow-shot away, lay the dense +masses of the forest, still hazy with the morning mist. An open +space, broken only by a moat full of slimy water, lay between the +forest and the stronghold, though no drawbridge was visible on that +side. + +And beyond the forest lay, at an unknown distance, the English camp, +where even now Sir John Hacket was doubtless expecting his return +with the expected captive. Overcome with the irony of the situation, +Raymond clambered down from the window and relapsed into his moody +and despondent attitude. + +For several hours he remained thus, till aroused by the drawing back +of the bolts of his prison door. The door was thrown open, and an +armed man entered, bearing a pitcher of water and a trencher of black +bread, while another man stood without, for fear of an outburst of +the prisoner. Without a word the jailer set down the meal and +retired. + +Twice daily was this done, and thus the days sped, slowly and +cheerlessly, but no visit from the Count of Tancarville served to +break the dismal monotony. + +On the fifth day Raymond heard the sound of martial preparations, and +climbing to the window he caught a brief glimpse of a body of armed +and mounted men riding past his prison; one of whom, he had no doubt, +was the Count. Then came the rumble of heavily-laden wains, but in +which direction the party disappeared the squire was unable to see. + +Evidently the little garrison of this sylvan fortress was +considerably depleted, for Raymond noticed that his jailer came into +his prison alone. He thought, though, that this might have been +through a sense of familiarity at his prisoner's dejected mien. Yet +daily, for hours together, the sound of the pestle, dimly heard +through the thick adjoining wall, showed that the taciturn old monk +still pursued his dangerous task. + +Four more days passed in dreadful solitude, till, maddened by the +hopelessness of his condition, Raymond resolved on desperate measures +to attempt his escape. Plan after plan flashed through his brain, +only to be put aside as impracticable. Feigning death, burrowing +through the stone walls of his prison, attacking his jailer, all +seemed hopeless, till at length a scheme, hazardous in the extreme, +yet capable of meeting with possible success, matured in his mind and +hourly increased his hopes of ultimate success. + +Usually the jailer found him sitting dejectedly upon the stone bench, +practically invisible in the gloom to any one entering from the +dazzling sunlight without. But on this particular morning Raymond, +awaiting the jailer's footsteps, carefully removed his surcoat and +hid behind the door. Directly the man entered he made, as was his +wont, direct for the bench, when the squire, springing upon him from +behind, muffled his head in the surcoat and bore him to the ground. +The jug and platter fell with a resounding crash, and Raymond, +seizing the broken pitcher, struck the jailer such a shrewd blow that +it all but split his skull, leaving him senseless on the floor. + +Hastily dragging his body across to the darkest corner, Raymond +possessed himself of his dagger and escaped from his prison. + +Without a moment's hesitation he burst into the adjoining apartment, +where the old monk, engrossed in his work, did not take the slightest +notice of his abrupt entry. Raymond had argued with himself that a +priest engaged in warlike pursuits thereby puts himself without the +pale of the Church; so, overcoming his scruples, he wrenched the +pestle from the hand of the astonished monk and stunned him ere he +could utter a sound. + +Then with feverish haste he stripped off and donned the monk's +capacious gown, pulling the cowl well down over his eyes; then, +strapping the wooden sandals over his own pointed shoes, he walked +boldly into the corridor, with bent head and clattering gait. + +At the end of the passage was another heavily-barred door, at which a +spearman stood on guard. Holding his dagger firmly in his right hand +and concealing it within the folds of his long sleeve, Raymond moved +straight up to the man. The sentinel opened the door, and with bowed +head stood aside to let the supposed monk pass. In a well-feigned +highly-pitched voice the young squire gave the customary blessing; +then, almost amazed at his good fortune, he gained the free air once +more. + +But his difficulties were not yet over. The road from the stronghold +ran under the shelter of the low walls for some distance, then turned +abruptly and crossed the moat by a drawbridge, at the end of which +was a small postern and barbican. + +All went well till Raymond was upon the bridge, and the gate-keeper +was making ready to throw open the outer gate, when the sham monk +dropped one sandal upon the bridge, where it lay conspicuously in the +dazzling sunshine. + +For a moment the guard paused, gazing in undisguised astonishment at +the tell-tale object, then with a crash he closed the gate and raised +a horn to his lips. But ere he could blow a blast Raymond was upon +him; a glint of cold steel, and the man uttering a choking cry, threw +up his arms and fell in a huddled heap. + +Disguise was no longer necessary, and the squire, opening the gate +and casting off his gown as he ran, sped over the open space towards +the sheltering forest. + +He heard some one behind him shouting the alarm, but by the time the +watchers on the wall could wind their cross-bows Raymond was almost +out of range, though a dropping bolt, shot at a venture, hummed close +to his head and buried itself in the springy turf at the foot of the +nearest tree. + +Though skilled in finding a course by observing the position of the +sun, Raymond was but indifferently versed in woodcraft, and in the +gloom of the forest all idea of direction was beyond him. Onward he +plunged, crashing through the bracken and undergrowth, till to his +great delight he struck a narrow path. This he followed, till at +length he came upon the scene of his ambuscade. A yawning pit, +partially concealed by a screen of hurdles and bracken, lay across +the narrow way, while a score of paces beyond was a tree trunk, +which, having been skilfully cut through close to its base, needed +but little effort to fall into its present position, effectually +barring the road to any but unmounted men. + +With a sickening feeling of horror Raymond gazed into the pit, where +lay the mangled remains of two of his men-at-arms, though it was +evident that the plunderer had already been there, as the corpses +were stripped of their arms and accoutrements, while the trappings of +the horses had vanished. + +Under the fallen trunk lay the body of the third soldier, plundered +also as far as the ponderous timber would allow, while of the fourth +no trace remained but a dark stain on the clayey soil. + +Clambering over the last obstacle, the squire found himself on the +steep path that had been so dangerous a road but a short fortnight +before. On and on he hastened, till he emerged on the high road that +led to the camp, which he estimated to be about four and a half +leagues distant, provided a general advance had not taken place in +the meantime. + +He was hatless and without his surcoat, having left that garment with +his late jailer, and there were no distinguishing marks to show that +he belonged either to the army of the King of England or of Philip of +France. + +Tying his blood-stained scarf over his chin, he strode boldly +forward, trusting in the rôle of a wounded soldier to avoid being +questioned. At length he gained the summit of a hill, from which he +looked down upon a lovely fertile valley, and in the distance the +blue waters of the English Channel. + +A spur of rising ground hid the view on his right, but a few minutes +sufficed to gain its crest, and on looking down he saw a sight that +filled him with joy, for below lay a large unwalled town, which he +rightly guessed to be Caen, while a league off was the English host +in battle array, and between him and the army was a motley array of +Frenchmen issuing from the town to join battle with the invaders. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE TABLES TURNED + + +ONLY one thing could Raymond do. He sat down on the grassy hillock +and watched, knowing well that the fight could but end in one way. + +A little group of Norman knights led the van of the French, whose +forces were composed mostly of towns-men, desperate in their vain +attempt to save their town from pillage. Eagerly the keen eyes of the +squire followed their disorderly advance, till they were almost lost +to view in the distance. + +To him it seemed as if the white-coated lines of English archers +stirred neither hand nor foot, but he knew full well that the blast +of deadly arrows had sped, for as if by magic the dark masses of the +Frenchmen broke and fled, without coming to hand-grips. Already the +English cavalry were in hot pursuit, and the white winding road +leading to the town was outlined with clouds of dust, which almost +concealed the disorderly remnants of the defeated fugitives. + +Directly the advance guard of the fleeing army began to draw near, +Raymond rose from the grass and ran swiftly towards the road. The +Frenchmen, each intent upon his own safety, rushed past him, throwing +off their armour to aid their flight, the mounted fugitives +ruthlessly riding down their less fortunate countrymen. + +Seated by the roadside was a man-at-arms, who, sorely wounded in the +shoulder, was endeavouring to divest himself of his hauberk in order +to ease the pain. Actuated both by his own requirements and a feeling +of pity, Raymond helped him to unburden himself of the steel-ringed +coat, and having donned the Frenchman's discarded armour, he bathed +his wound, a deep lance-thrust, with water obtained from a rivulet +that ran by the roadside. + +After rendering this service he proceeded to complete his own +equipment. A heavy sword and a light shield were soon found, and it +did not require much effort on the part of the active squire to seize +a riderless horse. + +With difficulty curbing the restlessness of his newly-acquired steed, +Raymond urged it into an adjoining field to avoid being swept away by +the panic-stricken horde of fugitives, and eagerly awaited the +arrival of the English host. + +Soon the tide of fleeing Frenchmen slackened, and the braver spirits, +maintaining a running fight, alone remained to uphold the honour of +the ill-assorted army of the citizens of Caen. + +Suddenly Raymond's attention was drawn to a knot of mailed figures, +who, surrounded by a press of Englishmen, fought savagely with the +courage of despair. One by one the French mounted men-at-arms and +squires fell, till only two knights remained. + +The pair, keeping side by side, held their enemies at bay by a shower +of blows from sword and mace, till one, his horse slain by a +Welshman, who paid for his act by having his head cleft by a +back-handed sweep, was dashed to the ground and made prisoner. + +On seeing his comrade's fate, the other knight urged his horse +through the crowd of assailants and made a dash for the open field, +where Raymond awaited the chance to join his friends. + +Directly the squire caught sight of his emblazoned surcoat and shield +he recognised the Frenchman--it was none other than the Count of +Tancarville! + +Shaking off his pursuers, who preferred to return to squabble over +their rights to the ransom of the captive knight, the Count rode +straight for the place where Raymond was concealed. When he was +twenty paces off the squire rode forward and barred his way. + +"Yield thyself, Sir Knight!" exclaimed Raymond. + +For a moment the Count gazed with undisguised astonishment at the man +whom he had last seen as a prisoner in his stronghold, then, +recovering himself, he put spur to his horse and rode furiously at +the squire. + +The combatants were evenly matched, for the advantage of the +Frenchman's complete coat of mail was balanced by the comparative +freshness of his opponent and his steed. The knight had lost his +lance, so that the fight was with swords. + +Reining back his horse, Raymond skilfully avoided the first rush, the +Count's sword-point missing his unguarded face by a hand's breadth, +while the squire's return blow fell harmlessly on his adversary's +shield. Instantly Raymond closed in, and before the knight could turn +his steed to meet the counter-attack, the squire's sword had bit +deeply into his enemy's thigh. Then their blades met, and amid a +shower of sparks and the clicking and rasping of steel, Raymond found +himself at pains to defend his unvisored face, and it was not long +before the blood was flowing freely from a cut on his cheek. But the +Count's previous exertions and the loss of blood from several deep +wounds were beginning to tell. His blows did not fall with the same +strength that marked his first rush, though the squire could not +break down his guard. + +Long they fought, their horses prancing and curveting as if realising +that their efforts would materially aid their masters' sword-play, +till Raymond's untried blade snapped off close to the hilt, and, with +the exception of a short knife, he was left weaponless. + +A quick pull at the reins, and the squire's horse ranged alongside +that of the Norman. The next instant Raymond had grasped his opponent +round the body, and with a mighty heave sought to tear him from the +saddle. + +Between the two plunging steeds the combatants fell, locked in a +close embrace, Raymond uppermost; but before he could make good his +advantage and demand his enemy's surrender a stunning kick from the +Count's horse left its master at the Englishman's mercy. + +Raymond rose to his feet bruised and breathless, and at that moment a +band of soldiers came hurrying towards them. The newcomers were the +wild-looking Welsh mercenaries, intent on plunder; and, unable to +make them understand who he was, the squire was for a while in danger +of being set upon by these lawless booty-seeking warriors. Standing +over the body of the prostrate knight, he beckoned, shouted, and +threatened, till a highly-pitched voice behind him demanded who and +what he was. + +Raymond turned and saw a gigantic, swarthy, and black-bearded man, +clad in a bronze-coloured suit of armour, having a green dragon +emblazoned on his surcoat and shield. + +"Squire to Sir John Hacket of Hamptonshire," he replied breathlessly. +"I pray thee bid these rascals desist." + +A word from the stranger in an unknown tongue, and the Welshmen +retired. + +"Rascals, iss what ye call tem?" asked the new arrival, laughing +boisterously. "I would haf yes know, poy, tat tey are from +Glamorgan--from Glamorgan, I tell you! And tey are the best men in +the Army, I tell ye, poy, for tey are my men, I, David Evans, knight +off Glamorgan. I pray ye pear tat in mind. I myself tought ye wass a +Norman, or at pest a Gascon, seeing ye wass to wear a Frenchman's +hauberk." + +The Welsh leader rode off, leaving Raymond to wonder how he could +escape molestation from his friends and still stand by his captive. +Most of the pursuers kept to the highway, and only a few came close +to where he stood. In vain he begged and entreated the passing +soldiers to give a hand to carry off the unconscious Count. Even the +promise of a silver penny had no effect, for the English, intent on +plunder, were already streaming into Caen with the last of their +foes, and the comparatively bountiful offer of payment was invariably +rejected with contempt. + +At length, despairing of obtaining assistance, Raymond left his +prisoner and made his way back to the road, hoping to see a familiar +face amongst the victorious soldiers who were hurrying forward to +join in the sack of the town, but there were none of the Hampshire +companies. + +Picking up another sword to replace his broken weapon, the squire +preferred to go back to guard his captive, consoling himself with the +thought that on the Count's return to consciousness he could lead him +into the camp; then, suddenly bethinking himself of the rivulet +higher up the road, he hastened towards it to slake his burning +thirst. + +This he did, and thereupon made his way back by a different route to +where the Count lay. Barely had he gone half the distance than he +came to a dry ditch, where, to his surprise, he found two fugitives +cowering in the long grass that grew in the trench. + +"Je me rends!" they both exclaimed, grovelling at his feet in fear of +instant death, for, being but peasants, they knew that scant mercy +was shown to those who were unable to offer ransom. + +In a moment Raymond saw and seized his chalice. "Vous êtes mes +prisonniers," he exclaimed, brandishing his weapon. "Venez avec moi." + +Driving them before him, the squire soon reached the place where he +had left the Count of Tancarville, and indicated by signs that they +should carry him. This they did, panting with their exertions, for +the knight in his complete armour was a heavy burden. Their progress +was slow, till on arriving on the highway Raymond made them take two +broken lances, and forming a rough litter, they were able to make a +better pace. + +At length, they came in sight of the camp, and to his great joy +Raymond saw the well-known banner of the crescent on the blue field, +waving close to the pavilion over which floated the royal standard of +England, for the Constable of Portchester's company was that day +detailed as guard to the camp. + +Great was the delight and astonishment of Sir John Hacket and his men +on Raymond's reappearance, for he had been given up for lost; and +greater was the Constable's surprise when his squire, pointing to the +litter, exclaimed with pardonable pride: "Behold, sir, I bring thee +the Count of Tancarville according to thy instructions." + +Having handed over his three prisoners and given a brief account of +his adventures, Raymond retired to a tent to enjoy a well-earned meal +and a rest. From one of the archers he learned that his father, +maddened by grief and rage at the supposed loss of his son, had +obtained permission to join for the time being the Sussex company of +Sir Guy of Bramber, vowing that twenty Norman lives would but +ill-balance Raymond's death. + +The squire's leisure was of short duration, for Sir John Hacket came +in person to inform him that the King had ordered him to appear +before him. + +Raymond's eyes sparkled with delight, for this was a step at least +towards his coveted reward, and hastily attiring himself suitably for +the royal presence, he followed the Constable to the King's pavilion. + +It was a large tent, hung with damask, and divided into two parts by +a heavy curtain. In the ante-room were crowds of knights awaiting an +audience, their names and titles being carefully set down by a +herald, while another, stationed at the flap of the partitioning +curtain, where two knights in full armour stood on guard, announced +the various personages who had business with their Sovereign. + +Each knight who was ushered into the inner apartment had but a short +stay in the royal presence, and to Raymond, as he waited in +breathless expectation, it seemed as if there was a continuous +procession of warriors, some elated with the prospect of praise and +honour, others nervously ignorant of why they were summoned thither; +while others, knowing that their master had cause for displeasure, +were pacing the crowded ante-chamber, biting their lips in their +anxiety. + +All the while a buzz of suppressed voices was heard from the inner +room, and occasionally Edward's hearty voice could be clearly +distinguished as he praised or chid according to the merits or +demerits of the person before him. + +Suddenly the sound of a galloping horse was heard, coming rapidly +nearer, then, amid a hum of ill-concealed excitement, a knight, +covered in mud from head to foot, and breathless from hard riding, +burst into the ante-chamber. + +"Ah, Sir William!" he exclaimed to the royal herald, "I pray thee +announce me to the King with all despatch. The matter brooks not +delay!" And clanking in his heavy armour at the heels of the herald +he disappeared behind the curtain that concealed the royal presence +from the crowd of waiting knights. + +"'Tis Lord Bassett," whispered Sir John to his squire. "Certes, some +event of much moment hath occurred to bring him from the field. +Hearken!" + +The newcomer's voice was distinctly audible to those who waited +without. "The men of Caen are holding out stubbornly, Sire, every +house being closed to our troops, and our losses from the darts of +those within are exceeding great. The Welsh levies, aye, and our own +men as well, are killing without mercy man, woman, and child, yet +their acts do but increase the fury of the men of Caen. I pray you, +Sire, that the word goes forth that every soldier shall withdraw from +the city, for otherwise they threaten to destroy it with fire." + +"But wherefore should we hold our hand?" inquired the King. "They of +Caen set themselves in battle against our hosts, and must of +necessity abide the consequences." + +"But the spoil, Sire, the spoil! 'Tis the richest town in all +Normandy. If we can but prevail on the citizens to lay down their +arms, then the sack can be resumed with more profit and less risk." + +"There's wisdom in thy words," replied Edward, "but thy advice is +every whit the same as the Cardinal Legates gave to us but an hour +agone. These we told that it was our resolve to brook no interference +of the Holy Father in matters appertaining to war, but, by my +halidome, the suggestion commends itself to us. Therefore withdraw +our troops. Beat a parley with the townsmen, and demand their +surrender with promise of quarter. Stay! I'll to the front myself! +Herald! Dismiss the knights in waiting, and inform them that we will +receive them on the morrow." + +Thus Raymond's opportunity had passed for the present, for when the +morrow came, the King in person met the chief magistrate of Caen, and +in the presence of the Papal Envoys, agreed to accept the +unconditional surrender of the town, pledging his kingly word, +however, that the massacre should cease, and before the evening came +the squire was detailed for another errand. + +"Raymond," quoth Sir John Hacket, "I have it in mind that a slight +advancement and no little honour can be obtained if we can seize the +stronghold of the Count of Tancarville, and gain possession of the +store of powder and the bombards of which thou hast spoken. What +think ye? All the powder was not taken away by the Count?" + +"I think not, sir." + +"And the bombards?" + +"I saw none go; nevertheless they may have sent them away." + +"Then I'll go to Chandos and crave permission to lead the company +against this strange hunting-lodge in the Forest of Brique. Meanwhile +have thy two prisoners closely questioned, for, methinks, they know +exactly where this stronghold lieth." + +The Constable hastened to the tent of Sir John Chandos to obtain the +required boon, while Raymond sent for the two Normans whose lives he +had spared. They were, so the squire ascertained, brothers, and one +had been in the service of the Count of Eu, and knew the precise +position of the Count of Tancarville's forest castle. + +Soon Sir John returned, having succeeded in his mission. One of the +prisoners was made to act as guide, and to avoid another blunder he +was told that should the enterprise fail through his neglect or +treachery his brother's life would be forfeit. Rations were served +out to the company, and an hour later Sir John's command, consisting +of three squires, thirty men-at-arms, and fifty mounted archers, +moved out of camp amid the encouraging shouts of their comrades, and +disappeared in the gathering gloom towards the dark masses of the +Forest of Brique. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE FALL OF THE COUNT'S STRONGHOLD + + +UNDER the guidance of the Norman, the company proceeded by a +different route to that by which Raymond made his escape; and, as +night fell, they dismounted and off-saddled in a clearing within half +a league of the Count's stronghold. + +Sentries were posted, and every precaution taken against surprise, +but nothing untoward occurred to disturb the camp. + +Day dawned, but a thick, fleecy mist prevailed, the moisture dripping +from the steel caps of the soldiers, who, in spite of it being a +summer's morn in fair Normandy, actually shivered with cold. No fires +were allowed to be lighted for fear of giving warning of their +approach, and after a hasty breakfast the company started on the last +portion of the journey. + +The way lay through a narrow avenue, similar to that in which +Raymond's ill-fated men-at-arms met with disaster, and the Norman +guide, anxious for his own and his brother's safety, used all his +skill and cunning as a woodman to ensure a successful surprise. + +Presently through the mist two gnarled trunks attracted his +attention, and, halting, he beckoned to the Constable to dismount. In +low tones he explained that lie wanted a riderless horse to be driven +in front of the company, and, the Constable assenting, one of the +archers dismounted and urged his steed to the head of the column. + +To Raymond, who knew the perils of the path, the act occasioned no +surprise, but most of the soldiers watched the action with +wonderment. + +The horse had proceeded but a short distance when it stumbled over +some invisible obstacle, and before it could recover itself, a heavy +beam, furnished with a metal barb, came crashing down from the +mist--hidden branches above, pinning the devoted animal to the earth. + +A score of willing hands dragged the timber and its victim from the +path. "I pray you send another horse on ahead," exclaimed the +Constable calmly, as if unmoved by his narrow escape, for had he been +in his customary place at the head of the company his fate would have +been sealed. + +Silently, and fully anticipating a fresh trap, the troop advanced, +the successor to the ill-fated horse walking cautiously as if +instinctively aware of its perilous mission. A bow-shot farther it +stopped, and, in spite of the application of the point of a dagger, +it refused to move another step. + +"Prenez garde, messieurs, c'est un piège," whispered the Norman. +"Mais sans doute c'est le dernier empêchement." + +"Step forward, Lavant," exclaimed the Constable in a low tone to one +of the men-at-arms. "Thrust out thy spear and see what lieth here." + +The man did so, and almost without resistance the weapon sank in +turf. A twist of the spear and a large piece of what looked to be +green sward gave way, disclosing a yawning cavity, its length being +too great to permit a horse to leap across, while its depth was +sufficient to kill or maim any man or beast that had the misfortune +to fall therein. + +At a sign from their leader the soldiers dismounted. One man was told +off to every four horses, a party set silently to work to cut a way +through the dense thicket, so as to make a detour round the pitfall, +and the rest of the soldiers stood where they were, resting on their +arms till the path was cleared. + +This done, the company, now diminished in fighting numbers by +one-fourth, resumed their march, and, as the guide had foretold, were +unmolested by any other obstacle till they emerged from the forest at +the edge of the extensive clearing in which stood the stronghold of +the Count of Tancarville. + +The sun was now above the tree-tops, and slowly the mist was +dispersing, so that the outlines of the fortress were just visible in +the clouds of lifting vapour. + +Ordering his men to lie down within the shelter of the undergrowth, +Sir John called his squires, the master bowman who had taken the +place of the absent Redward, and the oldest man-at-arms, and held a +hasty consultation upon the plan of attack. + +Though Raymond had not seen the castle from without, he found that +his idea of the place did not differ greatly from the appearance of +the actual building. It was a long, low structure, but one story in +height, save at one corner, where a low tower commanded the rest of +the stronghold. The walls were pierced with narrow loopholes for the +discharge of arrows, and crowned by a battlemented breastwork. Around +the walls was, as Raymond already knew, a ditch or moat. The +drawbridge was raised, and the outer fortalice or barbican was +furnished with a massive door. + +There were no signs of the garrison, which, at the most, numbered +less than two score men, but the possibility of a surprise was +guarded against by the fact that the doorway of the barbican was +closed. + +For several hours the little English force lay in front of the +stronghold, the soldiers prone on the grass, their leaders standing +behind a dense thicket, so that no assailant was visible to the +still unsuspecting inmates of the castle. + +At length some of the archers who had remained with the horses joined +the main body, dragging with them two peasants who were captured +while on their way to the Count's fortress. The two men bore huge +baskets full of bread on their backs, and the booty was distributed +and eagerly devoured by the soldiers, while the peasants, securely +bound, were detained a short distance in the forest under a guard of +three archers. + +Presently one of the men-at-arms approached Raymond. "I beg of thee, +sir, to ask the Constable that he give me leave to force an entry +into yonder fortress." + +"How so, Peter? Wouldst essay the task alone?" + +"Nay, Master Raymond, but with my comrade, Myles of Fareham, 'tis +easy to attempt." + +"And easier to fail? What wouldst thou do?" + +"If we don the peasant's clothes and carry their baskets filled with +stones on our backs, I trow 'twill be an easy business to fool those +that are within. Once they open the gate two honest Englishmen can +hold it against a score of Frenchmen till the main body hath time to +come to our aid." + +"By St. George! Thou sayest aright; I'll speak to Sir John at once." + +The Constable received the project with delight, and preparations for +the assault were instantly made. The two men-at-arms drew the +gabardines of the peasants over their armour, so that they closely +resembled the thick-set, shambling Normans, and shouldering their +heavy baskets, they advanced boldly towards the outwork. + +Meanwhile their comrades were eager and alert. The bowmen had chosen +their arrows and strung their bows; the men-at-arms had drawn their +swords and had discarded their belts and sheaths to enable them to +run the quicker to the aid of the two devoted men, and with eyes +intently fixed on the gate of the barbican they awaited the signal to +rush headlong across the open space that lay between them and the +fortress. + +To the waiting soldiers it seemed hours ere their two comrades drew +near to the outer work, but when within a few paces of it a sentinel +stood forth on the wall and challenged them. Then, apparently +suspicious of their errand, he blew a loud blast on a horn, which was +immediately answered by the appearance of five or six men from within +the barbican, while over a score lined the walls of the main +stronghold, some of whom began to wind their cross-bows. + +At the same time the door was thrown open, and a man, apparently a +captain, stood on the threshold. Up to now these preparations were +simply a matter of form, no matter who the newcomer might be, and +fortunately the iron-nerved Englishmen understood this, for, +staggering under their loads, they still advanced with bent heads to +avoid recognition. + +Suddenly the guardian of the gate realised that it was not a pair of +ignorant peasants that he had to parley with. But the knowledge came +too late. Peter of Purbrook had thrown down his load and dashed, +sword in hand, at the astonished Norman. Before the latter could +retreat a step he had fallen with his head cleft to the chin. His +body lay athwart the threshold, and ere the others could rush to +close the gate the Englishmen had pushed their baskets, filled with +stones, against the door, and were awaiting the onslaught of their +foes. + +With hoarse shouts of encouragement the English men-at-arms rose from +their ambush and rushed madly to their comrades' aid, while the +archers, shooting rapidly and coolly, directed a dropping fire of +arrows at the defenders on the walls. But they of the outwork had +gathered to defend the gate, and already a fierce struggle was taking +place, the two gallant Englishmen being hard pressed by the enraged +Normans. + +With axe, spear, and mace the defenders strove to thrust back the +daring intruders, while the latter, regardless of their own safety, +essayed to keep open the gate. Two of the Normans fell, their bodies +adding to the ghastly pile at the entrance to the barbican, but +directly afterwards Myles of Fareham was slain by a savage +spear-thrust. + +Undismayed by the fall of his comrade, Peter of Purbrook hurled an +axe at the helm of the slayer of his friend, then, clearing at a +bound the heap of corpses, bade fair to drive back the defenders +single-handed, while his comrades, with Raymond well in the fore, +were already halfway across the intervening space. + +Carried away by the heat of battle, Raymond saw as in a dream the +figure of the devoted man-at-arms clearing a path for his countrymen; +the next instant there was a blinding flash, a deafening roar, and a +thick, choking cloud of sulphurous smoke. + +One of the defenders, with the fury of despair, had fired off a +bombard, the huge stone ball crashing through friend and foe alike, +and bounding over the springy turf till it came to a stop a few paces +from the edge of the forest. + +Appalled by the sound, the soldiers hesitated, but when the smoke had +partially cleared away the gateway was deserted. + +Then the Constable's voice was heard amid the din, "Onwards, men, the +place is ours," and regaining their wits, the Englishmen rushed +forward and reached the deserted barbican. + +The discharge from the bombard, by which the remaining Frenchmen, +save one, and four English men-at-arms, including the ill-fated +Peter, had been swept away, was attended by one good result. The +drawbridge had been lowered, and, after applying the linstock, the +cannonier had darted back across it to take refuge in the fortress, +while the heavy bombard, wrenching asunder the leather thongs that +bound it to the carriage, had recoiled till its weight rested on the +end of the drawbridge, effectually preventing it from being raised by +the defenders. + +In the meanwhile the English archers, while engaged in keeping down +the fire of the cross-bowmen, had marked the fugitive cannonier as he +sped back to gain the entrance. Ere he had run but half the distance +he fell, transfixed by a dozen arrows, while the attacking party +roared with excitement and jubilation. + +Even if the defenders had had another bombard available they would +have been prevented by the hail of shafts from training it on their +adversaries; and, led by the Constable and his squires, the +men-at-arms crossed the drawbridge and thundered at the main gate +with their axes, while the archers, advancing in close order, kept up +a hot fire against every point where a Norman dared show the crest of +his steel cap. + +Under the furious blows the door was splintered; then with a united +effort the shattered woodwork gave way, and the victorious Englishmen +rushed headlong into the castle, only to find that not a man of the +garrison was to be seen. + +With his own hands the Constable tore down the scarlet wolves' heads +of the banner of the Count of Tancarville, and the blue guidon with +the demi-lune floated in its place, amidst a fanfare of trumpets and +the cheers of the victors. + +Then a systematic search of the stronghold was undertaken, but no +trace of the Normans was found till an archer stumbled over a heavy +trap-door, which, on being raised, disclosed a flight of dankstone +steps leading to a subterranean passage. Listening intently, the +Constable and his squires heard the faint sounds of retreating +footsteps echoing along the stone walls of the tunnel. + +"It matters not," quoth Sir John. "I doubt whether there be any +person of quality amongst them. Their burrow doubtless leads to some +spot in the forest, and I can ill-afford to risk more lives in a +needless undertaking." + +To close the entrance, pieces of heavy timber weighted with stone +were thrown down the yawning pit, and having made all chance of a +return by this outlet impossible, the soldiers devoted their energies +to the exploration of the building. + +It was more of a fortified arsenal than a castle, the Count's +principal fortress being ten leagues off, but the spoils of war were +both numerous and useful. + +In all, including the bombard in the barbican, there were eleven +pieces of ordnance, a score barrels of powder, steel caps, hauberks, +and weapons of all descriptions. Unwilling to leave the booty where +it might again fall into the hands of the Normans, the Constable made +preparations to carry off the whole of the munitions of war. + +Dragging long planks across the open ground, a party of archers +returned to where the horses had been left. By bridging the pitfall, +the steeds were led safely across the fatal trap, and in less than an +hour were within the stronghold, where rough carts in abundance were +ready to be loaded up with the spoil. + +Meanwhile Raymond had not forgotten the unfortunate man-at-arms who +had been captured with him in the first attempt to seize the Count. +Aided by a couple of archers, he searched vainly for the secret +oubliette, till at length he bethought him of the two peasants who +had been taken earlier in the day. + +These were brought before him, and without much difficulty were +compelled to lead the way. In the floor of the lowest apartment the +peasants pointed out a small door, almost invisible in the deep +gloom. Procuring a torch, Raymond and the archers shot back the +bolts, and on lifting the trapdoor, a dark, evil-smelling dungeon was +disclosed, unlighted and almost unventilated. Mingled with the noise +of scores of rats a low moaning was heard, and in the fitful glare of +the torchlight a narrow circular hole could be distinguished in the +centre of the dungeon, its mouth unprotected by a barrier of any +kind. + +"Art there, Robert?" asked the squire, his voice shaking with pity +and emotion. + +The only reply was another low moan, as of a human being in direst +distress. Sending one of the archers back for assistance, Raymond +impatiently waited by the yawning pit. The man soon returned, and +with him four lusty men-at-arms, one of whom carried a coil of stout +rope and two more torches. + +Directing the men to lower him slowly and carefully, Raymond knotted +one end of the rope under his arms and boldly descended, holding a +flaming torch above his head. The light flickered on the slimy walls +of the pit, which, as he descended, began to increase in size, till +at length he reached the bottom of a deep, bottle-shaped cavity, the +only approach to which being the narrow neck through which he had +been lowered. + +The floor was ankle-deep in filth and slime; and, by the aid of the +torch, the squire saw, crouched in the corner, apparently heedless of +the presence of his rescuer, the figure of a man. + +Bending over him, Raymond failed at first to recognise his ill-fated +companion-in-arms, for the soldier's face, instead of being the +deep-bronzed, healthy colour that comes of a life in the open air, +was of a ghastly greenish hue, and his eyes, dazzled by the glimmer +of the torch, blinked with a peculiar vacant expression that +suggested madness. + +Finding that the man was too weak to stand the strain of the rope +round his chest, Raymond, placing the torch on the ground, lifted him +to his feet, and taking him in his arms, called out to those above to +haul up. Shielding the soldier as well as he could from the rough +sides of the shaft, the squire with his pitiful burden came slowly to +the surface, where rough but kindly hands took charge of the rescued +prisoner, who was little more than a corpse. + +[Illustration: A PITIFUL DISCOVERY] + +On rejoining the Constable, Raymond found that a discovery had been +made of another score of barrels filled with powder, and the question +of transport was troubling Sir John sorely. For not only was the +quantity too great for the numbers of men and waggons at their +disposal, but the difficulty arose how to reach the highway, the path +by which they had come being quite unsuitable for the carts. + +Two scouts were therefore sent out with instructions to follow the +cart-tracks, and to find out whether any of the late garrison still +remained in the neighbourhood. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +REDWARD'S CONFESSION + + +IT was close on nightfall ere the two scouts sent out by Sir John +Hacket returned to the captured fortress. They reported that there +was a fairly wide road which joined the highway to Caen about three +leagues from that town, and that there were no signs of any hostile +force in the district they had explored. + +So that night the company made merry in the stronghold of the Count +of Tancarville, wine and food being found in abundance, although Sir +John did not for one moment relax the vigilance so necessary in a +strange country. + +At daybreak preparations were made for the evacuation of the +fortress, and, headed by the two scouts, the little force set out on +its march to the camp. + +First came a strong party of men-at-arms, ready for instant action in +case of attack. Then followed the Constable and his squires, +accompanied by the two peasants and the Norman guide, and surrounded +by a body of dismounted archers, who marched with their bows strung +and their quivers swinging from the hip. + +The carts came next, drawn by the horses of the dismounted archers, +and piled high with the spoils of the fortress, including the +captured bombards and as much powder as they could possibly hold. + +Next came a small troop of men-at-arms, followed by some more carts, +in which the wounded, including the rescued soldier, lay on heaps of +hay and straw; while the rear was composed of the rest of the +men-at-arms and mounted archers. + +In this order they issued under the great gateway, passed over the +drawbridge, and crossed the wide belt of open ground. When the head +of the column reached the edge of the gloomy forest a tucket sounded +and the soldiers came to a halt. + +Seeing Sir John and his squires gazing intently at the abandoned +stronghold the men did likewise. They saw the grim and gaunt pile +standing clearly out against the dark background of the forest, and +from the black flag-staff fluttered the blue banner of the company, +with its well-known device of the golden crescent. + +Even as they watched, the figure of a man made its appearance on the +battlements; the banner was slowly lowered, and the man disappeared. + +A few moments later the same man, mounted on a swift steed, emerged +from the gateway and thundered across the turf. Reining in his horse +before Sir John, the rider handed the banner to the guidon-bearer, +saluted, and fell in with his comrades; but still the Constable kept +his eyes steadfastly on the fortress. + +What could it mean? + +Slowly the moments sped. To the perplexity of the soldiers, the +castle had an irresistible fascination for their leaders, and, +following their example, they, too, looked in silent wonderment at +the gaunt masses of masonry. + +Suddenly, with a flash, a roar, and a cloud of smoke and dust, the +castle appeared to split asunder; huge masses of stone flew skyward, +then with an appalling crash the walls subsided, and in place of the +massive outlines of the fortress there was nothing to be seen save a +pile of blackened stones, over which floated a heavy pall of dense +vapour. + +The remainder of the powder had been fired, and the sylvan stronghold +of the Count of Tancarville was no more! + +"'Tis well done," was Sir John's only comment, then, on receiving the +word of command, the company resumed its march, and plunged into the +sombre shadows of the forest. + +Almost unnoticed, the little force reached the camp, for in the +excitement of the sack of the rich town of Caen the absence of the +company on their successful raid was of small moment to the rest of +the army intent as they were on the gain of booty. + +There were two exceptions at least. One was Redward Buckland, who, +being apprised of his son's safety, had left the Sussex company, only +to find to his great disappointment that his comrades had departed on +their raid. + +The other was the great Chandos, who, recognising more than most +Englishmen of his day the possibilities of artillery, showed the +greatest interest in Sir John Hacket's report of the expedition, +promising at the first available opportunity to inform the King of +the great service rendered by the Constable of Portchester and his +favourite squire. + +But other events were taking place that effectually eclipsed for the +time being the glory of the brilliant raid. Edward, having plundered +Caen, described by Froissart as "large, strong, full of draperies and +all sorts of merchandise; rich citizens, noble dames, damsels, and +fine churches," had reserved for his own share all the plate, jewels, +and choice cloths. The plunder, together with three hundred of the +more opulent citizens, was placed on board the English ships and sent +over the Channel; then, hoping to sack Rouen in a similar manner, the +King advanced with his army up the fertile valley of the Seine. + +Foiled in this attempt, he continued his march towards Paris, only to +find the bridges broken down, with a strong hostile force on the +nether bank, and Philip with a large army rapidly approaching from +Guienne. + +A desolate track, dotted with the ashes of countless towns and +villages, marked the ruthless advance of the English, till at the +very gates of Paris the flood-tide of invasion became the ebb of +retreat, and Edward, hard pressed, was in danger of being cut off by +overwhelming numbers. + +One night, when lying near the village of Poissy, the camp was +aroused, and orders given to prepare to march. + +"Whither are we bound?" asked Raymond of his father as they met in +the semi-darkness. + +Redward shook his head. "'Tis not a soldier's part to question +orders," quoth he. "I did hear that the King would try to reach +Flanders, but methinks this way leadeth to Paris." + +There was no occasion for silence, and, talking freely amongst +themselves, the soldiers struck their tents, and at daybreak were +well on the road to Paris, while the light-armed horsemen attached to +the French army, who hovered around the flanks, wheeled about and +galloped off to inform the French King of the advance of the +invaders. + +Hardly had the cavalry disappeared than a halt was ordered; then, +with great celerity, the whole English army turned and retraced its +footsteps. + +The Hampshire companies, which at the outset formed the rearguard, +now found themselves in the van, and great was their delight when it +was rumoured that the King had entrusted to them the task of forcing +the passage of the Seine. + +"'Tis Sir John Chandos' own doing," remarked Redward, "and as clever +a feint as ever I met with. While the French are massing to prevent +our supposed march on Paris, we are quietly slipping away towards +Flanders." + +As they came in sight of the turbid river a horseman spurred madly +towards them. "The bridge! The bridge is broken down!" he shouted, +then without slackening his speed he rode onwards towards the main +body which the King had under his own command. + +"The bridge!" growled Redward, "what of the bridge? 'Tis easily +repaired, provided the enemy do not line the farther bank." + +"Then show all men what we can do," exclaimed the Constable. "Pull +down that house for me, and I'll warrant there will be a goodly stock +of timber sufficient to build a bridge, let alone patch one up." + +The men worked with a will, and soon the house was a shapeless mass +of wood and plaster, while the soldiers, selecting the largest and +strongest beams, dragged them to the spot where the jagged ends of +the riven bridge gaped a good ten yards apart. + +Meanwhile Redward and two score of his comrades had thrown off their +armour and quilted jackets, and, with ropes fastened to their waists, +plunged into the swift-flowing river. + +To clamber up the woodwork of the broken arch was the work of a few +minutes; then, hauling at the ropes with a will, they dragged two of +the largest beams across the chasm, and after this was done the work +of completing the temporary bridge was a comparatively easy matter. + +By this time the whole English army had crowded on its advance guard, +and many anxious glances were thrown backwards in the direction from +which the French attack was expected, but to every one's relief no +enemy appeared till the last waggon of the retreating host had +rumbled over the swaying structure. Then, as the van of the French +army came in sight, the temporary span, together with two additional +arches, crashed into the river, effectually preventing all pursuit +for a considerable period. + +The retreat continued, the King making towards Flanders, yet at the +same time gradually approaching the shores of the English Channel, so +as to be able to re-embark should he find himself hemmed in by the +hordes of infuriated Frenchmen. + +As the English came on swiftly and in good order, a considerable +force, under Godemar de Faye, fell back before them, seeking a +favourable chance to hinder their advance, while in their rear came +the hundred thousand armed men of King Philip, who had meantime found +means of crossing the Seine and were swiftly pursuing. + +At length the English reached the valley of the Somme. Here the same +difficulty awaited them. The bridges were broken down by the +redoubtable Godemar, after he had crossed and drawn up his troops on +the right bank to oppose the passage of the retreating army. + +Edward was sore puzzled with the problem of how to effect a crossing, +till a miserable Norman peasant, one Gobin Agace, was brought before +him. Not by threats, but by promises of rich reward, was this +unworthy Frenchman induced to betray his country; and, on his +informing the King of a certain ford, the order for a general advance +was at once given. + +Led by the peasant, the English rushed towards the ford. In front +flowed the river, lapping over the white stones and shingle as it +babbled along, an apparently peaceful stream, towards the sea. + +On the opposite bank lay the troops of Godemar; but not for one +moment did the King hesitate. Commanding the archers to pour a heavy +covering fire into the masses of Frenchmen, he drew his sword, and +setting himself at the head of his knights and mounted troops, Edward +dashed across the river. Short and fierce was the conflict, but +unable to withstand the fierce onslaught, the Frenchmen gave way, and +were soon in headlong flight. + +"Haste, sir," exclaimed Sir John Chandos; "command the main body to +cross." And even as he spoke the dark outlines of the pursuing army +appeared on the crest of a distant hill. + +Never was a ford crossed with such celerity. The waggons were dragged +or lifted by the united efforts of crowds of archers, and though +waist-deep in water, the whole army crossed in safety. + +Then the order was given to resume the march, the Hampshire companies +being given the post of honour--the task of covering the retreat. + +As Raymond stood with his men watching the advancing Frenchmen, their +innumerable banners waving like a reed-covered pond, the archers had +slipped into a long, extended line, and quietly, yet resolutely, +awaited the oncoming enemy. + +Suddenly the squire noticed a change in the appearance of the river. +Instead of a silently-flowing stream that ran towards the sea, a wave +of foaming water rushed up in the opposite direction, and almost +instantly the river became a mass of broken water, impassable to man +or beast. The floodtide had begun, and for six hours at least King +Philip was doomed to rave in fruitless anger on the wrong side of the +Somme. + +"We are safe enough for the present," remarked Redward to his son, +"but methinks before daybreak there will be few of us left, for the +best we can do is to hold them in check for an hour after the tide +has run out. Many a tight corner have we been in ere now, but, +certes, this is the worst." + +But the master-bowman was wrong, for presently a messenger came to +Sir John Hacket with an urgent order from the King. With an +irrepressible shout of delight, the fiery old knight summoned his +sturdy little band around him. + +"It is not fated that our bones bleach on the banks of this river, +_mes enfans_," he exclaimed. "News hath arrived that the King intends +to give battle with the enemy, and hath already ordered his forces in +a strong position but three leagues hence. Thither we are to repair +with all haste. Forward, then, and ere night we shall be with the +main body!" + +Eagerly the company fell in, and with hope renewed they set out for +the camp. + +"Mark my word, Raymond," said his father, "'tis but putting off the +evil day. A great fight is before us, and, by the rood, 'tis hard to +say how it will end. But I have a small matter on my mind of which I +would speak anon. As soon, therefore, as we arrive in camp, come +aside with me for one brief hour." + +Raymond assented, and in silence they rode onwards towards their +destination, a journey which was to many the last they would ever +make on earth. + +The sun was sinking low ere they heard the trumpets of the English +host. The place Edward had chosen to make a stand was one of great +natural strength. The army was encamped on the edge of a low plateau, +the right wing being additionally protected by a narrow stream, while +in the rear was a small wood. On the summit of the hill a wooden +windmill stood out clearly against the sky, while but a bowshot away +was the little village of Crécy, its houses, though ransacked by the +invaders, still standing--a contrast to those which had previously +stood in the path of the ruthless army. + +As the Constable's company moved towards the quarters assigned them, +Raymond noticed that the archers were already hard at work digging +trenches and cutting stakes for palisades, for the King had given +orders that everything should be ready ere night, so as to allow his +troops a well-earned rest. + +After a good repast, for provisions were plentiful in that fertile +valley, Raymond sought his father, and together they walked through +the camp towards the solitude of the neighbouring wood. On the way +they passed the royal pavilion, where, with his chief lords, King +Edward sat at supper, and, judging by the cheerful voices of the +company, it was evident that few doubts were entertained as to the +issue of to-morrow's conflict. + +But, silent and sad, the master-bowman and his son went on their way, +for Raymond knew instinctively that there was a great burden on his +father's mind. At length they reached the dark shadows of the wood, +and here Redward halted. + +"Raymond, my beloved son," he exclaimed in a voice broken with +emotion, "'tis hard that I should have to tell thee what I am about +to utter, but, before Heaven, I must do it, both for mine own peace +of mind and for thine own. Two score and three years ago this very +day I slew a man. The quarrel was of his own seeking, 'tis true, but, +nevertheless, the law was set against me, and I was made outlaw!" + +The master-bowman paused to note the effect of this announcement, +but, beyond a tightening of his lips, Redward betrayed no sign of +dismay at this astounding confession. + +"Then I fled from the country, and assumed a name to which I have no +right," resumed Redward. "In this I did thee a great injustice, for +the ban falls on the outlaw's children equally with himself; and on +this account I ought never to have taken a wife or to have had a +son." + +"I care not for myself, father. But what if, even now, thou art +recognised?" + +"It matters not, my son. A secret kept for over two score years may +well remain a secret; but I have a misgiving that I shall never see +the sun set to-morrow." + +"Father!" + +"Nay, Raymond, 'tis but a small matter. I cannot live much longer, +and to fall in battle is a worthy end. But the worst is to be told. +Thou wouldst marry the Lady Audrey!" + +The young squire shuddered at the altered prospect. + +"Alack a day!" he groaned. + +"Ay, Raymond. I fear thou wilt curse the day thou camest into the +world, for to my sorrow I must tell thee--the brother of that lady's +father was the man I slew!" + +For a moment the squire was incapable of speech, then, recovering +himself with an effort, he exclaimed, "Nay, father, I blame you not. +It is rather the fate of circumstances and my own foolish pride that +made me look so high. I cannot for one moment continue my suit for +the hand of the Lady Audrey, neither can I ever hope to wear the +spurs of knighthood; but I am still thy son." + +"And wouldst thou know thy true name?" + +"Not unless it please thee, father; 'Raymond Buckland' hath served me +well these four-and-twenty years; but," he added with pardonable +curiosity, "if I may I would desire to know." + +"Dost call to mind Sir Edmund Revyngton?" + +"Indifferently so; I wot he is a knight of Devon." + +"He is also my brother, and, being without issue, his heir would be, +but for the bar of outlawry, Redward Revyngton, now known to all men +as Redward Buckland." + +It was a long story, that narrative of life marred by an act +committed in a moment of anger, but breathlessly Raymond listened +till the master-bowman had finished. + +"And if so be thou comest scatheless from the wars," he added, "the +abbot of Netley will deliver into thy hands certain documents +pertaining to thy welfare, and, should Heaven grant that this decree +of outlawry be rescinded (though I shall never live to see the day), +I pray that thou wilt ever acquit thyself as an honourable gentleman +of Devon." + +Slowly father and son returned towards the camp, and as they passed +between the long lines of tents, Redward paused before a lodging in +front of which was a shield displaying a mailed hand argent on a +field azure. + +Leaving Raymond standing in the gloom, the master-bowman went up and +spoke to a man-at-arms who stood outside the tent. + +"My master cannot hold converse with any one this night, especially +an archer," exclaimed the man roughly. + +"Convey my message to thy master and leave him to decide the point, +sirrah!" replied Redward in a tone of authority, and, on seeing that +a squire had joined him, the soldier obeyed. + +Soon he reappeared, and holding open the flap of the tent, signed for +the visitors to enter. + +Following his father, Raymond saw a tall, well-built man, who in +spite of his grey hairs and carefully-trimmed white beard, carried +his years with ease. He had laid aside his armour, and, judging by +the still lighted candles in front of a prie-dieu, he had but just +risen from his orisons. + +With a knightly courtesy he waited for the master-bowman to speak, +thinking that one of his followers had come to ask a boon, when to +his surprise Redward addressed him by name. + +"Sir Maurice," he exclaimed. "Dost thou not know me? I am thy brother +Redward!" + +"Redward? Back from the dead after all these years? Nay, it cannot +be! But yet----" + +Drawing nearer he looked closely into the master-bowman's rugged and +bronzed face, then, "Thank Heaven! I have found thee!" he exclaimed, +and Raymond beheld the extraordinary sight of a belted knight and a +surcoated archer falling on one another's necks in a transport of +joy. + +Then the squire had to be presented to his uncle. "A fine and gallant +youth, and a credit to the old stock of Revyngtons," declared the +knight. "But, tell me, Redward, why didst thou not seek me out ere +now, knowing I was in the camp?" + +"But for one thing, Maurice, I had as lief let it be thought that +Redward Revyngton was no longer in this world. It is Raymond of whom +I think, for I know that to-morrow's battle will count me amongst the +slain. How think ye, Maurice? Is there hope that the King will set +aside the outlawry, and free my son from its curse?" + +The knight shook his head sorrowfully. "Sir Reginald Scarsdale is +ever with the King, and his wrath against his brother's slayer dies +not." + +"And to make matters worse Raymond, ignorant of my past, seeks his +daughter's hand in marriage." + +Sir Maurice smiled grimly. + +"I'll do my best, even if it be to beg a favour of Scarsdale himself! +But sit down, Redward, and let us talk at ease, for the hours of +darkness fly quickly, and there is much to be said." + +It was after midnight before the brothers bade each other farewell, +and Redward and Raymond returned to their tents. + +On gaining the lines of the Hampshire companies, father and son +parted, the former to compose his mind for his anticipated death, the +latter to ponder over the astounding revelations he had just heard. +Sleep was banished from Raymond's eyes, and long he tossed uneasily +on his hard pallet, till the dawn grew ruddy in the east and the +trumpets heralded the advent of the eventful day. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +CRÉCY + + +FOR a short space after the trumpets had sounded all was bustle, men +running hither and thither, each with a fixed purpose. Directly +Raymond had donned his armour he emerged from his tent to find all +the Hampshire companies busily engaged in breaking their fast, as +were most of the troops, the King having ordered that every man +should make a hearty meal, so as to be sustained throughout the day. + +This over, the men formed into their accustomed ranks, and instantly +there was a long procession of camp-followers and lackeys leading the +horses to the enclosure behind the camp, for the order had gone forth +that all combatants were to fight afoot. + +Long was that parade remembered by the young squire. The +white-surcoated archers, with their well-filled quivers and, in most +cases, an additional sheaf of arrows in their belts, the +heavily-armed men-at-arms with rusty headpieces and war-worn +accoutrements, all standing fast in regular lines, made a picture +that gladdened the hearts of their leaders as they gazed upon the +stern, bronzed faces of their men. + +Already the more remote columns were deploying, and soon the order +came for the first division to march to the ground where the King had +decided to make his stand. The battlefield was well chosen, being on +the edge of the plateau overlooking the little valley that lay +between the English and the direction from which the French attack +was expected. + +On arriving at the allotted station, Raymond found that the supreme +command of his division was entrusted to the Prince of Wales, a mere +youth of fifteen, who had already shown great promise of a notable +military career. With him were the Earls of Warwick and Oxford and a +host of noble lords, the brunt of the fight being expected to fall +upon this division. + +Raymond found that this division was drawn up in two lines, the two +thousand bowmen being in front and the men-at-arms, numbering eight +hundred, in the second rank, while right behind were the wild-looking +Welsh and Irish auxiliaries, each man eagerly whetting his long knife +for use when the time came for them to be let loose on their +discomfited foes. + +Away on the left was another large division of archers and +men-at-arms drawn up in similar order, under the command of the Earl +of Northampton; while, glancing backwards towards the +windmill-crowned hill, Raymond saw the close ranks of the reserve +division, composed of seven hundred men-at-arms and two thousand +archers, under the direct command of the King. + +Looking in the direction of Abbeville, Raymond could see no signs of +the French host, and, after all, he wondered whether the attack would +be made, seeing the strength of the natural defences occupied by the +English. + +At length a dull hum of excitement ran along the ranks. The voices of +the company-commanders could be heard ordering their men to stand to +their arms, and in a few moments, mounted on a white palfrey and +bearing a white rod in his hand, the King rode slowly along the front +of those rigid lines of warriors. + +At intervals he reined in his steed in order to address the troops, +bidding them stand stoutly to their arms and take heed to his honour +in the fight. A roar of cheering greeted the monarch as he left the +first division to inspect the second, and the men were told to stand +at ease, and again refresh themselves with food and rest. + +Although awaiting an attack is one of the worst ordeals that can be +undergone, Raymond was amazed at the coolness of the soldiers, as +with merry laugh and jest they sat or sprawled on the ground. Many +were busily engaged in fixing new strings to their bows, smoothing +out the feathers of their arrows, or waxing or greasing the heads of +their deadly shafts to enable them to pierce an obstacle with greater +ease, while others crowded round the master-bowmen, asking advice or +information on the coming struggle. + +Redward had shaken off his depression, and greeted his son with a +cheerfulness that was all the more remarkable by reason of his +confession on the eve of battle. + +"A goodly sight," he exclaimed, "and never can I hope to be in better +company. Look at the lads! One would think they were about to try +their turn at the butts." + +"And think'st thou that the French will fight?" + +"Assuredly; they seek to overwhelm and crush us with the weight of +numbers. Can the archers but hold the ridge for one hour the day will +go with us." + +"But 'twill be eventide ere the enemy come to blows?" + +"Ay; but if mine eyes do not deceive me, there they are, right on the +skyline." + +Raymond looked, and in the distance he saw the cloud of dust that +invariably envelops an army on the march. Others had detected the +sight, and there was a general stir amongst the troops. Exclamations +of satisfaction burst from all lips at the prospect of the approach +of the French host. + +"'Twill be six or seven hours ere they draw nigh," remarked Redward, +"and footsore and weary will they be after a three leagues' march in +battle array. But, see, Raymond, there is thine uncle, Sir Maurice +Revyngton, at the head of the men of Totnes, and, mark you, Sir +Reginald Scarsdale is in close converse with him. What doth it mean, +I wonder?" + +A little later in the day the sun, which had been shining brightly in +the eyes of the English host, disappeared behind a thick bank of +clouds. The air was close and sultry, and at midday the gloom was so +intense that it seemed as if night was drawing nigh. With raucous +cries a vast number of crows, ever regarded as birds of ill-omen, +flew across the front of the army and alighted on the plain beneath; +then resuming their flight they disappeared in the direction of the +advancing Frenchmen. + +"It will go ill with the King of France," remarked Sir John Hacket to +his squire. "If he reads the sign aright methinks he will stay his +hand. But see, a thunder-storm approaches rapidly!" + +"Pass the word for the archers to protect their bow-strings," +exclaimed the Earl of Warwick to the nearest Constable, and in +obedience to the order the bowmen either drew waterproof cases over +their bows or, if unprovided with these, unstrung their weapons and +placed the cords under their quilted coats. + +Hardly were these preparations completed than the rain descended in a +torrential downpour, blotting out the horizon in a mirky blur, then, +as suddenly as it came, the cloud passed over on its way towards +Abbeville, and the sun again shone brilliantly, its warmth soon +drying the sodden clothing of the soldiers. + +Nearer and nearer came the dark masses of Frenchmen, till within a +league of their enemies they halted. Shortly afterwards a group of +horsemen could be seen riding towards the English position, and, amid +breathless excitement, it was observed that four French knights were +approaching. + +Either from absolute contempt for their enemies or relying on the +chivalrous instincts that frequently show themselves between opposing +enemies, the Frenchmen rode within a bow-shot of the English lines, +then, calmly trotting along the whole front of the army, they +appeared to be making careful observations of the dispositions of +their foe. + +Several knights besought the Prince of Wales to be allowed to have +their chargers brought them, so that they might earn a slight +advancement by engaging the intrepid Frenchmen; others requested that +the archers should shoot them down; but to all entreaties the Prince +firmly but courteously returned a refusal, and in perfect silence the +English allowed the French knights to complete their reconnaissance, +and to retire in safety to their own host. + +Slowly the hours passed, and still the French army showed no signs of +advancing. The sun was now shining well behind the English, and would +serve to dazzle the eyes of their attackers. Meanwhile the archers +had planted their pointed stakes, and the men-at-arms in charge of +the bombards had loaded these cumbersome engines and trained them on +the plain across which the enemy must advance. + +Once again the wearisome monotony was broken by the appearance of a +man who was observed to make his way steadily and rapidly towards the +English lines. When within bowshot he waved his arms in token of +friendship, and four archers were sent out to escort him to the +Prince. The new-comer was a tall, lightly-built man, with long, +spider-like legs and arms, and sharp, projecting elbow-joints and +knees. He was attired in a close-fitting dress of blue cloth that +served to increase his angularities, and from his belt hung an +ink-horn counterbalanced by a short knife. + +"Mark ye," quoth Sir John Hacket to his squire, "yonder sly fox is on +no lawful errand, and, certes, 'twill go hard with him if he plays +the traitor with our Prince. Look at his protruding forehead and his +shifty, blinking eyes. A creature like that would fawn to one's face +and plunge a dagger into one's back! Hark to what he has to say." + +The man spoke in a deep yet quavering voice, yet so loudly that +Raymond could hear every word. + +"My name, fair sir, is Alexandre Gourdain, and I am clerk in the +household of King Philip." + +"Forbear to trouble me with thy name and calling," replied the Prince +curtly, "but deliver thy message." + +"Message, fair sir? Nay, I bear no message, but have come to tell +thee that, though counselled to tarry till to-morrow, my master has +decided to begin the fight----" + +"One moment! Thou bring'st this news on thy own behalf?" + +"Yea, fair sir." + +"And seekest a guerdon?" + +"Yea, fair sir; I do but ask----" + +"Enough, thou recreant! Think'st thou that I would list to a +double-faced rogue to learn the movements of a gallant foe? Hence +with ye! Ho, archers! Strip this coward's coat from off his back, and +give him a score lusty stripes with your bow-cords. Then turn him +loose, and if he go not back to his master, feather him with shafts. +Get thee gone, knave." + +"Is it not as I said?" remarked the Constable of Portchester in an +undertone. "See, the archers take a delight in their task." + +The twenty strokes were laid on with all the force of the soldiers' +sinewy arms, then, threatened by a hundred drawn bows, the miserable +wretch was pushed out of the lines and sent on his way towards the +army he had stooped to betray. + +Signs of animation were now observed in the dense masses of the +enemy. The heavily-armed cavalry rode forth in a disorderly mob, +brandishing their arms and shouting; then, retiring on the main body, +their places were taken by a body of archers, nearly two thousand +strong, who slowly advanced towards the foot of the rising ground, +where the English were posted in firm array. + +"'Tis the crossbowmen of Genoa. Steady, my lads; their bolts will be +singing over our heads anon," shouted Sir John, and at the same +moment the Prince of Wales gave the signal for the archers to stand +and make ready. + +Silently yet swiftly the white-surcoated lines of bow-men sprang to +their feet and took up their allotted stations in the formation of a +harrow. With feet planted firmly, and with arrows notched to their +six-foot bows, they stood ready for action. + +At length the Genoese came within bowshot, the clicking of their +windlacs as they drew the cords of their crossbows sounding like the +chirping of myriad crickets. Then with a loud shout they leaped from +the ground. Another shout, and the leap was repeated. + +"Do they take us for a crowd of yokels at a country fair?" asked one +archer of his fellow. "They prance for all the world like a +dog-baited bear." + +"They'll dance higher ere long, I'll warrant," replied his comrade +grimly. + +Once more the Genoese leapt, then levelling their crossbows, they let +fly a volley of short bolts. + +A shout of derision greeted this discharge, for, without exception, +the bolts fell far short of the proper distance, sticking in the +ground at a sharp angle and rendering the advance of the French +cavalry, when it should take place, full of additional peril. + +"That shows what the rain did for the strings of their crossbows," +said Sir John Hacket to the Constable of Lewes, who had joined him at +the beginning of the advance. "Steady, men. At the word, loose wholly +together." + +The long-drawn tension was broken by the voice of the great Lord +Chandos. "In the name of God and St. George--shoot!" + +The twang of two thousand longbows reverberated along the line. The +intervening space between the armies was white with a sleet of +arrows. Looking towards the Genoese, Raymond saw a dense mass of men +bending over their crossbows and working their windlacs in desperate +haste to reload their cumbersome weapons. The next moment the Genoese +were literally swept away. Hardly an arrow failed to find a mark; +heads, breasts, arms, and legs were transfixed by stinging shafts. +Dead, wounded, and unscathed were mixed in a writhing, struggling +mass, and the confusion was increased by the unwounded striving to +fall back upon the main body of the French host. + +All the while the English archers shot straight and true at the +disorganised Genoese. The squire, though unable to see the faces of +the bowmen in front of him, was astonished at the quiet, collected +manner in which they loosed their bows. + +Then, as he glanced towards the panic-stricken foemen, the squire +observed a strong body of French mounted troops charging down, as he +supposed, to the support of the ill-fated crossbowmen. The ground +trembled beneath the feet of the cavalry, as with loose rein and +wildly brandished weapons their riders pressed forward in a headlong +charge. + +But to Raymond's surprise, instead of deploying right and left of the +fugitives, the Frenchmen cut right through their Genoese mercenaries, +slashing at the miserable men with sword and axe. + +In this tangled web horsemen fell in scores. Genoese and Frenchmen +fought each other with the madness of fury and self-preservation, and +all the time the hail of English arrows swept down knight and +crossbow-man in indiscriminate slaughter. + +To add to the confusion, the bombards on the right of the Prince's +division opened fire, and amid clouds of thick, suffocating smoke the +heavy stone balls went crashing through the dense masses of the foe, +and, for the first time in warfare, it was seen that thrice-tempered +armour was useless before the power of artillery. + +Then a trumpet sounded from the English ranks, and the hail of arrows +ceased as by magic. There was a loud discordant shout, the trampling +of hundreds of feet, and through the now rapidly clearing smoke +Raymond saw the Welsh and Irish levies dash out upon the demoralised +foe. With their long knives they threw themselves on the Frenchmen, +and, in the heat of the fight, all thought of quarter was ignored, +and knights, worth a rich ransom, were slaughtered as they lay +helpless on the ground with as little compunction as if they were +peasants. + +So intently was Raymond engaged in watching the struggle before him +that for the time being he did not notice what was happening on the +flanks of the first division, till suddenly the hoarse voice of the +Earl of Oxford was heard shouting, "Stand to your arms, fair knights +and squires! The French are upon us!" + +For the first time on that memorable day a desperate hand-to-hand +conflict was about to take place. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +HIS LIFE FOR HIS FOE + + +UNSHEATHING his sword and holding his shield firmly on his left arm, +the squire followed the example of the knights and men-at-arms, and +hastened towards the left flank. + +Already the French cavalry, led by the Duke of Alençon, had, by sheer +weight of numbers, forced their way to within striking distance of +their foes, and the long rows of white-coated archers, who formed the +first rank of the defence, were swept aside by the rush of the +mounted French knights, for at close quarters the bowmen were useless +against the lances, swords, and axes of their mailed antagonists. + +Before Raymond and his companions could throw themselves into the +press, the horsemen had hewn a way right to the foot of the Royal +Standard, beneath which the Prince of Wales and a chosen body of +knights fought with magnificent courage. + +The French and German knights, intent on securing the Prince, hurled +themselves in a compact body towards the Standard, and as fast as one +warrior fell, two more took his place, till it seemed that the +desperate bravery of the attackers would attain its purpose. + +Raymond found himself engaged by a tall, broad-shouldered antagonist, +who bore on his shield the cognisance of the House of Luxemburg. For +a space they rained blows at each other, striving by sheer force to +cut down their respective guards, till, by a sweeping blow, the +Frenchman shivered the squire's sword, and only by swiftly leaping +backwards was Raymond able to avoid the deadly stroke: So narrow was +his escape that the point of the descending blade cut a long, clean +gash in his surcoat ere it buried itself a foot deep in the carcase +of a slain charger. Instantly the squire rushed in, struck the +Luxemburger with the edge of his shield, then, ere the man could +recover himself, plunged his dagger to the hilt in his brawny throat. + +Without pausing to recover his breath, Raymond rushed towards a group +of French knights who were surrounding a little knot of Englishmen. +It was the Prince's own bodyguard, who, hard pressed, strove their +utmost to defend their young master. Sir Reynold Cobham, beaten to +the ground, lay pinned down by the weight of his armour; the Earl of +Warwick, wounded in the face by a lance thrust, was fiercely beset by +two knights of Cologne, while Edward, though unscathed, was the mark +of nigh a score of determined Frenchmen. Nimbly avoiding one stroke, +parrying another, and diverting a thrust with his shield, the Prince +fought like a trained veteran rather than a mere lad of fifteen. + +At length a knight, armed with a huge double-handed sword, made a +swinging cut at the Prince just as the latter had all his attention +drawn by the fierce onslaught of a mounted knight of Sicily. For the +moment it seemed as if nothing could save the Prince from instant +death; but Raymond, regardless of his own safety, sprang forward, and +with his shield and his own body strove to stay the blow. The +knight's sword struck the squire's shield just above the upper +leathern loop that held it to the wearer's arm. The tough metal plate +was sheared through as if made of paper, and the blade, glancing +upwards against the squire's bascinet, struck the Prince a harmless +blow, merely slicing the crest of his helmet. + +Raymond fell at the Prince's feet, but the Constable of Portchester, +seeing his squire stricken to the earth, dashed out the swordsman's +brains with a crashing blow of his mace. For a short space Raymond +lay breathless on the ground, then, feeling terribly dazed, he raised +himself and looked around. To his utmost satisfaction he saw that the +Prince of Wales was unhurt. Already the danger was past, for the +Earls of Arundel and Northampton had brought up their division to the +aid of the sorely pressed Prince, and the attackers, beaten at every +point, were giving way in headlong flight. + +At length the squire staggered to his feet, and, assisted by an +archer of his company, he slowly and painfully made his way towards +the camp. Darkness was falling, and the English, having been ordered +to refrain from hazardous pursuit, stood in their ranks, while a vast +plain, dotted with thousands of corpses, of which but few wore the +red cross surcoats, silently testified to the hard-fought fight. + +As Raymond passed the ranks of his own company Sir John Hacket came +forward and grasped him by the hand. + +"My brave squire," he exclaimed. "Right nobly hast thou borne thyself +this day. The Prince hath spoken highly of thy courage and devotion, +and, without doubt, tidings of thy deeds will come to the cars of the +King. But, Raymond," he added sadly, "I have ill tidings for thee." + +"My father?" gasped the squire, reading the Constable's unspoken +words. + +"Ay, my boy, 'tis thy father. He fell in the thickest of the fight, +and thou hast lost a noble sire and I a brave soldier. Now, bear up, +Raymond, and get thee to the camp and attend to thy hurts, for thou +wilt be required anon." + +Wounded in body and mind, the young squire was led to the camp, where +it was found that the Frenchman's sword had driven the stout steel +bascinet heavily against his temple, leaving a dark blue bruise to +show how near he had been to death. Simple remedies were applied, +and, having divested himself of his armour, Raymond recovered himself +sufficiently to set out to find the body of his father, bearing a +torch to aid him in his quest. + +He remembered well the place where he had last seen him, close to a +little stunted thorn that grew on the edge of the slope which the +Prince's division had held so well. + +A veritable mound of bodies showed how firmly the archers had stood, +and how fierce had been the contest, for in a circle around the tree +lay a heap of red-crossed surcoats, their wearers lying still in +death with their faces to the foe, while around lay the bodies of +their attackers, three deep in places, their rich dress and armour +proving that the flower of French chivalry was unable to vanquish, +although it had broken through, that double line of English archers +and men-at-arms. + +The men of the Hampshire companies had suffered more severely than +any, and Raymond, as he pursued his quest, came across many faces +which he sadly recognised. + +Here and there, dotted over the ghastly field, were feeble glimmers +of torches showing that others were engaged in the doleful task of +looking for their fallen comrades, though in some instances ghouls +were engaged in their dastardly work of robbing the dead. + +At length the ruddy glare of the torch threw its beams upon the form +which Raymond recognised only too well. Stretched on his back, his +sightless eyes staring up at the starry sky, lay Redward, the outlaw +and master-bowman, the body bearing the ghastly traces of eight +separate wounds, all of which were in front, proving that to the last +he had fought with his face to the foe. + +Sorrowfully Raymond gazed upon his slain sire; then, realising that +the sooner he performed the last rites there would be the less chance +of the spoiler's fell work, he proceeded to carefully remove the body +to the shelter of the stunted tree, so that he could return to the +camp to find, if possible, the priest attached to the company. + +As he lifted the heavy corpse he was startled to hear a feeble voice +exclaim, "Blessings on thy kindness, noble sir; I pray thee assist +me." + +Recovering from his astonishment, the squire discovered, pinned +beneath his father's body, a wounded knight. Swiftly Raymond bent to +his aid, and, cutting asunder the laces of his bascinet, he found the +stranger to be none other than Sir Reginald Scarsdale! + +"Faith! I did think this would have been the end of me," quoth the +knight. "Hast a draught of wine?" + +Raymond shook his head. "I am returning to the camp, an' if it please +thee, I'll help thee back to thy company." + +"Do so, squire, for, what with a crack over the head with a +Frenchman's mace, and the weight of yon bowman atop o' me, I feel too +weak to stand of mine own will. What dost thou here?" + +"Yonder lies my father." + +"Thy father? By St. Wilfrid of Ripon, he was a gallant man! Had he +not stood over me the rascals would have settled my account. I pray +thee tell me his name?" + +For a moment Raymond paused, then, in a sudden outburst of +confidence, he exclaimed, "Redward Revyngton!" + +"What! Redward Revyngton! And to think that the man whom I, with a +mad desire for vengeance, hounded out of the country should have +given his life for me! Did he wot whom I was?" + +"Ay," said Raymond. "For but a few hours agone he and I saw thee in +converse with his brother, Sir Maurice." + +"Then out on me for my revengeful spirit! When it lay in his power to +thrust me through the back with a dagger, or even to let me be slain +by my enemies, what did he do? He saved my life! This indeed is +rendering good for evil." + +"And ye forgive him his trespass?" + +"Ay, young squire. Right willingly." + +"Then in my sorrow I thank Heaven," replied Raymond, and in silence +they returned slowly to the camp, Sir Reginald leaning heavily on the +arm of the outlaw's son. + +The moment the wounded knight was given into safe hands Raymond +hastened to his quarters, where he enlisted the services of the +priest and four stout archers. The latter took spades and torches +with them, and the melancholy procession set out for the scene of +Redward's last stand, Raymond with Sir John Hacket, who wished to pay +his last respects to his trusted servant, leading the way. + +Rapidly the bowmen plied their spades, and soon a deep grave gaped at +the foot of the solitary thorn. Raymond bent and kissed the cold +brow, then, amid the solemn voice of the priest reciting the psalm, +_Domine, refugium_, the body of the brave old master-bowman was laid +to rest. + +Bare-headed and dry-eyed, Raymond watched the dark earth being +shovelled down upon the mortal remains of his sire, then, when the +task was accomplished, he turned and walked slowly back to the camp. +There, in the retirement of his tent, his pent-up feelings found +relief, and throwing himself on the ground, he burst into a flood of +passionate weeping. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE REJECTED GUERDON + + +MORNING came, and with it the trumpets again sounded for the troops +to assemble. Was it that a renewal of the fight was expected? Nay, +for the French were in headlong flight, their King being already well +on the way to La Broye. But Edward, sensible of the advantage gained, +had determined to advance on Calais. + +Silently the weary soldiers fell into their ranks. The archers, their +white surcoats soiled with mud and stained with blood, the +men-at-arms, with battered armour, and, in many cases, +roughly-bandaged wounds, stood grimly in their martial array, +conscious of the many comrades who had stood thus but a day before +and had gone to their last account. + +Suddenly a fanfare of trumpets announced the approach of the King. +With his eyes shining with pardonable pride, the monarch rode slowly +down the war-worn lines, stopping at intervals to bestow honours and +praise as cases of individual merit were pointed out to him. At his +right hand rode the Prince of Wales, and attending him were Sir John +Chandos, the Earls of Warwick, Arundel, Oxford, and Southampton. + +When in front of the Hampshire companies the King again drew rein, +and surveyed the stern, determined faces of the men on whom the brunt +of the attack had fallen. Sir John Hacket, attended by his three +squires, stood in front of his command, the banners, according to +custom, being lowered to the ground in the presence of the Sovereign. + +"By Our Lady! 'Tis our trusted Constable of Portchester!" exclaimed +Edward. "And by report thou didst hold thyself right gallantly on +yesterday's field. Ah, Sir John, we have something in store to make +amends for our former forgetfulness. Advance thy banner!" + +The Constable, taking his banner from the hands of the guidon-bearer, +stepped forward, and, with bended knee, presented the blue silk +emblazoned with the golden crescent to the King, who, drawing a +dagger from his belt, deftly cut off the pointed end of the pennon. +Handing the severed portion to a knight in attendance, the King +returned the banner to Sir John. + +The action, simple as it seemed, roused the company to the highest +pitch of enthusiasm, for their adored leader had achieved the great +distinction of being created a knight-banneret, the greatest honour +to be paid by the sovereign, only on the field of battle. + +Ere the cheering had died away, the Prince of Wales had plucked his +father's sleeve, and whispered in his ear. + +"Of a truth, 'tis the squire who brought the Count of Tancarville to +our camp! And he is the man that came betwixt thee and thine enemies +in the thickest of the fray! 'Tis our pleasure to bestow honours +freely to-day, though, methinks, they be well deserved, and no man +will chide us for being too freehanded. Thy squire's name, Sir John?" + +"He is named Raymond Buckland, sire." + +"Come hither, squire," commanded the King, alighting from his palfrey +and taking a sword from the hand of the Earl of Warwick. + +The supreme moment of Raymond's life was at hand, but the squire, +instead of kneeling to receive the honour of knighthood, advanced a +few paces and stood irresolutely before his sovereign. + +"On thy knees, squire!" commanded Edward. + +"Nay, sire, I cannot," replied the unhappy Raymond. Low murmurs of +astonishment arose from the King's attendants, while Sir John Hacket, +placing his hand heavily on his squire's shoulder, hissed into his +ear, "Kneel, thou fool! Art bereft of thy senses?" + +A dark cloud gathered on the King's face. Then a thought seemed to +strike him, and he spoke again. + +"Here, sirrah, tell us the reason of this strange refusal. Nay, have +no fear," he added, in a more kindly tone, observing the squire's +dejection, "for we perceive there is something amiss that will +account for thy demeanour." + +Encouraged by the King's words, and rendered bold by the desperate +position in which circumstances had placed him, Raymond replied, in a +low yet distinct voice, "Sire, I am the son of an outlaw, and +therefore unworthy of the honour thou would'st bestow." + +"Ah!" exclaimed the King. "This requires further consideration. Sir +John, knowest aught of this?" + +"Nay, sire," replied the amazed Constable. + +Once again the young Prince of Wales whispered in his father's ear. +The King nodded in response, and again addressed the squire. + +"It is our desire to hear more of this matter. See to it that thou +comest before us in our pavilion at noon, Sir John. I hold thee +responsible for thy squire's appearance. And, Sir William," he added, +turning to his scrivener, "I pray thee see to it that the worthy +Constable of Portchester and his squire be instantly admitted to our +presence at that hour." + +Remounting his steed, the King, accompanied by his retinue, continued +his tour of inspection, and, on this being completed, he returned to +his pavilion. The ranks broke, and the men were told to enjoy a +well-earned rest ere the march to Calais was begun on the morrow, +while the camp-followers were put to the melancholy task of burying +the dead who had fallen in the fight. + +On hearing the story from Raymond's own lips, the kind-hearted Sir +John Hacket's expressions of surprise and pity were unbounded. For +not for one moment had he suspected that the sturdy master-bowman, +though an outlaw, was at one time a gentleman of quality. + +"Take it not too much to heart, Raymond," he said. "Many a man hath +been in a worse scrape. I am of a mind to bring Sir Maurice Revyngton +with us when we repair to the King's presence, and 'twould be well if +I saw the knight at once." + +So saying, the Constable hastened away, leaving his squire still torn +with conflicting emotions of hope and fear--hope that his own +stainless character and deeds of bravery would wipe out the +undeserved blot that threatened to mar his prospects, and fear that +the formidable barrier of social custom and royal etiquette would for +ever debar him from the road to success. + +In less than an hour Sir John returned, a broad smile of satisfaction +overspreading his grim features. "Thy uncle will bear us company, ay, +and another knight, if I mistake not, will interest himself on thy +behalf. Now, bear thyself cheerfully, for I perceive that things will +turn out aright. Waste no more time in gloomy meditations, but make +thyself fit to appear in the King's presence, for the hour of +audience is at hand." + +"And the style of mine attire?" + +"In full harness, Raymond, for the King will doubtless think fit to +reward thee for bravery on the field, and on that score I have no +doubt. 'Tis meet that thou shouldst appear in the garb of a soldier +rather than in the dress of a common suppliant. And, moreover, our +King delights in the wearing of harness, and looks with favour on +those who doff their armour but rarely when they come to the wars. So +again I tell thee, hasten!" + +The squire repaired to his own tent and put on his complete suit of +armour--the same that his father had given him years ago on the eve +of the sack of Hamble--and well the dented and tarnished steel +befitted his tall and erect figure. Then girding on his scabbard, +wherein was thrust the remaining part of the broken blade, and +grasping the fragment of the shield that had diverted the murderous +sweep of the Frenchman's two-handed sword, Raymond repaired to his +master's tent. + +The Constable surveyed him with appreciation. "Eh, lad, thou dost +well to bear the silent testimony of thy courage on thine arm. In any +case but the present, when thy future is at stake, 'twould have been +a braggart's ruse. But the King doth know full well that thou art no +boaster, seeing that it was in thy power to accept honour at his +hands, and thou didst shrink from it. But come, the hour of noon is +near. Let us make for the royal pavilion." + +Between the long lines of tents, where crowds of soldiers gathered, +in silent wonder, to see the man who had so strangely withstood his +sovereign, the knight and the squire walked side by side, and with a +fresh wave of doubt and fear sweeping over him, Raymond found himself +in the anteroom of the royal tent. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +SIR RAYMOND + + +SIR JOHN HACKET, having formally announced his rank and that of his +companion, as well as the nature of their business, to the herald, +removed his velvet cap, though he held his bascinet in his left hand, +and at the same time removed his right-hand gauntlet. His squire did +likewise, and, breathing a fervent prayer for courage, he prepared to +follow his master into the royal presence. + +The heavy damask curtains were drawn aside by two knights in waiting, +and Raymond heard the sonorous voice of the herald repeating the +title and style of the Constable and his squire. Another moment and +Raymond stood before, but at a respectful distance from, the royal +daïs. + +King Edward, who still wore the mailed coat in which he rode along +the ranks earlier in the day, was attended by a number of earls and +barons, while by his side stood the young Prince of Wales, who +regarded the squire with an encouraging smile. + +At the foot of the daïs, a little distance to the left, stood +Raymond's uncle, Sir Maurice Revyngton, and his late father's former +enemy, Sir Reginald Scarsdale, who, though still weak and suffering +from his wounds, had, at Sir John's desire, appeared on the young +squire's behalf. + +"Ah, squire," quoth the King, fixing his dark, keen eyes upon the +young man's face, "when we summoned thee to appear before us we +looked for an explanation from thine own lips. But thou hast been +forestalled, for these two knights have already told us of thy +condition. Now, what hast thou to say why thou shouldst not be driven +from the camp, being the son of an outlaw?" + +"Nothing, sire; 'tis but the law." + +"Thou couldst not have said much less," remarked the King, with a +grim laugh. "How sayest thou, Sir Reginald Scarsdale. Hast thou a +desire to press thy claims?" + +"Nay, sire," replied the knight stoutly. "For his father, knowingly +and willingly, came to my aid in the thickest of the fight, and but +for his courage I should have been worsted." + +"But thine oath of vengeance?" + +"Sire, my desire for revenge departed the moment I heard from this +squire the name of his father, who, in truth, slew my only brother. +Furthermore, 'tis my intention to repair, as soon as this war is +over, to the shrine of St. Swithin of Winchester and to seek +absolution from mine oath." + +"And thou hast no wish to harm this squire?" + +"None, sire. On the contrary I wish him good----" + +"Hold, Sir Knight," interrupted the King sharply. "We asked thee a +plain question, to be answered by 'Yea' or 'Nay,' not by +suggestions." + +"And thou, Sir John," continued Edward, addressing the Constable. +"Hast thou aught to add in favour of thy squire, beyond what thou +didst tell us but a short time back?" + +"Nothing more, sire." + +"'Tis well. And now, squire, we have carefully considered thy case, +and we are favourably disposed towards thee." Then, turning to his +barons, he added, with a sly reference to the growing power of +Parliament, "We take it, fair lords, that we shall not offend our +faithful commoners assembled at Westminster by assuming a right to +revoke a decree of outlawry?" + +A low murmur of assent was the reply. + +"Then, Raymond Revyngton, we hereby pardon thee for an offence that +thou hast not committed--to wit, thou art no longer the son of an +outlaw. Sir William de Saye, our scrivener, will draw up the deed of +revocation, and a copy for the Lord Bishop of Winchester. Art +content?" + +"Sire, I thank thee," replied Raymond, bending low before his +sovereign. + +"There is yet another matter. Of thy valour there has been no +question. We have in mind the affair with the Count of Tancarville, +and, going farther back, thy journey to Hennebon. But more especially +thy conduct in yesterday's fight, when our dear son, the Prince of +Wales, was succoured by thine aid. We have a mind to inspect thy +cloven shield, which, we do perceive, thou hast brought in case our +memory were in need of a reminder." + +The squire, still kneeling, handed his buckler to an attendant, who +in turn presented it to the King. + +"A lusty stroke," commented Edward, carefully examining the clean cut +in the metal plate. "Our cousin of France hath men of sinew who in +open fight would be worthy and gallant opponents. Had their peasants +been as good bowmen as our gallant archers but few of us would be +here. Squire," he added, "arise and hand over thy sword." + +With martial alertness, Raymond drew the fragment of steel, and a +look of surprise o'erspread the King's face. + +"Thine equipment seems at fault," he remarked, smiling a little +grimly. "Nay, we know 'twas done in a gallant fight. Advance, squire, +and kneel before us." + +This time Raymond did not refuse, for was he not a man free from the +fatal taint that had threatened to mar everything in his career? With +rapid stride and uplifted head he advanced to the steps of the daïs, +his armour clanking as he moved. Presenting the hilt of his weapon to +the King, the squire sank on his knees. + +As in a dream he felt the flat of the broken blade touch his right +shoulder, and the King's voice, in bold and decisive tones, saying, +"Arise, Sir Raymond Revyngton!" + +When at length Raymond found himself without the royal pavilion, he +was overwhelmed by the congratulations of his friends, including Sir +Reginald Scarsdale. + +"'Twould ill become a belted knight if I did not make amends for the +past," quoth the latter. "And to that end all I can do for thee I'll +do willingly." + +"Then on thy knightly honour I hold thee to thy promise," replied +Raymond, catching at the opportunity with new-born courage, "for I +have a matter of much weight of which I would speak." + +"Then say on." + +Sir John and Sir Maurice, having an inkling of what was coming, +exchanged a knowing smile, and Raymond continued, though his voice +faltered a little. + +"Sir Reginald, I love thy daughter Audrey, and would ask thy consent +to win her hand in marriage." + +For a while the old knight was too much astonished to reply, then, +holding out his hand, he replied, "Then thou art the youth who +rendered her service at that little affair with the French at +Hampton? Out on me for a thickhead for not linking thee with that +bold feat before. Certes! I will not be less good than my word. Take +the maid, if she be willing to wed thee!" Thus it was that the +newly-made knight found that success begets success, though in his +heart he had not expected to win Sir Reginald's consent so readily. +Yet in the midst of his good fortune the one dark shadow was the +haunting thought of the loss of his father, and he grieved in his +heart that death had deprived his sire of life just as his son was on +the threshold of fame and honour. + +Slowly the four knights, Sir Reginald being stiff with his hurts, +proceeded towards the lines of the Hampshire companies, where Sir +John had invited the others to partake of refreshment. Already the +news of Raymond's advancement had preceded them, and the soldiers, +with loud shouts, welcomed the new knight; for the master-bowman's +son was ever popular in the ranks of the men of Portsmouth and +Southampton. + +"What are thy plans for the future," asked the Constable later in the +day, "for as heir to Sir Maurice it is fitting that thou shouldst +join him with the men of Devon." + +"Nay, by the rood," answered Raymond warmly. "Thou hast ever been a +good master to me, Sir John, and with thee I'll abide till the end of +the war." + +"I thank thee for thine appreciation, Raymond, for ever since thou +wert my squire I have loved thee as a son. But now concerning the +maid, the Lady Audrey?" + +"Until Sir Reginald returns home I will not press my suit, but should +he do so I hope I may be permitted to withdraw from the camp for a +few weeks to accompany him. Even then, how can I tell that the Lady +Audrey will deal favourably with me?" + +"I know that she loves thee, Raymond." + +"How so, Sir John, seeing that I know not myself?" + +"Raymond, I am afraid thou art more forward with the art of war than +with the affairs of the heart. Would a maid have sent a messenger to +me every week whilst thou wert in Hennebon to know if there were +tidings of thee, if she did not love thee?" + +"But how knew she that I was in Brittany?" was the amazed question. + +"How? Didst thou not give me a letter to send to her?" + +"Only in case I did not return." + +"Didst thou? Didst thou? Certes now I remember! But now I think on +the matter, I must have forgotten that, for I did send it," replied +Sir John, with pardonable deceit and well-feigned dismay. "But mind +it not, Raymond, 'twas after all for the best, and, mark my words, +she'll have thee--sure enough." + +On the morrow the march was resumed, the King having decided to lay +siege to Calais, and slowly the long lines of English troops, every +man heavily laden with booty, proceeded from the field of Crécy. + +Edward had long looked with covetous eyes upon the port of Calais, +for owing to the death of his Flemish ally, Jacques d'Artevelde, at +the hands of fellow-countrymen, and the consequent estrangement with +the Flemings, the King was in need of a continental port for the +distribution of English wool, and, once Calais were taken, the nest +of pirates who made their headquarters there, to the great annoyance +of English ships, would be dispersed. Also an entry for his troops +would be secured within easy distance from the English coast. So, +with these strong incentives, Edward hastened to reduce the town. + +Within a week of Crécy, the English lay in a triple ring around the +land side of the town, while a strong fleet cruised constantly +between Grisnez and Gravelines to prevent any succour being sent by +sea, and, without attempting to carry the defences by assault, Edward +relied upon famine to bring about the downfall of Calais. + +Throughout the long winter of 1346-47 the blockade was maintained, +and the works of the besiegers resembled the outer walls of a city +rather than temporary trenches, so that the English were in a +position both to keep the citizens of Calais within their walls and +to repel any attempt on the part of the French to raise the siege. + +Early in the spring dysentery broke out in the ranks of the English, +and amongst those who were attacked was Sir Raymond. In spite of the +rough yet devoted attention of his men, the skill of the harassed +physicians, and the solicitude of his friends, the young knight was, +for a time, in great danger, and even when the crisis was passed his +progress towards recovery was slow and tedious. + +One day as he lay alone in his tent, weak and worn, Raymond heard the +well-known sound of troops marching hurriedly out of camp, and the +blare of trumpets denoted that something untoward was afoot. + +Feebly he called the names of the men who usually waited on him, but +in vain; there was no response to his summons, and at length the +tramp of feet died away, leaving the camp as silent as the grave, +save for the flapping of the canvas as the keen wind whistled around +the tents. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE ADVENTURE AT THE RUINED MILL + + +IN his tent, in terrible suspense, the young knight, Raymond +Revyngton, lay helpless, wondering how went the fight. In due course, +through the opening of his tent, he saw a stream of wounded men +returning, singly or in small parties, some with rough bandages round +their limbs or their heads. + +At length came one whom he knew--an archer of the Portchester +company. + +"Stephen! Stephen!" called Raymond, as loudly as he could. + +In obedience to the knight's cry, the man entered the tent, nursing +the maimed fingers of his right hand with his left, while the blood +poured freely from the stumps and trickled in a crimson stream down +his arm, soaking his sleeve. + +Deftly and quickly, notwithstanding his weakness, Raymond bound the +wounded hand, and poured out a cup of wine for the almost fainting +archer. The draught revived him, and the colour began to steal back +into his ashy-grey face. + +"How goes the battle?" asked Raymond anxiously. + +"'Tis not a battle, Sir Raymond, but a slight passage of arms, though +I perceive that as a bowman my work is done. The French King hath +tried to relieve the town, but my Lord Chandos and seven thousand of +our men have withstood him amid the sand-hills and marshes. Save for +a few hand-to-hand blows, the French never made a stand, and already +they are in full flight." + +"Dost feel well enough to walk?" the young knight asked, after a long +pause. + +"Yea, Sir Raymond." + +"Then get thee outside the camp, and bring me fresh tidings." + +The man obeyed, but ere long he returned, exclaiming: "'Tis all over. +The enemy are nowhere in sight and our men are even now returning." + +"Then do not tarry longer, but go to thine own tent, for thou needest +better care for thy hurts than I can give thee. This flask of wine I +give thee, for, by St. Thomas, thou hast need of it. Nay, do not +thank me, but away!" + +Once more the camp was alive with men, for the threatened attack of +the huge army that Philip had gathered together for the relief of +Calais had been ignominiously repelled, and it was known that the +fate of the town was sealed. Raymond gathered a fairly true account +of the fight from the conversation and joyous exclamations of the +elated soldiery, and presently Sir John Hacket, covered with dust and +showing signs of the conflict, entered the tent. + +"Art feeling better, Raymond?" + +"Ay, Sir John. But how goes it with us?" + +"Passably well but ever I seem to be a messenger of momentous tidings +to thee, whether of good or evil." + +"Then there is something amiss?" questioned the young man eagerly, +instinctively surmising that the news was unfavourable. + +"Yea, Raymond. My speech was ever blunt, and methinks the sooner I +unburden myself of a message of ill-tidings the easier 'tis for both +of us. Briefly, Sir Maurice hath fallen like the true and gallant +knight he was, and thou art the last of the Revyngtons of Churston." + +"Alack-a-me that it should be so! For though I knew but little of +him, I esteemed him a gallant, gentle, and honourable knight even +before I wot he was my kinsman. And Sir Reginald Scarsdale--what of +him?" + +"His heart is stronger than his body. In the first impact he was +swept from his saddle by a mere stripling." + +"And he is killed, wounded, or taken?" + +"Neither, save that he is shaken by the fall, and the King vows that +since he cannot hold his own against a youth he will send him home, +seeing that his fighting days are over." + +"And does Sir Reginald know of this?" + +"Ay, and if the King will not relent--and he is hard to turn from his +purpose--'twill be the first Scarsdale since the Conquest whose feet +on his altar-tomb rest not upon a lion." + +"Alas! the King's decision will hit him hard! Do you, Sir John, +convey my expressions of regret to the gentle knight, and say that it +will give me great pleasure should he deign to visit me." + +For several days more Raymond lay weak and ill in his tent, but as +April drew on and the weather became warmer his strength began slowly +to return. At length, pale and wan, the young knight was able to walk +slowly about the camp, supported by two of his archers. + +Still the siege continued, a long-drawn, tedious task, with little +chance of knightly deeds of daring to earn advancement. The +close-drawn lines of the besiegers still kept tenacious grip upon the +town, and, though famine and disease wrought havoc amongst its +gallant defenders, the end seemed as far off as ever. + +The return of summer found Sir Raymond Revyngton completely restored +in health, though still chafing with impatience at the life of +inactivity, for the younger knights looked with disfavour upon the +King's methods of conducting the siege, and would rather have had the +opportunity of leading their men to the assault than sit down before +the town waiting for famine to do its fell work. + +Friendly tilting-matches, hawking, and sports of a similar nature +were indulged in, and Raymond, with an exuberance of energy, took a +leading part in the pastimes. Many a pleasant afternoon was spent in +the open country around the English lines, hunting or making sport +with hounds and falcons, for not an armed Frenchman was to be seen +within twenty leagues of Calais, save the starving wretches within +its gates. + +One afternoon in July Raymond and a score of young knights rode +south-eastwards along the sand-dunes, each knight accompanied by a +mounted serving-man and a number of hounds. The country was not of a +nature to yield much sport, yet, eager to while away the time, the +little cavalcade rode carelessly on over the low sandhills. + +On their right spread the blue waters of the English Channel, in +front towered the chalky heights of Gris-nez, while behind lay the +red-tiled houses and grey walls of Calais, with the semicircle of +tents that marked the English lines. + +At length they reached the summit of a low hill, and here they reined +in their steeds. + +"No sign of a living creature," remarked one of the party, "though +the land away on our left seemeth well wooded. How call you yonder +forest, Armand?" he inquired, addressing one of the attendants, a +Gascon who had spent the greater part of his life in the +neighbourhood of Calais. + +"'Tis the forest of Ambleteuse, sir," replied the man; "there the +wild boar is to be found." + +"Ah There is good sport, fair sirs Let us ride forward." + +Half-an-hour's sharp canter brought them to the edge of the wood, and +in a long, straggling line the gay-hearted Englishmen, with loud +shouts and many a blast upon their horns, plunged into the gloom of +the forest glades. + +For a while no signs of animal life appeared, then suddenly there +came from one of the rearmost horsemen shouts of "A boar!" + +Instantly the party turned, and crashing through the underwood, made +towards the sound. Raymond, who had been in the van, now found +himself in the rear, and, spurring his steed and calling to his +attendant to follow, he strove to overtake his companions, while the +loud grunts of the hunted boar could be distinctly heard amid the +snapping of the brushwood. + +At length the glade descended towards a babbling brook, and here the +press of horsemen became so thick that many were riding hip to hip. +Suddenly Raymond's horse trod in a rabbit-hole, and before he could +realise what had happened he found himself hurtling through the air +and striking the soft earth with a heavy thud. Fortunately, the young +knight was lightly clad, and fell without injury, but on leaping to +his feet he saw his body-servant lying, senseless on the ground, +while the two steeds, entangled in their fall, were madly kicking +each other with their iron-shod hoofs. + +In the excitement of the chase the rest of the cavalcade had rushed +onwards, heedless of their companions' misfortunes, and the sound of +feet was already dying away. + +With a bound Raymond sprang to the side of his attendant and dragged +him out of the reach of the perilous hoofs. Then he sought for his +horn to summon assistance, but the instrument was crushed and +rendered useless by the fall. Baffled in his purpose, he applied his +energies to the task of restoring the unconscious man, bathing his +forehead with water obtained from the brook. + +His efforts at length were rewarded, for the servant sat up and gazed +around in a dazed way. + +"Art hurt, Thompson?" asked Raymond anxiously. + +"Can scarcely tell, Sir Raymond, save that my head is swimming round +like a roasting joint, and my shoulder-blades seem growing out of my +neck." + +"'Tis of small moment. But stand up if thou canst." Thompson +staggered to his feet, and to the knight's satisfaction he found that +none of the man's limbs were broken. + +"'Tis a sorry pass, for we must needs find our way back afoot. Pull +thyself together, man, for 'tis a goodly step betwixt us and the +camp." + +Drawing his hunting-knife, Raymond put the two struggling +horses--each of whom had a leg broken--out of their misery, then the +twain set out on their homeward way. By the time they emerged from +the forest their shadows fell far athwart the path, for the sun was +sinking in the west; but Thompson was rapidly recovering, and their +pace was well maintained. + +"There is the hill from whence we first saw the wood," remarked the +knight. "But methinks we can leave that well on our left, for the +camp lies yonder." + +"I deem thee to be right, fair sir. But, mark ye! Look at yonder +clouds." + +Raymond looked in the direction indicated, and saw that a storm was +rapidly driving towards them. + +"Night cometh on apace, and with it a tempest," quoth he. "Hasten, or +we shall be benighted in this dreary plain." + +Hardly had they traversed a distance of three arrow-flights than the +wind, hitherto a faint westerly breeze, sprang up with terrific +violence. The sand rose in thick clouds, shutting out everything +except in their immediate vicinity, and the sun, in a mist of pale +yellow sky, sank beneath the indigo-coloured clouds. + +Onward they steadily plodded through the heavy yielding sand, the +swiftly-falling darkness bringing with it a heavy storm of rain and +hail. Wondering whether his comrades were faring as badly, the young +knight stumbled and plunged resolutely onwards, his serving-man +following closely at his heels, the whistling of the wind making +conversation impossible. + +For over two hours the twain pursued their uncomfortable walk, till +at length a dark object blocked their path. It was a ruined windmill. +Making their way round its massive base, the weary travellers found +some slight shelter from the force of the wind, and, panting from +their exertions, they leaned against the stonework to recover their +breath. + +"Dost know where we are?" shouted Raymond, his voice almost inaudible +in the howling wind. + +"No, sir," replied the man. + +"But a short distance from where we left the wood, I marked this +tower on our left, and, certes, we have been walking round and round +for half the night." + +"Then we must needs set out once more?" + +"Nay. This will suffice for the present, and here we'll rest till +daylight comes and the storm spends itself. The door is not barred, I +hope." + +Walking slowly round the mill, the knight felt for the opening, till +he stumbled over a low stone step. Cautiously ascending, he found at +the fourth step a flat ledge, protected by a broken rail, and here +was the door hanging by a solitary rusted hinge. + +[Illustration: TREACHERY AFOOT] + +Yielding to the pressure of his shoulder, the door flew open, and the +knight and his companion carefully groped their way in, closing the +door after them. Here, in absolute blackness, they found shelter, the +storm howling wildly outside, yet scarcely to be heard within the +massive stone walls. They had no means of procuring a light, but by +continuing their investigations they felt a pile of broken hurdles +and the lower-most rungs of a ladder. + +Raymond was about to ascend, when his servant laid a detaining hand +upon his arm. "Hist!" he exclaimed. "Some one moves in the room +above." + +"Nay, thou dreamest! . . . Ay, thou art right! Hide here, quickly. Art +armed?" + +"Nought but a knife." + +"'Twill suffice. Now, hold thyself in readiness, but act not till I +give the word." + +Crouching behind the pile of hurdles, knight and servant waited in +breathless silence. There was the sound of a heavy trap-door being +raised, and a voice exclaimed in French: "Is it thou, Jehan?" + +Receiving no reply, the questioner slowly descended a few steps of +the ladder, and drawing a horn lantern from underneath a cloak, swung +it around him, peering about the room. + +Then, perceiving no one, he muttered: "Mon Dieu! It is but fancy, yet +why doth he tarry?" And again concealing the light, he ascended to +the upper story and dropped the trap-hatch with a resounding thud. + +"There's fell treachery afoot," whispered Raymond. "Dost know who it +is?" + +"'Tis Réné de Caux, of the following of the Captal de Buche, our +King's trusted favourite. Wait patiently, for ere long no little +advancement will be gained." + +Silently the Englishmen waited, every fiercer blast of the storm +causing them to imagine that the expected visitor had arrived. At +last they heard the door pushed open, and a dark form made its way +into the room with a confidence gained by long practice. A low +whistle, like the cry of a night-bird, and the trapdoor was again +removed. + +"Ah, Jehan! 