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"By my ten finger bones! when I hang bow on nail and change my brigandine for a tunic, I might do worse than take over the dame and her business." "I thought," said Alleyne, "that you were betrothed to some one at Christchurch." "To three," Aylward answered moodily, "to three. I fear I may not go back to Christchurch.
"But be not sad, for I shall give half these crowns to my old mother, and half will I add to the money which you may have, and so we shall buy that yellow cog wherein we sailed to Bordeaux, and in it we shall go forth and seek Sir Nigel." Alleyne smiled, but shook his head. "Were he alive we should have had word of him ere now," said he. "But what is this town before us?"
I am myself a soldier's daughter," she added, casting a somewhat languishing glance at John, "and my heart ever goes out to a brave man." "We are indeed fresh from Spain," quoth Alleyne. "From Spain, say you? Ah! it was an ill and sorry thing that so many should throw away the lives that Heaven gave them. In sooth, it is bad for those who fall, but worse for those who bide behind.
He stood irresolute, uncertain whether to advance or to take no notice; but, even as he hesitated, the mirror was whipped in, and a tall and stately young lady swept out from behind the oaken screen, with a dancing light of mischief in her eyes. Alleyne started with astonishment as he recognized the very maiden who had suffered from his brother's violence in the forest.
Black Simon was down dying, as he would wish to have died, like a grim old wolf in its lair with a ring of his slain around him. Twice Sir Nigel had been overborne, and twice Alleyne had fought over him until he had staggered to his feet once more. Burley lay senseless, stunned by a blow from a mace, and half of the men-at-arms lay littered upon the ground around him.
Here, too, is part of Aaron's rod, and a lock of hair from Elisha the prophet." "But, father," quoth Alleyne, "the holy Elisha was bald, which brought down upon him the revilements of the wicked children." "It is very true that he had not much hair," said the palmer quickly, "and it is this which makes this relic so exceeding precious.
"My shaft has passed through it, camarade, and I trow the one which goes through is more to be feared than that which bides on the way." The Brabanter stamped his foot with mortification, and was about to make some angry reply, when Alleyne Edricson came riding up to the crowds of archers. "Sir Nigel will be here anon," said he, "and it is his wish to speak with the Company."
Sir Nigel and Ford had ridden on in advance, the knight upon his hackney, while his great war-horse trotted beside his squire. Two hours later