'Tis thou at last! Close the door ere I show a light." + +"A thousand pests take the weather. This storm hath all but been my +undoing." + +The light of the lantern shone upon the face of the new arrival. He +was a tall, slender man, with light hair and refined features, and on +removing his sodden cloak a garment of slashed velvet was revealed, +betokening that the wearer was a gentleman of quality. Armour he wore +none, but a light sword hung from his belt, balanced by a large +leather bag. + +"And how fares Sir John de Vienne?" + +"Strong in courage when last I saw him." + +"And that was----?" + +"But yesternight." + +"And he agreed to allow you to poison the wells?" + +"Nay, by Our Lady, he would not." + +"Well spoken, like a brave and gallant knight, for, by St. Denis, the +plan is not to my liking even though these insolent islanders deserve +all that is evil. But, see here! This letter must be given to the +Governor of the town by to-morrow, though, alas! it is cold comfort +to Sir John. Canst arrange to deliver it?" + +"They will admit me by the postern of the Boulogne Gate at midnight. +'Twill be done." + +"Then take thy reward. Hold the light closer while I count, for I +know a Gascon of old! See to it: all bright crowns, of good weight." + +The Frenchman addressed as Jehan handed a sealed document to the +Gascon, who placed it in his doublet; then, setting the lantern on +the ground and extending his hand, the latter counted the coins as +Jehan took them from his wallet. + +Loosening his poignard and motioning to Thompson to draw his knife, +Raymond prepared to spring from his hiding-place. + +Ere the two conspirators could recover from their astonishment the +young knight had leapt upon them, and with one thrust of his weapon +laid the traitorous Gascon dead at his feet. Instinctively the +Frenchman sprang backwards and whipped out his sword. + +"Yield thee!" thundered Raymond. + +"To no man!" + +In an instant their blades met, the dull light of the lantern +flashing on the glittering steel. Though Jehan had the longer weapon, +he possessed neither the strength nor the skill of his antagonist, +and in less than half a minute's swordplay the Frenchman's blade +caught in the notch that the hilt of most poignards possess, and with +a quick, powerful turn of the wrist Raymond snapped the sword off +close to the guard. + +"Now wilt yield?" + +"If thou art a gentleman I will; if not, pass the dagger through me +rather than let me disgrace myself." + +"I am Sir Raymond Revyngton, knight." + +"Then, Sir Raymond, I yield myself to thee; though I pray thee, +certify my master that I fought well ere I yielded." + +"And thy name and quality?" + +"I am Jehan de Sous-Cahors, seneschal de Vimereux, and of the +household of King Philip." + +"Then I have had great honour in taking thee!" said Raymond with due +courtesy. "And now have I thy promise that there shall +be no attempt at escape? Otherwise, though it grieve me to mishandle +a knight, thou must be brought bound into the camp." + +"I swear, by St. Denis." + +The grey dawn was beginning to break, and the storm was dying away. +Raymond looked out of the door, and saw with great satisfaction the +knight's horse stabled in a small adjoining hut that had been +invisible on the previous night. There in the distance the smoke of +the English camp-fires showed distinctly in the now clear air, while +less than a bowshot from the mill lay the wood that had been the +cause of their misfortune. + +Suddenly the young knight heard the sound of scuffling and Thompson's +voice shouting "Help, master, help!" + +Darting back to the room, he found his servant engaged in a desperate +struggle with the captive, who was endeavouring to destroy the letter +he had entrusted to the double-dealing Gascon, a portion of which he +had attempted to swallow. + +With no gentle hand Raymond aided his man to throw the prisoner on +his back and wrench the missive from him. + +"Thy parole, Sir Knight!" he exclaimed. + +"----has been kept," gasped the captive, "but I trow thou wilt admit +that no farther compact was made. I am foiled in this matter, but I +pray thee, of thy courtesy, give me leave to finish my work and +destroy this missive." + +"That I cannot do. This letter, which I doubt not is of great moment, +I will take charge of, and hand over to my Lord Chandos. 'Tis now +daylight, and we must needs return to the camp. I am loth to let thee +walk, but as there is but one horse between two knights, 'tis better +that neither ride." + +Walking side by side, and followed by Thompson leading the captive's +horse, Raymond and the French knight arrived at the camp without +further incident, and, after handing his prisoner over to the +camp-martial, the young knight repaired with all despatch to find Sir +John Hacket. + +On hearing Raymond's story the Constable accompanied him to the tent +of Sir John Chandos, whose banner floated close to the royal +pavilion. + +Lord Chandos opened the letter which Raymond had gained possession +of, and found that its contents were practically undamaged in the +struggle. + +"Canst read?" he asked of the Constable. "For this crabbed fist doth +sorely try my one eye." + +"Nay," replied Sir John Hacket with a grim smile. "Only enough for +mine own use, for from my seventh year the sword ever proved a more +pleasing companion than a scrawling, musty parchment." + +"And canst thou, Sir Raymond?" + +"I will try my best, fair sir." + +Raymond took the missive and began to read the superscription, +written in French: "To the very puissant knight, Sir John de Vienne, +seneschal of our town of Calais, greeting." + +The body of the letter began by thanking the Governor for his brave +resistance, and expressing hopes of being able to speedily succour +the besieged. It then confirmed the arrangements, previously made +through the Gascon traitor, for a sally, in conjunction with an +attempt on the part of the French forces to break the English lines +from without. Should the French be unable to carry out their part and +attack the English camp, three white lights were to be shown from the +ruins of an old mill near Sangatte, and the besieged would then be at +liberty to make the best terms they could for the surrender of +Calais. The epistle was signed by no less a personage than King +Philip of France. + +"By St. George, we have them," exclaimed Chandos, striking his fist +heavily upon an oaken chest. "Though I would rather that Réné de Caux +were swinging from a gallows in view of the town than lying dead at +thy hands in the ruined mill. No matter; this letter must reach the +Governor of Calais. Five hundred lances and two thousand archers will +suffice to keep the Frenchmen from advancing upon us; and tomorrow +night will see three white lights from the old mill at Sangatte." + +At nightfall a squire of the Captal de Buche crept cautiously to the +postern of the Boulogne Gate, and, representing himself as an +emissary of the false Réné de Caux, handed the fatal letter to the +Governor, Sir John de Vienne. The presence of a strong force of +Englishmen beyond the dunes of Sangatte prevented the expected French +army from occupying the mill and signalling to their friends in the +beleaguered city, and the following night three white lights flashed +their message of despair to the hitherto undaunted garrison. + +Thus the fall of Calais was hastened, but Raymond saw nothing of the +final act in the drama, when the heroic Eustace de St. Pierre and his +five companions were nearly sacrificed to appease the anger of the +English King (Queen Philippa's intercession alone saved their lives), +for the young knight was with the five hundred lances that guarded +the approach from Boulogne; and on the 6th of August, two days after +Edward had taken possession of the town, the Hampshire companies, +with whom was Sir Reginald Scarsdale, embarked for the shores of +England. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE HOMECOMING + + +AFTER four days of light but favourable winds the little fleet, +consisting of seven vessels, that bore the Hampshire men homewards +arrived off the Isle of Wight. Battle and disease had thinned their +ranks, but the survivors returned in high spirits, flushed with +victory and rich with the loads of spoil that lay in the holds. + +At Spithead the flotilla separated, Sir John Hacket's two ships +making for Portsmouth Harbour, three heading for Southampton, and the +remaining two setting a course down the Solent for Lepe and Lymington +respectively. Amid a fanfare of trumpets and the farewell shouts of +the troops to their former companions in arms, the Constable's +vessels pointed to the north-west in the direction of the even lines +of Portsdown, under the shadow of which lay the Castle of +Portchester. + +The shields of the three knights were displayed over the side of the +leading ship, while from her truck floated the blue banner with the +device of the crescent and star, and on the poop were gathered Sir +John Hacket, Sir Reginald Scarsdale, and Sir Raymond Revyngton, +engaged in joyous conversation at the prospect of a speedy landing on +their native soil. + +"And what dost thou purpose to do, Raymond?" inquired the Constable. +"Surely there is little need to hasten westwards to thy newly-gained +estates; 'twould be better far to wait the return of the Devonshire +men. Tarry awhile at Portchester, for methinks there is much to be +done here before setting out on thy travels. And thou, Sir Reginald? +Wilt accept such hospitality that my poor castle can offer?" + +"I must first seek out my daughter Audrey," quoth Sir Reginald. "And +I have but little doubt that Raymond will bear me company." + +"Doth she know of thy return?" + +"Nay, and I'll warrant the maid will be taken aback when we arrive at +the town of Farnham." + +A strange smile flitted over Sir John's face. + +"Well, Raymond, what are thy plans?" + +"I bear Sir Reginald company; then, having won or lost my suit, I +will return to the castle, Sir John. For there are several small +matters I must give attention to at Hamble and at the Abbey of +Netley, without which I cannot go to Churston." + +The vessel was now slipping through the water with a fair wind and +favouring tide, and already the low-lying island of Portsca lay +abeam, and the Castle of Portchester was momentarily growing more +distinct. + +"By St. George, they expect us!" exclaimed Raymond excitedly. "See, +thy banner floats above the keep, and the walls are thick with +people. And the garlands over the water-gate! Of a surety they were +not placed there at an hour's notice." + +"Now that I bethink me," remarked Sir John drily, "I did send a +messenger to Winchelsea, so perchance he hath taken a horse and +ridden hot-foot to Portchester." + +For awhile they watched in silence the grey outlines of the castle +topped with its living fringe. The master-shipman gave an order, and +the long yard, with its bellying sail, sank from the masthead; and +the vessel, carried onward by its momentum and the rush of the tide, +came abreast of the fortress. Another order, and the anchor with its +hempen cable fell with a sudden plunge into the water; the ship +snubbed at the tautened rope, swung round and brought up, riding +easily to wind and tide. The voyage was over. + +"See, Raymond," suddenly exclaimed Sir Reginald, "thine eyes are +younger than mine, yet if I mistake not . . . There, to the right of +the water-gate!" + +"Ay, the saints be praised. 'Tis the Lady Audrey!" + +A small boat, manned by men wearing the Constable's livery, was +quickly alongside, and Sir John and Sir Reginald stepped aboard, +Raymond following with unknightly haste. Amidst the shouts of the +excited throng of soldiers and villagers the boat's fore-foot grated +on the shingle, and the three distinguished warriors again set foot +on their native land. + +"See, Audrey," said her father, after the paternal salute had been +given and returned, "I bring thee an old acquaintance--not the +squire, Raymond Buckland, who saved they life at Southampton, but the +gallant and worthy knight, Sir Raymond Revyngton." + +* * * * * + +Within a week a wedding was celebrated in the little chapel of St. +Mary within the castle walls, and Sir Raymond Revyngton and the Lady +Audrey Scarsdale were made man and wife. After the ceremony the +kindly Constable congratulated the bride, and it must be confessed +that the bridegroom's eyes were opened by Lady Audrey Revyngton's +reply. + +"To thee, Sir John, I owe much of my happiness, for Raymond was ever +a bashful lover. An he were but a simple squire I would have married +him, but when thou toldest me that he had been made a knight I was +filled with joy. And for thy kindly thought in sending a special +messenger to bring me hither to await your arrival I deem myself ever +indebted to thee!" + +"Nay, thank me not, fair lady," replied the gallant old warrior. "Is +it not the bounden duty of a true knight to help another? For +Raymond, though ever first in the field of war, hath been a laggard +in the lists of love. Yet I am but a feeble instrument in this case, +for against thy charms he would be powerless but in my heart I thank +God for the part I played in bringing together two noble families +estranged by a fatal feud." + +* * * * * + +Little remains to be told. Sir Reginald Scarsdale, in spite of his +old age and infirmities, died as he wished, falling in defence of the +Border against a band of Scottish raiders, and in a quiet Yorkshire +church he rests, his altar-tomb showing his effigy with the lions at +his feet, making a fitting addition to the four crossed-legged images +of his crusading ancestors. + +Sir John Hacket, after seeing further service in France, acquiring +additional glory and renown at Poictiers, died peacefully at a great +age within sight of the castle whose Constableship he had held so +worthily. + +And as for Sir Raymond and the fair Lady Audrey, they lived a life of +unalloyed happiness in their manor of Churston, in the midst of the +hills of Devon. Yet when the call to arms sounded, the redoubtable +Sir Raymond did not shrink from its summons, and at Poictiers and at +the slaughter of Najera in the wilds of Spain he added to his +laurels. And does not the prowess of the head of the Revyngtons at +the repulse of the French descent upon Dartmouth in 1377 still linger +amongst the annals of the sons of Devon? + +From the union of the rival Revyngton and Scarsdale families +descended the successors of a noble heritage--men courageous and +generous in war, noble and law-abiding in peace, men whose names have +helped to make the British Empire what it is to-day, and whose motto +has been, and let us hope will ever be-- + +"Non sibi, sed patriae." + +THE END + +Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & Co. Edinburgh & London + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Winning of the Golden Spurs, by +Percy F. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/36122-8.zip b/old/36122-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..022b4cb --- /dev/null +++ b/old/36122-8.zip diff --git a/old/36122-h.htm b/old/36122-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9446564 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/36122-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9044 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> + + +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> +<title>THE WINNING OF THE GOLDEN SPURS</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + +BODY {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%} + +P {text-indent: 2%} + +.indented + { + text-indent: 0%; + padding-left: 50pt; + padding-right: 50pt; + } + +</style> + + +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Winning of the Golden Spurs, by Percy F. Westerman + +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 Winning of the Golden Spurs + +Author: Percy F. Westerman + +Release Date: May 16, 2011 [EBook #36122] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WINNING OF THE GOLDEN SPURS *** + + + + +Produced by R.G.P.M. van Giesen + + + + + +</pre> + + +<p><center><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Cover"></center> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<p><h3 align="center">THE WINNING OF</h3> +<h3 align="center">THE GOLDEN SPURS</h3> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<p><center><img src="images/frontispiece.jpg" alt="Frontispiece"></center><br> +<center>[Illustration: RAYMOND SAVES THE BLACK PRINCE]</center> +<br> +<br> +<br> + +<p><h1 align="center">THE WINNING OF</h1> +<h1 align="center">THE GOLDEN SPURS</h1> +<br> +<br> +<h4 align="center">BY</h4> +<br> +<h3 align="center">PERCY F. WESTERMAN</h3> + <h5 align="center">AUTHOR OF "A LAD OF GRIT," "THE SEA MONARCH,"</h5> + <h5 align="center">"THE TREASURE OF THE SAN PHILIPO," ETC.</h5> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h3 align="center">LONDON<br> +JAMES NISBET & CO., LIMITED<br> +22 BERNERS STREET, W.<br> +1911<br></h3> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<center> +<p>Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.<br> +At the Ballantyne Press, Edinburgh +</center> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h3 align="center">CONTENTS</h3><br> +<br> +<br> + +<p><table align="center" width="80%"> + +<tbody><tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">CHAP.</td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> </td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top"> </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter00">PROLOGUE</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">I. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter01">THE ARCHER, REDWARD BUCKLAND</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">II. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter02">THE SHADOW OF WAR</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">III. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter03">OF THE MIDNIGHT DESCENT OF THE FRENCH INVADERS</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">IV. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter04">OF THE GALLANT STAND OF THE NINE ARCHERS</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">V. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter05">THE MEN OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE GENOESE GALLEY</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">VI. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter06">AT THE ABBEY</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">VII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter07">THE SACK OF SOUTHAMPTON</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">VIII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter08">OF THE ASSAULT ON ST. BARBARA'S TOWER</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">IX. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter09">ON THE HEELS OF THE ENEMY</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">X. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter10">FATHER AND SON SET OUT FOR HENNEBON</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XI. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter11">THE CHIRURGEON OF LÉGUÉ</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter12">THE JOURNEY PERILOUS</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XIII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter13">THE RELIEF OF HENNEBON</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XIV. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter14">RAYMOND'S ERRAND</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XV. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter15">TRAPPED!</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XVI. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter16">THE TABLES TURNED</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XVII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter17">THE FALL OF THE COUNT'S STRONGHOLD</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XVIII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter18">REDWARD'S CONFESSION</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XIX. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter19">CRÉCY</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XX. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter20">HIS LIFE FOR HIS FOE</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XXI. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter21">THE REJECTED GUERDON</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XXII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter22">SIR RAYMOND</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XXIII. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter23">THE ADVENTURE AT THE RUINED MILL</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td align="right" valign="top">XXIV. </td> +<td align="left" valign="top"> +<a href="#chapter24">THE HOMECOMING</a></td> +</tr> + +</tbody></table> + + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h3 align="center">THE WINNING OF THE<br>GOLDEN SPURS</h3> + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter00"></a> +<h3 align="center">PROLOGUE</h3> + +<p><p>IT was early morning on the 5th day of August, 1303, the Royal City +of Winchester. The sun had not yet risen, but a cold grey light +filtered in through a narrow window and dimly illumined a small, +scantily-furnished room overlooking the city walls. + +<p><p>Seated on a rough wooden stool, his face buried in his hands, was a +young fellow of about twenty years of age. His body swayed with +uncontrollable grief, and, though dry-eyed, deep sobs of mingled +remorse and despair showed the anguish that rent his body and +distracted his mind. + +<p><p>In a corner of the room a torch, burnt low in its iron socket, threw +a yellow light that was fast being overmastered by the growing dawn, +yet the glimmer was sufficient to play upon the naked blade of a +sword, the steel of which was discoloured towards its point by a +dull, rust-coloured stain. + +<p><p>Suddenly the sound of a heavy footstep was heard on the stairs. The +youth started to his feet and gazed wildly around, as if seeking a +place of concealment or some means of escape. He was tall, well +formed, and, in spite of his haggard looks, comely of face, and his +clothes, though rent and covered with chalk and dust, showed that he +was of no mean position. + +<p>Realising the impossibility of hiding himself, he stood erect and +alert, awaiting the arrival of what he took to be his fate; but, +instead of a thundering summons of the officers of the law, there +came a gentle rap, and the door was slowly pushed ajar. + +<p>"Hist! Art there, Master Revyngton? 'Tis I, Nicholas Hobbes!" + +<p>"Enter, Nicholas! Certes I thought 'twas the watch." + +<p>The new arrival was a man some few years older than the fugitive. He +was clad in a rough leather suit, frayed at elbows and knees, and to +which shavings and feathers still clung—a silent witness to his +trade of fletcher. + +<p>"'Tis a sorry pass, Master Revyngton. How came it about?" + +<p>"Ay, that I will say right willingly; but first tell me—how knowest +thou that I am here?" + +<p>"Easily said! Dick Ford told me that thou wert a fugitive in his +house, and asked me to use my scatterbrain wits to find a way to +smuggle thee out of the city. That being so, 'twere best I saw thee, +and to that purpose I am here. But, again, how came it to pass?" + +<p>"Faith! I can scarce say. 'Twas in the meads, yestereven. Young +Stephen Scarsdale and Reginald, his brother, were on this side of the +stream, I on the nether bank, with Wulf, my favourite hound. 'Ho +there!' cried Stephen. 'What meanst thou by trespassing on the ground +of my Lord Bishop?' 'I do not trespass,' I replied. 'The Mead hath +ever been free to the men of this city, and no one hath yet said me +nay.' 'I'll warrant thou art after my Lord Bishop's trout. By the +rood, I'll send a bolt through the head of thy lurcher.' 'Thy aim +must be more sure than when I beat thee at the butts,' I replied, +little thinking but that he spoke in jest, but in answer he levelled +his crossbow, and ere I was aware of it poor Wulf was lying +transfixed on the ground." + +<p>"Then I was seized by a thousand devils, and sprang across the narrow +plank bridge to hurl the slayer of my hound into the river, but +Stephen, whipping out his blade, bade me do likewise. In less time +than it takes to tell our swords crossed, though, mark ye, I meant +not to harm him; yet, like a fool, he ran in upon my blade, and 'twas +all over in an instant." + +<p>"And then?" + +<p>"The younger Scarsdale, who is a worthy gentleman compared with his +witless brother, tried to stop me as I fled. There was no help for +it, so he, too, went down, though I trow he is not much hurt. Hast +heard aught of Stephen?" + +<p>"Naught save that he is as dead as a door-nail. But, Master +Revyngton, 'tis, as I said, a sorry pass. What wilt thou do?" + +<p>"Do? Give myself into the hands of the law. What else wouldst thou +have me do?" + +<p>"Anything but that. Consider! Thou art young and full of life. Why +shouldst thou grace a halter if it can be avoided, for, mark well, +the Scarsdales are a powerful family, and moreover Stephen was of the +Bishop's household. How thinkst thou to make good thy case before thy +peers when the weight of title and position is set against thee? Be +sober, young master, and think on't." + +<p>"Ay, 'tis hard to die thus." + +<p>"No need to die at all—at any rate, just yet. Flee the country. +France or the States of the Rhine ever offer an attraction for a +roving blade, and peradventure in a few years the affair will have +blown over." + +<p>"But how can I escape?" + +<p>"There thou hast me. Where is Dick Ford?" + +<p>"Gone to gather tidings. He will be here anon." + +<p>Both men relapsed into silence, staring moodily at the narrow window, +through which could be seen the battlements of the city gilded by the +rising sun, while ever and again came the sweet strains of a lark as +it soared heavenwards from the dew-sodden meadows without the walls. + +<p>Again came the sound of footsteps, and Dick Ford, the bowyer, +entered. He was a short, red-complexioned man, with a cheerful +countenance, as if nothing could upset his good nature, though at +times his looks belied him, and the worthy citizens of Winchester oft +had cause to remember his tongue when it ran riot. Like the fletcher, +his appearance betrayed him, for the sharp wittle that hung from his +girdle, the daubs of beeswax, and the faint reek of varnish marked +his calling as a maker of the famous English longbows. + +<p>"A pretty hornet's nest thou hast raised, Master Revyngton," he +exclaimed, shaking his head. "Yesternight the city crier called thee +at the marketcross, and on the Soke Bridge. The Bishop's Court hath +claimed thee, and in default of thy appearance thou wilt be declared +outlaw. Furthermore, the gates are doubly guarded, and men are even +now in ambush on the road to the sanctuary at St. Cross if so be thou +seekest refuge therein. By the saintly Swithun, I trow thou art the +most sought-for man in Winton." + +<p>"He hath made up his mind, Dick," exclaimed Hobbes. "Better an outlaw +with a heavy conscience than a corpse with none at all." + +<p>"Ay, let me but get once clear of the city and I'll reck not what I +become." + +<p>"Bravely spoken, Master Revyngton! And now, how canst thou make good +thine escape? Thou canst count on us to a surety, for 'twould ill +requite thy father's kindness to us in times past if we let thee fall +into the hands of the Bishop's men. Where is thine arrow-wain, Dick?" + +<p>"Below, in the barn." + +<p>"And laden?" + +<p>"Nay, but it soon could be. Wherefore?" + +<p>"Place Master Revyngton in the cart and cover him with arrows. 'Tis +the day thou journeyest to Bishopstoke and Botley. He would then be +well on his way to the abbey at Netley." + +<p>"Steady, Dick, steady! Should the guard at Kingsgate search the wain +my neck is as good as if fitted with a halter. Yet I'll take the +risk; but see to it, young master, if the plan goeth amiss, thou'lt +bear me witness that I wot not of thy presence?" + +<p>"Ay, good Nicholas. But if they question thee and search the cart I +must make a bid for freedom, so stand in the way, and I'll warrant +I'll knock thee down just to give colour to the deceit." + +<p>"But strike not too hard, Master Revyngton, neither on the face, for +I am in no mind to go home to my good wife with my nose awry or mine +eyes closed up. A gentle tap, I pray thee—like this—and I'll +warrant I'll fall as surely as if I were smitten with the club of the +Southampton giant Ascupart." + +<p>"After all's said and done," remarked the fletcher, "there may be no +need to smite thee, Nick, for 'tis unlikely that they will search thy +cart. But the day groweth apace. If it is to be done, the sooner the +better, say I." + +<p>"Then make a good meal, Master Revyngton," said Hobbes, setting a +loaf of brown bread, some cheese, and a jack of ale, "for if not +thou'lt feel the want of it ere long. Now set to like a good +trencherman, though, being but plain men, our fare is likewise plain. +Thou knowest the road?" + +<p>"Passably well, save the latter part." + +<p>"Then keep close, but not on it if perchance thou art pursued, for it +is to Southampton that they'll think thou art bound. Take the by-road +to Botley, whence the abbey lies but a league or so away." + +<p>While the fletcher and the bowyer were giving advice the younger man +did justice to the food; then, at a sign from Ford, his companion +stole softly down the rough ladder that did duty as a staircase, and +peered cautiously up and down the street. Another moment, and the +three men had darted across the narrow road to a small barn, the +mutual property of several of the inhabitants of that quarter, and +shortly afterwards a rough cart, laden with bundles of +newly-feathered arrows, was jolting over the rough stones towards +Kingsgate, Nicholas Hobbes leading the sorry nag and whistling a +lively air as well as the anticipation of being floored would permit. + +<p>"Thou art early abroad, Nick," quoth one of the guards, as he made +ready to throw open the heavy door. "There's naught but arrows in thy +wain, I take it?" + +<p>"What meanest thou?" + +<p>"Why, hast heard naught of the slaying of Master Scarsdale, that tall +youth belonging to the Bishop's household? Surely thou hast him in +mind?" + +<p>"Ay, I knew him; is he dead?" + +<p>"Where hath been thine eyes and thine ears since yesternoon?" + +<p>"I have but small time for gossip, Tom, above all towards the end of +the week, when my stock hath to be renewed. But I'll hear the story +anon, for time is precious." + +<p>The heavy gate swung slowly open, the fletcher called to his horse, +and the cart with its living burden moved towards the open country +and safety. + +<p>"Hold!" cried a hoarse voice. "Tom, thou arrant rascal, wouldst let +the cart through unsearched What were thine orders from the captain +of the gate?" + +<p>And, to the fletcher's terror, a burly man-at-arms came down a flight +of steps at the side of the gate, and advanced towards him. + +<p>The first soldier sullenly strolled over to the back of the cart, +but, suddenly recovering himself, Nicholas Hobbes backed his horse, +causing the man to be pinned between the wheel and the stonework of +the arch. There was a sudden scattering of the arrows, an indistinct +mass hurtling through the air, and the fletcher found himself, as he +had foretold, lying prone in the dust. When he sat up the soldiers +were calling wildly to the rest of the guard, while a fleeing figure, +already growing small in the distance, showed that the fugitive +Revyngton was well on his way to freedom. + +<p>With the din of the soldiers' shouts still ringing in his ears, +Revyngton ran steadily onwards with a long, steady swing, his elbows +pressed against his sides, and breathing easily, for he was no mean +runner. + +<p>Away in front rose the gaunt outline of St. Catherine's Hill, with +the square tower of the Hospital of St. Cross, which sanctuary he +knew was denied him, slightly to the right. Between ran the +swift-flowing river Itchen, and the fugitive realised that he would +have to run the gauntlet of the watchers before the sanctuary ere he +could reach the ford where the river swept the base of the hill. His +way lay through the meadows where, but a few hours ago, he had +wandered in blissful, though then unappreciated, freedom, and +shudderingly, and with averted face, he raced past the scene of the +fatal encounter. Fortunately his local knowledge prevented him from +crossing the narrow plank bridge that led solely to a marshy meadow +enclosed by two arms of the river, so, keeping close to the shadow of +the pollard willows, he held steadily on his way, the babbling of the +river as it flowed with sparkling eddies in the bright sunshine +sounding like soothing music to the hunted man. + +<p>Just as he reached the ford his movements were observed by a party of +the officers of the law who had been keeping a toilsome vigil around +the outer wall of St. Cross, and a crossbow bolt, shot at a high +angle, boomed through the air and buried itself less than twenty +yards from him. + +<p>There was a general scene of confusion, some of the men running after +him afoot, others rushing off to where their horses stood tethered in +a clump of trees. + +<p>It being the hot season, the river was but ankle deep at the ford, +and, refreshed by the coldness of the water, Revyngton hastened his +pace up the long, dusty road towards the hamlet of Twyford. As he ran +he could not resist the inclination to look back, and from the +elevated position of the highway he could see the whole of the +distance betwixt him and the cathedral city. + +<p>To his satisfaction he saw that he was more than holding his own with +those who pursued afoot, and even now they were giving up the pursuit +and the horsemen of the party had not yet started, but away along the +city road a number of dark, swiftly-moving objects showed that a +troop of mounted soldiers and retainers of the episcopal authorities +were rapidly covering the distance between them and their quarry. + +<p>The sun, though the morning was yet young, smote down upon him with +relentless strength, and there was not the faintest zephyr to cool +his heated frame, yet onwards he sped, though the strain of the +pursuit was gradually yet surely telling upon him. + +<p>Through the almost deserted village of Twyford he ran, one or two of +the earlier risers looking with open-mouthed astonishment at the +fugitive, while a little way further a black-robed monk gazed +amazedly at the approaching man, till, fearing violence, he gathered +up his ragged gown and fled across a field at the roadside, his +sandals clattering as he ran. + +<p>At length, worn out by his exertions, Revyngton reached a spot where +a road branched off to his left, while between it and the highway he +was following lay a large pond, surrounded by trees and fringed with +clusters of reeds. Here he threw himself down on the spongy turf, +thrust his head and arms in the limpid water, and lay panting on the +grass, oblivious of his danger, till the regular thud of horses' +hoofs roused his jaded energies. + +<p>Quickly he looked around, and to his joy he perceived the gnarled +trunk of a tree that had fallen into a horizontal position over the +pond, its branches form ing a dark, shady shelter. Silently and +swiftly as an eel he plunged into the water, and a few powerful +strokes brought him to the friendly refuge. Secure from observation, +he drew himself upon a branch and waited the arrival of the horsemen. + +<p>In a cloud of dust they appeared—five bronzed men-at-arms, with +long, straight swords strapped against their thighs; four lay +servants of the Bishop, with hard-set mouths and scowling faces that +ill-matched their calling as members of an ecclesiastical house; and +three of the city watch, more lightly armed than their companions, +carrying crossbows across their backs. Revyngton realised that scant +mercy could be expected at their hands. + +<p>At a word from their leader the party halted, there was a hurried +consultation, and two of the men trotted their horses to the edge of +the pond, while the rest resumed their headlong pursuit. + +<p>Then Revyngton felt that he stared death in the face, for less than +five paces from him were the two soldiers, sitting motionless on +their steeds and staring fixedly at the spot where he lay concealed, +their reflections being clearly mirrored in the still water. To the +fugitive it seemed as if his leafy bower were rent asunder, and that +he lay exposed to his pursuers in utter helplessness; but at length, +to his great relief, one of the men spoke. + +<p>"Why this fool's errand for the sake of a hot-blooded youth? Faith, I +am not averse to earning the five marks reward, yet 'tis a useless +quest. Far rather would I be in a snug inn, for my throat is as dry +as a friar's sermon." + +<p>"There's drink for thee," replied the other, indicating the pond with +a nod of his steel-capped head. + +<p>"Water!" exclaimed the first with an oath; "I like it not, neither +inside nor out, to be plain-spoken. Art game to return to Twyford, +where the ale is of the best?" + +<p>"Give them time to get out of hearing, thou dolt. Why doth the +sheriff keep bloodhounds and use them not, eh, Giles?" + +<p>"'Twould have been the better way. But now, comrade, let's away!" + +<p>Revyngton waited till the sound of their horses' hoofs had died away, +then, swimming softly back to the bank, he emerged and resumed his +way. + +<p>Now the dangers were doubled, for not only had his pursuers placed +themselves between him and his refuge, but he knew not but that every +bush or hedge concealed a foe. Thus he was compelled to forsake the +high road and follow it at some distance away, keeping as close as +possible to the shelter of the coppices and dells that formed the +chief features of the district. + +<p>As he neared the village of Fair Oak he struck the highway between +Bishopstoke and the Bishop's hunting lodge at Waltham, and for a long +time he lay hidden in the bracken ere the road was free from the +seemingly endless cavalcade of huntsmen that journeyed towards the +famous Waltham Chase, while hucksters from Southampton and Romsey, +intent on doing a good business, were hurrying in the same direction. + +<p>At length the opportunity came, and the fugitive darted across the +road and gained the fields beyond. Here the nature of the country +changed, the ground offering less shelter, but away to the south rose +the dark, fir-clad hills that lay close to his goal. + +<p>He had now left the Botley road well on his left, and he could +perceive the haze of smoke that marked the hollow where the village +lay. His clothes were long dried, and the heat was well-nigh +unbearable, so, overcoming his fears, he turned aside to a cottage, +the thatched roof of which rose amid a thicket. Here he found that +another by-road or lane crossed his path, but there was no sign of +any one passing; the cottage itself looked deserted. + +<p>As the fugitive approached a dog barked, and there was a sound of +some one moving about in an outhouse, and to the tortured man the +sight of several pails of milk was irresistible. The yelping of the +cur brought a woman to the door of the shed, a strong-limbed, +coarse-featured creature, with a face lined with innumerable wrinkles +and a back bent with years of toil in the fields. + +<p>"What lack ye?" she demanded sourly. + +<p>"Am I on the right road for the abbey at Netley?" + +<p>"Yea. Turn to thy left hand at the cross roads." + +<p>"Also, I prithee, give me a draught of milk." + +<p>"Begone, for a worthless clown! Begone, I say, or the dog shall fly +at thee," she shrieked, wild with fury; but Revyngton heeded her not, +and seizing a small earthenware pitcher, drained its contents, then +turning on his heel, he resumed his fearsome journey. + +<p>"Haste, Tom, run up to the village and get help!" shouted the woman. +"'Tis a gadabout churl, or a riever, or worse," and as the fugitive +ran he heard the farm-servant making off towards Botley, while the +woman unloosed the dog. + +<p>Ere Revyngton had gone a bowshot from the cottage the cur was barking +and yelping at his heels, showing its teeth, but fearing to close, +till at length it drew off, leaving the man to wonder at the +churlishness of the hard-faced woman compared with the reception of +wayfarers on his father's manor in Devon, where meat and drink were +ever at the disposal of even the most humble stranger. + +<p>At the brow of the hill he saw the tower of the abbey amid the trees +a mile or more away, with the beautiful expanse of Southampton Water +as a fitting background to the peaceful scene. Yet the fugitive had +neither time nor inclination to appreciate the natural surroundings; +to him the abbey meant rest and safety, and with renewed hope he sped +towards the monastic buildings. + +<p>Weary and footsore he reached the outer door, his senses reeling with +the effects of his exertions. Seeing his plight the porter gave him +wine, and sent a lay brother to summon the abbot. + +<p>As the venerable head of the establishment appeared, Revyngton raised +himself with an effort and knelt before him. + +<p>"Thy blessing, father." + +<p>"<i>Benedicite</i>, my son; what wouldst thou?" + +<p>"Sanctuary, father." + +<p>The abbot shook his head sorrowfully. + +<p>"'Tis not permitted, my son; such blessed privileges belong only to +our parent abbey at Beaulieu and to the Hospital of St. Cross. I +trow there is no other within the jurisdiction of the Lord Bishop of +Winchester. What crime bast thou committed?" + +<p>"I slew a man in anger, and even now my pursuers are hard at my +heels." + +<p>The abbot turned to a lay brother. + +<p>"Tell Brother Balthazar to repair to the tower and to quickly bring +me word if any soldiers appear." Then to the fugitive he added, +"Confess thy sin and seek God's pardon; then perchance the means of +thy earthly salvation may be vouchsafed to thee. Follow me, my son." + +<p>To the venerable abbot Revyngton told the whole of the circumstances +of the case; then, having eased his soul, the abbot took care to +relieve his body, causing food and drink to be set before him, while +a brother washed his cut and travel-worn feet. + +<p>"Thou must make for the Abbey of the Blessed Mary at Beaulieu, where +thou shalt find sanctuary. Knowest thou the way?" + +<p>"Nay, father," replied the man, sad at heart at the prospect of +another journey at the peril of his life. + +<p>"Then listen, my son. Two of the brethren will take thee across the +arm of the sea that thou canst see yonder. Thence it is but an hour's +sharp travel across the heath to the abbey, the path being well worn +by reason of many of the brethren who travel thereby. There are three +ways from the spot where thou wilt land the one on the left hand +goeth towards Fawley and the town of Lepe, the one on the right to +the village of Hythe, but the way thou must take goeth neither right +nor left, but leads towards the sun just before the hour of +vespers——Ah! What is thy message, my son?" + +<p>The last question was addressed to a novice, who, panting +breathlessly, was standing in the doorway with folded arms and bent +head, awaiting the abbot's pleasure. + +<p>"Horsemen, father; a score or more have appeared on the hill and are +making towards the abbey." + +<p>"Then summon Brother Angelique and Brother Petrox. Hasten, for 'tis +no season for leisure." + +<p>Quickly the two brethren—tall, gaunt, yet sinewy men, with faces and +arms tanned a deep red by reason of their calling as boatmen of the +abbey—answered the behest, and with the reverence due to their +superior awaited his commands. + +<p>"Take this man across and put him fairly on his way to our parent +abbey. Tarry not on thy journey, for the matter is urgent." + +<p>"Is it thy wish, father, to land him at Ashlett or Cadland?" asked +one of the monks. + +<p>"At Cadland, should the tide prove aright. Now, my son," he added to +the refugee, "take mine earnest blessing and go, and may the blessed +Saints Mary and Edward, the patrons of our abbey, be with thee." + +<p>There was little time to lose, for already the horsemen were within +two bow-shots of the abbey, and with a loud clatter of sandals the +two monks led the way, Revyngton following closely at their heels, +the brethren of the abbey speeding him on his way with prayers and +cries of encouragement. + +<p>At the end of a little causeway a boat, broadbeamed and lofty of head +and stem, rode on the little wavelets. With a sign Brother Petrox +motioned the fugitive to step aboard, then unfastening the rope that +held the craft to the quay, he followed Brother Angelique and pushed +off. + +<p>Both monks rolled the sleeves of their gowns above their elbows, +seized the two heavy ash oars, and rowed with a will, Revyngton +sitting on a rough fishing-tray at the stern of the boat and drinking +in the cool sea breezes. The rush of events had well-nigh bewildered +him, and listlessly he watched the rhythmical motion of the sinewy +arms as the rowers urged the boat towards the opposite shore. + +<p>Suddenly his reveries were broken by an exclamation from one of the +monks. "They follow us; pull thy hardest!" + +<p>Revyngton turned and looked astern. From the place they had left but +a quarter of an hour before half a score of men were dragging a heavy +boat down the steep beach. + +<p>"By the blessed Peter, my holy namesake," groaned one of the monks, +"I had overlooked that, and the oars are in the boat. See, already +they have launched it." + +<p>"'Tis after all but a crare." + +<p>"With a crew of lusty fellows to make amends for its weight. The +saints forfend them!" + +<p>"Let us trust that they cannot handle the sails, for, mark well, the +wind bloweth fair." + +<p>The rowers relapsed into silence, and with long, heavy strokes, that +seemed far too slow to the hunted fugitive, they resolutely and +unfalteringly lessened the distance betwixt them and the nether +shore. The hour of noon had already passed, and the sun's rays +attained a greater strength than they had previously in the day, yet, +though streaming with moisture, the monks laboured in their efforts +to shake off their pursuers. + +<p>"We hold our own," muttered one over his shoulder. + +<p>"Nay, I doubt it; but we must needs make for Ashlett Creek, for the +other channel is yet uncovered." + +<p>Accordingly the boat's head was turned towards a distant opening in +the mud-fringed shore, and the pursuing craft followed suit, thereby +gaining considerably on the fugitive, who could now distinguish the +dress of the men. + +<p>"They overtake us," quoth he, speaking for the first time since the +abbey gates had closed behind him. "See, a bowman makes ready!" + +<p>Gradually the distance between the boats lessened, but the monks' +craft was now close to the creek, and Revyngton saw in front an +apparently closed-in basin surrounded by a high bank of slimy mud. A +few more strokes and the boat was within the creek, which wound its +sinuous way up to the shore, while the little waves caused by their +rapid motion through the water lapped the sides of the narrow +channel. + +<p>Just as they were about to round the first bend the bowman let loose, +and an arrow sung over their heads and struck the mud with a dull +swish. Revyngton instinctively bent his head, but his companions, +though men of peace, barely took notice of the deadly shaft. + +<p>"Safe for the time," commented Brother Angelique, as the boat shot +behind a sheltering bank. + +<p>"But how about thy safety?" asked the fugitive. + +<p>"By St. Edward, 'tis not to be thought of," replied the monk, +thrusting back his sleeve, which in his exertions had slipped down. +"They seek not us." + +<p>"But thou hast aided a fugitive from justice." + +<p>"Nay, that I wot not of. Besides, how am I to know that these men are +the officers of justice They might well be but water-pikers for aught +I know....Oh!" + +<p>An exclamation of pain interrupted his words, for an arrow, shot +haphazard from the bend of the creek over the intervening bank, had +pierced his forearm betwixt elbow and wrist, while another shaft +trembled with its head buried in the thwart. + +<p>"On, Brother Petrox! On! 'Tis but a small matter," he gasped, and as +the other monk seized his companion's oar, the wounded man, shutting +his eyes tightly, snapped off the head of the arrow with his free +hand and drew the broken shaft from the wound. + +<p>A gush of blood followed, but the brave monk, gripping the wounded +member to stop the crimson flow, never ceased to urge the rower to +greater effort, while ever and again a shaft shot by their still +invisible pursuers flew perilously close to their heads. + +<p>At length the boat grounded on the hard bed of the channel, and +Brother Petrox called to Revyngton to jump out. Wading through the +shallow water the two started for the shore, leaving the wounded monk +calmly seated in the deserted craft. + +<p>From the mud hovels of the village of Ashlett wimpled women and +rough-haired children looked interestedly at the two runners, the +layman in his travel-stained apparel and the monk in his sombre garb. +Men there were none, for the hours of toil had called them to the +fields or out on the waters, where they sought a livelihood by +fishing; but had there been, the sight of the two speeding along +would hardly have excited anything but curiosity in the minds of +these dull-witted sons of the soil. + +<p>"I can go with thee no farther," panted the monk, as they reached the +cross-roads. "Follow yonder path, and God be with thee." And as +Revyngton sped onwards towards the rolling expanse of purple heather, +he saw the solitary figure of his benefactor waving encouragingly +towards the distant and invisible goal. + +<p>Settling down to a steady pace, the fugitive kept doggedly on his +way, his eyes fixed on a distant clump of trees that marked the brow +of the hill overlooking the valley of the Exe where lay the abbey. + +<p>Narrower and narrower became the road, till it deteriorated into a +mere footpath, the prickly gorse encroaching on either side and +hurting his feet as he ran. Yet, spurred onward by renewed hope, his +strength seemed well-nigh inexhaustible. + +<p>Suddenly, from behind a low heather-clad hillock at the side of the +road, four wild-looking men sprang up and barred his progress. + +<p>"Hold, stranger!" shouted one, brandishing a club. "Whither goest +thou? Hast aught in thy scrip that we would relieve thee of, for the +lighter thou art the easier thou'lt run." + +<p>"I have nothing in the world. Let me pass, I pray; 'tis a matter that +brooks no delay." + +<p>"Nay, not so fast, young master. What is thine errand?" + +<p>"My errand?" replied Revyngton, with a mirthless laugh. "I seek +sanctuary." + +<p>"Art without the pale of the law?" + +<p>"Of that there is little doubt." + +<p>"Then throw in thy lot with us. A free life in the forest glades, +with many a weighty scrip to balance the lightness of our minds, is +better than being cooped up in yonder monastery." + +<p>The fugitive shook his head. + +<p>"Nay, 'tis not to my liking." + +<p>"Neither is the other, I trow, but look!" + +<p>Following the direction of his hand, Revyngton saw coming over the +brow of a distant hill which he had crossed but a short while ago a +number of his pursuers. Three had procured horses, while the rest, +some five in number, ran by their side, holding on to the stirrups to +aid their speed. + +<p>Instantly the robbers vanished into the tangle of bracken, leaving +the fugitive alone on the narrow path, and once again he broke into a +headlong pace, his pursuers thundering along but three arrow-flights +behind him. + +<p>Fortunately the unevenness of the path prevented the horsemen from +riding their hardest, and when at length Revyngton, exhausted and +faint, reached the brow of the hill, he saw that the situation was +still in his favour. Blindly plunging onwards, with laboured +breathing and aching sides, he ran down the hill, at the foot of +which clustered the extensive buildings of the abbey. + +<p>Through a gap in the trees on his left he caught a glimpse of the +silvery river as it wound in majestic splendour towards the sea, but +to the hunted man the beauty of the scene was lost; all that +concerned him was the thought of the possibility of being overtaken +ere he could cover the last stretch of dusty road. + +<p>He was dimly conscious of hearing a crash behind him, and of looking +round for one brief moment, thereby catching a glimpse of two of the +horsemen mingled in utter confusion on the rough path. And still the +sound of the rapidly approaching hoofs of the remaining horse thudded +in his ears. + +<p>Now he had gained the angle of the abbey wall. The gate, with its +massive iron knocker, was within his grasp. The noise of the +footfalls of the pursuer's steed ceased; there was a sharp hiss, and +an arrow pierced the fugitive's leg just above the knee. Then, with a +final effort, he thundered at the portal, and, as his head swam and +his limbs gave way under him, he was dimly aware that he was +surrounded by a group of grey-robed figures. He had found sanctuary. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter01"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER I</h3> + +<h5 align="center">THE ARCHER, REDWARD BUCKLAND</h5> + +<p> +IT was early morning in the month of August, 1338, so early that the +slanting rays of the sun still lit up the north side of the Norman +church of St. Andrew, and cast a shadow seven times its height across +the dew-soaked meadows. + +<p>Betwixt the high ground where stood the church and the narrow creek, +known as the Hamble River, clustered the mud-walled and thatched-roof +houses of the village of Hamble-le-Rice. Away to the north could be +traced the course of the tree-fringed creek till it lost itself +behind a range of low hills, while in the other direction lay the +estuary of the river, where it mingled itself with the salt waves of +Southampton Water, which, in its turn, was backed by the dark, dense +masses of trees that formed that tract of country so well known in +history and romance—the New Forest. + +<p>Peaceful, indeed, was the situation of this quiet little Hampshire +village, and peaceful also was the general existence of its +inhabitants. Situated on an out-of-the-way angle, far from the old +Roman highway that led from Clausentum to Portchester, and at that +period, as now, formed the highway between Southampton and +Portsmouth, Hamble village was all but cut off from the rest of the +world. Save for an occasional visit by the grey-robed monks from the +Priory of St. Mary and St. Edward at Netley, a chance journey of a +huckster or Chapman from Southampton or Winchester fairs, or the +unpreventable arrival of some vessel driven by stress of weather to +shelter in the estuary, strangers in the village were few and far +between. + +<p>Slow in thought, slower in speech, and backward in giving or taking +offence, yet terrible when roused to anger, the Hamble folk were +typical examples of the mediaeval English peasant whose descendants +have made history in all parts of the globe. + +<p>For years past the social condition of England had been in a +deplorable state. The strife between King Edward II. and De Spenser +on the one hand, and Queen Isabella and Mortimer on the other, had +encouraged lawlessness in all grades of society. Robbers, thieves, +murderers, and criminals of all kinds had multiplied to an enormous +degree, and were openly protected by the great barons, as being +useful tools in their hands. Guilds, founded for self-protective +measures, became instruments of oppression, and, generally speaking, +every man looked solely to his own interest. + +<p>But in the village of Hamble there was little to ruffle the even +tenor of its existence. Little did it matter whether the seamen of +Southampton had a feud with the men of the Cinque Ports, or whether +the monks of Beaulieu or Netley had a difference with the Bishop of +Winchester; but should a strange craft appear in the river, or a band +of marauders attempt to swoop down from the leafy fastnesses of +Waltham Chase, 'twas only necessary to ring the great bell of St. +Andrew's, and instantly the peaceful villagers would be turned into +an angry array of armed men, ready to sell their lives dearly in +defence of their hearths and homes. + +<p>But the time was at hand when Englishmen would have to sink their +differences and unite against a common foe. Edward III. had laid +claim to the throne of France, and, though the stake was a great one, +the enterprise was popular, inasmuch as the possibilities of +individual gain in the shape of plunder held out great inducements to +all classes of these island warriors. + +<p>On this particular morning early a man emerged from one of the houses +on the outskirts of the village, which, by reason of being built of +stone and being fair-sized, betokened that its owner was a man of +position—as far as the place was concerned. The house lay some two +hundred yards away from the rest, occupying the summit of an +even-crested ridge, and was surrounded by a palisade of stout pointed +stakes, that afforded complete protection against the attacks of any +ordinary band of adventurers. + +<p>The man was a tall, well-made individual, with a bronzed face +surmounted by a thick crop of reddish hair, and partially concealed +by a heavy beard, that grew high upon his cheeks. Bushy eyebrows +helped to further conceal his face, but any one could see from the +grey glint of his blue eyes that the profusion of hair covered a +comely countenance. + +<p>A well-worn leather jerkin, that had once been of a vivid red colour, +but was now nearly black with hard usage, failed to conceal the +mighty expanse of his chest, while the short sleeves of the garment +fitted tightly over the gnarled muscles of his arms. His lower limbs +were also covered by leathern hose, which, by reason of exposure to +salt water and the rough wear and tear of daily toil, were now +colourless and frayed till all semblance of dressed leather was +lacking. His legs, however, though of great size, did not betoken an +equality with the strength of his arms, and, moreover, he walked with +a slight limp. + +<p>A crimson scarf, bound tightly round his head, did duty for a +head-dress, while from a narrow black belt hung a short dagger on his +right side, counterbalanced by a leather purse or pouch on his left. + +<p>Over his shoulder he bore a pair of long ash oars, their blades still +covered with a deposit of dry mud, while in his left hand he carried +a six-foot yew-bow, which, unstrung, was as straight as a lance. + +<p>Redward Buckland, for such was his name, was not a Hamble man in the +strict sense of the word, yet so good-natured and easy-going was he, +so upright in his dealings, and withal a man of such great bodily +strength, that he was a popular member of the little community. + +<p>Of his past he said little, and was asked but little. He had been +master bowman in a company, had served against the Scots at +Bannockburn, with the Gascons in their feudal bickerings, and there +was hardly a castle in Normandy, Maine, Touraine, Anjou, Poitou, or +Limousin that he did not know. + +<p>Eleven years prior to the time of this story he suddenly appeared at +Hamble, bringing with him his son Raymond, then a child five years of +age. Men often talked of their coming; the bowman, in rusty +brigandine and dented headpiece, the boy, a lusty, laughing +youngster, perched on his shoulder, a wain jogging behind with a +heavy load of rich stuff—booty from many a foreign part—the like of +which had never before been seen in Hamble. + +<p>Thereupon he purchased a farmhouse, and settled down with the +intention of passing the rest of his days in comfort. Being a highly +religious man—though, like most of his companions in arms, he could +swear roundly at times—Redward Buckland acted in accordance with the +custom of the times. Four marks and a seven-pound candle of pure wax +he gave to the priory at Netley, and a gold-embroidered cloth to the +church of St. Andrew at Hamble. + +<p>These presents he accounted sufficient atonement and thankoffering +alike for delinquencies and deliverances from peril during his +sojourn abroad, and thence-forth he meant to live a quiet, +well-ordered life, though, unable to resist the call to arms, he had +served in short campaigns against the Scots, and had but a year +previously crossed the Channel to take part in the Battle of Cadsand. +Yet Hamble was his home, and to Hamble he returned as soon as each +particular expedition had ended. + +<p>Raymond Buckland, now a lad of sixteen, had little in common with his +father as far as appearance went. He was tall, slim, yet well-knit, +with curly flaxen hair, though the colour had a redeeming tinge of +reddish-gold that is necessary to impart a warmth to what would +otherwise be a lustreless head of hair. He moved with a grace and +ease that contrasted vividly with his father's comparatively awkward +gait, but his limbs were not wanting in strength. + +<p>A vigorous outdoor life had done much to develop his frame. Mentally +Raymond was well educated, according to the standard of the age, +having but recently returned from the Cistercian priory at Netley, +where for the last seven years he had been a novice. His long +intercourse with a monastic life had somewhat deadened his natural +inclinations, but since his return to the outside world the active +delights of youth seemed sweeter still. + +<p>"Hasten, Raymond," said his father, pausing to look back towards the +house, where the youth still lingered. "The young flood hath just +begun, and tide tarries for no man! And," he added, "fail not to +bring my quiver with the black-feathered arrows." + +<p>"And can I bring my crossbow?" inquired Raymond. + +<p>His father gave a gruff yet good-natured assent, and, resuming his +walk, sauntered gently towards the river. + +<p>Before he had passed the church Raymond had overtaken him, carrying +the quiver in his left hand, while across his back was slung a short +yet powerful crossbow, his own quiver with its stock of heavy +quarrels hanging from his belt. + +<p>"Ha! That crossbow again!" exclaimed Redward, in good-natured +contempt. "'Tis strange that an English boy should lean towards a +windlac-drawn weapon rather than a sturdy yew-bow. An thou wert a +Provençal or Genoese I could have understood it." + +<p>"Why, father?" + +<p>"Why, forsooth! Thou wert made a sturdy Englishman, with sinews and +muscles wherewith to bend an honest longbow—not to have to turn a +handle, like a butter-making wench, ere the bolt can be shot. And, +moreover, suppose thou wert matched against an archer; before thy +weapon were levelled I'll warrant there would be a dozen cloth-yard +shafts bristling in thine hide—though one would be enough, I trow!" + +<p>"But the Genoese?" + +<p>"The Genoese, my son, were ever underhanded fighters, preferring to +cause a gaping wound with a quarrel rather than a wholesome hole with +an arrow. 'Tis said that on more than one occasion the Pope hath +forbidden the use of the crossbow, and that the Second Lateran +Council, a hundred years ago, did likewise." + +<p>"How, then, do we find the crossbow still in use?" + +<p>"I cannot tell, Raymond, save it be the natural perversity of men. +But here we are at the shore." + +<p>They had passed through the village, between rows of thatched +cottages. Smoke was already beginning to issue from the hole in the +roof that did duty for a chimney, showing that the inhabitants were +early astir. The narrow road plunged sharply down to the mud-fringed +shores of the river, for the tide was low, and long flats of +treacherous slime extended almost from bank to bank, save for a +channel of deep water midway between. + +<p>With the air of a man who is thoroughly acquainted with the place, +Redward Buckland followed an almost invisible path—termed throughout +uncountable ages a Hard—that led across the mud flats to the edge of +the water, Raymond treading carefully at his heels. At the end of the +Hard lay a large, bluff-bowed boat, and, pulling the craft ashore by +a length of rope, the archer tossed the oars into it and beckoned to +his son to jump on board. + +<p>"Whither are we going, father?" asked Raymond, as his sire pushed +off, stepped awkwardly into the boat, and began to haul on board the +heavy stone that served as an anchor. + +<p>"Up the river to Botley, my son there to see Master Nicholas Hobbes." + +<p>"And who is he?" rejoined Raymond with the inquisitiveness of youth. + +<p>"Master Hobbes, of the city of Winton, is a fletcher, and his arrows +are well known as the very best in the country. Also he brings with +him a stock of bows made by Master Ford, whose fame as a bowyer +extends well beyond the borders of Hamptonshire." + +<p>"But why buy arrows, father; surely thou canst make thine own?" + +<p>"Ah, Raymond! Raymond!" replied his father, shaking his head +doubtfully, "thou hast yet to learn that though I could fashion mine +own weapons, yet custom demands that I get them from a member of the +honourable guild of bowyers and fletchers. Didst ever hear of a +belted knight welding his own coat of mail?" + +<p>The boy, in truth, had yet to learn of the existence of the powerful +guilds, or combinations of trades, which, founded for the purpose of +self-protection against the rapacity of the barons and the +lawlessness of their retainers, became strong enough to be regarded +with respect by these turbulent personages. As the guilds grew they +obtained charters from their sovereign, till they reached a state +that enabled them to deal harshly with those without the pale. Thus, +for instance, any man following the occupation of a tanner "not being +free"—<i>i.e.</i> made a member of a guild—was amerced, or fined, or +even subjected to corporal punishment. + +<p>Urged by the archer's long, powerful strokes the boat shot up-stream +with the tide, passing between steeply rising banks, where the +freshly leafed trees cast dark shadows across the verdant fields. +Raymond sat on the stern-thwart, looking with silent admiration on +the scene, for, as far as he could remember, it was his first +experience of a journey by water. + +<p>At length they came to a place where on the western side a smaller +creek joined the river. Redward rested on his oars and looked towards +the mud banks, which were even now nearly covered by the rising +water. + +<p>"We have hurried apace," he remarked, "and 'tis even too soon to go +right up to the town. This is called Badnam Creek, and, by St. +George, I'll wager we'll find some waterfowl amongst the reeds. Take +thy crossbow, Raymond, and I'll pit my six-foot bow against it." + +<p>Eagerly the boy took his weapon and wound the windlac till the +highly-drawn string clicked against the catch. Then he fitted a bolt, +and, having done so, turned to watch his sire's movements. The archer +had already notched the cord, and the bow, with a couple of arrows, +lay on the thwart by his side. + +<p>"Steady, my son!" exclaimed the archer in alarm. "Be careful where +thou pointest that hell-designed toy. 'Tis bad enough to have a +foeman's shaft through one leg without having mine own son's bolt +through the other. Hold it over the side, I pray thee!" + +<p>The boat was run amid a cluster of reeds, and the twain waited +silently and eagerly for some sign of feathered life. They were not +kept long in suspense, for from a marsh hard by came two wild geese, +their necks extended and their wings flapping noisily as they flew. + +<p>"Quick, Raymond!" whispered his father, "loose directly they are +overhead!" + +<p>In his excitement the youth sprang to his feet, and poised his +crossbow. + +<p>But alas for his inexperience! Unaccustomed to the swaying of the +boat he lost his balance and fell backwards across the thwart; his +crossbow twanged, and with a deep humming sound the quarrel flew +aimlessly into space. + +<p>In a moment Raymond raised himself into a sitting position, only to +see his father loose his second arrow. + +<p>"And thou hast missed also!" he exclaimed in a tone of reproach. + +<p>"Peace, lad; wait and see!" + +<p>The birds still continued their passage, one gliding with wings +outstretched, the other still beating the air with redoubled haste; +then, even as they looked, both birds swayed in their flight, and +fell into the water within two score paces of each other. + +<p>Without further remark Redward pushed the boat clear of the reeds, +and rowed towards his spoil. One of the geese was still transfixed by +an arrow, the other's neck had a small wound, showing that the shaft +had passed completely through it. + +<p>"Another groat gone!" exclaimed the archer, ruefully contemplating +the bird that had failed to stop the arrow. "But that was a grand +shot of thine, Raymond, I trow," he added in a bantering tone; +"'twas not learned of the monks of Netley?" + +<p>Then, observing a flush of mortification overspread the boy's +features, he continued, "Never mind, my son, even the best archer in +the kingdom would be at a loss in a small boat at first." + +<p>Presently they rounded an abrupt spur of land on their left, and came +to a spot where the creek narrowed considerably, being enclosed by +lofty hills on either side. A broad white road descended these hills +to the water's edge, where it was broken by the flowing tide. A rough +wooden hut, with a large open boat close at hand, marked the spot +where wayfarers were ferried across to the opposite side, where a +horn, chained to a post, was blown as a signal to attract the +ferryman. + +<p>"This is the road 'twixt Southampton and Portsmouth," said the +archer, indicating the dusty streak by a nod of his head. "At +Bursledon, on this side, is the fortalice of the Hewitts, though from +here 'tis hidden by the trees. On the other side is Swanwick Shore, +whence come some of the best mariners who man the cogs of +Southampton. But, mark ye! Here comes a great company of armed men; +by St. Etienne of Tours, it makes my heart glad to hear the clatter +of harness once more! I wonder under whose banners they march?" + +<p>And resting on his oars, Redward Buckland shaded his eyes from the +glare of the sun, and peered steadfastly up the hill where the white +road was now alive with men, a grey cloud of dust hanging over them +like a marsh mist in autumn, through which the Cross of St. George +blazoned on the white surcoats of the archers stood out bravely +against the dark foliage. + +<p>When the vanguard reached the foot of the hill, a bowshot from where +the watchers sat in their little craft, a tucket sounded and the +company halted. + +<p>Then Redward's accustomed eyes lighted upon their banner, which bore +a golden half-moon on an azure field, and unable to contain himself, +he stood upright, waving his cap in boisterous delight. + +<p>"By Our Lady, 'tis as I thought—the company of the Governor of +Portchester! Haste we to the shore, Raymond, that I may welcome mine +old comrades!" + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter02"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER II</h3> + +<h5 align="center">THE SHADOW OF WAR</h5> + +<p> +A FEW strokes and the boat's keel grated on the shingle. Redward +sprang out, hastily secured the craft, and strode towards the crowd +of armed men, Raymond following closely at his heels. + +<p>Again a tucket sounded, and the ranks broke, most of the archers +throwing themselves down by the roadside, as if weary of foot; the +mounted men-at-arms led their horses to the grassy glades of the +wood, while a couple of squires rode towards the water's edge to +summon the ferryman. + +<p>On reaching the outskirts of the throng the old archer looked around +to try and recognise some of his former comrades; nor did he look in +vain. + +<p>"Red Buckland, by the Rood!" exclaimed a bronzed and bearded +man-at-arms, seizing him vigorously by the hand. "Right glad am I to +see thee again. Ho, Giles, Wat, Dick!" he shouted to some of his +comrades, "come hither and greet an old friend!" + +<p>The pair were instantly surrounded by a mob of archers—burly, +bearded men, rough in speech and coarse in manner, yet full-hearted, +honest soldiers, the backbone of the feudalism of mediaeval England. + +<p>Raymond stood at the edge of the circle of men, gazing open-mouthed +at the unusual sight and listening with youthful eagerness, not +unmixed with feelings of awe, as the archers talked, fighting their +battles o'er again, or discussed their future movements. + +<p>"'Twill be Francewards again ere long," remarked one, a man-at-arms, +who, having removed his headpiece, disclosed a close crop of hair +furrowed by a long white mark, the legacy of a Norman's axe. "Word +came yesternight that we had to repair to Hampton to join the army +that the King leads across the Channel." + +<p>"Would I were with you, comrades," said Redward, wistfully gazing on +the accoutrements of the troops, the sight of which roused old +memories of camp and battlefield. + +<p>"And wherefore not," replied another. "There's more to be made in a +week's march in France than ten years' delving in Merry England. Ay, +and I'll warrant that ere long there'll be nought but old men, women, +and babes left to guard our hearths." + +<p>"Then I must be reckoned amongst the old men," replied Redward, with +a mirthful laugh. "Though, methinks, at two score and fifteen years, +I am not yet too aged to strike a shrewd blow or to receive hard +knocks!" + +<p>"Then why tarry?" + +<p>"Didst ever have a son, Dickon?" + +<p>"Nay," replied the man, shaking his head. "Neither kith nor kin have +I in this world, save my comrades." + +<p>"Then thou knowest not how a man's whole being can be wrapped up in +his child. I have a son—he stands yonder. How could I leave him—a +boy of sixteen—to fare for himself while I follow the banners of +England in foreign parts?" + +<p>"But thou hast done so aforetimes?" + +<p>"Ay, but then the boy was in safe keeping in the abbey of Netley. Now +that he is too old, seeing that it is my wish and his desire not to +remain within the priory walls, I must needs stay with him." + +<p>"Red Buckland, thou art becoming chicken-hearted in thine old age. +The boy—a lusty youth he looks—cannot remain with thee for ever," +argued the soldier. "Now, what say you; join our company once again, +and bring him with thee? Methinks there are many such, nay, even +younger and of less frame and brawn, who have already set out for the +wars. Come, now; again I ask thee, wilt join?" + +<p>"Dickon, thou dost press me hard so that I can scarce refuse. Yet no +answer will I give till I have spoken with my boy." + +<p>At that moment a trumpet sounded, and the men stood to their arms, +forming up in two lines on either side of the road. The archers, +armed with short swords or axes in addition to the deadly longbow, +faced the men-at-arms, who, protected with breastplate, iron helmet, +gorget and greaves, grasped their twelve-foot spears, gazing +steadfastly in front as their leader rode slowly between the lines. + +<p>Sir John Hacket, Constable of the King's Castle at Portchester, and +Governor of the Town of Portsmouth (to give him his official title), +was then in his fortieth year, yet, from the effects of campaigning +under exceptional circumstances in all parts of Western Europe, he +looked considerably older, his hair being a snowy white, contrasting +vividly with his brick-red complexion. + +<p>He was accoutred <i>cap-à-pie</i> in banded mail with aillettes, +rerebraces, vambraces, and roundels, his richly embroidered surcoat +being emblazoned with his arms. + +<p>By his left side hung a long falchion, while over the right hip was +the <i>misericorde</i>, or dagger, with which a knight demanded his +dismounted adversary's surrender or else gave him a <i>coup de grâce</i>. + +<p>On his head he wore a flat cap of crimson velvet, his steel bascinet +being carried by a squire; while a mounted man-at-arms bore his lance. + +<p>As he proceeded between the lines of armed men, noting with +undisguised satisfaction their martial bearing, Sir John's glance +fell upon Redward and his son as they stood, with a knot of +spectators from the neighbouring village, a little way behind the +archers. + +<p>"Certes," he cried to one of his attendant squires, "'tis my old +master-bowman! Bring him hither." + +<p>Thus Redward, with doffed cap, found himself once again before his +beloved chief. + +<p>"Ah, Buckland, I see the blood of a good old stock still flows in thy +veins," he said, after questioning him over various matters +pertaining to his welfare, "I trust I shall see thee again under my +banner anon!" And setting spurs to his charger the knight rode to the +edge of the river, leaving the old archer tormented with thoughts of +the rival claims of home and camp. + +<p>The work of transporting the detachment across the Hamble river +proceeded apace, the whole of the operations being under the personal +supervision of the Constable; and, true to the usages of warfare, the +task was carried out in strictly military fashion. + +<p>First a vanguard of archers and men-at-arms was ferried across, the +party taking up an extended formation on the opposite shore. Then +came the main body, with the mounted men-at-arms, the horses being +conveyed across in a large flat-bottomed boat. Leaving only a +rear-guard, Sir John and his personal attendants then crossed, and +finally the rear-guard followed, leaving Redward Buckland and his son +gazing wistfully after them from the other shore. + +<p>"Heart alive, Raymond," said his father. "We, too, must be on the +move, for the tide will not serve much longer." And pushing off, they +turned the boat's head up-stream and continued their journey. + +<p>"Didst hear what the archers said but now?" inquired Redward, resting +on his oars, and looking doubtfully at his son, as if half afraid +that the fighting strain would not manifest itself. + +<p>"Ay, father!" + +<p>"And what thinkest thou?" + +<p>"I would go Francewards with thee." + +<p>"Heaven be praised, my son! I was afraid that the monks of Netley had +made thee fitted for nought but a life within a monastery; yet thou +wouldst do well to ponder over this matter, for a life midst the +sound of arms is not lightly taken up. Thou hast seen but little of +the world, and look only on the glowing side of a soldier's life. The +risks and hardships of forced marches, famine, sickness, ay, and +possibly defeat, cannot be lightly put aside, though, when once +passed, one is apt to look back upon them as but trifling +adventures." + +<p>"Nevertheless, I would fain go to France and fight for our King to +help him in his just enterprise." + +<p>Poor Raymond! little did he think that there would be fighting in +plenty in store for him ere he set foot on French soil! + +<p>There were nearly four miles to be covered ere their destination was +reached, and, though favoured by the tide, the work of pulling a +heavy boat began to tell even on the hardy frame of the archer, so, +in reply to Raymond's entreaty to be allowed to take the oars, his +sire consented and relinquished the heavy sticks. + +<p>But his son's attempt at rowing failed to please his exacting father, +especially when the blades threw up showers of spray under the +vigorous yet inexperienced efforts of the young man. + +<p>"Steady, Raymond! I would fain arrive at Botley with a dry skin, and +methinks, a little less strength would avail better! Put thy back +into it, my boy, rather than thine arms—so! I call to mind when I +rowed down the Scheldt in a pitch-dark night, when the splash of an +oar or the creaking of a thole would have loosened a hail of arrows +from five hundred archers on either bank." + +<p>"Tell me about it, father?" + +<p>"Nay, lad; the story will keep. But look ahead. Dost mark a row of +black posts standing above the water on yonder side?" + +<p>Raymond looked. + +<p>"Yes; but what are they?" + +<p>"All that is left of what was once a Danish galley, the scourge of +our shore. There she lies, much the same as when burned by the great +Alfred, now five hundred years or more ago. May a like fate befall +every foreign craft that comes to harry our coasts!" + +<p>Soon the channel became yet narrower, till the trees on the opposite +banks met overhead. Redward had resumed the oars, and bend after bend +of the river soon slipped past. + +<p>"There's Botley Mill," said he, pointing to a low building, +thatched-roofed and enclosed by walls of timber and mud, while above +the rustle of the trees could be heard the dull roar of the stream as +it swept under the water-wheel. + +<p>At a landing-place close to the road they left the boat and walked up +a short, steep incline to where the houses of the town encompassed +the market-place. + +<p>"Ah, there is Master Hobbes," said Redward, indicating a short, +full-bodied man, clad in a suit of green cloth, who, surrounded by a +crowd of yeomen and villagers, was disposing of his stock of arrows +to the accompaniment of the latest news of the city of Winchester, +and the prospects of the war against the French. + +<p>"Ho, gossip!" cried the archer. "Hast aught of thy stock left for +me?" + +<p>"Ay, Master Buckland," replied the other, "'twould be an evil day for +me if I failed to supply the good folk of Hamble with +arrows—particularly thy noble self," he added with a servile bow. + +<p>"Tut! tut!" growled the archer deprecatingly. "A truce to such +compliments. These the arrows? A goodly bundle! But—stand aside with +me a moment—how fares it with him?" he added in a mysterious manner. + +<p>"As before no better, though perchance a trifle worse!" + +<p>"But has he ceased to——" + +<p>"Nay, nay! Far from it." + +<p>"Ah!" muttered the archer moodily, "'tis as I feared, though not for +myself. Then, perchance he has had tidings?" + +<p>"That I cannot say." + +<p>"That being so, Nick, I had best be on the move overseas, under Sir +John Hacket's banner once again. That I'll do, and take Raymond with +me! Thanks, good Master Hobbes," he added in a louder tone. "'Tis as +I said before, a goodly bundle. God speed you!" + +<p>And taking the arrows from the fletcher's hand, Redward called to his +son to follow him and strode rapidly back to the boat. + +<p>During the return journey Raymond noticed that something was amiss. +His sire relapsed into a stony silence, treating any question with an +unusual disregard that showed that his thoughts were far away. This +puzzled Raymond, and he strove to find some reason for this +unlooked-for reticence, the reference to the mysterious "he" which he +had overheard persistently coming uppermost in his mind. Yet never a +word on the subject did the boy let fall, and it was in no little +bewilderment that he followed his father from the Hard back to the +house on the hill-top. + +<p>The interior of Buckland's home was plainly yet well furnished after +the style of the age. Glass in the windows there was none, oiled +linen doing duty for that then costly material. The floor of the +livingroom was strewn with rushes, the walls hung with woven material +and skins of animals. Portions of armour such as were worn by +men-at-arms, a few bucklers, and a medley of arms also found places +on the walls, while in a corner was a bundle of bows and two cases of +arrows. In the centre was a log fire, the sweet-smelling reek of the +pine logs finding its way through a hole in the roof. The sleeping +apartment opened out of this room, the building being but +one-storeyed. + +<p>As darkness set in Redward secured the doors with a massive bar of +wood, heaped more logs on the fire, and lighted a couple of +rushlights. + +<p>His fit of depression had passed, and he resumed his usual +cheerfulness of manner. Going into one of the adjoining rooms he +caught hold of a huge oak chest, which, in spite of his strength, +took all the power at his command to move. At length the chest was +dragged across the threshold into the larger room; then, sitting down +on a settle, the archer breathlessly gazed upon it with evident +satisfaction. + +<p>"Since it is fated that we go to the wars together," said he, "'tis +fitting that thou shouldst be properly attired and armed. Let us see +what this chest will provide." + +<p>And, unlocking a strange yet strongly made clasp, Redward threw open +the lid, and for a moment the boy's eyes were dazzled with the +martial nature of its contents. There was a complete suit of armour, +similar to that worn by the Constable of Portchester, though lacking +the rich ornamentations, other portions of armour, and a small store +of equipments such as were worn by mounted men-at-arms and soldiers +of superior quality. + +<p>Redward noticed the flash of excitement in his son's eyes as they +lighted upon the suit of armour. + +<p>"Nay, my son," said he, "'tis not for thee—at least, not till thou +hast proved worthy of it. Here is a suitable garb, a quilted and +padded coat—a trifle large for thee, perhaps, yet 'tis better to err +on the generous side. This I found at the sack of Tournai, and 'tis +warranted to turn a swordcut or to stop an arrow at two score paces. +This breast-plate will also serve—and this steel cap. Now as to thy +arms Here is a sword, slightly heavy for thee, yet anon thou'lt +become accustomed to the feel of it, though a bowman stands an ill +chance should he suffer a troop of lances to come within striking +distance! Now into yonder corner throw thy crossbow, for, as I have +shown, 'tis but a clumsy and unwieldy tool for an Englishman. Here is +a better—a full-sized English longbow; that is the king of weapons! +To-morrow we'll hie to the butts, and ere a week hath passed a sturdy +archer thou'lt be or thou art no son of mine!" + +<p>Raymond took the proffered articles and, with the pride of youth, +fitted them on, to the no small satisfaction of his sire. Still +garbed in his martial attire, he remained for a space listening to +his father's tales of past campaigns, till at length, worn out with +excitement, he retired for the night. + +<p>When he had gone, Redward pored over the contents of the chest, +handling each article with an almost reverent care, then replacing +everything save Raymond's accoutrements, he relocked the heavy box, +and was soon tossing uneasily on his rough couch. + +<p>For over an hour Redward lay awake pondering over the events of the +day, but just as sleep was about to gain the mastery, a hoarse shout +fell upon his ear. Another followed, and a veritable babel of shrieks +betokened that something untoward was happening in the village. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter03"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER III</h3> + +<h5 align="center">OF THE MIDNIGHT DESCENT OF THE FRENCH INVADERS</h5> + +<p> +THE first shout was enough to rouse the old archer into active +alertness, for, with his experience of camp life, he was accustomed +to awaken readily at the least noise. Hastily springing up, he rushed +to the window, swung aside the wooden flap and the flimsy fabric that +served to admit the light, and looked out. The darkness was intense, +save for some small tongues of dark red flame that were beginning to +shoot up from one of the houses near the waterside, the fire casting +a dull glare upon the neighbouring buildings and serving but to +intensify the inky blackness of the night. + +<p>"A fire," he said aloud, yet on second thoughts the ever-increasing +shrieks, groans, shouts, and curses that were borne on the air belied +his surmise. Moreover, his quick ear detected commands and +ejaculations in a foreign language—the tongues of Picardy, Normandy, +and Spain. + +<p>His ready brain grasped the situation—it must be a raid by the +French and Spaniards, who at that time swarmed in the English +Channel. + +<p>These inroads upon our shores by the French during the Hundred Years' +War are apt to be ignored or lightly passed over by modern +historians, yet during a time when England was busy pouring the best +of her blood and treasure into France there was hardly a town on the +South Coast that escaped the ravages of the French and their allies, +the Spaniards and Genoese. + +<p>"Awake! awake! Raymond!" shouted his father. "The French are upon +us!" + +<p>Raymond sprang up and began to hastily don his clothes, while the +archer laid hands on every heavy article in the room, barricading the +door and securing the windows. Then, having made ready his bow, he +again looked out towards the village. + +<p>By this time a series of unequal combats were taking place in the +narrow streets or within the houses, where the terrified inhabitants +were being routed out like rabbits. All who came across the path of +the ruthless invaders were cut down without mercy—men, women, and +children—while their homes were being plundered and afterwards fired +by men to whom the sacking of a town was almost a familiar task. + +<p>To add to the din the church bell was ringing a violent tocsin, and +all who were able to escape fled either to the stout Norman tower to +seek shelter, or else across the open country towards the town of +Southampton. + +<p>Raymond, white-faced with pardonable fear and shaking in every limb, +now joined his father. Flight for them was now out of the question, +for already some of the foemen had passed the house, hard in pursuit +of a party of fugitives, the slowest of whom fell under the weapons +of the relentless marauders. Like bloodhounds on the trail, this band +of pursuers passed by the solitary house, ignoring its existence or +else meaning to plunder it at their leisure after the chase of the +fugitives was ended. + +<p>Suddenly four or five dark figures, silhouetted against the now +bright glare of the burning village, came running up the hill and +headed straight for the house. + +<p>"Quickly, Raymond, notch a shaft!" hissed the archer, and setting an +example, he fitted an arrow to his bow and waited, with the weapon +slightly bent, the opportunity to let fly. + +<p>"By St. George, they are our friends!" exclaimed Redward. + +<p>"Andrew Walter! Dick!" he shouted. "This way, for your lives, and ye +are safe!" And throwing his great bulk against the barricade behind +the door, he moved it sufficiently to enable the door to be opened to +admit the fugitives. + +<p>Then the furniture was replaced against the door, and the men sank +breathless and panic-stricken on the floor. There were six in all, so +that the little garrison now amounted to eight men, whereof three had +had experience in warfare. + +<p>"Get ye up!" ordered Redward roughly. "Think ye that I opened my +doors to allow a set of cowardly curs to lie about my hearth? Up with +ye!" + +<p>Stung by the rebuke, the men armed themselves with bow and sword, +gripping their weapons with newborn resolve. + +<p>"Ah, by Our Lady, 'tis well ye look on the right side o' things. But +if we are to see the light of another day we must stand firm," said +the archer grimly. "And," he added, "let no man loose bow till I give +the word, and may God and St. George look favourably upon us this +night!" + +<p>"Ay, gossip!" replied Walter Bevis, a veteran of Falkirk. "An' if we +cannot live we can at least die like Englishmen! But, who comes?" + +<p>Another dark figure came flying up the hill, hotly pursued by half a +score of Frenchmen. + +<p>"'Tis Will Lightfoot, of Hook!" replied one of the defenders. "Run, +Will, run!" + +<p>"Now loose!" cried Redward, and immediately five arrows flew on their +deadly errand. It was the first time that Raymond had seen a shaft +sped in anger, and the sight thrilled him strangely. The pursuers, +standing out strongly against the glare, made easy marks; four of +them fell face forwards on the ground, writhing in mortal agony; the +fifth, struck in the right fore-arm, dropped his sword and yelled +lustily. The others, amazed at meeting with any attempt at organised +resistance, turned and fled towards the village, two more falling as +the result of a second flight of the deadly arrows. + +<p>Will Lightfoot, holding a dagger in his left hand and a broken sword +in his right, came up to the improvised fortress with an easy stride, +for his name well suited him amid the encouraging shouts of his +friends. + +<p>"Wait while I unbar the door," called Redward to the fugitive, at the +same time directing the others to assist him in removing the +barricade. + +<p>"Nay, keep the door fast; the villains will be here anon," replied +Lightfoot. "I'll find a way in." + +<p>And suiting the action to the word, he sprang on a low fence, and +from thence vaulted easily on to the thatched roof. Getting a grip +with his broken sword and dagger, he ran up the sloping roof of +thatch like a cat, and dropped through the aperture that did duty for +a chimney, and alighted in the midst of the smouldering logs on the +hearth. + +<p>"Pardon, friends, for my mode of entry," he exclaimed. "But methinks +the mischief I have done to thy roof, Master Buckland, will ill +compare with the damage that our attackers will do ere a few hours +are spent." + +<p>In the lull that followed the besieged took steps to strengthen their +defences. Redward brought out a large oaken chest filled with arrows, +whereat his son wondered all the more at the reason for the journey +to Botley on the previous day. Thick boards were spiked to the +windows, dividing each opening into two oylets, or slots for +discharging arrows, while on the side where no windows existed a few +of the stones were removed so as to form an additional outlook +commanding the hitherto invisible ground on the north. + +<p>Food they had sufficient for three or four days, but water was +scarce. This necessary they must procure, so once again the door was +opened, and Raymond crept out stealthily with two leathern jacks to +procure some of the precious fluid from the well, while the others +crowded to the loopholes to cover his retreat if molested. + +<p>With an indescribable feeling of fear, mingled with the dread of +being thought a coward by the defenders, Raymond did his work +silently and quickly. Thrice did he go to the well, till there was +sufficient water stored in the house to last for a considerable +time. + +<p>All the while the shouts, groans, and cries continued, the crackling +and roaring of the flames making a fitting accompaniment, and giving +evidence that resistance was still being kept up in another quarter. + +<p>At length the pale dawn began to show a welcome change to the anxious +men, on whom the weary waiting told far more than the actual +struggle. + +<p>Gradually the daylight increased, and by its aid the besieged were +able to realise more fully their hazardous position. Nearly every +house was in flames, some even now reduced to a heap of glowing +ashes. Here and there the corpse of a Spaniard or a Frenchman showed +that, in spite of the surprise, the attack had been fiercely opposed. +Those villagers who had taken refuge in the church tower still +resisted, though, from the desultory arrows that came from the top of +the structure, it was evident that their store of missiles was +well-nigh exhausted. + +<p>The invaders, too, were aware of this, for those wearing armour +advanced also to the base of the tower, avoiding, however, the pieces +of stone that the desperate men detached from the pinnacles and +hurled down on their adversaries. Others, keeping further off, shot +their bolts at the tower, stamping and jumping as if to terrify their +quarry. Some of the foreign crossbowmen were so close to the house +that sheltered Buckland's party that they could hear the clicking of +their moulinets and the deep bass hum of the strings as the quarrels +sped towards the mark. + +<p>Out in mid-stream, their hulls swinging to the tide, lay three long, +low-lying galleys, and between them and the shore a number of small +boats were rowing to and fro, those putting off being full of +plunder; and as fast as each little craft discharged its load into +the capacious hold of its parent galley it returned to the shore to +remove some of the huge heap of booty, which was still being +replenished by parties of foragers. + +<p>Loud and long were the maledictions of the men in Redward's house, as +they saw their homes given to the flames and their kinsfolk and +friends either cruelly murdered or else houseless fugitives; but soon +their attention was riveted on the final scene in the resistance of +those on the church tower. + +<p>The crossbowmen redoubled their fire, and, covered by the heavy rain +of missiles, a party of men-at-arms advanced with their shields held +over their heads. A shower of blows with their heavy battle-axes soon +splintered the oaken door, and when at length only a few fragments +of wood and the bent and battered remains of the massive hinges +remained, the men retreated in the same order, though two were left +lying crushed beneath a ponderous piece of coping that the assailed +had toppled over. + +<p>Already the church was sacked. Crucifixes, candlesticks, +altar-cloths, rich vestments, and tapestries had been ruthlessly +taken off to the galleys; while the priest, with a score of persons, +men, women and children, who had vainly sought sanctuary, lay dead +within the altar rails. + +<p>And now a body of lightly-armed men—Spaniards, judging by their +swarthy complexions—advanced, bearing bundles of straw and faggots, +almost unmolested, for the arrows of the besieged had long given out, +and the hail of bolts from the crossbows skimmed across the top of +the parapet like hail. The men reached the base of the tower, where +they heaped their burdens within the doorway. + +<p>A lighted torch was applied to the fuel, and a tongue of flame, +darting from amid the thick cloud of suffocating smoke, licked the +grim stone walls, while the spiral staircase, acting like a lofty +chimney, fanned the fire till it glowed like a potter's furnace. + +<p>A ring of armed men surrounded the tower. The crossbowmen, their work +done, ceased their firing, discharging only an occasional bolt as the +tormented wretches on the tower, unable to bear the choking heat, +showed themselves above the protection of the parapet. Some of the +defenders, maddened by their agony, threw themselves headlong; +others, sword in hand, attempted to descend the stairs, and hurl +themselves upon their enemies, though they perished in the flames +long before they reached the ground; others, defying and cursing the +invaders, shook their weapons in impotent rage, till a well-directed +quarrel or the rapidly-increasing flames claimed the last of the +gallant band of forgotten heroes. + +<p>When resistance in this quarter was at an end, the invaders were free +to direct their energies against the solitary stone house that had +already wrought great mischief upon them; and, led by two knights in +complete armour, the men-at-arms began to fall in in close order at a +distance of two hundred paces from where Redward Buckland and his +devoted companions awaited the onslaught. + +<p>"With yonder ruin to serve as an example," said the master-bowman, +pointing to the flaming tower, "we must fight to the death. While +there is yet time it would be well that each man doth confess his +sins for the betterment of his soul." + +<p>So saying, all the defenders knelt down reverently, though Redward, +trained soldier that he was, kept an eye on their gathering foes. The +prayers <i>in extremis</i> were hurriedly said; then, in the absence of a +friar, they confessed to each other, according to the Roman custom +when in peril of death. One of the villagers produced a slip of the +Holy Thorn, brought from the miraculous tree of Glastonbury, and this +they all kissed devoutly in the hope of obtaining spiritual +consolation. + +<p>This done, they arose from their knees, embraced each other, and +hurried to their posts. + +<p>All preparations for the attack having apparently been completed, the +leaders advanced to the head of their men and harangued them, though +the distance was too great for the Englishmen to hear what was said. +This done, one of the knights closed his visor, and the other tried +to follow his example, but the calque, dented from the effects of a +blow, refused to allow the visor to descend. A couple of squires +sprang forward to aid their lord, and the group, standing well in +front of the rest, made a tempting mark. + +<p>Redward was quick to act. + +<p>"Quickly, Dick; nine score paces, and no windage!" + +<p>Dick, a lusty yet experienced archer, had already notched his bow and +fitted an arrow. Leaning slightly forward, and throwing all his +weight into the act of drawing the six-foot bow, the man loosed the +shaft. Even as it sped Buckland also let fly, and the defenders +anxiously awaited the result of their comrades' skill. + +<p>The first arrow struck and shivered itself against the uplifted visor +of the French knight; but Redward's fared better, for, hitting the +mail-clad figure under the raised arm, it sank deeply into the +leader's body. Amid a roar of execrations on the invaders' side, and +a hearty English cheer on the part of the bowmen, the knight +staggered and fell on his face. The two squires stood their ground +bravely, and with difficulty raised the ponderous armour-clad body of +their master and bore it to the rear. + +<p>"Here they come!" shouted the master-bowman. "See, they shoot! On +your faces, men!" + +<p>Crouching down behind the friendly shelter of the stone walls, the +eight defenders awaited the onslaught, Redward alone watching the +advance through a loophole, his head protected by an iron cap, while +he held a stout buckler over the aperture as an additional protection +against the deadly hail of arrows and bolts. + +<p>Raymond, crouching close to his father, felt that the bitterness of +death had passed; his terror had vanished, and he was as ready as the +rest to strike a blow in self-defence, though against tremendous +odds. The unfamiliar sound of the arrows striking the woodwork and +quivering with an indescribable <i>ping</i>, or shattering themselves +against the stonework, the invaders' war cry of "St. Denis," and the +metallic clanging of the advancing men-at-arms were signs of an +invisible enemy whom he was on the point of meeting in mortal combat, +and when, after a seemingly long and weary wait, the hail of arrows +slackened and he heard his father cry, "To arms!" he actually +welcomed what might prove to be his death-summons. + +<p>At the word of command the defenders sprang to their feet, rushed to +the loopholes, and fired as fast as they were able into the dense +masses of the advancing enemy. At that short range neither leathern +coat nor iron hauberk was proof against the deadly arrows, and man +after man fell writhing on the ground, their fall serving to dismay +their comrades and to cheer their antagonists. + +<p>Clambering over the low fencing, the men-at-arms still advanced; the +air was thick with the groans of the wounded and the shouts of "St. +Denis!" "Tuez les miserables!" "A bas les poltrons!" To which the +defenders answered not a word, but in grim silence discharged their +arrows into the disorderly press before them. + +<p>By sheer weight of numbers the French men-at-arms gained the front of +the house, and with reckless bravery attempted to tear away the +improvised defences. Bows were cast aside, and the defenders, seizing +swords and spears, made vicious thrusts through the loopholes as the +shadows of the enemy were thrown across them. + +<p>At length the planks across one of the windows gave way, and a crowd +of mail-clad warriors essayed to clamber through. Thereupon the +defenders retreated to the opposite wall, and resuming their bows, +volleyed their deadly shafts against the rash intruders, who, +overwhelmed by the concentration of arrows in the narrow space, gave +back in disorder. + +<p>Suddenly a figure clad from head to foot in plate armour—a form of +defensive mail only just coming into use—appeared in the window. In +vain the arrows rattled on the thrice-welded plate, and for a moment +it seemed certain that the intaking was accomplished. But Redward, +dropping his weapon, sprang forward, and before the mail-clad warrior +could swing his long and heavy sword, the archer had thrown himself +bodily upon the Frenchman. + +<p>Realising the danger, the man tried to return, but Redward, seizing +him in his powerful grip, strove to drag him into the house. Lying +across the window ledge, his bulk filling the whole aperture, the +Frenchman effectually prevented any of his comrades from coming to +his assistance, his mail-clad legs, kicking and sprawling without, +keeping his would-be helpers at a discreet distance. + +<p>Then came a terrific struggle, Redward heaving and hauling on his +enemy's bascinet, while the other tried his utmost to shake off the +relentless grip. Nothing short of the breaking of the laces of the +Frenchman's calque would release the man, and even then his +unprotected head would be pierced by a ready arrow. + +<p>The knight's resistance grew feebler, till at length a hollow voice +exclaimed, "Je me rends!" + +<p>"No quarter to base ravagers!" was the stern reply, and with a final +mighty heave Redward dragged the steel-clad warrior through the +window, and cast him with a sickening clang upon the stone floor. +Then, drawing the knight's own <i>misericorde</i>, he cut the laces of his +bascinet and plunged the dagger into his Adversary's throat. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter04"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER IV</h3> + +<h5 align="center">OF THE GALLANT STAND OF THE NINE ARCHERS</h5> + +<p> +DISMAYED by the fall of their second leader, the attackers retired +out of bowshot, leaving the nine defenders weary and spent, yet +exultant over their success. + +<p>Their respite, however, was short, for, joined by another body of men +from the galleys, the invaders again advanced, this time led by +another knight, a short, broad-shouldered man, cased, like his +unfortunate predecessor, in plate armour, over which he wore a yellow +surcoat charged with the arms of the Spinola family. + +<p>"Ah! A rascally Genoese!" exclaimed Redward as he saw the device. +"Now we must look to ourselves, for these Genoese combine the skill +of the French and the roguery and treachery of the Spaniards; +moreover, they have rendered a good account of themselves both by +land and sea in their wars with the State of Venice." + +<p>Halting at a safe distance, the crossbowmen, protected by mantlets, +faced the side of the house where the last attack had been made; a +body of men-at-arms deployed and took up a position on each of the +two adjacent sides; while a strong detachment of routiers, or +lightly-armed men, worked round to the rear, the house thus being +entirely surrounded. + +<p>Once again the hail of bolts began, and under the cover of this heavy +discharge the men-at-arms gained the walls without the slaughter that +marked their previous attempt. + +<p>With their axes they commenced a violent onslaught on the door, while +the defenders were almost without the means of replying, firing only +through the loopholes whenever a head appeared or a chance missile +was thrown into the room. + +<p>At length, emboldened by the slight resistance, one of the +men-at-arms was hoisted on the shoulders of two of his comrades, +whence he climbed upon the roof. Here he began to vigorously attack +the thatch for the purpose of annoying the besieged and diverting +their attempts to hold the door. + +<p>Alarmed by the noise overhead, Raymond took his despised crossbow, +and firing haphazard, sent a bolt through the roof. There was a loud +cry, and with a mass of thatch and broken rafters the body of the +soldier came crashing down, his chest transfixed by the thick, heavy +bolt. + +<p>Immediately Redward was hoisted up to the gaping hole, and, +regardless of the danger of being picked off by an arrow, he hurled a +small sack of quicklime upon the men who were battering at the door. + +<p>Blinded by the powerful chemical they gave way, and ran screeching +with agony, their leader circling round in an aimless manner, +striving the while to tear off his bascinet and clear his eyes from +the dust that was slowly and surely depriving him of sight. + +<p>Once more the English took heart at the repulse, taunting their +enemies as they fell back. Again they had a short respite, though the +inaction told more on their wearied bodies than the excitement of the +fight. + +<p>Raymond felt a warm stream trickle down his arm, and found, to his +surprise, that he had received a clean cut on his left shoulder. How +or when it occurred he was unable to understand, for in the heat of +the struggle he had been blind to his surroundings and the sense of +pain. + +<p>The rest of the garrison all showed signs of the tremendous odds. +Buckland was gashed across the forehead by an arrow, while his hands +were bruised and bleeding from the effects of his struggle with the +knight at the window. + +<p>Walter Bevis was sitting in a corner of the room, trying to extricate +a crossbow shaft that had all but buried itself in the upper part of +his right leg, and in spite of the excruciating pain was slowly +drawing out the barbed head, muttering the while prayers to the +Virgin and his patron saints. + +<p>The others, having bound up their slighter injuries, cheered the +sufferer, and in response to his entreaties, withdrew the bolt. A +gush of blood followed, and the man, unable to bear the agony, +fainted. Hastily applying a bandage, with the rude knowledge of +surgery that they possessed, his comrades left him and returned to +their posts to await the next assault. + +<p>"Certes! They do not mean to let us be," exclaimed Redward; "it +passeth my understanding why they should waste time and many lives in +attempting to take our little fortress. Courage, my friends! Another +repulse and they will leave us in peace." + +<p>But, notwithstanding his repeated encouragements, the master-bowman +looked doubtfully on the new phase of the attack. A party of men were +bringing a huge mangonel ashore from one of the galleys, and setting +it in position, prepared to bombard the house with heavy stones, each +capable of tearing a jagged hole in the stonework. At the same time, +the French archers advanced on all sides with wisps of burning tow +affixed to the heads of their arrows. + +<p>At a score paces from the house stood a solitary gnarled trunk of a +dead tree, and towards this the bowman cast a hasty yet anxious +glance. Then noting with satisfaction that the little wind there was +blew from that direction, he gave a sigh of relief. + +<p>In the meanwhile the men about the mangonel had set the powerful +spring, and a mass of rock lay poised on the gigantic spoon, awaiting +only the release of the engine to cast the deadly missile towards the +doomed house. + +<p>In terrible suspense the garrison crouched behind the stoutest part +of the masonry, expecting each moment to find the huge stone crashing +over their heads. + +<p>The noise of the spring as it was released could be distinctly heard, +then with a whirlwind of dust the stone struck the ground at a short +distance from the house and rolled harmlessly against the wall. + +<p>The next discharge sent the projectile fairly into the roof, knocking +away the greater part and half filling the house with fragments of +rafters, beams, and thatch. + +<p>"'Twill be less thatch to burn!" remarked Buckland encouragingly, +though the moral effect of the mangonel was beginning to tell. + +<p>Suddenly there was a crash that shook the building to its +foundations, and amid a shower of stones and dust a piece of rock +forced its way into a corner of the building, leaving a gap a bow's +length in width, through which the daylight streamed in, dazzling the +defenders with the sudden change from semi-darkness. + +<p>At the same time a shower of firebrands descended on the remains of +the roof, and in a moment the house was enveloped in flames. + +<p>"We are lost!" shouted one and another of the little garrison in +dismay. "Let us sally out and die like men, rather than rats in a +trap!" + +<p>But the master-bowman, cool and collected in the hour of trial, shook +his head, and, shouting—for the din was deafening—to his comrades +to bear a hand, he seized an iron bar and attacked a large flag in +the floor, plying the tool with skill and celerity. + +<p>The square stone was dislodged, disclosing a gaping hole in the +ground, the top of a rough ladder being dimly visible against its +edge. + +<p>"Down with ye!" he shouted, and once more hope sprang up in the +breast of the despairing men. One by one they vanished into the +chasm, till only Redward, Dick, and the unconscious Walter Bevis +remained. + +<p>There was not a moment to be lost; the flames were already scorching +their hair and clothing, while the thick, suffocating fumes caused +them to gasp and splutter. Raising their wounded comrade, the other +two men lowered him into the arms of those who had already gained +safety. Dick then descended, but Redward, after giving a glance at +the attackers, who still maintained a respectful distance, suddenly +stooped, dragging the body of the hapless French knight across the +floor, and dropped it down the hole. Then he swiftly followed, +pausing for a moment to draw a large, steel-plated shield over the +aperture, and joined his companions in the security of their +underground chamber. + +<p>For a while they remained motionless, as if unable to realise the +turn of fortune, and listening to the dull roar of the flames and the +muffled crash of the falling timbers, while the confined air grew hot +as the furnace overhead grew fiercer, and the clammy atmosphere of +the vault began to give off a humid vapour. + +<p>"Silence!" said Redward sternly, as some of the men began to talk +excitedly. "Or, if ye do speak, speak only in whispers; for if the +rascals discover us they'll smoke us out." + +<p>Through a narrow shaft at the far end of the chamber a streak of +light faintly filtered, and ere long the men's eyes became accustomed +to the darkness. The underground room was about ten paces by four, +with a stone-vaulted ceiling. A rough wall of later date cut off one +end, but it was evident that this apartment was at one time a portion +of a subterranean tunnel which, it was rumoured, led from the church +towards the Abbey of Netley, but for some reason was uncompleted. + +<p>Again motioning his friends to keep silent, Buckland walked over to +the shaft, and, ascending by a rough wooden ladder, gained the hollow +trunk of the decayed tree, where, without being seen, he could +observe the movements of the invaders. + +<p>Four blackened walls and a heap of smoking timbers was all that +remained of what was but a short time back his home. Satisfied by +destroying the house and, as they thought, its determined inmates, +the foe had now retired, and were busy preparing a meal, save a few +of the common soldiers, who were either despoiling the dead of their +weapons and armour or carrying the wounded back to the shore to +embark on board the galleys. + +<p>Reassuring himself that their presence was unsuspected, the archer +returned to his companions and reported the state of affairs. + +<p>"By St. George, thou hast done a clever thing," said Dick admiringly. +"But for thee we would have been roast meat ere now. But why didst +thou keep us without knowledge of the place so long?" + +<p>"To make thee fight the more lustily," replied Redward bluntly. +"Hadst thou but known that an asylum awaited thee, thou wouldst have +hurried here like a fox to earth, and the Frenchmen, finding the +house still standing, would have discovered us and burned us out. Do +I not speak aright?" + +<p>"Ay, Master Redward! And 'twas as well ye did!" + +<p>"And having, as ye admit, saved your lives, I demand a promise in +return. I require ye to swear, on pain of forfeiting your eternal +salvation, that not a word concerning this place shall pass your lips +to any other living creature. Moreover, if I fail to come out alive, +my son, Raymond, shall have undisputed possession of this place and +its contents, for all I have on this earth is now stored herein." + +<p>In solemn silence each man, save the still unconscious Walter, took +the required oath, kissing the hilt of a sword in confirmation of his +sacred promise. Then, as if a load were lifted off his mind, Redward +again ascended the shaft to resume his observations. + +<p>Slowly the long day passed. The sun was now overhead, yet the +invaders remained inactive, neither advancing into the country nor +returning to their ships. Gradually the fires died out, leaving only +a number of thin columns of smoke, rising into the still sultry air, +to mark what had but lately been a prosperous English village. + +<p>After a while Redward again descended into the vault, his place being +taken by Will Lightfoot. The opening in the hollow tree only +commanded the village and the river, so another hole was laboriously +cut in the trunk so as to look towards Southampton, whence Redward +expected a speedy arrival of the companies then encamped outside the +town. + +<p>An hour later there was a stir amongst the foreign soldiers. A +trumpet sounded, and they stood to arms, forming in a line on the +brow of the hill where Buckland's house formerly stood. + +<p>As there was only room for one person in the treetrunk, Lightfoot had +to announce the movements to his comrades below, and, to their joy, +they heard him cry out that a vast host of armed men was advancing. + +<p>The invaders were unaware of the presence of a large force in the +neighbourhood, and, dismayed by the numbers of their attackers, they +turned and fled in a disorderly mob to their boats. At the same time +the watcher espied the lofty hulls and bellying sails of five English +ships standing down Southampton Water with the intention of cutting +off the three hostile galleys. + +<p>Barely had the boats made a second journey to the galleys with their +load of panic-stricken men than a troop of lances, displaying the +banners of Lord Willoughby and Sir Charles Bassett, came charging +across the undulating ground and through the smouldering street of +the village, sweeping aside all opposition and driving the remnant of +the Genoese and Spaniards into the river. + +<p>It was now high tide, and in the treacherous mud scores of the +miserable wretches died a horrible death, for quarter was neither +asked nor given. A few of those unencumbered by armour succeeded in +swimming off to the galleys, though their companions, with abject +cowardice, thought only of getting to sea, letting many of the +fugitives drown alongside their ships without even throwing a rope to +save them. + +<p>Close at the heels of the lances came a body of mounted archers, who, +on arriving at the shore, dismounted and poured volleys of arrows +into the galleys. Notwithstanding the hail of darts that wrought +havoc amongst the slaves who banked the oars, the three vessels +slipped their cables and stood towards the mouth of the river, +endeavouring to reach Southampton Water before the advancing English +ships should bar their passage. + +<p>The moment had arrived for Buckland and his companions to leave their +underground refuge. Tying three spears together to form a stout +battering ram, they applied one end to the mass of metal and charred +wood that was once a shield, and which formed the door of their +prison. + +<p>With a mighty thrust the obstruction was removed, and through a +smouldering pile of charred timbers emerged the eight men, their +faces disfigured with dried blood and blackened with soot and smoke. +Bevis they left, till, on Redward's suggestion, two of them returned +and brought him up, semi-conscious and weak from the effect of his +wounds. + +<p>At that moment the companies of the Constable of Portchester and the +Constable of Southampton came swinging along, the sun shining on +their arms and accoutrements, while at their head rode Sir John +Hacket and Walter de Brakkeleye, one of the Bailiffs of Southampton. + +<p>"Certes!" exclaimed Sir John, reining in his horse and gazing +open-eyed with astonishment at Redward and his band. "What have we +here?" + +<p>"Sir Knight," replied Redward, raising the hilt of his sword to his +battered headpiece, "here thou dost see all that is left of the six +score inhabitants of Hamble!" And, overcome by the loss of blood from +no less than six wounds, he reeled and fell heavily on his face +before the amazed Constable. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter05"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER V</h3> + +<h5 align="center">THE MEN OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE GENOESE GALLEY</h5> + +<p> +HAVING given orders to some of his followers to convey the wounded +men on litters to the shelter of Netley Abbey, the Constable and his +troops resumed their march to the shore, to aid their advance-guard +in the pursuit of the galleys. + +<p>The lances and mounted archers had already galloped along the right +bank of the river towards the Salterns at its mouth; while a body of +men-at-arms crossed the stream by means of the abandoned boats, and +followed the galleys on the other shore. + +<p>As if by magic, the men-at-arms were joined by vast numbers of +countrymen from the neighbouring villages of Hook, Swanwick, +Titchfield, and Stubbington. All of them were tolerably good bowmen, +and from both sides of the stream a well-directed fire of arrows was +maintained on the fugitive vessels. + +<p>The wind, though favourable to the English ships that were rapidly +nearing the scene of action, was too much abeam to enable the galleys +to hoist their sails, and the slaves toiled at the oars to gain the +open water. Thus sped, and with the favouring tide, the vessels +slipped rapidly past the shore. + +<p>Many an anxious eye was turned towards the advancing English ships, +and many an opinion was offered upon the foreigners' chances, for +once they weathered the long mud spit, their sails would be hoisted +and their superior speed would soon bear them out of sight. + +<p>Holding their own, yet scarcely able to reply to the stinging hail of +arrows, the three galleys bore steadily onwards. The foremost, +bearing the red cross of Genoa emblazoned upon its lofty stern, led +the forlorn procession, a Spaniard being second, while in the rear +floundered a French vessel, one of the famous fleet of Sluys, her +sides, like those of her consorts, bristling with English arrows. + +<p>Soon the leading vessel, ill-judging her distance, turned towards the +Solent, hoisting her huge sail, on which flamed the arms of Luigi +Spinola. Shouts of anger and disappointment rose from the English as +they saw the sail drawing, and the hated Genoese cleaving through the +water with increased speed. But their cries quickly turned into a +roar of delight as the galley ran hard and fast upon the treacherous +and unseen mud-bank, her mast going by the board with a resounding +crash! + +<p>In spite of the frantic efforts of the rowers, the crew were unable +to back the long, snake-like hull from the deadly embrace of the mud, +and with the fast falling tide it was evident that the galley was +doomed to capture. + +<p>Taking warning from their consort's misfortune, the other vessels +gave her a wide berth, and, avoiding the mud spit, turned +south-eastward. The Spaniard hoisted her sail with all speed, the +white foam flying from her sharp bows; but the French galley, having +had her halliards cut through by a chance bolt, was soon overhauled +by the Southampton ships. + +<p>In less than five minutes she was boarded on both quarters and +carried, the Frenchmen being either slain or driven overboard, and +the watchers on shore beheld the Cross of St. George hoisted over the +Fleur-de-Lys. A fanfare of trumpets from the conquering vessels +announced that the English mariners had again proved themselves +worthy of their traditions. + +<p>The prize and three of the English ships anchored to await a +favourable tide to bear them back to the town of Southampton, while +the two remaining vessels stood towards the stranded galley of Genoa. +The tide had now left her high and dry, with a slight list towards +the sea, at two hundred paces from the nearest shore. The +deep-draughted English ships could not approach within that distance, +so they were compelled to cast anchor within easy bow-shot. + +<p>Under the terrible cross-fire the galley remained, her crew seeking +shelter from the shower of arrows, not daring to show so much as a +hair above the low bulwarks. + + + +<p><center><img src="images/boarding.jpg" alt="boarding"></center><br> +<center>[Illustration: BOARDING THE GENOESE GALLEY]</center> + + + +<p>"By our Lady! The rogues lie close," exclaimed the Constable. "'Tis +but a waste of good arrows. And yet we must have at them ere long, +for already the sun is low in the heavens." + +<p>"Once darkness falls they will, of a surety, escape, for with the +next tide they can make across the shallows, where our ships dare not +follow," replied the Bailiff. + +<p>"If I mistake not, they left a mangonel behind them——" + +<p>"Ay; but 'twould take a good five hours to bring it hither." + +<p>Sir John saw the truth of this statement, and puckered his brows in +his perplexity. + +<p>"Craving thy pardon, sir," said a grizzled man-at-arms, standing +within earshot of the two officers, "I know how the galley can be +held till the morrow." + +<p>"How so, sirrah?" demanded the Constable. + +<p>"For over thirty years I was a marshman of Poole——" + +<p>"Forbear to speak of what thou hast been," replied Sir John Hacket +curtly, "and tell us what thou dolt propose to do." + +<p>"As a marshman I know how to walk over this mud. Give me leave, with +five of my comrades, and I'll warrant that the galley will never +float again." + +<p>"How can the man possibly reach the vessel by walking on the mud?" +demanded Lord Willoughby, who at that moment had joined the Constable +in order to confer with him on a plan of action. "Even now two score +or more of the knaves lie swallowed up by the filthy slime." + +<p>"Let him have his way, my Lord," replied the Constable; "and," he +added, addressing the soldier, "get ye gone, and do your work +quickly. A rose-noble apiece shall be your reward if ye succeed." + +<p>The man-at-arms departed, and, with his chosen comrades, crossed the +river and followed the bank till they came as close to the galley as +they could without leaving the firm ground. + +<p>Here they divested themselves of their armour, and, clad in their +leather jerkins, gripping no other weapon but a heavy hammer and a +short iron spike apiece, they looked more like peaceful village +smiths than soldiers setting out on a desperate venture. + +<p>From the rude huts where the Hamble fishermen kept their stores came +a man bearing a dozen square boards, each having four small holes +bored through it with leathern thongs attached. These the +men-at-arms, with the quickness of frequent use, bound to their feet. + +<p>"Are ye ready, comrades?" + +<p>A gruff yet determined assent was given, and the men, walking with +short, ungainly steps, gained the edge of the mud. + +<p>"Now, hark ye," exclaimed their leader, turning to the master-bowman +who commanded the archers, "give the word that the bowmen keep up a +dropping fire to cover our approach. And I pray thee, let no man +shoot who cannot be depended upon, for, little as I reck a shaft in +fair fight, I am not in a mind to be feathered in the back by an +English arrow!" + +<p>The sun was now low down beyond the dark outlines of the New Forest, +shining straight into the eyes of the archers. Nevertheless, they +shot rapidly and well, the arrows making graceful curves as they sped +towards the mark. No sign of life was visible on board the Genoese +ship, as slowly and steadily the six men-at-arms plodded, with their +boards squelching in the liquid mud, towards their goal. + +<p>As they drew near, the covering volleys ceased; but, suspecting a ruse +to draw them from shelter, the Genoese refused to show themselves. +Thus, without opposition, the Englishmen reached the shelter of the +lofty hull of the stranded galley, so that they were protected by her +bulging sides from any missile the enemy might launch overboard. + +<p>Soon the terrified crew were still more panic-stricken by hearing a +succession of dull blows against their ship's side. Lustily swinging +their mauls as well as their precarious foothold would allow, the +Englishmen drove their iron spikes deep into the seams of the doomed +vessel. Oaken tree-nails and iron bolts were unable to stand the +wrench, and in a few moments a gaping hole four ells in length and a +span in breadth proved that the boast of the man-at-arms that the +galley would never again float was an accomplished fact. + +<p>But now the startled crew were lashed into active resistance. Over +the side, lowered by stout ropes, came the figure of a man fully clad +in plate armour—the dreaded Luigi Spinola himself. Though deprived +of the sight of one eye and nearly blind in the other—thanks to +Redward Buckland's reception at the attack on his house—the Genoese +knight could dimly see the forms of his attackers, and that sufficed. + +<p>Before the Englishmen could realise their danger the keen blade of +the Italian had cleft the skull of the nearest. Preventing himself +from turning like a sack at the end of a rope, Spinola stretched out +his left hand to steady himself against the side of the vessel, while +he raised his right arm to repeat the deadly stroke. One of the +men-at-arms seized his opportunity, and floundering in on the +knight's blind side, smashed his gauntleted left hand into a +shapeless mass by a blow from his maul. + +<p>With a roar of agony and fury his arm fell helpless against his side, +his body swung round, and in a moment the heavy hammer again +descended, this time on the visor of the knight's bascinet. With a +groan the Genoese died—literally at the rope's end; and, their work +accomplished, the five Englishmen began their hazardous retreat, +leaving the body of their hapless companion slowly sinking in the +pitiless mire. + +<p>Again the covering flight of arrows sped towards the galley; but, with +the courage of despair, some of the Genoese crossbowmen sprang upon +the towering forecastle and fired at the retreating men-at-arms. One +of the latter fell with a heavy bolt between his shoulder-blades; +another had a shaft completely transfixing his arm, while their +intrepid leader was menaced by two of the best crossbowmen of the +galley. + +<p>By pure chance a stray arrow pierced the brain of one of the Genoese +just as he was about to pull the trigger. As he fell he struck his +companion, whose aim was affected by the sudden jolt, and the quarrel +flew aimlessly over the Englishmen's heads. + +<p>Unable to stand against the arrows of the English bowmen, the +remainder of the Genoese again sought shelter in the waist, and, amid +the cheers of their comrades, the four men-at-arms regained the +shore. + +<p>All that night the English slept on their arms, sentinels being +posted to give the alarm should any of the foemen attempt to leave +their water-logged craft. It was a still, moonless night, and the +time of spring tides, and as the water ran inch by inch over the +waist of the doomed galley, the watchers could distinctly hear the +cries and lamentations, and appeals to the saints, borne on the night +air from the demoralised Crew, as they clustered in frightened groups +upon the raised forecastle and poop. + +<p>At break of day the Englishmen stood at their arms and gazed seaward. +There, in the same place, lay the galley, though sunk a little lower +in the mud, while her sides were covered with seaweed that on the now +falling tide had been caught by the arrows which bristled in her +sides. + +<p>Plenty of provisions were brought in from the countryside for the +English forces, and, seated round roaring fires, for the morning air +was sharp even for the time of year, the archers and men-at-arms ate +and were merry, while the famished and disheartened Genoese, their +stores spoiled by the water in the hold, gazed despairingly on their +implacable enemies. + +<p>The Constable of Portchester and the Bailiff of Southampton crossed +the river about three hours after daybreak, and visited the troops on +the east side of the stream, their arrival being greeted with +acclamation. + +<p>Calling the remnant of the men-at-arms who had so effectually +performed their hazardous task, Sir John Hacket thanked them before +their comrades and bestowed upon them the promised guerdon. + +<p>"We have these Genoese rascals safe enough!" exclaimed the Constable. +"But what do they?" + +<p>At that moment there were signs of activity in the galley. Men were +busily engaged in cutting away the broken mast and its tangled gear +and cordage, while others were seen to be dividing the great sail +into long strips. + +<p>"They mean to stop the leaks by nailing the flaxen cloth over the +outside," replied Walter de Brakkeleye. "Then, perchance, they can +float off on the next tide." + +<p>"But to what purpose?" questioned the knight. "With our two ships +lying in the stream how can they, without mast and sail, hope to +escape?" + +<p>"I know not, Sir Knight, except it be to forestall the end, and they +would close with us." + +<p>"Then, I pray you, make them desist. A score of archers will keep +them in play; in the meantime send mounted messengers along the banks +to order every boat in the river to be sent down without delay!" + +<p>These orders were promptly carried out, and long before the next high +water twenty open boats of all sizes were lying off the Hard, while +the Constable had already summoned the masters of the two Southampton +ships to confer with them on the plan of attack. + +<p>"By St. George!" exclaimed Sir John, "I already see the remnants of +these foreign scoundrels under lock and key in the King's Castle of +Portchester!" + +<p>"Nay, by the Rood!" replied Walter Brakkeleye; "for I have sworn that, +ere to-morrow's sun hath set, the rogues will grace a line of gibbets +outside the Water Gate of Southampton!" + +<p>"Ah, an' ye would flout my authority?" demanded the choleric knight. +"Am I, Constable of Portchester and Governor of the town of +Portsmouth, to be overridden by a mere Bailiff of Southampton?" + +<p>"But the galley now lies in this river, which is within my +bailiwick," retorted Brakkeleye stoutly. "Nay, she lies on the other +side of the low water channel, which, you will accept, is within the +bailiwick of Titchfield. That being so, as Governor I hold authority +over that half of the river." + +<p>The dispute waxed hot, the question of precedence outweighing the +common cause of destroying a national foe. To what length the +disputants would have gone it is impossible to say, but the opportune +arrival of Lord Willoughby and Sir Charles Bassett settled the wordy +strife. + +<p>"'Tis our duty to settle our account with the Genoese," quoth Lord +Willoughby. "And as ye both claim the river and all it contains, +methinks your difference is best settled thus—all the prisoners +taken on this side shall belong to the Bailiff of Southampton; all +those who are taken on yonder side Sir John can hale to the castle of +Portchester. Now be content and sink your differences in a common +cause." + +<p>This they agreed to, little knowing that neither authority would in +the end claim a single Genoese. + +<p>Directly the tide served the boats were filled with men-at-arms and +archers, and a long procession rowed down the stream to carry the +galley by escalade, a mantlet being raised in each boat to protect +the men from any arrows or bolts that might assail them. + +<p>Already the sea was four feet deep over the mud, and the galley, her +waist full of water and her bulwarks awash amidships, resembled two +lofty castles joined by a low wooden wall. + +<p>Grim and determined, though faint with hunger and fatigue, the +Genoese stood to their arms. Knowing that death in some form awaited +them, they preferred to die in the heat of battle to dangling from a +gallows. On the aftercastle, or poop, stood Guido and Andrea Spinola, +brothers of the ill-fated Luigi, with two score men-at-arms and a +number of lightly-armed slaves, though the latter were not to be +relied upon. On the forecastle nearly a like number clustered round +Simon and Chigi Doria, brothers of the famous Rafaele Doria, the +ruler of the State of Genoa. + +<p>On the approach of the English the trumpets blared a note of +defiance, and the noble leaders, drawing their swords, cast their +scabbards into the sea as a sign that they scorned to give or accept +quarter. + +<p>The poop, being nearest the deep water, was the first object of +attack. The English archers fired but one volley, then, casting aside +their bows, drew sword or grasped their hammers and axes and made +ready to spring directly the boats ran alongside the galley. + +<p>A huge stone, thrown from the highest part of the after-castle, came +crashing through the bottom of the first boat, which instantly sank. +Those of her crew who were unable to maintain their foothold on the +submerged boat perished miserably in the mud and water, for those in +the other boats, filled with the mad desire of fight, paid slight +heed to their misfortunes, being only intent on gaining a foothold on +their enemy's decks. + +<p>In a short space the after-part of the galley was surrounded by nine +large boats, while the remaining ten headed for the forecastle, and +with shouts of fury the English strove to effect an entrance. + +<p>The lofty sides and stern rendered their task very difficult and +hazardous, the Genoese striking lustily with sword, axe, and mace +whenever a foeman's head appeared, and it was not until, by Sir John +Hacket's order, a portion of the amidship bulwarks were cut through +and some of the boats floated over the submerged waist, that a living +Englishman stood on the decks of the Genoese. + +<p>Headed by the Constable, a party of men-at-arms carried the poop +ladder by a determined rush and gained the poop. Here they were met +by Guido and Andrea Spinola and some of the best swordsmen amongst +the Genoese, and for a while a fierce struggle ensued, though, +profiting by the diversion, another party of Englishmen secured a +foothold on the stern of the galley. + +<p>Unable to withstand the sweeping blows of the Constable's sword, the +Genoese gave back, two of their number going down with their +headpieces shattered and their skulls cleft to the chin, and Guido +and Andrea alone remained in the van to bar the Englishman's passage. + +<p>With lightning rapidity their blades met, Sir John warding off the +double attack with marvellous skill. Suddenly the elder brother, +putting all his strength into the blow, delivered a mighty stroke +with his heavy sword at the Constable's head. + +<p>Stepping nimbly aside, the knight avoided the deadly sweep of the +weapon, and ere the Italian could recover himself Sir John cut him +through the gorget till the blade met the top of his enemy's +breastplate. + +<p>Guido fell forward, and the Constable, unable to withdraw his weapon +from the corpse, was obliged to relinquish his sword and take to his +mace. With this ponderous instrument of offence Sir John pressed his +antagonist so strongly that the latter could but attempt to guard +himself. At last, with a crashing blow, the Englishman beat down the +defence of the Genoese, shattering his sword and crushing his helmet +like an egg-shell. + +<p>Disheartened by the fall of both their leaders, and pressed before +and behind by increasing numbers, the Genoese retreated till they +gathered in a small ring of steel, surrounded by their incensed +attackers. Fighting to the last, they fell, till none but those +wearing the surcoat of St. George stood upon the after-castle, and +close on five score bodies littered the narrow blood-stained poop. + +<p>By the Constable's order one of his squires displayed his banner, and +this was the signal for a hearty cheer from the crews of the two +Southampton ships and the crowd of armed men on shore. + +<p>But the combat was not yet over. Those of the forecastle still +stoutly resisted, and as yet none of the Southampton men, headed by +the brave and impetuous Walter de Brakkeleye, had gained any +advantage, though, by the Bailiff's order, some of the archers had +rowed a short distance off, firing anew on the Genoese whenever they +attempted to show themselves above the side. + +<p>With the fall of the after-castle, the Genoese were additionally +assailed by the English bowmen, who now held the captured part of the +galley; and, on the arrival of a fresh supply of arrows, the deadly +hail smote the scanty remnant, who strove in vain to seek shelter. + +<p>At length, when no one was left standing upon the forecastle, the +English men-at-arms rushed the hardwon stronghold, mercilessly +killing those who yet remained alive, and casting their bodies +overboard, and the shattered galley was given to the flames. + +<p>Then, with shouts and rejoicings, the soldiers returned to the shore. +The countrymen dispersed to their homes, the two English ships +hoisted sail and made for Southampton, whither Lord Willoughby's +lances had already gone. The Constable of Portchester and the Bailiff +of Southampton marshalled their followers, and marched through the +devastated village towards their camp at Woolston. + +<p>All that was left to mark the raid were the charred remains of what +had been a prosperous hamlet and the blazing timbers of the +once-dreaded galley of Luigi Spinola. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter06"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER VI</h3> + +<h5 align="center">AT THE ABBEY</h5> + +<p> +CALM and peaceful appeared the grey Abbey to the war-worn defenders, +as, carried in litters or supported by the men of the Constable of +Portchester's company, the nine archers passed through the great +gateway. + +<p>The vesper bell had just ceased its tuneful tolling, and in its place +rose the deep, lusty voices of the monks, who, having completed yet +another day of hard manual labour, were uniting once more in prayer +and thanksgiving. + +<p>For awhile, save for the porter, a lay brother of gigantic size and +jovial mien, the secular portions of the Abbey were deserted, but the +arrival of this host of rough soldiers and their wounded charges +contrasted ill with the pious solitude of the place. + +<p>The Cistercian Abbey, founded as the Priory of Saints Mary and Edward +in 1237, was at that time in the zenith of its prosperity. Favoured +by royal charters, the natural zeal of the monks exerted itself to +such an extent that within a few years of its birth the Abbey bade +fair to outshine its parent foundation at Beaulieu, and a large +triple-aisled church, a sumptuous Abbot's house, lofty dormitories, +architecturally perfect cloisters, a number of extensive +outbuildings, and two artificial fish-ponds testified to the work of +these pioneers of civilisation. + +<p>Awed by the solemnity of their surroundings, the soldiers clustered +in small, silent knots, looking around with open-mouthed astonishment +at the unaccustomed beauty of the delicate architecture and listening +to the distant chanting of the monks. + +<p>If an archer dared even to whisper his comrades silenced him by a +look, while, when a man-at-arms dropped his short spear on the tiled +floor, the culprit stooped, picked up the weapon guiltily, and +crossed himself for very shame. + +<p>At length the singing ceased, the doors of the church were thrown +wide open, and out came a long line of grey-gowned monks, walking two +and two with bent heads and downcast eyes, while at the rear of the +procession came the Sub-Prior and the Abbot. The former was a +comfortable-looking, well-fed personage, with a benign countenance +that neither fast nor penance could subdue, while the Abbot, a tall, +gaunt man with wan features, redeemed by a pair of glittering eyes, +looked a man whose natural sternness was increased by the strict +rigidity of a celibate. + +<p>Immediately the soldiers drew themselves up into two lines, looking +straight in front in military style, though as the Abbot passed they +bent their heads to receive his benison, even the wounded, save +Walter Bevis, standing unaided to share in the blessing. + +<p>It was a stirring and picturesque sight. The grey stones of the +arched cloisters, the green patch of grass in the cloister court, and +the still evening quiet were fitting surroundings for a procession of +monks as their sandals clattered on the tiled floor; but the white +surcoats bearing the red cross, the armour and weapons of the +soldiers, and the pallid features of the wounded bespeaking strife +and suffering, presented a strange contrast to the peacefulness of +the Abbey. + +<p>Attended by two novices, the Abbot presently returned, and, learning +the cause of the unusual visit, gave orders for the wounded men to be +taken care of in the Abbey infirmary. He had already learned of the +sack and burning of Hamble, but the deed of Redward Buckland and his +comrades moved him greatly, and he desired to speak with the +master-bowman. + +<p>Redward, his head still bound with a blood-stained bandage, was led +before the Abbot. He had removed his steel cap, and the dying +sunlight played on his thickly-cropped head and heightened the +reddish hue of his beard. The Abbot gave an involuntary start of +recognition, but, composing himself, he asked: + +<p>"How art thou, my son? I see thou art sore hurt." + +<p>"Nay, Father, it is but a scratch." + +<p>"A brave man to speak so lightly of so great a matter. And thou didst +keep the press of enemies back till help arrived?" + +<p>"'Twas also a little matter, seeing we were behind stout walls." + +<p>"And yet, by God's grace, thy valour saved us." + +<p>"Saved you, Father?" + +<p>"Yea, my son. Saved the priory of the blessed Saints Mary and Edward; +for, had ye not been there to bar the way, the Frenchmen would of a +certainty have ravaged our holy retreat." + +<p>"This knowledge is beyond my understanding, yet, the saints be +praised, I was but an instrument to that end." + +<p>"The gratitude of us all is due to you, my son, and if in any way we +can render thee a service, do but ask it. Thou'rt weary; return to thy +friends and rest well." + +<p>The master-bowman bent his head for the Abbot's blessing, then he +turned and hobbled slowly back to join his comrades. + +<p>Great was the astonishment and delight of the monks, on washing the +thick cake of dried blood, slime, and soot from the face of their +youngest patient, to find that it was none other than their late +novice, Raymond, whose wound—a deep cut in his left shoulder—had +been skilfully dressed by the monks, to whom surgery was a special +feature of their work. He was now sleeping peacefully, a draught of +cooling medicine having completely taken away all symptoms of fever. + +<p>Walter Bevis, his leg swathed in bandages, was lying on a pallet, his +eyes rolling and his hands tightly clenched as he strove to suppress +a groan. Already he was in a state of semi-delirium, and in spite of +the constant attention of two of the monks, he strove at intervals to +rise from his couch and fly at some imaginary foe. + +<p>As for the rest, with the exception of Will Lightfoot, who was busily +devouring a platter of soup, they all were sleeping off the effects +of a terrible mental strain. Submitting himself to the hands of two +of the brethren, Redward had his injuries dressed, and was cleansed +from the effects of the fire and battle; then, staggering to a couch, +he lay down and was soon lost in dreamless sleep. + +<p>The sun was high in the heavens ere Buckland awoke, feeling vastly +refreshed and filled with renewed energy. His first inquiry was for +his son and his comrades, then for the latest tidings of the raiders. + +<p>On this latter point he could not be enlightened, save that a mounted +messenger had passed the Abbey that morning without drawing rein. +Though giving no news by word of mouth, the man had shown by a +gesture that the English had been successful, though at that time the +fate of the Genoese galley had not yet been decided. + +<p>One by one the wounded archers began to awaken, till all, save +Raymond and Bevis, were up and about. For some time Redward sat by +his son's bedside, looking anxiously at his pale and pain-racked +features. + +<p>The master-bowman was torn by conflicting emotions. On the one hand +he wanted to be again on the scene of action to revenge himself on +his enemies—for the destruction of his home, and also to take steps +to safeguard his chattels that lay in the underground chamber. On the +other hand, he felt it impossible to tear himself away from his son, +in whose welfare he was so much absorbed, till he was satisfied that +there was no cause for anxiety on his account. + +<p>While deep in this mental debate Redward was summoned by a novice to +proceed to the private apartment of the Abbot. + +<p>Following closely at the heels of his guide, Buckland was ushered +into a room which, in the frigid plainness of its appearance, +differed little from the cells of the ordinary brethren, only it was +larger. + +<p>The stone floor was strewn with rushes, and the walls were bare and +unbroken, save for two narrow lancet windows and the low, +Gothic-arched door by which the archer entered. In the centre of the +room stood a plain oaken table, on which was a small ivory crucifix, +which, together with a number of richly-bound books of illuminated +vellum—the most highly-prized objects within the monastery +walls—gave a fitting setting to the gaunt figure of the stern yet +revered Abbot. Two heavy wooden stools completed the furniture of the +apartment, one of which was for the head of the Abbey himself, the +other for the use of any visitor of equal or higher rank; otherwise, +all who were called into the presence of the Abbot were obliged to +stand, with bent head, patiently waiting to be addressed, and not +daring to speak save when spoken to. + +<p>"Well, my son," quoth the Abbot, after the customary benediction had +been given. "I have a small matter of which I would speak. Raymond, +thy son, was until recently with us as a novice." + +<p>"Yes, Father." + +<p>"But thou didst send for him?" + +<p>"I could not do without him." + +<p>"Yet he was ill spared by us a youth of much promise. Did he not ask +to be allowed to take the vows of chastity and obedience?" + +<p>"Nay, Father." + +<p>"What, then, is in thy mind with regard to his up-bringing?" + +<p>"But two days agone he did ask to go with me to the wars." + +<p>"Alas! Alack!" groaned the Abbot, speaking half to his visitor, half +to himself. "To think that one brought up in the sanctity of this +place should have a mind for the horror of war! It but shows that +men's minds are by nature inclined to strife, and that we must ever +be subduing the desires of malice and hatred, which, though dormant +for years, are too often ready to burst forth with renewed strength. +Ah me! And I did think Raymond was a brand plucked from the burning. +Thinkst thou that 'tis not too late to turn him from his purpose and +bring him into the brotherhood?" + +<p>"Father," replied the master-bowman earnestly, "many a time have I +pondered the matter over in my heart, for he is very dear to me. In +my wanderings I knew him to be in safe keeping in this peaceful +place, yet I look to my son as a tried companion of my old age, for I +have no other kith or kin in the world. To the wars he would go, yet +Heaven forfend that ill should happen to him." + +<p>"But if he wish to stay?" + +<p>"Then he may do so, though as a monk he will be as far from me as +ever." + +<p>"Then he shall be asked, my son. Should he remain with us the Order +profiteth; should he go Franceward, then the saints be with him and +bring him safely home again. But, I ask," he added, fixing his dark +eyes intently on the archer, "when Raymond left us didst thou fetch +him away?" + +<p>"Nay, Father, I——" + +<p>"Then where have I met thee before?" + +<p>For a moment a pallor, quickly succeeded by a deep flush, overspread +the tanned features of the master-bowman, and his mind travelled back +for nigh two score years. Then in quick, short sentences he replied, +telling the story of the tragedy which had darkened his life. + +<p>"Ah! I thought my memory played me not false," returned the Abbot. +"But of that enough! I knew it! And, for an archer, thou art +certainly apt in speech. Canst read?" + +<p>"Yea, Father." + +<p>"And write?" + +<p>"Yea, Father. Many a time have I acted as scrivener to Sir John +Hacket, the Constable of the Castle of Portchester." + +<p>"'Tis well; and rest assured, my son, that, by my holy calling, no +word of thy past shall fall from my lips." + +<p>"And there is another small matter of which I would speak," said +Redward. + +<p>The Abbot frowned, for the archer had taken the initiative, but, +nevertheless, he signed for Redward to continue. + +<p>"When we are gone to the wars," quoth the archer, "'twill be +necessary for me to leave my small belongings in safe keeping, and no +better place can I think of than this Abbey." + +<p>"Think not to turn this holy place into a house of merchandise, my +son!" + +<p>"Nay, Father, not merchandise, but treasure." + +<p>"Treasure?" interrupted the Abbot, his interest kindling. "How say +you?" + +<p>"Ay, a trifle saved from the wreck of my past, together with a little +I have amassed during some twenty years of wandering. Of a surety I +would offer the Abbey a good percentum for the care thereof, together +with the right to retain all profits from its use." + +<p>"My son, thou art generous to Holy Mother Church." + +<p>"Nay, but I go farther. Should aught amiss happen to Raymond or me, +the whole of my worldly goods I leave to the Abbey, without +condition." + +<p>"Then, my son, I accept, in the name of the Order, the charge +confided to us. I will see to it this instant that Brother Aloysius, +our scribe, will draft the agreement thereunto." And going to the +door, the Abbot, his eyes shining at the thought of adding to the +treasury, rang a bell that brought one of the lay servitors hastening +to his presence. + +<p>"Bring Brother Aloysius hither." + +<p>With little loss of time the scrivener arrived, and the agreement was +drawn up and signed. This done, the Abbot dismissed Redward, and, +once more alone, leaned back in his chair with intense satisfaction. + +<p>Keep Raymond within the Abbey, let him take the oaths of the Order, +and all would be well. The Abbey would benefit considerably, for, +once a monk, Raymond would be heirless. On the other hand, should +father and son go to the wars—well, there were chances that they +might not return, and then——. The Abbot sighed, for, in spite of +his pious greed, he chid himself for his momentary satisfaction at +the thought of harm happening to the young man, of whose presence as +a novice he had many pleasing recollections. + +<p>On Redward's return to his son's bedside he found, to his great +delight, that Raymond was awake. + +<p>"How fares it with thee, Raymond?" he asked, taking the lad's limp +hand in his great palm and gently patting it. + +<p>"I feel much better, father, and hope soon to be abroad again." + +<p>"I trust so; but I have something to tell thee. Even now the Abbot has +asked me to let thee stay with him. He himself will ask thee anon." + +<p>"But I do not wish to, father. My one desire is to follow the banner +of the Constable." + +<p>"I like thy pluck, Raymond, seeing what thou hast been through. 'Twas +an ill start for a soldier's life." + +<p>"Yet we came out with honour," replied the boy, his eyes glistening +at the thought of the unequal encounter. "When thinkest thou that we +shall be able to leave this place?" + +<p>"A matter of a few days. For my part, I must hasten back to Hamble to +gather together the remains of my goods and chattels, and also to +ease the dead Frenchman of his harness, for 'tis, a goodly suit of +armour. Also, there is a fair portion of plate and money which I am +leaving in the care of the Abbot. Some day 'twill be thine, Raymond, +but of that matter I'll speak more anon." + +<p>Towards eventide the peacefulness of the Abbey was disturbed by the +tramp of armed men—the victorious troops returning to their camp at +Southampton; and by the Abbot's leave most of the wounded men, with +their escort of archers, passed out of the gate and lined the dusty +road to welcome their rescuers and comrades. Even the monks, carried +away by their feelings, crowded round the gateway to catch a glimpse +of the gallant companies. News of the capture of one galley and the +destruction of the other had already reached them, and enthusiasm ran +high as the bronzed and dust-covered soldiers tramped homewards. + +<p>Redward Buckland knew most of the banners of the various companies, +and imparted his knowledge to his companions, while the archers who +formed their escort cheered lustily as their fellow-soldiers turned +to throw out words of pleasant banter. + +<p>At length the master-bowman gave a loud shout. "Look, comrades, the +company of the Constable of Portchester! See the crescent <i>or</i> on a +field <i>azure!</i>" + +<p>Marching four abreast, their white surcoats soiled with mud, water, +and dust, came the Portchester garrison. For, save a few who remained +to hold the castle and the adjacent town of Portsmouth, the whole of +Sir John Hacket's men were with the army now encamped at Woolston, on +the outskirts of Southampton. + +<p>At their head rode the fiery knight, attended by his squires, while +at his bridle-arm, mounted on a white jennet, was Walter de +Brakkeleye, the Bailiff of Southampton, whose men had already passed +by. The two leaders were engaged in animated conversation, all traces +of their bickering on the question of precedence having completely +vanished. + +<p>Suddenly the knight caught sight of the little knot of men outside +the Abbey gate. + +<p>"By the Rood, 'tis my old master-bowman and his party of villagers +who held the Frenchmen at bay!" he exclaimed. "When I sent them to +the Abbey I little thought to see any of them out and about so soon." + +<p>In obedience to an order, the company halted and faced about. Sir +John rode up to the little band, who respectfully saluted him, +following Redward's example in military etiquette. + +<p>"By St. George," said the knight, "'tis hard to do justice to your +bravery; for I have only now had time to ponder over your deeds. But +this I know—had ye not held the rascals in check the countryside +would have been laid bare far more than it is." + +<p>"But," he went on reflectively, "ye are, for the most part, homeless +men; why not serve under my banner? Francewards riches and honour +await you. I'll warrant ye will gain more in one campaign than in a +lifetime in England. Buckland, I have heard, will rejoin my company. +He will be, as before, one of my sub-officers, and if ye come with +him, in his division ye'll be placed. I am loth to lose any of you. +So who's for an archer's life?" + +<p>With one accord Redward's companions signified their eagerness to +follow the yellow crescent, and Sir John's face beamed with delight +at their decision. "Then get ye back to the Abbey till ye be +thoroughly healed of your wounds," he said, "and join the camp as +soon as possible. I thought aright that the taste of fighting would +but whet your appetites." + +<p>"And you, Hubert," he added, addressing one of his squires, "take +this purse and present to the Abbot as a token of my esteem for the +kindly treatment of these men. Also make excuses for me, as the night +draws on apace." + +<p>Then, commanding the archers who had conveyed Redward's party to the +Abbey to fall in with the rest of his company, Sir John gave the +order to march. The column moved onwards, leaving behind it the new +recruits to the banner of the Constable of the King's Castle of +Portchester. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter07"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER VII</h3> + +<h5 align="center">THE SACK OF SOUTHAMPTON</h5> + +<p> +Two months have elapsed since Redward Buckland and his companions +made their gallant stand against the foreign raiders; Raymond had +developed into a full-fledged archer. Making a rapid recovery from +his wound, the lad, with his seven companions, joined the Constable's +banner at Southampton, whither Redward, having settled his affairs, +had preceded them. + +<p>The badly-wounded Bevis made but slow progress; fighting, he +vehemently declared, was not in his line, so one morning he limped +slowly through the Abbey gateway to make his way back to Hamble, +there to rebuild his cottage and again to ply his calling as a +fisherman. + +<p>Lack of money compelled King Edward III. to remain inactive. A tax on +wool was levied and grudgingly paid, for his subjects, finding that +no great deed of arms was likely to ensue, lacked the enthusiasm that +the glorious victories of later years were bound to create. Thus the +greater part of the huge host was dispersed; many of the troops were +moved to Rye and Winchelsea, others sent back to their own homes, +and, save for a few soldiers, the town of Southampton resumed its +normal appearance. + +<p>By the King's special command, however, a portion of Sir John +Hacket's company was retained at Southampton to man some of the ships +that were to be fitted out against the rovers who still lingered in +the Channel, and thus Raymond found himself quartered in Saint +Barbara's Tower, a small defensive work on the south walls. + +<p>Before dealing with the stirring events that happened in this ancient +and distinguished town, it would be well to briefly describe the +Southampton of the fourteenth century. + +<p>Roughly, the town formed an irregular rectangle, with the +south-western corner rounded off. On the north side the walls were +pierced by the Bargate, and protected by several small towers, with a +larger erection, termed the Polymond Tower, at the northeastern +angle. The eastern side was defended by a wall nearly 800 yards in +length, further protected by twenty-seven half-round towers, and +pierced by the East Gate and two posterns. + +<p>On the south the walls were in a somewhat ruinous condition, though +it ought to have been clear that these were more open to attack. Here +were two entrances—the God's House Tower gate at the southeastern +angle and the Water Gate. Several towers added to the defensive works +at this point, the chief being the God's House Tower, the Watch +Tower, the Square Tower, St. Barbara's Tower, and the Bugle Tower. + +<p>The western face was by far the best protected, the arcaded walls +being of great height, terminating at Catchcold Tower near the +north-western angle. Two large gates—West Gate and Biddlesgate—gave +access to the water-front on the western shore, and in addition were +several posterns, one of which, the Water Gate, led to the courtyard +of the Castle, whose keep, a large circular Norman tower standing on +an artificial mound, dominated the whole town. + +<p>Sunday, the 14th of October, 1338, was a black day in the annals of +Southampton. + +<p>A few days previously more of the troops had been withdrawn, thus +leaving practically only the men of Southampton to guard the town. +Rumours of a large hostile fleet within the sheltered waters of the +Solent caused bodies of men to be hastily dispatched to Lepe, +Lymington, and other neighbouring sea-coast towns, while Sir John +Hacket, hurriedly summoned to Portsmouth on an urgent matter of +defence, had taken the greater part of his company with him. + +<p>Redward's sub-division was amongst those left at Southampton, but he +himself had crossed to Hythe, where he hired a horse and rode to the +town of Lepe to gather tidings of the foemen. Thus there remained of +his party some two score archers and men-at-arms, under the command +of Richard Wyatt, the grizzled old warrior who had recognised his old +comrade Redward at the passage of the Hamble River. + +<p>On this particular Sunday a white mist overspread Southampton. So +dense was the fog that even the oldest inhabitants could not recall +the like. Raymond and his comrades were busily engaged in overhauling +their bows and shafts, for on that afternoon a shooting match had +been arranged between ten men of the Constable's company and ten of +the town guard of Southampton, for displays of archery were then +usual at the close of church service. + +<p>"A pest take the fog!" grumbled the old man-at-arms. "If it does not +lift 'twill be too thick to hold the contest." + +<p>"Even this room is full of it," cried an archer, twanging his +bow-string with his thumb. "Look, this cord is as dead as the giant +Ascupart, whom these Southampton folk brag so much about!" + +<p>"At all events, both parties fare alike. If we but win a groat apiece +the weather can bide—that is, so long as we can see the butts!" + +<p>Just then the bells of St. Michael's and the Maison Dieu struck out +to summon the townspeople to Mass, and soon the streets were teeming +with gaily dressed folk, all hastening to their respective churches, +though to the men in the tower they appeared but ghostly shapes +gliding in the misty air. + +<p>"Who will come with me on to the top of the tower?" asked one of the +archers. "I'd as lief get wet through in the open as perish with cold +in this fog-laden room." + +<p>"I am with thee," replied Raymond. + +<p>"And I—and I," said several voices. + +<p>Ascending a narrow spiral flight of stone steps, the comrades gained +the summit of St. Barbara's Tower. Rearing itself sixty feet above +the ground and thirty feet above the line of battlemented walls, this +building was crowned by a low breastwork, and roofed with large slabs +of stone sufficiently sloping to carry off the rainwater, but at the +same time capable of being walked upon without difficulty. + +<p>"Ha! The mist rises a little!" exclaimed one. "Though 'twill be only +for a time." + +<p>"I can perceive the watch-fire," remarked another, indicating the +dull glow of the burning wood in an open brazier that at night or in +thick weather was always fired on the summit of the Water Gate. + +<p>"Ho! Peterkin—Simon!" shouted a hoarse voice immediately below them. +"Out on ye for scurvy knaves! Hasten and bring oars, or I'll lay my +staff athwart your backs!" + +<p>"'Tis old John Draper, the water-bailiff," remarked one of the +archers. "Some vessel hath found her way up the Water, and he's going +to board her." + +<p>They heard the oars tossed into the boat, and the rasping voice of +the water-bailiff as he descended the stone steps of the quay and +stepped into the boat. Then the sound of oars straining against the +tholepins grew fainter and fainter, till the little craft was lost to +sight and sound in the dense fog. + +<p>Suddenly a piercing shriek, followed by the dull noise of a heavy +splash, fell upon the ears of the archers in the tower. + +<p>"What's that?" inquired one, his indifference changed into alert +activity. + +<p>"Nothing, thick head—except, perhaps, that old Draper hath missed +his foothold and received a ducking!" + +<p>"I like it not," replied the first archer. "There's black devilment +afoot." + +<p>"Thou art ever looking for trouble, Hal. Didst ever——" + +<p>"Nay, methinks he's right," interrupted Will Lightfoot. "Hearken!" + +<p>Leaning over the edge of the parapet the archers strove to ascertain +the meaning of a subdued splashing that every moment grew louder. + +<p>"Oars, comrades, oars! And not a score not two score, either. The +water's <i>alive</i> with them!" + +<p>And now through the mist loomed scores of great indistinct shapes +that only too soon resolved themselves into the outlines of long +galleys, their size magnified by the thick veil of vapour. Before the +astonished archers could realise their danger the huge craft ran +alongside the quay or beached themselves with a grinding crunch on +the gravel of the foreshore abreast the Water Gate, and from them +leaped hordes of armed men, shouting and giving orders in half the +tongues of Southern Europe. + +<p>The surprise was complete. The Water Gate was rushed ere the massive +gates could be closed, and the foe, with the quickness of martial +experience, wedged the grooves of the double portcullis to prevent +the lowering of the heavy iron slides. Into the town they poured, +slaying all who crossed their path, and before the startled +inhabitants, most of whom were still at Mass, could grasp the +situation, close upon five thousand French and Genoese soldiers had +gained possession of the greater part of the town. + +<p>To add to the tumult, the bell over the watchtower began a dismal +tocsin, and continued till a party of soldiers, climbing to the +summit, hurled the devoted bellman crashing down upon the stones +beneath. But other bells took up the warning note, till the Bar Gate, +at the northern end of Southampton, gave a more timely alarm to the +dwellers about the upper part of the town. + +<p>In the meantime the archers of St. Barbara's Tower, lashed into +activity by the orders and example of Dick Wyatt, had closed, barred, +and bolted the great oaken door, and hastily arming themselves, +ascended the tower, where they crouched, arrow on string, behind the +low, battlemented parapet. + +<p>"Methinks 'tis all up with Southampton," exclaimed the grizzled +warrior. "But lie close, and do not loose string till they find us +out." + +<p>"But what can we do?" + +<p>"Very little till the fog lifts. Then it will be seen, which of the +towers still hold out." + +<p>"Have they carried the Castle, think you?" + +<p>"Not if the garrison have had the least warning, and, thank Heaven, +there's enough noise to waken the Seven Sleepers. Hearken!" + +<p>Above the noise of the still disembarking foreign soldiery could be +heard pitiful screams and cries for mercy, as men, women, and +children were cut down indiscriminately by the ruthless foe, while a +distant clash of arms showed that in some quarters of the town the +invaders were meeting with some amount of resistance. + +<p>As if by magic, the mist suddenly rolled away, and the pale October +sun streamed down upon a sight that was but too common in those days. +Two score and ten galleys lay along the sea-front, their prows +touching the shore just as the first high water was beginning to ebb, +while in mid-stream fifty-five heavier vessels rode at anchor. From +this powerful fleet close on twelve thousand Normans, Picards, +Genoese, and Spaniards had landed. + +<p>Already the southern portion of the town, with the exception of St. +Barbara's and God's House Towers, was in their hands. Robert de la +Barre, one of the bailiffs, held the Castle and the West Gate; Walter +de Brakkeleye, the other, lay within Catchcold Tower; while through +the Bar Gate poured a mob of terrified citizens, some of whom fled +hot-foot even as far as Winchester. + +<p>Having made sure of the lower part of the town, the invaders began +their accustomed excesses, plundering and burning in all directions. + +<p>A strong body of Genoese could be seen coming down the road that +followed the inner side of the South Wall. + +<p>"Stand fast, if ye would see to-morrow's sun!" cried the old +man-at-arms warningly. "And do not give any sign till they discover +us: then an arrow for each black heart!" + +<p>On the opposite side of the street, which, for military reasons, was +wider than those away from the walls, was a house of superior quality +to its neighbours. It was a two-storeyed, half-timbered building, +standing in a large extent of ground. Attracted by its more imposing +appearance, three of the marauders stopped and began to batter on the +outer gate with their short, heavy axes. + +<p>"'Tis the house of Sir Reginald Scarsdale," quoth one of the archers, +a Southampton man. "'Tis out of the frying-pan into the fire, I trow, +with him." + +<p>"What dost thou mean?" asked Raymond. + +<p>"Why, this: twice his castle in the county of Yorks hath been burned +by the Scots; so, to keep his womenfolk out of harm's way, he sends +them down here, while he keeps watch and ward at Berwick." + +<p>"His womenfolk?" + +<p>"Ay! His wife, the Lady Hilda, and his daughter, the Lady Audrey. +Pray Heaven they be not in the house!" + +<p>"But they are!" exclaimed another. "I heard from one of their +servants but a few hours back that the old lady was seized with an +ague. And the younger, a sweet little lass, left to the mercies of +those wretches! Alas! And we can do nothing!" + +<p>Raymond's only reply was to compress his lips tightly and clutch the +hilt of his short sword. Carefully he peered over the edge of the +parapet, and looked down on the scene below. + +<p>Already the gate was giving way before the lusty blows of the axes. +Then, throwing his ponderous body against the shattered woodwork, a +burly Genoese burst the remaining fragments with a resounding crash, +and, with wild shouts of triumph, the three plunderers rushed across +the grounds and attacked the door of the house, while the screams of +terrified women rent the air. + +<p>Without a moment's hesitation Raymond seized a coil of rope which was +used for hauling up materials to the top of the tower, and hastily +knotted one end round his body. He looked down. The street was now +clear of any wandering soldiers. Taking his bow and quiver, as well +as his sword, the youth persuaded his comrades to lower him with all +despatch. + +<p>Round and round he spun in his hazardous descent, till, with bleeding +hands and a swimming sensation in his head, Raymond found himself on +the ground. Instantly he unloosed the rope, darted quickly across the +road and gained the outer gateway. + +<p>By this time the inner door had been wrenched open, and the three +Genoese were holding a debate amongst themselves, gesticulating and +talking volubly till it seemed as if a quarrel was likely to ensue. +Finally two entered the house, the third keeping guard outside, +possibly to prevent any fugitive from leaving, or to keep others of +their comrades from sharing in what promised to be a rich haul. + +<p>Raymond saw and seized his chance. The man's back was turned towards +him, yet—the raiders being mere pirates and deserving of no +mercy—without hesitation, the youth drew string, and the next +instant the soldier was lying on his face, his back pierced by an +arrow. + +<p>Guided by the redoubled sound of shrieks, the lad sped across the +ground, grasping his drawn sword in his hand, and ascended the stairs +with quick yet noiseless footsteps. + +<p>At the head of the stairs lay the corpse of an old man, evidently a +servitor, the blood welling in a crimson flood from a gaping wound in +his throat. Without stopping, Raymond sprang over the body and burst +into a room whence the shrieks came with terrifying shrillness. + +<p>There a sight met his gaze that transformed him into a terrible +avenging spirit rather than a human being. On the floor lay an +elderly lady, her eyes rolling in semi-stupor, while the two ruffians +were maltreating a young and beautiful girl, whose age could not have +been more than sixteen. In spite of her furious struggles and +piercing cries the two Genoese were dragging her out of the room, and +her strength was well-nigh exhausted. + +<p>With a loud shout of anger Raymond rushed upon the two men, who were +totally unprepared for any onslaught while engaged in their work of +cruelty and rapine. A strong sweeping blow with his sword and one of +the villains fell lifeless to the ground, but, before the young +archer could strike again, the second turned upon him, and in a +moment both were struggling on the floor in a deadly embrace, the +Genoese, a great lusty fellow, being uppermost. Raymond still +retained his sword, though unable to shorten it, while his enemy +strove to draw a dagger that he wore at his belt. Seeing this the lad +dropped his sword and grasped the other's wrist, while, in turn, +Raymond's arm was gripped to prevent him from drawing his own knife. + +<p>At length the weight of his foeman's body began to tell, and slowly +the breath was forced out of the lad's lungs by the relentless +pressure. Raymond thought that the end was near, his face was turning +black, red lights flashed across his eyes, and, as in a dream, he saw +the Genoese wrench his hand free from the retaining grasp and seize +the hilt of his dagger. + +<p>"Flee!" gasped Raymond, glancing towards the maiden, and he had +steeled himself to receive the expected <i>coup de grace</i>, suddenly he +felt his enemy's body grow limp and a flood of hot blood rained upon +his face. + +<p>Struggling to his feet, faint, dazed, and unable for the moment to +realise that it was not his own life's blood, Raymond gazed vacantly +upon the body of his foeman. Then, as his scattered senses began to +return, the youth realised that his miraculous deliverance was due to +the prompt action of the girl to whose aid he had flown; for seeing +how matters were turning, and desperate for her own and her rescuer's +safety, she had possessed herself of the dagger of the slain ruffian +and had plunged it up to the hilt in the neck of the other. + +<p>For the first time Raymond could take notice of the girl. Looking at +her white face, he could see that she was a maiden of quality and +unquestionable beauty. As she stood there, with flashing eyes and the +reeking dagger in her hand, she seemed in the eyes of the young +archer like one of the mythological heroines of whom he had read in +the library of the Abbey. But with the sense of safety came the +inevitable reaction. She dropped the knife, and, falling beside her +mother, burst into tears. + +<p>Raymond, in spite of his inexperience, saw only too clearly that the +elder lady was beyond pain and suffering. + +<p>"Come," he said gently. "We must needs go quickly. Thy mother is—" +He was unable to finish the sentence, but the girl understood. + +<p>"I am ready," she said, in a far-away voice, "but whither shall we +go?" + +<p>Pausing to throw a coverlet over the still form of the lady, Raymond +gave a final glance at the bodies of his late adversaries; then, +taking the girl by the hand, he drew her gently from the room. + +<p>The cool, fresh air revived his scattered wits considerably, so that +he was able to take the necessary precautions to regain St. Barbara's +Tower. Bidding the girl wait behind a thick shrubbery, Raymond looked +cautiously out of the gate. The street seemed to be clear, while his +comrades were alert and waiting his return. + +<p>Calling the girl, he led her quickly across the street; the end of a +rope was thrown down, and hastily the lad looped it round her supple +form. Then at a signal the little garrison pulled up the rope, and +its precious burden was safe within the shelter of St. Barbara's +Tower! + +<p>"Haste thee, boy!" shouted old Dicky Wyatt, the grizzled man-at-arms. +"The French be upon thee!" + +<p>There was not a moment to be lost. The lad seized the end of the rope +as it descended, and hanging on like a jackanapes, was soon dangling +in the air. A party of the enemy were running down the street, and +already a few quarrels and arrows were whistling past his ears or +splintering themselves against the stonework of the tower. Then a +well-directed flight of cloth-yard shafts held the enemy in check, +and aided by willing hands, Raymond was helped over the parapet. + +<p>"A plucky deed," growled Wyatt, "but thou hast sold us, my lad. See, +they have gone to bring re-inforcements to carry the tower by +escalade!" + +<p>"Certes, Raymond," exclaimed an archer, "thou dost look like a +butcher What hast thou been about?" + +<p>"Never mind that: the tale will keep," interrupted the man-at-arms. +"I'll warrant we'll all look worse than that ere long! Here, +Lightfoot! Away with Ye to the kitchen, and see that plenty of water +is put to boil. And you, Ned, fetch an axe and hew off some of this +lead and melt it. Methinks the townsmen of Southampton will not +amerce us with the damage, whether we hold the tower or not!" + +<p>While the preparations for defence were in progress a loud shout from +one of the archers gave warning that the enemy were returning to the +attack, and the two score Englishmen from the height of the tower +looked down upon ten times their number of Picards, Normans, and +Spaniards, to whom the assault on a fortress or the sack of a +defenceless town were looked upon as ordinary occurrences. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter08"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER VIII</h3> + +<h5 align="center">OF THE ASSAULT ON ST. BARBARA'S TOWER</h5> + +<p> +WITH fierce cries and menacing gestures the foreigners rushed down +the street, many of them carrying axes and torches, while others bore +a stout beam for the purpose of battering down the door of the tower. +Their archers and crossbowmen, eager to join in the fray, had slung +their bows, and with knives, swords, or short spears in their hands, +surged along in a confused mass with the men-at-arms. + +<p>"Now! Altogether! Loose, my lads!" shouted old Richard, and with the +well-known twang nearly a score of bows sent their missiles crashing +into the armed mob below. + +<p>Many of the advancing foemen fell, transfixed by the deadly shafts, +while those in the rear, pressing blindly forward, stumbled over +those who lay writhing on the ground. When, at length, the foremost +had reached the base of the tower, where they were safe from the +stinging shower, they were met with a stream of molten lead, which, +burning through hauberk and leathern jerkin with equal ease, sent the +assailants reeling back with screams of agony. + +<p>The men bearing the beam were all shot down, and the main body +retiring hastily, in a few moments the street was deserted but for a +number of corpses, and the solitary standing figure of a man in full +armour. Disdaining to turn his back upon the foe, the knight walked +slowly backwards, shaking his ponderous mace in speechless anger, +while the arrows rattled harmlessly off his proof-plate mail. + +<p>"Save your arrows, comrades, and give him a heavy stone or a dose of +hot lead should he approach," said old Wyatt. "Methinks I've seen his +device before. 'Tis Enrico, son of the King of Sicily." + +<p>Just then the prince, his spurred heels tripping on the body of a +man-at-arms, fell prostrate on his back, amid a roar of laughter from +the Englishmen. + +<p>"Now stand by," exclaimed one of the archers, "and directly he moves +a limb, let fly at his armpits or behind his knees!" + +<p>But the Italian was not lacking in cunning, for knowing that the +weight of his armour would effectually prevent his rising, he lay +perfectly quiet, his arms pressed closely to his side, till some +varlets, bearing a heavy mantlet before them, came running up and +lifted their master on his feet. Then, with measured step, the prince +retired out of sight. + +<p>"Ah! As I thought, the rascals have learned a trick or two!" growled +Wyatt, pointing to the Woolhouse Tower, a structure of greater height +than St. Barbara's Tower, and standing less than three hundred paces +distant. + +<p>Abandoned by its garrison at the first alarm, the Woolhouse Tower was +occupied by a strong body of French archers, while an equally +formidable band of crossbowmen took possession of the lofty Woolhouse +hard by, so that a flight of missiles was poured upon the Englishmen +from two different points. + +<p>"Lie down, men; 'tis useless to return their fire!" commanded the +man-at-arms. But before his advice could be acted upon five archers +and two soldiers were hit, one of the latter, his brain pierced by a +bolt, toppling forwards over the parapet, and falling with a +sickening thud upon the wall below. + +<p>"Would it not be well to abandon the roof and seek shelter below?" +inquired one. + +<p>"And give the rascals an easy chance to carry the tower," rejoined +old Wyatt derisively. "Nay, we must hold the flats at all cost. +Quickly, my lads! Bring up everything ye can find that will do to +raise a mantlet! There are plenty of hides in the store, and planks +and poles as well." + +<p>Swiftly the archers fell to work, and in a very short space they had +stretched some stout ox-hides on poles and had raised them above the +parapet. Strengthening their hasty barricade with several heavy +planks, they were soon in comparative security; while through the +narrow space betwixt the top of the battlement and the lower edge of +the hides they could keep up a brisk discharge of arrows upon their +assailants, while the muffled thud of shafts and quarrels striking +upon the loosely hung hides showed both the vehemence of the attack +and the efficacy of the defence. + +<p>The defenders had now time to survey their surroundings; and, to +every one's surprise, the Lady Audrey, calm and self-possessed, was +busily engaged in making bandages for the wounded men. + +<p>"My faith!" exclaimed Dick Wyatt, roughly yet kindly. "'Tis no place +for thee, girl! Away with thee to the room below, and, if nursing be +thy desire, I'll warrant there'll be enough work for thee ere long!" + +<p>Reluctantly, the maiden obeyed; and the wounded archers were taken +below so that their hurts could receive attention, while the +survivors would be less encumbered on the narrow extent of the roof. + +<p>"Stand to it once more!" shouted their leader. "They come again! Now, +Will, be ready with the molten lead and the boiling water!" + +<p>Assailed on three sides at once, the defenders were hard put to it to +keep the attackers in check. In addition to the showers of arrows and +stones, the enemy had gained a lodgment on the town wall, and two +long ladders were placed against the tower, their ends resting or +projecting above the battlements. Up swarmed a number of +heavily-armed men, till the ladders creaked and groaned under their +weight. Harassed by the hail of missiles, and impeded by the curtains +of bulls' hides, the defenders could not repel the assault, and, to +their consternation, the leaders of the attack appeared above the +battlements. + +<p>Once the mailed warriors gained the roof, all would be lost! But at +the critical moment Richard Wyatt, seizing a massive crowbar, +loosened a heavy coping-stone. Then, calling a couple of strong +archers to his aid, the ponderous stone was deftly toppled over the +battlements. Missing the first man, the stone hurled the next two +from their swaying foothold, then, crashing through the woodwork of +the ladder, it fell upon the heads of the men who were supporting +those who had already ascended. + +<p>The ladder cracked and broke, bringing down the other ladder in its +fall, the fragments descending in opposite directions athwart the +wall, where a ghastly litter of woodwork and mangled corpses marked +the failure of the enterprise. + +<p>The man who had first gained the edge of the parapet, feeling the +ladder give beneath him, sprang for the roof; but, encumbered by his +heavy armour, he slipped, and, clinging only by his mailed gauntlets, +he hung dangling over the abyss. + +<p>Through the bars of his visor the defenders could see his eyes +starting from his head in his terror. But it was no time for pity. +With gibes and fierce jests the Englishmen watched his desperate +struggles, till, his fingers growing numb with the strain, he relaxed +his hold and fell, with a hoarse cry, to join the crushed and mangled +bodies of his comrades. + +<p>Carried away by his enthusiasm, old Richard tore aside side the +curtain of hides, and stood upon the parapet to view the scene of his +triumph; but his imprudence cost him dear, fora crossbow bolt struck +him in the side, and he fell backwards into the arms of two of the +archers. + +<p>"Lay me down," he cried feebly. "I am done for at last!" Presently he +added, "Send Raymond to me." + +<p>Quickly the young archer came and knelt beside the dying soldier, +across whose eyes a misty film was already beginning to gather. + +<p>"Raymond," he gasped, "thou'rt but a lad, but thou hast a cool head. +Take charge of the Tower, and yield to no man. If the saints bring ye +out scatheless, tell my master, Sir John, that I did my duty. . . . +And now, Pearce," he added, addressing another of the archers who +crowded around, "thou hast a strong steady hand. Grasp the bolt, I +pray thee, and pluck it out. It would ease and hasten my passing." + +<p>But the archer could not bring himself to hasten the end, in spite of +the faint entreaties of the dying man. Then, by a supreme effort, +Dick Wyatt struggled to his feet and tore out the deadly shaft. A +rush of dark blood followed, and, with a loud cry of "St. George for +England!" the old man-at-arms fell dead. + +<p>The little garrison was now in sore straits. Of the original two +score men nine were killed and twelve grievously wounded, and of the +survivors only eleven were left to guard the roof of the Tower and +eight to man the oylets and windows of the lower storeys. + +<p>At Raymond's suggestion the steel caps of the killed and wounded were +shown above the walls to deceive the enemy as to the strength of the +garrison. Then, leaving two men to keep a sharp look-out, the +remainder of the worn and famished warriors descended into a lower +room to partake of a hasty yet plentiful meal. + +<p>"I would we had a sack or two of quicklime," remarked Raymond to Will +Lightfoot, who had charge of the defence of the lowermost storey. "We +would then give them a warm welcome such as my father did at Hamble." + +<p>Will was evidently thinking. + +<p>"There is very little that will burn," he said at last reflectively. +"They threw in some flaming wood, but, methinks, they had a good +exchange—molten lead is not much to the taste of these rogues!" + +<p>"True, the Tower cannot be fired, but why didst thou mention it?" + +<p>"Because in the cellar are several bundles of straw and hay. I would +counsel that we set them alight and hurl them on the scaling +ladders!" + +<p>"By St. George! A good device!" + +<p>Once more the invaders renewed the assault, and this time ladders +were brought against two opposite sides of the building. But, thanks +to the trusses of flaming straw and hay, the attackers could not +bring themselves to face the hazardous ascent. + +<p>Neither did the attack upon the door at the base of the Tower meet +with better success, for the arrows of the besieged kept the +battering-ram inactive, while those bolder than their fellows who +attacked the door with axes found that, however accustomed they were +to give or receive hard knocks, molten lead and boiling water were +more than they could stand. + +<p>At length night drew on, and, save for an occasional arrow, the +garrison were unmolested. Many of the French and Genoese, having had +their fill of plunder, were busy removing their booty to the galleys. +Others, mad with drink, paraded the streets uttering wild oaths and +strange cries. + +<p>Those houses that had been plundered were set on fire, and, as +darkness fell over the ill-fated town, the glare of fifty burning +buildings illuminated the country for miles around, and served to +lash the surviving inhabitants into a host of desperate and +revengeful defenders of their country's shores. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter09"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER IX</h3> + +<h5 align="center">ON THE HEELS OF THE ENEMY</h5> + +<p> +ALTHOUGH the two bailiffs, Walter de Brakkeleye and Robert de la +Barre, had remained disgracefully inactive within their defences, the +men of Winchester, Romsey, and other neighbouring towns and villages +were massing to aid the men of Southampton, and a large and +well-appointed army had gathered at ready to wrest the pillaged town +from the Bassett, ready to wrest the pillaged town from the invaders +and drive them back to their ships. + +<p>Throughout the night the defenders of St. Barbara's Tower kept +anxious vigil. Of the preparations for their relief they knew +nothing. But hardly had the pale dawn begun to gather in the east +than the foreigners were astir, taking steps to keep the galleys +afloat on the now falling tide, as if they purposed embarking once +more. + +<p>Then, with a crash and a roar, the sound of fighting was heard +towards the centre of the town, and from their elevated position the +sorry remnant of the defenders saw the lances of the English charge +down the High Street, bearing all before them. In other quarters the +invaders, entangled in the narrow streets, were cut off by swarms of +the infuriated inhabitants, who, knowing the peculiarities of their +town, moved with consummate ease, hurling down stones and shooting +arrows from the houses upon their entrapped enemy. + +<p>And now, from the Castle and the West Gate and Catchcold Towers +poured the liberated garrison, eager to avenge their disgrace. Many +were the encounters between the Southampton men and their foes in +this quarter of the town, till, driven back by weight of numbers, the +enemy, who were mostly Genoese, returned slowly past St. Barbara's +Tower, contesting every inch of ground. + +<p>The little band of defenders now occupied themselves by annoying the +retreating Italians with well-directed arrows, while, all danger of +an assault being at an end, the barricades behind the door were +removed so that the garrison could sally out and join their friends. + +<p>Nearer and nearer came the sound of conflict, till Raymond and his +comrades perceived the red-crossed surcoats of the Englishmen +pressing back the discomfited Genoese. At length, unable to withstand +the flanking fire of arrows, the enemy fled past out of bowshot of +the Tower—all save one, whom Raymond recognised as the son of the +King of Sicily. Burning to achieve a further deed of honour, Raymond +threw open the door and rushed out to intercept the mailclad knight, +who, with sweeping strokes of his sword, kept the men-at-arms at a +respectful distance. But the lad was forestalled. A huge countryman, +who had lost his all in the sack of the town, had crept behind the +Prince, and, with a swinging blow of a massive club, smote the +Italian behind the knees. + +<p>With a snarl of rage and pain the Prince fell to the ground, and, +with a shout of triumph, his assailant stood over him with his club +upraised to give the fatal blow. Finding further resistance +impossible, the knight dropped his sword. + +<p>"<i>Je me rends!</i>" he exclaimed. "<i>Je vous donnerai rançon!</i>" + +<p>"Yea, I know thou art a Françon," thundered the Englishman, +misunderstanding the Prince's appeal for mercy, "and therefore thou +shalt die!" And, notwithstanding a warning shout from Raymond and +several of the Englishmen, the club descended with tremendous force, +and the Italian lay dead upon the ground. + +<p>"I'll trouble thee to mind thy own business, my master!" hissed the +countryman, turning fiercely on Raymond. + +<p>"But he was a gentleman of quality. He surrendered to thee, and he +was worth a heavy ransom!" + +<p>"Ransom, forsooth!" rejoined the man, in a frenzy. "What ransom can +atone for a wife and five children slain? Speak not to me of ransom!" +And, shouldering his club, the man rushed off in pursuit of the +fugitives as they hastened towards the Water Gate. + +<p>Beaten back at every point, the invaders crowded on board their +galleys, and during the embarkation the slaughter was greater; for, +from the walls, as well as from the shore, a heavy fire of arrows was +hailed upon them by the infuriated townsmen. + +<p>At length, with the exception of a few galleys that, caught by the +falling tide, were burned and their crews slaughtered, the hostile +ships withdrew, and, with a steady north-west breeze, bore away down +Southampton Water, leaving behind them a half-burned and pillaged +town—the terrible penalty of unpreparedness! + +<p>After the <i>mêlée</i> Raymond returned with the remnant of the +Constable's detachment to the Tower they had held so well, and, to +his surprise and delight, found his father awaiting him, though +Redward hardly recognised his son. Stained with his own blood and the +blood of the Genoese, covered with dust and grime from head to foot, +Raymond looked a very different person from the gentle youth of three +months back. + +<p>"By St. Edward of Netley!" exclaimed Redward, "wherever I go, whether +Francewards or otherwise, thou shalt go too; for methinks there is as +much danger in Merrie England as in the land of the Fleur-de-Lys!" + +<p>"But how camest thou here, father?" asked Raymond. "I thought thou +wert at Lepe." + +<p>"Ah, lad! it was there I saw the foemen sail towards Southampton; so I +rode hot-foot to Hythe.[1] There I took a boat—stole it, I fear—and +tried to cross; but in the fog I nearly ran into the thick of the +galleys. Then I knew I was too late; so back to the shore I rowed, +and came round the head of the Water by land. 'Twas a long journey by +Totton, and by the time I reached Millbrook it was daylight, and the +men of Romsey were marching in upon the town." + +<p>By this time Raymond had washed his face and hands, and had brushed +most of the grime from his clothes, having removed his white surcoat +and breastplate. + +<p>"We have had a hot time, father. They pressed us hard. Fourteen men +lie stretched upon the straw, and nine are dead. Poor old Dick Wyatt +is no more." + +<p>"Heaven rest his soul!" exclaimed Redward, piously crossing himself. +"He was a good and true comrade to me through thick and thin, and I +trow 'tis hard to be stricken down almost within sight of home." + +<p>Together father and son ascended the winding stair that led to the +upper rooms. There lay the wounded defenders, carefully tended by the +Lady Audrey. As Raymond entered the room, she looked at him in a +puzzled manner. Then, holding out her hand, she exclaimed: + +<p>"Why, 'tis my gallant preserver! And what a difference a clean face +doth make ye are but a boy, and a handsome one at that!" + +<p>A deep flush overspread the youth's face. Redward, knowing nothing of +the circumstances of her rescue, could but express his astonishment, +and, leaving the pair engaged in eager talk, he ascended to the roof, +where lay the bodies of Richard Wyatt and the other soldiers, each +grim and stern in death. + +<p>From Will Lightfoot he learned most of the particulars of the +defence, including his son's intrepid act of rescue. + +<p>"Ay! Buckland," said Will, "'tis not every archer who hath the good +fortune to rescue a noble lady such as the Lady Audrey Scarsdale!" + +<p>"Scarsdale?" repeated Redward. + +<p>"Ay Scarsdale—daughter of Sir Reginald Scarsdale." + +<p>The master-bowman staggered as if struck by an invisible blow; then, +recovering himself by an effort, asked Lightfoot if there were any +tidings of Sir John Hacket. + +<p>Even Will Lightfoot could not fail to notice the change in Redward's +appearance; but, putting it down to the fearful strain of the fight, +suggested adjourning to partake of refreshment. + +<p>The task of laying to rest the bodies of their comrades was next +proceeded with. Then Raymond, with two of his fellow-archers, entered +the ill-fated house of the Lady Scarsdale, and removed the bodies of +the three Genoese. + +<p>Placing the corpse of the Lady Hilda reverently on a bed, they locked +up the house and gave the keys into the custody of the Sheriff, who, +knowing the Scarsdale family, took the necessary steps to ensure a +fitting burial of the knight's wife, while Lady Audrey was taken care +of by some relatives who resided in another part of Hampshire. + +<p>Early the following morning Sir John Hacket, having assured himself +that the enemy had made for the Channel and were not likely to return +to raid some other coast town, rode into Southampton from Portsmouth, +attended by his squires and a troop of lances and mounted archers. + +<p>Proudly, yet sadly, the stern old knight gazed upon the sorry remnant +of the detachment he had left at Southampton but a week before. + +<p>"By St. George!" he exclaimed, "ye are a credit to me, and the one +bright jewel in the sable field of incompetence and neglect! The King +shall hear of your deeds! Ye see," he added aside to his squires, +"what that ranter, Walter de Brakkeleye, and his co-bailiff, de la +Barre, have done. Had they given more thought to the safe keeping of +the town, instead of bickering, as Brakkeleye did with me respecting +the jurisdiction of his bailiwick, not a house in Southampton would +have been touched by foreign foemen, not one of the townsfolk harmed. +Should the King think fit to hang them on the battlements 'twould be +but their deserts!" + +<p>"And now," he continued, addressing the archers, "I will take care +that bravery hath its reward. Another penny a day shall be added to +your pay, and, as for Raymond Buckland, who, I am told, undertook the +defence after my trusted Wyatt's death, from this time forth he shall +be one of my squires! Let him but acquit himself as he hath done +since he hath been in my company, and he will be on the road to win a +pair of gilded spurs!" + +<p> +[1] Not, of course, the well-known coast town in Kent, but the +ancient villae of that name on the New Forest side of Southampton +Water. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter10"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER X</h3> + +<h5 align="center">FATHER AND SON SET OUT FOR HENNEBON</h5> + +<p> +NEARLY four years have elapsed since the events recorded in the last +chapter—years full of national interest. The naval battle of Sluy's +had been fought and won, and for the time the English fleet ruled the +Channel, so that scarce a French or Spanish vessel dared to show +itself betwixt Ushant and Cape Grisnez. + +<p>After the siege of Tournay, a treaty had been concluded between King +Edward III. and Philip of France, but the former was ever on the +alert to seize a favourable opportunity of renewing hostilities, and +late in 1341 an incident occurred that gave the King the excuse to +prosecute the war once more—a step that led to the glorious victory +at Creçy and the overrunning of nearly the whole of France by the +victorious arms of England. + +<p>The Duchy of Brittany was disputed between John of Montfort and +Charles of Blois, and, while the latter was pressing his claims at +the French Court, Montfort, by force or intrigue, had acquired the +fortresses of Rennes, Nantes, Brest, and Hennebon; and in order to +obtain a powerful supporter he had journeyed to England and concluded +an offensive and defensive alliance with King Edward, at the same +time offering to do him homage for the Duchy of Brittany. + +<p>Keeping this treaty a deep secret, Montfort did not hesitate to +return to Paris to defend his case, but realising that the French +King did not favour him, and fearing violence at his hands, the Earl +retired to Brittany and declared war against the Count of Blois. + +<p>Philip sent his son, the Duke of Normandy, with a powerful force to +aid Charles of Blois, and Montfort, after sending urgent requests for +assistance to the King of England, shut himself up in Nantes, which +was immediately besieged by the French. + +<p>By the treachery of the inhabitants Nantes fell, and Montfort, taken +prisoner, was hurried to Paris, where he was loaded with chains and +thrown into a loathsome dungeon in the Louvre. + +<p>But, though low, the fortunes of the Montforts were destined to +recover. The cause was taken up by the Countess Joan of Montfort, the +heroic wife of the imprisoned Earl, and being loyally supported by +the Bretons, she withdrew her forces to the town of Hennebon, where +she awaited the onslaught of the French, trusting in the expected aid +from England. + +<p><center>* * * * *</center> + +<p>But to return to Raymond Buckland and his adventures. As squire to +Sir John Hacket, the Constable of the King's Castle of Portchester, +he was now a member of the knight's household, spending the greater +part of his time within the grey walls of the fortress. + +<p>Four years had made a great change in Raymond's appearance. He was +now a youth of twenty, tall and well built. Thanks to his +surroundings, he was skilled in the arts of warfare, and few could +withstand him at the jousts and spear-runnings that were frequently +held in the extensive grass-grown square that formed the outer bailey +of the castle. Moreover, his monkish training admirably fitted him +for the more clerkly duties that fell to him, and by his diligence, +intelligence, and courage he was held in high esteem by the fiery old +knight. + +<p>Redward, too, for his tried devotion and experience was made head +master-bowman of the Constable's company, and, when occasion served, +Sir John was not above asking his advice in the ordering of the +castle and its defences. + +<p>But over Raymond hung a dark cloud of perplexity. The image of the +fair Lady Audrey was ever present in his mind, and, encouraged by the +Constable's prediction that in due course he might be entitled to +wear the gilded spurs of knighthood, his hopes ran high of one day +being in a position to win the maiden's heart and hand. But to his +unbounded surprise, Raymond found that his father was tacitly opposed +to this, his dearest wish. With difficulty Redward had been persuaded +to allow the young squire to wait upon Sir Reginald Scarsdale, when +that knight wished to thank him for his services. Any mention of the +name of Scarsdale served to plunge the master-bow-man into moodiness +and silence, and any question that the lad put to his sire on the +subject was turned in a way that puzzled Raymond in no small degree. + +<p>One day an event happened that was to transfer the lad from the +pleasant life of ease at the castle to a far more active and +dangerous sphere. + +<p>How well Raymond remembered it in after years. That morning he and +another squire had mounted the four-storeyed Norman keep, and from +the battlements looked down upon the scene below. It was a striking +picture; the keep stood at the north-west-angle of the huge fortified +enclosure. Immediately beneath the east and south faces of the donjon +lay the inner bailey. In the far corner of the outer bailey stood the +church, and close by was the water-gate, at which lay the Constable's +state barge. Away to the south stretched the wide expanse of +Portsmouth Harbour, its waters dotted with the sails of highsided +cogs and other merchant vessels, as they threaded their way up the +sinuous deep-water channels that led to the castle. + +<p>Immediately opposite the water-gate was the landport, or gateway +giving access to the castle from the land. The lads could follow the +line of the dusty road as it passed through the little village, swept +round the head of the harbour, and eventually was lost in the +distance as it ran towards the City of London. + +<p>"Look, Raymond," exclaimed his companion, a Hampshire lad named +Oswald Mant. "A horseman approaches, and, my faith, he does not spare +his steed!" + +<p>"'Tis not one of the company?" + +<p>"Nay, look at the livery—murrey slashed with green—he is of the +household of Sir John Chandos." + +<p>"Then something of importance hath taken place. I would 'twere good +tidings from France!" + +<p>Leaving a dense white cloud of chalky dust behind him, the messenger +clattered down the road, pulled up for a moment at the outer gateway +to reply to the challenge of the guard, then spurred madly across the +courtyard to the foot of the steps leading to the keep. Here a page +ran forward to hold his horse, and, throwing himself wearily from the +saddle, the rider staggered up the steps and disappeared under a low +archway that gave access to the Constable's quarters. + +<p>An hour passed ere the messenger reappeared, and, after draining a +cup of wine, he remounted and spurred his horse on his homeward +journey. + +<p>While the two squires were debating over the matter, a page sought +them, summoning Raymond to instantly repair to Sir John's apartment. + +<p>With beating heart, as if anticipating some good fortune, Raymond +followed the page, and was ushered into the Constable's presence, +where he found that Redward was already before him. It was a long, +narrow room, lighted with lancet windows and hung with rich arras. At +one end was a heavy table littered with papers and plans, and, for +the nonce, unmindful of the dignity of his position, Sir John was +sitting on its edge, swinging one leg, with the air of a man who is +occupied by a perplexing problem. + +<p>Directly the page had retired, the Constable signed to Redward to +draw a thick hanging over the door. + +<p>"Raymond," quoth he, "the King hath done us a signal honour. A +messenger hath arrived with orders for me to send a trusty squire to +the Countess of Montfort, who, as ye know, is beleaguere in Hennebon. +'Twill be a grave and hazardous task, yet withal one of great honour. +To my mind, I cannot name a more promising messenger than thee. Art +willing to take the risk?" + +<p>"To have a chance to distinguish myself in the King's service is my +ardent desire, sir!" + +<p>"'Tis well. Now listen. Hennebon is on the sea coast of Brittany, +betwixt the great River Loire and the town of Brest. As the foemen +lie thick around it, and have also, I doubt not, a strong +water-guard, 'tis a matter of stratagem rather than open work. But, +in any case, this packet must be delivered into the hands of the +Countess at all costs—at all costs, I repeat. I give thee a free +hand in the matter. Take what men thou dost deem fit—though, +methinks, the smaller the party the more chance of success." + +<p>"Methinks my father will be sufficient company for me, sir." + +<p>"Ah! as I thought. Thou hast chosen wisely. Now take this map and +mark it well—'tis by the hand of the King's own guide—and get you +gone to prepare for thy journey, for to-morrow morn a stout little +craft will lie off the water-gate ready to bear thee over the sea." + +<p>Overjoyed at the prospects of such an adventure Raymond withdrew, and +consulted with his father on the best means of getting through the +cordon that was drawn round the beleaguered town. + +<p>As night drew on, father and son repaired to the little church within +the walls, and for seven long hours kept an earnest vigil before the +altar, praying fervently for the success of their enterprise, and +invoking the protection of their patron saints against the perils of +land and sea. Then, as daylight dawned, they arose, weary and stiff, +to partake of food and drink ere embarking. + +<p>Tidings of their mission had already spread throughout the garrison +of the castle, and when, accompanied by the Constable himself, the +two travellers made their way to the water-gate, a large concourse of +soldiers and members of the household flocked behind them to cheer +them on their way and to wish them God-speed. + +<p>Riding easily at her hempen cable, on the first of the ebb tide, lay +the staunch vessel that was to carry them across the Channel. On her +stern were engraved the words <i>Les Trois Frères de Guernesey</i>, +showing her to be one of the Channel Islands boats, whose crew, brave +and hardy fishermen, were the best pilots obtainable. + +<p>They were, in fact, the only vessels that in those days were capable +of making any pretence of sailing into the wind, and even then only, +in nautical language, "full and bye." The usual type of ships, with +their huge square sail, could only run before the breeze. + +<p>The skiff of <i>Les Trois Frères</i> was waiting at the little Hard, and +the farewells were quickly said. The precious despatch was sewn in +the hem of Raymond's jerkin, and once again the stern old knight +impressed upon his squire the necessity of the utmost caution. Then +he extended his hand to the lad. + +<p>"God be with thee, and bring thee safely home again. I would be loth +to lose so promising a lad!" exclaimed Sir John. + +<p>"Thanks for thy good wishes, fair sir," replied Raymond. "And should +I not return," he added, with a faint catch in his voice which, in +spite of his stout heart, he was unable to conceal, "I pray you send +this packet to the lady whose superscription appears hereon." And, +thrusting into the knight's hand a bulky missive, Raymond turned +quickly on his heel, to hide his rising colour, and stepped into the +skiff. + +<p>The Constable watched the Guernsey bark hoist her sails, and waited +till she was well on her way down towards the harbour's mouth; then +he returned slowly towards his quarters. + +<p>Glancing at the packet, he deciphered with difficulty the +superscription, written in a scrawling hand: "To ye richt +worshippefulle Ladye Audrey Scarsdale." + +<p>"Heaven bless the lad," he mused. "Certes I am of a mind to forward +this missive whether he returns or not!" + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter11"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XI</h3> + +<h5 align="center">THE CHIRURGEON OF LÉGUÉ</h5> + +<p> +WITH a powerful following wind, <i>Les Trois Frères</i> made a rapid +passage down the harbour, and, before Raymond fully realised the +fact, the little vessel was lifting to the gentle heave of the +Channel. + +<p>By midday the chalk cliffs of the Isle of Wight were all that was +visible of the shores of England, and, though a careful watch was +kept for hostile ships, not a sail was to be seen on the wide expanse +of water. + +<p>The master, Pierre de la Corbière, was a huge-limbed, swarthy +Guernseyman, who spoke in a guttural patois that was almost +unintelligible to the young squire, though Redward, to whom most of +the dialects of France were familiar, could make himself understood +with comparative ease. + +<p>Nine men and a boy composed the crew, a large one for so small a +craft; but the perils of war, added to the dangers of the sea, were a +sufficient excuse for their numbers. Each man, picturesquely clothed +and wearing silver earrings, was a trained pilot, and most of them +had served in that capacity on board the ships that had on past +occasions taken the King and his troops to France and Flanders. All +of them carried short daggers or knives in their belts, while a large +chest, lashed to ringbolts in the deck, contained a good supply of +swords and axes. + +<p>"If this wind lasts," remarked the master, "we shall sight Cap de la +Hogue within a couple of hours. Whither would ye land, good sir?" + +<p>"Nay, I know not," replied Redward. "And, moreover, I care not, so +long as it be not too close to the town." + +<p>"There are the ports of Quimper, Doualan, Auray, and Morbihan," said +Pierre, counting them on his fingers. "All of easy distance from +Hennebon—though, perchance, we may receive a rough handling when we +arrive. Ma foi! And the passage of the Chenal du Four 'Twould be +quicker and safer to run into St. Brieuc." + +<p>"St. Brieuc!" exclaimed Redward, referring to a very rough plan. +"Why, 'tis at least twenty leagues from the town to which we +journey." + +<p>"Twenty leagues by land, as ye say," replied the Guernseyman +doggedly. "But if 'tis a question of time, commend me to St. Brieuc, +for if we lose the wind or have a contrary wind off Ushant, it may +mean a week's buffeting in the Chenal du Four, with a score of reefs +and unseen rocks on each side of us." + +<p>"As ye will, then," assented Redward; and he moved away to tell +Raymond of the alteration of their plans. + +<p>But the young squire was in no fit mood to be informed. The long, +swinging motion and the heat of the sun had done their work, and he +lay prone on the deck in the miseries of sea-sickness. Knowing that +any attempt at consolation would only aggravate the malady, the +master-bowman turned away, and, leaning against the low bulwarks, +gazed intently towards the still invisible French coast. + +<p>Late in the afternoon the grey cliffs of La Hogue and the dark +outline of the Isle of Aurigny were sighted; but just before sundown +the wind died utterly away, leaving the little craft wallowing +heavily in the long swell, her sail flapping idly against the mast. + +<p>The sky, hitherto clear and cloudless, was now overcast, and away +towards the southward a succession of flashes of lightning betokened +an approaching storm. + +<p>Even Pierre de la Corbière, bold fisherman as he was, looked anxious, +for the vessel was now beginning to feel the influence of the +dreadful Race of Alderney, and, with a lack of wind and a dark night +to boot, the terrors of the Race were considerably magnified. + +<p>About midnight they were in the thick of it. A slight breeze had +sprung up, but barely sufficient to give the boat steerage-way. All +around were tremendous broken waves, and, although Pierre stood +gripping the tiller in an endeavour to avoid the heaviest breakers, +the boat was urged onwards through the Race at the rate that a horse +would trot, her mast threatening to snap under the irregular action +of the vicious cross seas. + +<p>Throughout the tumult Raymond lay like a log, utterly unmindful of +the danger, his illness having completely overcome him. His father +took the precaution to lash him to the mast, and throughout that +fearful night Redward remained by his side, making endless vows to +the saints, which he heartily meant to fulfil should they ever again +reach dry land. + +<p>Fortunately the threatened storm passed away, and as daylight broke +<i>Les Trois Frères</i> was beyond the influence of the Race, Guernsey and +its attendant islands, Sark and Herm, being plainly visible. + +<p>With a skill acquired by long years of experience, the Guernseyman +steered his craft between the islands, taking advantage of every +current that would help to bear them south, and, before the sun was +high, the Island of Jersey was abeam. The waters, too, were dotted +with the sails of fishing boats, forming a pleasing contrast to the +dreary waste of water they had traversed on the previous day. + +<p>Worn out and faint from the effect of his long fast, Raymond sat up +and looked around, as if unable to bring himself to recall his +surroundings; but after a scanty meal of dry bread and water, he felt +the giddiness leave him, and with an effort he stood on his feet, +gripping his father tightly for fear of falling. + +<p>"Where are we?" he asked dejectedly. + +<p>"Nearly there," replied Redward. "A sailorman thou'lt be some day, +but beshrew me if thou lookest like one now! An hour ashore will make +all the difference; but rest awhile, my son, for there's work enow +ere long for both of us." + +<p>Late in the afternoon <i>Les Trois Frères</i> entered St. Brieuc Bay, the +high ground showing up distinctly, while far away they could discern +the lofty Bretagne hills, that lay between them and their +destination; and, just as the sun was sinking low behind the Brittany +coast, the little craft brought up under the shadow of the gloomy +castle of Cesson. + +<p>Redward and the master conferred long and anxiously on the subject of +how to gain the shore without observation, but at length a light +dawned upon the dull mind of the Guernseyman. + +<p>"Thou hast said well," he remarked. "Of a truth we cannot make sure +whether they of St. Brieuc are for the Countess of Montfort or +against her. And none of us wishes to put his head into the wolf's +mouth. But I know of a man—a foster-brother of mine—at whose house +ye could stay until the way is clear for ye to journey across +country. He dwells at Légué, but a mile from St. Brieuc, and I will +go ashore and converse with him." + +<p>Silently and in the now black night the little skiff was lowered, and +Pierre de la Corbière was rowed ashore by two of his men. + +<p>For nearly two hours Redward and the young squire remained on board, +anxiously listening for the sound of oars, till at length the little +boat shot noiselessly alongside, and the master sprang upon the deck. + +<p>"'Tis easily done, though they of Blois hold the town," he exclaimed +breathlessly. "Raoul de Rohein, of whom I spoke, is willing to +receive you, for which service he demands five sols. He is a barber +and chirurgeon, and lives in the Rue Mortbec. Hasten, ere it be +light, for we must leave on top o' the tide." + +<p>Once more the skiff, deeply laden, started for the shore. Raymond, in +his light armour, had discarded his surcoat with the conspicuous +cross of St. George, Redward in his harness could hardly be +distinguished from a Breton, and could rely upon his knowledge of the +French tongue to pass for a Gascon, or a Burgundian, as occasion +served. With them went Pierre de la Corbiere and a sailor, both of +whom rowed while the squire and his father sat in the stern-sheets. + +<p>Half-an-hour's steady pulling and the skiff grounded on the sandy +shore. Silently the three disembarked, leaving the seaman to look +after the boat, and quickly they made their way towards the house of +refuge. + +<p>Suddenly the master stopped. "<i>Mon Dieu</i>," he exclaimed, "<i>c'est les +gardes!</i>" + +<p>Coming straight towards them was a body of halberdiers, accompanied +by an officer. Retreat, without arousing suspicion, was impossible; +but in a few words the ever-resourceful Redward had devised a plan. +Raymond lay down in the road, his father lifted him by the shoulders +while Pierre took him by the feet, and, staggering under their heavy +burden, they advanced to meet the watch. + +<p>"<i>Halte! Qui v'la?</i>" demanded the officer, flashing a lantern upon +the trio. + +<p>"'Tis le Sieur d'Erqui, Monsieur," replied the Guernseyman, speaking +in a patois which is common between the Bretons and the Channel +Islanders. "He has been roystering and brawling, and has been sore +hurt." + +<p>"One cannot put old heads on young shoulders," remarked the officer, +with a deprecating shrug. "What folly hash he been at?" + +<p>"I cannot say, monsieur." + +<p>"Eh, bien! All the wine-shops will have the tale to-morrow! <i>En +avant, mes enfants!</i>" he added to his men, and to the great relief of +Raymond and his companions the watch shouldered their halberts and +moved on towards St. Brieuc. + +<p>"A narrow escape," exclaimed Pierre, crossing himself. "If we were +discovered, three against seven would be long odds." + +<p>"I've been in a worse fix before to-day," replied Redward sturdily. +"And we could have taken them by surprise." + +<p>"Nevertheless, fighting is not in my line—on land, at least—and I +am thankful it did not come to blows." + +<p>At length they arrived at a narrow street, where storeys of the +houses projected beyond those below, till the uppermost ones appeared +almost to meet, shutting out even the dim gloom of the now +starlit-sky. + +<p>With the air of a man who feels certain of his ground Pierre strode +rapidly ahead, the others following closely at his heels. Presently +he stopped outside a house, and drawing his dagger, struck lightly +upon the door with the hilt. After a few seconds' delay they heard +the sound of some one moving within, and the door was carefully +unbarred and thrown open. + +<p>Pierre whispered a few words to the occupant, then, bidding his +former passengers farewell, he turned on his heel and walked swiftly +and silently towards the shore. + +<p>The Englishmen followed their host into a low, ill-lighted room, and +for the first time they were able to see what manner of man he was. + +<p>A misshapen, undersized body, surmounted by a lean, yellow-skinned +face, and furnished with a pair of long arms, the hands of which, +shaking as if with ague, resembled the claws of a bird, formed the +outward appearance of the barber and chirurgeon of Légué; and Raymond +could not repress a shudder as he gazed upon this caricature of a +human being. + +<p>"Ye are for Hennebon?" he asked in a quavering tone, rolling his +lustreless eyes from one to the other. + +<p>"Ay," replied Redward, "but how, by Saint Gregoire of Brittany, didst +thou know?" + +<p>"The shipman, my foster-brother, hath told me. But the money, the +money?" he added, opening his withered hand. + +<p>"A curse on the shipman," growled Redward to himself, "his tongue +will be our undoing. Here, take this," he added, counting out a sum +of money equivalent to the five sols demanded. "Canst furnish us with +a horse apiece?" + +<p>Ignoring the question, the barber counted the pieces, putting each +coin between his toothless gums, as if doubtful of their quality. + +<p>"Didst hear me—respecting the use of two horses?" demanded Redward +sternly. + +<p>"Yea, noble master," replied the barber. "But there are none to be +had." + +<p>"None?" + +<p>"None! They have all been seized by those of Blois till the affair is +over. Therefore, by necessity, ye must go afoot—and the roads are +very unsafe for travellers at present, especially Englishmen bound +for Hennebon!" + +<p>"A pest on your words! What would ye have us do?" + +<p>The old man advanced a step, peering with his bleared eyes into the +face of the master-bowman. + +<p>"For money there is much to be had!" he croaked, a sardonic smile +overspreading his withered face, while his long fingers clawed +invisible heaps of gold. + +<p>"Out on thee for an arrant cheat! Give thy plan and name the price." + +<p>Slowly and deliberately, his voice hardly above a whisper, the Breton +replied: "Did it ever occur to thy noble self that the dress of a +leper would make the best protection?" + +<p>Redward recoiled, in spite of his hardened nerves, for sufferers from +that loathsome and incurable disease were far from rare in Western +Europe in those days. In France they were compelled by law to wear +long grey gowns and hoods, and to carry a "barillet," or rattle, to +give due warning of their approach. Under severe penalties they were +forbidden to remain in the larger cities and towns, or to beg or use +their rattle for the purpose of exciting pity. Thus it was common to +see them wandering over the countryside in pairs, their approach +being the signal for other wayfarers to pass them at a safe +distance.[1] + +<p>"But the dress?" asked Redward. + +<p>"That is easily to be had. I have a stock of them in this house. And +the price——" + +<p>"They have not been used?" interrupted the master-bowman anxiously. + +<p>"Certainly not, monsieur," replied the barber, with a hideous leer. +"'Twould be impossible. But the price I ask—and they be of good +quality—is but one livre, five sols—quite a small sum for a wealthy +gentleman like monsieur!" + +<p>At that moment a loud rapping was heard. The squire and his father +sprang up, and, suspecting danger, their hands flew to their +sword-hilts. + +<p>With a motion of his hand, their host indicated that they should hide +behind a heavy curtain; then, taking a torch from its socket, he made +towards the door. + +<p>After considerable parleying the nocturnal visitor was admitted, and, +through a small hole in the mouldy curtain, Redward could see him +without risk. That he was a man of quality was apparent by the long +furred gown he wore; and further, by the length of the garment and +its rich violet colour, and the mortier or silk cap, ornamented with +Valenciennes lace, worn instead of the hat affected by the bourgeois, +his rank was of importance. + +<p>"Art thou Raoul de Rohein, the chirurgeon?" he asked, in a lisping +voice, flourishing a musk-perfumed handkerchief as if to ward off the +hideous shape before him. + +<p>"At thy service, my lord—barber, chirurgeon, apothecary, having been +duly examined and licensed by the great John Pitart, surgeon of the +Châtelet of Paris." + +<p>"'Tis well! I am the Sieur d'Erqui, and I am bound for the army of +Charles of Blois, that lieth before Hennebon. In camps one has always +the fear of plague. Therefore, believing that forewarned is +forearmed, I come to thee for a remedy or, rather, a +preventative—'gainst the fell disorder." + +<p>"I have the very thing, monsieur! But five sols nine deniers the +box—the nine deniers being devoted to the funds of the hospital of +St. Brieuc, <i>bien entendu!</i> By the holy St. Mark, the very thing! A +mixture of sulphur, viper's cake, powder of pearls, confection of +hyacinth, and an extract of the juice of <i>scorsonera</i>, all prepared +according to the recipe of the learned John Pitart, and made into +tablets covered with gold foil. One drachm three times a week, in the +morning, is the dose, monsieur, and if exposed to the infection two +drachms before going to bed!" + +<p>"And is that all?" inquired the Sieur anxiously, as if the presence +of the barber was a presage of the plague. + +<p>"Nay, of thine own ordering there is much to be done. I perceive that +monsieur carries the perfume of musk about with him. That is wrong. +Instead, let him take a citron pricked with cloves. Never walk out +fasting, neither drink wine immoderately; and, in the case of +immediate danger, take a little theriaque; and I'll warrant Erqui +will welcome its Sieur home in due course. And the fee, monsieur, is, +as I said, seven sols nine deniers." + +<p>"But now thou didst ask five sols and nine deniers!" + +<p>"Two sols in addition for the advice—excellent advice, monsieur. +<i>Merci, monsieur, et bon voyage!</i>" + +<p>The Sieur had gone, and Raymond and his father came from their +hiding-place. Redward explained to his son, in a few words, the +nature of their disguise. Once again the talon-like hand of the +miserly Raoul closed over the money, and away he went to look for the +required garments. + +<p>In a few moments he returned. The Englishmen donned the repulsive +insignia of the leper, and took the barillets in their hands. The +barber again unfastened the door and listened intently for any sound. +There was none. + +<p>"Take the road through the village; it leads to Pontivy. There, +perchance, ye may find horses. Fare ye well!" + +<p>And, passing out into the darkness of the night, the Englishmen began +their long journey afoot, stealing silently through the almost +deserted streets towards the frowning hills of Brittany. + +<p> +[1] It was not until thirty years later that the hospitals of St. +Lazare and St. Germain were founded in Paris for the relief of these +unfortunate sufferers. On systematic steps being taken to deal with +the malady, the number of its victims quickly diminished; till the +scourge was practically wiped out. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter12"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XII</h3> + +<h5 align="center">THE JOURNEY PERILOUS</h5> + +<p> +LONG before the grey morn began to dawn Redward and his son had +covered a couple of leagues, and were at the foot of a long range of +hills. Slowly they began the ascent, and, ere the summit was reached, +the light was sufficient for them to see their grotesque and horrible +garb. + +<p>"A safe disguise," exclaimed Raymond, "yet right glad will I be when +we can doff these garments." + +<p>"A safe disguise enough, should the barber not play us false," +replied his father. "I liked not his looks, though I trow he is in +no ways to blame for the cut of his face." + +<p>"But dost think that he will play us false?" + +<p>"'Tis not unlikely; so the more leagues we place between us and St. +Brieuc the better. Canst get at thy sword-hilt?" + +<p>"Not easily. Wherefore dost thou ask?" + +<p>"Danger might come apace and at any time. See, I have cut a slit in +my gown so that I can grasp my sword without delay. I pray thee do +likewise." + +<p>On the brow of the first hill was a long farmstead, sheltered more or +less by a clump of stunted pinetrees. Behind the house was an +orchard, its branches laden with fruit, while amongst the trees were +several cows, their heads tethered to their forefeet, after the +manner of those parts, so that the animals could not tear down the +branches of the fruit-trees. + +<p>"A sight to gladden the eyes of an old campaigner!" exclaimed the +master-bowman, and, taking his steel cap from beneath his cowl, he +stole cautiously towards the cattle, Raymond waiting behind a +sheltering tree. + +<p>With the deftness born of old experience Redward did his work, and +soon returned with his casque filled to the brim with warm milk. +Having drunk their fill, the travellers helped themselves to a +bounteous supply of fruit, and proceeded on their way, the fruit, +together with some dry bread they had brought with them, making a +passable breakfast. + +<p>At the bottom of the hill they entered a small village. Although +still early, most of the inhabitants were astir, and the Englishmen +had their first experience of the efficacy of their disguise. For +directly they rattled their barillets the villagers ran hither and +thither to avoid the supposed sufferers, save a horseman and an old +woman. The former passed them at a distance of a few paces, throwing +them a couple of deniers. With his usual presence of mind Redward +stooped, picked up the coins, and louted to the donor. The woman +threw them a rusk loaf, and this was caught and quickly concealed +beneath the sheltering cloaks. + +<p>Once clear of the village they mended their pace, and, with the +exception of a pair of shepherds, and a peasant clattering along in +his heavy sabots, not a soul did they meet till close on midday, when +the travellers arrived at a cross-road, where the monotony of the +outlook was broken by four avenues of trees. + +<p>"I would fain have rested here awhile," exclaimed Redward. "But with +that for company methinks we shall do better if we get about a +bow-shot further on!" + +<p>"A corpse?" + +<p>"Ay, lad; a malefactor hanged close to the scene of his crime. See, +already the crows have begun their work." + +<p>With averted heads the twain passed the gallows; but on giving a +glance down the cross-road they saw a sight that filled them with +misgiving, for plodding wearily along were two figures dressed like +themselves! + +<p>"Lepers, indeed!" exclaimed Redward. "My faith, they would bear us +company." + +<p>Waving their arms to attract and arrest their supposed +fellow-sufferers, the two grey-robed men quickened their pace, but, +directly the Englishmen had gained the cover of the tree-lined road, +they, too, hastened to avoid being overtaken, so that by the time the +lepers had turned the corner, Raymond and his father were some +distance ahead. + +<p>"We more than hold our own," quoth Redward, glancing over his +shoulder. "Directly we shake them off we'll have a well-earned rest." + +<p>It was as he said. The well-knit frames of the Englishmen were vastly +superior to the diseased bodies of the lepers, and long before the +bottom of the hill was reached their two pursuers were but dimly +visible on the dusty road. + +<p>Once again the road led upwards. Not a village was to be seen, only a +vast undulating plain, unbroken except for an occasional clump of +trees, while in the distance the blue outlines of a lofty range of +hills showed that some stiff climbing would be necessary ere Hennebon +was in sight. + +<p>An hour later and they had all but gained the ridge of the next hill. +By the roadside was a heather-covered bank, while between a mass of +rocks a spring gushed forth, the water making a pleasant sound in the +ears of the weary travellers. + +<p>Father and son drank at the spring, then clambering over the bank, +lay down on the springy heather, where, without being seen, they +could command the road for nearly a league. + +<p>"'Tis quite evident that we can outpace those poor wretches," said +Raymond, stretching out his limbs to their fullest extent in +appreciation of his natural bed. "Here we can rest in comfort till +they draw nigh; then, refreshed, we can hasten onwards once more." + +<p>For nearly an hour they remained, sleep all but claiming them. Not a +word was spoken, though Redward gave an occasional grunt as he raised +himself on his elbow at intervals to watch the advancing lepers. + +<p>The heat, too, was terrific, the sun beating down with fierce +violence on their unprotected resting-place. + +<p>Suddenly Raymond raised himself and looked along the road they had +just traversed. There were the two grey-robed figures moving slowly +up the hill, but away in the distance the sun glittered upon a +swiftly-moving mass of steel, followed by a thick cloud of dust. + +<p>"Soldiers!" he exclaimed. + +<p>Redward raised himself. "I like it not," he exclaimed. "They are +following us. That rogue of a barber hath betrayed us. Lie low, +Raymond, and let them pass; I perceive 'twill mean a journey by night +for us." + +<p>Stretching side by side, and concealing their hoods with sprays of +heather, father and son waited and watched. The two lepers were +within two hundred paces ere they heard the thunder of the horses' +hoofs behind them. With a cry of terror one of the twain turned and +fled; the other, ignorant of the intentions of the pursuing horsemen, +held his ground, flourishing his rattle with the vigour that danger +bestowed upon him. + +<p>Like a flash the foremost soldier was upon him; a back-handed sweeping +cut with his sword and the grey-robed figure was dashed to the earth, +and ere his companion had come level with the spot where the +Englishmen were concealed, he was transfixed by a lance-thrust and +was trampled beneath the horses' hoofs. + +<p>With wild cries of exultation the troop of horsemen reined in their +steeds and surveyed the result of their fell work. + +<p>"Quickly, Geoffroi! Strip those cloaks from the bodies of these +accursed English and search them for concealed papers," ordered their +leader. "By St. Denis, 'tis a smart piece of work, though I little +thought the rogues would have died so tamely!" + +<p>The soldier addressed dismounted, handed his still reeking lance to a +comrade, and bent over the corpse of the man he had slain. With a +quick motion he tore aside the robe. But the next instant, uttering a +shriek of terror, he jumped backwards, covering his eyes with his +hands as if to ward off a blow. + +<p>"<i>Mon Dieu!</i>" exclaimed the captain, craning over the neck of his +charger. "What have we done? They are in truth real lepers! Dolt of a +barber! A curse upon Raoul de Rohein! He hath deceived us! Is it the +same with the other?" + +<p>The first victim had fallen on his back, and his hood, stained with +his blood, had slipped from off his head, disclosing the repulsive +disease-eaten features of a man whose malady was far advanced. + +<p>"Stand back, all of you!" shouted the captain, beside himself with +rage and mortification. "Stand back! Do thou, Jehan, cast thy sword +and its sheath from thee lest thou die! And do thou, Geoffroi, ride +fifty paces behind us, and hold communication with no man till the +law respecting contagion is complied with. Now back to the town with +all speed, <i>mes enfants</i>, for I have an account to settle with Maitre +Raoul! What will they say of us when they hear we have vanquished +nought but a pair of lepers?" + +<p>The troop galloped away down the dusty road towards St. Brieuc, the +unfortunate soldier following in the rear, his face ashen with terror +at the thought of the loathsome death he had courted, while two +mottled grey corpses, a discarded sword, and the imprints of the +hoofs of the cavalry alone remained to mark the scene of so swift and +terrible a tragedy. + +<p>Shuddering at the thought of their narrow escape, Raymond and his +father rose, and with averted faces, left behind them the bodies of +the ill-fated men, and pursued their journey. Not till they were two +leagues from the spot did they halt; then, selecting a secluded +coppice, they threw themselves on the ground and were soon deep in +dreamless slumber. + +<p>The sun had set and the stars were beginning to twinkle in the +darkening sky ere the travellers awoke stiff and cramped with lying +on the bare earth; but stern duty urged them onwards, and with +swinging stride they resumed their way. + +<p>Along the deserted highway, past the slumbering village of Ploeue +they jogged, too discomforted and weary even to engage in +conversation. + +<p>About two hours after midnight they were startled by hearing the +sound of horsemen behind them. Without hesitation Redward sprang to +the side of the road, dragging the squire with him; then kneeling +down and placing his ear to the ground he listened intently. + +<p>"'Tis but a pair of horsemen," he whispered. "See to thy sword, for +there will be work afoot for us!" + +<p>The riders had now slackened down to a slow trot, and by their +conversation the Englishmen recognised that one of them was an old +acquaintance—none other than the Sieur d'Erqui. + +<p>"Once have we met him, and once at least hath he done us a service," +muttered the bowman in a low tone. "Methinks yet another service will +he render us. Now, follow me!" + +<p>Giving a tremendous salute with his rattle, Redward, with Raymond +close at his heels, sprang into the road and barred the Sieur's way. +Taken aback, his face livid with superstitious fear, d'Erqui reined +in his steed, while his companion, evidently a retainer, did +likewise. + +<p>"Dismount, monsieur, lest I lay hands on thee and thou diest a +horrible death," exclaimed Redward in a sepulchral voice, relying on +the cowardice of the foppish Frenchman to gain his end. + +<p>Without a word the Sieur leapt, or, rather, rolled, from the saddle +and cowered down in the darkness by the roadside. Seizing the horse's +bridle by the left hand, the soldier advanced towards the other +horseman. + +<p>Made of sterner stuff, the latter had recovered from the first +surprise, and, perceiving that he had no supernatural foes to deal +with, he drew his sword and rode towards his challenger. Avoiding +with ease a terrific sweep of the heavy weapon, Redward returned the +blow without effect, but, ere the man could shorten his sword, the +young squire rushed in, seized him round the waist and hurled him +from the saddle to the ground, where he had enough reason to remain +quiet. + +<p>It was the work of a moment for the Englishmen to mount the captured +steeds, then, giving a parting salute to the discomforted Sieur, they +pricked the horses with the points of their weapons, and urged them +into a brisk canter. + +<p>"Bravely done, Raymond," exclaimed his father. "It will fare ill with +us now if Hennebon sees us not by to-morrow's dawn!" + +<p>"But how can we ride in this disguise?" asked Raymond. "It is not the +custom for lepers to go about on horseback." + +<p>"There is a good two hours ere daybreak, and by that time, I trow, we +shall be at least five leagues from here. Then, I hope, the saints +being with us, that thou wilt be the Sieur d'Erqui, and I his man!" + +<p>"The Sieur d'Erqui?" + +<p>"Yea, and why not? Thou hast played the part of the Sieur before to +good purpose, and why not now? But, oh for a plentiful repast! Dry +bread and apples are but a sorry meal when one is used to English +beef!" + +<p>Maintaining a hot pace the travellers rode through the night; then +just as day was breaking they halted, watered their horses, and, +after hobbling them, turned them out to graze. They then divested +themselves of their hideous cloaks and hoods, rolled the garments +into a small compass, and resumed the rôle of soldiers. + +<p>About eight o'clock they arrived at the village of Pontivy, and +reining-in at the inn, Redward dismounted and strode up to mine host, +who saw in every armed man a spoiler, whether he were for Montfort or +for Blois. + +<p>"Hark ye, garçon!" exclaimed the master-bowman, "thy best food and +wine in plenty, and provender for our horses! And, as thou valuest +thy hide, say not one word to my master, the worthy Sieur d'Erqui, +for he is in a bad mood, and woe betide the man who addresses him!" + +<p>Their steeds were led away, and Raymond and his father were shown +into the largest room of the inn, while the waiting-maids, urged by +the host, bustled about preparing the meal. + +<p>Raymond did not belie the character his father had given him as the +Sieur, but his reticence was due to bodily fatigue. For, while +awaiting the meal, fitful sleep claimed him, but it was only to +awaken with a start as his head fell forward on his chest. + +<p>Never was a repast better enjoyed, and never was the desire to sleep +so irresistible, but Redward, though weary himself, was inexorable. + +<p>"Maybe swift pursuit is already at our heels," said he. "So onward we +must go. Holá!" he shouted, hammering on the trestled board with his +sword-hilt. + +<p>In answer to the summons the host appeared, trembling in his shoes. + +<p>"How is the army ordered before Hennebon And where shall my master +find the banners of the Duke Charles?" + +<p>"Sir, report hath it that the force of Blois lieth thickest about +where this road approaches the town, so, without doubt, the banners +of the Duke are there." + +<p>Throwing down a coin to pay for their repast (whereat the host +marvelled greatly, seeing it was not the custom of the times), +Redward followed the supposed Sieur from the inn; their horses were +brought round, and soon they were clattering over the pavé of the +village towards the open country. + +<p>Redward glanced backwards several times to see if there were any +signs of pursuit, but to his great satisfaction none could be +detected. + +<p>"Thou hast heard what the rogue said the foe lie thickest along this +road? Should any follow us we have laid a false scent, for I do not +wish to ride straight into the camp of Blois. To that end let us turn +off along the road to Aurai, and thence follow the coast to the walls +of Hennebon." + +<p>Accordingly they turned aside at a cross-road, having learned from a +peasant that it led to the town of Aurai. A league or so farther on +they again left the road and rested in a wood, sleeping without +molestation till late in the afternoon. + +<p>Darkness was drawing on as they struck the road between Hennebon and +Aurai, about a bow-shot from the latter place. Avoiding the town the +travellers turned towards their goal, now but a short four leagues +distance. + +<p>"We must be doubly cautious, Raymond," said his father, "for methinks +another troop of horsemen is approaching." + +<p>Once again they withdrew from the road, and, hiding beneath the +shadow of some tall trees, they waited. Nearer and nearer came the +sound, till, like a whirlwind, a large body of knights and mounted +men-at-arms dashed by in the darkness, and, with a thunder of hoofs +and a cloud of dust that rose slowly in the still night air, they +vanished into the gloom. + +<p>"By St. George! What doth it mean?" exclaimed Raymond. + +<p>"Nay, I cannot say, save it be they of Blois fleeing from those of +Montfort; every man was riding for dear life, and, mark you, with +loose rein and hot spur!" + +<p>"Then onwards, father! An hour will decide whether we reach Hennebon +unscathed, or have to fight our way in." + +<p>Almost before they were aware of the fact they rode right into the +camp of the besiegers, but, instead of being instantly challenged and +taken prisoners, it was like a progress through a city of the dead. +Most of the tents were cut down, several of the temporary wooden huts +still smouldered, while here and there their horses had to step aside +to avoid treading on the corpse of an unarmoured man. + +<p>Still wondering at this unlooked-for sight, the Englishmen spurred on +till they drew rein outside the twin towers that guarded the gate of +Hennebon. A hoarse voice challenged them, and torches flickered on +the battlements as the garrison stood to their arms. + +<p>"Open! We would see the Countess!" roared Redward, standing in his +stirrups. + +<p>"Who are ye, and whence come ye?" was the reply. + +<p>"Messengers from the King of England." + +<p>Cries of delight greeted this announcement, the drawbridge fell with +a ponderous clang, the great gates were thrown wide open, and, +conscious that a great duty had been well carried out, Raymond, +followed by his father, entered the town of Hennebon. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter13"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XIII</h3> + +<h5 align="center">THE RELIEF OF HENNEBON</h5> + +<p> +"THY name and style, fair sir?" + +<p>"My name is Raymond Buckland, squire to Sir John Hacket, Constable of +the King's Castle of Portchester and Governor of the town of +Portsmouth. Lead me, I pray, to her grace the Countess of Montfort, +for I have a letter which I have to give her by my own hand." + +<p>"Nay," was the reply, "that cannot be—at least not at this moment. +The Countess led a sortie yesterday at noon, and, alas, hath not yet +returned. I, Henri Barbenoire, seigneur of the castle of Ploeac and +Seneschal, in the absence of the Countess of this town will receive +thy message." + +<p>"That cannot be," replied Raymond courteously, "for to the Countess +alone must I hand this letter." + +<p>Barbenoire, a Breton whole-heartedly devoted to his mistress, did not +press the point, but ordering a hasty meal to be prepared, remained +with the young squire. It was but a sorry repast, for already the +supplies were low, nevertheless Raymond did justice to the simple +fare, listening awhile to the narrative of the events of the siege. + +<p>Cheered by the touching confidence that the heroic Countess had given +to the townsmen of Hennebon, the garrison had fought bravely and +well. The Countess herself wore armour, and rode on a huge warhorse +through the narrow streets, encouraging her people to make good +defence, reminding them of the help she hoped would be forthcoming +from the King of England. Nor did she spare the womenfolk, for she +caused them to discard their long trains and heavy skirts and to don +short kirtles so that they could move with freedom. This done, they +were employed in carrying stones and arrows to the walls to replenish +the missiles of the defenders, and so emboldened were they by the +example of their mistress that the women did not hesitate to hurl the +stones down upon the invaders. + +<p>At length one day the Frenchmen massed outside the northern wall for +a grand assault, and, ascending a lofty tower, the Countess perceived +that their camp was empty. Instantly calling together a body of +knights and mounted men-at-arms the lady mounted her steed and, +placing herself at their head, rode straight for the French camp, +cutting down tents and setting fire to everything that would readily +burn. + +<p>The watchers on the walls saw the French host desist from the assault +and retire to intercept the Countess. Finding herself cut off from +the town, she called in her followers, and rode furiously away to +Aural, hotly pursued by Sir Louis d'Espagne, the second in command of +Charles of Blois. + +<p>Thus it was that Raymond had seen the Countess and her troops pass by +him without knowledge of their identity; and now the garrison was +ignorant of the fate of their beloved leader, none knowing whether +she had been killed or taken, or whether she had baffled pursuit. + +<p>On the morning following the arrival of Raymond and his father, the +host of Blois still encompassed the town, yet no attempt was made to +renew the assault. + +<p>The two Englishmen were enrolled as members of the garrison, and as +the days went past they with their foreign comrades gazed eagerly +from the battlements in the hope of seeing the banners of the +returning Countess. + +<p>On the fifth day, Barbenoire had ascended the lofty east tower. +Despair for his mistress had filled his soul, yet, inspiring the +townsfolk by word and deed, he gave no sign of misgiving, being +resolved to hold Hennebon as long as a single fighting-man was left. + +<p>The rising sun dazzled his vision, but a movement on the skyline +riveted his attention. Calling one of his captains, he pointed out +the spot, and both agreed that it was a body of troops approaching. + +<p>A very short time sufficed to spread the news, though Barbenoire +commanded that no demonstration should be made lest it should attract +the notice of the besiegers. + +<p>Soon it was beyond doubt that the Countess was returning. Collecting +a body of one hundred archers and spearmen, the Seneschal ordered +them to make a feint sortie from the western side while the gateway +on the opposite side was thrown open to receive the Countess. Then, +when safely within the walls with all her company and an additional +force of five hundred spears, the redoubtable Châtelaine was greeted +with a great noise of trumpets to the cheers of the delighted +townsfolk. + +<p>The besiegers, finding themselves tricked, could not refrain from +praising the boldness and skill of the Countess of Montfort. +Nevertheless, they advanced to the assault, and the struggle waxed +fierce until noon, when, unable to gain a lodgment, the partisans of +Blois sullenly retreated to their camp. + +<p>Directly the attack was repulsed, Raymond hastened to the presence of +the Countess. She had now divested herself of her bascinet and steel +jupon, and the young squire saw before him a tall, stately lady of +about thirty years of age. Her finely chiselled face was crowned by a +wealth of auburn hair, which, ruffled by the removal of her +headpiece, served to hide the somewhat lofty brow. + +<p>Raymond could but marvel that such a truly feminine form possessed +the courage and endurance of a man, and his astonishment was +increased when she addressed him in low, sweet tones, for he had +heard of the Countess's soul-stirring speech, when, holding her +little son by the hand, she had so successfully appealed to the +chivalrous instincts of her knights and to the loyalty of the +townsfolk. + +<p>Concealing her agitation at the arrival of such important news from +England, the Countess broke the seals and opened the letter. Her face +flushed with pleasure as she read its contents. + +<p>"Hearken, my fair lords, to the message of our noble overlord the +King of England," she cried, turning to those who were with her. +"Four score ships by now are on their way to aid us, and ere long +three thousand men, under Sir Robert of Artois and Sir Walter Manny, +will be on the heels of our enemies." + +<p>Shouts of exultation greeted this announcement, and, the news quickly +spreading, the whole town was given over to rejoicing. + +<p>But meanwhile active preparations were being made by Charles of Blois +to make another general assault, and the arrival of some formidable +siege-engines enabled him to breach the walls in several places; +while the garrison, kept in a state of constant alarm, were worn with +toil and endless vigil. + +<p>Every morning at sunrise, for nearly two months, the Countess would +ascend the loftiest tower in Hennebon and gaze towards the distant +Cape of Ushant in the hope of catching sight of the sails of the +English fleet. But her expectations remained unrealised, for seaward +the horizon was unbroken, while around the town lay the close lines +of her relentless foes. + +<p>At length one of her partisans, the Bishop of Leon, informed her that +his nephew, Henri de Rohan, who was in the camp of Blois, desired to +hold converse with her; and, being granted safe conduct, the knight +entered the town for the purpose of inducing the besieged to +surrender, promising an honourable capitulation, with permission for +the garrison to withdraw. + +<p>For a while it seemed as if De Rohan's words would gain the day, till +the Countess, supported by Barbenoire, again harangued her knights, +and the ecclesiastic withdrew discomfited. + +<p>Thereupon the French advanced to the grand assault, while the +besieged caught up their arms and silently yet resolutely awaited +their approach. + +<p>But ere the archers could begin their hail of arrows which was to +open the attack, the ringing voice of the Countess was heard from the +summit of the tower:— + +<p>"Voilà, le secours! Violà le secours anglais! Courage, enfans; nous +sommes sauvés!" + +<p>"Will they be in time?" asked Raymond anxiously, as he stood by his +father on the shattered wall. + +<p>"If we can but make good the battlements for one hour all will be +well. Canst see aught of the ships?" + +<p>"Not as yet." + +<p>"Then heaven forfend the Countess be not mistaken. Stand to it, +Raymond, for here they come!" + +<p>All conversation was stopped by the on-coming foemen. The squire +closed his visor, and crouching behind his shield, awaited the +attack. Under cover of the archers the men-at-arms advanced. Though +some fell before the darts of the besieged, the main body pressed +steadily onward, till they reached the breach in the shattered +masonry. + +<p>The impact of the two forces was terrific; men went down on both +sides, and, as sword and lance were shattered, axes, mauls, and maces +continued the deadly work. The air was rent with the clash of arms, +the shouts of the combatants, and the groans of the dying; but the +townsfolk held their own, and after an hour's desperate struggle the +attacking party retired. + +<p>"'Tis hot work!" exclaimed Redward breathlessly, throwing down a +heavy axe and removing his steel cap to cool his heated head. "Run +and see if our comrades are yet in sight." + +<p>To gain the summit of the tower was the work of a moment, and to the +squire's great delight he saw the English ships already within easy +distance of the harbour, their sails bellying out before the +favouring breeze, and the water churned by the lash of the oars. + +<p>"They come! They come!" he shouted joyously. + +<p>"And so doth the foe," replied Redward grimly. "Haste back to the +breach, for, by St. George, 'tis touch-and-go with Hennebon!" + +<p>Again the attackers advanced, one knight, utterly regardless of his +life, urging his horse towards the gap in the wall. Crouching, with +lance in rest, the Frenchman spurred over the shattered stones, +received yet recked not a hail of arrows, and rode furiously towards +Raymond, who, sword in hand, awaited his approach. + +<p>It would have gone hardly with the young squire had it not been for +the unevenness of the ground, for the horse stumbled over a loose +stone, throwing its rider heavily on the ground. + +<p>In spite of the weight of his armour and the shock of his fall, the +knight, a man of gigantic strength, rose to his feet, dropping his +lance and wrenching his mace from the saddle-bow. As he did so +Raymond struck him a heavy blow with his weapon, but the steel turned +against the crest of his casque and was shattered close to the hilt. +In a moment the mace beat down the squire's shield and descended upon +his head, and without a cry the squire dropped senseless to the +ground. + +<p>But his fall was speedily avenged. Wielding his heavy axe, Redward +sprang forward and smote at the Frenchman's helm. Realising his +danger, the knight sprang aside; but, though avoiding a fatal blow, +he did not escape, for the axe, glancing off the crest, caught the +projecting visor. Unable to stand the strain, the leathern laces of +his helmet burst, and the bascinet, though prevented by the camail +from falling off, was turned back to front, so that the unfortunate +wearer was unable to see through the openings of the visor. + +<p>Dazed by the blow and in total darkness, the Frenchman staggered +blindly about, still striking feeble and aimless blows, till the +defenders, with taunts and execrations, beat him to the ground and +despatched him with their axes. + +<p>Meanwhile Redward bent over the prostrate form of his son, but ere he +could ascertain whether the blow had been fatal the main attack had +commenced. Gallantly the besieged met the shock; many fell on both +sides, and for the space of a quarter of an hour the issue hung in +the balance. + +<p>At length, reinforced by a band of knights under Louis d'Espagne, the +assailants bore back all before them. Barbenoire, fighting gallantly +to the last, fell covered with wounds. Redward, standing over his +son's body, kept back the press for a time, till, borne down by the +weight of numbers, he was struck to the earth, but ere he lost +consciousness he was dimly aware of the sound of English voices and +the renewed clash of arms. + +<p>At the critical moment the long-expected aid had arrived! + +<p>Once more the tide of battle turned, and the followers of the House +of Blois, unable to withstand the fierce onslaught of the English, +fled panic-stricken before the reinforcements, the knights and +mounted men-at-arms of Sir Walter Manny riding down all who came in +their way. + +<p>When at length the victorious Manny returned from the pursuit, the +Countess of Montfort came forth and warmly greeted him. + +<p>"Of a truth, fair sir," she exclaimed, as the warrior knelt and +kissed her hand, "I cannot but liken you to the Archangel Michael +sent from heaven in answer to our prayers!" + +<p>Meanwhile the inhabitants of the town were busy pillaging the camp of +their enemies, bringing in additional food supplies and tending their +own wounded—for those of their assailants who were left in their +hands were mercilessly despatched, save where their rank made them +likely subjects for ransom. + +<p>Redward and his son were found surrounded by the bodies of friend and +foe, senseless but still breathing. The Countess had been apprised of +the fall of her gallant messenger, and had ordered the young squire +and his father to be carried into her own house within the castle. +Sir Walter Manny himself also came frequently to see how fared the +forerunner of his arrival, and brought with him his own chirurgeon to +attend the two. + +<p>For four days Raymond lay unconscious, till one morning his scattered +senses returned, and he opened his eyes to find himself in a roomy +apartment overlooking the town walls. Instead of the clash of arms +the sun was shining brightly and the birds were singing. Beside him +were the Countess and a group of Englishmen of quality; a little +distance off lay Redward on a soft couch, his gaze fixed intently +upon his son. + +<p>Then the young squire realised that Hennebon was saved, and that his +father was still with him; and with a sigh of contentment he fell +into a deep and natural slumber. + +<p>The wounds of both Raymond and his father were severe, and a +considerable time elapsed ere they were capable of moving about, +while their complete recovery, in spite of the kindly climate of fair +Brittany, was a tedious business. Thus they missed the remaining +portion of the Brittany campaign, in which Robert of Artois captured +Vannes, and was soon afterwards driven from that town by a surprise +attack on the part of some Breton adherents of Charles of Blois. + +<p>Shortly after, the existing treaty between England and France was +terminated, for during the struggle in Brittany a truce was nominally +in force, the armies of England and France ostentatiously supporting +the claim of the rival dukes; but on the expiration of the treaty war +was openly resumed between the two great nations. + +<p>The King of England landed at Marbain with 12,000 men, and +simultaneously laid siege to Vannes, Rennes, and Mantes, but the +triple task was beyond his power, and under the influence of the +Pope's legates he agreed to observe a truce for three years. + +<p>Immediately following this pacific arrangement King Edward +re-embarked for his own dominions, and with the army went Raymond and +Redward, the former despondent at the news of the truce, regarding it +as being fatal to his cherished hopes of winning the golden spurs of +knighthood. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter14"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XIV</h3> + +<h5 align="center">RAYMOND'S ERRAND</h5> + +<p> +NEARLY four years have elapsed since the young squire's mission to +Hennebon. They have been years of comparatively uneventful waiting. +To him the dark clouds of unkind fate showed no signs of the silver +lining of good fortune, for he fully realised that until he had risen +above the rank of squire he dare not hope for the hand of the fair +Lady Audrey Scarsdale. + +<p>Thus, there was nothing to do but wait patiently, under the orders of +kindly Sir John Hacket, fervently hoping for the call to arms that +would give him the opportunities of winning his spurs upon the soil +of France. + +<p>The three years' truce had been ill-kept. Already the Earl of Derby +had crossed into Guienne, but news, though scanty, was far from +reassuring, and daily the Constable of Portchester was awaiting the +summons to assemble his men and march to join the King's forces at +Southampton. + +<p>One afternoon, in the month of May 1346, the watch on the keep of the +castle perceived a man limping towards the gate. He was tall, +broad-shouldered, and bronzed-faced, yet bent with physical +infirmity, being compelled to use a rough crutch to aid his tottering +footsteps. + +<p>"Ho, Watkin!" exclaimed one of the soldiers to a comrade. "Surely +that looks like Long Edney, of Wickham, yet methinks I am mistaken." + +<p>"If't be, then, certes, he hath made a grievous error; for he went to +Guienne, hoping to return speedily with much booty. This man hath +pain to carry himself, let alone the plunder he hath not!" + +<p>"'Tis Edney, of a surety. See, he waves his hand to us!" + +<p>In a few moments the luckless man-at-arms was within the castle, +surrounded by a crowd of rough sympathisers. Hearing the sound of +voices, Sir John Hacket appeared, and, recognising the man as one who +had left his service some time previously to join the forces under +Lord Norwich, sent Raymond to lead Edney into his presence. + +<p>"'Tis a sad home-coming for thee," exclaimed the knight +sympathetically. "Yet Heaven knows there are many such. The highways +are thick with broken soldiers." + +<p>"Ay, Sir John," returned the man despondently. "A bolt through the +thigh is a sorry return for my trouble, and not a silver penny's +worth of spoil to show for it! Nevertheless, the saints helping me, I +hope to adventure myself again in this matter." + +<p>"And with better luck," rejoined the Constable. "And, now tell me, +how goes the war in Guienne?" + +<p>"Faith, it goeth against us in the main. Pembroke and Sir Walter +Manny are shut up in Aiguillon, and when I left Bordeaux they had +sent urgent appeals for succour. For my part I know but little of +Aiguillon, being besieged with Lord Norwich in Angoulême." + +<p>"And how fared Norwich?" + +<p>"As crafty as ever." + +<p>"How so?" + +<p>"The Duke of Normandy pressed him sorely, so that the French looked +likely to take the town by escalade. Thereupon Norwich beat a parley. +'How, now!' exclaimed the Duke. 'Dost wish to give in?' 'Nay,' +replied our leader, 'but as to-morrow is the Feast of the Virgin, to +whom we both bear great devotion, I desire a cessation of strife for +that day.' 'Right willingly,' replied the Duke, and Norwich, nigh +bursting with badly-concealed merriment, descended from the walls. +That night he ordered us to prepare our baggage, and early next +morning we marched out straight for the enemy's camp. The Frenchmen +flew to arms, but Norwich, forbidding our men to draw, sent a knight +to remind the Duke of his promise." + +<p>"And what did the Duke?" + +<p>"He kept his word. 'I see the sly fox has outwitted us, but let us be +content with gaining the town,' he exclaimed; and right between the +lines of astonished Frenchmen we marched, without losing as much as a +single stick." + +<p>"Ho! ho! ho!" laughed Sir John. "A clever trick, but, methinks, +'twill not pass another time. And Pembroke hath sent an urgent +message to the King for aid, didst thou say?" + +<p>"Ay, directly our ship tied up alongside the quay at Southampton the +messenger rode off at headlong speed to Windsor, although he could +scarce keep his seat by reason of sea-sickness." + +<p>"Then, Raymond," exclaimed the Constable, turning to his squire, "the +summons will be here anon. But, mark my word, this will be no +child's-play, for, methinks, the King will be loth to let Guienne +slip through his fingers. And now, bring me the tally of the bows, +arrows, and spears, for no time must be lost." + +<p>Joyfully the squire hastened away to get the required information, +and the castle was soon alive with excitement at the thought of +active service. + +<p>The old knight was not wrong; the call to arms came, and, thanks to +his sagacity and forethought, the Constable was soon ready to take +the field. Ere June had arrived Sir John's company had marched into +Southampton to await the King's good pleasure. + +<p>Raymond saw great changes as he gazed around the old familiar place. +The walls had been raised and strengthened; larger houses had taken +the place of the charred ruins that the French invaders had left +behind them, while a fleet of large ships showed that Southampton had +quickly recovered from the horrors of pillage. + +<p>The fleet was typical of the resources of Hampshire, for Southampton +contributed twenty-one ships manned by 476 mariners, Lymington sent +nine, Portsmouth five, Leepe, Newtown, and Yarmouth two each, while +the county of Dorset supplied twenty-five vessels, of which Weymouth +sent twenty-one and Poole four. + +<p>Farther down the Water towards Hythe lay a larger fleet, composed of +vessels from the Cinque Ports, London, Ipswich, and Great Yarmouth, +while towards the Netley side were the West Country ships from +Dartmouth, Sutton, Fowey, and Falmouth. + +<p>Altogether there were not far short of eight hundred sail, assembled +in less than fourteen days, to bear across the Channel the huge army +destined for the conquest of France. + +<p>On Midsummer Day, the Feast of St. John the Baptist, the news came +that the King had left the Queen in the care of his cousin, the Earl +of Kent, and was on the road to Southampton. + +<p>Instantly the work of embarking the troops, horses, and baggage +began, and never before did the good townsmen of Southampton behold +such a fair and martial sight. Throughout the long June day the task +proceeded, and a seemingly endless procession wended through the West +Gate, each division having its appointed order. + +<p>The Portsmouth ships were to form the rearguard, so that it was the +duty of the Constable of Portchester to embark last of all. From his +quarters, close to the West Gate, Sir John watched the embarkation, +pointing out to his squires the respective devices and banners of the +various contingents. + +<p>From all parts of the kingdom, save the northern counties, whose men +were required to watch the restive Scots, had this army foregathered, +the flower of chivalry and the stoutest of the yeomen of England. +There were the lions rampant of the Percies, Mowbrays, and d'Albini, +each distinguishable by the "field," the ruddy chevrons of the de +Claves, the gilded cockle-shell of the de Malets, and the more +complicated devices of de Montfichet, Quince, Fortibus, de Bohun, de. +Vere, and Fitz-Walter. Each baron had his following of men-at-arms +and archers, the former having to lower the points of their long +slender spears as they passed beneath the vaulted archway. After the +feudal army, numbering four thousand men-at-arms and ten thousand +archers, came a horde of fierce-eyed, hairy men of short stature, +each armed with a long knife and a double-bladed axe. + +<p>"Ah," exclaimed Sir John, noting the look of inquiry on Raymond's +face. "Heaven help the Frenchman who falls wounded in the field, for +these are the Welsh levies. I have marked their method of fighting +before to-day, and, certes, I am of no mind to praise them for it." + +<p>The Welshmen were succeeded by a straggling body of tall, +gaunt-looking men, armed with a small shield and short spear. They +lacked the grim stolidity of the Englishmen, and marched with merry +laugh and careless jest uttered in a strange tongue. + +<p>"The Irish levies from Leinster," remarked the Constable, +"good-natured in peace, honest fighting-men, yet terrible when +roused. I can recall a little affair before Cadsand, but 'tis too +long to relate at the moment. But hark!" + +<p>Redoubled cheering echoed down the narrow sloping street, and the +knight and his squires strained their ears to ascertain the cause. +The last of the troops had passed, yet still the archers who lined +the route pushed back the excited townsmen with their six-foot +staves. + +<p>"The King!" exclaimed the Constable. + +<p>Attended by a number of lords and barons, Edward rode slowly through +the crowded street, acknowledging the acclamations by the faintest +inclination of his head. He was then in his thirty-fourth year, yet +the cares of his kingdom and the claims of his Lombard and Flemish +creditors had made him look considerably older. A longish dark beard +partially concealed a hard, firm mouth, while his dark piercing eyes, +glittering beneath his broad forehead and bushy eyebrows, betokened a +war-like temperament. His coat of plate-armour, fashioned in the +latest style, was covered by a surcoat, upon which were embroidered +his newly-assumed arms, the fleur-de-lis of France, quartered with +the silver lions of England, while a velvet cap took the place, for +the time being, of his plumed bascinet. + +<p>At his right hand rode his fifteen-year-old son, Edward, afterwards +known to fame as The Black Prince; while at his left rode Lord +Godfrey of Harcourt, the King's much-esteemed councillor. + +<p>Burning with ill-concealed impatience Edward, with his suite, +embarked that very evening, and ere morning dawned the fleet had left +the shelter of Southampton Water, and was heading westward for the +English Channel, the Portsmouth ships, with the Constable and his +company, rolling sluggishly in the rear, about a league astern of the +main body. + +<p>With the favouring north-easterly breeze all went well, and steadily +the floating army neared the coasts of France; but on the third day +came a flat calm, so that the ships were compelled to use their +sweeps to prevent themselves drifting into one another. + +<p>The calm was succeeded by a strong south-westerly gale, so that all +advantage of the previous favourable breeze was totally lost; and, +unable to make headway, the fleet was driven back towards the English +coast, taking shelter in the Cornish harbour of Fowey. + +<p>For six days the fleet lay weather-bound, till Sir Godfrey of +Harcourt counselled the King to give up the idea of landing in +Gascony. + +<p>"Sire," he exclaimed, "Normandy is one of the plenteous countries of +the world. On jeopardy of my head, if thou wouldst land there, there +is none to resist thee. The people of Normandy are not used to war, +and all the knights and squires of the country are now at the siege +before Aiguillon." + +<p>The advice, though hardly correct, the King took, and, the wind +moderating and blowing more in their favour, the fleet again put to +sea, and reached La Hogue without further incident. + +<p>Arrived on the coast of Normandy, the English began to make a +revengeful attack on the ports of Cherbourg and Barfleur, the ships +of these ports having harried the coasts of England in times past, +and with fierce shouts the soldiers pillaged the defenceless towns, +burning every ship they found in the harbours. + +<p>One night, Sir John Hacket, who had been in audience with the King, +returned to his quarters in high glee. + +<p>"Raymond," he exclaimed, "the King hath again done signal honour to +my Company. News hath reached us that the Count of Tancarville, who +is the most puissant noble in Normandy, lieth at a hunting lodge near +the village of Brique, within five leagues of the camp. He hath, we +are told, no knowledge of our presence. Could we but entrap him and +bring him a prisoner into the camp, it will clear the way for our +advance, for, bereft of the counsel of the Count of Tancarville, all +Normandy would be masterless. Now, consider; I have a free hand in +this small matter, and can use the whole of my Company to my +advancement. What think ye? Is it better to take but a few mounted +men, or adventure with them all?" + +<p>"In my humble opinion, Sir John," replied Raymond, "the matter is +best undertaken by but a few. Too many would give alarm. A few would, +in the case of our plans miscarrying, be but little missed, and if +they do succeed, then the greater the honour!" + +<p>"Thy words do thee credit, Raymond, and, by St. George, a better +leader for the enterprise than thou I cannot choose. Take your choice +of mounted men, and begone. A guide is even now detained in the camp, +who will lead you to Brique. Now, remember, alive or dead, bring the +Count into the camp, but alive by choice." + +<p>Quickly the young squire went about preparations for his mission. +Five trusted men-at-arms were chosen, and their arms and horses +carefully inspected by their young leader, who resolved to leave +nothing to chance. Then, placing their guide, a heavy-limbed Norman +peasant, upon a spare horse, and attaching a light chain to his wrist +(one end being held by a soldier with orders to despatch the man at +the first sign of treachery), the little party left the camp, passed +the outlying cordon of sentries, and plunged into the darkness. + +<p>By degrees the horsemen became accustomed to the gloom, and, riding +closely together, with the guide in their midst, they maintained a +brisk pace towards their goal, and ere long the camp-fires of their +comrades were lost to sight behind them. + +<p>The night was sultry; not a leaf stirred on the branches of the trees +that lined the road, and a dull oppressive feeling pervaded the +atmosphere. + +<p>Suddenly the faint rumble of distant thunder was borne to their ears, +and instinctively the horsemen glanced at one another, for a +thunder-storm was looked upon by the mediaeval soldier as a harbinger +of evil. + +<p>Nearer and nearer came the storm, till the lightning flashed across +their path, illuminating the horizon with its sulphurous glow, but as +yet not a drop of rain had fallen. + +<p>Meanwhile their guide had kept perfectly silent, answering the +questions put to him with either a nod or a shake of his head. Though +Raymond had acquired a smattering of the French language he was +unable to understand the patois of the peasant, so one of the +men-at-arms was deputed to put any necessary question to their +impassive guide. + +<p>At length they reached the confines of a dense forest, and hardly had +they gained the dangerous shelter of the trees than down came the +rain, accompanied by almost incessant flashes of lightning. + +<p>Dazzled by the appalling light, and almost deafened by the sharp +detonating rattle of the thunder, the little party rode in fear and +trembling till their guide stopped them with a motion of his hand, +and indicating an almost invisible avenue that forked from the road +they were following, exclaimed, "V'là, m'sieurs!" + +<p>"Ask him how far it is to the Count's hunting-lodge!" exclaimed +Raymond. + +<p>"He says 'not far.'" + +<p>"Certes, I am as wise as before. Ask him again." The man mumbled +something unintelligible, then held up two fingers. + +<p>"A murrain on his thick-headedness; fair Sir, I cannot rightly tell +what he doth mean." + +<p>"Then be cautious. Remember, directly we catch sight of the place, +one man remains with the guide and the rest follow me!" + +<p>The path was too narrow for two to ride abreast, so they proceeded in +single file, the guide leading, with a soldier, leaning over his +crupper to give the necessary length of chain, following closely +behind and through the avenue, so dense that even the lightning +almost failed to illumine, Raymond's party rode on their desperate +errand. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter15"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XV</h3> + +<h5 align="center">TRAPPED!</h5> + +<p> +BEFORE the raiders had proceeded very far a short exclamation from +one of the men-at-arms caused them to pull up sharply. + +<p>"What's amiss?" demanded Raymond in a whisper. + +<p>"The peasant's horse hath gone lame," replied one of the soldiers. +"Can we not despatch the guide, for, certes, he is of no further use, +and it will save us the trouble of looking after him?" + +<p>"Nay!" replied Raymond sturdily. "I am loth to cause a harmless +peasant to be slain. Make him mount behind thee, Robert, but keep a +tight hold on his chain." + +<p>Once again the advance was resumed, the horses floundering over the +slippery, leaf-strewn path, their riders being put to great trouble +by reason of the overhanging branches that often almost swept them +from their saddles. + +<p>Presently they began to descend a steep declivity, the slope +requiring all the skill of the horsemen to keep their steeds on their +feet, while the rain, now falling in torrents, had transformed the +little path into a foaming stream. + +<p>Suddenly a vivid flash of lightning rent the darkness of the night, +and in the dazzling glare Raymond beheld, with a thrill of horror, +two of the men who were leading disappear into a yawning chasm almost +at his feet, their cries drowned by the appalling crash of the +accompanying thunder. By dint of reining in his horse till the animal +was almost on its haunches, the young squire saved himself from a +similar fate, and slipping to the ground he awaited, in terrible +suspense, the next flash that would give some idea of his position. +The succeeding period of darkness seemed to weigh upon him like a +suffocating shroud, while the silence was broken only by the frantic +prancing of the remaining horses, the feeble groans of one of the +fallen men, and a low gurgling sound a short distance away—a sound +that caused indescribable terror in the mind of the young squire. + +<p>Then came another crash and a ponderous mass fell across the path he +had just passed, and another shriek of agony rent the air. To the +horrified Raymond, whose superstitious feelings were aroused by the +war of the elements and the tragedy of his surroundings, the place +savoured of the infernal regions; and gazing with wide-open eyes into +the inky blackness, he dumbly awaited the next gleam of blinding +light. + +<p>At length, after a seemingly endless suspense, it came—a double +flash. Short as was the duration of the glare it served to intensify +the horror of his position. + +<p>At his feet yawned the pit, wherein the feebly-moving limbs of two +of his men still writhed in the throes of death, while their horses +were frantically kicking each other in the confined space. Behind him +lay another man-at-arms, the blood welling from a gaping wound in his +throat, while a fourth lay crushed—beyond recognition by a heavy +tree-trunk that, falling across the path, effectually prevented a +retreat. There was no sign of their guide, but the fifth soldier was +leaning against a tree-trunk, his hands pressed tightly over his eyes +as if trying to shut out the ghastly scene. + +<p>The next flash showed that he, too, had vanished, and Raymond was +alone, though the shouts and cries of the unfortunate man-at-arms +betokened that he was being haled off through the forest by some +invisible agency—whether by men, animals, or spirits the squire +dared not imagine. + +<p>And now the underwood on either side seemed alive with movement, and +Raymond felt, or fancied he felt, rough hands groping towards him. +Frenzy took possession of his shaking body, and, lashed into the +energy of despair, he unsheathed his sword and slashed madly about +him. The blade came in violent contact with an overhanging bough and +snapped off close to the hilt; at the same moment the squire felt a +pair of sinewy arms encircle his feet, and with a lusty heave he was +upset and thrown with a crash to the ground, the point of a knife +pressing against his throat warning him of the utter uselessness of +further resistance. + +<p>Bound hand and foot, the unfortunate squire was carried or dragged +through a thick growth of underwood, till at length his captors +gained a large clearing. By the aid of a momentary flash he saw the +outlines of a low building. In response to a violent knocking he +heard the sound of bolts being withdrawn, and, borne on the shoulders +of four strong men, he was carried into the house, and dropped +unceremoniously upon the rush-strewn floor. + +<p>Some one took a torch from its socket and bent over the prostrate +squire. Raymond recognised the features—it was the traitorous guide! +But gone was the heavy lustreless expression of his eyes and the +stolid set of his swarthy jaws; instead a look of malevolent +intelligence overspread his face, and by the subservience with which +he was treated by his comrades it was evident that he was a man of +authority. + +<p>"Ah! Dolt, fool, beast of an Englishman! How nicely hast thou borne +the Count of Tancarville back to the camp of the cursed invader of +Normandy! Dead or alive, eh? Little didst thou know how near thy +purpose was fulfilled when thy base <i>routier</i> made to pass a knife +across my throat. I—even I—am the Count of Tancarville!" + +<p>He paused to observe the effect of this startling announcement, but +Raymond preserved a dignified silence. + +<p>"And that simpleton the Constable, thy master," he resumed. "To think +that the Count of Tancarville would be dallying at a hunting lodge +when base English defile the coasts of Normandy! Ah! That was a near +one," he added as another blinding flash of lightning lit up the +room. + +<p>"Knowest thou, thou miserable fool," he continued as soon as the +crash of the thunder permitted, "that did that fiery fork but touch +this place thou and I would be scattered, so that all the armies of +Philip and Edward would fail to find a fragment? Eh, I interest thee? +'Tis well; I'll tell thee more, seeing that the knowledge will profit +thee but little. Henri! Cut asunder the bonds that bind this +Englishman's legs, and do thou and Etienne stand close lest he do +himself an injury!" + +<p>Handing the torch to a serving-man, the Count led the way, closely +followed by Raymond and his two guards. In an adjoining apartment, so +open to the winds that the torch was almost extinguished, lay seven +sinister-looking objects, which the squire readily recognised as +bombards. + +<p>These early cannon were composed of straight lengths of flat iron, +held together by shrunk-on iron hoops, and lashed down to a heavy +baulk of timber, so that in training these clumsy contrivances, +carriage and gun were practically one piece. + +<p>"These are the beasts I hunt in this forest," quoth the Count. "King +Philip hath need of them, and, by our Lady of Nîmes, 'twill be a +sight to see the vaunted English bowmen being bowled over by these +bombards. And food these beasts must have! Forward, garçons, and show +this dolt mine animals' food. But, Bertrand, stand aside with that +torch. I am in no mind to go heavenwards yet awhile." + +<p>The next room was little better than a cell, lightened by the feeble +light of an oil lamp that glimmered through a horn lanthorn. In a far +corner could be discerned the bent figure of a monk, his cowl thrown +back on his shoulders and his arms bared to the elbow. Ignoring the +interruption, he continued his labours, working a pestle with +untiring energy. + +<p>"Behold the worthy successor to Michael Schwartz! My faith! It does +my heart good to show the accursed English the resources of la belle +France; yet, 'tis passing strange that the secret of the making of +the devil's powder should be divulged to a priest of God. Five score +barrels full of the powder are ready for the use of our forces, and +I'll warrant—— Ah! What wouldst thou? Down with him, mes garçons!" + +<p>For Raymond, suddenly fired with a reckless determination, had thrown +himself upon the torch-bearer, and with a shower of sparks the +burning brand was dashed upon the floor, missing the bench with its +dangerous compound by less than a span! + +<p>The Count and the monk, both white with fear, stamped upon the +blazing embers, while the guards with no gentle hand had forced their +prisoner to the ground. + +<p>"A senseless piece of folly," growled the Norman. "And little credit +to thyself." + +<p>"'Twould have rid the King of England of a dangerous foe," replied +Raymond stoutly, opening his lips for the first time since his +capture. + +<p>"Away with him, till I find a means to make use of him, Etienne!" +exclaimed the Count, taking no notice of the squire's remark. + +<p>"To the oubliette?" + +<p>"Nay; two of these accursed Englishmen in one den would plague us far +more than if kept apart. One never knows what the rogues get up to +when they plan amongst themselves. Lock him in the old arrow-store." + +<p>The old arrow-store was a damp and dismal chamber next to the cell +where Raymond had seen the monk at his researches. It was on the +ground floor, and lighted only by one lancet-shaped window, far too +narrow to admit the passage of a man. The roof was vaulted, the +arches springing from a central pillar, while the floor was paved +with heavy slabs set in strong cement. + +<p>This much the young squire saw while the men were making a cursory +examination by the aid of two additional torches; and after removing +an old chest they quitted the room, bolting and locking the heavy +iron-plated door behind them. + +<p>Left to himself, Raymond fell a prey to the deepest despondency. The +failure of his ill-starred attempt, the comparative ease of his +capture, and the mortification which the Constable would feel at his +non-return, weighed upon the unhappy squire far more than the danger +of his hopeless position, and, grief-stricken, he lay on a stone +bench, listlessly marking the sound of the rapidly-retreating storm, +till a feeble glimmer through the lancet window betokened that the +day was dawning. He had one consolation, sorry though it was—there +remained another Englishman within the stronghold, the solitary +survivor of five picked men-at-arms. + +<p>Presently Raymond stood up and stretched his cramped limbs, then +standing on the bench he found that he could just reach the window. +Grasping the stone ledge with his hands, he raised himself +sufficiently to look out. + +<p>It was a cheerless outlook. In front, a bow-shot away, lay the dense +masses of the forest, still hazy with the morning mist. An open +space, broken only by a moat full of slimy water, lay between the +forest and the stronghold, though no drawbridge was visible on that +side. + +<p>And beyond the forest lay, at an unknown distance, the English camp, +where even now Sir John Hacket was doubtless expecting his return +with the expected captive. Overcome with the irony of the situation, +Raymond clambered down from the window and relapsed into his moody +and despondent attitude. + +<p>For several hours he remained thus, till aroused by the drawing back +of the bolts of his prison door. The door was thrown open, and an +armed man entered, bearing a pitcher of water and a trencher of black +bread, while another man stood without, for fear of an outburst of +the prisoner. Without a word the jailer set down the meal and +retired. + +<p>Twice daily was this done, and thus the days sped, slowly and +cheerlessly, but no visit from the Count of Tancarville served to +break the dismal monotony. + +<p>On the fifth day Raymond heard the sound of martial preparations, and +climbing to the window he caught a brief glimpse of a body of armed +and mounted men riding past his prison; one of whom, he had no doubt, +was the Count. Then came the rumble of heavily-laden wains, but in +which direction the party disappeared the squire was unable to see. + +<p>Evidently the little garrison of this sylvan fortress was +considerably depleted, for Raymond noticed that his jailer came into +his prison alone. He thought, though, that this might have been +through a sense of familiarity at his prisoner's dejected mien. Yet +daily, for hours together, the sound of the pestle, dimly heard +through the thick adjoining wall, showed that the taciturn old monk +still pursued his dangerous task. + +<p>Four more days passed in dreadful solitude, till, maddened by the +hopelessness of his condition, Raymond resolved on desperate measures +to attempt his escape. Plan after plan flashed through his brain, +only to be put aside as impracticable. Feigning death, burrowing +through the stone walls of his prison, attacking his jailer, all +seemed hopeless, till at length a scheme, hazardous in the extreme, +yet capable of meeting with possible success, matured in his mind and +hourly increased his hopes of ultimate success. + +<p>Usually the jailer found him sitting dejectedly upon the stone bench, +practically invisible in the gloom to any one entering from the +dazzling sunlight without. But on this particular morning Raymond, +awaiting the jailer's footsteps, carefully removed his surcoat and +hid behind the door. Directly the man entered he made, as was his +wont, direct for the bench, when the squire, springing upon him from +behind, muffled his head in the surcoat and bore him to the ground. +The jug and platter fell with a resounding crash, and Raymond, +seizing the broken pitcher, struck the jailer such a shrewd blow that +it all but split his skull, leaving him senseless on the floor. + +<p>Hastily dragging his body across to the darkest corner, Raymond +possessed himself of his dagger and escaped from his prison. + +<p>Without a moment's hesitation he burst into the adjoining apartment, +where the old monk, engrossed in his work, did not take the slightest +notice of his abrupt entry. Raymond had argued with himself that a +priest engaged in warlike pursuits thereby puts himself without the +pale of the Church; so, overcoming his scruples, he wrenched the +pestle from the hand of the astonished monk and stunned him ere he +could utter a sound. + +<p>Then with feverish haste he stripped off and donned the monk's +capacious gown, pulling the cowl well down over his eyes; then, +strapping the wooden sandals over his own pointed shoes, he walked +boldly into the corridor, with bent head and clattering gait. + +<p>At the end of the passage was another heavily-barred door, at which a +spearman stood on guard. Holding his dagger firmly in his right hand +and concealing it within the folds of his long sleeve, Raymond moved +straight up to the man. The sentinel opened the door, and with bowed +head stood aside to let the supposed monk pass. In a well-feigned +highly-pitched voice the young squire gave the customary blessing; +then, almost amazed at his good fortune, he gained the free air once +more. + +<p>But his difficulties were not yet over. The road from the stronghold +ran under the shelter of the low walls for some distance, then turned +abruptly and crossed the moat by a drawbridge, at the end of which +was a small postern and barbican. + +<p>All went well till Raymond was upon the bridge, and the gate-keeper +was making ready to throw open the outer gate, when the sham monk +dropped one sandal upon the bridge, where it lay conspicuously in the +dazzling sunshine. + +<p>For a moment the guard paused, gazing in undisguised astonishment at +the tell-tale object, then with a crash he closed the gate and raised +a horn to his lips. But ere he could blow a blast Raymond was upon +him; a glint of cold steel, and the man uttering a choking cry, threw +up his arms and fell in a huddled heap. + +<p>Disguise was no longer necessary, and the squire, opening the gate +and casting off his gown as he ran, sped over the open space towards +the sheltering forest. + +<p>He heard some one behind him shouting the alarm, but by the time the +watchers on the wall could wind their cross-bows Raymond was almost +out of range, though a dropping bolt, shot at a venture, hummed close +to his head and buried itself in the springy turf at the foot of the +nearest tree. + +<p>Though skilled in finding a course by observing the position of the +sun, Raymond was but indifferently versed in woodcraft, and in the +gloom of the forest all idea of direction was beyond him. Onward he +plunged, crashing through the bracken and undergrowth, till to his +great delight he struck a narrow path. This he followed, till at +length he came upon the scene of his ambuscade. A yawning pit, +partially concealed by a screen of hurdles and bracken, lay across +the narrow way, while a score of paces beyond was a tree trunk, +which, having been skilfully cut through close to its base, needed +but little effort to fall into its present position, effectually +barring the road to any but unmounted men. + +<p>With a sickening feeling of horror Raymond gazed into the pit, where +lay the mangled remains of two of his men-at-arms, though it was +evident that the plunderer had already been there, as the corpses +were stripped of their arms and accoutrements, while the trappings of +the horses had vanished. + +<p>Under the fallen trunk lay the body of the third soldier, plundered +also as far as the ponderous timber would allow, while of the fourth +no trace remained but a dark stain on the clayey soil. + +<p>Clambering over the last obstacle, the squire found himself on the +steep path that had been so dangerous a road but a short fortnight +before. On and on he hastened, till he emerged on the high road that +led to the camp, which he estimated to be about four and a half +leagues distant, provided a general advance had not taken place in +the meantime. + +<p>He was hatless and without his surcoat, having left that garment with +his late jailer, and there were no distinguishing marks to show that +he belonged either to the army of the King of England or of Philip of +France. + +<p>Tying his blood-stained scarf over his chin, he strode boldly +forward, trusting in the rôle of a wounded soldier to avoid being +questioned. At length he gained the summit of a hill, from which he +looked down upon a lovely fertile valley, and in the distance the +blue waters of the English Channel. + +<p>A spur of rising ground hid the view on his right, but a few minutes +sufficed to gain its crest, and on looking down he saw a sight that +filled him with joy, for below lay a large unwalled town, which he +rightly guessed to be Caen, while a league off was the English host +in battle array, and between him and the army was a motley array of +Frenchmen issuing from the town to join battle with the invaders. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter16"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XVI</h3> + +<h5 align="center">THE TABLES TURNED</h5> + +<p> +ONLY one thing could Raymond do. He sat down on the grassy hillock +and watched, knowing well that the fight could but end in one way. + +<p>A little group of Norman knights led the van of the French, whose +forces were composed mostly of towns-men, desperate in their vain +attempt to save their town from pillage. Eagerly the keen eyes of the +squire followed their disorderly advance, till they were almost lost +to view in the distance. + +<p>To him it seemed as if the white-coated lines of English archers +stirred neither hand nor foot, but he knew full well that the blast +of deadly arrows had sped, for as if by magic the dark masses of the +Frenchmen broke and fled, without coming to hand-grips. Already the +English cavalry were in hot pursuit, and the white winding road +leading to the town was outlined with clouds of dust, which almost +concealed the disorderly remnants of the defeated fugitives. + +<p>Directly the advance guard of the fleeing army began to draw near, +Raymond rose from the grass and ran swiftly towards the road. The +Frenchmen, each intent upon his own safety, rushed past him, throwing +off their armour to aid their flight, the mounted fugitives +ruthlessly riding down their less fortunate countrymen. + +<p>Seated by the roadside was a man-at-arms, who, sorely wounded in the +shoulder, was endeavouring to divest himself of his hauberk in order +to ease the pain. Actuated both by his own requirements and a feeling +of pity, Raymond helped him to unburden himself of the steel-ringed +coat, and having donned the Frenchman's discarded armour, he bathed +his wound, a deep lance-thrust, with water obtained from a rivulet +that ran by the roadside. + +<p>After rendering this service he proceeded to complete his own +equipment. A heavy sword and a light shield were soon found, and it +did not require much effort on the part of the active squire to seize +a riderless horse. + +<p>With difficulty curbing the restlessness of his newly-acquired steed, +Raymond urged it into an adjoining field to avoid being swept away by +the panic-stricken horde of fugitives, and eagerly awaited the +arrival of the English host. + +<p>Soon the tide of fleeing Frenchmen slackened, and the braver spirits, +maintaining a running fight, alone remained to uphold the honour of +the ill-assorted army of the citizens of Caen. + +<p>Suddenly Raymond's attention was drawn to a knot of mailed figures, +who, surrounded by a press of Englishmen, fought savagely with the +courage of despair. One by one the French mounted men-at-arms and +squires fell, till only two knights remained. + +<p>The pair, keeping side by side, held their enemies at bay by a shower +of blows from sword and mace, till one, his horse slain by a +Welshman, who paid for his act by having his head cleft by a +back-handed sweep, was dashed to the ground and made prisoner. + +<p>On seeing his comrade's fate, the other knight urged his horse +through the crowd of assailants and made a dash for the open field, +where Raymond awaited the chance to join his friends. + +<p>Directly the squire caught sight of his emblazoned surcoat and shield +he recognised the Frenchman—it was none other than the Count of +Tancarville! + +<p>Shaking off his pursuers, who preferred to return to squabble over +their rights to the ransom of the captive knight, the Count rode +straight for the place where Raymond was concealed. When he was +twenty paces off the squire rode forward and barred his way. + +<p>"Yield thyself, Sir Knight!" exclaimed Raymond. + +<p>For a moment the Count gazed with undisguised astonishment at the man +whom he had last seen as a prisoner in his stronghold, then, +recovering himself, he put spur to his horse and rode furiously at +the squire. + +<p>The combatants were evenly matched, for the advantage of the +Frenchman's complete coat of mail was balanced by the comparative +freshness of his opponent and his steed. The knight had lost his +lance, so that the fight was with swords. + +<p>Reining back his horse, Raymond skilfully avoided the first rush, the +Count's sword-point missing his unguarded face by a hand's breadth, +while the squire's return blow fell harmlessly on his adversary's +shield. Instantly Raymond closed in, and before the knight could turn +his steed to meet the counter-attack, the squire's sword had bit +deeply into his enemy's thigh. Then their blades met, and amid a +shower of sparks and the clicking and rasping of steel, Raymond found +himself at pains to defend his unvisored face, and it was not long +before the blood was flowing freely from a cut on his cheek. But the +Count's previous exertions and the loss of blood from several deep +wounds were beginning to tell. His blows did not fall with the same +strength that marked his first rush, though the squire could not +break down his guard. + +<p>Long they fought, their horses prancing and curveting as if realising +that their efforts would materially aid their masters' sword-play, +till Raymond's untried blade snapped off close to the hilt, and, with +the exception of a short knife, he was left weaponless. + +<p>A quick pull at the reins, and the squire's horse ranged alongside +that of the Norman. The next instant Raymond had grasped his opponent +round the body, and with a mighty heave sought to tear him from the +saddle. + +<p>Between the two plunging steeds the combatants fell, locked in a +close embrace, Raymond uppermost; but before he could make good his +advantage and demand his enemy's surrender a stunning kick from the +Count's horse left its master at the Englishman's mercy. + +<p>Raymond rose to his feet bruised and breathless, and at that moment a +band of soldiers came hurrying towards them. The newcomers were the +wild-looking Welsh mercenaries, intent on plunder; and, unable to +make them understand who he was, the squire was for a while in danger +of being set upon by these lawless booty-seeking warriors. Standing +over the body of the prostrate knight, he beckoned, shouted, and +threatened, till a highly-pitched voice behind him demanded who and +what he was. + +<p>Raymond turned and saw a gigantic, swarthy, and black-bearded man, +clad in a bronze-coloured suit of armour, having a green dragon +emblazoned on his surcoat and shield. + +<p>"Squire to Sir John Hacket of Hamptonshire," he replied breathlessly. +"I pray thee bid these rascals desist." + +<p>A word from the stranger in an unknown tongue, and the Welshmen +retired. + +<p>"Rascals, iss what ye call tem?" asked the new arrival, laughing +boisterously. "I would haf yes know, poy, tat tey are from +Glamorgan—from Glamorgan, I tell you! And tey are the best men in +the Army, I tell ye, poy, for tey are my men, I, David Evans, knight +off Glamorgan. I pray ye pear tat in mind. I myself tought ye wass a +Norman, or at pest a Gascon, seeing ye wass to wear a Frenchman's +hauberk." + +<p>The Welsh leader rode off, leaving Raymond to wonder how he could +escape molestation from his friends and still stand by his captive. +Most of the pursuers kept to the highway, and only a few came close +to where he stood. In vain he begged and entreated the passing +soldiers to give a hand to carry off the unconscious Count. Even the +promise of a silver penny had no effect, for the English, intent on +plunder, were already streaming into Caen with the last of their +foes, and the comparatively bountiful offer of payment was invariably +rejected with contempt. + +<p>At length, despairing of obtaining assistance, Raymond left his +prisoner and made his way back to the road, hoping to see a familiar +face amongst the victorious soldiers who were hurrying forward to +join in the sack of the town, but there were none of the Hampshire +companies. + +<p>Picking up another sword to replace his broken weapon, the squire +preferred to go back to guard his captive, consoling himself with the +thought that on the Count's return to consciousness he could lead him +into the camp; then, suddenly bethinking himself of the rivulet +higher up the road, he hastened towards it to slake his burning +thirst. + +<p>This he did, and thereupon made his way back by a different route to +where the Count lay. Barely had he gone half the distance than he +came to a dry ditch, where, to his surprise, he found two fugitives +cowering in the long grass that grew in the trench. + +<p>"Je me rends!" they both exclaimed, grovelling at his feet in fear of +instant death, for, being but peasants, they knew that scant mercy +was shown to those who were unable to offer ransom. + +<p>In a moment Raymond saw and seized his chalice. "Vous êtes mes +prisonniers," he exclaimed, brandishing his weapon. "Venez avec moi." + +<p>Driving them before him, the squire soon reached the place where he +had left the Count of Tancarville, and indicated by signs that they +should carry him. This they did, panting with their exertions, for +the knight in his complete armour was a heavy burden. Their progress +was slow, till on arriving on the highway Raymond made them take two +broken lances, and forming a rough litter, they were able to make a +better pace. + +<p>At length, they came in sight of the camp, and to his great joy +Raymond saw the well-known banner of the crescent on the blue field, +waving close to the pavilion over which floated the royal standard of +England, for the Constable of Portchester's company was that day +detailed as guard to the camp. + +<p>Great was the delight and astonishment of Sir John Hacket and his men +on Raymond's reappearance, for he had been given up for lost; and +greater was the Constable's surprise when his squire, pointing to the +litter, exclaimed with pardonable pride: "Behold, sir, I bring thee +the Count of Tancarville according to thy instructions." + +<p>Having handed over his three prisoners and given a brief account of +his adventures, Raymond retired to a tent to enjoy a well-earned meal +and a rest. From one of the archers he learned that his father, +maddened by grief and rage at the supposed loss of his son, had +obtained permission to join for the time being the Sussex company of +Sir Guy of Bramber, vowing that twenty Norman lives would but +ill-balance Raymond's death. + +<p>The squire's leisure was of short duration, for Sir John Hacket came +in person to inform him that the King had ordered him to appear +before him. + +<p>Raymond's eyes sparkled with delight, for this was a step at least +towards his coveted reward, and hastily attiring himself suitably for +the royal presence, he followed the Constable to the King's pavilion. + +<p>It was a large tent, hung with damask, and divided into two parts by +a heavy curtain. In the ante-room were crowds of knights awaiting an +audience, their names and titles being carefully set down by a +herald, while another, stationed at the flap of the partitioning +curtain, where two knights in full armour stood on guard, announced +the various personages who had business with their Sovereign. + +<p>Each knight who was ushered into the inner apartment had but a short +stay in the royal presence, and to Raymond, as he waited in +breathless expectation, it seemed as if there was a continuous +procession of warriors, some elated with the prospect of praise and +honour, others nervously ignorant of why they were summoned thither; +while others, knowing that their master had cause for displeasure, +were pacing the crowded ante-chamber, biting their lips in their +anxiety. + +<p>All the while a buzz of suppressed voices was heard from the inner +room, and occasionally Edward's hearty voice could be clearly +distinguished as he praised or chid according to the merits or +demerits of the person before him. + +<p>Suddenly the sound of a galloping horse was heard, coming rapidly +nearer, then, amid a hum of ill-concealed excitement, a knight, +covered in mud from head to foot, and breathless from hard riding, +burst into the ante-chamber. + +<p>"Ah, Sir William!" he exclaimed to the royal herald, "I pray thee +announce me to the King with all despatch. The matter brooks not +delay!" And clanking in his heavy armour at the heels of the herald +he disappeared behind the curtain that concealed the royal presence +from the crowd of waiting knights. + +<p>"'Tis Lord Bassett," whispered Sir John to his squire. "Certes, some +event of much moment hath occurred to bring him from the field. +Hearken!" + +<p>The newcomer's voice was distinctly audible to those who waited +without. "The men of Caen are holding out stubbornly, Sire, every +house being closed to our troops, and our losses from the darts of +those within are exceeding great. The Welsh levies, aye, and our own +men as well, are killing without mercy man, woman, and child, yet +their acts do but increase the fury of the men of Caen. I pray you, +Sire, that the word goes forth that every soldier shall withdraw from +the city, for otherwise they threaten to destroy it with fire." + +<p>"But wherefore should we hold our hand?" inquired the King. "They of +Caen set themselves in battle against our hosts, and must of +necessity abide the consequences." + +<p>"But the spoil, Sire, the spoil! 'Tis the richest town in all +Normandy. If we can but prevail on the citizens to lay down their +arms, then the sack can be resumed with more profit and less risk." + +<p>"There's wisdom in thy words," replied Edward, "but thy advice is +every whit the same as the Cardinal Legates gave to us but an hour +agone. These we told that it was our resolve to brook no interference +of the Holy Father in matters appertaining to war, but, by my +halidome, the suggestion commends itself to us. Therefore withdraw +our troops. Beat a parley with the townsmen, and demand their +surrender with promise of quarter. Stay! I'll to the front myself! +Herald! Dismiss the knights in waiting, and inform them that we will +receive them on the morrow." + +<p>Thus Raymond's opportunity had passed for the present, for when the +morrow came, the King in person met the chief magistrate of Caen, and +in the presence of the Papal Envoys, agreed to accept the +unconditional surrender of the town, pledging his kingly word, +however, that the massacre should cease, and before the evening came +the squire was detailed for another errand. + +<p>"Raymond," quoth Sir John Hacket, "I have it in mind that a slight +advancement and no little honour can be obtained if we can seize the +stronghold of the Count of Tancarville, and gain possession of the +store of powder and the bombards of which thou hast spoken. What +think ye? All the powder was not taken away by the Count?" + +<p>"I think not, sir." + +<p>"And the bombards?" + +<p>"I saw none go; nevertheless they may have sent them away." + +<p>"Then I'll go to Chandos and crave permission to lead the company +against this strange hunting-lodge in the Forest of Brique. Meanwhile +have thy two prisoners closely questioned, for, methinks, they know +exactly where this stronghold lieth." + +<p>The Constable hastened to the tent of Sir John Chandos to obtain the +required boon, while Raymond sent for the two Normans whose lives he +had spared. They were, so the squire ascertained, brothers, and one +had been in the service of the Count of Eu, and knew the precise +position of the Count of Tancarville's forest castle. + +<p>Soon Sir John returned, having succeeded in his mission. One of the +prisoners was made to act as guide, and to avoid another blunder he +was told that should the enterprise fail through his neglect or +treachery his brother's life would be forfeit. Rations were served +out to the company, and an hour later Sir John's command, consisting +of three squires, thirty men-at-arms, and fifty mounted archers, +moved out of camp amid the encouraging shouts of their comrades, and +disappeared in the gathering gloom towards the dark masses of the +Forest of Brique. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter17"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XVII</h3> + +<h5 align="center">THE FALL OF THE COUNT'S STRONGHOLD</h5> + +<p> +UNDER the guidance of the Norman, the company proceeded by a +different route to that by which Raymond made his escape; and, as +night fell, they dismounted and off-saddled in a clearing within half +a league of the Count's stronghold. + +<p>Sentries were posted, and every precaution taken against surprise, +but nothing untoward occurred to disturb the camp. + +<p>Day dawned, but a thick, fleecy mist prevailed, the moisture dripping +from the steel caps of the soldiers, who, in spite of it being a +summer's morn in fair Normandy, actually shivered with cold. No fires +were allowed to be lighted for fear of giving warning of their +approach, and after a hasty breakfast the company started on the last +portion of the journey. + +<p>The way lay through a narrow avenue, similar to that in which +Raymond's ill-fated men-at-arms met with disaster, and the Norman +guide, anxious for his own and his brother's safety, used all his +skill and cunning as a woodman to ensure a successful surprise. + +<p>Presently through the mist two gnarled trunks attracted his +attention, and, halting, he beckoned to the Constable to dismount. In +low tones he explained that lie wanted a riderless horse to be driven +in front of the company, and, the Constable assenting, one of the +archers dismounted and urged his steed to the head of the column. + +<p>To Raymond, who knew the perils of the path, the act occasioned no +surprise, but most of the soldiers watched the action with +wonderment. + +<p>The horse had proceeded but a short distance when it stumbled over +some invisible obstacle, and before it could recover itself, a heavy +beam, furnished with a metal barb, came crashing down from the +mist—hidden branches above, pinning the devoted animal to the earth. + +<p>A score of willing hands dragged the timber and its victim from the +path. "I pray you send another horse on ahead," exclaimed the +Constable calmly, as if unmoved by his narrow escape, for had he been +in his customary place at the head of the company his fate would have +been sealed. + +<p>Silently, and fully anticipating a fresh trap, the troop advanced, +the successor to the ill-fated horse walking cautiously as if +instinctively aware of its perilous mission. A bow-shot farther it +stopped, and, in spite of the application of the point of a dagger, +it refused to move another step. + +<p>"Prenez garde, messieurs, c'est un piège," whispered the Norman. +"Mais sans doute c'est le dernier empêchement." + +<p>"Step forward, Lavant," exclaimed the Constable in a low tone to one +of the men-at-arms. "Thrust out thy spear and see what lieth here." + +<p>The man did so, and almost without resistance the weapon sank in +turf. A twist of the spear and a large piece of what looked to be +green sward gave way, disclosing a yawning cavity, its length being +too great to permit a horse to leap across, while its depth was +sufficient to kill or maim any man or beast that had the misfortune +to fall therein. + +<p>At a sign from their leader the soldiers dismounted. One man was told +off to every four horses, a party set silently to work to cut a way +through the dense thicket, so as to make a detour round the pitfall, +and the rest of the soldiers stood where they were, resting on their +arms till the path was cleared. + +<p>This done, the company, now diminished in fighting numbers by +one-fourth, resumed their march, and, as the guide had foretold, were +unmolested by any other obstacle till they emerged from the forest at +the edge of the extensive clearing in which stood the stronghold of +the Count of Tancarville. + +<p>The sun was now above the tree-tops, and slowly the mist was +dispersing, so that the outlines of the fortress were just visible in +the clouds of lifting vapour. + +<p>Ordering his men to lie down within the shelter of the undergrowth, +Sir John called his squires, the master bowman who had taken the +place of the absent Redward, and the oldest man-at-arms, and held a +hasty consultation upon the plan of attack. + +<p>Though Raymond had not seen the castle from without, he found that +his idea of the place did not differ greatly from the appearance of +the actual building. It was a long, low structure, but one story in +height, save at one corner, where a low tower commanded the rest of +the stronghold. The walls were pierced with narrow loopholes for the +discharge of arrows, and crowned by a battlemented breastwork. Around +the walls was, as Raymond already knew, a ditch or moat. The +drawbridge was raised, and the outer fortalice or barbican was +furnished with a massive door. + +<p>There were no signs of the garrison, which, at the most, numbered +less than two score men, but the possibility of a surprise was +guarded against by the fact that the doorway of the barbican was +closed. + +<p>For several hours the little English force lay in front of the +stronghold, the soldiers prone on the grass, their leaders standing +behind a dense thicket, so that no assailant was visible to the +still unsuspecting inmates of the castle. + +<p>At length some of the archers who had remained with the horses joined +the main body, dragging with them two peasants who were captured +while on their way to the Count's fortress. The two men bore huge +baskets full of bread on their backs, and the booty was distributed +and eagerly devoured by the soldiers, while the peasants, securely +bound, were detained a short distance in the forest under a guard of +three archers. + +<p>Presently one of the men-at-arms approached Raymond. "I beg of thee, +sir, to ask the Constable that he give me leave to force an entry +into yonder fortress." + +<p>"How so, Peter? Wouldst essay the task alone?" + +<p>"Nay, Master Raymond, but with my comrade, Myles of Fareham, 'tis +easy to attempt." + +<p>"And easier to fail? What wouldst thou do?" + +<p>"If we don the peasant's clothes and carry their baskets filled with +stones on our backs, I trow 'twill be an easy business to fool those +that are within. Once they open the gate two honest Englishmen can +hold it against a score of Frenchmen till the main body hath time to +come to our aid." + +<p>"By St. George! Thou sayest aright; I'll speak to Sir John at once." + +<p>The Constable received the project with delight, and preparations for +the assault were instantly made. The two men-at-arms drew the +gabardines of the peasants over their armour, so that they closely +resembled the thick-set, shambling Normans, and shouldering their +heavy baskets, they advanced boldly towards the outwork. + +<p>Meanwhile their comrades were eager and alert. The bowmen had chosen +their arrows and strung their bows; the men-at-arms had drawn their +swords and had discarded their belts and sheaths to enable them to +run the quicker to the aid of the two devoted men, and with eyes +intently fixed on the gate of the barbican they awaited the signal to +rush headlong across the open space that lay between them and the +fortress. + +<p>To the waiting soldiers it seemed hours ere their two comrades drew +near to the outer work, but when within a few paces of it a sentinel +stood forth on the wall and challenged them. Then, apparently +suspicious of their errand, he blew a loud blast on a horn, which was +immediately answered by the appearance of five or six men from within +the barbican, while over a score lined the walls of the main +stronghold, some of whom began to wind their cross-bows. + +<p>At the same time the door was thrown open, and a man, apparently a +captain, stood on the threshold. Up to now these preparations were +simply a matter of form, no matter who the newcomer might be, and +fortunately the iron-nerved Englishmen understood this, for, +staggering under their loads, they still advanced with bent heads to +avoid recognition. + +<p>Suddenly the guardian of the gate realised that it was not a pair of +ignorant peasants that he had to parley with. But the knowledge came +too late. Peter of Purbrook had thrown down his load and dashed, +sword in hand, at the astonished Norman. Before the latter could +retreat a step he had fallen with his head cleft to the chin. His +body lay athwart the threshold, and ere the others could rush to +close the gate the Englishmen had pushed their baskets, filled with +stones, against the door, and were awaiting the onslaught of their +foes. + +<p>With hoarse shouts of encouragement the English men-at-arms rose from +their ambush and rushed madly to their comrades' aid, while the +archers, shooting rapidly and coolly, directed a dropping fire of +arrows at the defenders on the walls. But they of the outwork had +gathered to defend the gate, and already a fierce struggle was taking +place, the two gallant Englishmen being hard pressed by the enraged +Normans. + +<p>With axe, spear, and mace the defenders strove to thrust back the +daring intruders, while the latter, regardless of their own safety, +essayed to keep open the gate. Two of the Normans fell, their bodies +adding to the ghastly pile at the entrance to the barbican, but +directly afterwards Myles of Fareham was slain by a savage +spear-thrust. + +<p>Undismayed by the fall of his comrade, Peter of Purbrook hurled an +axe at the helm of the slayer of his friend, then, clearing at a +bound the heap of corpses, bade fair to drive back the defenders +single-handed, while his comrades, with Raymond well in the fore, +were already halfway across the intervening space. + +<p>Carried away by the heat of battle, Raymond saw as in a dream the +figure of the devoted man-at-arms clearing a path for his countrymen; +the next instant there was a blinding flash, a deafening roar, and a +thick, choking cloud of sulphurous smoke. + +<p>One of the defenders, with the fury of despair, had fired off a +bombard, the huge stone ball crashing through friend and foe alike, +and bounding over the springy turf till it came to a stop a few paces +from the edge of the forest. + +<p>Appalled by the sound, the soldiers hesitated, but when the smoke had +partially cleared away the gateway was deserted. + +<p>Then the Constable's voice was heard amid the din, "Onwards, men, the +place is ours," and regaining their wits, the Englishmen rushed +forward and reached the deserted barbican. + +<p>The discharge from the bombard, by which the remaining Frenchmen, +save one, and four English men-at-arms, including the ill-fated +Peter, had been swept away, was attended by one good result. The +drawbridge had been lowered, and, after applying the linstock, the +cannonier had darted back across it to take refuge in the fortress, +while the heavy bombard, wrenching asunder the leather thongs that +bound it to the carriage, had recoiled till its weight rested on the +end of the drawbridge, effectually preventing it from being raised by +the defenders. + +<p>In the meanwhile the English archers, while engaged in keeping down +the fire of the cross-bowmen, had marked the fugitive cannonier as he +sped back to gain the entrance. Ere he had run but half the distance +he fell, transfixed by a dozen arrows, while the attacking party +roared with excitement and jubilation. + +<p>Even if the defenders had had another bombard available they would +have been prevented by the hail of shafts from training it on their +adversaries; and, led by the Constable and his squires, the +men-at-arms crossed the drawbridge and thundered at the main gate +with their axes, while the archers, advancing in close order, kept up +a hot fire against every point where a Norman dared show the crest of +his steel cap. + +<p>Under the furious blows the door was splintered; then with a united +effort the shattered woodwork gave way, and the victorious Englishmen +rushed headlong into the castle, only to find that not a man of the +garrison was to be seen. + +<p>With his own hands the Constable tore down the scarlet wolves' heads +of the banner of the Count of Tancarville, and the blue guidon with +the demi-lune floated in its place, amidst a fanfare of trumpets and +the cheers of the victors. + +<p>Then a systematic search of the stronghold was undertaken, but no +trace of the Normans was found till an archer stumbled over a heavy +trap-door, which, on being raised, disclosed a flight of dankstone +steps leading to a subterranean passage. Listening intently, the +Constable and his squires heard the faint sounds of retreating +footsteps echoing along the stone walls of the tunnel. + +<p>"It matters not," quoth Sir John. "I doubt whether there be any +person of quality amongst them. Their burrow doubtless leads to some +spot in the forest, and I can ill-afford to risk more lives in a +needless undertaking." + +<p>To close the entrance, pieces of heavy timber weighted with stone +were thrown down the yawning pit, and having made all chance of a +return by this outlet impossible, the soldiers devoted their energies +to the exploration of the building. + +<p>It was more of a fortified arsenal than a castle, the Count's +principal fortress being ten leagues off, but the spoils of war were +both numerous and useful. + +<p>In all, including the bombard in the barbican, there were eleven +pieces of ordnance, a score barrels of powder, steel caps, hauberks, +and weapons of all descriptions. Unwilling to leave the booty where +it might again fall into the hands of the Normans, the Constable made +preparations to carry off the whole of the munitions of war. + +<p>Dragging long planks across the open ground, a party of archers +returned to where the horses had been left. By bridging the pitfall, +the steeds were led safely across the fatal trap, and in less than an +hour were within the stronghold, where rough carts in abundance were +ready to be loaded up with the spoil. + +<p>Meanwhile Raymond had not forgotten the unfortunate man-at-arms who +had been captured with him in the first attempt to seize the Count. +Aided by a couple of archers, he searched vainly for the secret +oubliette, till at length he bethought him of the two peasants who +had been taken earlier in the day. + +<p>These were brought before him, and without much difficulty were +compelled to lead the way. In the floor of the lowest apartment the +peasants pointed out a small door, almost invisible in the deep +gloom. Procuring a torch, Raymond and the archers shot back the +bolts, and on lifting the trapdoor, a dark, evil-smelling dungeon was +disclosed, unlighted and almost unventilated. Mingled with the noise +of scores of rats a low moaning was heard, and in the fitful glare of +the torchlight a narrow circular hole could be distinguished in the +centre of the dungeon, its mouth unprotected by a barrier of any +kind. + +<p>"Art there, Robert?" asked the squire, his voice shaking with pity +and emotion. + +<p>The only reply was another low moan, as of a human being in direst +distress. Sending one of the archers back for assistance, Raymond +impatiently waited by the yawning pit. The man soon returned, and +with him four lusty men-at-arms, one of whom carried a coil of stout +rope and two more torches. + +<p>Directing the men to lower him slowly and carefully, Raymond knotted +one end of the rope under his arms and boldly descended, holding a +flaming torch above his head. The light flickered on the slimy walls +of the pit, which, as he descended, began to increase in size, till +at length he reached the bottom of a deep, bottle-shaped cavity, the +only approach to which being the narrow neck through which he had +been lowered. + +<p>The floor was ankle-deep in filth and slime; and, by the aid of the +torch, the squire saw, crouched in the corner, apparently heedless of +the presence of his rescuer, the figure of a man. + +<p>Bending over him, Raymond failed at first to recognise his ill-fated +companion-in-arms, for the soldier's face, instead of being the +deep-bronzed, healthy colour that comes of a life in the open air, +was of a ghastly greenish hue, and his eyes, dazzled by the glimmer +of the torch, blinked with a peculiar vacant expression that +suggested madness. + +<p>Finding that the man was too weak to stand the strain of the rope +round his chest, Raymond, placing the torch on the ground, lifted him +to his feet, and taking him in his arms, called out to those above to +haul up. Shielding the soldier as well as he could from the rough +sides of the shaft, the squire with his pitiful burden came slowly to +the surface, where rough but kindly hands took charge of the rescued +prisoner, who was little more than a corpse. + + + +<p><center><img src="images/pitiful.jpg" alt="pitiful"></center><br> +<center>[Illustration: A PITIFUL DISCOVERY]</center> + + + +<p>On rejoining the Constable, Raymond found that a discovery had been +made of another score of barrels filled with powder, and the question +of transport was troubling Sir John sorely. For not only was the +quantity too great for the numbers of men and waggons at their +disposal, but the difficulty arose how to reach the highway, the path +by which they had come being quite unsuitable for the carts. + +<p>Two scouts were therefore sent out with instructions to follow the +cart-tracks, and to find out whether any of the late garrison still +remained in the neighbourhood. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter18"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XVIII</h3> + +<h5 align="center">REDWARD'S CONFESSION</h5> + +<p> +IT was close on nightfall ere the two scouts sent out by Sir John +Hacket returned to the captured fortress. They reported that there +was a fairly wide road which joined the highway to Caen about three +leagues from that town, and that there were no signs of any hostile +force in the district they had explored. + +<p>So that night the company made merry in the stronghold of the Count +of Tancarville, wine and food being found in abundance, although Sir +John did not for one moment relax the vigilance so necessary in a +strange country. + +<p>At daybreak preparations were made for the evacuation of the +fortress, and, headed by the two scouts, the little force set out on +its march to the camp. + +<p>First came a strong party of men-at-arms, ready for instant action in +case of attack. Then followed the Constable and his squires, +accompanied by the two peasants and the Norman guide, and surrounded +by a body of dismounted archers, who marched with their bows strung +and their quivers swinging from the hip. + +<p>The carts came next, drawn by the horses of the dismounted archers, +and piled high with the spoils of the fortress, including the +captured bombards and as much powder as they could possibly hold. + +<p>Next came a small troop of men-at-arms, followed by some more carts, +in which the wounded, including the rescued soldier, lay on heaps of +hay and straw; while the rear was composed of the rest of the +men-at-arms and mounted archers. + +<p>In this order they issued under the great gateway, passed over the +drawbridge, and crossed the wide belt of open ground. When the head +of the column reached the edge of the gloomy forest a tucket sounded +and the soldiers came to a halt. + +<p>Seeing Sir John and his squires gazing intently at the abandoned +stronghold the men did likewise. They saw the grim and gaunt pile +standing clearly out against the dark background of the forest, and +from the black flag-staff fluttered the blue banner of the company, +with its well-known device of the golden crescent. + +<p>Even as they watched, the figure of a man made its appearance on the +battlements; the banner was slowly lowered, and the man disappeared. + +<p>A few moments later the same man, mounted on a swift steed, emerged +from the gateway and thundered across the turf. Reining in his horse +before Sir John, the rider handed the banner to the guidon-bearer, +saluted, and fell in with his comrades; but still the Constable kept +his eyes steadfastly on the fortress. + +<p>What could it mean? + +<p>Slowly the moments sped. To the perplexity of the soldiers, the +castle had an irresistible fascination for their leaders, and, +following their example, they, too, looked in silent wonderment at +the gaunt masses of masonry. + +<p>Suddenly, with a flash, a roar, and a cloud of smoke and dust, the +castle appeared to split asunder; huge masses of stone flew skyward, +then with an appalling crash the walls subsided, and in place of the +massive outlines of the fortress there was nothing to be seen save a +pile of blackened stones, over which floated a heavy pall of dense +vapour. + +<p>The remainder of the powder had been fired, and the sylvan stronghold +of the Count of Tancarville was no more! + +<p>"'Tis well done," was Sir John's only comment, then, on receiving the +word of command, the company resumed its march, and plunged into the +sombre shadows of the forest. + +<p>Almost unnoticed, the little force reached the camp, for in the +excitement of the sack of the rich town of Caen the absence of the +company on their successful raid was of small moment to the rest of +the army intent as they were on the gain of booty. + +<p>There were two exceptions at least. One was Redward Buckland, who, +being apprised of his son's safety, had left the Sussex company, only +to find to his great disappointment that his comrades had departed on +their raid. + +<p>The other was the great Chandos, who, recognising more than most +Englishmen of his day the possibilities of artillery, showed the +greatest interest in Sir John Hacket's report of the expedition, +promising at the first available opportunity to inform the King of +the great service rendered by the Constable of Portchester and his +favourite squire. + +<p>But other events were taking place that effectually eclipsed for the +time being the glory of the brilliant raid. Edward, having plundered +Caen, described by Froissart as "large, strong, full of draperies and +all sorts of merchandise; rich citizens, noble dames, damsels, and +fine churches," had reserved for his own share all the plate, jewels, +and choice cloths. The plunder, together with three hundred of the +more opulent citizens, was placed on board the English ships and sent +over the Channel; then, hoping to sack Rouen in a similar manner, the +King advanced with his army up the fertile valley of the Seine. + +<p>Foiled in this attempt, he continued his march towards Paris, only to +find the bridges broken down, with a strong hostile force on the +nether bank, and Philip with a large army rapidly approaching from +Guienne. + +<p>A desolate track, dotted with the ashes of countless towns and +villages, marked the ruthless advance of the English, till at the +very gates of Paris the flood-tide of invasion became the ebb of +retreat, and Edward, hard pressed, was in danger of being cut off by +overwhelming numbers. + +<p>One night, when lying near the village of Poissy, the camp was +aroused, and orders given to prepare to march. + +<p>"Whither are we bound?" asked Raymond of his father as they met in +the semi-darkness. + +<p>Redward shook his head. "'Tis not a soldier's part to question +orders," quoth he. "I did hear that the King would try to reach +Flanders, but methinks this way leadeth to Paris." + +<p>There was no occasion for silence, and, talking freely amongst +themselves, the soldiers struck their tents, and at daybreak were +well on the road to Paris, while the light-armed horsemen attached to +the French army, who hovered around the flanks, wheeled about and +galloped off to inform the French King of the advance of the +invaders. + +<p>Hardly had the cavalry disappeared than a halt was ordered; then, +with great celerity, the whole English army turned and retraced its +footsteps. + +<p>The Hampshire companies, which at the outset formed the rearguard, +now found themselves in the van, and great was their delight when it +was rumoured that the King had entrusted to them the task of forcing +the passage of the Seine. + +<p>"'Tis Sir John Chandos' own doing," remarked Redward, "and as clever +a feint as ever I met with. While the French are massing to prevent +our supposed march on Paris, we are quietly slipping away towards +Flanders." + +<p>As they came in sight of the turbid river a horseman spurred madly +towards them. "The bridge! The bridge is broken down!" he shouted, +then without slackening his speed he rode onwards towards the main +body which the King had under his own command. + +<p>"The bridge!" growled Redward, "what of the bridge? 'Tis easily +repaired, provided the enemy do not line the farther bank." + +<p>"Then show all men what we can do," exclaimed the Constable. "Pull +down that house for me, and I'll warrant there will be a goodly stock +of timber sufficient to build a bridge, let alone patch one up." + +<p>The men worked with a will, and soon the house was a shapeless mass +of wood and plaster, while the soldiers, selecting the largest and +strongest beams, dragged them to the spot where the jagged ends of +the riven bridge gaped a good ten yards apart. + +<p>Meanwhile Redward and two score of his comrades had thrown off their +armour and quilted jackets, and, with ropes fastened to their waists, +plunged into the swift-flowing river. + +<p>To clamber up the woodwork of the broken arch was the work of a few +minutes; then, hauling at the ropes with a will, they dragged two of +the largest beams across the chasm, and after this was done the work +of completing the temporary bridge was a comparatively easy matter. + +<p>By this time the whole English army had crowded on its advance guard, +and many anxious glances were thrown backwards in the direction from +which the French attack was expected, but to every one's relief no +enemy appeared till the last waggon of the retreating host had +rumbled over the swaying structure. Then, as the van of the French +army came in sight, the temporary span, together with two additional +arches, crashed into the river, effectually preventing all pursuit +for a considerable period. + +<p>The retreat continued, the King making towards Flanders, yet at the +same time gradually approaching the shores of the English Channel, so +as to be able to re-embark should he find himself hemmed in by the +hordes of infuriated Frenchmen. + +<p>As the English came on swiftly and in good order, a considerable +force, under Godemar de Faye, fell back before them, seeking a +favourable chance to hinder their advance, while in their rear came +the hundred thousand armed men of King Philip, who had meantime found +means of crossing the Seine and were swiftly pursuing. + +<p>At length the English reached the valley of the Somme. Here the same +difficulty awaited them. The bridges were broken down by the +redoubtable Godemar, after he had crossed and drawn up his troops on +the right bank to oppose the passage of the retreating army. + +<p>Edward was sore puzzled with the problem of how to effect a crossing, +till a miserable Norman peasant, one Gobin Agace, was brought before +him. Not by threats, but by promises of rich reward, was this +unworthy Frenchman induced to betray his country; and, on his +informing the King of a certain ford, the order for a general advance +was at once given. + +<p>Led by the peasant, the English rushed towards the ford. In front +flowed the river, lapping over the white stones and shingle as it +babbled along, an apparently peaceful stream, towards the sea. + +<p>On the opposite bank lay the troops of Godemar; but not for one +moment did the King hesitate. Commanding the archers to pour a heavy +covering fire into the masses of Frenchmen, he drew his sword, and +setting himself at the head of his knights and mounted troops, Edward +dashed across the river. Short and fierce was the conflict, but +unable to withstand the fierce onslaught, the Frenchmen gave way, and +were soon in headlong flight. + +<p>"Haste, sir," exclaimed Sir John Chandos; "command the main body to +cross." And even as he spoke the dark outlines of the pursuing army +appeared on the crest of a distant hill. + +<p>Never was a ford crossed with such celerity. The waggons were dragged +or lifted by the united efforts of crowds of archers, and though +waist-deep in water, the whole army crossed in safety. + +<p>Then the order was given to resume the march, the Hampshire companies +being given the post of honour—the task of covering the retreat. + +<p>As Raymond stood with his men watching the advancing Frenchmen, their +innumerable banners waving like a reed-covered pond, the archers had +slipped into a long, extended line, and quietly, yet resolutely, +awaited the oncoming enemy. + +<p>Suddenly the squire noticed a change in the appearance of the river. +Instead of a silently-flowing stream that ran towards the sea, a wave +of foaming water rushed up in the opposite direction, and almost +instantly the river became a mass of broken water, impassable to man +or beast. The floodtide had begun, and for six hours at least King +Philip was doomed to rave in fruitless anger on the wrong side of the +Somme. + +<p>"We are safe enough for the present," remarked Redward to his son, +"but methinks before daybreak there will be few of us left, for the +best we can do is to hold them in check for an hour after the tide +has run out. Many a tight corner have we been in ere now, but, +certes, this is the worst." + +<p>But the master-bowman was wrong, for presently a messenger came to +Sir John Hacket with an urgent order from the King. With an +irrepressible shout of delight, the fiery old knight summoned his +sturdy little band around him. + +<p>"It is not fated that our bones bleach on the banks of this river, +<i>mes enfans</i>," he exclaimed. "News hath arrived that the King intends +to give battle with the enemy, and hath already ordered his forces in +a strong position but three leagues hence. Thither we are to repair +with all haste. Forward, then, and ere night we shall be with the +main body!" + +<p>Eagerly the company fell in, and with hope renewed they set out for +the camp. + +<p>"Mark my word, Raymond," said his father, "'tis but putting off the +evil day. A great fight is before us, and, by the rood, 'tis hard to +say how it will end. But I have a small matter on my mind of which I +would speak anon. As soon, therefore, as we arrive in camp, come +aside with me for one brief hour." + +<p>Raymond assented, and in silence they rode onwards towards their +destination, a journey which was to many the last they would ever +make on earth. + +<p>The sun was sinking low ere they heard the trumpets of the English +host. The place Edward had chosen to make a stand was one of great +natural strength. The army was encamped on the edge of a low plateau, +the right wing being additionally protected by a narrow stream, while +in the rear was a small wood. On the summit of the hill a wooden +windmill stood out clearly against the sky, while but a bowshot away +was the little village of Crécy, its houses, though ransacked by the +invaders, still standing—a contrast to those which had previously +stood in the path of the ruthless army. + +<p>As the Constable's company moved towards the quarters assigned them, +Raymond noticed that the archers were already hard at work digging +trenches and cutting stakes for palisades, for the King had given +orders that everything should be ready ere night, so as to allow his +troops a well-earned rest. + +<p>After a good repast, for provisions were plentiful in that fertile +valley, Raymond sought his father, and together they walked through +the camp towards the solitude of the neighbouring wood. On the way +they passed the royal pavilion, where, with his chief lords, King +Edward sat at supper, and, judging by the cheerful voices of the +company, it was evident that few doubts were entertained as to the +issue of to-morrow's conflict. + +<p>But, silent and sad, the master-bowman and his son went on their way, +for Raymond knew instinctively that there was a great burden on his +father's mind. At length they reached the dark shadows of the wood, +and here Redward halted. + +<p>"Raymond, my beloved son," he exclaimed in a voice broken with +emotion, "'tis hard that I should have to tell thee what I am about +to utter, but, before Heaven, I must do it, both for mine own peace +of mind and for thine own. Two score and three years ago this very +day I slew a man. The quarrel was of his own seeking, 'tis true, but, +nevertheless, the law was set against me, and I was made outlaw!" + +<p>The master-bowman paused to note the effect of this announcement, +but, beyond a tightening of his lips, Redward betrayed no sign of +dismay at this astounding confession. + +<p>"Then I fled from the country, and assumed a name to which I have no +right," resumed Redward. "In this I did thee a great injustice, for +the ban falls on the outlaw's children equally with himself; and on +this account I ought never to have taken a wife or to have had a +son." + +<p>"I care not for myself, father. But what if, even now, thou art +recognised?" + +<p>"It matters not, my son. A secret kept for over two score years may +well remain a secret; but I have a misgiving that I shall never see +the sun set to-morrow." + +<p>"Father!" + +<p>"Nay, Raymond, 'tis but a small matter. I cannot live much longer, +and to fall in battle is a worthy end. But the worst is to be told. +Thou wouldst marry the Lady Audrey!" + +<p>The young squire shuddered at the altered prospect. + +<p>"Alack a day!" he groaned. + +<p>"Ay, Raymond. I fear thou wilt curse the day thou camest into the +world, for to my sorrow I must tell thee—the brother of that lady's +father was the man I slew!" + +<p>For a moment the squire was incapable of speech, then, recovering +himself with an effort, he exclaimed, "Nay, father, I blame you not. +It is rather the fate of circumstances and my own foolish pride that +made me look so high. I cannot for one moment continue my suit for +the hand of the Lady Audrey, neither can I ever hope to wear the +spurs of knighthood; but I am still thy son." + +<p>"And wouldst thou know thy true name?" + +<p>"Not unless it please thee, father; 'Raymond Buckland' hath served me +well these four-and-twenty years; but," he added with pardonable +curiosity, "if I may I would desire to know." + +<p>"Dost call to mind Sir Edmund Revyngton?" + +<p>"Indifferently so; I wot he is a knight of Devon." + +<p>"He is also my brother, and, being without issue, his heir would be, +but for the bar of outlawry, Redward Revyngton, now known to all men +as Redward Buckland." + +<p>It was a long story, that narrative of life marred by an act +committed in a moment of anger, but breathlessly Raymond listened +till the master-bowman had finished. + +<p>"And if so be thou comest scatheless from the wars," he added, "the +abbot of Netley will deliver into thy hands certain documents +pertaining to thy welfare, and, should Heaven grant that this decree +of outlawry be rescinded (though I shall never live to see the day), +I pray that thou wilt ever acquit thyself as an honourable gentleman +of Devon." + +<p>Slowly father and son returned towards the camp, and as they passed +between the long lines of tents, Redward paused before a lodging in +front of which was a shield displaying a mailed hand argent on a +field azure. + +<p>Leaving Raymond standing in the gloom, the master-bowman went up and +spoke to a man-at-arms who stood outside the tent. + +<p>"My master cannot hold converse with any one this night, especially +an archer," exclaimed the man roughly. + +<p>"Convey my message to thy master and leave him to decide the point, +sirrah!" replied Redward in a tone of authority, and, on seeing that +a squire had joined him, the soldier obeyed. + +<p>Soon he reappeared, and holding open the flap of the tent, signed for +the visitors to enter. + +<p>Following his father, Raymond saw a tall, well-built man, who in +spite of his grey hairs and carefully-trimmed white beard, carried +his years with ease. He had laid aside his armour, and, judging by +the still lighted candles in front of a prie-dieu, he had but just +risen from his orisons. + +<p>With a knightly courtesy he waited for the master-bowman to speak, +thinking that one of his followers had come to ask a boon, when to +his surprise Redward addressed him by name. + +<p>"Sir Maurice," he exclaimed. "Dost thou not know me? I am thy brother +Redward!" + +<p>"Redward? Back from the dead after all these years? Nay, it cannot +be! But yet——" + +<p>Drawing nearer he looked closely into the master-bowman's rugged and +bronzed face, then, "Thank Heaven! I have found thee!" he exclaimed, +and Raymond beheld the extraordinary sight of a belted knight and a +surcoated archer falling on one another's necks in a transport of +joy. + +<p>Then the squire had to be presented to his uncle. "A fine and gallant +youth, and a credit to the old stock of Revyngtons," declared the +knight. "But, tell me, Redward, why didst thou not seek me out ere +now, knowing I was in the camp?" + +<p>"But for one thing, Maurice, I had as lief let it be thought that +Redward Revyngton was no longer in this world. It is Raymond of whom +I think, for I know that to-morrow's battle will count me amongst the +slain. How think ye, Maurice? Is there hope that the King will set +aside the outlawry, and free my son from its curse?" + +<p>The knight shook his head sorrowfully. "Sir Reginald Scarsdale is +ever with the King, and his wrath against his brother's slayer dies +not." + +<p>"And to make matters worse Raymond, ignorant of my past, seeks his +daughter's hand in marriage." + +<p>Sir Maurice smiled grimly. + +<p>"I'll do my best, even if it be to beg a favour of Scarsdale himself! +But sit down, Redward, and let us talk at ease, for the hours of +darkness fly quickly, and there is much to be said." + +<p>It was after midnight before the brothers bade each other farewell, +and Redward and Raymond returned to their tents. + +<p>On gaining the lines of the Hampshire companies, father and son +parted, the former to compose his mind for his anticipated death, the +latter to ponder over the astounding revelations he had just heard. +Sleep was banished from Raymond's eyes, and long he tossed uneasily +on his hard pallet, till the dawn grew ruddy in the east and the +trumpets heralded the advent of the eventful day. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter19"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XIX</h3> + +<h5 align="center">CRÉCY</h5> + +<p> +FOR a short space after the trumpets had sounded all was bustle, men +running hither and thither, each with a fixed purpose. Directly +Raymond had donned his armour he emerged from his tent to find all +the Hampshire companies busily engaged in breaking their fast, as +were most of the troops, the King having ordered that every man +should make a hearty meal, so as to be sustained throughout the day. + +<p>This over, the men formed into their accustomed ranks, and instantly +there was a long procession of camp-followers and lackeys leading the +horses to the enclosure behind the camp, for the order had gone forth +that all combatants were to fight afoot. + +<p>Long was that parade remembered by the young squire. The +white-surcoated archers, with their well-filled quivers and, in most +cases, an additional sheaf of arrows in their belts, the +heavily-armed men-at-arms with rusty headpieces and war-worn +accoutrements, all standing fast in regular lines, made a picture +that gladdened the hearts of their leaders as they gazed upon the +stern, bronzed faces of their men. + +<p>Already the more remote columns were deploying, and soon the order +came for the first division to march to the ground where the King had +decided to make his stand. The battlefield was well chosen, being on +the edge of the plateau overlooking the little valley that lay +between the English and the direction from which the French attack +was expected. + +<p>On arriving at the allotted station, Raymond found that the supreme +command of his division was entrusted to the Prince of Wales, a mere +youth of fifteen, who had already shown great promise of a notable +military career. With him were the Earls of Warwick and Oxford and a +host of noble lords, the brunt of the fight being expected to fall +upon this division. + +<p>Raymond found that this division was drawn up in two lines, the two +thousand bowmen being in front and the men-at-arms, numbering eight +hundred, in the second rank, while right behind were the wild-looking +Welsh and Irish auxiliaries, each man eagerly whetting his long knife +for use when the time came for them to be let loose on their +discomfited foes. + +<p>Away on the left was another large division of archers and +men-at-arms drawn up in similar order, under the command of the Earl +of Northampton; while, glancing backwards towards the +windmill-crowned hill, Raymond saw the close ranks of the reserve +division, composed of seven hundred men-at-arms and two thousand +archers, under the direct command of the King. + +<p>Looking in the direction of Abbeville, Raymond could see no signs of +the French host, and, after all, he wondered whether the attack would +be made, seeing the strength of the natural defences occupied by the +English. + +<p>At length a dull hum of excitement ran along the ranks. The voices of +the company-commanders could be heard ordering their men to stand to +their arms, and in a few moments, mounted on a white palfrey and +bearing a white rod in his hand, the King rode slowly along the front +of those rigid lines of warriors. + +<p>At intervals he reined in his steed in order to address the troops, +bidding them stand stoutly to their arms and take heed to his honour +in the fight. A roar of cheering greeted the monarch as he left the +first division to inspect the second, and the men were told to stand +at ease, and again refresh themselves with food and rest. + +<p>Although awaiting an attack is one of the worst ordeals that can be +undergone, Raymond was amazed at the coolness of the soldiers, as +with merry laugh and jest they sat or sprawled on the ground. Many +were busily engaged in fixing new strings to their bows, smoothing +out the feathers of their arrows, or waxing or greasing the heads of +their deadly shafts to enable them to pierce an obstacle with greater +ease, while others crowded round the master-bowmen, asking advice or +information on the coming struggle. + +<p>Redward had shaken off his depression, and greeted his son with a +cheerfulness that was all the more remarkable by reason of his +confession on the eve of battle. + +<p>"A goodly sight," he exclaimed, "and never can I hope to be in better +company. Look at the lads! One would think they were about to try +their turn at the butts." + +<p>"And think'st thou that the French will fight?" + +<p>"Assuredly; they seek to overwhelm and crush us with the weight of +numbers. Can the archers but hold the ridge for one hour the day will +go with us." + +<p>"But 'twill be eventide ere the enemy come to blows?" + +<p>"Ay; but if mine eyes do not deceive me, there they are, right on the +skyline." + +<p>Raymond looked, and in the distance he saw the cloud of dust that +invariably envelops an army on the march. Others had detected the +sight, and there was a general stir amongst the troops. Exclamations +of satisfaction burst from all lips at the prospect of the approach +of the French host. + +<p>"'Twill be six or seven hours ere they draw nigh," remarked Redward, +"and footsore and weary will they be after a three leagues' march in +battle array. But, see, Raymond, there is thine uncle, Sir Maurice +Revyngton, at the head of the men of Totnes, and, mark you, Sir +Reginald Scarsdale is in close converse with him. What doth it mean, +I wonder?" + +<p>A little later in the day the sun, which had been shining brightly in +the eyes of the English host, disappeared behind a thick bank of +clouds. The air was close and sultry, and at midday the gloom was so +intense that it seemed as if night was drawing nigh. With raucous +cries a vast number of crows, ever regarded as birds of ill-omen, +flew across the front of the army and alighted on the plain beneath; +then resuming their flight they disappeared in the direction of the +advancing Frenchmen. + +<p>"It will go ill with the King of France," remarked Sir John Hacket to +his squire. "If he reads the sign aright methinks he will stay his +hand. But see, a thunder-storm approaches rapidly!" + +<p>"Pass the word for the archers to protect their bow-strings," +exclaimed the Earl of Warwick to the nearest Constable, and in +obedience to the order the bowmen either drew waterproof cases over +their bows or, if unprovided with these, unstrung their weapons and +placed the cords under their quilted coats. + +<p>Hardly were these preparations completed than the rain descended in a +torrential downpour, blotting out the horizon in a mirky blur, then, +as suddenly as it came, the cloud passed over on its way towards +Abbeville, and the sun again shone brilliantly, its warmth soon +drying the sodden clothing of the soldiers. + +<p>Nearer and nearer came the dark masses of Frenchmen, till within a +league of their enemies they halted. Shortly afterwards a group of +horsemen could be seen riding towards the English position, and, amid +breathless excitement, it was observed that four French knights were +approaching. + +<p>Either from absolute contempt for their enemies or relying on the +chivalrous instincts that frequently show themselves between opposing +enemies, the Frenchmen rode within a bow-shot of the English lines, +then, calmly trotting along the whole front of the army, they +appeared to be making careful observations of the dispositions of +their foe. + +<p>Several knights besought the Prince of Wales to be allowed to have +their chargers brought them, so that they might earn a slight +advancement by engaging the intrepid Frenchmen; others requested that +the archers should shoot them down; but to all entreaties the Prince +firmly but courteously returned a refusal, and in perfect silence the +English allowed the French knights to complete their reconnaissance, +and to retire in safety to their own host. + +<p>Slowly the hours passed, and still the French army showed no signs of +advancing. The sun was now shining well behind the English, and would +serve to dazzle the eyes of their attackers. Meanwhile the archers +had planted their pointed stakes, and the men-at-arms in charge of +the bombards had loaded these cumbersome engines and trained them on +the plain across which the enemy must advance. + +<p>Once again the wearisome monotony was broken by the appearance of a +man who was observed to make his way steadily and rapidly towards the +English lines. When within bowshot he waved his arms in token of +friendship, and four archers were sent out to escort him to the +Prince. The new-comer was a tall, lightly-built man, with long, +spider-like legs and arms, and sharp, projecting elbow-joints and +knees. He was attired in a close-fitting dress of blue cloth that +served to increase his angularities, and from his belt hung an +ink-horn counterbalanced by a short knife. + +<p>"Mark ye," quoth Sir John Hacket to his squire, "yonder sly fox is on +no lawful errand, and, certes, 'twill go hard with him if he plays +the traitor with our Prince. Look at his protruding forehead and his +shifty, blinking eyes. A creature like that would fawn to one's face +and plunge a dagger into one's back! Hark to what he has to say." + +<p>The man spoke in a deep yet quavering voice, yet so loudly that +Raymond could hear every word. + +<p>"My name, fair sir, is Alexandre Gourdain, and I am clerk in the +household of King Philip." + +<p>"Forbear to trouble me with thy name and calling," replied the Prince +curtly, "but deliver thy message." + +<p>"Message, fair sir? Nay, I bear no message, but have come to tell +thee that, though counselled to tarry till to-morrow, my master has +decided to begin the fight——" + +<p>"One moment! Thou bring'st this news on thy own behalf?" + +<p>"Yea, fair sir." + +<p>"And seekest a guerdon?" + +<p>"Yea, fair sir; I do but ask——" + +<p>"Enough, thou recreant! Think'st thou that I would list to a +double-faced rogue to learn the movements of a gallant foe? Hence +with ye! Ho, archers! Strip this coward's coat from off his back, and +give him a score lusty stripes with your bow-cords. Then turn him +loose, and if he go not back to his master, feather him with shafts. +Get thee gone, knave." + +<p>"Is it not as I said?" remarked the Constable of Portchester in an +undertone. "See, the archers take a delight in their task." + +<p>The twenty strokes were laid on with all the force of the soldiers' +sinewy arms, then, threatened by a hundred drawn bows, the miserable +wretch was pushed out of the lines and sent on his way towards the +army he had stooped to betray. + +<p>Signs of animation were now observed in the dense masses of the +enemy. The heavily-armed cavalry rode forth in a disorderly mob, +brandishing their arms and shouting; then, retiring on the main body, +their places were taken by a body of archers, nearly two thousand +strong, who slowly advanced towards the foot of the rising ground, +where the English were posted in firm array. + +<p>"'Tis the crossbowmen of Genoa. Steady, my lads; their bolts will be +singing over our heads anon," shouted Sir John, and at the same +moment the Prince of Wales gave the signal for the archers to stand +and make ready. + +<p>Silently yet swiftly the white-surcoated lines of bow-men sprang to +their feet and took up their allotted stations in the formation of a +harrow. With feet planted firmly, and with arrows notched to their +six-foot bows, they stood ready for action. + +<p>At length the Genoese came within bowshot, the clicking of their +windlacs as they drew the cords of their crossbows sounding like the +chirping of myriad crickets. Then with a loud shout they leaped from +the ground. Another shout, and the leap was repeated. + +<p>"Do they take us for a crowd of yokels at a country fair?" asked one +archer of his fellow. "They prance for all the world like a +dog-baited bear." + +<p>"They'll dance higher ere long, I'll warrant," replied his comrade +grimly. + +<p>Once more the Genoese leapt, then levelling their crossbows, they let +fly a volley of short bolts. + +<p>A shout of derision greeted this discharge, for, without exception, +the bolts fell far short of the proper distance, sticking in the +ground at a sharp angle and rendering the advance of the French +cavalry, when it should take place, full of additional peril. + +<p>"That shows what the rain did for the strings of their crossbows," +said Sir John Hacket to the Constable of Lewes, who had joined him at +the beginning of the advance. "Steady, men. At the word, loose wholly +together." + +<p>The long-drawn tension was broken by the voice of the great Lord +Chandos. "In the name of God and St. George—shoot!" + +<p>The twang of two thousand longbows reverberated along the line. The +intervening space between the armies was white with a sleet of +arrows. Looking towards the Genoese, Raymond saw a dense mass of men +bending over their crossbows and working their windlacs in desperate +haste to reload their cumbersome weapons. The next moment the Genoese +were literally swept away. Hardly an arrow failed to find a mark; +heads, breasts, arms, and legs were transfixed by stinging shafts. +Dead, wounded, and unscathed were mixed in a writhing, struggling +mass, and the confusion was increased by the unwounded striving to +fall back upon the main body of the French host. + +<p>All the while the English archers shot straight and true at the +disorganised Genoese. The squire, though unable to see the faces of +the bowmen in front of him, was astonished at the quiet, collected +manner in which they loosed their bows. + +<p>Then, as he glanced towards the panic-stricken foemen, the squire +observed a strong body of French mounted troops charging down, as he +supposed, to the support of the ill-fated crossbowmen. The ground +trembled beneath the feet of the cavalry, as with loose rein and +wildly brandished weapons their riders pressed forward in a headlong +charge. + +<p>But to Raymond's surprise, instead of deploying right and left of the +fugitives, the Frenchmen cut right through their Genoese mercenaries, +slashing at the miserable men with sword and axe. + +<p>In this tangled web horsemen fell in scores. Genoese and Frenchmen +fought each other with the madness of fury and self-preservation, and +all the time the hail of English arrows swept down knight and +crossbow-man in indiscriminate slaughter. + +<p>To add to the confusion, the bombards on the right of the Prince's +division opened fire, and amid clouds of thick, suffocating smoke the +heavy stone balls went crashing through the dense masses of the foe, +and, for the first time in warfare, it was seen that thrice-tempered +armour was useless before the power of artillery. + +<p>Then a trumpet sounded from the English ranks, and the hail of arrows +ceased as by magic. There was a loud discordant shout, the trampling +of hundreds of feet, and through the now rapidly clearing smoke +Raymond saw the Welsh and Irish levies dash out upon the demoralised +foe. With their long knives they threw themselves on the Frenchmen, +and, in the heat of the fight, all thought of quarter was ignored, +and knights, worth a rich ransom, were slaughtered as they lay +helpless on the ground with as little compunction as if they were +peasants. + +<p>So intently was Raymond engaged in watching the struggle before him +that for the time being he did not notice what was happening on the +flanks of the first division, till suddenly the hoarse voice of the +Earl of Oxford was heard shouting, "Stand to your arms, fair knights +and squires! The French are upon us!" + +<p>For the first time on that memorable day a desperate hand-to-hand +conflict was about to take place. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter20"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XX</h3> + +<h5 align="center">HIS LIFE FOR HIS FOE</h5> + +<p> +UNSHEATHING his sword and holding his shield firmly on his left arm, +the squire followed the example of the knights and men-at-arms, and +hastened towards the left flank. + +<p>Already the French cavalry, led by the Duke of Alençon, had, by sheer +weight of numbers, forced their way to within striking distance of +their foes, and the long rows of white-coated archers, who formed the +first rank of the defence, were swept aside by the rush of the +mounted French knights, for at close quarters the bowmen were useless +against the lances, swords, and axes of their mailed antagonists. + +<p>Before Raymond and his companions could throw themselves into the +press, the horsemen had hewn a way right to the foot of the Royal +Standard, beneath which the Prince of Wales and a chosen body of +knights fought with magnificent courage. + +<p>The French and German knights, intent on securing the Prince, hurled +themselves in a compact body towards the Standard, and as fast as one +warrior fell, two more took his place, till it seemed that the +desperate bravery of the attackers would attain its purpose. + +<p>Raymond found himself engaged by a tall, broad-shouldered antagonist, +who bore on his shield the cognisance of the House of Luxemburg. For +a space they rained blows at each other, striving by sheer force to +cut down their respective guards, till, by a sweeping blow, the +Frenchman shivered the squire's sword, and only by swiftly leaping +backwards was Raymond able to avoid the deadly stroke: So narrow was +his escape that the point of the descending blade cut a long, clean +gash in his surcoat ere it buried itself a foot deep in the carcase +of a slain charger. Instantly the squire rushed in, struck the +Luxemburger with the edge of his shield, then, ere the man could +recover himself, plunged his dagger to the hilt in his brawny throat. + +<p>Without pausing to recover his breath, Raymond rushed towards a group +of French knights who were surrounding a little knot of Englishmen. +It was the Prince's own bodyguard, who, hard pressed, strove their +utmost to defend their young master. Sir Reynold Cobham, beaten to +the ground, lay pinned down by the weight of his armour; the Earl of +Warwick, wounded in the face by a lance thrust, was fiercely beset by +two knights of Cologne, while Edward, though unscathed, was the mark +of nigh a score of determined Frenchmen. Nimbly avoiding one stroke, +parrying another, and diverting a thrust with his shield, the Prince +fought like a trained veteran rather than a mere lad of fifteen. + +<p>At length a knight, armed with a huge double-handed sword, made a +swinging cut at the Prince just as the latter had all his attention +drawn by the fierce onslaught of a mounted knight of Sicily. For the +moment it seemed as if nothing could save the Prince from instant +death; but Raymond, regardless of his own safety, sprang forward, and +with his shield and his own body strove to stay the blow. The +knight's sword struck the squire's shield just above the upper +leathern loop that held it to the wearer's arm. The tough metal plate +was sheared through as if made of paper, and the blade, glancing +upwards against the squire's bascinet, struck the Prince a harmless +blow, merely slicing the crest of his helmet. + +<p>Raymond fell at the Prince's feet, but the Constable of Portchester, +seeing his squire stricken to the earth, dashed out the swordsman's +brains with a crashing blow of his mace. For a short space Raymond +lay breathless on the ground, then, feeling terribly dazed, he raised +himself and looked around. To his utmost satisfaction he saw that the +Prince of Wales was unhurt. Already the danger was past, for the +Earls of Arundel and Northampton had brought up their division to the +aid of the sorely pressed Prince, and the attackers, beaten at every +point, were giving way in headlong flight. + +<p>At length the squire staggered to his feet, and, assisted by an +archer of his company, he slowly and painfully made his way towards +the camp. Darkness was falling, and the English, having been ordered +to refrain from hazardous pursuit, stood in their ranks, while a vast +plain, dotted with thousands of corpses, of which but few wore the +red cross surcoats, silently testified to the hard-fought fight. + +<p>As Raymond passed the ranks of his own company Sir John Hacket came +forward and grasped him by the hand. + +<p>"My brave squire," he exclaimed. "Right nobly hast thou borne thyself +this day. The Prince hath spoken highly of thy courage and devotion, +and, without doubt, tidings of thy deeds will come to the cars of the +King. But, Raymond," he added sadly, "I have ill tidings for thee." + +<p>"My father?" gasped the squire, reading the Constable's unspoken +words. + +<p>"Ay, my boy, 'tis thy father. He fell in the thickest of the fight, +and thou hast lost a noble sire and I a brave soldier. Now, bear up, +Raymond, and get thee to the camp and attend to thy hurts, for thou +wilt be required anon." + +<p>Wounded in body and mind, the young squire was led to the camp, where +it was found that the Frenchman's sword had driven the stout steel +bascinet heavily against his temple, leaving a dark blue bruise to +show how near he had been to death. Simple remedies were applied, +and, having divested himself of his armour, Raymond recovered himself +sufficiently to set out to find the body of his father, bearing a +torch to aid him in his quest. + +<p>He remembered well the place where he had last seen him, close to a +little stunted thorn that grew on the edge of the slope which the +Prince's division had held so well. + +<p>A veritable mound of bodies showed how firmly the archers had stood, +and how fierce had been the contest, for in a circle around the tree +lay a heap of red-crossed surcoats, their wearers lying still in +death with their faces to the foe, while around lay the bodies of +their attackers, three deep in places, their rich dress and armour +proving that the flower of French chivalry was unable to vanquish, +although it had broken through, that double line of English archers +and men-at-arms. + +<p>The men of the Hampshire companies had suffered more severely than +any, and Raymond, as he pursued his quest, came across many faces +which he sadly recognised. + +<p>Here and there, dotted over the ghastly field, were feeble glimmers +of torches showing that others were engaged in the doleful task of +looking for their fallen comrades, though in some instances ghouls +were engaged in their dastardly work of robbing the dead. + +<p>At length the ruddy glare of the torch threw its beams upon the form +which Raymond recognised only too well. Stretched on his back, his +sightless eyes staring up at the starry sky, lay Redward, the outlaw +and master-bowman, the body bearing the ghastly traces of eight +separate wounds, all of which were in front, proving that to the last +he had fought with his face to the foe. + +<p>Sorrowfully Raymond gazed upon his slain sire; then, realising that +the sooner he performed the last rites there would be the less chance +of the spoiler's fell work, he proceeded to carefully remove the body +to the shelter of the stunted tree, so that he could return to the +camp to find, if possible, the priest attached to the company. + +<p>As he lifted the heavy corpse he was startled to hear a feeble voice +exclaim, "Blessings on thy kindness, noble sir; I pray thee assist +me." + +<p>Recovering from his astonishment, the squire discovered, pinned +beneath his father's body, a wounded knight. Swiftly Raymond bent to +his aid, and, cutting asunder the laces of his bascinet, he found the +stranger to be none other than Sir Reginald Scarsdale! + +<p>"Faith! I did think this would have been the end of me," quoth the +knight. "Hast a draught of wine?" + +<p>Raymond shook his head. "I am returning to the camp, an' if it please +thee, I'll help thee back to thy company." + +<p>"Do so, squire, for, what with a crack over the head with a +Frenchman's mace, and the weight of yon bowman atop o' me, I feel too +weak to stand of mine own will. What dost thou here?" + +<p>"Yonder lies my father." + +<p>"Thy father? By St. Wilfrid of Ripon, he was a gallant man! Had he +not stood over me the rascals would have settled my account. I pray +thee tell me his name?" + +<p>For a moment Raymond paused, then, in a sudden outburst of +confidence, he exclaimed, "Redward Revyngton!" + +<p>"What! Redward Revyngton! And to think that the man whom I, with a +mad desire for vengeance, hounded out of the country should have +given his life for me! Did he wot whom I was?" + +<p>"Ay," said Raymond. "For but a few hours agone he and I saw thee in +converse with his brother, Sir Maurice." + +<p>"Then out on me for my revengeful spirit! When it lay in his power to +thrust me through the back with a dagger, or even to let me be slain +by my enemies, what did he do? He saved my life! This indeed is +rendering good for evil." + +<p>"And ye forgive him his trespass?" + +<p>"Ay, young squire. Right willingly." + +<p>"Then in my sorrow I thank Heaven," replied Raymond, and in silence +they returned slowly to the camp, Sir Reginald leaning heavily on the +arm of the outlaw's son. + +<p>The moment the wounded knight was given into safe hands Raymond +hastened to his quarters, where he enlisted the services of the +priest and four stout archers. The latter took spades and torches +with them, and the melancholy procession set out for the scene of +Redward's last stand, Raymond with Sir John Hacket, who wished to pay +his last respects to his trusted servant, leading the way. + +<p>Rapidly the bowmen plied their spades, and soon a deep grave gaped at +the foot of the solitary thorn. Raymond bent and kissed the cold +brow, then, amid the solemn voice of the priest reciting the psalm, +<i>Domine, refugium</i>, the body of the brave old master-bowman was laid +to rest. + +<p>Bare-headed and dry-eyed, Raymond watched the dark earth being +shovelled down upon the mortal remains of his sire, then, when the +task was accomplished, he turned and walked slowly back to the camp. +There, in the retirement of his tent, his pent-up feelings found +relief, and throwing himself on the ground, he burst into a flood of +passionate weeping. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter21"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXI</h3> + +<h5 align="center">THE REJECTED GUERDON</h5> + +<p> +MORNING came, and with it the trumpets again sounded for the troops +to assemble. Was it that a renewal of the fight was expected? Nay, +for the French were in headlong flight, their King being already well +on the way to La Broye. But Edward, sensible of the advantage gained, +had determined to advance on Calais. + +<p>Silently the weary soldiers fell into their ranks. The archers, their +white surcoats soiled with mud and stained with blood, the +men-at-arms, with battered armour, and, in many cases, +roughly-bandaged wounds, stood grimly in their martial array, +conscious of the many comrades who had stood thus but a day before +and had gone to their last account. + +<p>Suddenly a fanfare of trumpets announced the approach of the King. +With his eyes shining with pardonable pride, the monarch rode slowly +down the war-worn lines, stopping at intervals to bestow honours and +praise as cases of individual merit were pointed out to him. At his +right hand rode the Prince of Wales, and attending him were Sir John +Chandos, the Earls of Warwick, Arundel, Oxford, and Southampton. + +<p>When in front of the Hampshire companies the King again drew rein, +and surveyed the stern, determined faces of the men on whom the brunt +of the attack had fallen. Sir John Hacket, attended by his three +squires, stood in front of his command, the banners, according to +custom, being lowered to the ground in the presence of the Sovereign. + +<p>"By Our Lady! 'Tis our trusted Constable of Portchester!" exclaimed +Edward. "And by report thou didst hold thyself right gallantly on +yesterday's field. Ah, Sir John, we have something in store to make +amends for our former forgetfulness. Advance thy banner!" + +<p>The Constable, taking his banner from the hands of the guidon-bearer, +stepped forward, and, with bended knee, presented the blue silk +emblazoned with the golden crescent to the King, who, drawing a +dagger from his belt, deftly cut off the pointed end of the pennon. +Handing the severed portion to a knight in attendance, the King +returned the banner to Sir John. + +<p>The action, simple as it seemed, roused the company to the highest +pitch of enthusiasm, for their adored leader had achieved the great +distinction of being created a knight-banneret, the greatest honour +to be paid by the sovereign, only on the field of battle. + +<p>Ere the cheering had died away, the Prince of Wales had plucked his +father's sleeve, and whispered in his ear. + +<p>"Of a truth, 'tis the squire who brought the Count of Tancarville to +our camp! And he is the man that came betwixt thee and thine enemies +in the thickest of the fray! 'Tis our pleasure to bestow honours +freely to-day, though, methinks, they be well deserved, and no man +will chide us for being too freehanded. Thy squire's name, Sir John?" + +<p>"He is named Raymond Buckland, sire." + +<p>"Come hither, squire," commanded the King, alighting from his palfrey +and taking a sword from the hand of the Earl of Warwick. + +<p>The supreme moment of Raymond's life was at hand, but the squire, +instead of kneeling to receive the honour of knighthood, advanced a +few paces and stood irresolutely before his sovereign. + +<p>"On thy knees, squire!" commanded Edward. + +<p>"Nay, sire, I cannot," replied the unhappy Raymond. Low murmurs of +astonishment arose from the King's attendants, while Sir John Hacket, +placing his hand heavily on his squire's shoulder, hissed into his +ear, "Kneel, thou fool! Art bereft of thy senses?" + +<p>A dark cloud gathered on the King's face. Then a thought seemed to +strike him, and he spoke again. + +<p>"Here, sirrah, tell us the reason of this strange refusal. Nay, have +no fear," he added, in a more kindly tone, observing the squire's +dejection, "for we perceive there is something amiss that will +account for thy demeanour." + +<p>Encouraged by the King's words, and rendered bold by the desperate +position in which circumstances had placed him, Raymond replied, in a +low yet distinct voice, "Sire, I am the son of an outlaw, and +therefore unworthy of the honour thou would'st bestow." + +<p>"Ah!" exclaimed the King. "This requires further consideration. Sir +John, knowest aught of this?" + +<p>"Nay, sire," replied the amazed Constable. + +<p>Once again the young Prince of Wales whispered in his father's ear. +The King nodded in response, and again addressed the squire. + +<p>"It is our desire to hear more of this matter. See to it that thou +comest before us in our pavilion at noon, Sir John. I hold thee +responsible for thy squire's appearance. And, Sir William," he added, +turning to his scrivener, "I pray thee see to it that the worthy +Constable of Portchester and his squire be instantly admitted to our +presence at that hour." + +<p>Remounting his steed, the King, accompanied by his retinue, continued +his tour of inspection, and, on this being completed, he returned to +his pavilion. The ranks broke, and the men were told to enjoy a +well-earned rest ere the march to Calais was begun on the morrow, +while the camp-followers were put to the melancholy task of burying +the dead who had fallen in the fight. + +<p>On hearing the story from Raymond's own lips, the kind-hearted Sir +John Hacket's expressions of surprise and pity were unbounded. For +not for one moment had he suspected that the sturdy master-bowman, +though an outlaw, was at one time a gentleman of quality. + +<p>"Take it not too much to heart, Raymond," he said. "Many a man hath +been in a worse scrape. I am of a mind to bring Sir Maurice Revyngton +with us when we repair to the King's presence, and 'twould be well if +I saw the knight at once." + +<p>So saying, the Constable hastened away, leaving his squire still torn +with conflicting emotions of hope and fear—hope that his own +stainless character and deeds of bravery would wipe out the +undeserved blot that threatened to mar his prospects, and fear that +the formidable barrier of social custom and royal etiquette would for +ever debar him from the road to success. + +<p>In less than an hour Sir John returned, a broad smile of satisfaction +overspreading his grim features. "Thy uncle will bear us company, ay, +and another knight, if I mistake not, will interest himself on thy +behalf. Now, bear thyself cheerfully, for I perceive that things will +turn out aright. Waste no more time in gloomy meditations, but make +thyself fit to appear in the King's presence, for the hour of +audience is at hand." + +<p>"And the style of mine attire?" + +<p>"In full harness, Raymond, for the King will doubtless think fit to +reward thee for bravery on the field, and on that score I have no +doubt. 'Tis meet that thou shouldst appear in the garb of a soldier +rather than in the dress of a common suppliant. And, moreover, our +King delights in the wearing of harness, and looks with favour on +those who doff their armour but rarely when they come to the wars. So +again I tell thee, hasten!" + +<p>The squire repaired to his own tent and put on his complete suit of +armour—the same that his father had given him years ago on the eve +of the sack of Hamble—and well the dented and tarnished steel +befitted his tall and erect figure. Then girding on his scabbard, +wherein was thrust the remaining part of the broken blade, and +grasping the fragment of the shield that had diverted the murderous +sweep of the Frenchman's two-handed sword, Raymond repaired to his +master's tent. + +<p>The Constable surveyed him with appreciation. "Eh, lad, thou dost +well to bear the silent testimony of thy courage on thine arm. In any +case but the present, when thy future is at stake, 'twould have been +a braggart's ruse. But the King doth know full well that thou art no +boaster, seeing that it was in thy power to accept honour at his +hands, and thou didst shrink from it. But come, the hour of noon is +near. Let us make for the royal pavilion." + +<p>Between the long lines of tents, where crowds of soldiers gathered, +in silent wonder, to see the man who had so strangely withstood his +sovereign, the knight and the squire walked side by side, and with a +fresh wave of doubt and fear sweeping over him, Raymond found himself +in the anteroom of the royal tent. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter22"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXII</h3> + +<h5 align="center">SIR RAYMOND</h5> + +<p> +SIR JOHN HACKET, having formally announced his rank and that of his +companion, as well as the nature of their business, to the herald, +removed his velvet cap, though he held his bascinet in his left hand, +and at the same time removed his right-hand gauntlet. His squire did +likewise, and, breathing a fervent prayer for courage, he prepared to +follow his master into the royal presence. + +<p>The heavy damask curtains were drawn aside by two knights in waiting, +and Raymond heard the sonorous voice of the herald repeating the +title and style of the Constable and his squire. Another moment and +Raymond stood before, but at a respectful distance from, the royal +daïs. + +<p>King Edward, who still wore the mailed coat in which he rode along +the ranks earlier in the day, was attended by a number of earls and +barons, while by his side stood the young Prince of Wales, who +regarded the squire with an encouraging smile. + +<p>At the foot of the daïs, a little distance to the left, stood +Raymond's uncle, Sir Maurice Revyngton, and his late father's former +enemy, Sir Reginald Scarsdale, who, though still weak and suffering +from his wounds, had, at Sir John's desire, appeared on the young +squire's behalf. + +<p>"Ah, squire," quoth the King, fixing his dark, keen eyes upon the +young man's face, "when we summoned thee to appear before us we +looked for an explanation from thine own lips. But thou hast been +forestalled, for these two knights have already told us of thy +condition. Now, what hast thou to say why thou shouldst not be driven +from the camp, being the son of an outlaw?" + +<p>"Nothing, sire; 'tis but the law." + +<p>"Thou couldst not have said much less," remarked the King, with a +grim laugh. "How sayest thou, Sir Reginald Scarsdale. Hast thou a +desire to press thy claims?" + +<p>"Nay, sire," replied the knight stoutly. "For his father, knowingly +and willingly, came to my aid in the thickest of the fight, and but +for his courage I should have been worsted." + +<p>"But thine oath of vengeance?" + +<p>"Sire, my desire for revenge departed the moment I heard from this +squire the name of his father, who, in truth, slew my only brother. +Furthermore, 'tis my intention to repair, as soon as this war is +over, to the shrine of St. Swithin of Winchester and to seek +absolution from mine oath." + +<p>"And thou hast no wish to harm this squire?" + +<p>"None, sire. On the contrary I wish him good——" + +<p>"Hold, Sir Knight," interrupted the King sharply. "We asked thee a +plain question, to be answered by 'Yea' or 'Nay,' not by +suggestions." + +<p>"And thou, Sir John," continued Edward, addressing the Constable. +"Hast thou aught to add in favour of thy squire, beyond what thou +didst tell us but a short time back?" + +<p>"Nothing more, sire." + +<p>"'Tis well. And now, squire, we have carefully considered thy case, +and we are favourably disposed towards thee." Then, turning to his +barons, he added, with a sly reference to the growing power of +Parliament, "We take it, fair lords, that we shall not offend our +faithful commoners assembled at Westminster by assuming a right to +revoke a decree of outlawry?" + +<p>A low murmur of assent was the reply. + +<p>"Then, Raymond Revyngton, we hereby pardon thee for an offence that +thou hast not committed—to wit, thou art no longer the son of an +outlaw. Sir William de Saye, our scrivener, will draw up the deed of +revocation, and a copy for the Lord Bishop of Winchester. Art +content?" + +<p>"Sire, I thank thee," replied Raymond, bending low before his +sovereign. + +<p>"There is yet another matter. Of thy valour there has been no +question. We have in mind the affair with the Count of Tancarville, +and, going farther back, thy journey to Hennebon. But more especially +thy conduct in yesterday's fight, when our dear son, the Prince of +Wales, was succoured by thine aid. We have a mind to inspect thy +cloven shield, which, we do perceive, thou hast brought in case our +memory were in need of a reminder." + +<p>The squire, still kneeling, handed his buckler to an attendant, who +in turn presented it to the King. + +<p>"A lusty stroke," commented Edward, carefully examining the clean cut +in the metal plate. "Our cousin of France hath men of sinew who in +open fight would be worthy and gallant opponents. Had their peasants +been as good bowmen as our gallant archers but few of us would be +here. Squire," he added, "arise and hand over thy sword." + +<p>With martial alertness, Raymond drew the fragment of steel, and a +look of surprise o'erspread the King's face. + +<p>"Thine equipment seems at fault," he remarked, smiling a little +grimly. "Nay, we know 'twas done in a gallant fight. Advance, squire, +and kneel before us." + +<p>This time Raymond did not refuse, for was he not a man free from the +fatal taint that had threatened to mar everything in his career? With +rapid stride and uplifted head he advanced to the steps of the daïs, +his armour clanking as he moved. Presenting the hilt of his weapon to +the King, the squire sank on his knees. + +<p>As in a dream he felt the flat of the broken blade touch his right +shoulder, and the King's voice, in bold and decisive tones, saying, +"Arise, Sir Raymond Revyngton!" + +<p>When at length Raymond found himself without the royal pavilion, he +was overwhelmed by the congratulations of his friends, including Sir +Reginald Scarsdale. + +<p>"'Twould ill become a belted knight if I did not make amends for the +past," quoth the latter. "And to that end all I can do for thee I'll +do willingly." + +<p>"Then on thy knightly honour I hold thee to thy promise," replied +Raymond, catching at the opportunity with new-born courage, "for I +have a matter of much weight of which I would speak." + +<p>"Then say on." + +<p>Sir John and Sir Maurice, having an inkling of what was coming, +exchanged a knowing smile, and Raymond continued, though his voice +faltered a little. + +<p>"Sir Reginald, I love thy daughter Audrey, and would ask thy consent +to win her hand in marriage." + +<p>For a while the old knight was too much astonished to reply, then, +holding out his hand, he replied, "Then thou art the youth who +rendered her service at that little affair with the French at +Hampton? Out on me for a thickhead for not linking thee with that +bold feat before. Certes! I will not be less good than my word. Take +the maid, if she be willing to wed thee!" Thus it was that the +newly-made knight found that success begets success, though in his +heart he had not expected to win Sir Reginald's consent so readily. +Yet in the midst of his good fortune the one dark shadow was the +haunting thought of the loss of his father, and he grieved in his +heart that death had deprived his sire of life just as his son was on +the threshold of fame and honour. + +<p>Slowly the four knights, Sir Reginald being stiff with his hurts, +proceeded towards the lines of the Hampshire companies, where Sir +John had invited the others to partake of refreshment. Already the +news of Raymond's advancement had preceded them, and the soldiers, +with loud shouts, welcomed the new knight; for the master-bowman's +son was ever popular in the ranks of the men of Portsmouth and +Southampton. + +<p>"What are thy plans for the future," asked the Constable later in the +day, "for as heir to Sir Maurice it is fitting that thou shouldst +join him with the men of Devon." + +<p>"Nay, by the rood," answered Raymond warmly. "Thou hast ever been a +good master to me, Sir John, and with thee I'll abide till the end of +the war." + +<p>"I thank thee for thine appreciation, Raymond, for ever since thou +wert my squire I have loved thee as a son. But now concerning the +maid, the Lady Audrey?" + +<p>"Until Sir Reginald returns home I will not press my suit, but should +he do so I hope I may be permitted to withdraw from the camp for a +few weeks to accompany him. Even then, how can I tell that the Lady +Audrey will deal favourably with me?" + +<p>"I know that she loves thee, Raymond." + +<p>"How so, Sir John, seeing that I know not myself?" + +<p>"Raymond, I am afraid thou art more forward with the art of war than +with the affairs of the heart. Would a maid have sent a messenger to +me every week whilst thou wert in Hennebon to know if there were +tidings of thee, if she did not love thee?" + +<p>"But how knew she that I was in Brittany?" was the amazed question. + +<p>"How? Didst thou not give me a letter to send to her?" + +<p>"Only in case I did not return." + +<p>"Didst thou? Didst thou? Certes now I remember! But now I think on +the matter, I must have forgotten that, for I did send it," replied +Sir John, with pardonable deceit and well-feigned dismay. "But mind +it not, Raymond, 'twas after all for the best, and, mark my words, +she'll have thee—sure enough." + +<p>On the morrow the march was resumed, the King having decided to lay +siege to Calais, and slowly the long lines of English troops, every +man heavily laden with booty, proceeded from the field of Crécy. + +<p>Edward had long looked with covetous eyes upon the port of Calais, +for owing to the death of his Flemish ally, Jacques d'Artevelde, at +the hands of fellow-countrymen, and the consequent estrangement with +the Flemings, the King was in need of a continental port for the +distribution of English wool, and, once Calais were taken, the nest +of pirates who made their headquarters there, to the great annoyance +of English ships, would be dispersed. Also an entry for his troops +would be secured within easy distance from the English coast. So, +with these strong incentives, Edward hastened to reduce the town. + +<p>Within a week of Crécy, the English lay in a triple ring around the +land side of the town, while a strong fleet cruised constantly +between Grisnez and Gravelines to prevent any succour being sent by +sea, and, without attempting to carry the defences by assault, Edward +relied upon famine to bring about the downfall of Calais. + +<p>Throughout the long winter of 1346-47 the blockade was maintained, +and the works of the besiegers resembled the outer walls of a city +rather than temporary trenches, so that the English were in a +position both to keep the citizens of Calais within their walls and +to repel any attempt on the part of the French to raise the siege. + +<p>Early in the spring dysentery broke out in the ranks of the English, +and amongst those who were attacked was Sir Raymond. In spite of the +rough yet devoted attention of his men, the skill of the harassed +physicians, and the solicitude of his friends, the young knight was, +for a time, in great danger, and even when the crisis was passed his +progress towards recovery was slow and tedious. + +<p>One day as he lay alone in his tent, weak and worn, Raymond heard the +well-known sound of troops marching hurriedly out of camp, and the +blare of trumpets denoted that something untoward was afoot. + +<p>Feebly he called the names of the men who usually waited on him, but +in vain; there was no response to his summons, and at length the +tramp of feet died away, leaving the camp as silent as the grave, +save for the flapping of the canvas as the keen wind whistled around +the tents. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter23"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXIII</h3> + +<h5 align="center">THE ADVENTURE AT THE RUINED MILL</h5> + +<p> +IN his tent, in terrible suspense, the young knight, Raymond +Revyngton, lay helpless, wondering how went the fight. In due course, +through the opening of his tent, he saw a stream of wounded men +returning, singly or in small parties, some with rough bandages round +their limbs or their heads. + +<p>At length came one whom he knew—an archer of the Portchester +company. + +<p>"Stephen! Stephen!" called Raymond, as loudly as he could. + +<p>In obedience to the knight's cry, the man entered the tent, nursing +the maimed fingers of his right hand with his left, while the blood +poured freely from the stumps and trickled in a crimson stream down +his arm, soaking his sleeve. + +<p>Deftly and quickly, notwithstanding his weakness, Raymond bound the +wounded hand, and poured out a cup of wine for the almost fainting +archer. The draught revived him, and the colour began to steal back +into his ashy-grey face. + +<p>"How goes the battle?" asked Raymond anxiously. + +<p>"'Tis not a battle, Sir Raymond, but a slight passage of arms, though +I perceive that as a bowman my work is done. The French King hath +tried to relieve the town, but my Lord Chandos and seven thousand of +our men have withstood him amid the sand-hills and marshes. Save for +a few hand-to-hand blows, the French never made a stand, and already +they are in full flight." + +<p>"Dost feel well enough to walk?" the young knight asked, after a long +pause. + +<p>"Yea, Sir Raymond." + +<p>"Then get thee outside the camp, and bring me fresh tidings." + +<p>The man obeyed, but ere long he returned, exclaiming: "'Tis all over. +The enemy are nowhere in sight and our men are even now returning." + +<p>"Then do not tarry longer, but go to thine own tent, for thou needest +better care for thy hurts than I can give thee. This flask of wine I +give thee, for, by St. Thomas, thou hast need of it. Nay, do not +thank me, but away!" + +<p>Once more the camp was alive with men, for the threatened attack of +the huge army that Philip had gathered together for the relief of +Calais had been ignominiously repelled, and it was known that the +fate of the town was sealed. Raymond gathered a fairly true account +of the fight from the conversation and joyous exclamations of the +elated soldiery, and presently Sir John Hacket, covered with dust and +showing signs of the conflict, entered the tent. + +<p>"Art feeling better, Raymond?" + +<p>"Ay, Sir John. But how goes it with us?" + +<p>"Passably well but ever I seem to be a messenger of momentous tidings +to thee, whether of good or evil." + +<p>"Then there is something amiss?" questioned the young man eagerly, +instinctively surmising that the news was unfavourable. + +<p>"Yea, Raymond. My speech was ever blunt, and methinks the sooner I +unburden myself of a message of ill-tidings the easier 'tis for both +of us. Briefly, Sir Maurice hath fallen like the true and gallant +knight he was, and thou art the last of the Revyngtons of Churston." + +<p>"Alack-a-me that it should be so! For though I knew but little of +him, I esteemed him a gallant, gentle, and honourable knight even +before I wot he was my kinsman. And Sir Reginald Scarsdale—what of +him?" + +<p>"His heart is stronger than his body. In the first impact he was +swept from his saddle by a mere stripling." + +<p>"And he is killed, wounded, or taken?" + +<p>"Neither, save that he is shaken by the fall, and the King vows that +since he cannot hold his own against a youth he will send him home, +seeing that his fighting days are over." + +<p>"And does Sir Reginald know of this?" + +<p>"Ay, and if the King will not relent—and he is hard to turn from his +purpose—'twill be the first Scarsdale since the Conquest whose feet +on his altar-tomb rest not upon a lion." + +<p>"Alas! the King's decision will hit him hard! Do you, Sir John, +convey my expressions of regret to the gentle knight, and say that it +will give me great pleasure should he deign to visit me." + +<p>For several days more Raymond lay weak and ill in his tent, but as +April drew on and the weather became warmer his strength began slowly +to return. At length, pale and wan, the young knight was able to walk +slowly about the camp, supported by two of his archers. + +<p>Still the siege continued, a long-drawn, tedious task, with little +chance of knightly deeds of daring to earn advancement. The +close-drawn lines of the besiegers still kept tenacious grip upon the +town, and, though famine and disease wrought havoc amongst its +gallant defenders, the end seemed as far off as ever. + +<p>The return of summer found Sir Raymond Revyngton completely restored +in health, though still chafing with impatience at the life of +inactivity, for the younger knights looked with disfavour upon the +King's methods of conducting the siege, and would rather have had the +opportunity of leading their men to the assault than sit down before +the town waiting for famine to do its fell work. + +<p>Friendly tilting-matches, hawking, and sports of a similar nature +were indulged in, and Raymond, with an exuberance of energy, took a +leading part in the pastimes. Many a pleasant afternoon was spent in +the open country around the English lines, hunting or making sport +with hounds and falcons, for not an armed Frenchman was to be seen +within twenty leagues of Calais, save the starving wretches within +its gates. + +<p>One afternoon in July Raymond and a score of young knights rode +south-eastwards along the sand-dunes, each knight accompanied by a +mounted serving-man and a number of hounds. The country was not of a +nature to yield much sport, yet, eager to while away the time, the +little cavalcade rode carelessly on over the low sandhills. + +<p>On their right spread the blue waters of the English Channel, in +front towered the chalky heights of Gris-nez, while behind lay the +red-tiled houses and grey walls of Calais, with the semicircle of +tents that marked the English lines. + +<p>At length they reached the summit of a low hill, and here they reined +in their steeds. + +<p>"No sign of a living creature," remarked one of the party, "though +the land away on our left seemeth well wooded. How call you yonder +forest, Armand?" he inquired, addressing one of the attendants, a +Gascon who had spent the greater part of his life in the +neighbourhood of Calais. + +<p>"'Tis the forest of Ambleteuse, sir," replied the man; "there the +wild boar is to be found." + +<p>"Ah There is good sport, fair sirs Let us ride forward." + +<p>Half-an-hour's sharp canter brought them to the edge of the wood, and +in a long, straggling line the gay-hearted Englishmen, with loud +shouts and many a blast upon their horns, plunged into the gloom of +the forest glades. + +<p>For a while no signs of animal life appeared, then suddenly there +came from one of the rearmost horsemen shouts of "A boar!" + +<p>Instantly the party turned, and crashing through the underwood, made +towards the sound. Raymond, who had been in the van, now found +himself in the rear, and, spurring his steed and calling to his +attendant to follow, he strove to overtake his companions, while the +loud grunts of the hunted boar could be distinctly heard amid the +snapping of the brushwood. + +<p>At length the glade descended towards a babbling brook, and here the +press of horsemen became so thick that many were riding hip to hip. +Suddenly Raymond's horse trod in a rabbit-hole, and before he could +realise what had happened he found himself hurtling through the air +and striking the soft earth with a heavy thud. Fortunately, the young +knight was lightly clad, and fell without injury, but on leaping to +his feet he saw his body-servant lying, senseless on the ground, +while the two steeds, entangled in their fall, were madly kicking +each other with their iron-shod hoofs. + +<p>In the excitement of the chase the rest of the cavalcade had rushed +onwards, heedless of their companions' misfortunes, and the sound of +feet was already dying away. + +<p>With a bound Raymond sprang to the side of his attendant and dragged +him out of the reach of the perilous hoofs. Then he sought for his +horn to summon assistance, but the instrument was crushed and +rendered useless by the fall. Baffled in his purpose, he applied his +energies to the task of restoring the unconscious man, bathing his +forehead with water obtained from the brook. + +<p>His efforts at length were rewarded, for the servant sat up and gazed +around in a dazed way. + +<p>"Art hurt, Thompson?" asked Raymond anxiously. + +<p>"Can scarcely tell, Sir Raymond, save that my head is swimming round +like a roasting joint, and my shoulder-blades seem growing out of my +neck." + +<p>"'Tis of small moment. But stand up if thou canst." Thompson +staggered to his feet, and to the knight's satisfaction he found that +none of the man's limbs were broken. + +<p>"'Tis a sorry pass, for we must needs find our way back afoot. Pull +thyself together, man, for 'tis a goodly step betwixt us and the +camp." + +<p>Drawing his hunting-knife, Raymond put the two struggling +horses—each of whom had a leg broken—out of their misery, then the +twain set out on their homeward way. By the time they emerged from +the forest their shadows fell far athwart the path, for the sun was +sinking in the west; but Thompson was rapidly recovering, and their +pace was well maintained. + +<p>"There is the hill from whence we first saw the wood," remarked the +knight. "But methinks we can leave that well on our left, for the +camp lies yonder." + +<p>"I deem thee to be right, fair sir. But, mark ye! Look at yonder +clouds." + +<p>Raymond looked in the direction indicated, and saw that a storm was +rapidly driving towards them. + +<p>"Night cometh on apace, and with it a tempest," quoth he. "Hasten, or +we shall be benighted in this dreary plain." + +<p>Hardly had they traversed a distance of three arrow-flights than the +wind, hitherto a faint westerly breeze, sprang up with terrific +violence. The sand rose in thick clouds, shutting out everything +except in their immediate vicinity, and the sun, in a mist of pale +yellow sky, sank beneath the indigo-coloured clouds. + +<p>Onward they steadily plodded through the heavy yielding sand, the +swiftly-falling darkness bringing with it a heavy storm of rain and +hail. Wondering whether his comrades were faring as badly, the young +knight stumbled and plunged resolutely onwards, his serving-man +following closely at his heels, the whistling of the wind making +conversation impossible. + +<p>For over two hours the twain pursued their uncomfortable walk, till +at length a dark object blocked their path. It was a ruined windmill. +Making their way round its massive base, the weary travellers found +some slight shelter from the force of the wind, and, panting from +their exertions, they leaned against the stonework to recover their +breath. + +<p>"Dost know where we are?" shouted Raymond, his voice almost inaudible +in the howling wind. + +<p>"No, sir," replied the man. + +<p>"But a short distance from where we left the wood, I marked this +tower on our left, and, certes, we have been walking round and round +for half the night." + +<p>"Then we must needs set out once more?" + +<p>"Nay. This will suffice for the present, and here we'll rest till +daylight comes and the storm spends itself. The door is not barred, I +hope." + +<p>Walking slowly round the mill, the knight felt for the opening, till +he stumbled over a low stone step. Cautiously ascending, he found at +the fourth step a flat ledge, protected by a broken rail, and here +was the door hanging by a solitary rusted hinge. + + +<p><center><img src="images/treachery.jpg" alt="treachery"></center><br> +<center>[Illustration: TREACHERY AFOOT]</center> + + +<p>Yielding to the pressure of his shoulder, the door flew open, and the +knight and his companion carefully groped their way in, closing the +door after them. Here, in absolute blackness, they found shelter, the +storm howling wildly outside, yet scarcely to be heard within the +massive stone walls. They had no means of procuring a light, but by +continuing their investigations they felt a pile of broken hurdles +and the lower-most rungs of a ladder. + +<p>Raymond was about to ascend, when his servant laid a detaining hand +upon his arm. "Hist!" he exclaimed. "Some one moves in the room +above." + +<p>"Nay, thou dreamest! . . . Ay, thou art right! Hide here, quickly. Art +armed?" + +<p>"Nought but a knife." + +<p>"'Twill suffice. Now, hold thyself in readiness, but act not till I +give the word." + +<p>Crouching behind the pile of hurdles, knight and servant waited in +breathless silence. There was the sound of a heavy trap-door being +raised, and a voice exclaimed in French: "Is it thou, Jehan?" + +<p>Receiving no reply, the questioner slowly descended a few steps of +the ladder, and drawing a horn lantern from underneath a cloak, swung +it around him, peering about the room. + +<p>Then, perceiving no one, he muttered: "Mon Dieu! It is but fancy, yet +why doth he tarry?" And again concealing the light, he ascended to +the upper story and dropped the trap-hatch with a resounding thud. + +<p>"There's fell treachery afoot," whispered Raymond. "Dost know who it +is?" + +<p>"'Tis Réné de Caux, of the following of the Captal de Buche, our +King's trusted favourite. Wait patiently, for ere long no little +advancement will be gained." + +<p>Silently the Englishmen waited, every fiercer blast of the storm +causing them to imagine that the expected visitor had arrived. At +last they heard the door pushed open, and a dark form made its way +into the room with a confidence gained by long practice. A low +whistle, like the cry of a night-bird, and the trapdoor was again +removed. + +<p>"Ah, Jehan! 'Tis thou at last! Close the door ere I show a light." + +<p>"A thousand pests take the weather. This storm hath all but been my +undoing." + +<p>The light of the lantern shone upon the face of the new arrival. He +was a tall, slender man, with light hair and refined features, and on +removing his sodden cloak a garment of slashed velvet was revealed, +betokening that the wearer was a gentleman of quality. Armour he wore +none, but a light sword hung from his belt, balanced by a large +leather bag. + +<p>"And how fares Sir John de Vienne?" + +<p>"Strong in courage when last I saw him." + +<p>"And that was——?" + +<p>"But yesternight." + +<p>"And he agreed to allow you to poison the wells?" + +<p>"Nay, by Our Lady, he would not." + +<p>"Well spoken, like a brave and gallant knight, for, by St. Denis, the +plan is not to my liking even though these insolent islanders deserve +all that is evil. But, see here! This letter must be given to the +Governor of the town by to-morrow, though, alas! it is cold comfort +to Sir John. Canst arrange to deliver it?" + +<p>"They will admit me by the postern of the Boulogne Gate at midnight. +'Twill be done." + +<p>"Then take thy reward. Hold the light closer while I count, for I +know a Gascon of old! See to it: all bright crowns, of good weight." + +<p>The Frenchman addressed as Jehan handed a sealed document to the +Gascon, who placed it in his doublet; then, setting the lantern on +the ground and extending his hand, the latter counted the coins as +Jehan took them from his wallet. + +<p>Loosening his poignard and motioning to Thompson to draw his knife, +Raymond prepared to spring from his hiding-place. + +<p>Ere the two conspirators could recover from their astonishment the +young knight had leapt upon them, and with one thrust of his weapon +laid the traitorous Gascon dead at his feet. Instinctively the +Frenchman sprang backwards and whipped out his sword. + +<p>"Yield thee!" thundered Raymond. + +<p>"To no man!" + +<p>In an instant their blades met, the dull light of the lantern +flashing on the glittering steel. Though Jehan had the longer weapon, +he possessed neither the strength nor the skill of his antagonist, +and in less than half a minute's swordplay the Frenchman's blade +caught in the notch that the hilt of most poignards possess, and with +a quick, powerful turn of the wrist Raymond snapped the sword off +close to the guard. + +<p>"Now wilt yield?" + +<p>"If thou art a gentleman I will; if not, pass the dagger through me +rather than let me disgrace myself." + +<p>"I am Sir Raymond Revyngton, knight." + +<p>"Then, Sir Raymond, I yield myself to thee; though I pray thee, +certify my master that I fought well ere I yielded." + +<p>"And thy name and quality?" + +<p>"I am Jehan de Sous-Cahors, seneschal de Vimereux, and of the +household of King Philip." + +<p>"Then I have had great honour in taking thee!" said Raymond with due +courtesy. "And now have I thy promise that there shall +be no attempt at escape? Otherwise, though it grieve me to mishandle +a knight, thou must be brought bound into the camp." + +<p>"I swear, by St. Denis." + +<p>The grey dawn was beginning to break, and the storm was dying away. +Raymond looked out of the door, and saw with great satisfaction the +knight's horse stabled in a small adjoining hut that had been +invisible on the previous night. There in the distance the smoke of +the English camp-fires showed distinctly in the now clear air, while +less than a bowshot from the mill lay the wood that had been the +cause of their misfortune. + +<p>Suddenly the young knight heard the sound of scuffling and Thompson's +voice shouting "Help, master, help!" + +<p>Darting back to the room, he found his servant engaged in a desperate +struggle with the captive, who was endeavouring to destroy the letter +he had entrusted to the double-dealing Gascon, a portion of which he +had attempted to swallow. + +<p>With no gentle hand Raymond aided his man to throw the prisoner on +his back and wrench the missive from him. + +<p>"Thy parole, Sir Knight!" he exclaimed. + +<p>"——has been kept," gasped the captive, "but I trow thou wilt admit +that no farther compact was made. I am foiled in this matter, but I +pray thee, of thy courtesy, give me leave to finish my work and +destroy this missive." + +<p>"That I cannot do. This letter, which I doubt not is of great moment, +I will take charge of, and hand over to my Lord Chandos. 'Tis now +daylight, and we must needs return to the camp. I am loth to let thee +walk, but as there is but one horse between two knights, 'tis better +that neither ride." + +<p>Walking side by side, and followed by Thompson leading the captive's +horse, Raymond and the French knight arrived at the camp without +further incident, and, after handing his prisoner over to the +camp-martial, the young knight repaired with all despatch to find Sir +John Hacket. + +<p>On hearing Raymond's story the Constable accompanied him to the tent +of Sir John Chandos, whose banner floated close to the royal +pavilion. + +<p>Lord Chandos opened the letter which Raymond had gained possession +of, and found that its contents were practically undamaged in the +struggle. + +<p>"Canst read?" he asked of the Constable. "For this crabbed fist doth +sorely try my one eye." + +<p>"Nay," replied Sir John Hacket with a grim smile. "Only enough for +mine own use, for from my seventh year the sword ever proved a more +pleasing companion than a scrawling, musty parchment." + +<p>"And canst thou, Sir Raymond?" + +<p>"I will try my best, fair sir." + +<p>Raymond took the missive and began to read the superscription, +written in French: "To the very puissant knight, Sir John de Vienne, +seneschal of our town of Calais, greeting." + +<p>The body of the letter began by thanking the Governor for his brave +resistance, and expressing hopes of being able to speedily succour +the besieged. It then confirmed the arrangements, previously made +through the Gascon traitor, for a sally, in conjunction with an +attempt on the part of the French forces to break the English lines +from without. Should the French be unable to carry out their part and +attack the English camp, three white lights were to be shown from the +ruins of an old mill near Sangatte, and the besieged would then be at +liberty to make the best terms they could for the surrender of +Calais. The epistle was signed by no less a personage than King +Philip of France. + +<p>"By St. George, we have them," exclaimed Chandos, striking his fist +heavily upon an oaken chest. "Though I would rather that Réné de Caux +were swinging from a gallows in view of the town than lying dead at +thy hands in the ruined mill. No matter; this letter must reach the +Governor of Calais. Five hundred lances and two thousand archers will +suffice to keep the Frenchmen from advancing upon us; and tomorrow +night will see three white lights from the old mill at Sangatte." + +<p>At nightfall a squire of the Captal de Buche crept cautiously to the +postern of the Boulogne Gate, and, representing himself as an +emissary of the false Réné de Caux, handed the fatal letter to the +Governor, Sir John de Vienne. The presence of a strong force of +Englishmen beyond the dunes of Sangatte prevented the expected French +army from occupying the mill and signalling to their friends in the +beleaguered city, and the following night three white lights flashed +their message of despair to the hitherto undaunted garrison. + +<p>Thus the fall of Calais was hastened, but Raymond saw nothing of the +final act in the drama, when the heroic Eustace de St. Pierre and his +five companions were nearly sacrificed to appease the anger of the +English King (Queen Philippa's intercession alone saved their lives), +for the young knight was with the five hundred lances that guarded +the approach from Boulogne; and on the 6th of August, two days after +Edward had taken possession of the town, the Hampshire companies, +with whom was Sir Reginald Scarsdale, embarked for the shores of +England. + +<br><br><br> +<a name="chapter24"></a> +<h3 align="center">CHAPTER XXIV</h3> + +<h5 align="center">THE HOMECOMING</h5> + +<p> +AFTER four days of light but favourable winds the little fleet, +consisting of seven vessels, that bore the Hampshire men homewards +arrived off the Isle of Wight. Battle and disease had thinned their +ranks, but the survivors returned in high spirits, flushed with +victory and rich with the loads of spoil that lay in the holds. + +<p>At Spithead the flotilla separated, Sir John Hacket's two ships +making for Portsmouth Harbour, three heading for Southampton, and the +remaining two setting a course down the Solent for Lepe and Lymington +respectively. Amid a fanfare of trumpets and the farewell shouts of +the troops to their former companions in arms, the Constable's +vessels pointed to the north-west in the direction of the even lines +of Portsdown, under the shadow of which lay the Castle of +Portchester. + +<p>The shields of the three knights were displayed over the side of the +leading ship, while from her truck floated the blue banner with the +device of the crescent and star, and on the poop were gathered Sir +John Hacket, Sir Reginald Scarsdale, and Sir Raymond Revyngton, +engaged in joyous conversation at the prospect of a speedy landing on +their native soil. + +<p>"And what dost thou purpose to do, Raymond?" inquired the Constable. +"Surely there is little need to hasten westwards to thy newly-gained +estates; 'twould be better far to wait the return of the Devonshire +men. Tarry awhile at Portchester, for methinks there is much to be +done here before setting out on thy travels. And thou, Sir Reginald? +Wilt accept such hospitality that my poor castle can offer?" + +<p>"I must first seek out my daughter Audrey," quoth Sir Reginald. "And +I have but little doubt that Raymond will bear me company." + +<p>"Doth she know of thy return?" + +<p>"Nay, and I'll warrant the maid will be taken aback when we arrive at +the town of Farnham." + +<p>A strange smile flitted over Sir John's face. + +<p>"Well, Raymond, what are thy plans?" + +<p>"I bear Sir Reginald company; then, having won or lost my suit, I +will return to the castle, Sir John. For there are several small +matters I must give attention to at Hamble and at the Abbey of +Netley, without which I cannot go to Churston." + +<p>The vessel was now slipping through the water with a fair wind and +favouring tide, and already the low-lying island of Portsca lay +abeam, and the Castle of Portchester was momentarily growing more +distinct. + +<p>"By St. George, they expect us!" exclaimed Raymond excitedly. "See, +thy banner floats above the keep, and the walls are thick with +people. And the garlands over the water-gate! Of a surety they were +not placed there at an hour's notice." + +<p>"Now that I bethink me," remarked Sir John drily, "I did send a +messenger to Winchelsea, so perchance he hath taken a horse and +ridden hot-foot to Portchester." + +<p>For awhile they watched in silence the grey outlines of the castle +topped with its living fringe. The master-shipman gave an order, and +the long yard, with its bellying sail, sank from the masthead; and +the vessel, carried onward by its momentum and the rush of the tide, +came abreast of the fortress. Another order, and the anchor with its +hempen cable fell with a sudden plunge into the water; the ship +snubbed at the tautened rope, swung round and brought up, riding +easily to wind and tide. The voyage was over. + +<p>"See, Raymond," suddenly exclaimed Sir Reginald, "thine eyes are +younger than mine, yet if I mistake not . . . There, to the right of +the water-gate!" + +<p>"Ay, the saints be praised. 'Tis the Lady Audrey!" + +<p>A small boat, manned by men wearing the Constable's livery, was +quickly alongside, and Sir John and Sir Reginald stepped aboard, +Raymond following with unknightly haste. Amidst the shouts of the +excited throng of soldiers and villagers the boat's fore-foot grated +on the shingle, and the three distinguished warriors again set foot +on their native land. + +<p>"See, Audrey," said her father, after the paternal salute had been +given and returned, "I bring thee an old acquaintance—not the +squire, Raymond Buckland, who saved they life at Southampton, but the +gallant and worthy knight, Sir Raymond Revyngton." + +<p><center>* * * * *</center> + +<p>Within a week a wedding was celebrated in the little chapel of St. +Mary within the castle walls, and Sir Raymond Revyngton and the Lady +Audrey Scarsdale were made man and wife. After the ceremony the +kindly Constable congratulated the bride, and it must be confessed +that the bridegroom's eyes were opened by Lady Audrey Revyngton's +reply. + +<p>"To thee, Sir John, I owe much of my happiness, for Raymond was ever +a bashful lover. An he were but a simple squire I would have married +him, but when thou toldest me that he had been made a knight I was +filled with joy. And for thy kindly thought in sending a special +messenger to bring me hither to await your arrival I deem myself ever +indebted to thee!" + +<p>"Nay, thank me not, fair lady," replied the gallant old warrior. "Is +it not the bounden duty of a true knight to help another? For +Raymond, though ever first in the field of war, hath been a laggard +in the lists of love. Yet I am but a feeble instrument in this case, +for against thy charms he would be powerless but in my heart I thank +God for the part I played in bringing together two noble families +estranged by a fatal feud." + +<p><center>* * * * *</center> + +<p>Little remains to be told. Sir Reginald Scarsdale, in spite of his +old age and infirmities, died as he wished, falling in defence of the +Border against a band of Scottish raiders, and in a quiet Yorkshire +church he rests, his altar-tomb showing his effigy with the lions at +his feet, making a fitting addition to the four crossed-legged images +of his crusading ancestors. + +<p>Sir John Hacket, after seeing further service in France, acquiring +additional glory and renown at Poictiers, died peacefully at a great +age within sight of the castle whose Constableship he had held so +worthily. + +<p>And as for Sir Raymond and the fair Lady Audrey, they lived a life of +unalloyed happiness in their manor of Churston, in the midst of the +hills of Devon. Yet when the call to arms sounded, the redoubtable +Sir Raymond did not shrink from its summons, and at Poictiers and at +the slaughter of Najera in the wilds of Spain he added to his +laurels. And does not the prowess of the head of the Revyngtons at +the repulse of the French descent upon Dartmouth in 1377 still linger +amongst the annals of the sons of Devon? + +<p>From the union of the rival Revyngton and Scarsdale families +descended the successors of a noble heritage—men courageous and +generous in war, noble and law-abiding in peace, men whose names have +helped to make the British Empire what it is to-day, and whose motto +has been, and let us hope will ever be— + +<p>"Non sibi, sed patriae." + +<p>THE END + +<p>Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & Co. Edinburgh & London +<p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Winning of the Golden Spurs, by +Percy F. 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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 Winning of the Golden Spurs + +Author: Percy F. Westerman + +Release Date: May 16, 2011 [EBook #36122] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WINNING OF THE GOLDEN SPURS *** + + + + +Produced by R.G.P.M. van Giesen + + + + +THE WINNING OF THE +GOLDEN SPURS + +[Illustration: RAYMOND SAVES THE BLACK PRINCE] + +THE WINNING OF +THE GOLDEN SPURS + +BY + +PERCY F. WESTERMAN +AUTHOR OF "A LAD OF GRIT," "THE SEA MONARCH," +"THE TREASURE OF THE SAN PHILIPO," ETC. + + +LONDON +JAMES NISBET & CO., LIMITED +22 BERNERS STREET, W. +1911 + + + +Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO. +At the Ballantyne Press, Edinburgh + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAP. + PROLOGUE + I. THE ARCHER, REDWARD BUCKLAND + II. THE SHADOW OF WAR + III. OF THE MIDNIGHT DESCENT OF THE FRENCH INVADERS + IV. OF THE GALLANT STAND OF THE NINE ARCHERS + V. THE MEN OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE GENOESE GALLEY + VI. AT THE ABBEY + VII. THE SACK OF SOUTHAMPTON + VIII. OF THE ASSAULT ON ST. BARBARA'S TOWER + IX. ON THE HEELS OF THE ENEMY + X. FATHER AND SON SET OUT FOR HENNEBON + XI. THE CHIRURGEON OF LEGUE + XII. THE JOURNEY PERILOUS + XIII. THE RELIEF OF HENNEBON + XIV. RAYMOND'S ERRAND + XV. TRAPPED! + XVI. THE TABLES TURNED + XVII. THE FALL OF THE COUNT'S STRONGHOLD + XVIII. REDWARD'S CONFESSION + XIX. CRECY + XX. HIS LIFE FOR HIS FOE + XXI. THE REJECTED GUERDON + XXII. SIR RAYMOND + XXIII. THE ADVENTURE AT THE RUINED MILL + XXIV. THE HOMECOMING + + + + +THE WINNING OF THE GOLDEN SPURS + +PROLOGUE + +IT was early morning on the 5th day of August, 1303, the Royal City +of Winchester. The sun had not yet risen, but a cold grey light +filtered in through a narrow window and dimly illumined a small, +scantily-furnished room overlooking the city walls. + +Seated on a rough wooden stool, his face buried in his hands, was a +young fellow of about twenty years of age. His body swayed with +uncontrollable grief, and, though dry-eyed, deep sobs of mingled +remorse and despair showed the anguish that rent his body and +distracted his mind. + +In a corner of the room a torch, burnt low in its iron socket, threw +a yellow light that was fast being overmastered by the growing dawn, +yet the glimmer was sufficient to play upon the naked blade of a +sword, the steel of which was discoloured towards its point by a +dull, rust-coloured stain. + +Suddenly the sound of a heavy footstep was heard on the stairs. The +youth started to his feet and gazed wildly around, as if seeking a +place of concealment or some means of escape. He was tall, well +formed, and, in spite of his haggard looks, comely of face, and his +clothes, though rent and covered with chalk and dust, showed that he +was of no mean position. + +Realising the impossibility of hiding himself, he stood erect and +alert, awaiting the arrival of what he took to be his fate; but, +instead of a thundering summons of the officers of the law, there +came a gentle rap, and the door was slowly pushed ajar. + +"Hist! Art there, Master Revyngton? 'Tis I, Nicholas Hobbes!" + +"Enter, Nicholas! Certes I thought 'twas the watch." + +The new arrival was a man some few years older than the fugitive. He +was clad in a rough leather suit, frayed at elbows and knees, and to +which shavings and feathers still clung--a silent witness to his +trade of fletcher. + +"'Tis a sorry pass, Master Revyngton. How came it about?" + +"Ay, that I will say right willingly; but first tell me--how knowest +thou that I am here?" + +"Easily said! Dick Ford told me that thou wert a fugitive in his +house, and asked me to use my scatterbrain wits to find a way to +smuggle thee out of the city. That being so, 'twere best I saw thee, +and to that purpose I am here. But, again, how came it to pass?" + +"Faith! I can scarce say. 'Twas in the meads, yestereven. Young +Stephen Scarsdale and Reginald, his brother, were on this side of the +stream, I on the nether bank, with Wulf, my favourite hound. 'Ho +there!' cried Stephen. 'What meanst thou by trespassing on the ground +of my Lord Bishop?' 'I do not trespass,' I replied. 'The Mead hath +ever been free to the men of this city, and no one hath yet said me +nay.' 'I'll warrant thou art after my Lord Bishop's trout. By the +rood, I'll send a bolt through the head of thy lurcher.' 'Thy aim +must be more sure than when I beat thee at the butts,' I replied, +little thinking but that he spoke in jest, but in answer he levelled +his crossbow, and ere I was aware of it poor Wulf was lying +transfixed on the ground." + +"Then I was seized by a thousand devils, and sprang across the narrow +plank bridge to hurl the slayer of my hound into the river, but +Stephen, whipping out his blade, bade me do likewise. In less time +than it takes to tell our swords crossed, though, mark ye, I meant +not to harm him; yet, like a fool, he ran in upon my blade, and 'twas +all over in an instant." + +"And then?" + +"The younger Scarsdale, who is a worthy gentleman compared with his +witless brother, tried to stop me as I fled. There was no help for +it, so he, too, went down, though I trow he is not much hurt. Hast +heard aught of Stephen?" + +"Naught save that he is as dead as a door-nail. But, Master +Revyngton, 'tis, as I said, a sorry pass. What wilt thou do?" + +"Do? Give myself into the hands of the law. What else wouldst thou +have me do?" + +"Anything but that. Consider! Thou art young and full of life. Why +shouldst thou grace a halter if it can be avoided, for, mark well, +the Scarsdales are a powerful family, and moreover Stephen was of the +Bishop's household. How thinkst thou to make good thy case before thy +peers when the weight of title and position is set against thee? Be +sober, young master, and think on't." + +"Ay, 'tis hard to die thus." + +"No need to die at all--at any rate, just yet. Flee the country. +France or the States of the Rhine ever offer an attraction for a +roving blade, and peradventure in a few years the affair will have +blown over." + +"But how can I escape?" + +"There thou hast me. Where is Dick Ford?" + +"Gone to gather tidings. He will be here anon." + +Both men relapsed into silence, staring moodily at the narrow window, +through which could be seen the battlements of the city gilded by the +rising sun, while ever and again came the sweet strains of a lark as +it soared heavenwards from the dew-sodden meadows without the walls. + +Again came the sound of footsteps, and Dick Ford, the bowyer, +entered. He was a short, red-complexioned man, with a cheerful +countenance, as if nothing could upset his good nature, though at +times his looks belied him, and the worthy citizens of Winchester oft +had cause to remember his tongue when it ran riot. Like the fletcher, +his appearance betrayed him, for the sharp wittle that hung from his +girdle, the daubs of beeswax, and the faint reek of varnish marked +his calling as a maker of the famous English longbows. + +"A pretty hornet's nest thou hast raised, Master Revyngton," he +exclaimed, shaking his head. "Yesternight the city crier called thee +at the marketcross, and on the Soke Bridge. The Bishop's Court hath +claimed thee, and in default of thy appearance thou wilt be declared +outlaw. Furthermore, the gates are doubly guarded, and men are even +now in ambush on the road to the sanctuary at St. Cross if so be thou +seekest refuge therein. By the saintly Swithun, I trow thou art the +most sought-for man in Winton." + +"He hath made up his mind, Dick," exclaimed Hobbes. "Better an outlaw +with a heavy conscience than a corpse with none at all." + +"Ay, let me but get once clear of the city and I'll reck not what I +become." + +"Bravely spoken, Master Revyngton! And now, how canst thou make good +thine escape? Thou canst count on us to a surety, for 'twould ill +requite thy father's kindness to us in times past if we let thee fall +into the hands of the Bishop's men. Where is thine arrow-wain, Dick?" + +"Below, in the barn." + +"And laden?" + +"Nay, but it soon could be. Wherefore?" + +"Place Master Revyngton in the cart and cover him with arrows. 'Tis +the day thou journeyest to Bishopstoke and Botley. He would then be +well on his way to the abbey at Netley." + +"Steady, Dick, steady! Should the guard at Kingsgate search the wain +my neck is as good as if fitted with a halter. Yet I'll take the +risk; but see to it, young master, if the plan goeth amiss, thou'lt +bear me witness that I wot not of thy presence?" + +"Ay, good Nicholas. But if they question thee and search the cart I +must make a bid for freedom, so stand in the way, and I'll warrant +I'll knock thee down just to give colour to the deceit." + +"But strike not too hard, Master Revyngton, neither on the face, for +I am in no mind to go home to my good wife with my nose awry or mine +eyes closed up. A gentle tap, I pray thee--like this--and I'll +warrant I'll fall as surely as if I were smitten with the club of the +Southampton giant Ascupart." + +"After all's said and done," remarked the fletcher, "there may be no +need to smite thee, Nick, for 'tis unlikely that they will search thy +cart. But the day groweth apace. If it is to be done, the sooner the +better, say I." + +"Then make a good meal, Master Revyngton," said Hobbes, setting a +loaf of brown bread, some cheese, and a jack of ale, "for if not +thou'lt feel the want of it ere long. Now set to like a good +trencherman, though, being but plain men, our fare is likewise plain. +Thou knowest the road?" + +"Passably well, save the latter part." + +"Then keep close, but not on it if perchance thou art pursued, for it +is to Southampton that they'll think thou art bound. Take the by-road +to Botley, whence the abbey lies but a league or so away." + +While the fletcher and the bowyer were giving advice the younger man +did justice to the food; then, at a sign from Ford, his companion +stole softly down the rough ladder that did duty as a staircase, and +peered cautiously up and down the street. Another moment, and the +three men had darted across the narrow road to a small barn, the +mutual property of several of the inhabitants of that quarter, and +shortly afterwards a rough cart, laden with bundles of +newly-feathered arrows, was jolting over the rough stones towards +Kingsgate, Nicholas Hobbes leading the sorry nag and whistling a +lively air as well as the anticipation of being floored would permit. + +"Thou art early abroad, Nick," quoth one of the guards, as he made +ready to throw open the heavy door. "There's naught but arrows in thy +wain, I take it?" + +"What meanest thou?" + +"Why, hast heard naught of the slaying of Master Scarsdale, that tall +youth belonging to the Bishop's household? Surely thou hast him in +mind?" + +"Ay, I knew him; is he dead?" + +"Where hath been thine eyes and thine ears since yesternoon?" + +"I have but small time for gossip, Tom, above all towards the end of +the week, when my stock hath to be renewed. But I'll hear the story +anon, for time is precious." + +The heavy gate swung slowly open, the fletcher called to his horse, +and the cart with its living burden moved towards the open country +and safety. + +"Hold!" cried a hoarse voice. "Tom, thou arrant rascal, wouldst let +the cart through unsearched What were thine orders from the captain +of the gate?" + +And, to the fletcher's terror, a burly man-at-arms came down a flight +of steps at the side of the gate, and advanced towards him. + +The first soldier sullenly strolled over to the back of the cart, +but, suddenly recovering himself, Nicholas Hobbes backed his horse, +causing the man to be pinned between the wheel and the stonework of +the arch. There was a sudden scattering of the arrows, an indistinct +mass hurtling through the air, and the fletcher found himself, as he +had foretold, lying prone in the dust. When he sat up the soldiers +were calling wildly to the rest of the guard, while a fleeing figure, +already growing small in the distance, showed that the fugitive +Revyngton was well on his way to freedom. + +With the din of the soldiers' shouts still ringing in his ears, +Revyngton ran steadily onwards with a long, steady swing, his elbows +pressed against his sides, and breathing easily, for he was no mean +runner. + +Away in front rose the gaunt outline of St. Catherine's Hill, with +the square tower of the Hospital of St. Cross, which sanctuary he +knew was denied him, slightly to the right. Between ran the +swift-flowing river Itchen, and the fugitive realised that he would +have to run the gauntlet of the watchers before the sanctuary ere he +could reach the ford where the river swept the base of the hill. His +way lay through the meadows where, but a few hours ago, he had +wandered in blissful, though then unappreciated, freedom, and +shudderingly, and with averted face, he raced past the scene of the +fatal encounter. Fortunately his local knowledge prevented him from +crossing the narrow plank bridge that led solely to a marshy meadow +enclosed by two arms of the river, so, keeping close to the shadow of +the pollard willows, he held steadily on his way, the babbling of the +river as it flowed with sparkling eddies in the bright sunshine +sounding like soothing music to the hunted man. + +Just as he reached the ford his movements were observed by a party of +the officers of the law who had been keeping a toilsome vigil around +the outer wall of St. Cross, and a crossbow bolt, shot at a high +angle, boomed through the air and buried itself less than twenty +yards from him. + +There was a general scene of confusion, some of the men running after +him afoot, others rushing off to where their horses stood tethered in +a clump of trees. + +It being the hot season, the river was but ankle deep at the ford, +and, refreshed by the coldness of the water, Revyngton hastened his +pace up the long, dusty road towards the hamlet of Twyford. As he ran +he could not resist the inclination to look back, and from the +elevated position of the highway he could see the whole of the +distance betwixt him and the cathedral city. + +To his satisfaction he saw that he was more than holding his own with +those who pursued afoot, and even now they were giving up the pursuit +and the horsemen of the party had not yet started, but away along the +city road a number of dark, swiftly-moving objects showed that a +troop of mounted soldiers and retainers of the episcopal authorities +were rapidly covering the distance between them and their quarry. + +The sun, though the morning was yet young, smote down upon him with +relentless strength, and there was not the faintest zephyr to cool +his heated frame, yet onwards he sped, though the strain of the +pursuit was gradually yet surely telling upon him. + +Through the almost deserted village of Twyford he ran, one or two of +the earlier risers looking with open-mouthed astonishment at the +fugitive, while a little way further a black-robed monk gazed +amazedly at the approaching man, till, fearing violence, he gathered +up his ragged gown and fled across a field at the roadside, his +sandals clattering as he ran. + +At length, worn out by his exertions, Revyngton reached a spot where +a road branched off to his left, while between it and the highway he +was following lay a large pond, surrounded by trees and fringed with +clusters of reeds. Here he threw himself down on the spongy turf, +thrust his head and arms in the limpid water, and lay panting on the +grass, oblivious of his danger, till the regular thud of horses' +hoofs roused his jaded energies. + +Quickly he looked around, and to his joy he perceived the gnarled +trunk of a tree that had fallen into a horizontal position over the +pond, its branches form ing a dark, shady shelter. Silently and +swiftly as an eel he plunged into the water, and a few powerful +strokes brought him to the friendly refuge. Secure from observation, +he drew himself upon a branch and waited the arrival of the horsemen. + +In a cloud of dust they appeared--five bronzed men-at-arms, with +long, straight swords strapped against their thighs; four lay +servants of the Bishop, with hard-set mouths and scowling faces that +ill-matched their calling as members of an ecclesiastical house; and +three of the city watch, more lightly armed than their companions, +carrying crossbows across their backs. Revyngton realised that scant +mercy could be expected at their hands. + +At a word from their leader the party halted, there was a hurried +consultation, and two of the men trotted their horses to the edge of +the pond, while the rest resumed their headlong pursuit. + +Then Revyngton felt that he stared death in the face, for less than +five paces from him were the two soldiers, sitting motionless on +their steeds and staring fixedly at the spot where he lay concealed, +their reflections being clearly mirrored in the still water. To the +fugitive it seemed as if his leafy bower were rent asunder, and that +he lay exposed to his pursuers in utter helplessness; but at length, +to his great relief, one of the men spoke. + +"Why this fool's errand for the sake of a hot-blooded youth? Faith, I +am not averse to earning the five marks reward, yet 'tis a useless +quest. Far rather would I be in a snug inn, for my throat is as dry +as a friar's sermon." + +"There's drink for thee," replied the other, indicating the pond with +a nod of his steel-capped head. + +"Water!" exclaimed the first with an oath; "I like it not, neither +inside nor out, to be plain-spoken. Art game to return to Twyford, +where the ale is of the best?" + +"Give them time to get out of hearing, thou dolt. Why doth the +sheriff keep bloodhounds and use them not, eh, Giles?" + +"'Twould have been the better way. But now, comrade, let's away!" + +Revyngton waited till the sound of their horses' hoofs had died away, +then, swimming softly back to the bank, he emerged and resumed his +way. + +Now the dangers were doubled, for not only had his pursuers placed +themselves between him and his refuge, but he knew not but that every +bush or hedge concealed a foe. Thus he was compelled to forsake the +high road and follow it at some distance away, keeping as close as +possible to the shelter of the coppices and dells that formed the +chief features of the district. + +As he neared the village of Fair Oak he struck the highway between +Bishopstoke and the Bishop's hunting lodge at Waltham, and for a long +time he lay hidden in the bracken ere the road was free from the +seemingly endless cavalcade of huntsmen that journeyed towards the +famous Waltham Chase, while hucksters from Southampton and Romsey, +intent on doing a good business, were hurrying in the same direction. + +At length the opportunity came, and the fugitive darted across the +road and gained the fields beyond. Here the nature of the country +changed, the ground offering less shelter, but away to the south rose +the dark, fir-clad hills that lay close to his goal. + +He had now left the Botley road well on his left, and he could +perceive the haze of smoke that marked the hollow where the village +lay. His clothes were long dried, and the heat was well-nigh +unbearable, so, overcoming his fears, he turned aside to a cottage, +the thatched roof of which rose amid a thicket. Here he found that +another by-road or lane crossed his path, but there was no sign of +any one passing; the cottage itself looked deserted. + +As the fugitive approached a dog barked, and there was a sound of +some one moving about in an outhouse, and to the tortured man the +sight of several pails of milk was irresistible. The yelping of the +cur brought a woman to the door of the shed, a strong-limbed, +coarse-featured creature, with a face lined with innumerable wrinkles +and a back bent with years of toil in the fields. + +"What lack ye?" she demanded sourly. + +"Am I on the right road for the abbey at Netley?" + +"Yea. Turn to thy left hand at the cross roads." + +"Also, I prithee, give me a draught of milk." + +"Begone, for a worthless clown! Begone, I say, or the dog shall fly +at thee," she shrieked, wild with fury; but Revyngton heeded her not, +and seizing a small earthenware pitcher, drained its contents, then +turning on his heel, he resumed his fearsome journey. + +"Haste, Tom, run up to the village and get help!" shouted the woman. +"'Tis a gadabout churl, or a riever, or worse," and as the fugitive +ran he heard the farm-servant making off towards Botley, while the +woman unloosed the dog. + +Ere Revyngton had gone a bowshot from the cottage the cur was barking +and yelping at his heels, showing its teeth, but fearing to close, +till at length it drew off, leaving the man to wonder at the +churlishness of the hard-faced woman compared with the reception of +wayfarers on his father's manor in Devon, where meat and drink were +ever at the disposal of even the most humble stranger. + +At the brow of the hill he saw the tower of the abbey amid the trees +a mile or more away, with the beautiful expanse of Southampton Water +as a fitting background to the peaceful scene. Yet the fugitive had +neither time nor inclination to appreciate the natural surroundings; +to him the abbey meant rest and safety, and with renewed hope he sped +towards the monastic buildings. + +Weary and footsore he reached the outer door, his senses reeling with +the effects of his exertions. Seeing his plight the porter gave him +wine, and sent a lay brother to summon the abbot. + +As the venerable head of the establishment appeared, Revyngton raised +himself with an effort and knelt before him. + +"Thy blessing, father." + +"_Benedicite_, my son; what wouldst thou?" + +"Sanctuary, father." + +The abbot shook his head sorrowfully. + +"'Tis not permitted, my son; such blessed privileges belong only to +our parent abbey at Beaulieu and to the Hospital of St. Cross. I +trow there is no other within the jurisdiction of the Lord Bishop of +Winchester. What crime bast thou committed?" + +"I slew a man in anger, and even now my pursuers are hard at my +heels." + +The abbot turned to a lay brother. + +"Tell Brother Balthazar to repair to the tower and to quickly bring +me word if any soldiers appear." Then to the fugitive he added, +"Confess thy sin and seek God's pardon; then perchance the means of +thy earthly salvation may be vouchsafed to thee. Follow me, my son." + +To the venerable abbot Revyngton told the whole of the circumstances +of the case; then, having eased his soul, the abbot took care to +relieve his body, causing food and drink to be set before him, while +a brother washed his cut and travel-worn feet. + +"Thou must make for the Abbey of the Blessed Mary at Beaulieu, where +thou shalt find sanctuary. Knowest thou the way?" + +"Nay, father," replied the man, sad at heart at the prospect of +another journey at the peril of his life. + +"Then listen, my son. Two of the brethren will take thee across the +arm of the sea that thou canst see yonder. Thence it is but an hour's +sharp travel across the heath to the abbey, the path being well worn +by reason of many of the brethren who travel thereby. There are three +ways from the spot where thou wilt land the one on the left hand +goeth towards Fawley and the town of Lepe, the one on the right to +the village of Hythe, but the way thou must take goeth neither right +nor left, but leads towards the sun just before the hour of +vespers----Ah! What is thy message, my son?" + +The last question was addressed to a novice, who, panting +breathlessly, was standing in the doorway with folded arms and bent +head, awaiting the abbot's pleasure. + +"Horsemen, father; a score or more have appeared on the hill and are +making towards the abbey." + +"Then summon Brother Angelique and Brother Petrox. Hasten, for 'tis +no season for leisure." + +Quickly the two brethren--tall, gaunt, yet sinewy men, with faces and +arms tanned a deep red by reason of their calling as boatmen of the +abbey--answered the behest, and with the reverence due to their +superior awaited his commands. + +"Take this man across and put him fairly on his way to our parent +abbey. Tarry not on thy journey, for the matter is urgent." + +"Is it thy wish, father, to land him at Ashlett or Cadland?" asked +one of the monks. + +"At Cadland, should the tide prove aright. Now, my son," he added to +the refugee, "take mine earnest blessing and go, and may the blessed +Saints Mary and Edward, the patrons of our abbey, be with thee." + +There was little time to lose, for already the horsemen were within +two bow-shots of the abbey, and with a loud clatter of sandals the +two monks led the way, Revyngton following closely at their heels, +the brethren of the abbey speeding him on his way with prayers and +cries of encouragement. + +At the end of a little causeway a boat, broadbeamed and lofty of head +and stem, rode on the little wavelets. With a sign Brother Petrox +motioned the fugitive to step aboard, then unfastening the rope that +held the craft to the quay, he followed Brother Angelique and pushed +off. + +Both monks rolled the sleeves of their gowns above their elbows, +seized the two heavy ash oars, and rowed with a will, Revyngton +sitting on a rough fishing-tray at the stern of the boat and drinking +in the cool sea breezes. The rush of events had well-nigh bewildered +him, and listlessly he watched the rhythmical motion of the sinewy +arms as the rowers urged the boat towards the opposite shore. + +Suddenly his reveries were broken by an exclamation from one of the +monks. "They follow us; pull thy hardest!" + +Revyngton turned and looked astern. From the place they had left but +a quarter of an hour before half a score of men were dragging a heavy +boat down the steep beach. + +"By the blessed Peter, my holy namesake," groaned one of the monks, +"I had overlooked that, and the oars are in the boat. See, already +they have launched it." + +"'Tis after all but a crare." + +"With a crew of lusty fellows to make amends for its weight. The +saints forfend them!" + +"Let us trust that they cannot handle the sails, for, mark well, the +wind bloweth fair." + +The rowers relapsed into silence, and with long, heavy strokes, that +seemed far too slow to the hunted fugitive, they resolutely and +unfalteringly lessened the distance betwixt them and the nether +shore. The hour of noon had already passed, and the sun's rays +attained a greater strength than they had previously in the day, yet, +though streaming with moisture, the monks laboured in their efforts +to shake off their pursuers. + +"We hold our own," muttered one over his shoulder. + +"Nay, I doubt it; but we must needs make for Ashlett Creek, for the +other channel is yet uncovered." + +Accordingly the boat's head was turned towards a distant opening in +the mud-fringed shore, and the pursuing craft followed suit, thereby +gaining considerably on the fugitive, who could now distinguish the +dress of the men. + +"They overtake us," quoth he, speaking for the first time since the +abbey gates had closed behind him. "See, a bowman makes ready!" + +Gradually the distance between the boats lessened, but the monks' +craft was now close to the creek, and Revyngton saw in front an +apparently closed-in basin surrounded by a high bank of slimy mud. A +few more strokes and the boat was within the creek, which wound its +sinuous way up to the shore, while the little waves caused by their +rapid motion through the water lapped the sides of the narrow +channel. + +Just as they were about to round the first bend the bowman let loose, +and an arrow sung over their heads and struck the mud with a dull +swish. Revyngton instinctively bent his head, but his companions, +though men of peace, barely took notice of the deadly shaft. + +"Safe for the time," commented Brother Angelique, as the boat shot +behind a sheltering bank. + +"But how about thy safety?" asked the fugitive. + +"By St. Edward, 'tis not to be thought of," replied the monk, +thrusting back his sleeve, which in his exertions had slipped down. +"They seek not us." + +"But thou hast aided a fugitive from justice." + +"Nay, that I wot not of. Besides, how am I to know that these men are +the officers of justice They might well be but water-pikers for aught +I know....Oh!" + +An exclamation of pain interrupted his words, for an arrow, shot +haphazard from the bend of the creek over the intervening bank, had +pierced his forearm betwixt elbow and wrist, while another shaft +trembled with its head buried in the thwart. + +"On, Brother Petrox! On! 'Tis but a small matter," he gasped, and as +the other monk seized his companion's oar, the wounded man, shutting +his eyes tightly, snapped off the head of the arrow with his free +hand and drew the broken shaft from the wound. + +A gush of blood followed, but the brave monk, gripping the wounded +member to stop the crimson flow, never ceased to urge the rower to +greater effort, while ever and again a shaft shot by their still +invisible pursuers flew perilously close to their heads. + +At length the boat grounded on the hard bed of the channel, and +Brother Petrox called to Revyngton to jump out. Wading through the +shallow water the two started for the shore, leaving the wounded monk +calmly seated in the deserted craft. + +From the mud hovels of the village of Ashlett wimpled women and +rough-haired children looked interestedly at the two runners, the +layman in his travel-stained apparel and the monk in his sombre garb. +Men there were none, for the hours of toil had called them to the +fields or out on the waters, where they sought a livelihood by +fishing; but had there been, the sight of the two speeding along +would hardly have excited anything but curiosity in the minds of +these dull-witted sons of the soil. + +"I can go with thee no farther," panted the monk, as they reached the +cross-roads. "Follow yonder path, and God be with thee." And as +Revyngton sped onwards towards the rolling expanse of purple heather, +he saw the solitary figure of his benefactor waving encouragingly +towards the distant and invisible goal. + +Settling down to a steady pace, the fugitive kept doggedly on his +way, his eyes fixed on a distant clump of trees that marked the brow +of the hill overlooking the valley of the Exe where lay the abbey. + +Narrower and narrower became the road, till it deteriorated into a +mere footpath, the prickly gorse encroaching on either side and +hurting his feet as he ran. Yet, spurred onward by renewed hope, his +strength seemed well-nigh inexhaustible. + +Suddenly, from behind a low heather-clad hillock at the side of the +road, four wild-looking men sprang up and barred his progress. + +"Hold, stranger!" shouted one, brandishing a club. "Whither goest +thou? Hast aught in thy scrip that we would relieve thee of, for the +lighter thou art the easier thou'lt run." + +"I have nothing in the world. Let me pass, I pray; 'tis a matter that +brooks no delay." + +"Nay, not so fast, young master. What is thine errand?" + +"My errand?" replied Revyngton, with a mirthless laugh. "I seek +sanctuary." + +"Art without the pale of the law?" + +"Of that there is little doubt." + +"Then throw in thy lot with us. A free life in the forest glades, +with many a weighty scrip to balance the lightness of our minds, is +better than being cooped up in yonder monastery." + +The fugitive shook his head. + +"Nay, 'tis not to my liking." + +"Neither is the other, I trow, but look!" + +Following the direction of his hand, Revyngton saw coming over the +brow of a distant hill which he had crossed but a short while ago a +number of his pursuers. Three had procured horses, while the rest, +some five in number, ran by their side, holding on to the stirrups to +aid their speed. + +Instantly the robbers vanished into the tangle of bracken, leaving +the fugitive alone on the narrow path, and once again he broke into a +headlong pace, his pursuers thundering along but three arrow-flights +behind him. + +Fortunately the unevenness of the path prevented the horsemen from +riding their hardest, and when at length Revyngton, exhausted and +faint, reached the brow of the hill, he saw that the situation was +still in his favour. Blindly plunging onwards, with laboured +breathing and aching sides, he ran down the hill, at the foot of +which clustered the extensive buildings of the abbey. + +Through a gap in the trees on his left he caught a glimpse of the +silvery river as it wound in majestic splendour towards the sea, but +to the hunted man the beauty of the scene was lost; all that +concerned him was the thought of the possibility of being overtaken +ere he could cover the last stretch of dusty road. + +He was dimly conscious of hearing a crash behind him, and of looking +round for one brief moment, thereby catching a glimpse of two of the +horsemen mingled in utter confusion on the rough path. And still the +sound of the rapidly approaching hoofs of the remaining horse thudded +in his ears. + +Now he had gained the angle of the abbey wall. The gate, with its +massive iron knocker, was within his grasp. The noise of the +footfalls of the pursuer's steed ceased; there was a sharp hiss, and +an arrow pierced the fugitive's leg just above the knee. Then, with a +final effort, he thundered at the portal, and, as his head swam and +his limbs gave way under him, he was dimly aware that he was +surrounded by a group of grey-robed figures. He had found sanctuary. + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE ARCHER, REDWARD BUCKLAND + + +IT was early morning in the month of August, 1338, so early that the +slanting rays of the sun still lit up the north side of the Norman +church of St. Andrew, and cast a shadow seven times its height across +the dew-soaked meadows. + +Betwixt the high ground where stood the church and the narrow creek, +known as the Hamble River, clustered the mud-walled and thatched-roof +houses of the village of Hamble-le-Rice. Away to the north could be +traced the course of the tree-fringed creek till it lost itself +behind a range of low hills, while in the other direction lay the +estuary of the river, where it mingled itself with the salt waves of +Southampton Water, which, in its turn, was backed by the dark, dense +masses of trees that formed that tract of country so well known in +history and romance--the New Forest. + +Peaceful, indeed, was the situation of this quiet little Hampshire +village, and peaceful also was the general existence of its +inhabitants. Situated on an out-of-the-way angle, far from the old +Roman highway that led from Clausentum to Portchester, and at that +period, as now, formed the highway between Southampton and +Portsmouth, Hamble village was all but cut off from the rest of the +world. Save for an occasional visit by the grey-robed monks from the +Priory of St. Mary and St. Edward at Netley, a chance journey of a +huckster or Chapman from Southampton or Winchester fairs, or the +unpreventable arrival of some vessel driven by stress of weather to +shelter in the estuary, strangers in the village were few and far +between. + +Slow in thought, slower in speech, and backward in giving or taking +offence, yet terrible when roused to anger, the Hamble folk were +typical examples of the mediaeval English peasant whose descendants +have made history in all parts of the globe. + +For years past the social condition of England had been in a +deplorable state. The strife between King Edward II. and De Spenser +on the one hand, and Queen Isabella and Mortimer on the other, had +encouraged lawlessness in all grades of society. Robbers, thieves, +murderers, and criminals of all kinds had multiplied to an enormous +degree, and were openly protected by the great barons, as being +useful tools in their hands. Guilds, founded for self-protective +measures, became instruments of oppression, and, generally speaking, +every man looked solely to his own interest. + +But in the village of Hamble there was little to ruffle the even +tenor of its existence. Little did it matter whether the seamen of +Southampton had a feud with the men of the Cinque Ports, or whether +the monks of Beaulieu or Netley had a difference with the Bishop of +Winchester; but should a strange craft appear in the river, or a band +of marauders attempt to swoop down from the leafy fastnesses of +Waltham Chase, 'twas only necessary to ring the great bell of St. +Andrew's, and instantly the peaceful villagers would be turned into +an angry array of armed men, ready to sell their lives dearly in +defence of their hearths and homes. + +But the time was at hand when Englishmen would have to sink their +differences and unite against a common foe. Edward III. had laid +claim to the throne of France, and, though the stake was a great one, +the enterprise was popular, inasmuch as the possibilities of +individual gain in the shape of plunder held out great inducements to +all classes of these island warriors. + +On this particular morning early a man emerged from one of the houses +on the outskirts of the village, which, by reason of being built of +stone and being fair-sized, betokened that its owner was a man of +position--as far as the place was concerned. The house lay some two +hundred yards away from the rest, occupying the summit of an +even-crested ridge, and was surrounded by a palisade of stout pointed +stakes, that afforded complete protection against the attacks of any +ordinary band of adventurers. + +The man was a tall, well-made individual, with a bronzed face +surmounted by a thick crop of reddish hair, and partially concealed +by a heavy beard, that grew high upon his cheeks. Bushy eyebrows +helped to further conceal his face, but any one could see from the +grey glint of his blue eyes that the profusion of hair covered a +comely countenance. + +A well-worn leather jerkin, that had once been of a vivid red colour, +but was now nearly black with hard usage, failed to conceal the +mighty expanse of his chest, while the short sleeves of the garment +fitted tightly over the gnarled muscles of his arms. His lower limbs +were also covered by leathern hose, which, by reason of exposure to +salt water and the rough wear and tear of daily toil, were now +colourless and frayed till all semblance of dressed leather was +lacking. His legs, however, though of great size, did not betoken an +equality with the strength of his arms, and, moreover, he walked with +a slight limp. + +A crimson scarf, bound tightly round his head, did duty for a +head-dress, while from a narrow black belt hung a short dagger on his +right side, counterbalanced by a leather purse or pouch on his left. + +Over his shoulder he bore a pair of long ash oars, their blades still +covered with a deposit of dry mud, while in his left hand he carried +a six-foot yew-bow, which, unstrung, was as straight as a lance. + +Redward Buckland, for such was his name, was not a Hamble man in the +strict sense of the word, yet so good-natured and easy-going was he, +so upright in his dealings, and withal a man of such great bodily +strength, that he was a popular member of the little community. + +Of his past he said little, and was asked but little. He had been +master bowman in a company, had served against the Scots at +Bannockburn, with the Gascons in their feudal bickerings, and there +was hardly a castle in Normandy, Maine, Touraine, Anjou, Poitou, or +Limousin that he did not know. + +Eleven years prior to the time of this story he suddenly appeared at +Hamble, bringing with him his son Raymond, then a child five years of +age. Men often talked of their coming; the bowman, in rusty +brigandine and dented headpiece, the boy, a lusty, laughing +youngster, perched on his shoulder, a wain jogging behind with a +heavy load of rich stuff--booty from many a foreign part--the like of +which had never before been seen in Hamble. + +Thereupon he purchased a farmhouse, and settled down with the +intention of passing the rest of his days in comfort. Being a highly +religious man--though, like most of his companions in arms, he could +swear roundly at times--Redward Buckland acted in accordance with the +custom of the times. Four marks and a seven-pound candle of pure wax +he gave to the priory at Netley, and a gold-embroidered cloth to the +church of St. Andrew at Hamble. + +These presents he accounted sufficient atonement and thankoffering +alike for delinquencies and deliverances from peril during his +sojourn abroad, and thence-forth he meant to live a quiet, +well-ordered life, though, unable to resist the call to arms, he had +served in short campaigns against the Scots, and had but a year +previously crossed the Channel to take part in the Battle of Cadsand. +Yet Hamble was his home, and to Hamble he returned as soon as each +particular expedition had ended. + +Raymond Buckland, now a lad of sixteen, had little in common with his +father as far as appearance went. He was tall, slim, yet well-knit, +with curly flaxen hair, though the colour had a redeeming tinge of +reddish-gold that is necessary to impart a warmth to what would +otherwise be a lustreless head of hair. He moved with a grace and +ease that contrasted vividly with his father's comparatively awkward +gait, but his limbs were not wanting in strength. + +A vigorous outdoor life had done much to develop his frame. Mentally +Raymond was well educated, according to the standard of the age, +having but recently returned from the Cistercian priory at Netley, +where for the last seven years he had been a novice. His long +intercourse with a monastic life had somewhat deadened his natural +inclinations, but since his return to the outside world the active +delights of youth seemed sweeter still. + +"Hasten, Raymond," said his father, pausing to look back towards the +house, where the youth still lingered. "The young flood hath just +begun, and tide tarries for no man! And," he added, "fail not to +bring my quiver with the black-feathered arrows." + +"And can I bring my crossbow?" inquired Raymond. + +His father gave a gruff yet good-natured assent, and, resuming his +walk, sauntered gently towards the river. + +Before he had passed the church Raymond had overtaken him, carrying +the quiver in his left hand, while across his back was slung a short +yet powerful crossbow, his own quiver with its stock of heavy +quarrels hanging from his belt. + +"Ha! That crossbow again!" exclaimed Redward, in good-natured +contempt. "'Tis strange that an English boy should lean towards a +windlac-drawn weapon rather than a sturdy yew-bow. An thou wert a +Provencal or Genoese I could have understood it." + +"Why, father?" + +"Why, forsooth! Thou wert made a sturdy Englishman, with sinews and +muscles wherewith to bend an honest longbow--not to have to turn a +handle, like a butter-making wench, ere the bolt can be shot. And, +moreover, suppose thou wert matched against an archer; before thy +weapon were levelled I'll warrant there would be a dozen cloth-yard +shafts bristling in thine hide--though one would be enough, I trow!" + +"But the Genoese?" + +"The Genoese, my son, were ever underhanded fighters, preferring to +cause a gaping wound with a quarrel rather than a wholesome hole with +an arrow. 'Tis said that on more than one occasion the Pope hath +forbidden the use of the crossbow, and that the Second Lateran +Council, a hundred years ago, did likewise." + +"How, then, do we find the crossbow still in use?" + +"I cannot tell, Raymond, save it be the natural perversity of men. +But here we are at the shore." + +They had passed through the village, between rows of thatched +cottages. Smoke was already beginning to issue from the hole in the +roof that did duty for a chimney, showing that the inhabitants were +early astir. The narrow road plunged sharply down to the mud-fringed +shores of the river, for the tide was low, and long flats of +treacherous slime extended almost from bank to bank, save for a +channel of deep water midway between. + +With the air of a man who is thoroughly acquainted with the place, +Redward Buckland followed an almost invisible path--termed throughout +uncountable ages a Hard--that led across the mud flats to the edge of +the water, Raymond treading carefully at his heels. At the end of the +Hard lay a large, bluff-bowed boat, and, pulling the craft ashore by +a length of rope, the archer tossed the oars into it and beckoned to +his son to jump on board. + +"Whither are we going, father?" asked Raymond, as his sire pushed +off, stepped awkwardly into the boat, and began to haul on board the +heavy stone that served as an anchor. + +"Up the river to Botley, my son there to see Master Nicholas Hobbes." + +"And who is he?" rejoined Raymond with the inquisitiveness of youth. + +"Master Hobbes, of the city of Winton, is a fletcher, and his arrows +are well known as the very best in the country. Also he brings with +him a stock of bows made by Master Ford, whose fame as a bowyer +extends well beyond the borders of Hamptonshire." + +"But why buy arrows, father; surely thou canst make thine own?" + +"Ah, Raymond! Raymond!" replied his father, shaking his head +doubtfully, "thou hast yet to learn that though I could fashion mine +own weapons, yet custom demands that I get them from a member of the +honourable guild of bowyers and fletchers. Didst ever hear of a +belted knight welding his own coat of mail?" + +The boy, in truth, had yet to learn of the existence of the powerful +guilds, or combinations of trades, which, founded for the purpose of +self-protection against the rapacity of the barons and the +lawlessness of their retainers, became strong enough to be regarded +with respect by these turbulent personages. As the guilds grew they +obtained charters from their sovereign, till they reached a state +that enabled them to deal harshly with those without the pale. Thus, +for instance, any man following the occupation of a tanner "not being +free"--_i.e._ made a member of a guild--was amerced, or fined, or +even subjected to corporal punishment. + +Urged by the archer's long, powerful strokes the boat shot up-stream +with the tide, passing between steeply rising banks, where the +freshly leafed trees cast dark shadows across the verdant fields. +Raymond sat on the stern-thwart, looking with silent admiration on +the scene, for, as far as he could remember, it was his first +experience of a journey by water. + +At length they came to a place where on the western side a smaller +creek joined the river. Redward rested on his oars and looked towards +the mud banks, which were even now nearly covered by the rising +water. + +"We have hurried apace," he remarked, "and 'tis even too soon to go +right up to the town. This is called Badnam Creek, and, by St. +George, I'll wager we'll find some waterfowl amongst the reeds. Take +thy crossbow, Raymond, and I'll pit my six-foot bow against it." + +Eagerly the boy took his weapon and wound the windlac till the +highly-drawn string clicked against the catch. Then he fitted a bolt, +and, having done so, turned to watch his sire's movements. The archer +had already notched the cord, and the bow, with a couple of arrows, +lay on the thwart by his side. + +"Steady, my son!" exclaimed the archer in alarm. "Be careful where +thou pointest that hell-designed toy. 'Tis bad enough to have a +foeman's shaft through one leg without having mine own son's bolt +through the other. Hold it over the side, I pray thee!" + +The boat was run amid a cluster of reeds, and the twain waited +silently and eagerly for some sign of feathered life. They were not +kept long in suspense, for from a marsh hard by came two wild geese, +their necks extended and their wings flapping noisily as they flew. + +"Quick, Raymond!" whispered his father, "loose directly they are +overhead!" + +In his excitement the youth sprang to his feet, and poised his +crossbow. + +But alas for his inexperience! Unaccustomed to the swaying of the +boat he lost his balance and fell backwards across the thwart; his +crossbow twanged, and with a deep humming sound the quarrel flew +aimlessly into space. + +In a moment Raymond raised himself into a sitting position, only to +see his father loose his second arrow. + +"And thou hast missed also!" he exclaimed in a tone of reproach. + +"Peace, lad; wait and see!" + +The birds still continued their passage, one gliding with wings +outstretched, the other still beating the air with redoubled haste; +then, even as they looked, both birds swayed in their flight, and +fell into the water within two score paces of each other. + +Without further remark Redward pushed the boat clear of the reeds, +and rowed towards his spoil. One of the geese was still transfixed by +an arrow, the other's neck had a small wound, showing that the shaft +had passed completely through it. + +"Another groat gone!" exclaimed the archer, ruefully contemplating +the bird that had failed to stop the arrow. "But that was a grand +shot of thine, Raymond, I trow," he added in a bantering tone; +"'twas not learned of the monks of Netley?" + +Then, observing a flush of mortification overspread the boy's +features, he continued, "Never mind, my son, even the best archer in +the kingdom would be at a loss in a small boat at first." + +Presently they rounded an abrupt spur of land on their left, and came +to a spot where the creek narrowed considerably, being enclosed by +lofty hills on either side. A broad white road descended these hills +to the water's edge, where it was broken by the flowing tide. A rough +wooden hut, with a large open boat close at hand, marked the spot +where wayfarers were ferried across to the opposite side, where a +horn, chained to a post, was blown as a signal to attract the +ferryman. + +"This is the road 'twixt Southampton and Portsmouth," said the +archer, indicating the dusty streak by a nod of his head. "At +Bursledon, on this side, is the fortalice of the Hewitts, though from +here 'tis hidden by the trees. On the other side is Swanwick Shore, +whence come some of the best mariners who man the cogs of +Southampton. But, mark ye! Here comes a great company of armed men; +by St. Etienne of Tours, it makes my heart glad to hear the clatter +of harness once more! I wonder under whose banners they march?" + +And resting on his oars, Redward Buckland shaded his eyes from the +glare of the sun, and peered steadfastly up the hill where the white +road was now alive with men, a grey cloud of dust hanging over them +like a marsh mist in autumn, through which the Cross of St. George +blazoned on the white surcoats of the archers stood out bravely +against the dark foliage. + +When the vanguard reached the foot of the hill, a bowshot from where +the watchers sat in their little craft, a tucket sounded and the +company halted. + +Then Redward's accustomed eyes lighted upon their banner, which bore +a golden half-moon on an azure field, and unable to contain himself, +he stood upright, waving his cap in boisterous delight. + +"By Our Lady, 'tis as I thought--the company of the Governor of +Portchester! Haste we to the shore, Raymond, that I may welcome mine +old comrades!" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE SHADOW OF WAR + + +A FEW strokes and the boat's keel grated on the shingle. Redward +sprang out, hastily secured the craft, and strode towards the crowd +of armed men, Raymond following closely at his heels. + +Again a tucket sounded, and the ranks broke, most of the archers +throwing themselves down by the roadside, as if weary of foot; the +mounted men-at-arms led their horses to the grassy glades of the +wood, while a couple of squires rode towards the water's edge to +summon the ferryman. + +On reaching the outskirts of the throng the old archer looked around +to try and recognise some of his former comrades; nor did he look in +vain. + +"Red Buckland, by the Rood!" exclaimed a bronzed and bearded +man-at-arms, seizing him vigorously by the hand. "Right glad am I to +see thee again. Ho, Giles, Wat, Dick!" he shouted to some of his +comrades, "come hither and greet an old friend!" + +The pair were instantly surrounded by a mob of archers--burly, +bearded men, rough in speech and coarse in manner, yet full-hearted, +honest soldiers, the backbone of the feudalism of mediaeval England. + +Raymond stood at the edge of the circle of men, gazing open-mouthed +at the unusual sight and listening with youthful eagerness, not +unmixed with feelings of awe, as the archers talked, fighting their +battles o'er again, or discussed their future movements. + +"'Twill be Francewards again ere long," remarked one, a man-at-arms, +who, having removed his headpiece, disclosed a close crop of hair +furrowed by a long white mark, the legacy of a Norman's axe. "Word +came yesternight that we had to repair to Hampton to join the army +that the King leads across the Channel." + +"Would I were with you, comrades," said Redward, wistfully gazing on +the accoutrements of the troops, the sight of which roused old +memories of camp and battlefield. + +"And wherefore not," replied another. "There's more to be made in a +week's march in France than ten years' delving in Merry England. Ay, +and I'll warrant that ere long there'll be nought but old men, women, +and babes left to guard our hearths." + +"Then I must be reckoned amongst the old men," replied Redward, with +a mirthful laugh. "Though, methinks, at two score and fifteen years, +I am not yet too aged to strike a shrewd blow or to receive hard +knocks!" + +"Then why tarry?" + +"Didst ever have a son, Dickon?" + +"Nay," replied the man, shaking his head. "Neither kith nor kin have +I in this world, save my comrades." + +"Then thou knowest not how a man's whole being can be wrapped up in +his child. I have a son--he stands yonder. How could I leave him--a +boy of sixteen--to fare for himself while I follow the banners of +England in foreign parts?" + +"But thou hast done so aforetimes?" + +"Ay, but then the boy was in safe keeping in the abbey of Netley. Now +that he is too old, seeing that it is my wish and his desire not to +remain within the priory walls, I must needs stay with him." + +"Red Buckland, thou art becoming chicken-hearted in thine old age. +The boy--a lusty youth he looks--cannot remain with thee for ever," +argued the soldier. "Now, what say you; join our company once again, +and bring him with thee? Methinks there are many such, nay, even +younger and of less frame and brawn, who have already set out for the +wars. Come, now; again I ask thee, wilt join?" + +"Dickon, thou dost press me hard so that I can scarce refuse. Yet no +answer will I give till I have spoken with my boy." + +At that moment a trumpet sounded, and the men stood to their arms, +forming up in two lines on either side of the road. The archers, +armed with short swords or axes in addition to the deadly longbow, +faced the men-at-arms, who, protected with breastplate, iron helmet, +gorget and greaves, grasped their twelve-foot spears, gazing +steadfastly in front as their leader rode slowly between the lines. + +Sir John Hacket, Constable of the King's Castle at Portchester, and +Governor of the Town of Portsmouth (to give him his official title), +was then in his fortieth year, yet, from the effects of campaigning +under exceptional circumstances in all parts of Western Europe, he +looked considerably older, his hair being a snowy white, contrasting +vividly with his brick-red complexion. + +He was accoutred _cap-a-pie_ in banded mail with aillettes, +rerebraces, vambraces, and roundels, his richly embroidered surcoat +being emblazoned with his arms. + +By his left side hung a long falchion, while over the right hip was +the _misericorde_, or dagger, with which a knight demanded his +dismounted adversary's surrender or else gave him a _coup de grace_. + +On his head he wore a flat cap of crimson velvet, his steel bascinet +being carried by a squire; while a mounted man-at-arms bore his lance. + +As he proceeded between the lines of armed men, noting with +undisguised satisfaction their martial bearing, Sir John's glance +fell upon Redward and his son as they stood, with a knot of +spectators from the neighbouring village, a little way behind the +archers. + +"Certes," he cried to one of his attendant squires, "'tis my old +master-bowman! Bring him hither." + +Thus Redward, with doffed cap, found himself once again before his +beloved chief. + +"Ah, Buckland, I see the blood of a good old stock still flows in thy +veins," he said, after questioning him over various matters +pertaining to his welfare, "I trust I shall see thee again under my +banner anon!" And setting spurs to his charger the knight rode to the +edge of the river, leaving the old archer tormented with thoughts of +the rival claims of home and camp. + +The work of transporting the detachment across the Hamble river +proceeded apace, the whole of the operations being under the personal +supervision of the Constable; and, true to the usages of warfare, the +task was carried out in strictly military fashion. + +First a vanguard of archers and men-at-arms was ferried across, the +party taking up an extended formation on the opposite shore. Then +came the main body, with the mounted men-at-arms, the horses being +conveyed across in a large flat-bottomed boat. Leaving only a +rear-guard, Sir John and his personal attendants then crossed, and +finally the rear-guard followed, leaving Redward Buckland and his son +gazing wistfully after them from the other shore. + +"Heart alive, Raymond," said his father. "We, too, must be on the +move, for the tide will not serve much longer." And pushing off, they +turned the boat's head up-stream and continued their journey. + +"Didst hear what the archers said but now?" inquired Redward, resting +on his oars, and looking doubtfully at his son, as if half afraid +that the fighting strain would not manifest itself. + +"Ay, father!" + +"And what thinkest thou?" + +"I would go Francewards with thee." + +"Heaven be praised, my son! I was afraid that the monks of Netley had +made thee fitted for nought but a life within a monastery; yet thou +wouldst do well to ponder over this matter, for a life midst the +sound of arms is not lightly taken up. Thou hast seen but little of +the world, and look only on the glowing side of a soldier's life. The +risks and hardships of forced marches, famine, sickness, ay, and +possibly defeat, cannot be lightly put aside, though, when once +passed, one is apt to look back upon them as but trifling +adventures." + +"Nevertheless, I would fain go to France and fight for our King to +help him in his just enterprise." + +Poor Raymond! little did he think that there would be fighting in +plenty in store for him ere he set foot on French soil! + +There were nearly four miles to be covered ere their destination was +reached, and, though favoured by the tide, the work of pulling a +heavy boat began to tell even on the hardy frame of the archer, so, +in reply to Raymond's entreaty to be allowed to take the oars, his +sire consented and relinquished the heavy sticks. + +But his son's attempt at rowing failed to please his exacting father, +especially when the blades threw up showers of spray under the +vigorous yet inexperienced efforts of the young man. + +"Steady, Raymond! I would fain arrive at Botley with a dry skin, and +methinks, a little less strength would avail better! Put thy back +into it, my boy, rather than thine arms--so! I call to mind when I +rowed down the Scheldt in a pitch-dark night, when the splash of an +oar or the creaking of a thole would have loosened a hail of arrows +from five hundred archers on either bank." + +"Tell me about it, father?" + +"Nay, lad; the story will keep. But look ahead. Dost mark a row of +black posts standing above the water on yonder side?" + +Raymond looked. + +"Yes; but what are they?" + +"All that is left of what was once a Danish galley, the scourge of +our shore. There she lies, much the same as when burned by the great +Alfred, now five hundred years or more ago. May a like fate befall +every foreign craft that comes to harry our coasts!" + +Soon the channel became yet narrower, till the trees on the opposite +banks met overhead. Redward had resumed the oars, and bend after bend +of the river soon slipped past. + +"There's Botley Mill," said he, pointing to a low building, +thatched-roofed and enclosed by walls of timber and mud, while above +the rustle of the trees could be heard the dull roar of the stream as +it swept under the water-wheel. + +At a landing-place close to the road they left the boat and walked up +a short, steep incline to where the houses of the town encompassed +the market-place. + +"Ah, there is Master Hobbes," said Redward, indicating a short, +full-bodied man, clad in a suit of green cloth, who, surrounded by a +crowd of yeomen and villagers, was disposing of his stock of arrows +to the accompaniment of the latest news of the city of Winchester, +and the prospects of the war against the French. + +"Ho, gossip!" cried the archer. "Hast aught of thy stock left for +me?" + +"Ay, Master Buckland," replied the other, "'twould be an evil day for +me if I failed to supply the good folk of Hamble with +arrows--particularly thy noble self," he added with a servile bow. + +"Tut! tut!" growled the archer deprecatingly. "A truce to such +compliments. These the arrows? A goodly bundle! But--stand aside with +me a moment--how fares it with him?" he added in a mysterious manner. + +"As before no better, though perchance a trifle worse!" + +"But has he ceased to----" + +"Nay, nay! Far from it." + +"Ah!" muttered the archer moodily, "'tis as I feared, though not for +myself. Then, perchance he has had tidings?" + +"That I cannot say." + +"That being so, Nick, I had best be on the move overseas, under Sir +John Hacket's banner once again. That I'll do, and take Raymond with +me! Thanks, good Master Hobbes," he added in a louder tone. "'Tis as +I said before, a goodly bundle. God speed you!" + +And taking the arrows from the fletcher's hand, Redward called to his +son to follow him and strode rapidly back to the boat. + +During the return journey Raymond noticed that something was amiss. +His sire relapsed into a stony silence, treating any question with an +unusual disregard that showed that his thoughts were far away. This +puzzled Raymond, and he strove to find some reason for this +unlooked-for reticence, the reference to the mysterious "he" which he +had overheard persistently coming uppermost in his mind. Yet never a +word on the subject did the boy let fall, and it was in no little +bewilderment that he followed his father from the Hard back to the +house on the hill-top. + +The interior of Buckland's home was plainly yet well furnished after +the style of the age. Glass in the windows there was none, oiled +linen doing duty for that then costly material. The floor of the +livingroom was strewn with rushes, the walls hung with woven material +and skins of animals. Portions of armour such as were worn by +men-at-arms, a few bucklers, and a medley of arms also found places +on the walls, while in a corner was a bundle of bows and two cases of +arrows. In the centre was a log fire, the sweet-smelling reek of the +pine logs finding its way through a hole in the roof. The sleeping +apartment opened out of this room, the building being but +one-storeyed. + +As darkness set in Redward secured the doors with a massive bar of +wood, heaped more logs on the fire, and lighted a couple of +rushlights. + +His fit of depression had passed, and he resumed his usual +cheerfulness of manner. Going into one of the adjoining rooms he +caught hold of a huge oak chest, which, in spite of his strength, +took all the power at his command to move. At length the chest was +dragged across the threshold into the larger room; then, sitting down +on a settle, the archer breathlessly gazed upon it with evident +satisfaction. + +"Since it is fated that we go to the wars together," said he, "'tis +fitting that thou shouldst be properly attired and armed. Let us see +what this chest will provide." + +And, unlocking a strange yet strongly made clasp, Redward threw open +the lid, and for a moment the boy's eyes were dazzled with the +martial nature of its contents. There was a complete suit of armour, +similar to that worn by the Constable of Portchester, though lacking +the rich ornamentations, other portions of armour, and a small store +of equipments such as were worn by mounted men-at-arms and soldiers +of superior quality. + +Redward noticed the flash of excitement in his son's eyes as they +lighted upon the suit of armour. + +"Nay, my son," said he, "'tis not for thee--at least, not till thou +hast proved worthy of it. Here is a suitable garb, a quilted and +padded coat--a trifle large for thee, perhaps, yet 'tis better to err +on the generous side. This I found at the sack of Tournai, and 'tis +warranted to turn a swordcut or to stop an arrow at two score paces. +This breast-plate will also serve--and this steel cap. Now as to thy +arms Here is a sword, slightly heavy for thee, yet anon thou'lt +become accustomed to the feel of it, though a bowman stands an ill +chance should he suffer a troop of lances to come within striking +distance! Now into yonder corner throw thy crossbow, for, as I have +shown, 'tis but a clumsy and unwieldy tool for an Englishman. Here is +a better--a full-sized English longbow; that is the king of weapons! +To-morrow we'll hie to the butts, and ere a week hath passed a sturdy +archer thou'lt be or thou art no son of mine!" + +Raymond took the proffered articles and, with the pride of youth, +fitted them on, to the no small satisfaction of his sire. Still +garbed in his martial attire, he remained for a space listening to +his father's tales of past campaigns, till at length, worn out with +excitement, he retired for the night. + +When he had gone, Redward pored over the contents of the chest, +handling each article with an almost reverent care, then replacing +everything save Raymond's accoutrements, he relocked the heavy box, +and was soon tossing uneasily on his rough couch. + +For over an hour Redward lay awake pondering over the events of the +day, but just as sleep was about to gain the mastery, a hoarse shout +fell upon his ear. Another followed, and a veritable babel of shrieks +betokened that something untoward was happening in the village. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +OF THE MIDNIGHT DESCENT OF THE FRENCH INVADERS + + +THE first shout was enough to rouse the old archer into active +alertness, for, with his experience of camp life, he was accustomed +to awaken readily at the least noise. Hastily springing up, he rushed +to the window, swung aside the wooden flap and the flimsy fabric that +served to admit the light, and looked out. The darkness was intense, +save for some small tongues of dark red flame that were beginning to +shoot up from one of the houses near the waterside, the fire casting +a dull glare upon the neighbouring buildings and serving but to +intensify the inky blackness of the night. + +"A fire," he said aloud, yet on second thoughts the ever-increasing +shrieks, groans, shouts, and curses that were borne on the air belied +his surmise. Moreover, his quick ear detected commands and +ejaculations in a foreign language--the tongues of Picardy, Normandy, +and Spain. + +His ready brain grasped the situation--it must be a raid by the +French and Spaniards, who at that time swarmed in the English +Channel. + +These inroads upon our shores by the French during the Hundred Years' +War are apt to be ignored or lightly passed over by modern +historians, yet during a time when England was busy pouring the best +of her blood and treasure into France there was hardly a town on the +South Coast that escaped the ravages of the French and their allies, +the Spaniards and Genoese. + +"Awake! awake! Raymond!" shouted his father. "The French are upon +us!" + +Raymond sprang up and began to hastily don his clothes, while the +archer laid hands on every heavy article in the room, barricading the +door and securing the windows. Then, having made ready his bow, he +again looked out towards the village. + +By this time a series of unequal combats were taking place in the +narrow streets or within the houses, where the terrified inhabitants +were being routed out like rabbits. All who came across the path of +the ruthless invaders were cut down without mercy--men, women, and +children--while their homes were being plundered and afterwards fired +by men to whom the sacking of a town was almost a familiar task. + +To add to the din the church bell was ringing a violent tocsin, and +all who were able to escape fled either to the stout Norman tower to +seek shelter, or else across the open country towards the town of +Southampton. + +Raymond, white-faced with pardonable fear and shaking in every limb, +now joined his father. Flight for them was now out of the question, +for already some of the foemen had passed the house, hard in pursuit +of a party of fugitives, the slowest of whom fell under the weapons +of the relentless marauders. Like bloodhounds on the trail, this band +of pursuers passed by the solitary house, ignoring its existence or +else meaning to plunder it at their leisure after the chase of the +fugitives was ended. + +Suddenly four or five dark figures, silhouetted against the now +bright glare of the burning village, came running up the hill and +headed straight for the house. + +"Quickly, Raymond, notch a shaft!" hissed the archer, and setting an +example, he fitted an arrow to his bow and waited, with the weapon +slightly bent, the opportunity to let fly. + +"By St. George, they are our friends!" exclaimed Redward. + +"Andrew Walter! Dick!" he shouted. "This way, for your lives, and ye +are safe!" And throwing his great bulk against the barricade behind +the door, he moved it sufficiently to enable the door to be opened to +admit the fugitives. + +Then the furniture was replaced against the door, and the men sank +breathless and panic-stricken on the floor. There were six in all, so +that the little garrison now amounted to eight men, whereof three had +had experience in warfare. + +"Get ye up!" ordered Redward roughly. "Think ye that I opened my +doors to allow a set of cowardly curs to lie about my hearth? Up with +ye!" + +Stung by the rebuke, the men armed themselves with bow and sword, +gripping their weapons with newborn resolve. + +"Ah, by Our Lady, 'tis well ye look on the right side o' things. But +if we are to see the light of another day we must stand firm," said +the archer grimly. "And," he added, "let no man loose bow till I give +the word, and may God and St. George look favourably upon us this +night!" + +"Ay, gossip!" replied Walter Bevis, a veteran of Falkirk. "An' if we +cannot live we can at least die like Englishmen! But, who comes?" + +Another dark figure came flying up the hill, hotly pursued by half a +score of Frenchmen. + +"'Tis Will Lightfoot, of Hook!" replied one of the defenders. "Run, +Will, run!" + +"Now loose!" cried Redward, and immediately five arrows flew on their +deadly errand. It was the first time that Raymond had seen a shaft +sped in anger, and the sight thrilled him strangely. The pursuers, +standing out strongly against the glare, made easy marks; four of +them fell face forwards on the ground, writhing in mortal agony; the +fifth, struck in the right fore-arm, dropped his sword and yelled +lustily. The others, amazed at meeting with any attempt at organised +resistance, turned and fled towards the village, two more falling as +the result of a second flight of the deadly arrows. + +Will Lightfoot, holding a dagger in his left hand and a broken sword +in his right, came up to the improvised fortress with an easy stride, +for his name well suited him amid the encouraging shouts of his +friends. + +"Wait while I unbar the door," called Redward to the fugitive, at the +same time directing the others to assist him in removing the +barricade. + +"Nay, keep the door fast; the villains will be here anon," replied +Lightfoot. "I'll find a way in." + +And suiting the action to the word, he sprang on a low fence, and +from thence vaulted easily on to the thatched roof. Getting a grip +with his broken sword and dagger, he ran up the sloping roof of +thatch like a cat, and dropped through the aperture that did duty for +a chimney, and alighted in the midst of the smouldering logs on the +hearth. + +"Pardon, friends, for my mode of entry," he exclaimed. "But methinks +the mischief I have done to thy roof, Master Buckland, will ill +compare with the damage that our attackers will do ere a few hours +are spent." + +In the lull that followed the besieged took steps to strengthen their +defences. Redward brought out a large oaken chest filled with arrows, +whereat his son wondered all the more at the reason for the journey +to Botley on the previous day. Thick boards were spiked to the +windows, dividing each opening into two oylets, or slots for +discharging arrows, while on the side where no windows existed a few +of the stones were removed so as to form an additional outlook +commanding the hitherto invisible ground on the north. + +Food they had sufficient for three or four days, but water was +scarce. This necessary they must procure, so once again the door was +opened, and Raymond crept out stealthily with two leathern jacks to +procure some of the precious fluid from the well, while the others +crowded to the loopholes to cover his retreat if molested. + +With an indescribable feeling of fear, mingled with the dread of +being thought a coward by the defenders, Raymond did his work +silently and quickly. Thrice did he go to the well, till there was +sufficient water stored in the house to last for a considerable +time. + +All the while the shouts, groans, and cries continued, the crackling +and roaring of the flames making a fitting accompaniment, and giving +evidence that resistance was still being kept up in another quarter. + +At length the pale dawn began to show a welcome change to the anxious +men, on whom the weary waiting told far more than the actual +struggle. + +Gradually the daylight increased, and by its aid the besieged were +able to realise more fully their hazardous position. Nearly every +house was in flames, some even now reduced to a heap of glowing +ashes. Here and there the corpse of a Spaniard or a Frenchman showed +that, in spite of the surprise, the attack had been fiercely opposed. +Those villagers who had taken refuge in the church tower still +resisted, though, from the desultory arrows that came from the top of +the structure, it was evident that their store of missiles was +well-nigh exhausted. + +The invaders, too, were aware of this, for those wearing armour +advanced also to the base of the tower, avoiding, however, the pieces +of stone that the desperate men detached from the pinnacles and +hurled down on their adversaries. Others, keeping further off, shot +their bolts at the tower, stamping and jumping as if to terrify their +quarry. Some of the foreign crossbowmen were so close to the house +that sheltered Buckland's party that they could hear the clicking of +their moulinets and the deep bass hum of the strings as the quarrels +sped towards the mark. + +Out in mid-stream, their hulls swinging to the tide, lay three long, +low-lying galleys, and between them and the shore a number of small +boats were rowing to and fro, those putting off being full of +plunder; and as fast as each little craft discharged its load into +the capacious hold of its parent galley it returned to the shore to +remove some of the huge heap of booty, which was still being +replenished by parties of foragers. + +Loud and long were the maledictions of the men in Redward's house, as +they saw their homes given to the flames and their kinsfolk and +friends either cruelly murdered or else houseless fugitives; but soon +their attention was riveted on the final scene in the resistance of +those on the church tower. + +The crossbowmen redoubled their fire, and, covered by the heavy rain +of missiles, a party of men-at-arms advanced with their shields held +over their heads. A shower of blows with their heavy battle-axes soon +splintered the oaken door, and when at length only a few fragments +of wood and the bent and battered remains of the massive hinges +remained, the men retreated in the same order, though two were left +lying crushed beneath a ponderous piece of coping that the assailed +had toppled over. + +Already the church was sacked. Crucifixes, candlesticks, +altar-cloths, rich vestments, and tapestries had been ruthlessly +taken off to the galleys; while the priest, with a score of persons, +men, women and children, who had vainly sought sanctuary, lay dead +within the altar rails. + +And now a body of lightly-armed men--Spaniards, judging by their +swarthy complexions--advanced, bearing bundles of straw and faggots, +almost unmolested, for the arrows of the besieged had long given out, +and the hail of bolts from the crossbows skimmed across the top of +the parapet like hail. The men reached the base of the tower, where +they heaped their burdens within the doorway. + +A lighted torch was applied to the fuel, and a tongue of flame, +darting from amid the thick cloud of suffocating smoke, licked the +grim stone walls, while the spiral staircase, acting like a lofty +chimney, fanned the fire till it glowed like a potter's furnace. + +A ring of armed men surrounded the tower. The crossbowmen, their work +done, ceased their firing, discharging only an occasional bolt as the +tormented wretches on the tower, unable to bear the choking heat, +showed themselves above the protection of the parapet. Some of the +defenders, maddened by their agony, threw themselves headlong; +others, sword in hand, attempted to descend the stairs, and hurl +themselves upon their enemies, though they perished in the flames +long before they reached the ground; others, defying and cursing the +invaders, shook their weapons in impotent rage, till a well-directed +quarrel or the rapidly-increasing flames claimed the last of the +gallant band of forgotten heroes. + +When resistance in this quarter was at an end, the invaders were free +to direct their energies against the solitary stone house that had +already wrought great mischief upon them; and, led by two knights in +complete armour, the men-at-arms began to fall in in close order at a +distance of two hundred paces from where Redward Buckland and his +devoted companions awaited the onslaught. + +"With yonder ruin to serve as an example," said the master-bowman, +pointing to the flaming tower, "we must fight to the death. While +there is yet time it would be well that each man doth confess his +sins for the betterment of his soul." + +So saying, all the defenders knelt down reverently, though Redward, +trained soldier that he was, kept an eye on their gathering foes. The +prayers _in extremis_ were hurriedly said; then, in the absence of a +friar, they confessed to each other, according to the Roman custom +when in peril of death. One of the villagers produced a slip of the +Holy Thorn, brought from the miraculous tree of Glastonbury, and this +they all kissed devoutly in the hope of obtaining spiritual +consolation. + +This done, they arose from their knees, embraced each other, and +hurried to their posts. + +All preparations for the attack having apparently been completed, the +leaders advanced to the head of their men and harangued them, though +the distance was too great for the Englishmen to hear what was said. +This done, one of the knights closed his visor, and the other tried +to follow his example, but the calque, dented from the effects of a +blow, refused to allow the visor to descend. A couple of squires +sprang forward to aid their lord, and the group, standing well in +front of the rest, made a tempting mark. + +Redward was quick to act. + +"Quickly, Dick; nine score paces, and no windage!" + +Dick, a lusty yet experienced archer, had already notched his bow and +fitted an arrow. Leaning slightly forward, and throwing all his +weight into the act of drawing the six-foot bow, the man loosed the +shaft. Even as it sped Buckland also let fly, and the defenders +anxiously awaited the result of their comrades' skill. + +The first arrow struck and shivered itself against the uplifted visor +of the French knight; but Redward's fared better, for, hitting the +mail-clad figure under the raised arm, it sank deeply into the +leader's body. Amid a roar of execrations on the invaders' side, and +a hearty English cheer on the part of the bowmen, the knight +staggered and fell on his face. The two squires stood their ground +bravely, and with difficulty raised the ponderous armour-clad body of +their master and bore it to the rear. + +"Here they come!" shouted the master-bowman. "See, they shoot! On +your faces, men!" + +Crouching down behind the friendly shelter of the stone walls, the +eight defenders awaited the onslaught, Redward alone watching the +advance through a loophole, his head protected by an iron cap, while +he held a stout buckler over the aperture as an additional protection +against the deadly hail of arrows and bolts. + +Raymond, crouching close to his father, felt that the bitterness of +death had passed; his terror had vanished, and he was as ready as the +rest to strike a blow in self-defence, though against tremendous +odds. The unfamiliar sound of the arrows striking the woodwork and +quivering with an indescribable _ping_, or shattering themselves +against the stonework, the invaders' war cry of "St. Denis," and the +metallic clanging of the advancing men-at-arms were signs of an +invisible enemy whom he was on the point of meeting in mortal combat, +and when, after a seemingly long and weary wait, the hail of arrows +slackened and he heard his father cry, "To arms!" he actually +welcomed what might prove to be his death-summons. + +At the word of command the defenders sprang to their feet, rushed to +the loopholes, and fired as fast as they were able into the dense +masses of the advancing enemy. At that short range neither leathern +coat nor iron hauberk was proof against the deadly arrows, and man +after man fell writhing on the ground, their fall serving to dismay +their comrades and to cheer their antagonists. + +Clambering over the low fencing, the men-at-arms still advanced; the +air was thick with the groans of the wounded and the shouts of "St. +Denis!" "Tuez les miserables!" "A bas les poltrons!" To which the +defenders answered not a word, but in grim silence discharged their +arrows into the disorderly press before them. + +By sheer weight of numbers the French men-at-arms gained the front of +the house, and with reckless bravery attempted to tear away the +improvised defences. Bows were cast aside, and the defenders, seizing +swords and spears, made vicious thrusts through the loopholes as the +shadows of the enemy were thrown across them. + +At length the planks across one of the windows gave way, and a crowd +of mail-clad warriors essayed to clamber through. Thereupon the +defenders retreated to the opposite wall, and resuming their bows, +volleyed their deadly shafts against the rash intruders, who, +overwhelmed by the concentration of arrows in the narrow space, gave +back in disorder. + +Suddenly a figure clad from head to foot in plate armour--a form of +defensive mail only just coming into use--appeared in the window. In +vain the arrows rattled on the thrice-welded plate, and for a moment +it seemed certain that the intaking was accomplished. But Redward, +dropping his weapon, sprang forward, and before the mail-clad warrior +could swing his long and heavy sword, the archer had thrown himself +bodily upon the Frenchman. + +Realising the danger, the man tried to return, but Redward, seizing +him in his powerful grip, strove to drag him into the house. Lying +across the window ledge, his bulk filling the whole aperture, the +Frenchman effectually prevented any of his comrades from coming to +his assistance, his mail-clad legs, kicking and sprawling without, +keeping his would-be helpers at a discreet distance. + +Then came a terrific struggle, Redward heaving and hauling on his +enemy's bascinet, while the other tried his utmost to shake off the +relentless grip. Nothing short of the breaking of the laces of the +Frenchman's calque would release the man, and even then his +unprotected head would be pierced by a ready arrow. + +The knight's resistance grew feebler, till at length a hollow voice +exclaimed, "Je me rends!" + +"No quarter to base ravagers!" was the stern reply, and with a final +mighty heave Redward dragged the steel-clad warrior through the +window, and cast him with a sickening clang upon the stone floor. +Then, drawing the knight's own _misericorde_, he cut the laces of his +bascinet and plunged the dagger into his Adversary's throat. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +OF THE GALLANT STAND OF THE NINE ARCHERS + + +DISMAYED by the fall of their second leader, the attackers retired +out of bowshot, leaving the nine defenders weary and spent, yet +exultant over their success. + +Their respite, however, was short, for, joined by another body of men +from the galleys, the invaders again advanced, this time led by +another knight, a short, broad-shouldered man, cased, like his +unfortunate predecessor, in plate armour, over which he wore a yellow +surcoat charged with the arms of the Spinola family. + +"Ah! A rascally Genoese!" exclaimed Redward as he saw the device. +"Now we must look to ourselves, for these Genoese combine the skill +of the French and the roguery and treachery of the Spaniards; +moreover, they have rendered a good account of themselves both by +land and sea in their wars with the State of Venice." + +Halting at a safe distance, the crossbowmen, protected by mantlets, +faced the side of the house where the last attack had been made; a +body of men-at-arms deployed and took up a position on each of the +two adjacent sides; while a strong detachment of routiers, or +lightly-armed men, worked round to the rear, the house thus being +entirely surrounded. + +Once again the hail of bolts began, and under the cover of this heavy +discharge the men-at-arms gained the walls without the slaughter that +marked their previous attempt. + +With their axes they commenced a violent onslaught on the door, while +the defenders were almost without the means of replying, firing only +through the loopholes whenever a head appeared or a chance missile +was thrown into the room. + +At length, emboldened by the slight resistance, one of the +men-at-arms was hoisted on the shoulders of two of his comrades, +whence he climbed upon the roof. Here he began to vigorously attack +the thatch for the purpose of annoying the besieged and diverting +their attempts to hold the door. + +Alarmed by the noise overhead, Raymond took his despised crossbow, +and firing haphazard, sent a bolt through the roof. There was a loud +cry, and with a mass of thatch and broken rafters the body of the +soldier came crashing down, his chest transfixed by the thick, heavy +bolt. + +Immediately Redward was hoisted up to the gaping hole, and, +regardless of the danger of being picked off by an arrow, he hurled a +small sack of quicklime upon the men who were battering at the door. + +Blinded by the powerful chemical they gave way, and ran screeching +with agony, their leader circling round in an aimless manner, +striving the while to tear off his bascinet and clear his eyes from +the dust that was slowly and surely depriving him of sight. + +Once more the English took heart at the repulse, taunting their +enemies as they fell back. Again they had a short respite, though the +inaction told more on their wearied bodies than the excitement of the +fight. + +Raymond felt a warm stream trickle down his arm, and found, to his +surprise, that he had received a clean cut on his left shoulder. How +or when it occurred he was unable to understand, for in the heat of +the struggle he had been blind to his surroundings and the sense of +pain. + +The rest of the garrison all showed signs of the tremendous odds. +Buckland was gashed across the forehead by an arrow, while his hands +were bruised and bleeding from the effects of his struggle with the +knight at the window. + +Walter Bevis was sitting in a corner of the room, trying to extricate +a crossbow shaft that had all but buried itself in the upper part of +his right leg, and in spite of the excruciating pain was slowly +drawing out the barbed head, muttering the while prayers to the +Virgin and his patron saints. + +The others, having bound up their slighter injuries, cheered the +sufferer, and in response to his entreaties, withdrew the bolt. A +gush of blood followed, and the man, unable to bear the agony, +fainted. Hastily applying a bandage, with the rude knowledge of +surgery that they possessed, his comrades left him and returned to +their posts to await the next assault. + +"Certes! They do not mean to let us be," exclaimed Redward; "it +passeth my understanding why they should waste time and many lives in +attempting to take our little fortress. Courage, my friends! Another +repulse and they will leave us in peace." + +But, notwithstanding his repeated encouragements, the master-bowman +looked doubtfully on the new phase of the attack. A party of men were +bringing a huge mangonel ashore from one of the galleys, and setting +it in position, prepared to bombard the house with heavy stones, each +capable of tearing a jagged hole in the stonework. At the same time, +the French archers advanced on all sides with wisps of burning tow +affixed to the heads of their arrows. + +At a score paces from the house stood a solitary gnarled trunk of a +dead tree, and towards this the bowman cast a hasty yet anxious +glance. Then noting with satisfaction that the little wind there was +blew from that direction, he gave a sigh of relief. + +In the meanwhile the men about the mangonel had set the powerful +spring, and a mass of rock lay poised on the gigantic spoon, awaiting +only the release of the engine to cast the deadly missile towards the +doomed house. + +In terrible suspense the garrison crouched behind the stoutest part +of the masonry, expecting each moment to find the huge stone crashing +over their heads. + +The noise of the spring as it was released could be distinctly heard, +then with a whirlwind of dust the stone struck the ground at a short +distance from the house and rolled harmlessly against the wall. + +The next discharge sent the projectile fairly into the roof, knocking +away the greater part and half filling the house with fragments of +rafters, beams, and thatch. + +"'Twill be less thatch to burn!" remarked Buckland encouragingly, +though the moral effect of the mangonel was beginning to tell. + +Suddenly there was a crash that shook the building to its +foundations, and amid a shower of stones and dust a piece of rock +forced its way into a corner of the building, leaving a gap a bow's +length in width, through which the daylight streamed in, dazzling the +defenders with the sudden change from semi-darkness. + +At the same time a shower of firebrands descended on the remains of +the roof, and in a moment the house was enveloped in flames. + +"We are lost!" shouted one and another of the little garrison in +dismay. "Let us sally out and die like men, rather than rats in a +trap!" + +But the master-bowman, cool and collected in the hour of trial, shook +his head, and, shouting--for the din was deafening--to his comrades +to bear a hand, he seized an iron bar and attacked a large flag in +the floor, plying the tool with skill and celerity. + +The square stone was dislodged, disclosing a gaping hole in the +ground, the top of a rough ladder being dimly visible against its +edge. + +"Down with ye!" he shouted, and once more hope sprang up in the +breast of the despairing men. One by one they vanished into the +chasm, till only Redward, Dick, and the unconscious Walter Bevis +remained. + +There was not a moment to be lost; the flames were already scorching +their hair and clothing, while the thick, suffocating fumes caused +them to gasp and splutter. Raising their wounded comrade, the other +two men lowered him into the arms of those who had already gained +safety. Dick then descended, but Redward, after giving a glance at +the attackers, who still maintained a respectful distance, suddenly +stooped, dragging the body of the hapless French knight across the +floor, and dropped it down the hole. Then he swiftly followed, +pausing for a moment to draw a large, steel-plated shield over the +aperture, and joined his companions in the security of their +underground chamber. + +For a while they remained motionless, as if unable to realise the +turn of fortune, and listening to the dull roar of the flames and the +muffled crash of the falling timbers, while the confined air grew hot +as the furnace overhead grew fiercer, and the clammy atmosphere of +the vault began to give off a humid vapour. + +"Silence!" said Redward sternly, as some of the men began to talk +excitedly. "Or, if ye do speak, speak only in whispers; for if the +rascals discover us they'll smoke us out." + +Through a narrow shaft at the far end of the chamber a streak of +light faintly filtered, and ere long the men's eyes became accustomed +to the darkness. The underground room was about ten paces by four, +with a stone-vaulted ceiling. A rough wall of later date cut off one +end, but it was evident that this apartment was at one time a portion +of a subterranean tunnel which, it was rumoured, led from the church +towards the Abbey of Netley, but for some reason was uncompleted. + +Again motioning his friends to keep silent, Buckland walked over to +the shaft, and, ascending by a rough wooden ladder, gained the hollow +trunk of the decayed tree, where, without being seen, he could +observe the movements of the invaders. + +Four blackened walls and a heap of smoking timbers was all that +remained of what was but a short time back his home. Satisfied by +destroying the house and, as they thought, its determined inmates, +the foe had now retired, and were busy preparing a meal, save a few +of the common soldiers, who were either despoiling the dead of their +weapons and armour or carrying the wounded back to the shore to +embark on board the galleys. + +Reassuring himself that their presence was unsuspected, the archer +returned to his companions and reported the state of affairs. + +"By St. George, thou hast done a clever thing," said Dick admiringly. +"But for thee we would have been roast meat ere now. But why didst +thou keep us without knowledge of the place so long?" + +"To make thee fight the more lustily," replied Redward bluntly. +"Hadst thou but known that an asylum awaited thee, thou wouldst have +hurried here like a fox to earth, and the Frenchmen, finding the +house still standing, would have discovered us and burned us out. Do +I not speak aright?" + +"Ay, Master Redward! And 'twas as well ye did!" + +"And having, as ye admit, saved your lives, I demand a promise in +return. I require ye to swear, on pain of forfeiting your eternal +salvation, that not a word concerning this place shall pass your lips +to any other living creature. Moreover, if I fail to come out alive, +my son, Raymond, shall have undisputed possession of this place and +its contents, for all I have on this earth is now stored herein." + +In solemn silence each man, save the still unconscious Walter, took +the required oath, kissing the hilt of a sword in confirmation of his +sacred promise. Then, as if a load were lifted off his mind, Redward +again ascended the shaft to resume his observations. + +Slowly the long day passed. The sun was now overhead, yet the +invaders remained inactive, neither advancing into the country nor +returning to their ships. Gradually the fires died out, leaving only +a number of thin columns of smoke, rising into the still sultry air, +to mark what had but lately been a prosperous English village. + +After a while Redward again descended into the vault, his place being +taken by Will Lightfoot. The opening in the hollow tree only +commanded the village and the river, so another hole was laboriously +cut in the trunk so as to look towards Southampton, whence Redward +expected a speedy arrival of the companies then encamped outside the +town. + +An hour later there was a stir amongst the foreign soldiers. A +trumpet sounded, and they stood to arms, forming in a line on the +brow of the hill where Buckland's house formerly stood. + +As there was only room for one person in the treetrunk, Lightfoot had +to announce the movements to his comrades below, and, to their joy, +they heard him cry out that a vast host of armed men was advancing. + +The invaders were unaware of the presence of a large force in the +neighbourhood, and, dismayed by the numbers of their attackers, they +turned and fled in a disorderly mob to their boats. At the same time +the watcher espied the lofty hulls and bellying sails of five English +ships standing down Southampton Water with the intention of cutting +off the three hostile galleys. + +Barely had the boats made a second journey to the galleys with their +load of panic-stricken men than a troop of lances, displaying the +banners of Lord Willoughby and Sir Charles Bassett, came charging +across the undulating ground and through the smouldering street of +the village, sweeping aside all opposition and driving the remnant of +the Genoese and Spaniards into the river. + +It was now high tide, and in the treacherous mud scores of the +miserable wretches died a horrible death, for quarter was neither +asked nor given. A few of those unencumbered by armour succeeded in +swimming off to the galleys, though their companions, with abject +cowardice, thought only of getting to sea, letting many of the +fugitives drown alongside their ships without even throwing a rope to +save them. + +Close at the heels of the lances came a body of mounted archers, who, +on arriving at the shore, dismounted and poured volleys of arrows +into the galleys. Notwithstanding the hail of darts that wrought +havoc amongst the slaves who banked the oars, the three vessels +slipped their cables and stood towards the mouth of the river, +endeavouring to reach Southampton Water before the advancing English +ships should bar their passage. + +The moment had arrived for Buckland and his companions to leave their +underground refuge. Tying three spears together to form a stout +battering ram, they applied one end to the mass of metal and charred +wood that was once a shield, and which formed the door of their +prison. + +With a mighty thrust the obstruction was removed, and through a +smouldering pile of charred timbers emerged the eight men, their +faces disfigured with dried blood and blackened with soot and smoke. +Bevis they left, till, on Redward's suggestion, two of them returned +and brought him up, semi-conscious and weak from the effect of his +wounds. + +At that moment the companies of the Constable of Portchester and the +Constable of Southampton came swinging along, the sun shining on +their arms and accoutrements, while at their head rode Sir John +Hacket and Walter de Brakkeleye, one of the Bailiffs of Southampton. + +"Certes!" exclaimed Sir John, reining in his horse and gazing +open-eyed with astonishment at Redward and his band. "What have we +here?" + +"Sir Knight," replied Redward, raising the hilt of his sword to his +battered headpiece, "here thou dost see all that is left of the six +score inhabitants of Hamble!" And, overcome by the loss of blood from +no less than six wounds, he reeled and fell heavily on his face +before the amazed Constable. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE MEN OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE GENOESE GALLEY + + +HAVING given orders to some of his followers to convey the wounded +men on litters to the shelter of Netley Abbey, the Constable and his +troops resumed their march to the shore, to aid their advance-guard +in the pursuit of the galleys. + +The lances and mounted archers had already galloped along the right +bank of the river towards the Salterns at its mouth; while a body of +men-at-arms crossed the stream by means of the abandoned boats, and +followed the galleys on the other shore. + +As if by magic, the men-at-arms were joined by vast numbers of +countrymen from the neighbouring villages of Hook, Swanwick, +Titchfield, and Stubbington. All of them were tolerably good bowmen, +and from both sides of the stream a well-directed fire of arrows was +maintained on the fugitive vessels. + +The wind, though favourable to the English ships that were rapidly +nearing the scene of action, was too much abeam to enable the galleys +to hoist their sails, and the slaves toiled at the oars to gain the +open water. Thus sped, and with the favouring tide, the vessels +slipped rapidly past the shore. + +Many an anxious eye was turned towards the advancing English ships, +and many an opinion was offered upon the foreigners' chances, for +once they weathered the long mud spit, their sails would be hoisted +and their superior speed would soon bear them out of sight. + +Holding their own, yet scarcely able to reply to the stinging hail of +arrows, the three galleys bore steadily onwards. The foremost, +bearing the red cross of Genoa emblazoned upon its lofty stern, led +the forlorn procession, a Spaniard being second, while in the rear +floundered a French vessel, one of the famous fleet of Sluys, her +sides, like those of her consorts, bristling with English arrows. + +Soon the leading vessel, ill-judging her distance, turned towards the +Solent, hoisting her huge sail, on which flamed the arms of Luigi +Spinola. Shouts of anger and disappointment rose from the English as +they saw the sail drawing, and the hated Genoese cleaving through the +water with increased speed. But their cries quickly turned into a +roar of delight as the galley ran hard and fast upon the treacherous +and unseen mud-bank, her mast going by the board with a resounding +crash! + +In spite of the frantic efforts of the rowers, the crew were unable +to back the long, snake-like hull from the deadly embrace of the mud, +and with the fast falling tide it was evident that the galley was +doomed to capture. + +Taking warning from their consort's misfortune, the other vessels +gave her a wide berth, and, avoiding the mud spit, turned +south-eastward. The Spaniard hoisted her sail with all speed, the +white foam flying from her sharp bows; but the French galley, having +had her halliards cut through by a chance bolt, was soon overhauled +by the Southampton ships. + +In less than five minutes she was boarded on both quarters and +carried, the Frenchmen being either slain or driven overboard, and +the watchers on shore beheld the Cross of St. George hoisted over the +Fleur-de-Lys. A fanfare of trumpets from the conquering vessels +announced that the English mariners had again proved themselves +worthy of their traditions. + +The prize and three of the English ships anchored to await a +favourable tide to bear them back to the town of Southampton, while +the two remaining vessels stood towards the stranded galley of Genoa. +The tide had now left her high and dry, with a slight list towards +the sea, at two hundred paces from the nearest shore. The +deep-draughted English ships could not approach within that distance, +so they were compelled to cast anchor within easy bow-shot. + +Under the terrible cross-fire the galley remained, her crew seeking +shelter from the shower of arrows, not daring to show so much as a +hair above the low bulwarks. + +[Illustration: BOARDING THE GENOESE GALLEY] + +"By our Lady! The rogues lie close," exclaimed the Constable. "'Tis +but a waste of good arrows. And yet we must have at them ere long, +for already the sun is low in the heavens." + +"Once darkness falls they will, of a surety, escape, for with the +next tide they can make across the shallows, where our ships dare not +follow," replied the Bailiff. + +"If I mistake not, they left a mangonel behind them----" + +"Ay; but 'twould take a good five hours to bring it hither." + +Sir John saw the truth of this statement, and puckered his brows in +his perplexity. + +"Craving thy pardon, sir," said a grizzled man-at-arms, standing +within earshot of the two officers, "I know how the galley can be +held till the morrow." + +"How so, sirrah?" demanded the Constable. + +"For over thirty years I was a marshman of Poole----" + +"Forbear to speak of what thou hast been," replied Sir John Hacket +curtly, "and tell us what thou dolt propose to do." + +"As a marshman I know how to walk over this mud. Give me leave, with +five of my comrades, and I'll warrant that the galley will never +float again." + +"How can the man possibly reach the vessel by walking on the mud?" +demanded Lord Willoughby, who at that moment had joined the Constable +in order to confer with him on a plan of action. "Even now two score +or more of the knaves lie swallowed up by the filthy slime." + +"Let him have his way, my Lord," replied the Constable; "and," he +added, addressing the soldier, "get ye gone, and do your work +quickly. A rose-noble apiece shall be your reward if ye succeed." + +The man-at-arms departed, and, with his chosen comrades, crossed the +river and followed the bank till they came as close to the galley as +they could without leaving the firm ground. + +Here they divested themselves of their armour, and, clad in their +leather jerkins, gripping no other weapon but a heavy hammer and a +short iron spike apiece, they looked more like peaceful village +smiths than soldiers setting out on a desperate venture. + +From the rude huts where the Hamble fishermen kept their stores came +a man bearing a dozen square boards, each having four small holes +bored through it with leathern thongs attached. These the +men-at-arms, with the quickness of frequent use, bound to their feet. + +"Are ye ready, comrades?" + +A gruff yet determined assent was given, and the men, walking with +short, ungainly steps, gained the edge of the mud. + +"Now, hark ye," exclaimed their leader, turning to the master-bowman +who commanded the archers, "give the word that the bowmen keep up a +dropping fire to cover our approach. And I pray thee, let no man +shoot who cannot be depended upon, for, little as I reck a shaft in +fair fight, I am not in a mind to be feathered in the back by an +English arrow!" + +The sun was now low down beyond the dark outlines of the New Forest, +shining straight into the eyes of the archers. Nevertheless, they +shot rapidly and well, the arrows making graceful curves as they sped +towards the mark. No sign of life was visible on board the Genoese +ship, as slowly and steadily the six men-at-arms plodded, with their +boards squelching in the liquid mud, towards their goal. + +As they drew near, the covering volleys ceased; but, suspecting a ruse +to draw them from shelter, the Genoese refused to show themselves. +Thus, without opposition, the Englishmen reached the shelter of the +lofty hull of the stranded galley, so that they were protected by her +bulging sides from any missile the enemy might launch overboard. + +Soon the terrified crew were still more panic-stricken by hearing a +succession of dull blows against their ship's side. Lustily swinging +their mauls as well as their precarious foothold would allow, the +Englishmen drove their iron spikes deep into the seams of the doomed +vessel. Oaken tree-nails and iron bolts were unable to stand the +wrench, and in a few moments a gaping hole four ells in length and a +span in breadth proved that the boast of the man-at-arms that the +galley would never again float was an accomplished fact. + +But now the startled crew were lashed into active resistance. Over +the side, lowered by stout ropes, came the figure of a man fully clad +in plate armour--the dreaded Luigi Spinola himself. Though deprived +of the sight of one eye and nearly blind in the other--thanks to +Redward Buckland's reception at the attack on his house--the Genoese +knight could dimly see the forms of his attackers, and that sufficed. + +Before the Englishmen could realise their danger the keen blade of +the Italian had cleft the skull of the nearest. Preventing himself +from turning like a sack at the end of a rope, Spinola stretched out +his left hand to steady himself against the side of the vessel, while +he raised his right arm to repeat the deadly stroke. One of the +men-at-arms seized his opportunity, and floundering in on the +knight's blind side, smashed his gauntleted left hand into a +shapeless mass by a blow from his maul. + +With a roar of agony and fury his arm fell helpless against his side, +his body swung round, and in a moment the heavy hammer again +descended, this time on the visor of the knight's bascinet. With a +groan the Genoese died--literally at the rope's end; and, their work +accomplished, the five Englishmen began their hazardous retreat, +leaving the body of their hapless companion slowly sinking in the +pitiless mire. + +Again the covering flight of arrows sped towards the galley; but, with +the courage of despair, some of the Genoese crossbowmen sprang upon +the towering forecastle and fired at the retreating men-at-arms. One +of the latter fell with a heavy bolt between his shoulder-blades; +another had a shaft completely transfixing his arm, while their +intrepid leader was menaced by two of the best crossbowmen of the +galley. + +By pure chance a stray arrow pierced the brain of one of the Genoese +just as he was about to pull the trigger. As he fell he struck his +companion, whose aim was affected by the sudden jolt, and the quarrel +flew aimlessly over the Englishmen's heads. + +Unable to stand against the arrows of the English bowmen, the +remainder of the Genoese again sought shelter in the waist, and, amid +the cheers of their comrades, the four men-at-arms regained the +shore. + +All that night the English slept on their arms, sentinels being +posted to give the alarm should any of the foemen attempt to leave +their water-logged craft. It was a still, moonless night, and the +time of spring tides, and as the water ran inch by inch over the +waist of the doomed galley, the watchers could distinctly hear the +cries and lamentations, and appeals to the saints, borne on the night +air from the demoralised Crew, as they clustered in frightened groups +upon the raised forecastle and poop. + +At break of day the Englishmen stood at their arms and gazed seaward. +There, in the same place, lay the galley, though sunk a little lower +in the mud, while her sides were covered with seaweed that on the now +falling tide had been caught by the arrows which bristled in her +sides. + +Plenty of provisions were brought in from the countryside for the +English forces, and, seated round roaring fires, for the morning air +was sharp even for the time of year, the archers and men-at-arms ate +and were merry, while the famished and disheartened Genoese, their +stores spoiled by the water in the hold, gazed despairingly on their +implacable enemies. + +The Constable of Portchester and the Bailiff of Southampton crossed +the river about three hours after daybreak, and visited the troops on +the east side of the stream, their arrival being greeted with +acclamation. + +Calling the remnant of the men-at-arms who had so effectually +performed their hazardous task, Sir John Hacket thanked them before +their comrades and bestowed upon them the promised guerdon. + +"We have these Genoese rascals safe enough!" exclaimed the Constable. +"But what do they?" + +At that moment there were signs of activity in the galley. Men were +busily engaged in cutting away the broken mast and its tangled gear +and cordage, while others were seen to be dividing the great sail +into long strips. + +"They mean to stop the leaks by nailing the flaxen cloth over the +outside," replied Walter de Brakkeleye. "Then, perchance, they can +float off on the next tide." + +"But to what purpose?" questioned the knight. "With our two ships +lying in the stream how can they, without mast and sail, hope to +escape?" + +"I know not, Sir Knight, except it be to forestall the end, and they +would close with us." + +"Then, I pray you, make them desist. A score of archers will keep +them in play; in the meantime send mounted messengers along the banks +to order every boat in the river to be sent down without delay!" + +These orders were promptly carried out, and long before the next high +water twenty open boats of all sizes were lying off the Hard, while +the Constable had already summoned the masters of the two Southampton +ships to confer with them on the plan of attack. + +"By St. George!" exclaimed Sir John, "I already see the remnants of +these foreign scoundrels under lock and key in the King's Castle of +Portchester!" + +"Nay, by the Rood!" replied Walter Brakkeleye; "for I have sworn that, +ere to-morrow's sun hath set, the rogues will grace a line of gibbets +outside the Water Gate of Southampton!" + +"Ah, an' ye would flout my authority?" demanded the choleric knight. +"Am I, Constable of Portchester and Governor of the town of +Portsmouth, to be overridden by a mere Bailiff of Southampton?" + +"But the galley now lies in this river, which is within my +bailiwick," retorted Brakkeleye stoutly. "Nay, she lies on the other +side of the low water channel, which, you will accept, is within the +bailiwick of Titchfield. That being so, as Governor I hold authority +over that half of the river." + +The dispute waxed hot, the question of precedence outweighing the +common cause of destroying a national foe. To what length the +disputants would have gone it is impossible to say, but the opportune +arrival of Lord Willoughby and Sir Charles Bassett settled the wordy +strife. + +"'Tis our duty to settle our account with the Genoese," quoth Lord +Willoughby. "And as ye both claim the river and all it contains, +methinks your difference is best settled thus--all the prisoners +taken on this side shall belong to the Bailiff of Southampton; all +those who are taken on yonder side Sir John can hale to the castle of +Portchester. Now be content and sink your differences in a common +cause." + +This they agreed to, little knowing that neither authority would in +the end claim a single Genoese. + +Directly the tide served the boats were filled with men-at-arms and +archers, and a long procession rowed down the stream to carry the +galley by escalade, a mantlet being raised in each boat to protect +the men from any arrows or bolts that might assail them. + +Already the sea was four feet deep over the mud, and the galley, her +waist full of water and her bulwarks awash amidships, resembled two +lofty castles joined by a low wooden wall. + +Grim and determined, though faint with hunger and fatigue, the +Genoese stood to their arms. Knowing that death in some form awaited +them, they preferred to die in the heat of battle to dangling from a +gallows. On the aftercastle, or poop, stood Guido and Andrea Spinola, +brothers of the ill-fated Luigi, with two score men-at-arms and a +number of lightly-armed slaves, though the latter were not to be +relied upon. On the forecastle nearly a like number clustered round +Simon and Chigi Doria, brothers of the famous Rafaele Doria, the +ruler of the State of Genoa. + +On the approach of the English the trumpets blared a note of +defiance, and the noble leaders, drawing their swords, cast their +scabbards into the sea as a sign that they scorned to give or accept +quarter. + +The poop, being nearest the deep water, was the first object of +attack. The English archers fired but one volley, then, casting aside +their bows, drew sword or grasped their hammers and axes and made +ready to spring directly the boats ran alongside the galley. + +A huge stone, thrown from the highest part of the after-castle, came +crashing through the bottom of the first boat, which instantly sank. +Those of her crew who were unable to maintain their foothold on the +submerged boat perished miserably in the mud and water, for those in +the other boats, filled with the mad desire of fight, paid slight +heed to their misfortunes, being only intent on gaining a foothold on +their enemy's decks. + +In a short space the after-part of the galley was surrounded by nine +large boats, while the remaining ten headed for the forecastle, and +with shouts of fury the English strove to effect an entrance. + +The lofty sides and stern rendered their task very difficult and +hazardous, the Genoese striking lustily with sword, axe, and mace +whenever a foeman's head appeared, and it was not until, by Sir John +Hacket's order, a portion of the amidship bulwarks were cut through +and some of the boats floated over the submerged waist, that a living +Englishman stood on the decks of the Genoese. + +Headed by the Constable, a party of men-at-arms carried the poop +ladder by a determined rush and gained the poop. Here they were met +by Guido and Andrea Spinola and some of the best swordsmen amongst +the Genoese, and for a while a fierce struggle ensued, though, +profiting by the diversion, another party of Englishmen secured a +foothold on the stern of the galley. + +Unable to withstand the sweeping blows of the Constable's sword, the +Genoese gave back, two of their number going down with their +headpieces shattered and their skulls cleft to the chin, and Guido +and Andrea alone remained in the van to bar the Englishman's passage. + +With lightning rapidity their blades met, Sir John warding off the +double attack with marvellous skill. Suddenly the elder brother, +putting all his strength into the blow, delivered a mighty stroke +with his heavy sword at the Constable's head. + +Stepping nimbly aside, the knight avoided the deadly sweep of the +weapon, and ere the Italian could recover himself Sir John cut him +through the gorget till the blade met the top of his enemy's +breastplate. + +Guido fell forward, and the Constable, unable to withdraw his weapon +from the corpse, was obliged to relinquish his sword and take to his +mace. With this ponderous instrument of offence Sir John pressed his +antagonist so strongly that the latter could but attempt to guard +himself. At last, with a crashing blow, the Englishman beat down the +defence of the Genoese, shattering his sword and crushing his helmet +like an egg-shell. + +Disheartened by the fall of both their leaders, and pressed before +and behind by increasing numbers, the Genoese retreated till they +gathered in a small ring of steel, surrounded by their incensed +attackers. Fighting to the last, they fell, till none but those +wearing the surcoat of St. George stood upon the after-castle, and +close on five score bodies littered the narrow blood-stained poop. + +By the Constable's order one of his squires displayed his banner, and +this was the signal for a hearty cheer from the crews of the two +Southampton ships and the crowd of armed men on shore. + +But the combat was not yet over. Those of the forecastle still +stoutly resisted, and as yet none of the Southampton men, headed by +the brave and impetuous Walter de Brakkeleye, had gained any +advantage, though, by the Bailiff's order, some of the archers had +rowed a short distance off, firing anew on the Genoese whenever they +attempted to show themselves above the side. + +With the fall of the after-castle, the Genoese were additionally +assailed by the English bowmen, who now held the captured part of the +galley; and, on the arrival of a fresh supply of arrows, the deadly +hail smote the scanty remnant, who strove in vain to seek shelter. + +At length, when no one was left standing upon the forecastle, the +English men-at-arms rushed the hardwon stronghold, mercilessly +killing those who yet remained alive, and casting their bodies +overboard, and the shattered galley was given to the flames. + +Then, with shouts and rejoicings, the soldiers returned to the shore. +The countrymen dispersed to their homes, the two English ships +hoisted sail and made for Southampton, whither Lord Willoughby's +lances had already gone. The Constable of Portchester and the Bailiff +of Southampton marshalled their followers, and marched through the +devastated village towards their camp at Woolston. + +All that was left to mark the raid were the charred remains of what +had been a prosperous hamlet and the blazing timbers of the +once-dreaded galley of Luigi Spinola. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +AT THE ABBEY + + +CALM and peaceful appeared the grey Abbey to the war-worn defenders, +as, carried in litters or supported by the men of the Constable of +Portchester's company, the nine archers passed through the great +gateway. + +The vesper bell had just ceased its tuneful tolling, and in its place +rose the deep, lusty voices of the monks, who, having completed yet +another day of hard manual labour, were uniting once more in prayer +and thanksgiving. + +For awhile, save for the porter, a lay brother of gigantic size and +jovial mien, the secular portions of the Abbey were deserted, but the +arrival of this host of rough soldiers and their wounded charges +contrasted ill with the pious solitude of the place. + +The Cistercian Abbey, founded as the Priory of Saints Mary and Edward +in 1237, was at that time in the zenith of its prosperity. Favoured +by royal charters, the natural zeal of the monks exerted itself to +such an extent that within a few years of its birth the Abbey bade +fair to outshine its parent foundation at Beaulieu, and a large +triple-aisled church, a sumptuous Abbot's house, lofty dormitories, +architecturally perfect cloisters, a number of extensive +outbuildings, and two artificial fish-ponds testified to the work of +these pioneers of civilisation. + +Awed by the solemnity of their surroundings, the soldiers clustered +in small, silent knots, looking around with open-mouthed astonishment +at the unaccustomed beauty of the delicate architecture and listening +to the distant chanting of the monks. + +If an archer dared even to whisper his comrades silenced him by a +look, while, when a man-at-arms dropped his short spear on the tiled +floor, the culprit stooped, picked up the weapon guiltily, and +crossed himself for very shame. + +At length the singing ceased, the doors of the church were thrown +wide open, and out came a long line of grey-gowned monks, walking two +and two with bent heads and downcast eyes, while at the rear of the +procession came the Sub-Prior and the Abbot. The former was a +comfortable-looking, well-fed personage, with a benign countenance +that neither fast nor penance could subdue, while the Abbot, a tall, +gaunt man with wan features, redeemed by a pair of glittering eyes, +looked a man whose natural sternness was increased by the strict +rigidity of a celibate. + +Immediately the soldiers drew themselves up into two lines, looking +straight in front in military style, though as the Abbot passed they +bent their heads to receive his benison, even the wounded, save +Walter Bevis, standing unaided to share in the blessing. + +It was a stirring and picturesque sight. The grey stones of the +arched cloisters, the green patch of grass in the cloister court, and +the still evening quiet were fitting surroundings for a procession of +monks as their sandals clattered on the tiled floor; but the white +surcoats bearing the red cross, the armour and weapons of the +soldiers, and the pallid features of the wounded bespeaking strife +and suffering, presented a strange contrast to the peacefulness of +the Abbey. + +Attended by two novices, the Abbot presently returned, and, learning +the cause of the unusual visit, gave orders for the wounded men to be +taken care of in the Abbey infirmary. He had already learned of the +sack and burning of Hamble, but the deed of Redward Buckland and his +comrades moved him greatly, and he desired to speak with the +master-bowman. + +Redward, his head still bound with a blood-stained bandage, was led +before the Abbot. He had removed his steel cap, and the dying +sunlight played on his thickly-cropped head and heightened the +reddish hue of his beard. The Abbot gave an involuntary start of +recognition, but, composing himself, he asked: + +"How art thou, my son? I see thou art sore hurt." + +"Nay, Father, it is but a scratch." + +"A brave man to speak so lightly of so great a matter. And thou didst +keep the press of enemies back till help arrived?" + +"'Twas also a little matter, seeing we were behind stout walls." + +"And yet, by God's grace, thy valour saved us." + +"Saved you, Father?" + +"Yea, my son. Saved the priory of the blessed Saints Mary and Edward; +for, had ye not been there to bar the way, the Frenchmen would of a +certainty have ravaged our holy retreat." + +"This knowledge is beyond my understanding, yet, the saints be +praised, I was but an instrument to that end." + +"The gratitude of us all is due to you, my son, and if in any way we +can render thee a service, do but ask it. Thou'rt weary; return to thy +friends and rest well." + +The master-bowman bent his head for the Abbot's blessing, then he +turned and hobbled slowly back to join his comrades. + +Great was the astonishment and delight of the monks, on washing the +thick cake of dried blood, slime, and soot from the face of their +youngest patient, to find that it was none other than their late +novice, Raymond, whose wound--a deep cut in his left shoulder--had +been skilfully dressed by the monks, to whom surgery was a special +feature of their work. He was now sleeping peacefully, a draught of +cooling medicine having completely taken away all symptoms of fever. + +Walter Bevis, his leg swathed in bandages, was lying on a pallet, his +eyes rolling and his hands tightly clenched as he strove to suppress +a groan. Already he was in a state of semi-delirium, and in spite of +the constant attention of two of the monks, he strove at intervals to +rise from his couch and fly at some imaginary foe. + +As for the rest, with the exception of Will Lightfoot, who was busily +devouring a platter of soup, they all were sleeping off the effects +of a terrible mental strain. Submitting himself to the hands of two +of the brethren, Redward had his injuries dressed, and was cleansed +from the effects of the fire and battle; then, staggering to a couch, +he lay down and was soon lost in dreamless sleep. + +The sun was high in the heavens ere Buckland awoke, feeling vastly +refreshed and filled with renewed energy. His first inquiry was for +his son and his comrades, then for the latest tidings of the raiders. + +On this latter point he could not be enlightened, save that a mounted +messenger had passed the Abbey that morning without drawing rein. +Though giving no news by word of mouth, the man had shown by a +gesture that the English had been successful, though at that time the +fate of the Genoese galley had not yet been decided. + +One by one the wounded archers began to awaken, till all, save +Raymond and Bevis, were up and about. For some time Redward sat by +his son's bedside, looking anxiously at his pale and pain-racked +features. + +The master-bowman was torn by conflicting emotions. On the one hand +he wanted to be again on the scene of action to revenge himself on +his enemies--for the destruction of his home, and also to take steps +to safeguard his chattels that lay in the underground chamber. On the +other hand, he felt it impossible to tear himself away from his son, +in whose welfare he was so much absorbed, till he was satisfied that +there was no cause for anxiety on his account. + +While deep in this mental debate Redward was summoned by a novice to +proceed to the private apartment of the Abbot. + +Following closely at the heels of his guide, Buckland was ushered +into a room which, in the frigid plainness of its appearance, +differed little from the cells of the ordinary brethren, only it was +larger. + +The stone floor was strewn with rushes, and the walls were bare and +unbroken, save for two narrow lancet windows and the low, +Gothic-arched door by which the archer entered. In the centre of the +room stood a plain oaken table, on which was a small ivory crucifix, +which, together with a number of richly-bound books of illuminated +vellum--the most highly-prized objects within the monastery +walls--gave a fitting setting to the gaunt figure of the stern yet +revered Abbot. Two heavy wooden stools completed the furniture of the +apartment, one of which was for the head of the Abbey himself, the +other for the use of any visitor of equal or higher rank; otherwise, +all who were called into the presence of the Abbot were obliged to +stand, with bent head, patiently waiting to be addressed, and not +daring to speak save when spoken to. + +"Well, my son," quoth the Abbot, after the customary benediction had +been given. "I have a small matter of which I would speak. Raymond, +thy son, was until recently with us as a novice." + +"Yes, Father." + +"But thou didst send for him?" + +"I could not do without him." + +"Yet he was ill spared by us a youth of much promise. Did he not ask +to be allowed to take the vows of chastity and obedience?" + +"Nay, Father." + +"What, then, is in thy mind with regard to his up-bringing?" + +"But two days agone he did ask to go with me to the wars." + +"Alas! Alack!" groaned the Abbot, speaking half to his visitor, half +to himself. "To think that one brought up in the sanctity of this +place should have a mind for the horror of war! It but shows that +men's minds are by nature inclined to strife, and that we must ever +be subduing the desires of malice and hatred, which, though dormant +for years, are too often ready to burst forth with renewed strength. +Ah me! And I did think Raymond was a brand plucked from the burning. +Thinkst thou that 'tis not too late to turn him from his purpose and +bring him into the brotherhood?" + +"Father," replied the master-bowman earnestly, "many a time have I +pondered the matter over in my heart, for he is very dear to me. In +my wanderings I knew him to be in safe keeping in this peaceful +place, yet I look to my son as a tried companion of my old age, for I +have no other kith or kin in the world. To the wars he would go, yet +Heaven forfend that ill should happen to him." + +"But if he wish to stay?" + +"Then he may do so, though as a monk he will be as far from me as +ever." + +"Then he shall be asked, my son. Should he remain with us the Order +profiteth; should he go Franceward, then the saints be with him and +bring him safely home again. But, I ask," he added, fixing his dark +eyes intently on the archer, "when Raymond left us didst thou fetch +him away?" + +"Nay, Father, I----" + +"Then where have I met thee before?" + +For a moment a pallor, quickly succeeded by a deep flush, overspread +the tanned features of the master-bowman, and his mind travelled back +for nigh two score years. Then in quick, short sentences he replied, +telling the story of the tragedy which had darkened his life. + +"Ah! I thought my memory played me not false," returned the Abbot. +"But of that enough! I knew it! And, for an archer, thou art +certainly apt in speech. Canst read?" + +"Yea, Father." + +"And write?" + +"Yea, Father. Many a time have I acted as scrivener to Sir John +Hacket, the Constable of the Castle of Portchester." + +"'Tis well; and rest assured, my son, that, by my holy calling, no +word of thy past shall fall from my lips." + +"And there is another small matter of which I would speak," said +Redward. + +The Abbot frowned, for the archer had taken the initiative, but, +nevertheless, he signed for Redward to continue. + +"When we are gone to the wars," quoth the archer, "'twill be +necessary for me to leave my small belongings in safe keeping, and no +better place can I think of than this Abbey." + +"Think not to turn this holy place into a house of merchandise, my +son!" + +"Nay, Father, not merchandise, but treasure." + +"Treasure?" interrupted the Abbot, his interest kindling. "How say +you?" + +"Ay, a trifle saved from the wreck of my past, together with a little +I have amassed during some twenty years of wandering. Of a surety I +would offer the Abbey a good percentum for the care thereof, together +with the right to retain all profits from its use." + +"My son, thou art generous to Holy Mother Church." + +"Nay, but I go farther. Should aught amiss happen to Raymond or me, +the whole of my worldly goods I leave to the Abbey, without +condition." + +"Then, my son, I accept, in the name of the Order, the charge +confided to us. I will see to it this instant that Brother Aloysius, +our scribe, will draft the agreement thereunto." And going to the +door, the Abbot, his eyes shining at the thought of adding to the +treasury, rang a bell that brought one of the lay servitors hastening +to his presence. + +"Bring Brother Aloysius hither." + +With little loss of time the scrivener arrived, and the agreement was +drawn up and signed. This done, the Abbot dismissed Redward, and, +once more alone, leaned back in his chair with intense satisfaction. + +Keep Raymond within the Abbey, let him take the oaths of the Order, +and all would be well. The Abbey would benefit considerably, for, +once a monk, Raymond would be heirless. On the other hand, should +father and son go to the wars--well, there were chances that they +might not return, and then----. The Abbot sighed, for, in spite of +his pious greed, he chid himself for his momentary satisfaction at +the thought of harm happening to the young man, of whose presence as +a novice he had many pleasing recollections. + +On Redward's return to his son's bedside he found, to his great +delight, that Raymond was awake. + +"How fares it with thee, Raymond?" he asked, taking the lad's limp +hand in his great palm and gently patting it. + +"I feel much better, father, and hope soon to be abroad again." + +"I trust so; but I have something to tell thee. Even now the Abbot has +asked me to let thee stay with him. He himself will ask thee anon." + +"But I do not wish to, father. My one desire is to follow the banner +of the Constable." + +"I like thy pluck, Raymond, seeing what thou hast been through. 'Twas +an ill start for a soldier's life." + +"Yet we came out with honour," replied the boy, his eyes glistening +at the thought of the unequal encounter. "When thinkest thou that we +shall be able to leave this place?" + +"A matter of a few days. For my part, I must hasten back to Hamble to +gather together the remains of my goods and chattels, and also to +ease the dead Frenchman of his harness, for 'tis, a goodly suit of +armour. Also, there is a fair portion of plate and money which I am +leaving in the care of the Abbot. Some day 'twill be thine, Raymond, +but of that matter I'll speak more anon." + +Towards eventide the peacefulness of the Abbey was disturbed by the +tramp of armed men--the victorious troops returning to their camp at +Southampton; and by the Abbot's leave most of the wounded men, with +their escort of archers, passed out of the gate and lined the dusty +road to welcome their rescuers and comrades. Even the monks, carried +away by their feelings, crowded round the gateway to catch a glimpse +of the gallant companies. News of the capture of one galley and the +destruction of the other had already reached them, and enthusiasm ran +high as the bronzed and dust-covered soldiers tramped homewards. + +Redward Buckland knew most of the banners of the various companies, +and imparted his knowledge to his companions, while the archers who +formed their escort cheered lustily as their fellow-soldiers turned +to throw out words of pleasant banter. + +At length the master-bowman gave a loud shout. "Look, comrades, the +company of the Constable of Portchester! See the crescent _or_ on a +field _azure!_" + +Marching four abreast, their white surcoats soiled with mud, water, +and dust, came the Portchester garrison. For, save a few who remained +to hold the castle and the adjacent town of Portsmouth, the whole of +Sir John Hacket's men were with the army now encamped at Woolston, on +the outskirts of Southampton. + +At their head rode the fiery knight, attended by his squires, while +at his bridle-arm, mounted on a white jennet, was Walter de +Brakkeleye, the Bailiff of Southampton, whose men had already passed +by. The two leaders were engaged in animated conversation, all traces +of their bickering on the question of precedence having completely +vanished. + +Suddenly the knight caught sight of the little knot of men outside +the Abbey gate. + +"By the Rood, 'tis my old master-bowman and his party of villagers +who held the Frenchmen at bay!" he exclaimed. "When I sent them to +the Abbey I little thought to see any of them out and about so soon." + +In obedience to an order, the company halted and faced about. Sir +John rode up to the little band, who respectfully saluted him, +following Redward's example in military etiquette. + +"By St. George," said the knight, "'tis hard to do justice to your +bravery; for I have only now had time to ponder over your deeds. But +this I know--had ye not held the rascals in check the countryside +would have been laid bare far more than it is." + +"But," he went on reflectively, "ye are, for the most part, homeless +men; why not serve under my banner? Francewards riches and honour +await you. I'll warrant ye will gain more in one campaign than in a +lifetime in England. Buckland, I have heard, will rejoin my company. +He will be, as before, one of my sub-officers, and if ye come with +him, in his division ye'll be placed. I am loth to lose any of you. +So who's for an archer's life?" + +With one accord Redward's companions signified their eagerness to +follow the yellow crescent, and Sir John's face beamed with delight +at their decision. "Then get ye back to the Abbey till ye be +thoroughly healed of your wounds," he said, "and join the camp as +soon as possible. I thought aright that the taste of fighting would +but whet your appetites." + +"And you, Hubert," he added, addressing one of his squires, "take +this purse and present to the Abbot as a token of my esteem for the +kindly treatment of these men. Also make excuses for me, as the night +draws on apace." + +Then, commanding the archers who had conveyed Redward's party to the +Abbey to fall in with the rest of his company, Sir John gave the +order to march. The column moved onwards, leaving behind it the new +recruits to the banner of the Constable of the King's Castle of +Portchester. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE SACK OF SOUTHAMPTON + + +Two months have elapsed since Redward Buckland and his companions +made their gallant stand against the foreign raiders; Raymond had +developed into a full-fledged archer. Making a rapid recovery from +his wound, the lad, with his seven companions, joined the Constable's +banner at Southampton, whither Redward, having settled his affairs, +had preceded them. + +The badly-wounded Bevis made but slow progress; fighting, he +vehemently declared, was not in his line, so one morning he limped +slowly through the Abbey gateway to make his way back to Hamble, +there to rebuild his cottage and again to ply his calling as a +fisherman. + +Lack of money compelled King Edward III. to remain inactive. A tax on +wool was levied and grudgingly paid, for his subjects, finding that +no great deed of arms was likely to ensue, lacked the enthusiasm that +the glorious victories of later years were bound to create. Thus the +greater part of the huge host was dispersed; many of the troops were +moved to Rye and Winchelsea, others sent back to their own homes, +and, save for a few soldiers, the town of Southampton resumed its +normal appearance. + +By the King's special command, however, a portion of Sir John +Hacket's company was retained at Southampton to man some of the ships +that were to be fitted out against the rovers who still lingered in +the Channel, and thus Raymond found himself quartered in Saint +Barbara's Tower, a small defensive work on the south walls. + +Before dealing with the stirring events that happened in this ancient +and distinguished town, it would be well to briefly describe the +Southampton of the fourteenth century. + +Roughly, the town formed an irregular rectangle, with the +south-western corner rounded off. On the north side the walls were +pierced by the Bargate, and protected by several small towers, with a +larger erection, termed the Polymond Tower, at the northeastern +angle. The eastern side was defended by a wall nearly 800 yards in +length, further protected by twenty-seven half-round towers, and +pierced by the East Gate and two posterns. + +On the south the walls were in a somewhat ruinous condition, though +it ought to have been clear that these were more open to attack. Here +were two entrances--the God's House Tower gate at the southeastern +angle and the Water Gate. Several towers added to the defensive works +at this point, the chief being the God's House Tower, the Watch +Tower, the Square Tower, St. Barbara's Tower, and the Bugle Tower. + +The western face was by far the best protected, the arcaded walls +being of great height, terminating at Catchcold Tower near the +north-western angle. Two large gates--West Gate and Biddlesgate--gave +access to the water-front on the western shore, and in addition were +several posterns, one of which, the Water Gate, led to the courtyard +of the Castle, whose keep, a large circular Norman tower standing on +an artificial mound, dominated the whole town. + +Sunday, the 14th of October, 1338, was a black day in the annals of +Southampton. + +A few days previously more of the troops had been withdrawn, thus +leaving practically only the men of Southampton to guard the town. +Rumours of a large hostile fleet within the sheltered waters of the +Solent caused bodies of men to be hastily dispatched to Lepe, +Lymington, and other neighbouring sea-coast towns, while Sir John +Hacket, hurriedly summoned to Portsmouth on an urgent matter of +defence, had taken the greater part of his company with him. + +Redward's sub-division was amongst those left at Southampton, but he +himself had crossed to Hythe, where he hired a horse and rode to the +town of Lepe to gather tidings of the foemen. Thus there remained of +his party some two score archers and men-at-arms, under the command +of Richard Wyatt, the grizzled old warrior who had recognised his old +comrade Redward at the passage of the Hamble River. + +On this particular Sunday a white mist overspread Southampton. So +dense was the fog that even the oldest inhabitants could not recall +the like. Raymond and his comrades were busily engaged in overhauling +their bows and shafts, for on that afternoon a shooting match had +been arranged between ten men of the Constable's company and ten of +the town guard of Southampton, for displays of archery were then +usual at the close of church service. + +"A pest take the fog!" grumbled the old man-at-arms. "If it does not +lift 'twill be too thick to hold the contest." + +"Even this room is full of it," cried an archer, twanging his +bow-string with his thumb. "Look, this cord is as dead as the giant +Ascupart, whom these Southampton folk brag so much about!" + +"At all events, both parties fare alike. If we but win a groat apiece +the weather can bide--that is, so long as we can see the butts!" + +Just then the bells of St. Michael's and the Maison Dieu struck out +to summon the townspeople to Mass, and soon the streets were teeming +with gaily dressed folk, all hastening to their respective churches, +though to the men in the tower they appeared but ghostly shapes +gliding in the misty air. + +"Who will come with me on to the top of the tower?" asked one of the +archers. "I'd as lief get wet through in the open as perish with cold +in this fog-laden room." + +"I am with thee," replied Raymond. + +"And I--and I," said several voices. + +Ascending a narrow spiral flight of stone steps, the comrades gained +the summit of St. Barbara's Tower. Rearing itself sixty feet above +the ground and thirty feet above the line of battlemented walls, this +building was crowned by a low breastwork, and roofed with large slabs +of stone sufficiently sloping to carry off the rainwater, but at the +same time capable of being walked upon without difficulty. + +"Ha! The mist rises a little!" exclaimed one. "Though 'twill be only +for a time." + +"I can perceive the watch-fire," remarked another, indicating the +dull glow of the burning wood in an open brazier that at night or in +thick weather was always fired on the summit of the Water Gate. + +"Ho! Peterkin--Simon!" shouted a hoarse voice immediately below them. +"Out on ye for scurvy knaves! Hasten and bring oars, or I'll lay my +staff athwart your backs!" + +"'Tis old John Draper, the water-bailiff," remarked one of the +archers. "Some vessel hath found her way up the Water, and he's going +to board her." + +They heard the oars tossed into the boat, and the rasping voice of +the water-bailiff as he descended the stone steps of the quay and +stepped into the boat. Then the sound of oars straining against the +tholepins grew fainter and fainter, till the little craft was lost to +sight and sound in the dense fog. + +Suddenly a piercing shriek, followed by the dull noise of a heavy +splash, fell upon the ears of the archers in the tower. + +"What's that?" inquired one, his indifference changed into alert +activity. + +"Nothing, thick head--except, perhaps, that old Draper hath missed +his foothold and received a ducking!" + +"I like it not," replied the first archer. "There's black devilment +afoot." + +"Thou art ever looking for trouble, Hal. Didst ever----" + +"Nay, methinks he's right," interrupted Will Lightfoot. "Hearken!" + +Leaning over the edge of the parapet the archers strove to ascertain +the meaning of a subdued splashing that every moment grew louder. + +"Oars, comrades, oars! And not a score not two score, either. The +water's _alive_ with them!" + +And now through the mist loomed scores of great indistinct shapes +that only too soon resolved themselves into the outlines of long +galleys, their size magnified by the thick veil of vapour. Before the +astonished archers could realise their danger the huge craft ran +alongside the quay or beached themselves with a grinding crunch on +the gravel of the foreshore abreast the Water Gate, and from them +leaped hordes of armed men, shouting and giving orders in half the +tongues of Southern Europe. + +The surprise was complete. The Water Gate was rushed ere the massive +gates could be closed, and the foe, with the quickness of martial +experience, wedged the grooves of the double portcullis to prevent +the lowering of the heavy iron slides. Into the town they poured, +slaying all who crossed their path, and before the startled +inhabitants, most of whom were still at Mass, could grasp the +situation, close upon five thousand French and Genoese soldiers had +gained possession of the greater part of the town. + +To add to the tumult, the bell over the watchtower began a dismal +tocsin, and continued till a party of soldiers, climbing to the +summit, hurled the devoted bellman crashing down upon the stones +beneath. But other bells took up the warning note, till the Bar Gate, +at the northern end of Southampton, gave a more timely alarm to the +dwellers about the upper part of the town. + +In the meantime the archers of St. Barbara's Tower, lashed into +activity by the orders and example of Dick Wyatt, had closed, barred, +and bolted the great oaken door, and hastily arming themselves, +ascended the tower, where they crouched, arrow on string, behind the +low, battlemented parapet. + +"Methinks 'tis all up with Southampton," exclaimed the grizzled +warrior. "But lie close, and do not loose string till they find us +out." + +"But what can we do?" + +"Very little till the fog lifts. Then it will be seen, which of the +towers still hold out." + +"Have they carried the Castle, think you?" + +"Not if the garrison have had the least warning, and, thank Heaven, +there's enough noise to waken the Seven Sleepers. Hearken!" + +Above the noise of the still disembarking foreign soldiery could be +heard pitiful screams and cries for mercy, as men, women, and +children were cut down indiscriminately by the ruthless foe, while a +distant clash of arms showed that in some quarters of the town the +invaders were meeting with some amount of resistance. + +As if by magic, the mist suddenly rolled away, and the pale October +sun streamed down upon a sight that was but too common in those days. +Two score and ten galleys lay along the sea-front, their prows +touching the shore just as the first high water was beginning to ebb, +while in mid-stream fifty-five heavier vessels rode at anchor. From +this powerful fleet close on twelve thousand Normans, Picards, +Genoese, and Spaniards had landed. + +Already the southern portion of the town, with the exception of St. +Barbara's and God's House Towers, was in their hands. Robert de la +Barre, one of the bailiffs, held the Castle and the West Gate; Walter +de Brakkeleye, the other, lay within Catchcold Tower; while through +the Bar Gate poured a mob of terrified citizens, some of whom fled +hot-foot even as far as Winchester. + +Having made sure of the lower part of the town, the invaders began +their accustomed excesses, plundering and burning in all directions. + +A strong body of Genoese could be seen coming down the road that +followed the inner side of the South Wall. + +"Stand fast, if ye would see to-morrow's sun!" cried the old +man-at-arms warningly. "And do not give any sign till they discover +us: then an arrow for each black heart!" + +On the opposite side of the street, which, for military reasons, was +wider than those away from the walls, was a house of superior quality +to its neighbours. It was a two-storeyed, half-timbered building, +standing in a large extent of ground. Attracted by its more imposing +appearance, three of the marauders stopped and began to batter on the +outer gate with their short, heavy axes. + +"'Tis the house of Sir Reginald Scarsdale," quoth one of the archers, +a Southampton man. "'Tis out of the frying-pan into the fire, I trow, +with him." + +"What dost thou mean?" asked Raymond. + +"Why, this: twice his castle in the county of Yorks hath been burned +by the Scots; so, to keep his womenfolk out of harm's way, he sends +them down here, while he keeps watch and ward at Berwick." + +"His womenfolk?" + +"Ay! His wife, the Lady Hilda, and his daughter, the Lady Audrey. +Pray Heaven they be not in the house!" + +"But they are!" exclaimed another. "I heard from one of their +servants but a few hours back that the old lady was seized with an +ague. And the younger, a sweet little lass, left to the mercies of +those wretches! Alas! And we can do nothing!" + +Raymond's only reply was to compress his lips tightly and clutch the +hilt of his short sword. Carefully he peered over the edge of the +parapet, and looked down on the scene below. + +Already the gate was giving way before the lusty blows of the axes. +Then, throwing his ponderous body against the shattered woodwork, a +burly Genoese burst the remaining fragments with a resounding crash, +and, with wild shouts of triumph, the three plunderers rushed across +the grounds and attacked the door of the house, while the screams of +terrified women rent the air. + +Without a moment's hesitation Raymond seized a coil of rope which was +used for hauling up materials to the top of the tower, and hastily +knotted one end round his body. He looked down. The street was now +clear of any wandering soldiers. Taking his bow and quiver, as well +as his sword, the youth persuaded his comrades to lower him with all +despatch. + +Round and round he spun in his hazardous descent, till, with bleeding +hands and a swimming sensation in his head, Raymond found himself on +the ground. Instantly he unloosed the rope, darted quickly across the +road and gained the outer gateway. + +By this time the inner door had been wrenched open, and the three +Genoese were holding a debate amongst themselves, gesticulating and +talking volubly till it seemed as if a quarrel was likely to ensue. +Finally two entered the house, the third keeping guard outside, +possibly to prevent any fugitive from leaving, or to keep others of +their comrades from sharing in what promised to be a rich haul. + +Raymond saw and seized his chance. The man's back was turned towards +him, yet--the raiders being mere pirates and deserving of no +mercy--without hesitation, the youth drew string, and the next +instant the soldier was lying on his face, his back pierced by an +arrow. + +Guided by the redoubled sound of shrieks, the lad sped across the +ground, grasping his drawn sword in his hand, and ascended the stairs +with quick yet noiseless footsteps. + +At the head of the stairs lay the corpse of an old man, evidently a +servitor, the blood welling in a crimson flood from a gaping wound in +his throat. Without stopping, Raymond sprang over the body and burst +into a room whence the shrieks came with terrifying shrillness. + +There a sight met his gaze that transformed him into a terrible +avenging spirit rather than a human being. On the floor lay an +elderly lady, her eyes rolling in semi-stupor, while the two ruffians +were maltreating a young and beautiful girl, whose age could not have +been more than sixteen. In spite of her furious struggles and +piercing cries the two Genoese were dragging her out of the room, and +her strength was well-nigh exhausted. + +With a loud shout of anger Raymond rushed upon the two men, who were +totally unprepared for any onslaught while engaged in their work of +cruelty and rapine. A strong sweeping blow with his sword and one of +the villains fell lifeless to the ground, but, before the young +archer could strike again, the second turned upon him, and in a +moment both were struggling on the floor in a deadly embrace, the +Genoese, a great lusty fellow, being uppermost. Raymond still +retained his sword, though unable to shorten it, while his enemy +strove to draw a dagger that he wore at his belt. Seeing this the lad +dropped his sword and grasped the other's wrist, while, in turn, +Raymond's arm was gripped to prevent him from drawing his own knife. + +At length the weight of his foeman's body began to tell, and slowly +the breath was forced out of the lad's lungs by the relentless +pressure. Raymond thought that the end was near, his face was turning +black, red lights flashed across his eyes, and, as in a dream, he saw +the Genoese wrench his hand free from the retaining grasp and seize +the hilt of his dagger. + +"Flee!" gasped Raymond, glancing towards the maiden, and he had +steeled himself to receive the expected _coup de grace_, suddenly he +felt his enemy's body grow limp and a flood of hot blood rained upon +his face. + +Struggling to his feet, faint, dazed, and unable for the moment to +realise that it was not his own life's blood, Raymond gazed vacantly +upon the body of his foeman. Then, as his scattered senses began to +return, the youth realised that his miraculous deliverance was due to +the prompt action of the girl to whose aid he had flown; for seeing +how matters were turning, and desperate for her own and her rescuer's +safety, she had possessed herself of the dagger of the slain ruffian +and had plunged it up to the hilt in the neck of the other. + +For the first time Raymond could take notice of the girl. Looking at +her white face, he could see that she was a maiden of quality and +unquestionable beauty. As she stood there, with flashing eyes and the +reeking dagger in her hand, she seemed in the eyes of the young +archer like one of the mythological heroines of whom he had read in +the library of the Abbey. But with the sense of safety came the +inevitable reaction. She dropped the knife, and, falling beside her +mother, burst into tears. + +Raymond, in spite of his inexperience, saw only too clearly that the +elder lady was beyond pain and suffering. + +"Come," he said gently. "We must needs go quickly. Thy mother is--" +He was unable to finish the sentence, but the girl understood. + +"I am ready," she said, in a far-away voice, "but whither shall we +go?" + +Pausing to throw a coverlet over the still form of the lady, Raymond +gave a final glance at the bodies of his late adversaries; then, +taking the girl by the hand, he drew her gently from the room. + +The cool, fresh air revived his scattered wits considerably, so that +he was able to take the necessary precautions to regain St. Barbara's +Tower. Bidding the girl wait behind a thick shrubbery, Raymond looked +cautiously out of the gate. The street seemed to be clear, while his +comrades were alert and waiting his return. + +Calling the girl, he led her quickly across the street; the end of a +rope was thrown down, and hastily the lad looped it round her supple +form. Then at a signal the little garrison pulled up the rope, and +its precious burden was safe within the shelter of St. Barbara's +Tower! + +"Haste thee, boy!" shouted old Dicky Wyatt, the grizzled man-at-arms. +"The French be upon thee!" + +There was not a moment to be lost. The lad seized the end of the rope +as it descended, and hanging on like a jackanapes, was soon dangling +in the air. A party of the enemy were running down the street, and +already a few quarrels and arrows were whistling past his ears or +splintering themselves against the stonework of the tower. Then a +well-directed flight of cloth-yard shafts held the enemy in check, +and aided by willing hands, Raymond was helped over the parapet. + +"A plucky deed," growled Wyatt, "but thou hast sold us, my lad. See, +they have gone to bring re-inforcements to carry the tower by +escalade!" + +"Certes, Raymond," exclaimed an archer, "thou dost look like a +butcher What hast thou been about?" + +"Never mind that: the tale will keep," interrupted the man-at-arms. +"I'll warrant we'll all look worse than that ere long! Here, +Lightfoot! Away with Ye to the kitchen, and see that plenty of water +is put to boil. And you, Ned, fetch an axe and hew off some of this +lead and melt it. Methinks the townsmen of Southampton will not +amerce us with the damage, whether we hold the tower or not!" + +While the preparations for defence were in progress a loud shout from +one of the archers gave warning that the enemy were returning to the +attack, and the two score Englishmen from the height of the tower +looked down upon ten times their number of Picards, Normans, and +Spaniards, to whom the assault on a fortress or the sack of a +defenceless town were looked upon as ordinary occurrences. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +OF THE ASSAULT ON ST. BARBARA'S TOWER + + +WITH fierce cries and menacing gestures the foreigners rushed down +the street, many of them carrying axes and torches, while others bore +a stout beam for the purpose of battering down the door of the tower. +Their archers and crossbowmen, eager to join in the fray, had slung +their bows, and with knives, swords, or short spears in their hands, +surged along in a confused mass with the men-at-arms. + +"Now! Altogether! Loose, my lads!" shouted old Richard, and with the +well-known twang nearly a score of bows sent their missiles crashing +into the armed mob below. + +Many of the advancing foemen fell, transfixed by the deadly shafts, +while those in the rear, pressing blindly forward, stumbled over +those who lay writhing on the ground. When, at length, the foremost +had reached the base of the tower, where they were safe from the +stinging shower, they were met with a stream of molten lead, which, +burning through hauberk and leathern jerkin with equal ease, sent the +assailants reeling back with screams of agony. + +The men bearing the beam were all shot down, and the main body +retiring hastily, in a few moments the street was deserted but for a +number of corpses, and the solitary standing figure of a man in full +armour. Disdaining to turn his back upon the foe, the knight walked +slowly backwards, shaking his ponderous mace in speechless anger, +while the arrows rattled harmlessly off his proof-plate mail. + +"Save your arrows, comrades, and give him a heavy stone or a dose of +hot lead should he approach," said old Wyatt. "Methinks I've seen his +device before. 'Tis Enrico, son of the King of Sicily." + +Just then the prince, his spurred heels tripping on the body of a +man-at-arms, fell prostrate on his back, amid a roar of laughter from +the Englishmen. + +"Now stand by," exclaimed one of the archers, "and directly he moves +a limb, let fly at his armpits or behind his knees!" + +But the Italian was not lacking in cunning, for knowing that the +weight of his armour would effectually prevent his rising, he lay +perfectly quiet, his arms pressed closely to his side, till some +varlets, bearing a heavy mantlet before them, came running up and +lifted their master on his feet. Then, with measured step, the prince +retired out of sight. + +"Ah! As I thought, the rascals have learned a trick or two!" growled +Wyatt, pointing to the Woolhouse Tower, a structure of greater height +than St. Barbara's Tower, and standing less than three hundred paces +distant. + +Abandoned by its garrison at the first alarm, the Woolhouse Tower was +occupied by a strong body of French archers, while an equally +formidable band of crossbowmen took possession of the lofty Woolhouse +hard by, so that a flight of missiles was poured upon the Englishmen +from two different points. + +"Lie down, men; 'tis useless to return their fire!" commanded the +man-at-arms. But before his advice could be acted upon five archers +and two soldiers were hit, one of the latter, his brain pierced by a +bolt, toppling forwards over the parapet, and falling with a +sickening thud upon the wall below. + +"Would it not be well to abandon the roof and seek shelter below?" +inquired one. + +"And give the rascals an easy chance to carry the tower," rejoined +old Wyatt derisively. "Nay, we must hold the flats at all cost. +Quickly, my lads! Bring up everything ye can find that will do to +raise a mantlet! There are plenty of hides in the store, and planks +and poles as well." + +Swiftly the archers fell to work, and in a very short space they had +stretched some stout ox-hides on poles and had raised them above the +parapet. Strengthening their hasty barricade with several heavy +planks, they were soon in comparative security; while through the +narrow space betwixt the top of the battlement and the lower edge of +the hides they could keep up a brisk discharge of arrows upon their +assailants, while the muffled thud of shafts and quarrels striking +upon the loosely hung hides showed both the vehemence of the attack +and the efficacy of the defence. + +The defenders had now time to survey their surroundings; and, to +every one's surprise, the Lady Audrey, calm and self-possessed, was +busily engaged in making bandages for the wounded men. + +"My faith!" exclaimed Dick Wyatt, roughly yet kindly. "'Tis no place +for thee, girl! Away with thee to the room below, and, if nursing be +thy desire, I'll warrant there'll be enough work for thee ere long!" + +Reluctantly, the maiden obeyed; and the wounded archers were taken +below so that their hurts could receive attention, while the +survivors would be less encumbered on the narrow extent of the roof. + +"Stand to it once more!" shouted their leader. "They come again! Now, +Will, be ready with the molten lead and the boiling water!" + +Assailed on three sides at once, the defenders were hard put to it to +keep the attackers in check. In addition to the showers of arrows and +stones, the enemy had gained a lodgment on the town wall, and two +long ladders were placed against the tower, their ends resting or +projecting above the battlements. Up swarmed a number of +heavily-armed men, till the ladders creaked and groaned under their +weight. Harassed by the hail of missiles, and impeded by the curtains +of bulls' hides, the defenders could not repel the assault, and, to +their consternation, the leaders of the attack appeared above the +battlements. + +Once the mailed warriors gained the roof, all would be lost! But at +the critical moment Richard Wyatt, seizing a massive crowbar, +loosened a heavy coping-stone. Then, calling a couple of strong +archers to his aid, the ponderous stone was deftly toppled over the +battlements. Missing the first man, the stone hurled the next two +from their swaying foothold, then, crashing through the woodwork of +the ladder, it fell upon the heads of the men who were supporting +those who had already ascended. + +The ladder cracked and broke, bringing down the other ladder in its +fall, the fragments descending in opposite directions athwart the +wall, where a ghastly litter of woodwork and mangled corpses marked +the failure of the enterprise. + +The man who had first gained the edge of the parapet, feeling the +ladder give beneath him, sprang for the roof; but, encumbered by his +heavy armour, he slipped, and, clinging only by his mailed gauntlets, +he hung dangling over the abyss. + +Through the bars of his visor the defenders could see his eyes +starting from his head in his terror. But it was no time for pity. +With gibes and fierce jests the Englishmen watched his desperate +struggles, till, his fingers growing numb with the strain, he relaxed +his hold and fell, with a hoarse cry, to join the crushed and mangled +bodies of his comrades. + +Carried away by his enthusiasm, old Richard tore aside side the +curtain of hides, and stood upon the parapet to view the scene of his +triumph; but his imprudence cost him dear, fora crossbow bolt struck +him in the side, and he fell backwards into the arms of two of the +archers. + +"Lay me down," he cried feebly. "I am done for at last!" Presently he +added, "Send Raymond to me." + +Quickly the young archer came and knelt beside the dying soldier, +across whose eyes a misty film was already beginning to gather. + +"Raymond," he gasped, "thou'rt but a lad, but thou hast a cool head. +Take charge of the Tower, and yield to no man. If the saints bring ye +out scatheless, tell my master, Sir John, that I did my duty. . . . +And now, Pearce," he added, addressing another of the archers who +crowded around, "thou hast a strong steady hand. Grasp the bolt, I +pray thee, and pluck it out. It would ease and hasten my passing." + +But the archer could not bring himself to hasten the end, in spite of +the faint entreaties of the dying man. Then, by a supreme effort, +Dick Wyatt struggled to his feet and tore out the deadly shaft. A +rush of dark blood followed, and, with a loud cry of "St. George for +England!" the old man-at-arms fell dead. + +The little garrison was now in sore straits. Of the original two +score men nine were killed and twelve grievously wounded, and of the +survivors only eleven were left to guard the roof of the Tower and +eight to man the oylets and windows of the lower storeys. + +At Raymond's suggestion the steel caps of the killed and wounded were +shown above the walls to deceive the enemy as to the strength of the +garrison. Then, leaving two men to keep a sharp look-out, the +remainder of the worn and famished warriors descended into a lower +room to partake of a hasty yet plentiful meal. + +"I would we had a sack or two of quicklime," remarked Raymond to Will +Lightfoot, who had charge of the defence of the lowermost storey. "We +would then give them a warm welcome such as my father did at Hamble." + +Will was evidently thinking. + +"There is very little that will burn," he said at last reflectively. +"They threw in some flaming wood, but, methinks, they had a good +exchange--molten lead is not much to the taste of these rogues!" + +"True, the Tower cannot be fired, but why didst thou mention it?" + +"Because in the cellar are several bundles of straw and hay. I would +counsel that we set them alight and hurl them on the scaling +ladders!" + +"By St. George! A good device!" + +Once more the invaders renewed the assault, and this time ladders +were brought against two opposite sides of the building. But, thanks +to the trusses of flaming straw and hay, the attackers could not +bring themselves to face the hazardous ascent. + +Neither did the attack upon the door at the base of the Tower meet +with better success, for the arrows of the besieged kept the +battering-ram inactive, while those bolder than their fellows who +attacked the door with axes found that, however accustomed they were +to give or receive hard knocks, molten lead and boiling water were +more than they could stand. + +At length night drew on, and, save for an occasional arrow, the +garrison were unmolested. Many of the French and Genoese, having had +their fill of plunder, were busy removing their booty to the galleys. +Others, mad with drink, paraded the streets uttering wild oaths and +strange cries. + +Those houses that had been plundered were set on fire, and, as +darkness fell over the ill-fated town, the glare of fifty burning +buildings illuminated the country for miles around, and served to +lash the surviving inhabitants into a host of desperate and +revengeful defenders of their country's shores. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +ON THE HEELS OF THE ENEMY + + +ALTHOUGH the two bailiffs, Walter de Brakkeleye and Robert de la +Barre, had remained disgracefully inactive within their defences, the +men of Winchester, Romsey, and other neighbouring towns and villages +were massing to aid the men of Southampton, and a large and +well-appointed army had gathered at ready to wrest the pillaged town +from the Bassett, ready to wrest the pillaged town from the invaders +and drive them back to their ships. + +Throughout the night the defenders of St. Barbara's Tower kept +anxious vigil. Of the preparations for their relief they knew +nothing. But hardly had the pale dawn begun to gather in the east +than the foreigners were astir, taking steps to keep the galleys +afloat on the now falling tide, as if they purposed embarking once +more. + +Then, with a crash and a roar, the sound of fighting was heard +towards the centre of the town, and from their elevated position the +sorry remnant of the defenders saw the lances of the English charge +down the High Street, bearing all before them. In other quarters the +invaders, entangled in the narrow streets, were cut off by swarms of +the infuriated inhabitants, who, knowing the peculiarities of their +town, moved with consummate ease, hurling down stones and shooting +arrows from the houses upon their entrapped enemy. + +And now, from the Castle and the West Gate and Catchcold Towers +poured the liberated garrison, eager to avenge their disgrace. Many +were the encounters between the Southampton men and their foes in +this quarter of the town, till, driven back by weight of numbers, the +enemy, who were mostly Genoese, returned slowly past St. Barbara's +Tower, contesting every inch of ground. + +The little band of defenders now occupied themselves by annoying the +retreating Italians with well-directed arrows, while, all danger of +an assault being at an end, the barricades behind the door were +removed so that the garrison could sally out and join their friends. + +Nearer and nearer came the sound of conflict, till Raymond and his +comrades perceived the red-crossed surcoats of the Englishmen +pressing back the discomfited Genoese. At length, unable to withstand +the flanking fire of arrows, the enemy fled past out of bowshot of +the Tower--all save one, whom Raymond recognised as the son of the +King of Sicily. Burning to achieve a further deed of honour, Raymond +threw open the door and rushed out to intercept the mailclad knight, +who, with sweeping strokes of his sword, kept the men-at-arms at a +respectful distance. But the lad was forestalled. A huge countryman, +who had lost his all in the sack of the town, had crept behind the +Prince, and, with a swinging blow of a massive club, smote the +Italian behind the knees. + +With a snarl of rage and pain the Prince fell to the ground, and, +with a shout of triumph, his assailant stood over him with his club +upraised to give the fatal blow. Finding further resistance +impossible, the knight dropped his sword. + +"_Je me rends!_" he exclaimed. "_Je vous donnerai rancon!_" + +"Yea, I know thou art a Francon," thundered the Englishman, +misunderstanding the Prince's appeal for mercy, "and therefore thou +shalt die!" And, notwithstanding a warning shout from Raymond and +several of the Englishmen, the club descended with tremendous force, +and the Italian lay dead upon the ground. + +"I'll trouble thee to mind thy own business, my master!" hissed the +countryman, turning fiercely on Raymond. + +"But he was a gentleman of quality. He surrendered to thee, and he +was worth a heavy ransom!" + +"Ransom, forsooth!" rejoined the man, in a frenzy. "What ransom can +atone for a wife and five children slain? Speak not to me of ransom!" +And, shouldering his club, the man rushed off in pursuit of the +fugitives as they hastened towards the Water Gate. + +Beaten back at every point, the invaders crowded on board their +galleys, and during the embarkation the slaughter was greater; for, +from the walls, as well as from the shore, a heavy fire of arrows was +hailed upon them by the infuriated townsmen. + +At length, with the exception of a few galleys that, caught by the +falling tide, were burned and their crews slaughtered, the hostile +ships withdrew, and, with a steady north-west breeze, bore away down +Southampton Water, leaving behind them a half-burned and pillaged +town--the terrible penalty of unpreparedness! + +After the _melee_ Raymond returned with the remnant of the +Constable's detachment to the Tower they had held so well, and, to +his surprise and delight, found his father awaiting him, though +Redward hardly recognised his son. Stained with his own blood and the +blood of the Genoese, covered with dust and grime from head to foot, +Raymond looked a very different person from the gentle youth of three +months back. + +"By St. Edward of Netley!" exclaimed Redward, "wherever I go, whether +Francewards or otherwise, thou shalt go too; for methinks there is as +much danger in Merrie England as in the land of the Fleur-de-Lys!" + +"But how camest thou here, father?" asked Raymond. "I thought thou +wert at Lepe." + +"Ah, lad! it was there I saw the foemen sail towards Southampton; so I +rode hot-foot to Hythe.[1] There I took a boat--stole it, I fear--and +tried to cross; but in the fog I nearly ran into the thick of the +galleys. Then I knew I was too late; so back to the shore I rowed, +and came round the head of the Water by land. 'Twas a long journey by +Totton, and by the time I reached Millbrook it was daylight, and the +men of Romsey were marching in upon the town." + +By this time Raymond had washed his face and hands, and had brushed +most of the grime from his clothes, having removed his white surcoat +and breastplate. + +"We have had a hot time, father. They pressed us hard. Fourteen men +lie stretched upon the straw, and nine are dead. Poor old Dick Wyatt +is no more." + +"Heaven rest his soul!" exclaimed Redward, piously crossing himself. +"He was a good and true comrade to me through thick and thin, and I +trow 'tis hard to be stricken down almost within sight of home." + +Together father and son ascended the winding stair that led to the +upper rooms. There lay the wounded defenders, carefully tended by the +Lady Audrey. As Raymond entered the room, she looked at him in a +puzzled manner. Then, holding out her hand, she exclaimed: + +"Why, 'tis my gallant preserver! And what a difference a clean face +doth make ye are but a boy, and a handsome one at that!" + +A deep flush overspread the youth's face. Redward, knowing nothing of +the circumstances of her rescue, could but express his astonishment, +and, leaving the pair engaged in eager talk, he ascended to the roof, +where lay the bodies of Richard Wyatt and the other soldiers, each +grim and stern in death. + +From Will Lightfoot he learned most of the particulars of the +defence, including his son's intrepid act of rescue. + +"Ay! Buckland," said Will, "'tis not every archer who hath the good +fortune to rescue a noble lady such as the Lady Audrey Scarsdale!" + +"Scarsdale?" repeated Redward. + +"Ay Scarsdale--daughter of Sir Reginald Scarsdale." + +The master-bowman staggered as if struck by an invisible blow; then, +recovering himself by an effort, asked Lightfoot if there were any +tidings of Sir John Hacket. + +Even Will Lightfoot could not fail to notice the change in Redward's +appearance; but, putting it down to the fearful strain of the fight, +suggested adjourning to partake of refreshment. + +The task of laying to rest the bodies of their comrades was next +proceeded with. Then Raymond, with two of his fellow-archers, entered +the ill-fated house of the Lady Scarsdale, and removed the bodies of +the three Genoese. + +Placing the corpse of the Lady Hilda reverently on a bed, they locked +up the house and gave the keys into the custody of the Sheriff, who, +knowing the Scarsdale family, took the necessary steps to ensure a +fitting burial of the knight's wife, while Lady Audrey was taken care +of by some relatives who resided in another part of Hampshire. + +Early the following morning Sir John Hacket, having assured himself +that the enemy had made for the Channel and were not likely to return +to raid some other coast town, rode into Southampton from Portsmouth, +attended by his squires and a troop of lances and mounted archers. + +Proudly, yet sadly, the stern old knight gazed upon the sorry remnant +of the detachment he had left at Southampton but a week before. + +"By St. George!" he exclaimed, "ye are a credit to me, and the one +bright jewel in the sable field of incompetence and neglect! The King +shall hear of your deeds! Ye see," he added aside to his squires, +"what that ranter, Walter de Brakkeleye, and his co-bailiff, de la +Barre, have done. Had they given more thought to the safe keeping of +the town, instead of bickering, as Brakkeleye did with me respecting +the jurisdiction of his bailiwick, not a house in Southampton would +have been touched by foreign foemen, not one of the townsfolk harmed. +Should the King think fit to hang them on the battlements 'twould be +but their deserts!" + +"And now," he continued, addressing the archers, "I will take care +that bravery hath its reward. Another penny a day shall be added to +your pay, and, as for Raymond Buckland, who, I am told, undertook the +defence after my trusted Wyatt's death, from this time forth he shall +be one of my squires! Let him but acquit himself as he hath done +since he hath been in my company, and he will be on the road to win a +pair of gilded spurs!" + + +[1] Not, of course, the well-known coast town in Kent, but the +ancient villae of that name on the New Forest side of Southampton +Water. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +FATHER AND SON SET OUT FOR HENNEBON + + +NEARLY four years have elapsed since the events recorded in the last +chapter--years full of national interest. The naval battle of Sluy's +had been fought and won, and for the time the English fleet ruled the +Channel, so that scarce a French or Spanish vessel dared to show +itself betwixt Ushant and Cape Grisnez. + +After the siege of Tournay, a treaty had been concluded between King +Edward III. and Philip of France, but the former was ever on the +alert to seize a favourable opportunity of renewing hostilities, and +late in 1341 an incident occurred that gave the King the excuse to +prosecute the war once more--a step that led to the glorious victory +at Crecy and the overrunning of nearly the whole of France by the +victorious arms of England. + +The Duchy of Brittany was disputed between John of Montfort and +Charles of Blois, and, while the latter was pressing his claims at +the French Court, Montfort, by force or intrigue, had acquired the +fortresses of Rennes, Nantes, Brest, and Hennebon; and in order to +obtain a powerful supporter he had journeyed to England and concluded +an offensive and defensive alliance with King Edward, at the same +time offering to do him homage for the Duchy of Brittany. + +Keeping this treaty a deep secret, Montfort did not hesitate to +return to Paris to defend his case, but realising that the French +King did not favour him, and fearing violence at his hands, the Earl +retired to Brittany and declared war against the Count of Blois. + +Philip sent his son, the Duke of Normandy, with a powerful force to +aid Charles of Blois, and Montfort, after sending urgent requests for +assistance to the King of England, shut himself up in Nantes, which +was immediately besieged by the French. + +By the treachery of the inhabitants Nantes fell, and Montfort, taken +prisoner, was hurried to Paris, where he was loaded with chains and +thrown into a loathsome dungeon in the Louvre. + +But, though low, the fortunes of the Montforts were destined to +recover. The cause was taken up by the Countess Joan of Montfort, the +heroic wife of the imprisoned Earl, and being loyally supported by +the Bretons, she withdrew her forces to the town of Hennebon, where +she awaited the onslaught of the French, trusting in the expected aid +from England. + +* * * * * + +But to return to Raymond Buckland and his adventures. As squire to +Sir John Hacket, the Constable of the King's Castle of Portchester, +he was now a member of the knight's household, spending the greater +part of his time within the grey walls of the fortress. + +Four years had made a great change in Raymond's appearance. He was +now a youth of twenty, tall and well built. Thanks to his +surroundings, he was skilled in the arts of warfare, and few could +withstand him at the jousts and spear-runnings that were frequently +held in the extensive grass-grown square that formed the outer bailey +of the castle. Moreover, his monkish training admirably fitted him +for the more clerkly duties that fell to him, and by his diligence, +intelligence, and courage he was held in high esteem by the fiery old +knight. + +Redward, too, for his tried devotion and experience was made head +master-bowman of the Constable's company, and, when occasion served, +Sir John was not above asking his advice in the ordering of the +castle and its defences. + +But over Raymond hung a dark cloud of perplexity. The image of the +fair Lady Audrey was ever present in his mind, and, encouraged by the +Constable's prediction that in due course he might be entitled to +wear the gilded spurs of knighthood, his hopes ran high of one day +being in a position to win the maiden's heart and hand. But to his +unbounded surprise, Raymond found that his father was tacitly opposed +to this, his dearest wish. With difficulty Redward had been persuaded +to allow the young squire to wait upon Sir Reginald Scarsdale, when +that knight wished to thank him for his services. Any mention of the +name of Scarsdale served to plunge the master-bow-man into moodiness +and silence, and any question that the lad put to his sire on the +subject was turned in a way that puzzled Raymond in no small degree. + +One day an event happened that was to transfer the lad from the +pleasant life of ease at the castle to a far more active and +dangerous sphere. + +How well Raymond remembered it in after years. That morning he and +another squire had mounted the four-storeyed Norman keep, and from +the battlements looked down upon the scene below. It was a striking +picture; the keep stood at the north-west-angle of the huge fortified +enclosure. Immediately beneath the east and south faces of the donjon +lay the inner bailey. In the far corner of the outer bailey stood the +church, and close by was the water-gate, at which lay the Constable's +state barge. Away to the south stretched the wide expanse of +Portsmouth Harbour, its waters dotted with the sails of highsided +cogs and other merchant vessels, as they threaded their way up the +sinuous deep-water channels that led to the castle. + +Immediately opposite the water-gate was the landport, or gateway +giving access to the castle from the land. The lads could follow the +line of the dusty road as it passed through the little village, swept +round the head of the harbour, and eventually was lost in the +distance as it ran towards the City of London. + +"Look, Raymond," exclaimed his companion, a Hampshire lad named +Oswald Mant. "A horseman approaches, and, my faith, he does not spare +his steed!" + +"'Tis not one of the company?" + +"Nay, look at the livery--murrey slashed with green--he is of the +household of Sir John Chandos." + +"Then something of importance hath taken place. I would 'twere good +tidings from France!" + +Leaving a dense white cloud of chalky dust behind him, the messenger +clattered down the road, pulled up for a moment at the outer gateway +to reply to the challenge of the guard, then spurred madly across the +courtyard to the foot of the steps leading to the keep. Here a page +ran forward to hold his horse, and, throwing himself wearily from the +saddle, the rider staggered up the steps and disappeared under a low +archway that gave access to the Constable's quarters. + +An hour passed ere the messenger reappeared, and, after draining a +cup of wine, he remounted and spurred his horse on his homeward +journey. + +While the two squires were debating over the matter, a page sought +them, summoning Raymond to instantly repair to Sir John's apartment. + +With beating heart, as if anticipating some good fortune, Raymond +followed the page, and was ushered into the Constable's presence, +where he found that Redward was already before him. It was a long, +narrow room, lighted with lancet windows and hung with rich arras. At +one end was a heavy table littered with papers and plans, and, for +the nonce, unmindful of the dignity of his position, Sir John was +sitting on its edge, swinging one leg, with the air of a man who is +occupied by a perplexing problem. + +Directly the page had retired, the Constable signed to Redward to +draw a thick hanging over the door. + +"Raymond," quoth he, "the King hath done us a signal honour. A +messenger hath arrived with orders for me to send a trusty squire to +the Countess of Montfort, who, as ye know, is beleaguere in Hennebon. +'Twill be a grave and hazardous task, yet withal one of great honour. +To my mind, I cannot name a more promising messenger than thee. Art +willing to take the risk?" + +"To have a chance to distinguish myself in the King's service is my +ardent desire, sir!" + +"'Tis well. Now listen. Hennebon is on the sea coast of Brittany, +betwixt the great River Loire and the town of Brest. As the foemen +lie thick around it, and have also, I doubt not, a strong +water-guard, 'tis a matter of stratagem rather than open work. But, +in any case, this packet must be delivered into the hands of the +Countess at all costs--at all costs, I repeat. I give thee a free +hand in the matter. Take what men thou dost deem fit--though, +methinks, the smaller the party the more chance of success." + +"Methinks my father will be sufficient company for me, sir." + +"Ah! as I thought. Thou hast chosen wisely. Now take this map and +mark it well--'tis by the hand of the King's own guide--and get you +gone to prepare for thy journey, for to-morrow morn a stout little +craft will lie off the water-gate ready to bear thee over the sea." + +Overjoyed at the prospects of such an adventure Raymond withdrew, and +consulted with his father on the best means of getting through the +cordon that was drawn round the beleaguered town. + +As night drew on, father and son repaired to the little church within +the walls, and for seven long hours kept an earnest vigil before the +altar, praying fervently for the success of their enterprise, and +invoking the protection of their patron saints against the perils of +land and sea. Then, as daylight dawned, they arose, weary and stiff, +to partake of food and drink ere embarking. + +Tidings of their mission had already spread throughout the garrison +of the castle, and when, accompanied by the Constable himself, the +two travellers made their way to the water-gate, a large concourse of +soldiers and members of the household flocked behind them to cheer +them on their way and to wish them God-speed. + +Riding easily at her hempen cable, on the first of the ebb tide, lay +the staunch vessel that was to carry them across the Channel. On her +stern were engraved the words _Les Trois Freres de Guernesey_, +showing her to be one of the Channel Islands boats, whose crew, brave +and hardy fishermen, were the best pilots obtainable. + +They were, in fact, the only vessels that in those days were capable +of making any pretence of sailing into the wind, and even then only, +in nautical language, "full and bye." The usual type of ships, with +their huge square sail, could only run before the breeze. + +The skiff of _Les Trois Freres_ was waiting at the little Hard, and +the farewells were quickly said. The precious despatch was sewn in +the hem of Raymond's jerkin, and once again the stern old knight +impressed upon his squire the necessity of the utmost caution. Then +he extended his hand to the lad. + +"God be with thee, and bring thee safely home again. I would be loth +to lose so promising a lad!" exclaimed Sir John. + +"Thanks for thy good wishes, fair sir," replied Raymond. "And should +I not return," he added, with a faint catch in his voice which, in +spite of his stout heart, he was unable to conceal, "I pray you send +this packet to the lady whose superscription appears hereon." And, +thrusting into the knight's hand a bulky missive, Raymond turned +quickly on his heel, to hide his rising colour, and stepped into the +skiff. + +The Constable watched the Guernsey bark hoist her sails, and waited +till she was well on her way down towards the harbour's mouth; then +he returned slowly towards his quarters. + +Glancing at the packet, he deciphered with difficulty the +superscription, written in a scrawling hand: "To ye richt +worshippefulle Ladye Audrey Scarsdale." + +"Heaven bless the lad," he mused. "Certes I am of a mind to forward +this missive whether he returns or not!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE CHIRURGEON OF LEGUE + + +WITH a powerful following wind, _Les Trois Freres_ made a rapid +passage down the harbour, and, before Raymond fully realised the +fact, the little vessel was lifting to the gentle heave of the +Channel. + +By midday the chalk cliffs of the Isle of Wight were all that was +visible of the shores of England, and, though a careful watch was +kept for hostile ships, not a sail was to be seen on the wide expanse +of water. + +The master, Pierre de la Corbiere, was a huge-limbed, swarthy +Guernseyman, who spoke in a guttural patois that was almost +unintelligible to the young squire, though Redward, to whom most of +the dialects of France were familiar, could make himself understood +with comparative ease. + +Nine men and a boy composed the crew, a large one for so small a +craft; but the perils of war, added to the dangers of the sea, were a +sufficient excuse for their numbers. Each man, picturesquely clothed +and wearing silver earrings, was a trained pilot, and most of them +had served in that capacity on board the ships that had on past +occasions taken the King and his troops to France and Flanders. All +of them carried short daggers or knives in their belts, while a large +chest, lashed to ringbolts in the deck, contained a good supply of +swords and axes. + +"If this wind lasts," remarked the master, "we shall sight Cap de la +Hogue within a couple of hours. Whither would ye land, good sir?" + +"Nay, I know not," replied Redward. "And, moreover, I care not, so +long as it be not too close to the town." + +"There are the ports of Quimper, Doualan, Auray, and Morbihan," said +Pierre, counting them on his fingers. "All of easy distance from +Hennebon--though, perchance, we may receive a rough handling when we +arrive. Ma foi! And the passage of the Chenal du Four 'Twould be +quicker and safer to run into St. Brieuc." + +"St. Brieuc!" exclaimed Redward, referring to a very rough plan. +"Why, 'tis at least twenty leagues from the town to which we +journey." + +"Twenty leagues by land, as ye say," replied the Guernseyman +doggedly. "But if 'tis a question of time, commend me to St. Brieuc, +for if we lose the wind or have a contrary wind off Ushant, it may +mean a week's buffeting in the Chenal du Four, with a score of reefs +and unseen rocks on each side of us." + +"As ye will, then," assented Redward; and he moved away to tell +Raymond of the alteration of their plans. + +But the young squire was in no fit mood to be informed. The long, +swinging motion and the heat of the sun had done their work, and he +lay prone on the deck in the miseries of sea-sickness. Knowing that +any attempt at consolation would only aggravate the malady, the +master-bowman turned away, and, leaning against the low bulwarks, +gazed intently towards the still invisible French coast. + +Late in the afternoon the grey cliffs of La Hogue and the dark +outline of the Isle of Aurigny were sighted; but just before sundown +the wind died utterly away, leaving the little craft wallowing +heavily in the long swell, her sail flapping idly against the mast. + +The sky, hitherto clear and cloudless, was now overcast, and away +towards the southward a succession of flashes of lightning betokened +an approaching storm. + +Even Pierre de la Corbiere, bold fisherman as he was, looked anxious, +for the vessel was now beginning to feel the influence of the +dreadful Race of Alderney, and, with a lack of wind and a dark night +to boot, the terrors of the Race were considerably magnified. + +About midnight they were in the thick of it. A slight breeze had +sprung up, but barely sufficient to give the boat steerage-way. All +around were tremendous broken waves, and, although Pierre stood +gripping the tiller in an endeavour to avoid the heaviest breakers, +the boat was urged onwards through the Race at the rate that a horse +would trot, her mast threatening to snap under the irregular action +of the vicious cross seas. + +Throughout the tumult Raymond lay like a log, utterly unmindful of +the danger, his illness having completely overcome him. His father +took the precaution to lash him to the mast, and throughout that +fearful night Redward remained by his side, making endless vows to +the saints, which he heartily meant to fulfil should they ever again +reach dry land. + +Fortunately the threatened storm passed away, and as daylight broke +_Les Trois Freres_ was beyond the influence of the Race, Guernsey and +its attendant islands, Sark and Herm, being plainly visible. + +With a skill acquired by long years of experience, the Guernseyman +steered his craft between the islands, taking advantage of every +current that would help to bear them south, and, before the sun was +high, the Island of Jersey was abeam. The waters, too, were dotted +with the sails of fishing boats, forming a pleasing contrast to the +dreary waste of water they had traversed on the previous day. + +Worn out and faint from the effect of his long fast, Raymond sat up +and looked around, as if unable to bring himself to recall his +surroundings; but after a scanty meal of dry bread and water, he felt +the giddiness leave him, and with an effort he stood on his feet, +gripping his father tightly for fear of falling. + +"Where are we?" he asked dejectedly. + +"Nearly there," replied Redward. "A sailorman thou'lt be some day, +but beshrew me if thou lookest like one now! An hour ashore will make +all the difference; but rest awhile, my son, for there's work enow +ere long for both of us." + +Late in the afternoon _Les Trois Freres_ entered St. Brieuc Bay, the +high ground showing up distinctly, while far away they could discern +the lofty Bretagne hills, that lay between them and their +destination; and, just as the sun was sinking low behind the Brittany +coast, the little craft brought up under the shadow of the gloomy +castle of Cesson. + +Redward and the master conferred long and anxiously on the subject of +how to gain the shore without observation, but at length a light +dawned upon the dull mind of the Guernseyman. + +"Thou hast said well," he remarked. "Of a truth we cannot make sure +whether they of St. Brieuc are for the Countess of Montfort or +against her. And none of us wishes to put his head into the wolf's +mouth. But I know of a man--a foster-brother of mine--at whose house +ye could stay until the way is clear for ye to journey across +country. He dwells at Legue, but a mile from St. Brieuc, and I will +go ashore and converse with him." + +Silently and in the now black night the little skiff was lowered, and +Pierre de la Corbiere was rowed ashore by two of his men. + +For nearly two hours Redward and the young squire remained on board, +anxiously listening for the sound of oars, till at length the little +boat shot noiselessly alongside, and the master sprang upon the deck. + +"'Tis easily done, though they of Blois hold the town," he exclaimed +breathlessly. "Raoul de Rohein, of whom I spoke, is willing to +receive you, for which service he demands five sols. He is a barber +and chirurgeon, and lives in the Rue Mortbec. Hasten, ere it be +light, for we must leave on top o' the tide." + +Once more the skiff, deeply laden, started for the shore. Raymond, in +his light armour, had discarded his surcoat with the conspicuous +cross of St. George, Redward in his harness could hardly be +distinguished from a Breton, and could rely upon his knowledge of the +French tongue to pass for a Gascon, or a Burgundian, as occasion +served. With them went Pierre de la Corbiere and a sailor, both of +whom rowed while the squire and his father sat in the stern-sheets. + +Half-an-hour's steady pulling and the skiff grounded on the sandy +shore. Silently the three disembarked, leaving the seaman to look +after the boat, and quickly they made their way towards the house of +refuge. + +Suddenly the master stopped. "_Mon Dieu_," he exclaimed, "_c'est les +gardes!_" + +Coming straight towards them was a body of halberdiers, accompanied +by an officer. Retreat, without arousing suspicion, was impossible; +but in a few words the ever-resourceful Redward had devised a plan. +Raymond lay down in the road, his father lifted him by the shoulders +while Pierre took him by the feet, and, staggering under their heavy +burden, they advanced to meet the watch. + +"_Halte! Qui v'la?_" demanded the officer, flashing a lantern upon +the trio. + +"'Tis le Sieur d'Erqui, Monsieur," replied the Guernseyman, speaking +in a patois which is common between the Bretons and the Channel +Islanders. "He has been roystering and brawling, and has been sore +hurt." + +"One cannot put old heads on young shoulders," remarked the officer, +with a deprecating shrug. "What folly hash he been at?" + +"I cannot say, monsieur." + +"Eh, bien! All the wine-shops will have the tale to-morrow! _En +avant, mes enfants!_" he added to his men, and to the great relief of +Raymond and his companions the watch shouldered their halberts and +moved on towards St. Brieuc. + +"A narrow escape," exclaimed Pierre, crossing himself. "If we were +discovered, three against seven would be long odds." + +"I've been in a worse fix before to-day," replied Redward sturdily. +"And we could have taken them by surprise." + +"Nevertheless, fighting is not in my line--on land, at least--and I +am thankful it did not come to blows." + +At length they arrived at a narrow street, where storeys of the +houses projected beyond those below, till the uppermost ones appeared +almost to meet, shutting out even the dim gloom of the now +starlit-sky. + +With the air of a man who feels certain of his ground Pierre strode +rapidly ahead, the others following closely at his heels. Presently +he stopped outside a house, and drawing his dagger, struck lightly +upon the door with the hilt. After a few seconds' delay they heard +the sound of some one moving within, and the door was carefully +unbarred and thrown open. + +Pierre whispered a few words to the occupant, then, bidding his +former passengers farewell, he turned on his heel and walked swiftly +and silently towards the shore. + +The Englishmen followed their host into a low, ill-lighted room, and +for the first time they were able to see what manner of man he was. + +A misshapen, undersized body, surmounted by a lean, yellow-skinned +face, and furnished with a pair of long arms, the hands of which, +shaking as if with ague, resembled the claws of a bird, formed the +outward appearance of the barber and chirurgeon of Legue; and Raymond +could not repress a shudder as he gazed upon this caricature of a +human being. + +"Ye are for Hennebon?" he asked in a quavering tone, rolling his +lustreless eyes from one to the other. + +"Ay," replied Redward, "but how, by Saint Gregoire of Brittany, didst +thou know?" + +"The shipman, my foster-brother, hath told me. But the money, the +money?" he added, opening his withered hand. + +"A curse on the shipman," growled Redward to himself, "his tongue +will be our undoing. Here, take this," he added, counting out a sum +of money equivalent to the five sols demanded. "Canst furnish us with +a horse apiece?" + +Ignoring the question, the barber counted the pieces, putting each +coin between his toothless gums, as if doubtful of their quality. + +"Didst hear me--respecting the use of two horses?" demanded Redward +sternly. + +"Yea, noble master," replied the barber. "But there are none to be +had." + +"None?" + +"None! They have all been seized by those of Blois till the affair is +over. Therefore, by necessity, ye must go afoot--and the roads are +very unsafe for travellers at present, especially Englishmen bound +for Hennebon!" + +"A pest on your words! What would ye have us do?" + +The old man advanced a step, peering with his bleared eyes into the +face of the master-bowman. + +"For money there is much to be had!" he croaked, a sardonic smile +overspreading his withered face, while his long fingers clawed +invisible heaps of gold. + +"Out on thee for an arrant cheat! Give thy plan and name the price." + +Slowly and deliberately, his voice hardly above a whisper, the Breton +replied: "Did it ever occur to thy noble self that the dress of a +leper would make the best protection?" + +Redward recoiled, in spite of his hardened nerves, for sufferers from +that loathsome and incurable disease were far from rare in Western +Europe in those days. In France they were compelled by law to wear +long grey gowns and hoods, and to carry a "barillet," or rattle, to +give due warning of their approach. Under severe penalties they were +forbidden to remain in the larger cities and towns, or to beg or use +their rattle for the purpose of exciting pity. Thus it was common to +see them wandering over the countryside in pairs, their approach +being the signal for other wayfarers to pass them at a safe +distance.[1] + +"But the dress?" asked Redward. + +"That is easily to be had. I have a stock of them in this house. And +the price----" + +"They have not been used?" interrupted the master-bowman anxiously. + +"Certainly not, monsieur," replied the barber, with a hideous leer. +"'Twould be impossible. But the price I ask--and they be of good +quality--is but one livre, five sols--quite a small sum for a wealthy +gentleman like monsieur!" + +At that moment a loud rapping was heard. The squire and his father +sprang up, and, suspecting danger, their hands flew to their +sword-hilts. + +With a motion of his hand, their host indicated that they should hide +behind a heavy curtain; then, taking a torch from its socket, he made +towards the door. + +After considerable parleying the nocturnal visitor was admitted, and, +through a small hole in the mouldy curtain, Redward could see him +without risk. That he was a man of quality was apparent by the long +furred gown he wore; and further, by the length of the garment and +its rich violet colour, and the mortier or silk cap, ornamented with +Valenciennes lace, worn instead of the hat affected by the bourgeois, +his rank was of importance. + +"Art thou Raoul de Rohein, the chirurgeon?" he asked, in a lisping +voice, flourishing a musk-perfumed handkerchief as if to ward off the +hideous shape before him. + +"At thy service, my lord--barber, chirurgeon, apothecary, having been +duly examined and licensed by the great John Pitart, surgeon of the +Chatelet of Paris." + +"'Tis well! I am the Sieur d'Erqui, and I am bound for the army of +Charles of Blois, that lieth before Hennebon. In camps one has always +the fear of plague. Therefore, believing that forewarned is +forearmed, I come to thee for a remedy or, rather, a +preventative--'gainst the fell disorder." + +"I have the very thing, monsieur! But five sols nine deniers the +box--the nine deniers being devoted to the funds of the hospital of +St. Brieuc, _bien entendu!_ By the holy St. Mark, the very thing! A +mixture of sulphur, viper's cake, powder of pearls, confection of +hyacinth, and an extract of the juice of _scorsonera_, all prepared +according to the recipe of the learned John Pitart, and made into +tablets covered with gold foil. One drachm three times a week, in the +morning, is the dose, monsieur, and if exposed to the infection two +drachms before going to bed!" + +"And is that all?" inquired the Sieur anxiously, as if the presence +of the barber was a presage of the plague. + +"Nay, of thine own ordering there is much to be done. I perceive that +monsieur carries the perfume of musk about with him. That is wrong. +Instead, let him take a citron pricked with cloves. Never walk out +fasting, neither drink wine immoderately; and, in the case of +immediate danger, take a little theriaque; and I'll warrant Erqui +will welcome its Sieur home in due course. And the fee, monsieur, is, +as I said, seven sols nine deniers." + +"But now thou didst ask five sols and nine deniers!" + +"Two sols in addition for the advice--excellent advice, monsieur. +_Merci, monsieur, et bon voyage!_" + +The Sieur had gone, and Raymond and his father came from their +hiding-place. Redward explained to his son, in a few words, the +nature of their disguise. Once again the talon-like hand of the +miserly Raoul closed over the money, and away he went to look for the +required garments. + +In a few moments he returned. The Englishmen donned the repulsive +insignia of the leper, and took the barillets in their hands. The +barber again unfastened the door and listened intently for any sound. +There was none. + +"Take the road through the village; it leads to Pontivy. There, +perchance, ye may find horses. Fare ye well!" + +And, passing out into the darkness of the night, the Englishmen began +their long journey afoot, stealing silently through the almost +deserted streets towards the frowning hills of Brittany. + + +[1] It was not until thirty years later that the hospitals of St. +Lazare and St. Germain were founded in Paris for the relief of these +unfortunate sufferers. On systematic steps being taken to deal with +the malady, the number of its victims quickly diminished; till the +scourge was practically wiped out. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE JOURNEY PERILOUS + + +LONG before the grey morn began to dawn Redward and his son had +covered a couple of leagues, and were at the foot of a long range of +hills. Slowly they began the ascent, and, ere the summit was reached, +the light was sufficient for them to see their grotesque and horrible +garb. + +"A safe disguise," exclaimed Raymond, "yet right glad will I be when +we can doff these garments." + +"A safe disguise enough, should the barber not play us false," +replied his father. "I liked not his looks, though I trow he is in +no ways to blame for the cut of his face." + +"But dost think that he will play us false?" + +"'Tis not unlikely; so the more leagues we place between us and St. +Brieuc the better. Canst get at thy sword-hilt?" + +"Not easily. Wherefore dost thou ask?" + +"Danger might come apace and at any time. See, I have cut a slit in +my gown so that I can grasp my sword without delay. I pray thee do +likewise." + +On the brow of the first hill was a long farmstead, sheltered more or +less by a clump of stunted pinetrees. Behind the house was an +orchard, its branches laden with fruit, while amongst the trees were +several cows, their heads tethered to their forefeet, after the +manner of those parts, so that the animals could not tear down the +branches of the fruit-trees. + +"A sight to gladden the eyes of an old campaigner!" exclaimed the +master-bowman, and, taking his steel cap from beneath his cowl, he +stole cautiously towards the cattle, Raymond waiting behind a +sheltering tree. + +With the deftness born of old experience Redward did his work, and +soon returned with his casque filled to the brim with warm milk. +Having drunk their fill, the travellers helped themselves to a +bounteous supply of fruit, and proceeded on their way, the fruit, +together with some dry bread they had brought with them, making a +passable breakfast. + +At the bottom of the hill they entered a small village. Although +still early, most of the inhabitants were astir, and the Englishmen +had their first experience of the efficacy of their disguise. For +directly they rattled their barillets the villagers ran hither and +thither to avoid the supposed sufferers, save a horseman and an old +woman. The former passed them at a distance of a few paces, throwing +them a couple of deniers. With his usual presence of mind Redward +stooped, picked up the coins, and louted to the donor. The woman +threw them a rusk loaf, and this was caught and quickly concealed +beneath the sheltering cloaks. + +Once clear of the village they mended their pace, and, with the +exception of a pair of shepherds, and a peasant clattering along in +his heavy sabots, not a soul did they meet till close on midday, when +the travellers arrived at a cross-road, where the monotony of the +outlook was broken by four avenues of trees. + +"I would fain have rested here awhile," exclaimed Redward. "But with +that for company methinks we shall do better if we get about a +bow-shot further on!" + +"A corpse?" + +"Ay, lad; a malefactor hanged close to the scene of his crime. See, +already the crows have begun their work." + +With averted heads the twain passed the gallows; but on giving a +glance down the cross-road they saw a sight that filled them with +misgiving, for plodding wearily along were two figures dressed like +themselves! + +"Lepers, indeed!" exclaimed Redward. "My faith, they would bear us +company." + +Waving their arms to attract and arrest their supposed +fellow-sufferers, the two grey-robed men quickened their pace, but, +directly the Englishmen had gained the cover of the tree-lined road, +they, too, hastened to avoid being overtaken, so that by the time the +lepers had turned the corner, Raymond and his father were some +distance ahead. + +"We more than hold our own," quoth Redward, glancing over his +shoulder. "Directly we shake them off we'll have a well-earned rest." + +It was as he said. The well-knit frames of the Englishmen were vastly +superior to the diseased bodies of the lepers, and long before the +bottom of the hill was reached their two pursuers were but dimly +visible on the dusty road. + +Once again the road led upwards. Not a village was to be seen, only a +vast undulating plain, unbroken except for an occasional clump of +trees, while in the distance the blue outlines of a lofty range of +hills showed that some stiff climbing would be necessary ere Hennebon +was in sight. + +An hour later and they had all but gained the ridge of the next hill. +By the roadside was a heather-covered bank, while between a mass of +rocks a spring gushed forth, the water making a pleasant sound in the +ears of the weary travellers. + +Father and son drank at the spring, then clambering over the bank, +lay down on the springy heather, where, without being seen, they +could command the road for nearly a league. + +"'Tis quite evident that we can outpace those poor wretches," said +Raymond, stretching out his limbs to their fullest extent in +appreciation of his natural bed. "Here we can rest in comfort till +they draw nigh; then, refreshed, we can hasten onwards once more." + +For nearly an hour they remained, sleep all but claiming them. Not a +word was spoken, though Redward gave an occasional grunt as he raised +himself on his elbow at intervals to watch the advancing lepers. + +The heat, too, was terrific, the sun beating down with fierce +violence on their unprotected resting-place. + +Suddenly Raymond raised himself and looked along the road they had +just traversed. There were the two grey-robed figures moving slowly +up the hill, but away in the distance the sun glittered upon a +swiftly-moving mass of steel, followed by a thick cloud of dust. + +"Soldiers!" he exclaimed. + +Redward raised himself. "I like it not," he exclaimed. "They are +following us. That rogue of a barber hath betrayed us. Lie low, +Raymond, and let them pass; I perceive 'twill mean a journey by night +for us." + +Stretching side by side, and concealing their hoods with sprays of +heather, father and son waited and watched. The two lepers were +within two hundred paces ere they heard the thunder of the horses' +hoofs behind them. With a cry of terror one of the twain turned and +fled; the other, ignorant of the intentions of the pursuing horsemen, +held his ground, flourishing his rattle with the vigour that danger +bestowed upon him. + +Like a flash the foremost soldier was upon him; a back-handed sweeping +cut with his sword and the grey-robed figure was dashed to the earth, +and ere his companion had come level with the spot where the +Englishmen were concealed, he was transfixed by a lance-thrust and +was trampled beneath the horses' hoofs. + +With wild cries of exultation the troop of horsemen reined in their +steeds and surveyed the result of their fell work. + +"Quickly, Geoffroi! Strip those cloaks from the bodies of these +accursed English and search them for concealed papers," ordered their +leader. "By St. Denis, 'tis a smart piece of work, though I little +thought the rogues would have died so tamely!" + +The soldier addressed dismounted, handed his still reeking lance to a +comrade, and bent over the corpse of the man he had slain. With a +quick motion he tore aside the robe. But the next instant, uttering a +shriek of terror, he jumped backwards, covering his eyes with his +hands as if to ward off a blow. + +"_Mon Dieu!_" exclaimed the captain, craning over the neck of his +charger. "What have we done? They are in truth real lepers! Dolt of a +barber! A curse upon Raoul de Rohein! He hath deceived us! Is it the +same with the other?" + +The first victim had fallen on his back, and his hood, stained with +his blood, had slipped from off his head, disclosing the repulsive +disease-eaten features of a man whose malady was far advanced. + +"Stand back, all of you!" shouted the captain, beside himself with +rage and mortification. "Stand back! Do thou, Jehan, cast thy sword +and its sheath from thee lest thou die! And do thou, Geoffroi, ride +fifty paces behind us, and hold communication with no man till the +law respecting contagion is complied with. Now back to the town with +all speed, _mes enfants_, for I have an account to settle with Maitre +Raoul! What will they say of us when they hear we have vanquished +nought but a pair of lepers?" + +The troop galloped away down the dusty road towards St. Brieuc, the +unfortunate soldier following in the rear, his face ashen with terror +at the thought of the loathsome death he had courted, while two +mottled grey corpses, a discarded sword, and the imprints of the +hoofs of the cavalry alone remained to mark the scene of so swift and +terrible a tragedy. + +Shuddering at the thought of their narrow escape, Raymond and his +father rose, and with averted faces, left behind them the bodies of +the ill-fated men, and pursued their journey. Not till they were two +leagues from the spot did they halt; then, selecting a secluded +coppice, they threw themselves on the ground and were soon deep in +dreamless slumber. + +The sun had set and the stars were beginning to twinkle in the +darkening sky ere the travellers awoke stiff and cramped with lying +on the bare earth; but stern duty urged them onwards, and with +swinging stride they resumed their way. + +Along the deserted highway, past the slumbering village of Ploeue +they jogged, too discomforted and weary even to engage in +conversation. + +About two hours after midnight they were startled by hearing the +sound of horsemen behind them. Without hesitation Redward sprang to +the side of the road, dragging the squire with him; then kneeling +down and placing his ear to the ground he listened intently. + +"'Tis but a pair of horsemen," he whispered. "See to thy sword, for +there will be work afoot for us!" + +The riders had now slackened down to a slow trot, and by their +conversation the Englishmen recognised that one of them was an old +acquaintance--none other than the Sieur d'Erqui. + +"Once have we met him, and once at least hath he done us a service," +muttered the bowman in a low tone. "Methinks yet another service will +he render us. Now, follow me!" + +Giving a tremendous salute with his rattle, Redward, with Raymond +close at his heels, sprang into the road and barred the Sieur's way. +Taken aback, his face livid with superstitious fear, d'Erqui reined +in his steed, while his companion, evidently a retainer, did +likewise. + +"Dismount, monsieur, lest I lay hands on thee and thou diest a +horrible death," exclaimed Redward in a sepulchral voice, relying on +the cowardice of the foppish Frenchman to gain his end. + +Without a word the Sieur leapt, or, rather, rolled, from the saddle +and cowered down in the darkness by the roadside. Seizing the horse's +bridle by the left hand, the soldier advanced towards the other +horseman. + +Made of sterner stuff, the latter had recovered from the first +surprise, and, perceiving that he had no supernatural foes to deal +with, he drew his sword and rode towards his challenger. Avoiding +with ease a terrific sweep of the heavy weapon, Redward returned the +blow without effect, but, ere the man could shorten his sword, the +young squire rushed in, seized him round the waist and hurled him +from the saddle to the ground, where he had enough reason to remain +quiet. + +It was the work of a moment for the Englishmen to mount the captured +steeds, then, giving a parting salute to the discomforted Sieur, they +pricked the horses with the points of their weapons, and urged them +into a brisk canter. + +"Bravely done, Raymond," exclaimed his father. "It will fare ill with +us now if Hennebon sees us not by to-morrow's dawn!" + +"But how can we ride in this disguise?" asked Raymond. "It is not the +custom for lepers to go about on horseback." + +"There is a good two hours ere daybreak, and by that time, I trow, we +shall be at least five leagues from here. Then, I hope, the saints +being with us, that thou wilt be the Sieur d'Erqui, and I his man!" + +"The Sieur d'Erqui?" + +"Yea, and why not? Thou hast played the part of the Sieur before to +good purpose, and why not now? But, oh for a plentiful repast! Dry +bread and apples are but a sorry meal when one is used to English +beef!" + +Maintaining a hot pace the travellers rode through the night; then +just as day was breaking they halted, watered their horses, and, +after hobbling them, turned them out to graze. They then divested +themselves of their hideous cloaks and hoods, rolled the garments +into a small compass, and resumed the role of soldiers. + +About eight o'clock they arrived at the village of Pontivy, and +reining-in at the inn, Redward dismounted and strode up to mine host, +who saw in every armed man a spoiler, whether he were for Montfort or +for Blois. + +"Hark ye, garcon!" exclaimed the master-bowman, "thy best food and +wine in plenty, and provender for our horses! And, as thou valuest +thy hide, say not one word to my master, the worthy Sieur d'Erqui, +for he is in a bad mood, and woe betide the man who addresses him!" + +Their steeds were led away, and Raymond and his father were shown +into the largest room of the inn, while the waiting-maids, urged by +the host, bustled about preparing the meal. + +Raymond did not belie the character his father had given him as the +Sieur, but his reticence was due to bodily fatigue. For, while +awaiting the meal, fitful sleep claimed him, but it was only to +awaken with a start as his head fell forward on his chest. + +Never was a repast better enjoyed, and never was the desire to sleep +so irresistible, but Redward, though weary himself, was inexorable. + +"Maybe swift pursuit is already at our heels," said he. "So onward we +must go. Hola!" he shouted, hammering on the trestled board with his +sword-hilt. + +In answer to the summons the host appeared, trembling in his shoes. + +"How is the army ordered before Hennebon And where shall my master +find the banners of the Duke Charles?" + +"Sir, report hath it that the force of Blois lieth thickest about +where this road approaches the town, so, without doubt, the banners +of the Duke are there." + +Throwing down a coin to pay for their repast (whereat the host +marvelled greatly, seeing it was not the custom of the times), +Redward followed the supposed Sieur from the inn; their horses were +brought round, and soon they were clattering over the pave of the +village towards the open country. + +Redward glanced backwards several times to see if there were any +signs of pursuit, but to his great satisfaction none could be +detected. + +"Thou hast heard what the rogue said the foe lie thickest along this +road? Should any follow us we have laid a false scent, for I do not +wish to ride straight into the camp of Blois. To that end let us turn +off along the road to Aurai, and thence follow the coast to the walls +of Hennebon." + +Accordingly they turned aside at a cross-road, having learned from a +peasant that it led to the town of Aurai. A league or so farther on +they again left the road and rested in a wood, sleeping without +molestation till late in the afternoon. + +Darkness was drawing on as they struck the road between Hennebon and +Aurai, about a bow-shot from the latter place. Avoiding the town the +travellers turned towards their goal, now but a short four leagues +distance. + +"We must be doubly cautious, Raymond," said his father, "for methinks +another troop of horsemen is approaching." + +Once again they withdrew from the road, and, hiding beneath the +shadow of some tall trees, they waited. Nearer and nearer came the +sound, till, like a whirlwind, a large body of knights and mounted +men-at-arms dashed by in the darkness, and, with a thunder of hoofs +and a cloud of dust that rose slowly in the still night air, they +vanished into the gloom. + +"By St. George! What doth it mean?" exclaimed Raymond. + +"Nay, I cannot say, save it be they of Blois fleeing from those of +Montfort; every man was riding for dear life, and, mark you, with +loose rein and hot spur!" + +"Then onwards, father! An hour will decide whether we reach Hennebon +unscathed, or have to fight our way in." + +Almost before they were aware of the fact they rode right into the +camp of the besiegers, but, instead of being instantly challenged and +taken prisoners, it was like a progress through a city of the dead. +Most of the tents were cut down, several of the temporary wooden huts +still smouldered, while here and there their horses had to step aside +to avoid treading on the corpse of an unarmoured man. + +Still wondering at this unlooked-for sight, the Englishmen spurred on +till they drew rein outside the twin towers that guarded the gate of +Hennebon. A hoarse voice challenged them, and torches flickered on +the battlements as the garrison stood to their arms. + +"Open! We would see the Countess!" roared Redward, standing in his +stirrups. + +"Who are ye, and whence come ye?" was the reply. + +"Messengers from the King of England." + +Cries of delight greeted this announcement, the drawbridge fell with +a ponderous clang, the great gates were thrown wide open, and, +conscious that a great duty had been well carried out, Raymond, +followed by his father, entered the town of Hennebon. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE RELIEF OF HENNEBON + + +"THY name and style, fair sir?" + +"My name is Raymond Buckland, squire to Sir John Hacket, Constable of +the King's Castle of Portchester and Governor of the town of +Portsmouth. Lead me, I pray, to her grace the Countess of Montfort, +for I have a letter which I have to give her by my own hand." + +"Nay," was the reply, "that cannot be--at least not at this moment. +The Countess led a sortie yesterday at noon, and, alas, hath not yet +returned. I, Henri Barbenoire, seigneur of the castle of Ploeac and +Seneschal, in the absence of the Countess of this town will receive +thy message." + +"That cannot be," replied Raymond courteously, "for to the Countess +alone must I hand this letter." + +Barbenoire, a Breton whole-heartedly devoted to his mistress, did not +press the point, but ordering a hasty meal to be prepared, remained +with the young squire. It was but a sorry repast, for already the +supplies were low, nevertheless Raymond did justice to the simple +fare, listening awhile to the narrative of the events of the siege. + +Cheered by the touching confidence that the heroic Countess had given +to the townsmen of Hennebon, the garrison had fought bravely and +well. The Countess herself wore armour, and rode on a huge warhorse +through the narrow streets, encouraging her people to make good +defence, reminding them of the help she hoped would be forthcoming +from the King of England. Nor did she spare the womenfolk, for she +caused them to discard their long trains and heavy skirts and to don +short kirtles so that they could move with freedom. This done, they +were employed in carrying stones and arrows to the walls to replenish +the missiles of the defenders, and so emboldened were they by the +example of their mistress that the women did not hesitate to hurl the +stones down upon the invaders. + +At length one day the Frenchmen massed outside the northern wall for +a grand assault, and, ascending a lofty tower, the Countess perceived +that their camp was empty. Instantly calling together a body of +knights and mounted men-at-arms the lady mounted her steed and, +placing herself at their head, rode straight for the French camp, +cutting down tents and setting fire to everything that would readily +burn. + +The watchers on the walls saw the French host desist from the assault +and retire to intercept the Countess. Finding herself cut off from +the town, she called in her followers, and rode furiously away to +Aural, hotly pursued by Sir Louis d'Espagne, the second in command of +Charles of Blois. + +Thus it was that Raymond had seen the Countess and her troops pass by +him without knowledge of their identity; and now the garrison was +ignorant of the fate of their beloved leader, none knowing whether +she had been killed or taken, or whether she had baffled pursuit. + +On the morning following the arrival of Raymond and his father, the +host of Blois still encompassed the town, yet no attempt was made to +renew the assault. + +The two Englishmen were enrolled as members of the garrison, and as +the days went past they with their foreign comrades gazed eagerly +from the battlements in the hope of seeing the banners of the +returning Countess. + +On the fifth day, Barbenoire had ascended the lofty east tower. +Despair for his mistress had filled his soul, yet, inspiring the +townsfolk by word and deed, he gave no sign of misgiving, being +resolved to hold Hennebon as long as a single fighting-man was left. + +The rising sun dazzled his vision, but a movement on the skyline +riveted his attention. Calling one of his captains, he pointed out +the spot, and both agreed that it was a body of troops approaching. + +A very short time sufficed to spread the news, though Barbenoire +commanded that no demonstration should be made lest it should attract +the notice of the besiegers. + +Soon it was beyond doubt that the Countess was returning. Collecting +a body of one hundred archers and spearmen, the Seneschal ordered +them to make a feint sortie from the western side while the gateway +on the opposite side was thrown open to receive the Countess. Then, +when safely within the walls with all her company and an additional +force of five hundred spears, the redoubtable Chatelaine was greeted +with a great noise of trumpets to the cheers of the delighted +townsfolk. + +The besiegers, finding themselves tricked, could not refrain from +praising the boldness and skill of the Countess of Montfort. +Nevertheless, they advanced to the assault, and the struggle waxed +fierce until noon, when, unable to gain a lodgment, the partisans of +Blois sullenly retreated to their camp. + +Directly the attack was repulsed, Raymond hastened to the presence of +the Countess. She had now divested herself of her bascinet and steel +jupon, and the young squire saw before him a tall, stately lady of +about thirty years of age. Her finely chiselled face was crowned by a +wealth of auburn hair, which, ruffled by the removal of her +headpiece, served to hide the somewhat lofty brow. + +Raymond could but marvel that such a truly feminine form possessed +the courage and endurance of a man, and his astonishment was +increased when she addressed him in low, sweet tones, for he had +heard of the Countess's soul-stirring speech, when, holding her +little son by the hand, she had so successfully appealed to the +chivalrous instincts of her knights and to the loyalty of the +townsfolk. + +Concealing her agitation at the arrival of such important news from +England, the Countess broke the seals and opened the letter. Her face +flushed with pleasure as she read its contents. + +"Hearken, my fair lords, to the message of our noble overlord the +King of England," she cried, turning to those who were with her. +"Four score ships by now are on their way to aid us, and ere long +three thousand men, under Sir Robert of Artois and Sir Walter Manny, +will be on the heels of our enemies." + +Shouts of exultation greeted this announcement, and, the news quickly +spreading, the whole town was given over to rejoicing. + +But meanwhile active preparations were being made by Charles of Blois +to make another general assault, and the arrival of some formidable +siege-engines enabled him to breach the walls in several places; +while the garrison, kept in a state of constant alarm, were worn with +toil and endless vigil. + +Every morning at sunrise, for nearly two months, the Countess would +ascend the loftiest tower in Hennebon and gaze towards the distant +Cape of Ushant in the hope of catching sight of the sails of the +English fleet. But her expectations remained unrealised, for seaward +the horizon was unbroken, while around the town lay the close lines +of her relentless foes. + +At length one of her partisans, the Bishop of Leon, informed her that +his nephew, Henri de Rohan, who was in the camp of Blois, desired to +hold converse with her; and, being granted safe conduct, the knight +entered the town for the purpose of inducing the besieged to +surrender, promising an honourable capitulation, with permission for +the garrison to withdraw. + +For a while it seemed as if De Rohan's words would gain the day, till +the Countess, supported by Barbenoire, again harangued her knights, +and the ecclesiastic withdrew discomfited. + +Thereupon the French advanced to the grand assault, while the +besieged caught up their arms and silently yet resolutely awaited +their approach. + +But ere the archers could begin their hail of arrows which was to +open the attack, the ringing voice of the Countess was heard from the +summit of the tower:-- + +"Voila, le secours! Viola le secours anglais! Courage, enfans; nous +sommes sauves!" + +"Will they be in time?" asked Raymond anxiously, as he stood by his +father on the shattered wall. + +"If we can but make good the battlements for one hour all will be +well. Canst see aught of the ships?" + +"Not as yet." + +"Then heaven forfend the Countess be not mistaken. Stand to it, +Raymond, for here they come!" + +All conversation was stopped by the on-coming foemen. The squire +closed his visor, and crouching behind his shield, awaited the +attack. Under cover of the archers the men-at-arms advanced. Though +some fell before the darts of the besieged, the main body pressed +steadily onward, till they reached the breach in the shattered +masonry. + +The impact of the two forces was terrific; men went down on both +sides, and, as sword and lance were shattered, axes, mauls, and maces +continued the deadly work. The air was rent with the clash of arms, +the shouts of the combatants, and the groans of the dying; but the +townsfolk held their own, and after an hour's desperate struggle the +attacking party retired. + +"'Tis hot work!" exclaimed Redward breathlessly, throwing down a +heavy axe and removing his steel cap to cool his heated head. "Run +and see if our comrades are yet in sight." + +To gain the summit of the tower was the work of a moment, and to the +squire's great delight he saw the English ships already within easy +distance of the harbour, their sails bellying out before the +favouring breeze, and the water churned by the lash of the oars. + +"They come! They come!" he shouted joyously. + +"And so doth the foe," replied Redward grimly. "Haste back to the +breach, for, by St. George, 'tis touch-and-go with Hennebon!" + +Again the attackers advanced, one knight, utterly regardless of his +life, urging his horse towards the gap in the wall. Crouching, with +lance in rest, the Frenchman spurred over the shattered stones, +received yet recked not a hail of arrows, and rode furiously towards +Raymond, who, sword in hand, awaited his approach. + +It would have gone hardly with the young squire had it not been for +the unevenness of the ground, for the horse stumbled over a loose +stone, throwing its rider heavily on the ground. + +In spite of the weight of his armour and the shock of his fall, the +knight, a man of gigantic strength, rose to his feet, dropping his +lance and wrenching his mace from the saddle-bow. As he did so +Raymond struck him a heavy blow with his weapon, but the steel turned +against the crest of his casque and was shattered close to the hilt. +In a moment the mace beat down the squire's shield and descended upon +his head, and without a cry the squire dropped senseless to the +ground. + +But his fall was speedily avenged. Wielding his heavy axe, Redward +sprang forward and smote at the Frenchman's helm. Realising his +danger, the knight sprang aside; but, though avoiding a fatal blow, +he did not escape, for the axe, glancing off the crest, caught the +projecting visor. Unable to stand the strain, the leathern laces of +his helmet burst, and the bascinet, though prevented by the camail +from falling off, was turned back to front, so that the unfortunate +wearer was unable to see through the openings of the visor. + +Dazed by the blow and in total darkness, the Frenchman staggered +blindly about, still striking feeble and aimless blows, till the +defenders, with taunts and execrations, beat him to the ground and +despatched him with their axes. + +Meanwhile Redward bent over the prostrate form of his son, but ere he +could ascertain whether the blow had been fatal the main attack had +commenced. Gallantly the besieged met the shock; many fell on both +sides, and for the space of a quarter of an hour the issue hung in +the balance. + +At length, reinforced by a band of knights under Louis d'Espagne, the +assailants bore back all before them. Barbenoire, fighting gallantly +to the last, fell covered with wounds. Redward, standing over his +son's body, kept back the press for a time, till, borne down by the +weight of numbers, he was struck to the earth, but ere he lost +consciousness he was dimly aware of the sound of English voices and +the renewed clash of arms. + +At the critical moment the long-expected aid had arrived! + +Once more the tide of battle turned, and the followers of the House +of Blois, unable to withstand the fierce onslaught of the English, +fled panic-stricken before the reinforcements, the knights and +mounted men-at-arms of Sir Walter Manny riding down all who came in +their way. + +When at length the victorious Manny returned from the pursuit, the +Countess of Montfort came forth and warmly greeted him. + +"Of a truth, fair sir," she exclaimed, as the warrior knelt and +kissed her hand, "I cannot but liken you to the Archangel Michael +sent from heaven in answer to our prayers!" + +Meanwhile the inhabitants of the town were busy pillaging the camp of +their enemies, bringing in additional food supplies and tending their +own wounded--for those of their assailants who were left in their +hands were mercilessly despatched, save where their rank made them +likely subjects for ransom. + +Redward and his son were found surrounded by the bodies of friend and +foe, senseless but still breathing. The Countess had been apprised of +the fall of her gallant messenger, and had ordered the young squire +and his father to be carried into her own house within the castle. +Sir Walter Manny himself also came frequently to see how fared the +forerunner of his arrival, and brought with him his own chirurgeon to +attend the two. + +For four days Raymond lay unconscious, till one morning his scattered +senses returned, and he opened his eyes to find himself in a roomy +apartment overlooking the town walls. Instead of the clash of arms +the sun was shining brightly and the birds were singing. Beside him +were the Countess and a group of Englishmen of quality; a little +distance off lay Redward on a soft couch, his gaze fixed intently +upon his son. + +Then the young squire realised that Hennebon was saved, and that his +father was still with him; and with a sigh of contentment he fell +into a deep and natural slumber. + +The wounds of both Raymond and his father were severe, and a +considerable time elapsed ere they were capable of moving about, +while their complete recovery, in spite of the kindly climate of fair +Brittany, was a tedious business. Thus they missed the remaining +portion of the Brittany campaign, in which Robert of Artois captured +Vannes, and was soon afterwards driven from that town by a surprise +attack on the part of some Breton adherents of Charles of Blois. + +Shortly after, the existing treaty between England and France was +terminated, for during the struggle in Brittany a truce was nominally +in force, the armies of England and France ostentatiously supporting +the claim of the rival dukes; but on the expiration of the treaty war +was openly resumed between the two great nations. + +The King of England landed at Marbain with 12,000 men, and +simultaneously laid siege to Vannes, Rennes, and Mantes, but the +triple task was beyond his power, and under the influence of the +Pope's legates he agreed to observe a truce for three years. + +Immediately following this pacific arrangement King Edward +re-embarked for his own dominions, and with the army went Raymond and +Redward, the former despondent at the news of the truce, regarding it +as being fatal to his cherished hopes of winning the golden spurs of +knighthood. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +RAYMOND'S ERRAND + + +NEARLY four years have elapsed since the young squire's mission to +Hennebon. They have been years of comparatively uneventful waiting. +To him the dark clouds of unkind fate showed no signs of the silver +lining of good fortune, for he fully realised that until he had risen +above the rank of squire he dare not hope for the hand of the fair +Lady Audrey Scarsdale. + +Thus, there was nothing to do but wait patiently, under the orders of +kindly Sir John Hacket, fervently hoping for the call to arms that +would give him the opportunities of winning his spurs upon the soil +of France. + +The three years' truce had been ill-kept. Already the Earl of Derby +had crossed into Guienne, but news, though scanty, was far from +reassuring, and daily the Constable of Portchester was awaiting the +summons to assemble his men and march to join the King's forces at +Southampton. + +One afternoon, in the month of May 1346, the watch on the keep of the +castle perceived a man limping towards the gate. He was tall, +broad-shouldered, and bronzed-faced, yet bent with physical +infirmity, being compelled to use a rough crutch to aid his tottering +footsteps. + +"Ho, Watkin!" exclaimed one of the soldiers to a comrade. "Surely +that looks like Long Edney, of Wickham, yet methinks I am mistaken." + +"If't be, then, certes, he hath made a grievous error; for he went to +Guienne, hoping to return speedily with much booty. This man hath +pain to carry himself, let alone the plunder he hath not!" + +"'Tis Edney, of a surety. See, he waves his hand to us!" + +In a few moments the luckless man-at-arms was within the castle, +surrounded by a crowd of rough sympathisers. Hearing the sound of +voices, Sir John Hacket appeared, and, recognising the man as one who +had left his service some time previously to join the forces under +Lord Norwich, sent Raymond to lead Edney into his presence. + +"'Tis a sad home-coming for thee," exclaimed the knight +sympathetically. "Yet Heaven knows there are many such. The highways +are thick with broken soldiers." + +"Ay, Sir John," returned the man despondently. "A bolt through the +thigh is a sorry return for my trouble, and not a silver penny's +worth of spoil to show for it! Nevertheless, the saints helping me, I +hope to adventure myself again in this matter." + +"And with better luck," rejoined the Constable. "And, now tell me, +how goes the war in Guienne?" + +"Faith, it goeth against us in the main. Pembroke and Sir Walter +Manny are shut up in Aiguillon, and when I left Bordeaux they had +sent urgent appeals for succour. For my part I know but little of +Aiguillon, being besieged with Lord Norwich in Angouleme." + +"And how fared Norwich?" + +"As crafty as ever." + +"How so?" + +"The Duke of Normandy pressed him sorely, so that the French looked +likely to take the town by escalade. Thereupon Norwich beat a parley. +'How, now!' exclaimed the Duke. 'Dost wish to give in?' 'Nay,' +replied our leader, 'but as to-morrow is the Feast of the Virgin, to +whom we both bear great devotion, I desire a cessation of strife for +that day.' 'Right willingly,' replied the Duke, and Norwich, nigh +bursting with badly-concealed merriment, descended from the walls. +That night he ordered us to prepare our baggage, and early next +morning we marched out straight for the enemy's camp. The Frenchmen +flew to arms, but Norwich, forbidding our men to draw, sent a knight +to remind the Duke of his promise." + +"And what did the Duke?" + +"He kept his word. 'I see the sly fox has outwitted us, but let us be +content with gaining the town,' he exclaimed; and right between the +lines of astonished Frenchmen we marched, without losing as much as a +single stick." + +"Ho! ho! ho!" laughed Sir John. "A clever trick, but, methinks, +'twill not pass another time. And Pembroke hath sent an urgent +message to the King for aid, didst thou say?" + +"Ay, directly our ship tied up alongside the quay at Southampton the +messenger rode off at headlong speed to Windsor, although he could +scarce keep his seat by reason of sea-sickness." + +"Then, Raymond," exclaimed the Constable, turning to his squire, "the +summons will be here anon. But, mark my word, this will be no +child's-play, for, methinks, the King will be loth to let Guienne +slip through his fingers. And now, bring me the tally of the bows, +arrows, and spears, for no time must be lost." + +Joyfully the squire hastened away to get the required information, +and the castle was soon alive with excitement at the thought of +active service. + +The old knight was not wrong; the call to arms came, and, thanks to +his sagacity and forethought, the Constable was soon ready to take +the field. Ere June had arrived Sir John's company had marched into +Southampton to await the King's good pleasure. + +Raymond saw great changes as he gazed around the old familiar place. +The walls had been raised and strengthened; larger houses had taken +the place of the charred ruins that the French invaders had left +behind them, while a fleet of large ships showed that Southampton had +quickly recovered from the horrors of pillage. + +The fleet was typical of the resources of Hampshire, for Southampton +contributed twenty-one ships manned by 476 mariners, Lymington sent +nine, Portsmouth five, Leepe, Newtown, and Yarmouth two each, while +the county of Dorset supplied twenty-five vessels, of which Weymouth +sent twenty-one and Poole four. + +Farther down the Water towards Hythe lay a larger fleet, composed of +vessels from the Cinque Ports, London, Ipswich, and Great Yarmouth, +while towards the Netley side were the West Country ships from +Dartmouth, Sutton, Fowey, and Falmouth. + +Altogether there were not far short of eight hundred sail, assembled +in less than fourteen days, to bear across the Channel the huge army +destined for the conquest of France. + +On Midsummer Day, the Feast of St. John the Baptist, the news came +that the King had left the Queen in the care of his cousin, the Earl +of Kent, and was on the road to Southampton. + +Instantly the work of embarking the troops, horses, and baggage +began, and never before did the good townsmen of Southampton behold +such a fair and martial sight. Throughout the long June day the task +proceeded, and a seemingly endless procession wended through the West +Gate, each division having its appointed order. + +The Portsmouth ships were to form the rearguard, so that it was the +duty of the Constable of Portchester to embark last of all. From his +quarters, close to the West Gate, Sir John watched the embarkation, +pointing out to his squires the respective devices and banners of the +various contingents. + +From all parts of the kingdom, save the northern counties, whose men +were required to watch the restive Scots, had this army foregathered, +the flower of chivalry and the stoutest of the yeomen of England. +There were the lions rampant of the Percies, Mowbrays, and d'Albini, +each distinguishable by the "field," the ruddy chevrons of the de +Claves, the gilded cockle-shell of the de Malets, and the more +complicated devices of de Montfichet, Quince, Fortibus, de Bohun, de. +Vere, and Fitz-Walter. Each baron had his following of men-at-arms +and archers, the former having to lower the points of their long +slender spears as they passed beneath the vaulted archway. After the +feudal army, numbering four thousand men-at-arms and ten thousand +archers, came a horde of fierce-eyed, hairy men of short stature, +each armed with a long knife and a double-bladed axe. + +"Ah," exclaimed Sir John, noting the look of inquiry on Raymond's +face. "Heaven help the Frenchman who falls wounded in the field, for +these are the Welsh levies. I have marked their method of fighting +before to-day, and, certes, I am of no mind to praise them for it." + +The Welshmen were succeeded by a straggling body of tall, +gaunt-looking men, armed with a small shield and short spear. They +lacked the grim stolidity of the Englishmen, and marched with merry +laugh and careless jest uttered in a strange tongue. + +"The Irish levies from Leinster," remarked the Constable, +"good-natured in peace, honest fighting-men, yet terrible when +roused. I can recall a little affair before Cadsand, but 'tis too +long to relate at the moment. But hark!" + +Redoubled cheering echoed down the narrow sloping street, and the +knight and his squires strained their ears to ascertain the cause. +The last of the troops had passed, yet still the archers who lined +the route pushed back the excited townsmen with their six-foot +staves. + +"The King!" exclaimed the Constable. + +Attended by a number of lords and barons, Edward rode slowly through +the crowded street, acknowledging the acclamations by the faintest +inclination of his head. He was then in his thirty-fourth year, yet +the cares of his kingdom and the claims of his Lombard and Flemish +creditors had made him look considerably older. A longish dark beard +partially concealed a hard, firm mouth, while his dark piercing eyes, +glittering beneath his broad forehead and bushy eyebrows, betokened a +war-like temperament. His coat of plate-armour, fashioned in the +latest style, was covered by a surcoat, upon which were embroidered +his newly-assumed arms, the fleur-de-lis of France, quartered with +the silver lions of England, while a velvet cap took the place, for +the time being, of his plumed bascinet. + +At his right hand rode his fifteen-year-old son, Edward, afterwards +known to fame as The Black Prince; while at his left rode Lord +Godfrey of Harcourt, the King's much-esteemed councillor. + +Burning with ill-concealed impatience Edward, with his suite, +embarked that very evening, and ere morning dawned the fleet had left +the shelter of Southampton Water, and was heading westward for the +English Channel, the Portsmouth ships, with the Constable and his +company, rolling sluggishly in the rear, about a league astern of the +main body. + +With the favouring north-easterly breeze all went well, and steadily +the floating army neared the coasts of France; but on the third day +came a flat calm, so that the ships were compelled to use their +sweeps to prevent themselves drifting into one another. + +The calm was succeeded by a strong south-westerly gale, so that all +advantage of the previous favourable breeze was totally lost; and, +unable to make headway, the fleet was driven back towards the English +coast, taking shelter in the Cornish harbour of Fowey. + +For six days the fleet lay weather-bound, till Sir Godfrey of +Harcourt counselled the King to give up the idea of landing in +Gascony. + +"Sire," he exclaimed, "Normandy is one of the plenteous countries of +the world. On jeopardy of my head, if thou wouldst land there, there +is none to resist thee. The people of Normandy are not used to war, +and all the knights and squires of the country are now at the siege +before Aiguillon." + +The advice, though hardly correct, the King took, and, the wind +moderating and blowing more in their favour, the fleet again put to +sea, and reached La Hogue without further incident. + +Arrived on the coast of Normandy, the English began to make a +revengeful attack on the ports of Cherbourg and Barfleur, the ships +of these ports having harried the coasts of England in times past, +and with fierce shouts the soldiers pillaged the defenceless towns, +burning every ship they found in the harbours. + +One night, Sir John Hacket, who had been in audience with the King, +returned to his quarters in high glee. + +"Raymond," he exclaimed, "the King hath again done signal honour to +my Company. News hath reached us that the Count of Tancarville, who +is the most puissant noble in Normandy, lieth at a hunting lodge near +the village of Brique, within five leagues of the camp. He hath, we +are told, no knowledge of our presence. Could we but entrap him and +bring him a prisoner into the camp, it will clear the way for our +advance, for, bereft of the counsel of the Count of Tancarville, all +Normandy would be masterless. Now, consider; I have a free hand in +this small matter, and can use the whole of my Company to my +advancement. What think ye? Is it better to take but a few mounted +men, or adventure with them all?" + +"In my humble opinion, Sir John," replied Raymond, "the matter is +best undertaken by but a few. Too many would give alarm. A few would, +in the case of our plans miscarrying, be but little missed, and if +they do succeed, then the greater the honour!" + +"Thy words do thee credit, Raymond, and, by St. George, a better +leader for the enterprise than thou I cannot choose. Take your choice +of mounted men, and begone. A guide is even now detained in the camp, +who will lead you to Brique. Now, remember, alive or dead, bring the +Count into the camp, but alive by choice." + +Quickly the young squire went about preparations for his mission. +Five trusted men-at-arms were chosen, and their arms and horses +carefully inspected by their young leader, who resolved to leave +nothing to chance. Then, placing their guide, a heavy-limbed Norman +peasant, upon a spare horse, and attaching a light chain to his wrist +(one end being held by a soldier with orders to despatch the man at +the first sign of treachery), the little party left the camp, passed +the outlying cordon of sentries, and plunged into the darkness. + +By degrees the horsemen became accustomed to the gloom, and, riding +closely together, with the guide in their midst, they maintained a +brisk pace towards their goal, and ere long the camp-fires of their +comrades were lost to sight behind them. + +The night was sultry; not a leaf stirred on the branches of the trees +that lined the road, and a dull oppressive feeling pervaded the +atmosphere. + +Suddenly the faint rumble of distant thunder was borne to their ears, +and instinctively the horsemen glanced at one another, for a +thunder-storm was looked upon by the mediaeval soldier as a harbinger +of evil. + +Nearer and nearer came the storm, till the lightning flashed across +their path, illuminating the horizon with its sulphurous glow, but as +yet not a drop of rain had fallen. + +Meanwhile their guide had kept perfectly silent, answering the +questions put to him with either a nod or a shake of his head. Though +Raymond had acquired a smattering of the French language he was +unable to understand the patois of the peasant, so one of the +men-at-arms was deputed to put any necessary question to their +impassive guide. + +At length they reached the confines of a dense forest, and hardly had +they gained the dangerous shelter of the trees than down came the +rain, accompanied by almost incessant flashes of lightning. + +Dazzled by the appalling light, and almost deafened by the sharp +detonating rattle of the thunder, the little party rode in fear and +trembling till their guide stopped them with a motion of his hand, +and indicating an almost invisible avenue that forked from the road +they were following, exclaimed, "V'la, m'sieurs!" + +"Ask him how far it is to the Count's hunting-lodge!" exclaimed +Raymond. + +"He says 'not far.'" + +"Certes, I am as wise as before. Ask him again." The man mumbled +something unintelligible, then held up two fingers. + +"A murrain on his thick-headedness; fair Sir, I cannot rightly tell +what he doth mean." + +"Then be cautious. Remember, directly we catch sight of the place, +one man remains with the guide and the rest follow me!" + +The path was too narrow for two to ride abreast, so they proceeded in +single file, the guide leading, with a soldier, leaning over his +crupper to give the necessary length of chain, following closely +behind and through the avenue, so dense that even the lightning +almost failed to illumine, Raymond's party rode on their desperate +errand. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +TRAPPED! + + +BEFORE the raiders had proceeded very far a short exclamation from +one of the men-at-arms caused them to pull up sharply. + +"What's amiss?" demanded Raymond in a whisper. + +"The peasant's horse hath gone lame," replied one of the soldiers. +"Can we not despatch the guide, for, certes, he is of no further use, +and it will save us the trouble of looking after him?" + +"Nay!" replied Raymond sturdily. "I am loth to cause a harmless +peasant to be slain. Make him mount behind thee, Robert, but keep a +tight hold on his chain." + +Once again the advance was resumed, the horses floundering over the +slippery, leaf-strewn path, their riders being put to great trouble +by reason of the overhanging branches that often almost swept them +from their saddles. + +Presently they began to descend a steep declivity, the slope +requiring all the skill of the horsemen to keep their steeds on their +feet, while the rain, now falling in torrents, had transformed the +little path into a foaming stream. + +Suddenly a vivid flash of lightning rent the darkness of the night, +and in the dazzling glare Raymond beheld, with a thrill of horror, +two of the men who were leading disappear into a yawning chasm almost +at his feet, their cries drowned by the appalling crash of the +accompanying thunder. By dint of reining in his horse till the animal +was almost on its haunches, the young squire saved himself from a +similar fate, and slipping to the ground he awaited, in terrible +suspense, the next flash that would give some idea of his position. +The succeeding period of darkness seemed to weigh upon him like a +suffocating shroud, while the silence was broken only by the frantic +prancing of the remaining horses, the feeble groans of one of the +fallen men, and a low gurgling sound a short distance away--a sound +that caused indescribable terror in the mind of the young squire. + +Then came another crash and a ponderous mass fell across the path he +had just passed, and another shriek of agony rent the air. To the +horrified Raymond, whose superstitious feelings were aroused by the +war of the elements and the tragedy of his surroundings, the place +savoured of the infernal regions; and gazing with wide-open eyes into +the inky blackness, he dumbly awaited the next gleam of blinding +light. + +At length, after a seemingly endless suspense, it came--a double +flash. Short as was the duration of the glare it served to intensify +the horror of his position. + +At his feet yawned the pit, wherein the feebly-moving limbs of two +of his men still writhed in the throes of death, while their horses +were frantically kicking each other in the confined space. Behind him +lay another man-at-arms, the blood welling from a gaping wound in his +throat, while a fourth lay crushed--beyond recognition by a heavy +tree-trunk that, falling across the path, effectually prevented a +retreat. There was no sign of their guide, but the fifth soldier was +leaning against a tree-trunk, his hands pressed tightly over his eyes +as if trying to shut out the ghastly scene. + +The next flash showed that he, too, had vanished, and Raymond was +alone, though the shouts and cries of the unfortunate man-at-arms +betokened that he was being haled off through the forest by some +invisible agency--whether by men, animals, or spirits the squire +dared not imagine. + +And now the underwood on either side seemed alive with movement, and +Raymond felt, or fancied he felt, rough hands groping towards him. +Frenzy took possession of his shaking body, and, lashed into the +energy of despair, he unsheathed his sword and slashed madly about +him. The blade came in violent contact with an overhanging bough and +snapped off close to the hilt; at the same moment the squire felt a +pair of sinewy arms encircle his feet, and with a lusty heave he was +upset and thrown with a crash to the ground, the point of a knife +pressing against his throat warning him of the utter uselessness of +further resistance. + +Bound hand and foot, the unfortunate squire was carried or dragged +through a thick growth of underwood, till at length his captors +gained a large clearing. By the aid of a momentary flash he saw the +outlines of a low building. In response to a violent knocking he +heard the sound of bolts being withdrawn, and, borne on the shoulders +of four strong men, he was carried into the house, and dropped +unceremoniously upon the rush-strewn floor. + +Some one took a torch from its socket and bent over the prostrate +squire. Raymond recognised the features--it was the traitorous guide! +But gone was the heavy lustreless expression of his eyes and the +stolid set of his swarthy jaws; instead a look of malevolent +intelligence overspread his face, and by the subservience with which +he was treated by his comrades it was evident that he was a man of +authority. + +"Ah! Dolt, fool, beast of an Englishman! How nicely hast thou borne +the Count of Tancarville back to the camp of the cursed invader of +Normandy! Dead or alive, eh? Little didst thou know how near thy +purpose was fulfilled when thy base _routier_ made to pass a knife +across my throat. I--even I--am the Count of Tancarville!" + +He paused to observe the effect of this startling announcement, but +Raymond preserved a dignified silence. + +"And that simpleton the Constable, thy master," he resumed. "To think +that the Count of Tancarville would be dallying at a hunting lodge +when base English defile the coasts of Normandy! Ah! That was a near +one," he added as another blinding flash of lightning lit up the +room. + +"Knowest thou, thou miserable fool," he continued as soon as the +crash of the thunder permitted, "that did that fiery fork but touch +this place thou and I would be scattered, so that all the armies of +Philip and Edward would fail to find a fragment? Eh, I interest thee? +'Tis well; I'll tell thee more, seeing that the knowledge will profit +thee but little. Henri! Cut asunder the bonds that bind this +Englishman's legs, and do thou and Etienne stand close lest he do +himself an injury!" + +Handing the torch to a serving-man, the Count led the way, closely +followed by Raymond and his two guards. In an adjoining apartment, so +open to the winds that the torch was almost extinguished, lay seven +sinister-looking objects, which the squire readily recognised as +bombards. + +These early cannon were composed of straight lengths of flat iron, +held together by shrunk-on iron hoops, and lashed down to a heavy +baulk of timber, so that in training these clumsy contrivances, +carriage and gun were practically one piece. + +"These are the beasts I hunt in this forest," quoth the Count. "King +Philip hath need of them, and, by our Lady of Nimes, 'twill be a +sight to see the vaunted English bowmen being bowled over by these +bombards. And food these beasts must have! Forward, garcons, and show +this dolt mine animals' food. But, Bertrand, stand aside with that +torch. I am in no mind to go heavenwards yet awhile." + +The next room was little better than a cell, lightened by the feeble +light of an oil lamp that glimmered through a horn lanthorn. In a far +corner could be discerned the bent figure of a monk, his cowl thrown +back on his shoulders and his arms bared to the elbow. Ignoring the +interruption, he continued his labours, working a pestle with +untiring energy. + +"Behold the worthy successor to Michael Schwartz! My faith! It does +my heart good to show the accursed English the resources of la belle +France; yet, 'tis passing strange that the secret of the making of +the devil's powder should be divulged to a priest of God. Five score +barrels full of the powder are ready for the use of our forces, and +I'll warrant---- Ah! What wouldst thou? Down with him, mes garcons!" + +For Raymond, suddenly fired with a reckless determination, had thrown +himself upon the torch-bearer, and with a shower of sparks the +burning brand was dashed upon the floor, missing the bench with its +dangerous compound by less than a span! + +The Count and the monk, both white with fear, stamped upon the +blazing embers, while the guards with no gentle hand had forced their +prisoner to the ground. + +"A senseless piece of folly," growled the Norman. "And little credit +to thyself." + +"'Twould have rid the King of England of a dangerous foe," replied +Raymond stoutly, opening his lips for the first time since his +capture. + +"Away with him, till I find a means to make use of him, Etienne!" +exclaimed the Count, taking no notice of the squire's remark. + +"To the oubliette?" + +"Nay; two of these accursed Englishmen in one den would plague us far +more than if kept apart. One never knows what the rogues get up to +when they plan amongst themselves. Lock him in the old arrow-store." + +The old arrow-store was a damp and dismal chamber next to the cell +where Raymond had seen the monk at his researches. It was on the +ground floor, and lighted only by one lancet-shaped window, far too +narrow to admit the passage of a man. The roof was vaulted, the +arches springing from a central pillar, while the floor was paved +with heavy slabs set in strong cement. + +This much the young squire saw while the men were making a cursory +examination by the aid of two additional torches; and after removing +an old chest they quitted the room, bolting and locking the heavy +iron-plated door behind them. + +Left to himself, Raymond fell a prey to the deepest despondency. The +failure of his ill-starred attempt, the comparative ease of his +capture, and the mortification which the Constable would feel at his +non-return, weighed upon the unhappy squire far more than the danger +of his hopeless position, and, grief-stricken, he lay on a stone +bench, listlessly marking the sound of the rapidly-retreating storm, +till a feeble glimmer through the lancet window betokened that the +day was dawning. He had one consolation, sorry though it was--there +remained another Englishman within the stronghold, the solitary +survivor of five picked men-at-arms. + +Presently Raymond stood up and stretched his cramped limbs, then +standing on the bench he found that he could just reach the window. +Grasping the stone ledge with his hands, he raised himself +sufficiently to look out. + +It was a cheerless outlook. In front, a bow-shot away, lay the dense +masses of the forest, still hazy with the morning mist. An open +space, broken only by a moat full of slimy water, lay between the +forest and the stronghold, though no drawbridge was visible on that +side. + +And beyond the forest lay, at an unknown distance, the English camp, +where even now Sir John Hacket was doubtless expecting his return +with the expected captive. Overcome with the irony of the situation, +Raymond clambered down from the window and relapsed into his moody +and despondent attitude. + +For several hours he remained thus, till aroused by the drawing back +of the bolts of his prison door. The door was thrown open, and an +armed man entered, bearing a pitcher of water and a trencher of black +bread, while another man stood without, for fear of an outburst of +the prisoner. Without a word the jailer set down the meal and +retired. + +Twice daily was this done, and thus the days sped, slowly and +cheerlessly, but no visit from the Count of Tancarville served to +break the dismal monotony. + +On the fifth day Raymond heard the sound of martial preparations, and +climbing to the window he caught a brief glimpse of a body of armed +and mounted men riding past his prison; one of whom, he had no doubt, +was the Count. Then came the rumble of heavily-laden wains, but in +which direction the party disappeared the squire was unable to see. + +Evidently the little garrison of this sylvan fortress was +considerably depleted, for Raymond noticed that his jailer came into +his prison alone. He thought, though, that this might have been +through a sense of familiarity at his prisoner's dejected mien. Yet +daily, for hours together, the sound of the pestle, dimly heard +through the thick adjoining wall, showed that the taciturn old monk +still pursued his dangerous task. + +Four more days passed in dreadful solitude, till, maddened by the +hopelessness of his condition, Raymond resolved on desperate measures +to attempt his escape. Plan after plan flashed through his brain, +only to be put aside as impracticable. Feigning death, burrowing +through the stone walls of his prison, attacking his jailer, all +seemed hopeless, till at length a scheme, hazardous in the extreme, +yet capable of meeting with possible success, matured in his mind and +hourly increased his hopes of ultimate success. + +Usually the jailer found him sitting dejectedly upon the stone bench, +practically invisible in the gloom to any one entering from the +dazzling sunlight without. But on this particular morning Raymond, +awaiting the jailer's footsteps, carefully removed his surcoat and +hid behind the door. Directly the man entered he made, as was his +wont, direct for the bench, when the squire, springing upon him from +behind, muffled his head in the surcoat and bore him to the ground. +The jug and platter fell with a resounding crash, and Raymond, +seizing the broken pitcher, struck the jailer such a shrewd blow that +it all but split his skull, leaving him senseless on the floor. + +Hastily dragging his body across to the darkest corner, Raymond +possessed himself of his dagger and escaped from his prison. + +Without a moment's hesitation he burst into the adjoining apartment, +where the old monk, engrossed in his work, did not take the slightest +notice of his abrupt entry. Raymond had argued with himself that a +priest engaged in warlike pursuits thereby puts himself without the +pale of the Church; so, overcoming his scruples, he wrenched the +pestle from the hand of the astonished monk and stunned him ere he +could utter a sound. + +Then with feverish haste he stripped off and donned the monk's +capacious gown, pulling the cowl well down over his eyes; then, +strapping the wooden sandals over his own pointed shoes, he walked +boldly into the corridor, with bent head and clattering gait. + +At the end of the passage was another heavily-barred door, at which a +spearman stood on guard. Holding his dagger firmly in his right hand +and concealing it within the folds of his long sleeve, Raymond moved +straight up to the man. The sentinel opened the door, and with bowed +head stood aside to let the supposed monk pass. In a well-feigned +highly-pitched voice the young squire gave the customary blessing; +then, almost amazed at his good fortune, he gained the free air once +more. + +But his difficulties were not yet over. The road from the stronghold +ran under the shelter of the low walls for some distance, then turned +abruptly and crossed the moat by a drawbridge, at the end of which +was a small postern and barbican. + +All went well till Raymond was upon the bridge, and the gate-keeper +was making ready to throw open the outer gate, when the sham monk +dropped one sandal upon the bridge, where it lay conspicuously in the +dazzling sunshine. + +For a moment the guard paused, gazing in undisguised astonishment at +the tell-tale object, then with a crash he closed the gate and raised +a horn to his lips. But ere he could blow a blast Raymond was upon +him; a glint of cold steel, and the man uttering a choking cry, threw +up his arms and fell in a huddled heap. + +Disguise was no longer necessary, and the squire, opening the gate +and casting off his gown as he ran, sped over the open space towards +the sheltering forest. + +He heard some one behind him shouting the alarm, but by the time the +watchers on the wall could wind their cross-bows Raymond was almost +out of range, though a dropping bolt, shot at a venture, hummed close +to his head and buried itself in the springy turf at the foot of the +nearest tree. + +Though skilled in finding a course by observing the position of the +sun, Raymond was but indifferently versed in woodcraft, and in the +gloom of the forest all idea of direction was beyond him. Onward he +plunged, crashing through the bracken and undergrowth, till to his +great delight he struck a narrow path. This he followed, till at +length he came upon the scene of his ambuscade. A yawning pit, +partially concealed by a screen of hurdles and bracken, lay across +the narrow way, while a score of paces beyond was a tree trunk, +which, having been skilfully cut through close to its base, needed +but little effort to fall into its present position, effectually +barring the road to any but unmounted men. + +With a sickening feeling of horror Raymond gazed into the pit, where +lay the mangled remains of two of his men-at-arms, though it was +evident that the plunderer had already been there, as the corpses +were stripped of their arms and accoutrements, while the trappings of +the horses had vanished. + +Under the fallen trunk lay the body of the third soldier, plundered +also as far as the ponderous timber would allow, while of the fourth +no trace remained but a dark stain on the clayey soil. + +Clambering over the last obstacle, the squire found himself on the +steep path that had been so dangerous a road but a short fortnight +before. On and on he hastened, till he emerged on the high road that +led to the camp, which he estimated to be about four and a half +leagues distant, provided a general advance had not taken place in +the meantime. + +He was hatless and without his surcoat, having left that garment with +his late jailer, and there were no distinguishing marks to show that +he belonged either to the army of the King of England or of Philip of +France. + +Tying his blood-stained scarf over his chin, he strode boldly +forward, trusting in the role of a wounded soldier to avoid being +questioned. At length he gained the summit of a hill, from which he +looked down upon a lovely fertile valley, and in the distance the +blue waters of the English Channel. + +A spur of rising ground hid the view on his right, but a few minutes +sufficed to gain its crest, and on looking down he saw a sight that +filled him with joy, for below lay a large unwalled town, which he +rightly guessed to be Caen, while a league off was the English host +in battle array, and between him and the army was a motley array of +Frenchmen issuing from the town to join battle with the invaders. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE TABLES TURNED + + +ONLY one thing could Raymond do. He sat down on the grassy hillock +and watched, knowing well that the fight could but end in one way. + +A little group of Norman knights led the van of the French, whose +forces were composed mostly of towns-men, desperate in their vain +attempt to save their town from pillage. Eagerly the keen eyes of the +squire followed their disorderly advance, till they were almost lost +to view in the distance. + +To him it seemed as if the white-coated lines of English archers +stirred neither hand nor foot, but he knew full well that the blast +of deadly arrows had sped, for as if by magic the dark masses of the +Frenchmen broke and fled, without coming to hand-grips. Already the +English cavalry were in hot pursuit, and the white winding road +leading to the town was outlined with clouds of dust, which almost +concealed the disorderly remnants of the defeated fugitives. + +Directly the advance guard of the fleeing army began to draw near, +Raymond rose from the grass and ran swiftly towards the road. The +Frenchmen, each intent upon his own safety, rushed past him, throwing +off their armour to aid their flight, the mounted fugitives +ruthlessly riding down their less fortunate countrymen. + +Seated by the roadside was a man-at-arms, who, sorely wounded in the +shoulder, was endeavouring to divest himself of his hauberk in order +to ease the pain. Actuated both by his own requirements and a feeling +of pity, Raymond helped him to unburden himself of the steel-ringed +coat, and having donned the Frenchman's discarded armour, he bathed +his wound, a deep lance-thrust, with water obtained from a rivulet +that ran by the roadside. + +After rendering this service he proceeded to complete his own +equipment. A heavy sword and a light shield were soon found, and it +did not require much effort on the part of the active squire to seize +a riderless horse. + +With difficulty curbing the restlessness of his newly-acquired steed, +Raymond urged it into an adjoining field to avoid being swept away by +the panic-stricken horde of fugitives, and eagerly awaited the +arrival of the English host. + +Soon the tide of fleeing Frenchmen slackened, and the braver spirits, +maintaining a running fight, alone remained to uphold the honour of +the ill-assorted army of the citizens of Caen. + +Suddenly Raymond's attention was drawn to a knot of mailed figures, +who, surrounded by a press of Englishmen, fought savagely with the +courage of despair. One by one the French mounted men-at-arms and +squires fell, till only two knights remained. + +The pair, keeping side by side, held their enemies at bay by a shower +of blows from sword and mace, till one, his horse slain by a +Welshman, who paid for his act by having his head cleft by a +back-handed sweep, was dashed to the ground and made prisoner. + +On seeing his comrade's fate, the other knight urged his horse +through the crowd of assailants and made a dash for the open field, +where Raymond awaited the chance to join his friends. + +Directly the squire caught sight of his emblazoned surcoat and shield +he recognised the Frenchman--it was none other than the Count of +Tancarville! + +Shaking off his pursuers, who preferred to return to squabble over +their rights to the ransom of the captive knight, the Count rode +straight for the place where Raymond was concealed. When he was +twenty paces off the squire rode forward and barred his way. + +"Yield thyself, Sir Knight!" exclaimed Raymond. + +For a moment the Count gazed with undisguised astonishment at the man +whom he had last seen as a prisoner in his stronghold, then, +recovering himself, he put spur to his horse and rode furiously at +the squire. + +The combatants were evenly matched, for the advantage of the +Frenchman's complete coat of mail was balanced by the comparative +freshness of his opponent and his steed. The knight had lost his +lance, so that the fight was with swords. + +Reining back his horse, Raymond skilfully avoided the first rush, the +Count's sword-point missing his unguarded face by a hand's breadth, +while the squire's return blow fell harmlessly on his adversary's +shield. Instantly Raymond closed in, and before the knight could turn +his steed to meet the counter-attack, the squire's sword had bit +deeply into his enemy's thigh. Then their blades met, and amid a +shower of sparks and the clicking and rasping of steel, Raymond found +himself at pains to defend his unvisored face, and it was not long +before the blood was flowing freely from a cut on his cheek. But the +Count's previous exertions and the loss of blood from several deep +wounds were beginning to tell. His blows did not fall with the same +strength that marked his first rush, though the squire could not +break down his guard. + +Long they fought, their horses prancing and curveting as if realising +that their efforts would materially aid their masters' sword-play, +till Raymond's untried blade snapped off close to the hilt, and, with +the exception of a short knife, he was left weaponless. + +A quick pull at the reins, and the squire's horse ranged alongside +that of the Norman. The next instant Raymond had grasped his opponent +round the body, and with a mighty heave sought to tear him from the +saddle. + +Between the two plunging steeds the combatants fell, locked in a +close embrace, Raymond uppermost; but before he could make good his +advantage and demand his enemy's surrender a stunning kick from the +Count's horse left its master at the Englishman's mercy. + +Raymond rose to his feet bruised and breathless, and at that moment a +band of soldiers came hurrying towards them. The newcomers were the +wild-looking Welsh mercenaries, intent on plunder; and, unable to +make them understand who he was, the squire was for a while in danger +of being set upon by these lawless booty-seeking warriors. Standing +over the body of the prostrate knight, he beckoned, shouted, and +threatened, till a highly-pitched voice behind him demanded who and +what he was. + +Raymond turned and saw a gigantic, swarthy, and black-bearded man, +clad in a bronze-coloured suit of armour, having a green dragon +emblazoned on his surcoat and shield. + +"Squire to Sir John Hacket of Hamptonshire," he replied breathlessly. +"I pray thee bid these rascals desist." + +A word from the stranger in an unknown tongue, and the Welshmen +retired. + +"Rascals, iss what ye call tem?" asked the new arrival, laughing +boisterously. "I would haf yes know, poy, tat tey are from +Glamorgan--from Glamorgan, I tell you! And tey are the best men in +the Army, I tell ye, poy, for tey are my men, I, David Evans, knight +off Glamorgan. I pray ye pear tat in mind. I myself tought ye wass a +Norman, or at pest a Gascon, seeing ye wass to wear a Frenchman's +hauberk." + +The Welsh leader rode off, leaving Raymond to wonder how he could +escape molestation from his friends and still stand by his captive. +Most of the pursuers kept to the highway, and only a few came close +to where he stood. In vain he begged and entreated the passing +soldiers to give a hand to carry off the unconscious Count. Even the +promise of a silver penny had no effect, for the English, intent on +plunder, were already streaming into Caen with the last of their +foes, and the comparatively bountiful offer of payment was invariably +rejected with contempt. + +At length, despairing of obtaining assistance, Raymond left his +prisoner and made his way back to the road, hoping to see a familiar +face amongst the victorious soldiers who were hurrying forward to +join in the sack of the town, but there were none of the Hampshire +companies. + +Picking up another sword to replace his broken weapon, the squire +preferred to go back to guard his captive, consoling himself with the +thought that on the Count's return to consciousness he could lead him +into the camp; then, suddenly bethinking himself of the rivulet +higher up the road, he hastened towards it to slake his burning +thirst. + +This he did, and thereupon made his way back by a different route to +where the Count lay. Barely had he gone half the distance than he +came to a dry ditch, where, to his surprise, he found two fugitives +cowering in the long grass that grew in the trench. + +"Je me rends!" they both exclaimed, grovelling at his feet in fear of +instant death, for, being but peasants, they knew that scant mercy +was shown to those who were unable to offer ransom. + +In a moment Raymond saw and seized his chalice. "Vous etes mes +prisonniers," he exclaimed, brandishing his weapon. "Venez avec moi." + +Driving them before him, the squire soon reached the place where he +had left the Count of Tancarville, and indicated by signs that they +should carry him. This they did, panting with their exertions, for +the knight in his complete armour was a heavy burden. Their progress +was slow, till on arriving on the highway Raymond made them take two +broken lances, and forming a rough litter, they were able to make a +better pace. + +At length, they came in sight of the camp, and to his great joy +Raymond saw the well-known banner of the crescent on the blue field, +waving close to the pavilion over which floated the royal standard of +England, for the Constable of Portchester's company was that day +detailed as guard to the camp. + +Great was the delight and astonishment of Sir John Hacket and his men +on Raymond's reappearance, for he had been given up for lost; and +greater was the Constable's surprise when his squire, pointing to the +litter, exclaimed with pardonable pride: "Behold, sir, I bring thee +the Count of Tancarville according to thy instructions." + +Having handed over his three prisoners and given a brief account of +his adventures, Raymond retired to a tent to enjoy a well-earned meal +and a rest. From one of the archers he learned that his father, +maddened by grief and rage at the supposed loss of his son, had +obtained permission to join for the time being the Sussex company of +Sir Guy of Bramber, vowing that twenty Norman lives would but +ill-balance Raymond's death. + +The squire's leisure was of short duration, for Sir John Hacket came +in person to inform him that the King had ordered him to appear +before him. + +Raymond's eyes sparkled with delight, for this was a step at least +towards his coveted reward, and hastily attiring himself suitably for +the royal presence, he followed the Constable to the King's pavilion. + +It was a large tent, hung with damask, and divided into two parts by +a heavy curtain. In the ante-room were crowds of knights awaiting an +audience, their names and titles being carefully set down by a +herald, while another, stationed at the flap of the partitioning +curtain, where two knights in full armour stood on guard, announced +the various personages who had business with their Sovereign. + +Each knight who was ushered into the inner apartment had but a short +stay in the royal presence, and to Raymond, as he waited in +breathless expectation, it seemed as if there was a continuous +procession of warriors, some elated with the prospect of praise and +honour, others nervously ignorant of why they were summoned thither; +while others, knowing that their master had cause for displeasure, +were pacing the crowded ante-chamber, biting their lips in their +anxiety. + +All the while a buzz of suppressed voices was heard from the inner +room, and occasionally Edward's hearty voice could be clearly +distinguished as he praised or chid according to the merits or +demerits of the person before him. + +Suddenly the sound of a galloping horse was heard, coming rapidly +nearer, then, amid a hum of ill-concealed excitement, a knight, +covered in mud from head to foot, and breathless from hard riding, +burst into the ante-chamber. + +"Ah, Sir William!" he exclaimed to the royal herald, "I pray thee +announce me to the King with all despatch. The matter brooks not +delay!" And clanking in his heavy armour at the heels of the herald +he disappeared behind the curtain that concealed the royal presence +from the crowd of waiting knights. + +"'Tis Lord Bassett," whispered Sir John to his squire. "Certes, some +event of much moment hath occurred to bring him from the field. +Hearken!" + +The newcomer's voice was distinctly audible to those who waited +without. "The men of Caen are holding out stubbornly, Sire, every +house being closed to our troops, and our losses from the darts of +those within are exceeding great. The Welsh levies, aye, and our own +men as well, are killing without mercy man, woman, and child, yet +their acts do but increase the fury of the men of Caen. I pray you, +Sire, that the word goes forth that every soldier shall withdraw from +the city, for otherwise they threaten to destroy it with fire." + +"But wherefore should we hold our hand?" inquired the King. "They of +Caen set themselves in battle against our hosts, and must of +necessity abide the consequences." + +"But the spoil, Sire, the spoil! 'Tis the richest town in all +Normandy. If we can but prevail on the citizens to lay down their +arms, then the sack can be resumed with more profit and less risk." + +"There's wisdom in thy words," replied Edward, "but thy advice is +every whit the same as the Cardinal Legates gave to us but an hour +agone. These we told that it was our resolve to brook no interference +of the Holy Father in matters appertaining to war, but, by my +halidome, the suggestion commends itself to us. Therefore withdraw +our troops. Beat a parley with the townsmen, and demand their +surrender with promise of quarter. Stay! I'll to the front myself! +Herald! Dismiss the knights in waiting, and inform them that we will +receive them on the morrow." + +Thus Raymond's opportunity had passed for the present, for when the +morrow came, the King in person met the chief magistrate of Caen, and +in the presence of the Papal Envoys, agreed to accept the +unconditional surrender of the town, pledging his kingly word, +however, that the massacre should cease, and before the evening came +the squire was detailed for another errand. + +"Raymond," quoth Sir John Hacket, "I have it in mind that a slight +advancement and no little honour can be obtained if we can seize the +stronghold of the Count of Tancarville, and gain possession of the +store of powder and the bombards of which thou hast spoken. What +think ye? All the powder was not taken away by the Count?" + +"I think not, sir." + +"And the bombards?" + +"I saw none go; nevertheless they may have sent them away." + +"Then I'll go to Chandos and crave permission to lead the company +against this strange hunting-lodge in the Forest of Brique. Meanwhile +have thy two prisoners closely questioned, for, methinks, they know +exactly where this stronghold lieth." + +The Constable hastened to the tent of Sir John Chandos to obtain the +required boon, while Raymond sent for the two Normans whose lives he +had spared. They were, so the squire ascertained, brothers, and one +had been in the service of the Count of Eu, and knew the precise +position of the Count of Tancarville's forest castle. + +Soon Sir John returned, having succeeded in his mission. One of the +prisoners was made to act as guide, and to avoid another blunder he +was told that should the enterprise fail through his neglect or +treachery his brother's life would be forfeit. Rations were served +out to the company, and an hour later Sir John's command, consisting +of three squires, thirty men-at-arms, and fifty mounted archers, +moved out of camp amid the encouraging shouts of their comrades, and +disappeared in the gathering gloom towards the dark masses of the +Forest of Brique. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE FALL OF THE COUNT'S STRONGHOLD + + +UNDER the guidance of the Norman, the company proceeded by a +different route to that by which Raymond made his escape; and, as +night fell, they dismounted and off-saddled in a clearing within half +a league of the Count's stronghold. + +Sentries were posted, and every precaution taken against surprise, +but nothing untoward occurred to disturb the camp. + +Day dawned, but a thick, fleecy mist prevailed, the moisture dripping +from the steel caps of the soldiers, who, in spite of it being a +summer's morn in fair Normandy, actually shivered with cold. No fires +were allowed to be lighted for fear of giving warning of their +approach, and after a hasty breakfast the company started on the last +portion of the journey. + +The way lay through a narrow avenue, similar to that in which +Raymond's ill-fated men-at-arms met with disaster, and the Norman +guide, anxious for his own and his brother's safety, used all his +skill and cunning as a woodman to ensure a successful surprise. + +Presently through the mist two gnarled trunks attracted his +attention, and, halting, he beckoned to the Constable to dismount. In +low tones he explained that lie wanted a riderless horse to be driven +in front of the company, and, the Constable assenting, one of the +archers dismounted and urged his steed to the head of the column. + +To Raymond, who knew the perils of the path, the act occasioned no +surprise, but most of the soldiers watched the action with +wonderment. + +The horse had proceeded but a short distance when it stumbled over +some invisible obstacle, and before it could recover itself, a heavy +beam, furnished with a metal barb, came crashing down from the +mist--hidden branches above, pinning the devoted animal to the earth. + +A score of willing hands dragged the timber and its victim from the +path. "I pray you send another horse on ahead," exclaimed the +Constable calmly, as if unmoved by his narrow escape, for had he been +in his customary place at the head of the company his fate would have +been sealed. + +Silently, and fully anticipating a fresh trap, the troop advanced, +the successor to the ill-fated horse walking cautiously as if +instinctively aware of its perilous mission. A bow-shot farther it +stopped, and, in spite of the application of the point of a dagger, +it refused to move another step. + +"Prenez garde, messieurs, c'est un piege," whispered the Norman. +"Mais sans doute c'est le dernier empechement." + +"Step forward, Lavant," exclaimed the Constable in a low tone to one +of the men-at-arms. "Thrust out thy spear and see what lieth here." + +The man did so, and almost without resistance the weapon sank in +turf. A twist of the spear and a large piece of what looked to be +green sward gave way, disclosing a yawning cavity, its length being +too great to permit a horse to leap across, while its depth was +sufficient to kill or maim any man or beast that had the misfortune +to fall therein. + +At a sign from their leader the soldiers dismounted. One man was told +off to every four horses, a party set silently to work to cut a way +through the dense thicket, so as to make a detour round the pitfall, +and the rest of the soldiers stood where they were, resting on their +arms till the path was cleared. + +This done, the company, now diminished in fighting numbers by +one-fourth, resumed their march, and, as the guide had foretold, were +unmolested by any other obstacle till they emerged from the forest at +the edge of the extensive clearing in which stood the stronghold of +the Count of Tancarville. + +The sun was now above the tree-tops, and slowly the mist was +dispersing, so that the outlines of the fortress were just visible in +the clouds of lifting vapour. + +Ordering his men to lie down within the shelter of the undergrowth, +Sir John called his squires, the master bowman who had taken the +place of the absent Redward, and the oldest man-at-arms, and held a +hasty consultation upon the plan of attack. + +Though Raymond had not seen the castle from without, he found that +his idea of the place did not differ greatly from the appearance of +the actual building. It was a long, low structure, but one story in +height, save at one corner, where a low tower commanded the rest of +the stronghold. The walls were pierced with narrow loopholes for the +discharge of arrows, and crowned by a battlemented breastwork. Around +the walls was, as Raymond already knew, a ditch or moat. The +drawbridge was raised, and the outer fortalice or barbican was +furnished with a massive door. + +There were no signs of the garrison, which, at the most, numbered +less than two score men, but the possibility of a surprise was +guarded against by the fact that the doorway of the barbican was +closed. + +For several hours the little English force lay in front of the +stronghold, the soldiers prone on the grass, their leaders standing +behind a dense thicket, so that no assailant was visible to the +still unsuspecting inmates of the castle. + +At length some of the archers who had remained with the horses joined +the main body, dragging with them two peasants who were captured +while on their way to the Count's fortress. The two men bore huge +baskets full of bread on their backs, and the booty was distributed +and eagerly devoured by the soldiers, while the peasants, securely +bound, were detained a short distance in the forest under a guard of +three archers. + +Presently one of the men-at-arms approached Raymond. "I beg of thee, +sir, to ask the Constable that he give me leave to force an entry +into yonder fortress." + +"How so, Peter? Wouldst essay the task alone?" + +"Nay, Master Raymond, but with my comrade, Myles of Fareham, 'tis +easy to attempt." + +"And easier to fail? What wouldst thou do?" + +"If we don the peasant's clothes and carry their baskets filled with +stones on our backs, I trow 'twill be an easy business to fool those +that are within. Once they open the gate two honest Englishmen can +hold it against a score of Frenchmen till the main body hath time to +come to our aid." + +"By St. George! Thou sayest aright; I'll speak to Sir John at once." + +The Constable received the project with delight, and preparations for +the assault were instantly made. The two men-at-arms drew the +gabardines of the peasants over their armour, so that they closely +resembled the thick-set, shambling Normans, and shouldering their +heavy baskets, they advanced boldly towards the outwork. + +Meanwhile their comrades were eager and alert. The bowmen had chosen +their arrows and strung their bows; the men-at-arms had drawn their +swords and had discarded their belts and sheaths to enable them to +run the quicker to the aid of the two devoted men, and with eyes +intently fixed on the gate of the barbican they awaited the signal to +rush headlong across the open space that lay between them and the +fortress. + +To the waiting soldiers it seemed hours ere their two comrades drew +near to the outer work, but when within a few paces of it a sentinel +stood forth on the wall and challenged them. Then, apparently +suspicious of their errand, he blew a loud blast on a horn, which was +immediately answered by the appearance of five or six men from within +the barbican, while over a score lined the walls of the main +stronghold, some of whom began to wind their cross-bows. + +At the same time the door was thrown open, and a man, apparently a +captain, stood on the threshold. Up to now these preparations were +simply a matter of form, no matter who the newcomer might be, and +fortunately the iron-nerved Englishmen understood this, for, +staggering under their loads, they still advanced with bent heads to +avoid recognition. + +Suddenly the guardian of the gate realised that it was not a pair of +ignorant peasants that he had to parley with. But the knowledge came +too late. Peter of Purbrook had thrown down his load and dashed, +sword in hand, at the astonished Norman. Before the latter could +retreat a step he had fallen with his head cleft to the chin. His +body lay athwart the threshold, and ere the others could rush to +close the gate the Englishmen had pushed their baskets, filled with +stones, against the door, and were awaiting the onslaught of their +foes. + +With hoarse shouts of encouragement the English men-at-arms rose from +their ambush and rushed madly to their comrades' aid, while the +archers, shooting rapidly and coolly, directed a dropping fire of +arrows at the defenders on the walls. But they of the outwork had +gathered to defend the gate, and already a fierce struggle was taking +place, the two gallant Englishmen being hard pressed by the enraged +Normans. + +With axe, spear, and mace the defenders strove to thrust back the +daring intruders, while the latter, regardless of their own safety, +essayed to keep open the gate. Two of the Normans fell, their bodies +adding to the ghastly pile at the entrance to the barbican, but +directly afterwards Myles of Fareham was slain by a savage +spear-thrust. + +Undismayed by the fall of his comrade, Peter of Purbrook hurled an +axe at the helm of the slayer of his friend, then, clearing at a +bound the heap of corpses, bade fair to drive back the defenders +single-handed, while his comrades, with Raymond well in the fore, +were already halfway across the intervening space. + +Carried away by the heat of battle, Raymond saw as in a dream the +figure of the devoted man-at-arms clearing a path for his countrymen; +the next instant there was a blinding flash, a deafening roar, and a +thick, choking cloud of sulphurous smoke. + +One of the defenders, with the fury of despair, had fired off a +bombard, the huge stone ball crashing through friend and foe alike, +and bounding over the springy turf till it came to a stop a few paces +from the edge of the forest. + +Appalled by the sound, the soldiers hesitated, but when the smoke had +partially cleared away the gateway was deserted. + +Then the Constable's voice was heard amid the din, "Onwards, men, the +place is ours," and regaining their wits, the Englishmen rushed +forward and reached the deserted barbican. + +The discharge from the bombard, by which the remaining Frenchmen, +save one, and four English men-at-arms, including the ill-fated +Peter, had been swept away, was attended by one good result. The +drawbridge had been lowered, and, after applying the linstock, the +cannonier had darted back across it to take refuge in the fortress, +while the heavy bombard, wrenching asunder the leather thongs that +bound it to the carriage, had recoiled till its weight rested on the +end of the drawbridge, effectually preventing it from being raised by +the defenders. + +In the meanwhile the English archers, while engaged in keeping down +the fire of the cross-bowmen, had marked the fugitive cannonier as he +sped back to gain the entrance. Ere he had run but half the distance +he fell, transfixed by a dozen arrows, while the attacking party +roared with excitement and jubilation. + +Even if the defenders had had another bombard available they would +have been prevented by the hail of shafts from training it on their +adversaries; and, led by the Constable and his squires, the +men-at-arms crossed the drawbridge and thundered at the main gate +with their axes, while the archers, advancing in close order, kept up +a hot fire against every point where a Norman dared show the crest of +his steel cap. + +Under the furious blows the door was splintered; then with a united +effort the shattered woodwork gave way, and the victorious Englishmen +rushed headlong into the castle, only to find that not a man of the +garrison was to be seen. + +With his own hands the Constable tore down the scarlet wolves' heads +of the banner of the Count of Tancarville, and the blue guidon with +the demi-lune floated in its place, amidst a fanfare of trumpets and +the cheers of the victors. + +Then a systematic search of the stronghold was undertaken, but no +trace of the Normans was found till an archer stumbled over a heavy +trap-door, which, on being raised, disclosed a flight of dankstone +steps leading to a subterranean passage. Listening intently, the +Constable and his squires heard the faint sounds of retreating +footsteps echoing along the stone walls of the tunnel. + +"It matters not," quoth Sir John. "I doubt whether there be any +person of quality amongst them. Their burrow doubtless leads to some +spot in the forest, and I can ill-afford to risk more lives in a +needless undertaking." + +To close the entrance, pieces of heavy timber weighted with stone +were thrown down the yawning pit, and having made all chance of a +return by this outlet impossible, the soldiers devoted their energies +to the exploration of the building. + +It was more of a fortified arsenal than a castle, the Count's +principal fortress being ten leagues off, but the spoils of war were +both numerous and useful. + +In all, including the bombard in the barbican, there were eleven +pieces of ordnance, a score barrels of powder, steel caps, hauberks, +and weapons of all descriptions. Unwilling to leave the booty where +it might again fall into the hands of the Normans, the Constable made +preparations to carry off the whole of the munitions of war. + +Dragging long planks across the open ground, a party of archers +returned to where the horses had been left. By bridging the pitfall, +the steeds were led safely across the fatal trap, and in less than an +hour were within the stronghold, where rough carts in abundance were +ready to be loaded up with the spoil. + +Meanwhile Raymond had not forgotten the unfortunate man-at-arms who +had been captured with him in the first attempt to seize the Count. +Aided by a couple of archers, he searched vainly for the secret +oubliette, till at length he bethought him of the two peasants who +had been taken earlier in the day. + +These were brought before him, and without much difficulty were +compelled to lead the way. In the floor of the lowest apartment the +peasants pointed out a small door, almost invisible in the deep +gloom. Procuring a torch, Raymond and the archers shot back the +bolts, and on lifting the trapdoor, a dark, evil-smelling dungeon was +disclosed, unlighted and almost unventilated. Mingled with the noise +of scores of rats a low moaning was heard, and in the fitful glare of +the torchlight a narrow circular hole could be distinguished in the +centre of the dungeon, its mouth unprotected by a barrier of any +kind. + +"Art there, Robert?" asked the squire, his voice shaking with pity +and emotion. + +The only reply was another low moan, as of a human being in direst +distress. Sending one of the archers back for assistance, Raymond +impatiently waited by the yawning pit. The man soon returned, and +with him four lusty men-at-arms, one of whom carried a coil of stout +rope and two more torches. + +Directing the men to lower him slowly and carefully, Raymond knotted +one end of the rope under his arms and boldly descended, holding a +flaming torch above his head. The light flickered on the slimy walls +of the pit, which, as he descended, began to increase in size, till +at length he reached the bottom of a deep, bottle-shaped cavity, the +only approach to which being the narrow neck through which he had +been lowered. + +The floor was ankle-deep in filth and slime; and, by the aid of the +torch, the squire saw, crouched in the corner, apparently heedless of +the presence of his rescuer, the figure of a man. + +Bending over him, Raymond failed at first to recognise his ill-fated +companion-in-arms, for the soldier's face, instead of being the +deep-bronzed, healthy colour that comes of a life in the open air, +was of a ghastly greenish hue, and his eyes, dazzled by the glimmer +of the torch, blinked with a peculiar vacant expression that +suggested madness. + +Finding that the man was too weak to stand the strain of the rope +round his chest, Raymond, placing the torch on the ground, lifted him +to his feet, and taking him in his arms, called out to those above to +haul up. Shielding the soldier as well as he could from the rough +sides of the shaft, the squire with his pitiful burden came slowly to +the surface, where rough but kindly hands took charge of the rescued +prisoner, who was little more than a corpse. + +[Illustration: A PITIFUL DISCOVERY] + +On rejoining the Constable, Raymond found that a discovery had been +made of another score of barrels filled with powder, and the question +of transport was troubling Sir John sorely. For not only was the +quantity too great for the numbers of men and waggons at their +disposal, but the difficulty arose how to reach the highway, the path +by which they had come being quite unsuitable for the carts. + +Two scouts were therefore sent out with instructions to follow the +cart-tracks, and to find out whether any of the late garrison still +remained in the neighbourhood. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +REDWARD'S CONFESSION + + +IT was close on nightfall ere the two scouts sent out by Sir John +Hacket returned to the captured fortress. They reported that there +was a fairly wide road which joined the highway to Caen about three +leagues from that town, and that there were no signs of any hostile +force in the district they had explored. + +So that night the company made merry in the stronghold of the Count +of Tancarville, wine and food being found in abundance, although Sir +John did not for one moment relax the vigilance so necessary in a +strange country. + +At daybreak preparations were made for the evacuation of the +fortress, and, headed by the two scouts, the little force set out on +its march to the camp. + +First came a strong party of men-at-arms, ready for instant action in +case of attack. Then followed the Constable and his squires, +accompanied by the two peasants and the Norman guide, and surrounded +by a body of dismounted archers, who marched with their bows strung +and their quivers swinging from the hip. + +The carts came next, drawn by the horses of the dismounted archers, +and piled high with the spoils of the fortress, including the +captured bombards and as much powder as they could possibly hold. + +Next came a small troop of men-at-arms, followed by some more carts, +in which the wounded, including the rescued soldier, lay on heaps of +hay and straw; while the rear was composed of the rest of the +men-at-arms and mounted archers. + +In this order they issued under the great gateway, passed over the +drawbridge, and crossed the wide belt of open ground. When the head +of the column reached the edge of the gloomy forest a tucket sounded +and the soldiers came to a halt. + +Seeing Sir John and his squires gazing intently at the abandoned +stronghold the men did likewise. They saw the grim and gaunt pile +standing clearly out against the dark background of the forest, and +from the black flag-staff fluttered the blue banner of the company, +with its well-known device of the golden crescent. + +Even as they watched, the figure of a man made its appearance on the +battlements; the banner was slowly lowered, and the man disappeared. + +A few moments later the same man, mounted on a swift steed, emerged +from the gateway and thundered across the turf. Reining in his horse +before Sir John, the rider handed the banner to the guidon-bearer, +saluted, and fell in with his comrades; but still the Constable kept +his eyes steadfastly on the fortress. + +What could it mean? + +Slowly the moments sped. To the perplexity of the soldiers, the +castle had an irresistible fascination for their leaders, and, +following their example, they, too, looked in silent wonderment at +the gaunt masses of masonry. + +Suddenly, with a flash, a roar, and a cloud of smoke and dust, the +castle appeared to split asunder; huge masses of stone flew skyward, +then with an appalling crash the walls subsided, and in place of the +massive outlines of the fortress there was nothing to be seen save a +pile of blackened stones, over which floated a heavy pall of dense +vapour. + +The remainder of the powder had been fired, and the sylvan stronghold +of the Count of Tancarville was no more! + +"'Tis well done," was Sir John's only comment, then, on receiving the +word of command, the company resumed its march, and plunged into the +sombre shadows of the forest. + +Almost unnoticed, the little force reached the camp, for in the +excitement of the sack of the rich town of Caen the absence of the +company on their successful raid was of small moment to the rest of +the army intent as they were on the gain of booty. + +There were two exceptions at least. One was Redward Buckland, who, +being apprised of his son's safety, had left the Sussex company, only +to find to his great disappointment that his comrades had departed on +their raid. + +The other was the great Chandos, who, recognising more than most +Englishmen of his day the possibilities of artillery, showed the +greatest interest in Sir John Hacket's report of the expedition, +promising at the first available opportunity to inform the King of +the great service rendered by the Constable of Portchester and his +favourite squire. + +But other events were taking place that effectually eclipsed for the +time being the glory of the brilliant raid. Edward, having plundered +Caen, described by Froissart as "large, strong, full of draperies and +all sorts of merchandise; rich citizens, noble dames, damsels, and +fine churches," had reserved for his own share all the plate, jewels, +and choice cloths. The plunder, together with three hundred of the +more opulent citizens, was placed on board the English ships and sent +over the Channel; then, hoping to sack Rouen in a similar manner, the +King advanced with his army up the fertile valley of the Seine. + +Foiled in this attempt, he continued his march towards Paris, only to +find the bridges broken down, with a strong hostile force on the +nether bank, and Philip with a large army rapidly approaching from +Guienne. + +A desolate track, dotted with the ashes of countless towns and +villages, marked the ruthless advance of the English, till at the +very gates of Paris the flood-tide of invasion became the ebb of +retreat, and Edward, hard pressed, was in danger of being cut off by +overwhelming numbers. + +One night, when lying near the village of Poissy, the camp was +aroused, and orders given to prepare to march. + +"Whither are we bound?" asked Raymond of his father as they met in +the semi-darkness. + +Redward shook his head. "'Tis not a soldier's part to question +orders," quoth he. "I did hear that the King would try to reach +Flanders, but methinks this way leadeth to Paris." + +There was no occasion for silence, and, talking freely amongst +themselves, the soldiers struck their tents, and at daybreak were +well on the road to Paris, while the light-armed horsemen attached to +the French army, who hovered around the flanks, wheeled about and +galloped off to inform the French King of the advance of the +invaders. + +Hardly had the cavalry disappeared than a halt was ordered; then, +with great celerity, the whole English army turned and retraced its +footsteps. + +The Hampshire companies, which at the outset formed the rearguard, +now found themselves in the van, and great was their delight when it +was rumoured that the King had entrusted to them the task of forcing +the passage of the Seine. + +"'Tis Sir John Chandos' own doing," remarked Redward, "and as clever +a feint as ever I met with. While the French are massing to prevent +our supposed march on Paris, we are quietly slipping away towards +Flanders." + +As they came in sight of the turbid river a horseman spurred madly +towards them. "The bridge! The bridge is broken down!" he shouted, +then without slackening his speed he rode onwards towards the main +body which the King had under his own command. + +"The bridge!" growled Redward, "what of the bridge? 'Tis easily +repaired, provided the enemy do not line the farther bank." + +"Then show all men what we can do," exclaimed the Constable. "Pull +down that house for me, and I'll warrant there will be a goodly stock +of timber sufficient to build a bridge, let alone patch one up." + +The men worked with a will, and soon the house was a shapeless mass +of wood and plaster, while the soldiers, selecting the largest and +strongest beams, dragged them to the spot where the jagged ends of +the riven bridge gaped a good ten yards apart. + +Meanwhile Redward and two score of his comrades had thrown off their +armour and quilted jackets, and, with ropes fastened to their waists, +plunged into the swift-flowing river. + +To clamber up the woodwork of the broken arch was the work of a few +minutes; then, hauling at the ropes with a will, they dragged two of +the largest beams across the chasm, and after this was done the work +of completing the temporary bridge was a comparatively easy matter. + +By this time the whole English army had crowded on its advance guard, +and many anxious glances were thrown backwards in the direction from +which the French attack was expected, but to every one's relief no +enemy appeared till the last waggon of the retreating host had +rumbled over the swaying structure. Then, as the van of the French +army came in sight, the temporary span, together with two additional +arches, crashed into the river, effectually preventing all pursuit +for a considerable period. + +The retreat continued, the King making towards Flanders, yet at the +same time gradually approaching the shores of the English Channel, so +as to be able to re-embark should he find himself hemmed in by the +hordes of infuriated Frenchmen. + +As the English came on swiftly and in good order, a considerable +force, under Godemar de Faye, fell back before them, seeking a +favourable chance to hinder their advance, while in their rear came +the hundred thousand armed men of King Philip, who had meantime found +means of crossing the Seine and were swiftly pursuing. + +At length the English reached the valley of the Somme. Here the same +difficulty awaited them. The bridges were broken down by the +redoubtable Godemar, after he had crossed and drawn up his troops on +the right bank to oppose the passage of the retreating army. + +Edward was sore puzzled with the problem of how to effect a crossing, +till a miserable Norman peasant, one Gobin Agace, was brought before +him. Not by threats, but by promises of rich reward, was this +unworthy Frenchman induced to betray his country; and, on his +informing the King of a certain ford, the order for a general advance +was at once given. + +Led by the peasant, the English rushed towards the ford. In front +flowed the river, lapping over the white stones and shingle as it +babbled along, an apparently peaceful stream, towards the sea. + +On the opposite bank lay the troops of Godemar; but not for one +moment did the King hesitate. Commanding the archers to pour a heavy +covering fire into the masses of Frenchmen, he drew his sword, and +setting himself at the head of his knights and mounted troops, Edward +dashed across the river. Short and fierce was the conflict, but +unable to withstand the fierce onslaught, the Frenchmen gave way, and +were soon in headlong flight. + +"Haste, sir," exclaimed Sir John Chandos; "command the main body to +cross." And even as he spoke the dark outlines of the pursuing army +appeared on the crest of a distant hill. + +Never was a ford crossed with such celerity. The waggons were dragged +or lifted by the united efforts of crowds of archers, and though +waist-deep in water, the whole army crossed in safety. + +Then the order was given to resume the march, the Hampshire companies +being given the post of honour--the task of covering the retreat. + +As Raymond stood with his men watching the advancing Frenchmen, their +innumerable banners waving like a reed-covered pond, the archers had +slipped into a long, extended line, and quietly, yet resolutely, +awaited the oncoming enemy. + +Suddenly the squire noticed a change in the appearance of the river. +Instead of a silently-flowing stream that ran towards the sea, a wave +of foaming water rushed up in the opposite direction, and almost +instantly the river became a mass of broken water, impassable to man +or beast. The floodtide had begun, and for six hours at least King +Philip was doomed to rave in fruitless anger on the wrong side of the +Somme. + +"We are safe enough for the present," remarked Redward to his son, +"but methinks before daybreak there will be few of us left, for the +best we can do is to hold them in check for an hour after the tide +has run out. Many a tight corner have we been in ere now, but, +certes, this is the worst." + +But the master-bowman was wrong, for presently a messenger came to +Sir John Hacket with an urgent order from the King. With an +irrepressible shout of delight, the fiery old knight summoned his +sturdy little band around him. + +"It is not fated that our bones bleach on the banks of this river, +_mes enfans_," he exclaimed. "News hath arrived that the King intends +to give battle with the enemy, and hath already ordered his forces in +a strong position but three leagues hence. Thither we are to repair +with all haste. Forward, then, and ere night we shall be with the +main body!" + +Eagerly the company fell in, and with hope renewed they set out for +the camp. + +"Mark my word, Raymond," said his father, "'tis but putting off the +evil day. A great fight is before us, and, by the rood, 'tis hard to +say how it will end. But I have a small matter on my mind of which I +would speak anon. As soon, therefore, as we arrive in camp, come +aside with me for one brief hour." + +Raymond assented, and in silence they rode onwards towards their +destination, a journey which was to many the last they would ever +make on earth. + +The sun was sinking low ere they heard the trumpets of the English +host. The place Edward had chosen to make a stand was one of great +natural strength. The army was encamped on the edge of a low plateau, +the right wing being additionally protected by a narrow stream, while +in the rear was a small wood. On the summit of the hill a wooden +windmill stood out clearly against the sky, while but a bowshot away +was the little village of Crecy, its houses, though ransacked by the +invaders, still standing--a contrast to those which had previously +stood in the path of the ruthless army. + +As the Constable's company moved towards the quarters assigned them, +Raymond noticed that the archers were already hard at work digging +trenches and cutting stakes for palisades, for the King had given +orders that everything should be ready ere night, so as to allow his +troops a well-earned rest. + +After a good repast, for provisions were plentiful in that fertile +valley, Raymond sought his father, and together they walked through +the camp towards the solitude of the neighbouring wood. On the way +they passed the royal pavilion, where, with his chief lords, King +Edward sat at supper, and, judging by the cheerful voices of the +company, it was evident that few doubts were entertained as to the +issue of to-morrow's conflict. + +But, silent and sad, the master-bowman and his son went on their way, +for Raymond knew instinctively that there was a great burden on his +father's mind. At length they reached the dark shadows of the wood, +and here Redward halted. + +"Raymond, my beloved son," he exclaimed in a voice broken with +emotion, "'tis hard that I should have to tell thee what I am about +to utter, but, before Heaven, I must do it, both for mine own peace +of mind and for thine own. Two score and three years ago this very +day I slew a man. The quarrel was of his own seeking, 'tis true, but, +nevertheless, the law was set against me, and I was made outlaw!" + +The master-bowman paused to note the effect of this announcement, +but, beyond a tightening of his lips, Redward betrayed no sign of +dismay at this astounding confession. + +"Then I fled from the country, and assumed a name to which I have no +right," resumed Redward. "In this I did thee a great injustice, for +the ban falls on the outlaw's children equally with himself; and on +this account I ought never to have taken a wife or to have had a +son." + +"I care not for myself, father. But what if, even now, thou art +recognised?" + +"It matters not, my son. A secret kept for over two score years may +well remain a secret; but I have a misgiving that I shall never see +the sun set to-morrow." + +"Father!" + +"Nay, Raymond, 'tis but a small matter. I cannot live much longer, +and to fall in battle is a worthy end. But the worst is to be told. +Thou wouldst marry the Lady Audrey!" + +The young squire shuddered at the altered prospect. + +"Alack a day!" he groaned. + +"Ay, Raymond. I fear thou wilt curse the day thou camest into the +world, for to my sorrow I must tell thee--the brother of that lady's +father was the man I slew!" + +For a moment the squire was incapable of speech, then, recovering +himself with an effort, he exclaimed, "Nay, father, I blame you not. +It is rather the fate of circumstances and my own foolish pride that +made me look so high. I cannot for one moment continue my suit for +the hand of the Lady Audrey, neither can I ever hope to wear the +spurs of knighthood; but I am still thy son." + +"And wouldst thou know thy true name?" + +"Not unless it please thee, father; 'Raymond Buckland' hath served me +well these four-and-twenty years; but," he added with pardonable +curiosity, "if I may I would desire to know." + +"Dost call to mind Sir Edmund Revyngton?" + +"Indifferently so; I wot he is a knight of Devon." + +"He is also my brother, and, being without issue, his heir would be, +but for the bar of outlawry, Redward Revyngton, now known to all men +as Redward Buckland." + +It was a long story, that narrative of life marred by an act +committed in a moment of anger, but breathlessly Raymond listened +till the master-bowman had finished. + +"And if so be thou comest scatheless from the wars," he added, "the +abbot of Netley will deliver into thy hands certain documents +pertaining to thy welfare, and, should Heaven grant that this decree +of outlawry be rescinded (though I shall never live to see the day), +I pray that thou wilt ever acquit thyself as an honourable gentleman +of Devon." + +Slowly father and son returned towards the camp, and as they passed +between the long lines of tents, Redward paused before a lodging in +front of which was a shield displaying a mailed hand argent on a +field azure. + +Leaving Raymond standing in the gloom, the master-bowman went up and +spoke to a man-at-arms who stood outside the tent. + +"My master cannot hold converse with any one this night, especially +an archer," exclaimed the man roughly. + +"Convey my message to thy master and leave him to decide the point, +sirrah!" replied Redward in a tone of authority, and, on seeing that +a squire had joined him, the soldier obeyed. + +Soon he reappeared, and holding open the flap of the tent, signed for +the visitors to enter. + +Following his father, Raymond saw a tall, well-built man, who in +spite of his grey hairs and carefully-trimmed white beard, carried +his years with ease. He had laid aside his armour, and, judging by +the still lighted candles in front of a prie-dieu, he had but just +risen from his orisons. + +With a knightly courtesy he waited for the master-bowman to speak, +thinking that one of his followers had come to ask a boon, when to +his surprise Redward addressed him by name. + +"Sir Maurice," he exclaimed. "Dost thou not know me? I am thy brother +Redward!" + +"Redward? Back from the dead after all these years? Nay, it cannot +be! But yet----" + +Drawing nearer he looked closely into the master-bowman's rugged and +bronzed face, then, "Thank Heaven! I have found thee!" he exclaimed, +and Raymond beheld the extraordinary sight of a belted knight and a +surcoated archer falling on one another's necks in a transport of +joy. + +Then the squire had to be presented to his uncle. "A fine and gallant +youth, and a credit to the old stock of Revyngtons," declared the +knight. "But, tell me, Redward, why didst thou not seek me out ere +now, knowing I was in the camp?" + +"But for one thing, Maurice, I had as lief let it be thought that +Redward Revyngton was no longer in this world. It is Raymond of whom +I think, for I know that to-morrow's battle will count me amongst the +slain. How think ye, Maurice? Is there hope that the King will set +aside the outlawry, and free my son from its curse?" + +The knight shook his head sorrowfully. "Sir Reginald Scarsdale is +ever with the King, and his wrath against his brother's slayer dies +not." + +"And to make matters worse Raymond, ignorant of my past, seeks his +daughter's hand in marriage." + +Sir Maurice smiled grimly. + +"I'll do my best, even if it be to beg a favour of Scarsdale himself! +But sit down, Redward, and let us talk at ease, for the hours of +darkness fly quickly, and there is much to be said." + +It was after midnight before the brothers bade each other farewell, +and Redward and Raymond returned to their tents. + +On gaining the lines of the Hampshire companies, father and son +parted, the former to compose his mind for his anticipated death, the +latter to ponder over the astounding revelations he had just heard. +Sleep was banished from Raymond's eyes, and long he tossed uneasily +on his hard pallet, till the dawn grew ruddy in the east and the +trumpets heralded the advent of the eventful day. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +CRECY + + +FOR a short space after the trumpets had sounded all was bustle, men +running hither and thither, each with a fixed purpose. Directly +Raymond had donned his armour he emerged from his tent to find all +the Hampshire companies busily engaged in breaking their fast, as +were most of the troops, the King having ordered that every man +should make a hearty meal, so as to be sustained throughout the day. + +This over, the men formed into their accustomed ranks, and instantly +there was a long procession of camp-followers and lackeys leading the +horses to the enclosure behind the camp, for the order had gone forth +that all combatants were to fight afoot. + +Long was that parade remembered by the young squire. The +white-surcoated archers, with their well-filled quivers and, in most +cases, an additional sheaf of arrows in their belts, the +heavily-armed men-at-arms with rusty headpieces and war-worn +accoutrements, all standing fast in regular lines, made a picture +that gladdened the hearts of their leaders as they gazed upon the +stern, bronzed faces of their men. + +Already the more remote columns were deploying, and soon the order +came for the first division to march to the ground where the King had +decided to make his stand. The battlefield was well chosen, being on +the edge of the plateau overlooking the little valley that lay +between the English and the direction from which the French attack +was expected. + +On arriving at the allotted station, Raymond found that the supreme +command of his division was entrusted to the Prince of Wales, a mere +youth of fifteen, who had already shown great promise of a notable +military career. With him were the Earls of Warwick and Oxford and a +host of noble lords, the brunt of the fight being expected to fall +upon this division. + +Raymond found that this division was drawn up in two lines, the two +thousand bowmen being in front and the men-at-arms, numbering eight +hundred, in the second rank, while right behind were the wild-looking +Welsh and Irish auxiliaries, each man eagerly whetting his long knife +for use when the time came for them to be let loose on their +discomfited foes. + +Away on the left was another large division of archers and +men-at-arms drawn up in similar order, under the command of the Earl +of Northampton; while, glancing backwards towards the +windmill-crowned hill, Raymond saw the close ranks of the reserve +division, composed of seven hundred men-at-arms and two thousand +archers, under the direct command of the King. + +Looking in the direction of Abbeville, Raymond could see no signs of +the French host, and, after all, he wondered whether the attack would +be made, seeing the strength of the natural defences occupied by the +English. + +At length a dull hum of excitement ran along the ranks. The voices of +the company-commanders could be heard ordering their men to stand to +their arms, and in a few moments, mounted on a white palfrey and +bearing a white rod in his hand, the King rode slowly along the front +of those rigid lines of warriors. + +At intervals he reined in his steed in order to address the troops, +bidding them stand stoutly to their arms and take heed to his honour +in the fight. A roar of cheering greeted the monarch as he left the +first division to inspect the second, and the men were told to stand +at ease, and again refresh themselves with food and rest. + +Although awaiting an attack is one of the worst ordeals that can be +undergone, Raymond was amazed at the coolness of the soldiers, as +with merry laugh and jest they sat or sprawled on the ground. Many +were busily engaged in fixing new strings to their bows, smoothing +out the feathers of their arrows, or waxing or greasing the heads of +their deadly shafts to enable them to pierce an obstacle with greater +ease, while others crowded round the master-bowmen, asking advice or +information on the coming struggle. + +Redward had shaken off his depression, and greeted his son with a +cheerfulness that was all the more remarkable by reason of his +confession on the eve of battle. + +"A goodly sight," he exclaimed, "and never can I hope to be in better +company. Look at the lads! One would think they were about to try +their turn at the butts." + +"And think'st thou that the French will fight?" + +"Assuredly; they seek to overwhelm and crush us with the weight of +numbers. Can the archers but hold the ridge for one hour the day will +go with us." + +"But 'twill be eventide ere the enemy come to blows?" + +"Ay; but if mine eyes do not deceive me, there they are, right on the +skyline." + +Raymond looked, and in the distance he saw the cloud of dust that +invariably envelops an army on the march. Others had detected the +sight, and there was a general stir amongst the troops. Exclamations +of satisfaction burst from all lips at the prospect of the approach +of the French host. + +"'Twill be six or seven hours ere they draw nigh," remarked Redward, +"and footsore and weary will they be after a three leagues' march in +battle array. But, see, Raymond, there is thine uncle, Sir Maurice +Revyngton, at the head of the men of Totnes, and, mark you, Sir +Reginald Scarsdale is in close converse with him. What doth it mean, +I wonder?" + +A little later in the day the sun, which had been shining brightly in +the eyes of the English host, disappeared behind a thick bank of +clouds. The air was close and sultry, and at midday the gloom was so +intense that it seemed as if night was drawing nigh. With raucous +cries a vast number of crows, ever regarded as birds of ill-omen, +flew across the front of the army and alighted on the plain beneath; +then resuming their flight they disappeared in the direction of the +advancing Frenchmen. + +"It will go ill with the King of France," remarked Sir John Hacket to +his squire. "If he reads the sign aright methinks he will stay his +hand. But see, a thunder-storm approaches rapidly!" + +"Pass the word for the archers to protect their bow-strings," +exclaimed the Earl of Warwick to the nearest Constable, and in +obedience to the order the bowmen either drew waterproof cases over +their bows or, if unprovided with these, unstrung their weapons and +placed the cords under their quilted coats. + +Hardly were these preparations completed than the rain descended in a +torrential downpour, blotting out the horizon in a mirky blur, then, +as suddenly as it came, the cloud passed over on its way towards +Abbeville, and the sun again shone brilliantly, its warmth soon +drying the sodden clothing of the soldiers. + +Nearer and nearer came the dark masses of Frenchmen, till within a +league of their enemies they halted. Shortly afterwards a group of +horsemen could be seen riding towards the English position, and, amid +breathless excitement, it was observed that four French knights were +approaching. + +Either from absolute contempt for their enemies or relying on the +chivalrous instincts that frequently show themselves between opposing +enemies, the Frenchmen rode within a bow-shot of the English lines, +then, calmly trotting along the whole front of the army, they +appeared to be making careful observations of the dispositions of +their foe. + +Several knights besought the Prince of Wales to be allowed to have +their chargers brought them, so that they might earn a slight +advancement by engaging the intrepid Frenchmen; others requested that +the archers should shoot them down; but to all entreaties the Prince +firmly but courteously returned a refusal, and in perfect silence the +English allowed the French knights to complete their reconnaissance, +and to retire in safety to their own host. + +Slowly the hours passed, and still the French army showed no signs of +advancing. The sun was now shining well behind the English, and would +serve to dazzle the eyes of their attackers. Meanwhile the archers +had planted their pointed stakes, and the men-at-arms in charge of +the bombards had loaded these cumbersome engines and trained them on +the plain across which the enemy must advance. + +Once again the wearisome monotony was broken by the appearance of a +man who was observed to make his way steadily and rapidly towards the +English lines. When within bowshot he waved his arms in token of +friendship, and four archers were sent out to escort him to the +Prince. The new-comer was a tall, lightly-built man, with long, +spider-like legs and arms, and sharp, projecting elbow-joints and +knees. He was attired in a close-fitting dress of blue cloth that +served to increase his angularities, and from his belt hung an +ink-horn counterbalanced by a short knife. + +"Mark ye," quoth Sir John Hacket to his squire, "yonder sly fox is on +no lawful errand, and, certes, 'twill go hard with him if he plays +the traitor with our Prince. Look at his protruding forehead and his +shifty, blinking eyes. A creature like that would fawn to one's face +and plunge a dagger into one's back! Hark to what he has to say." + +The man spoke in a deep yet quavering voice, yet so loudly that +Raymond could hear every word. + +"My name, fair sir, is Alexandre Gourdain, and I am clerk in the +household of King Philip." + +"Forbear to trouble me with thy name and calling," replied the Prince +curtly, "but deliver thy message." + +"Message, fair sir? Nay, I bear no message, but have come to tell +thee that, though counselled to tarry till to-morrow, my master has +decided to begin the fight----" + +"One moment! Thou bring'st this news on thy own behalf?" + +"Yea, fair sir." + +"And seekest a guerdon?" + +"Yea, fair sir; I do but ask----" + +"Enough, thou recreant! Think'st thou that I would list to a +double-faced rogue to learn the movements of a gallant foe? Hence +with ye! Ho, archers! Strip this coward's coat from off his back, and +give him a score lusty stripes with your bow-cords. Then turn him +loose, and if he go not back to his master, feather him with shafts. +Get thee gone, knave." + +"Is it not as I said?" remarked the Constable of Portchester in an +undertone. "See, the archers take a delight in their task." + +The twenty strokes were laid on with all the force of the soldiers' +sinewy arms, then, threatened by a hundred drawn bows, the miserable +wretch was pushed out of the lines and sent on his way towards the +army he had stooped to betray. + +Signs of animation were now observed in the dense masses of the +enemy. The heavily-armed cavalry rode forth in a disorderly mob, +brandishing their arms and shouting; then, retiring on the main body, +their places were taken by a body of archers, nearly two thousand +strong, who slowly advanced towards the foot of the rising ground, +where the English were posted in firm array. + +"'Tis the crossbowmen of Genoa. Steady, my lads; their bolts will be +singing over our heads anon," shouted Sir John, and at the same +moment the Prince of Wales gave the signal for the archers to stand +and make ready. + +Silently yet swiftly the white-surcoated lines of bow-men sprang to +their feet and took up their allotted stations in the formation of a +harrow. With feet planted firmly, and with arrows notched to their +six-foot bows, they stood ready for action. + +At length the Genoese came within bowshot, the clicking of their +windlacs as they drew the cords of their crossbows sounding like the +chirping of myriad crickets. Then with a loud shout they leaped from +the ground. Another shout, and the leap was repeated. + +"Do they take us for a crowd of yokels at a country fair?" asked one +archer of his fellow. "They prance for all the world like a +dog-baited bear." + +"They'll dance higher ere long, I'll warrant," replied his comrade +grimly. + +Once more the Genoese leapt, then levelling their crossbows, they let +fly a volley of short bolts. + +A shout of derision greeted this discharge, for, without exception, +the bolts fell far short of the proper distance, sticking in the +ground at a sharp angle and rendering the advance of the French +cavalry, when it should take place, full of additional peril. + +"That shows what the rain did for the strings of their crossbows," +said Sir John Hacket to the Constable of Lewes, who had joined him at +the beginning of the advance. "Steady, men. At the word, loose wholly +together." + +The long-drawn tension was broken by the voice of the great Lord +Chandos. "In the name of God and St. George--shoot!" + +The twang of two thousand longbows reverberated along the line. The +intervening space between the armies was white with a sleet of +arrows. Looking towards the Genoese, Raymond saw a dense mass of men +bending over their crossbows and working their windlacs in desperate +haste to reload their cumbersome weapons. The next moment the Genoese +were literally swept away. Hardly an arrow failed to find a mark; +heads, breasts, arms, and legs were transfixed by stinging shafts. +Dead, wounded, and unscathed were mixed in a writhing, struggling +mass, and the confusion was increased by the unwounded striving to +fall back upon the main body of the French host. + +All the while the English archers shot straight and true at the +disorganised Genoese. The squire, though unable to see the faces of +the bowmen in front of him, was astonished at the quiet, collected +manner in which they loosed their bows. + +Then, as he glanced towards the panic-stricken foemen, the squire +observed a strong body of French mounted troops charging down, as he +supposed, to the support of the ill-fated crossbowmen. The ground +trembled beneath the feet of the cavalry, as with loose rein and +wildly brandished weapons their riders pressed forward in a headlong +charge. + +But to Raymond's surprise, instead of deploying right and left of the +fugitives, the Frenchmen cut right through their Genoese mercenaries, +slashing at the miserable men with sword and axe. + +In this tangled web horsemen fell in scores. Genoese and Frenchmen +fought each other with the madness of fury and self-preservation, and +all the time the hail of English arrows swept down knight and +crossbow-man in indiscriminate slaughter. + +To add to the confusion, the bombards on the right of the Prince's +division opened fire, and amid clouds of thick, suffocating smoke the +heavy stone balls went crashing through the dense masses of the foe, +and, for the first time in warfare, it was seen that thrice-tempered +armour was useless before the power of artillery. + +Then a trumpet sounded from the English ranks, and the hail of arrows +ceased as by magic. There was a loud discordant shout, the trampling +of hundreds of feet, and through the now rapidly clearing smoke +Raymond saw the Welsh and Irish levies dash out upon the demoralised +foe. With their long knives they threw themselves on the Frenchmen, +and, in the heat of the fight, all thought of quarter was ignored, +and knights, worth a rich ransom, were slaughtered as they lay +helpless on the ground with as little compunction as if they were +peasants. + +So intently was Raymond engaged in watching the struggle before him +that for the time being he did not notice what was happening on the +flanks of the first division, till suddenly the hoarse voice of the +Earl of Oxford was heard shouting, "Stand to your arms, fair knights +and squires! The French are upon us!" + +For the first time on that memorable day a desperate hand-to-hand +conflict was about to take place. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +HIS LIFE FOR HIS FOE + + +UNSHEATHING his sword and holding his shield firmly on his left arm, +the squire followed the example of the knights and men-at-arms, and +hastened towards the left flank. + +Already the French cavalry, led by the Duke of Alencon, had, by sheer +weight of numbers, forced their way to within striking distance of +their foes, and the long rows of white-coated archers, who formed the +first rank of the defence, were swept aside by the rush of the +mounted French knights, for at close quarters the bowmen were useless +against the lances, swords, and axes of their mailed antagonists. + +Before Raymond and his companions could throw themselves into the +press, the horsemen had hewn a way right to the foot of the Royal +Standard, beneath which the Prince of Wales and a chosen body of +knights fought with magnificent courage. + +The French and German knights, intent on securing the Prince, hurled +themselves in a compact body towards the Standard, and as fast as one +warrior fell, two more took his place, till it seemed that the +desperate bravery of the attackers would attain its purpose. + +Raymond found himself engaged by a tall, broad-shouldered antagonist, +who bore on his shield the cognisance of the House of Luxemburg. For +a space they rained blows at each other, striving by sheer force to +cut down their respective guards, till, by a sweeping blow, the +Frenchman shivered the squire's sword, and only by swiftly leaping +backwards was Raymond able to avoid the deadly stroke: So narrow was +his escape that the point of the descending blade cut a long, clean +gash in his surcoat ere it buried itself a foot deep in the carcase +of a slain charger. Instantly the squire rushed in, struck the +Luxemburger with the edge of his shield, then, ere the man could +recover himself, plunged his dagger to the hilt in his brawny throat. + +Without pausing to recover his breath, Raymond rushed towards a group +of French knights who were surrounding a little knot of Englishmen. +It was the Prince's own bodyguard, who, hard pressed, strove their +utmost to defend their young master. Sir Reynold Cobham, beaten to +the ground, lay pinned down by the weight of his armour; the Earl of +Warwick, wounded in the face by a lance thrust, was fiercely beset by +two knights of Cologne, while Edward, though unscathed, was the mark +of nigh a score of determined Frenchmen. Nimbly avoiding one stroke, +parrying another, and diverting a thrust with his shield, the Prince +fought like a trained veteran rather than a mere lad of fifteen. + +At length a knight, armed with a huge double-handed sword, made a +swinging cut at the Prince just as the latter had all his attention +drawn by the fierce onslaught of a mounted knight of Sicily. For the +moment it seemed as if nothing could save the Prince from instant +death; but Raymond, regardless of his own safety, sprang forward, and +with his shield and his own body strove to stay the blow. The +knight's sword struck the squire's shield just above the upper +leathern loop that held it to the wearer's arm. The tough metal plate +was sheared through as if made of paper, and the blade, glancing +upwards against the squire's bascinet, struck the Prince a harmless +blow, merely slicing the crest of his helmet. + +Raymond fell at the Prince's feet, but the Constable of Portchester, +seeing his squire stricken to the earth, dashed out the swordsman's +brains with a crashing blow of his mace. For a short space Raymond +lay breathless on the ground, then, feeling terribly dazed, he raised +himself and looked around. To his utmost satisfaction he saw that the +Prince of Wales was unhurt. Already the danger was past, for the +Earls of Arundel and Northampton had brought up their division to the +aid of the sorely pressed Prince, and the attackers, beaten at every +point, were giving way in headlong flight. + +At length the squire staggered to his feet, and, assisted by an +archer of his company, he slowly and painfully made his way towards +the camp. Darkness was falling, and the English, having been ordered +to refrain from hazardous pursuit, stood in their ranks, while a vast +plain, dotted with thousands of corpses, of which but few wore the +red cross surcoats, silently testified to the hard-fought fight. + +As Raymond passed the ranks of his own company Sir John Hacket came +forward and grasped him by the hand. + +"My brave squire," he exclaimed. "Right nobly hast thou borne thyself +this day. The Prince hath spoken highly of thy courage and devotion, +and, without doubt, tidings of thy deeds will come to the cars of the +King. But, Raymond," he added sadly, "I have ill tidings for thee." + +"My father?" gasped the squire, reading the Constable's unspoken +words. + +"Ay, my boy, 'tis thy father. He fell in the thickest of the fight, +and thou hast lost a noble sire and I a brave soldier. Now, bear up, +Raymond, and get thee to the camp and attend to thy hurts, for thou +wilt be required anon." + +Wounded in body and mind, the young squire was led to the camp, where +it was found that the Frenchman's sword had driven the stout steel +bascinet heavily against his temple, leaving a dark blue bruise to +show how near he had been to death. Simple remedies were applied, +and, having divested himself of his armour, Raymond recovered himself +sufficiently to set out to find the body of his father, bearing a +torch to aid him in his quest. + +He remembered well the place where he had last seen him, close to a +little stunted thorn that grew on the edge of the slope which the +Prince's division had held so well. + +A veritable mound of bodies showed how firmly the archers had stood, +and how fierce had been the contest, for in a circle around the tree +lay a heap of red-crossed surcoats, their wearers lying still in +death with their faces to the foe, while around lay the bodies of +their attackers, three deep in places, their rich dress and armour +proving that the flower of French chivalry was unable to vanquish, +although it had broken through, that double line of English archers +and men-at-arms. + +The men of the Hampshire companies had suffered more severely than +any, and Raymond, as he pursued his quest, came across many faces +which he sadly recognised. + +Here and there, dotted over the ghastly field, were feeble glimmers +of torches showing that others were engaged in the doleful task of +looking for their fallen comrades, though in some instances ghouls +were engaged in their dastardly work of robbing the dead. + +At length the ruddy glare of the torch threw its beams upon the form +which Raymond recognised only too well. Stretched on his back, his +sightless eyes staring up at the starry sky, lay Redward, the outlaw +and master-bowman, the body bearing the ghastly traces of eight +separate wounds, all of which were in front, proving that to the last +he had fought with his face to the foe. + +Sorrowfully Raymond gazed upon his slain sire; then, realising that +the sooner he performed the last rites there would be the less chance +of the spoiler's fell work, he proceeded to carefully remove the body +to the shelter of the stunted tree, so that he could return to the +camp to find, if possible, the priest attached to the company. + +As he lifted the heavy corpse he was startled to hear a feeble voice +exclaim, "Blessings on thy kindness, noble sir; I pray thee assist +me." + +Recovering from his astonishment, the squire discovered, pinned +beneath his father's body, a wounded knight. Swiftly Raymond bent to +his aid, and, cutting asunder the laces of his bascinet, he found the +stranger to be none other than Sir Reginald Scarsdale! + +"Faith! I did think this would have been the end of me," quoth the +knight. "Hast a draught of wine?" + +Raymond shook his head. "I am returning to the camp, an' if it please +thee, I'll help thee back to thy company." + +"Do so, squire, for, what with a crack over the head with a +Frenchman's mace, and the weight of yon bowman atop o' me, I feel too +weak to stand of mine own will. What dost thou here?" + +"Yonder lies my father." + +"Thy father? By St. Wilfrid of Ripon, he was a gallant man! Had he +not stood over me the rascals would have settled my account. I pray +thee tell me his name?" + +For a moment Raymond paused, then, in a sudden outburst of +confidence, he exclaimed, "Redward Revyngton!" + +"What! Redward Revyngton! And to think that the man whom I, with a +mad desire for vengeance, hounded out of the country should have +given his life for me! Did he wot whom I was?" + +"Ay," said Raymond. "For but a few hours agone he and I saw thee in +converse with his brother, Sir Maurice." + +"Then out on me for my revengeful spirit! When it lay in his power to +thrust me through the back with a dagger, or even to let me be slain +by my enemies, what did he do? He saved my life! This indeed is +rendering good for evil." + +"And ye forgive him his trespass?" + +"Ay, young squire. Right willingly." + +"Then in my sorrow I thank Heaven," replied Raymond, and in silence +they returned slowly to the camp, Sir Reginald leaning heavily on the +arm of the outlaw's son. + +The moment the wounded knight was given into safe hands Raymond +hastened to his quarters, where he enlisted the services of the +priest and four stout archers. The latter took spades and torches +with them, and the melancholy procession set out for the scene of +Redward's last stand, Raymond with Sir John Hacket, who wished to pay +his last respects to his trusted servant, leading the way. + +Rapidly the bowmen plied their spades, and soon a deep grave gaped at +the foot of the solitary thorn. Raymond bent and kissed the cold +brow, then, amid the solemn voice of the priest reciting the psalm, +_Domine, refugium_, the body of the brave old master-bowman was laid +to rest. + +Bare-headed and dry-eyed, Raymond watched the dark earth being +shovelled down upon the mortal remains of his sire, then, when the +task was accomplished, he turned and walked slowly back to the camp. +There, in the retirement of his tent, his pent-up feelings found +relief, and throwing himself on the ground, he burst into a flood of +passionate weeping. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE REJECTED GUERDON + + +MORNING came, and with it the trumpets again sounded for the troops +to assemble. Was it that a renewal of the fight was expected? Nay, +for the French were in headlong flight, their King being already well +on the way to La Broye. But Edward, sensible of the advantage gained, +had determined to advance on Calais. + +Silently the weary soldiers fell into their ranks. The archers, their +white surcoats soiled with mud and stained with blood, the +men-at-arms, with battered armour, and, in many cases, +roughly-bandaged wounds, stood grimly in their martial array, +conscious of the many comrades who had stood thus but a day before +and had gone to their last account. + +Suddenly a fanfare of trumpets announced the approach of the King. +With his eyes shining with pardonable pride, the monarch rode slowly +down the war-worn lines, stopping at intervals to bestow honours and +praise as cases of individual merit were pointed out to him. At his +right hand rode the Prince of Wales, and attending him were Sir John +Chandos, the Earls of Warwick, Arundel, Oxford, and Southampton. + +When in front of the Hampshire companies the King again drew rein, +and surveyed the stern, determined faces of the men on whom the brunt +of the attack had fallen. Sir John Hacket, attended by his three +squires, stood in front of his command, the banners, according to +custom, being lowered to the ground in the presence of the Sovereign. + +"By Our Lady! 'Tis our trusted Constable of Portchester!" exclaimed +Edward. "And by report thou didst hold thyself right gallantly on +yesterday's field. Ah, Sir John, we have something in store to make +amends for our former forgetfulness. Advance thy banner!" + +The Constable, taking his banner from the hands of the guidon-bearer, +stepped forward, and, with bended knee, presented the blue silk +emblazoned with the golden crescent to the King, who, drawing a +dagger from his belt, deftly cut off the pointed end of the pennon. +Handing the severed portion to a knight in attendance, the King +returned the banner to Sir John. + +The action, simple as it seemed, roused the company to the highest +pitch of enthusiasm, for their adored leader had achieved the great +distinction of being created a knight-banneret, the greatest honour +to be paid by the sovereign, only on the field of battle. + +Ere the cheering had died away, the Prince of Wales had plucked his +father's sleeve, and whispered in his ear. + +"Of a truth, 'tis the squire who brought the Count of Tancarville to +our camp! And he is the man that came betwixt thee and thine enemies +in the thickest of the fray! 'Tis our pleasure to bestow honours +freely to-day, though, methinks, they be well deserved, and no man +will chide us for being too freehanded. Thy squire's name, Sir John?" + +"He is named Raymond Buckland, sire." + +"Come hither, squire," commanded the King, alighting from his palfrey +and taking a sword from the hand of the Earl of Warwick. + +The supreme moment of Raymond's life was at hand, but the squire, +instead of kneeling to receive the honour of knighthood, advanced a +few paces and stood irresolutely before his sovereign. + +"On thy knees, squire!" commanded Edward. + +"Nay, sire, I cannot," replied the unhappy Raymond. Low murmurs of +astonishment arose from the King's attendants, while Sir John Hacket, +placing his hand heavily on his squire's shoulder, hissed into his +ear, "Kneel, thou fool! Art bereft of thy senses?" + +A dark cloud gathered on the King's face. Then a thought seemed to +strike him, and he spoke again. + +"Here, sirrah, tell us the reason of this strange refusal. Nay, have +no fear," he added, in a more kindly tone, observing the squire's +dejection, "for we perceive there is something amiss that will +account for thy demeanour." + +Encouraged by the King's words, and rendered bold by the desperate +position in which circumstances had placed him, Raymond replied, in a +low yet distinct voice, "Sire, I am the son of an outlaw, and +therefore unworthy of the honour thou would'st bestow." + +"Ah!" exclaimed the King. "This requires further consideration. Sir +John, knowest aught of this?" + +"Nay, sire," replied the amazed Constable. + +Once again the young Prince of Wales whispered in his father's ear. +The King nodded in response, and again addressed the squire. + +"It is our desire to hear more of this matter. See to it that thou +comest before us in our pavilion at noon, Sir John. I hold thee +responsible for thy squire's appearance. And, Sir William," he added, +turning to his scrivener, "I pray thee see to it that the worthy +Constable of Portchester and his squire be instantly admitted to our +presence at that hour." + +Remounting his steed, the King, accompanied by his retinue, continued +his tour of inspection, and, on this being completed, he returned to +his pavilion. The ranks broke, and the men were told to enjoy a +well-earned rest ere the march to Calais was begun on the morrow, +while the camp-followers were put to the melancholy task of burying +the dead who had fallen in the fight. + +On hearing the story from Raymond's own lips, the kind-hearted Sir +John Hacket's expressions of surprise and pity were unbounded. For +not for one moment had he suspected that the sturdy master-bowman, +though an outlaw, was at one time a gentleman of quality. + +"Take it not too much to heart, Raymond," he said. "Many a man hath +been in a worse scrape. I am of a mind to bring Sir Maurice Revyngton +with us when we repair to the King's presence, and 'twould be well if +I saw the knight at once." + +So saying, the Constable hastened away, leaving his squire still torn +with conflicting emotions of hope and fear--hope that his own +stainless character and deeds of bravery would wipe out the +undeserved blot that threatened to mar his prospects, and fear that +the formidable barrier of social custom and royal etiquette would for +ever debar him from the road to success. + +In less than an hour Sir John returned, a broad smile of satisfaction +overspreading his grim features. "Thy uncle will bear us company, ay, +and another knight, if I mistake not, will interest himself on thy +behalf. Now, bear thyself cheerfully, for I perceive that things will +turn out aright. Waste no more time in gloomy meditations, but make +thyself fit to appear in the King's presence, for the hour of +audience is at hand." + +"And the style of mine attire?" + +"In full harness, Raymond, for the King will doubtless think fit to +reward thee for bravery on the field, and on that score I have no +doubt. 'Tis meet that thou shouldst appear in the garb of a soldier +rather than in the dress of a common suppliant. And, moreover, our +King delights in the wearing of harness, and looks with favour on +those who doff their armour but rarely when they come to the wars. So +again I tell thee, hasten!" + +The squire repaired to his own tent and put on his complete suit of +armour--the same that his father had given him years ago on the eve +of the sack of Hamble--and well the dented and tarnished steel +befitted his tall and erect figure. Then girding on his scabbard, +wherein was thrust the remaining part of the broken blade, and +grasping the fragment of the shield that had diverted the murderous +sweep of the Frenchman's two-handed sword, Raymond repaired to his +master's tent. + +The Constable surveyed him with appreciation. "Eh, lad, thou dost +well to bear the silent testimony of thy courage on thine arm. In any +case but the present, when thy future is at stake, 'twould have been +a braggart's ruse. But the King doth know full well that thou art no +boaster, seeing that it was in thy power to accept honour at his +hands, and thou didst shrink from it. But come, the hour of noon is +near. Let us make for the royal pavilion." + +Between the long lines of tents, where crowds of soldiers gathered, +in silent wonder, to see the man who had so strangely withstood his +sovereign, the knight and the squire walked side by side, and with a +fresh wave of doubt and fear sweeping over him, Raymond found himself +in the anteroom of the royal tent. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +SIR RAYMOND + + +SIR JOHN HACKET, having formally announced his rank and that of his +companion, as well as the nature of their business, to the herald, +removed his velvet cap, though he held his bascinet in his left hand, +and at the same time removed his right-hand gauntlet. His squire did +likewise, and, breathing a fervent prayer for courage, he prepared to +follow his master into the royal presence. + +The heavy damask curtains were drawn aside by two knights in waiting, +and Raymond heard the sonorous voice of the herald repeating the +title and style of the Constable and his squire. Another moment and +Raymond stood before, but at a respectful distance from, the royal +dais. + +King Edward, who still wore the mailed coat in which he rode along +the ranks earlier in the day, was attended by a number of earls and +barons, while by his side stood the young Prince of Wales, who +regarded the squire with an encouraging smile. + +At the foot of the dais, a little distance to the left, stood +Raymond's uncle, Sir Maurice Revyngton, and his late father's former +enemy, Sir Reginald Scarsdale, who, though still weak and suffering +from his wounds, had, at Sir John's desire, appeared on the young +squire's behalf. + +"Ah, squire," quoth the King, fixing his dark, keen eyes upon the +young man's face, "when we summoned thee to appear before us we +looked for an explanation from thine own lips. But thou hast been +forestalled, for these two knights have already told us of thy +condition. Now, what hast thou to say why thou shouldst not be driven +from the camp, being the son of an outlaw?" + +"Nothing, sire; 'tis but the law." + +"Thou couldst not have said much less," remarked the King, with a +grim laugh. "How sayest thou, Sir Reginald Scarsdale. Hast thou a +desire to press thy claims?" + +"Nay, sire," replied the knight stoutly. "For his father, knowingly +and willingly, came to my aid in the thickest of the fight, and but +for his courage I should have been worsted." + +"But thine oath of vengeance?" + +"Sire, my desire for revenge departed the moment I heard from this +squire the name of his father, who, in truth, slew my only brother. +Furthermore, 'tis my intention to repair, as soon as this war is +over, to the shrine of St. Swithin of Winchester and to seek +absolution from mine oath." + +"And thou hast no wish to harm this squire?" + +"None, sire. On the contrary I wish him good----" + +"Hold, Sir Knight," interrupted the King sharply. "We asked thee a +plain question, to be answered by 'Yea' or 'Nay,' not by +suggestions." + +"And thou, Sir John," continued Edward, addressing the Constable. +"Hast thou aught to add in favour of thy squire, beyond what thou +didst tell us but a short time back?" + +"Nothing more, sire." + +"'Tis well. And now, squire, we have carefully considered thy case, +and we are favourably disposed towards thee." Then, turning to his +barons, he added, with a sly reference to the growing power of +Parliament, "We take it, fair lords, that we shall not offend our +faithful commoners assembled at Westminster by assuming a right to +revoke a decree of outlawry?" + +A low murmur of assent was the reply. + +"Then, Raymond Revyngton, we hereby pardon thee for an offence that +thou hast not committed--to wit, thou art no longer the son of an +outlaw. Sir William de Saye, our scrivener, will draw up the deed of +revocation, and a copy for the Lord Bishop of Winchester. Art +content?" + +"Sire, I thank thee," replied Raymond, bending low before his +sovereign. + +"There is yet another matter. Of thy valour there has been no +question. We have in mind the affair with the Count of Tancarville, +and, going farther back, thy journey to Hennebon. But more especially +thy conduct in yesterday's fight, when our dear son, the Prince of +Wales, was succoured by thine aid. We have a mind to inspect thy +cloven shield, which, we do perceive, thou hast brought in case our +memory were in need of a reminder." + +The squire, still kneeling, handed his buckler to an attendant, who +in turn presented it to the King. + +"A lusty stroke," commented Edward, carefully examining the clean cut +in the metal plate. "Our cousin of France hath men of sinew who in +open fight would be worthy and gallant opponents. Had their peasants +been as good bowmen as our gallant archers but few of us would be +here. Squire," he added, "arise and hand over thy sword." + +With martial alertness, Raymond drew the fragment of steel, and a +look of surprise o'erspread the King's face. + +"Thine equipment seems at fault," he remarked, smiling a little +grimly. "Nay, we know 'twas done in a gallant fight. Advance, squire, +and kneel before us." + +This time Raymond did not refuse, for was he not a man free from the +fatal taint that had threatened to mar everything in his career? With +rapid stride and uplifted head he advanced to the steps of the dais, +his armour clanking as he moved. Presenting the hilt of his weapon to +the King, the squire sank on his knees. + +As in a dream he felt the flat of the broken blade touch his right +shoulder, and the King's voice, in bold and decisive tones, saying, +"Arise, Sir Raymond Revyngton!" + +When at length Raymond found himself without the royal pavilion, he +was overwhelmed by the congratulations of his friends, including Sir +Reginald Scarsdale. + +"'Twould ill become a belted knight if I did not make amends for the +past," quoth the latter. "And to that end all I can do for thee I'll +do willingly." + +"Then on thy knightly honour I hold thee to thy promise," replied +Raymond, catching at the opportunity with new-born courage, "for I +have a matter of much weight of which I would speak." + +"Then say on." + +Sir John and Sir Maurice, having an inkling of what was coming, +exchanged a knowing smile, and Raymond continued, though his voice +faltered a little. + +"Sir Reginald, I love thy daughter Audrey, and would ask thy consent +to win her hand in marriage." + +For a while the old knight was too much astonished to reply, then, +holding out his hand, he replied, "Then thou art the youth who +rendered her service at that little affair with the French at +Hampton? Out on me for a thickhead for not linking thee with that +bold feat before. Certes! I will not be less good than my word. Take +the maid, if she be willing to wed thee!" Thus it was that the +newly-made knight found that success begets success, though in his +heart he had not expected to win Sir Reginald's consent so readily. +Yet in the midst of his good fortune the one dark shadow was the +haunting thought of the loss of his father, and he grieved in his +heart that death had deprived his sire of life just as his son was on +the threshold of fame and honour. + +Slowly the four knights, Sir Reginald being stiff with his hurts, +proceeded towards the lines of the Hampshire companies, where Sir +John had invited the others to partake of refreshment. Already the +news of Raymond's advancement had preceded them, and the soldiers, +with loud shouts, welcomed the new knight; for the master-bowman's +son was ever popular in the ranks of the men of Portsmouth and +Southampton. + +"What are thy plans for the future," asked the Constable later in the +day, "for as heir to Sir Maurice it is fitting that thou shouldst +join him with the men of Devon." + +"Nay, by the rood," answered Raymond warmly. "Thou hast ever been a +good master to me, Sir John, and with thee I'll abide till the end of +the war." + +"I thank thee for thine appreciation, Raymond, for ever since thou +wert my squire I have loved thee as a son. But now concerning the +maid, the Lady Audrey?" + +"Until Sir Reginald returns home I will not press my suit, but should +he do so I hope I may be permitted to withdraw from the camp for a +few weeks to accompany him. Even then, how can I tell that the Lady +Audrey will deal favourably with me?" + +"I know that she loves thee, Raymond." + +"How so, Sir John, seeing that I know not myself?" + +"Raymond, I am afraid thou art more forward with the art of war than +with the affairs of the heart. Would a maid have sent a messenger to +me every week whilst thou wert in Hennebon to know if there were +tidings of thee, if she did not love thee?" + +"But how knew she that I was in Brittany?" was the amazed question. + +"How? Didst thou not give me a letter to send to her?" + +"Only in case I did not return." + +"Didst thou? Didst thou? Certes now I remember! But now I think on +the matter, I must have forgotten that, for I did send it," replied +Sir John, with pardonable deceit and well-feigned dismay. "But mind +it not, Raymond, 'twas after all for the best, and, mark my words, +she'll have thee--sure enough." + +On the morrow the march was resumed, the King having decided to lay +siege to Calais, and slowly the long lines of English troops, every +man heavily laden with booty, proceeded from the field of Crecy. + +Edward had long looked with covetous eyes upon the port of Calais, +for owing to the death of his Flemish ally, Jacques d'Artevelde, at +the hands of fellow-countrymen, and the consequent estrangement with +the Flemings, the King was in need of a continental port for the +distribution of English wool, and, once Calais were taken, the nest +of pirates who made their headquarters there, to the great annoyance +of English ships, would be dispersed. Also an entry for his troops +would be secured within easy distance from the English coast. So, +with these strong incentives, Edward hastened to reduce the town. + +Within a week of Crecy, the English lay in a triple ring around the +land side of the town, while a strong fleet cruised constantly +between Grisnez and Gravelines to prevent any succour being sent by +sea, and, without attempting to carry the defences by assault, Edward +relied upon famine to bring about the downfall of Calais. + +Throughout the long winter of 1346-47 the blockade was maintained, +and the works of the besiegers resembled the outer walls of a city +rather than temporary trenches, so that the English were in a +position both to keep the citizens of Calais within their walls and +to repel any attempt on the part of the French to raise the siege. + +Early in the spring dysentery broke out in the ranks of the English, +and amongst those who were attacked was Sir Raymond. In spite of the +rough yet devoted attention of his men, the skill of the harassed +physicians, and the solicitude of his friends, the young knight was, +for a time, in great danger, and even when the crisis was passed his +progress towards recovery was slow and tedious. + +One day as he lay alone in his tent, weak and worn, Raymond heard the +well-known sound of troops marching hurriedly out of camp, and the +blare of trumpets denoted that something untoward was afoot. + +Feebly he called the names of the men who usually waited on him, but +in vain; there was no response to his summons, and at length the +tramp of feet died away, leaving the camp as silent as the grave, +save for the flapping of the canvas as the keen wind whistled around +the tents. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE ADVENTURE AT THE RUINED MILL + + +IN his tent, in terrible suspense, the young knight, Raymond +Revyngton, lay helpless, wondering how went the fight. In due course, +through the opening of his tent, he saw a stream of wounded men +returning, singly or in small parties, some with rough bandages round +their limbs or their heads. + +At length came one whom he knew--an archer of the Portchester +company. + +"Stephen! Stephen!" called Raymond, as loudly as he could. + +In obedience to the knight's cry, the man entered the tent, nursing +the maimed fingers of his right hand with his left, while the blood +poured freely from the stumps and trickled in a crimson stream down +his arm, soaking his sleeve. + +Deftly and quickly, notwithstanding his weakness, Raymond bound the +wounded hand, and poured out a cup of wine for the almost fainting +archer. The draught revived him, and the colour began to steal back +into his ashy-grey face. + +"How goes the battle?" asked Raymond anxiously. + +"'Tis not a battle, Sir Raymond, but a slight passage of arms, though +I perceive that as a bowman my work is done. The French King hath +tried to relieve the town, but my Lord Chandos and seven thousand of +our men have withstood him amid the sand-hills and marshes. Save for +a few hand-to-hand blows, the French never made a stand, and already +they are in full flight." + +"Dost feel well enough to walk?" the young knight asked, after a long +pause. + +"Yea, Sir Raymond." + +"Then get thee outside the camp, and bring me fresh tidings." + +The man obeyed, but ere long he returned, exclaiming: "'Tis all over. +The enemy are nowhere in sight and our men are even now returning." + +"Then do not tarry longer, but go to thine own tent, for thou needest +better care for thy hurts than I can give thee. This flask of wine I +give thee, for, by St. Thomas, thou hast need of it. Nay, do not +thank me, but away!" + +Once more the camp was alive with men, for the threatened attack of +the huge army that Philip had gathered together for the relief of +Calais had been ignominiously repelled, and it was known that the +fate of the town was sealed. Raymond gathered a fairly true account +of the fight from the conversation and joyous exclamations of the +elated soldiery, and presently Sir John Hacket, covered with dust and +showing signs of the conflict, entered the tent. + +"Art feeling better, Raymond?" + +"Ay, Sir John. But how goes it with us?" + +"Passably well but ever I seem to be a messenger of momentous tidings +to thee, whether of good or evil." + +"Then there is something amiss?" questioned the young man eagerly, +instinctively surmising that the news was unfavourable. + +"Yea, Raymond. My speech was ever blunt, and methinks the sooner I +unburden myself of a message of ill-tidings the easier 'tis for both +of us. Briefly, Sir Maurice hath fallen like the true and gallant +knight he was, and thou art the last of the Revyngtons of Churston." + +"Alack-a-me that it should be so! For though I knew but little of +him, I esteemed him a gallant, gentle, and honourable knight even +before I wot he was my kinsman. And Sir Reginald Scarsdale--what of +him?" + +"His heart is stronger than his body. In the first impact he was +swept from his saddle by a mere stripling." + +"And he is killed, wounded, or taken?" + +"Neither, save that he is shaken by the fall, and the King vows that +since he cannot hold his own against a youth he will send him home, +seeing that his fighting days are over." + +"And does Sir Reginald know of this?" + +"Ay, and if the King will not relent--and he is hard to turn from his +purpose--'twill be the first Scarsdale since the Conquest whose feet +on his altar-tomb rest not upon a lion." + +"Alas! the King's decision will hit him hard! Do you, Sir John, +convey my expressions of regret to the gentle knight, and say that it +will give me great pleasure should he deign to visit me." + +For several days more Raymond lay weak and ill in his tent, but as +April drew on and the weather became warmer his strength began slowly +to return. At length, pale and wan, the young knight was able to walk +slowly about the camp, supported by two of his archers. + +Still the siege continued, a long-drawn, tedious task, with little +chance of knightly deeds of daring to earn advancement. The +close-drawn lines of the besiegers still kept tenacious grip upon the +town, and, though famine and disease wrought havoc amongst its +gallant defenders, the end seemed as far off as ever. + +The return of summer found Sir Raymond Revyngton completely restored +in health, though still chafing with impatience at the life of +inactivity, for the younger knights looked with disfavour upon the +King's methods of conducting the siege, and would rather have had the +opportunity of leading their men to the assault than sit down before +the town waiting for famine to do its fell work. + +Friendly tilting-matches, hawking, and sports of a similar nature +were indulged in, and Raymond, with an exuberance of energy, took a +leading part in the pastimes. Many a pleasant afternoon was spent in +the open country around the English lines, hunting or making sport +with hounds and falcons, for not an armed Frenchman was to be seen +within twenty leagues of Calais, save the starving wretches within +its gates. + +One afternoon in July Raymond and a score of young knights rode +south-eastwards along the sand-dunes, each knight accompanied by a +mounted serving-man and a number of hounds. The country was not of a +nature to yield much sport, yet, eager to while away the time, the +little cavalcade rode carelessly on over the low sandhills. + +On their right spread the blue waters of the English Channel, in +front towered the chalky heights of Gris-nez, while behind lay the +red-tiled houses and grey walls of Calais, with the semicircle of +tents that marked the English lines. + +At length they reached the summit of a low hill, and here they reined +in their steeds. + +"No sign of a living creature," remarked one of the party, "though +the land away on our left seemeth well wooded. How call you yonder +forest, Armand?" he inquired, addressing one of the attendants, a +Gascon who had spent the greater part of his life in the +neighbourhood of Calais. + +"'Tis the forest of Ambleteuse, sir," replied the man; "there the +wild boar is to be found." + +"Ah There is good sport, fair sirs Let us ride forward." + +Half-an-hour's sharp canter brought them to the edge of the wood, and +in a long, straggling line the gay-hearted Englishmen, with loud +shouts and many a blast upon their horns, plunged into the gloom of +the forest glades. + +For a while no signs of animal life appeared, then suddenly there +came from one of the rearmost horsemen shouts of "A boar!" + +Instantly the party turned, and crashing through the underwood, made +towards the sound. Raymond, who had been in the van, now found +himself in the rear, and, spurring his steed and calling to his +attendant to follow, he strove to overtake his companions, while the +loud grunts of the hunted boar could be distinctly heard amid the +snapping of the brushwood. + +At length the glade descended towards a babbling brook, and here the +press of horsemen became so thick that many were riding hip to hip. +Suddenly Raymond's horse trod in a rabbit-hole, and before he could +realise what had happened he found himself hurtling through the air +and striking the soft earth with a heavy thud. Fortunately, the young +knight was lightly clad, and fell without injury, but on leaping to +his feet he saw his body-servant lying, senseless on the ground, +while the two steeds, entangled in their fall, were madly kicking +each other with their iron-shod hoofs. + +In the excitement of the chase the rest of the cavalcade had rushed +onwards, heedless of their companions' misfortunes, and the sound of +feet was already dying away. + +With a bound Raymond sprang to the side of his attendant and dragged +him out of the reach of the perilous hoofs. Then he sought for his +horn to summon assistance, but the instrument was crushed and +rendered useless by the fall. Baffled in his purpose, he applied his +energies to the task of restoring the unconscious man, bathing his +forehead with water obtained from the brook. + +His efforts at length were rewarded, for the servant sat up and gazed +around in a dazed way. + +"Art hurt, Thompson?" asked Raymond anxiously. + +"Can scarcely tell, Sir Raymond, save that my head is swimming round +like a roasting joint, and my shoulder-blades seem growing out of my +neck." + +"'Tis of small moment. But stand up if thou canst." Thompson +staggered to his feet, and to the knight's satisfaction he found that +none of the man's limbs were broken. + +"'Tis a sorry pass, for we must needs find our way back afoot. Pull +thyself together, man, for 'tis a goodly step betwixt us and the +camp." + +Drawing his hunting-knife, Raymond put the two struggling +horses--each of whom had a leg broken--out of their misery, then the +twain set out on their homeward way. By the time they emerged from +the forest their shadows fell far athwart the path, for the sun was +sinking in the west; but Thompson was rapidly recovering, and their +pace was well maintained. + +"There is the hill from whence we first saw the wood," remarked the +knight. "But methinks we can leave that well on our left, for the +camp lies yonder." + +"I deem thee to be right, fair sir. But, mark ye! Look at yonder +clouds." + +Raymond looked in the direction indicated, and saw that a storm was +rapidly driving towards them. + +"Night cometh on apace, and with it a tempest," quoth he. "Hasten, or +we shall be benighted in this dreary plain." + +Hardly had they traversed a distance of three arrow-flights than the +wind, hitherto a faint westerly breeze, sprang up with terrific +violence. The sand rose in thick clouds, shutting out everything +except in their immediate vicinity, and the sun, in a mist of pale +yellow sky, sank beneath the indigo-coloured clouds. + +Onward they steadily plodded through the heavy yielding sand, the +swiftly-falling darkness bringing with it a heavy storm of rain and +hail. Wondering whether his comrades were faring as badly, the young +knight stumbled and plunged resolutely onwards, his serving-man +following closely at his heels, the whistling of the wind making +conversation impossible. + +For over two hours the twain pursued their uncomfortable walk, till +at length a dark object blocked their path. It was a ruined windmill. +Making their way round its massive base, the weary travellers found +some slight shelter from the force of the wind, and, panting from +their exertions, they leaned against the stonework to recover their +breath. + +"Dost know where we are?" shouted Raymond, his voice almost inaudible +in the howling wind. + +"No, sir," replied the man. + +"But a short distance from where we left the wood, I marked this +tower on our left, and, certes, we have been walking round and round +for half the night." + +"Then we must needs set out once more?" + +"Nay. This will suffice for the present, and here we'll rest till +daylight comes and the storm spends itself. The door is not barred, I +hope." + +Walking slowly round the mill, the knight felt for the opening, till +he stumbled over a low stone step. Cautiously ascending, he found at +the fourth step a flat ledge, protected by a broken rail, and here +was the door hanging by a solitary rusted hinge. + +[Illustration: TREACHERY AFOOT] + +Yielding to the pressure of his shoulder, the door flew open, and the +knight and his companion carefully groped their way in, closing the +door after them. Here, in absolute blackness, they found shelter, the +storm howling wildly outside, yet scarcely to be heard within the +massive stone walls. They had no means of procuring a light, but by +continuing their investigations they felt a pile of broken hurdles +and the lower-most rungs of a ladder. + +Raymond was about to ascend, when his servant laid a detaining hand +upon his arm. "Hist!" he exclaimed. "Some one moves in the room +above." + +"Nay, thou dreamest! . . . Ay, thou art right! Hide here, quickly. Art +armed?" + +"Nought but a knife." + +"'Twill suffice. Now, hold thyself in readiness, but act not till I +give the word." + +Crouching behind the pile of hurdles, knight and servant waited in +breathless silence. There was the sound of a heavy trap-door being +raised, and a voice exclaimed in French: "Is it thou, Jehan?" + +Receiving no reply, the questioner slowly descended a few steps of +the ladder, and drawing a horn lantern from underneath a cloak, swung +it around him, peering about the room. + +Then, perceiving no one, he muttered: "Mon Dieu! It is but fancy, yet +why doth he tarry?" And again concealing the light, he ascended to +the upper story and dropped the trap-hatch with a resounding thud. + +"There's fell treachery afoot," whispered Raymond. "Dost know who it +is?" + +"'Tis Rene de Caux, of the following of the Captal de Buche, our +King's trusted favourite. Wait patiently, for ere long no little +advancement will be gained." + +Silently the Englishmen waited, every fiercer blast of the storm +causing them to imagine that the expected visitor had arrived. At +last they heard the door pushed open, and a dark form made its way +into the room with a confidence gained by long practice. A low +whistle, like the cry of a night-bird, and the trapdoor was again +removed. + +"Ah, Jehan! 'Tis thou at last! Close the door ere I show a light." + +"A thousand pests take the weather. This storm hath all but been my +undoing." + +The light of the lantern shone upon the face of the new arrival. He +was a tall, slender man, with light hair and refined features, and on +removing his sodden cloak a garment of slashed velvet was revealed, +betokening that the wearer was a gentleman of quality. Armour he wore +none, but a light sword hung from his belt, balanced by a large +leather bag. + +"And how fares Sir John de Vienne?" + +"Strong in courage when last I saw him." + +"And that was----?" + +"But yesternight." + +"And he agreed to allow you to poison the wells?" + +"Nay, by Our Lady, he would not." + +"Well spoken, like a brave and gallant knight, for, by St. Denis, the +plan is not to my liking even though these insolent islanders deserve +all that is evil. But, see here! This letter must be given to the +Governor of the town by to-morrow, though, alas! it is cold comfort +to Sir John. Canst arrange to deliver it?" + +"They will admit me by the postern of the Boulogne Gate at midnight. +'Twill be done." + +"Then take thy reward. Hold the light closer while I count, for I +know a Gascon of old! See to it: all bright crowns, of good weight." + +The Frenchman addressed as Jehan handed a sealed document to the +Gascon, who placed it in his doublet; then, setting the lantern on +the ground and extending his hand, the latter counted the coins as +Jehan took them from his wallet. + +Loosening his poignard and motioning to Thompson to draw his knife, +Raymond prepared to spring from his hiding-place. + +Ere the two conspirators could recover from their astonishment the +young knight had leapt upon them, and with one thrust of his weapon +laid the traitorous Gascon dead at his feet. Instinctively the +Frenchman sprang backwards and whipped out his sword. + +"Yield thee!" thundered Raymond. + +"To no man!" + +In an instant their blades met, the dull light of the lantern +flashing on the glittering steel. Though Jehan had the longer weapon, +he possessed neither the strength nor the skill of his antagonist, +and in less than half a minute's swordplay the Frenchman's blade +caught in the notch that the hilt of most poignards possess, and with +a quick, powerful turn of the wrist Raymond snapped the sword off +close to the guard. + +"Now wilt yield?" + +"If thou art a gentleman I will; if not, pass the dagger through me +rather than let me disgrace myself." + +"I am Sir Raymond Revyngton, knight." + +"Then, Sir Raymond, I yield myself to thee; though I pray thee, +certify my master that I fought well ere I yielded." + +"And thy name and quality?" + +"I am Jehan de Sous-Cahors, seneschal de Vimereux, and of the +household of King Philip." + +"Then I have had great honour in taking thee!" said Raymond with due +courtesy. "And now have I thy promise that there shall +be no attempt at escape? Otherwise, though it grieve me to mishandle +a knight, thou must be brought bound into the camp." + +"I swear, by St. Denis." + +The grey dawn was beginning to break, and the storm was dying away. +Raymond looked out of the door, and saw with great satisfaction the +knight's horse stabled in a small adjoining hut that had been +invisible on the previous night. There in the distance the smoke of +the English camp-fires showed distinctly in the now clear air, while +less than a bowshot from the mill lay the wood that had been the +cause of their misfortune. + +Suddenly the young knight heard the sound of scuffling and Thompson's +voice shouting "Help, master, help!" + +Darting back to the room, he found his servant engaged in a desperate +struggle with the captive, who was endeavouring to destroy the letter +he had entrusted to the double-dealing Gascon, a portion of which he +had attempted to swallow. + +With no gentle hand Raymond aided his man to throw the prisoner on +his back and wrench the missive from him. + +"Thy parole, Sir Knight!" he exclaimed. + +"----has been kept," gasped the captive, "but I trow thou wilt admit +that no farther compact was made. I am foiled in this matter, but I +pray thee, of thy courtesy, give me leave to finish my work and +destroy this missive." + +"That I cannot do. This letter, which I doubt not is of great moment, +I will take charge of, and hand over to my Lord Chandos. 'Tis now +daylight, and we must needs return to the camp. I am loth to let thee +walk, but as there is but one horse between two knights, 'tis better +that neither ride." + +Walking side by side, and followed by Thompson leading the captive's +horse, Raymond and the French knight arrived at the camp without +further incident, and, after handing his prisoner over to the +camp-martial, the young knight repaired with all despatch to find Sir +John Hacket. + +On hearing Raymond's story the Constable accompanied him to the tent +of Sir John Chandos, whose banner floated close to the royal +pavilion. + +Lord Chandos opened the letter which Raymond had gained possession +of, and found that its contents were practically undamaged in the +struggle. + +"Canst read?" he asked of the Constable. "For this crabbed fist doth +sorely try my one eye." + +"Nay," replied Sir John Hacket with a grim smile. "Only enough for +mine own use, for from my seventh year the sword ever proved a more +pleasing companion than a scrawling, musty parchment." + +"And canst thou, Sir Raymond?" + +"I will try my best, fair sir." + +Raymond took the missive and began to read the superscription, +written in French: "To the very puissant knight, Sir John de Vienne, +seneschal of our town of Calais, greeting." + +The body of the letter began by thanking the Governor for his brave +resistance, and expressing hopes of being able to speedily succour +the besieged. It then confirmed the arrangements, previously made +through the Gascon traitor, for a sally, in conjunction with an +attempt on the part of the French forces to break the English lines +from without. Should the French be unable to carry out their part and +attack the English camp, three white lights were to be shown from the +ruins of an old mill near Sangatte, and the besieged would then be at +liberty to make the best terms they could for the surrender of +Calais. The epistle was signed by no less a personage than King +Philip of France. + +"By St. George, we have them," exclaimed Chandos, striking his fist +heavily upon an oaken chest. "Though I would rather that Rene de Caux +were swinging from a gallows in view of the town than lying dead at +thy hands in the ruined mill. No matter; this letter must reach the +Governor of Calais. Five hundred lances and two thousand archers will +suffice to keep the Frenchmen from advancing upon us; and tomorrow +night will see three white lights from the old mill at Sangatte." + +At nightfall a squire of the Captal de Buche crept cautiously to the +postern of the Boulogne Gate, and, representing himself as an +emissary of the false Rene de Caux, handed the fatal letter to the +Governor, Sir John de Vienne. The presence of a strong force of +Englishmen beyond the dunes of Sangatte prevented the expected French +army from occupying the mill and signalling to their friends in the +beleaguered city, and the following night three white lights flashed +their message of despair to the hitherto undaunted garrison. + +Thus the fall of Calais was hastened, but Raymond saw nothing of the +final act in the drama, when the heroic Eustace de St. Pierre and his +five companions were nearly sacrificed to appease the anger of the +English King (Queen Philippa's intercession alone saved their lives), +for the young knight was with the five hundred lances that guarded +the approach from Boulogne; and on the 6th of August, two days after +Edward had taken possession of the town, the Hampshire companies, +with whom was Sir Reginald Scarsdale, embarked for the shores of +England. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE HOMECOMING + + +AFTER four days of light but favourable winds the little fleet, +consisting of seven vessels, that bore the Hampshire men homewards +arrived off the Isle of Wight. Battle and disease had thinned their +ranks, but the survivors returned in high spirits, flushed with +victory and rich with the loads of spoil that lay in the holds. + +At Spithead the flotilla separated, Sir John Hacket's two ships +making for Portsmouth Harbour, three heading for Southampton, and the +remaining two setting a course down the Solent for Lepe and Lymington +respectively. Amid a fanfare of trumpets and the farewell shouts of +the troops to their former companions in arms, the Constable's +vessels pointed to the north-west in the direction of the even lines +of Portsdown, under the shadow of which lay the Castle of +Portchester. + +The shields of the three knights were displayed over the side of the +leading ship, while from her truck floated the blue banner with the +device of the crescent and star, and on the poop were gathered Sir +John Hacket, Sir Reginald Scarsdale, and Sir Raymond Revyngton, +engaged in joyous conversation at the prospect of a speedy landing on +their native soil. + +"And what dost thou purpose to do, Raymond?" inquired the Constable. +"Surely there is little need to hasten westwards to thy newly-gained +estates; 'twould be better far to wait the return of the Devonshire +men. Tarry awhile at Portchester, for methinks there is much to be +done here before setting out on thy travels. And thou, Sir Reginald? +Wilt accept such hospitality that my poor castle can offer?" + +"I must first seek out my daughter Audrey," quoth Sir Reginald. "And +I have but little doubt that Raymond will bear me company." + +"Doth she know of thy return?" + +"Nay, and I'll warrant the maid will be taken aback when we arrive at +the town of Farnham." + +A strange smile flitted over Sir John's face. + +"Well, Raymond, what are thy plans?" + +"I bear Sir Reginald company; then, having won or lost my suit, I +will return to the castle, Sir John. For there are several small +matters I must give attention to at Hamble and at the Abbey of +Netley, without which I cannot go to Churston." + +The vessel was now slipping through the water with a fair wind and +favouring tide, and already the low-lying island of Portsca lay +abeam, and the Castle of Portchester was momentarily growing more +distinct. + +"By St. George, they expect us!" exclaimed Raymond excitedly. "See, +thy banner floats above the keep, and the walls are thick with +people. And the garlands over the water-gate! Of a surety they were +not placed there at an hour's notice." + +"Now that I bethink me," remarked Sir John drily, "I did send a +messenger to Winchelsea, so perchance he hath taken a horse and +ridden hot-foot to Portchester." + +For awhile they watched in silence the grey outlines of the castle +topped with its living fringe. The master-shipman gave an order, and +the long yard, with its bellying sail, sank from the masthead; and +the vessel, carried onward by its momentum and the rush of the tide, +came abreast of the fortress. Another order, and the anchor with its +hempen cable fell with a sudden plunge into the water; the ship +snubbed at the tautened rope, swung round and brought up, riding +easily to wind and tide. The voyage was over. + +"See, Raymond," suddenly exclaimed Sir Reginald, "thine eyes are +younger than mine, yet if I mistake not . . . There, to the right of +the water-gate!" + +"Ay, the saints be praised. 'Tis the Lady Audrey!" + +A small boat, manned by men wearing the Constable's livery, was +quickly alongside, and Sir John and Sir Reginald stepped aboard, +Raymond following with unknightly haste. Amidst the shouts of the +excited throng of soldiers and villagers the boat's fore-foot grated +on the shingle, and the three distinguished warriors again set foot +on their native land. + +"See, Audrey," said her father, after the paternal salute had been +given and returned, "I bring thee an old acquaintance--not the +squire, Raymond Buckland, who saved they life at Southampton, but the +gallant and worthy knight, Sir Raymond Revyngton." + +* * * * * + +Within a week a wedding was celebrated in the little chapel of St. +Mary within the castle walls, and Sir Raymond Revyngton and the Lady +Audrey Scarsdale were made man and wife. After the ceremony the +kindly Constable congratulated the bride, and it must be confessed +that the bridegroom's eyes were opened by Lady Audrey Revyngton's +reply. + +"To thee, Sir John, I owe much of my happiness, for Raymond was ever +a bashful lover. An he were but a simple squire I would have married +him, but when thou toldest me that he had been made a knight I was +filled with joy. And for thy kindly thought in sending a special +messenger to bring me hither to await your arrival I deem myself ever +indebted to thee!" + +"Nay, thank me not, fair lady," replied the gallant old warrior. "Is +it not the bounden duty of a true knight to help another? For +Raymond, though ever first in the field of war, hath been a laggard +in the lists of love. Yet I am but a feeble instrument in this case, +for against thy charms he would be powerless but in my heart I thank +God for the part I played in bringing together two noble families +estranged by a fatal feud." + +* * * * * + +Little remains to be told. Sir Reginald Scarsdale, in spite of his +old age and infirmities, died as he wished, falling in defence of the +Border against a band of Scottish raiders, and in a quiet Yorkshire +church he rests, his altar-tomb showing his effigy with the lions at +his feet, making a fitting addition to the four crossed-legged images +of his crusading ancestors. + +Sir John Hacket, after seeing further service in France, acquiring +additional glory and renown at Poictiers, died peacefully at a great +age within sight of the castle whose Constableship he had held so +worthily. + +And as for Sir Raymond and the fair Lady Audrey, they lived a life of +unalloyed happiness in their manor of Churston, in the midst of the +hills of Devon. Yet when the call to arms sounded, the redoubtable +Sir Raymond did not shrink from its summons, and at Poictiers and at +the slaughter of Najera in the wilds of Spain he added to his +laurels. And does not the prowess of the head of the Revyngtons at +the repulse of the French descent upon Dartmouth in 1377 still linger +amongst the annals of the sons of Devon? + +From the union of the rival Revyngton and Scarsdale families +descended the successors of a noble heritage--men courageous and +generous in war, noble and law-abiding in peace, men whose names have +helped to make the British Empire what it is to-day, and whose motto +has been, and let us hope will ever be-- + +"Non sibi, sed patriae." + +THE END + +Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & Co. Edinburgh & London + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Winning of the Golden Spurs, by +Percy F. 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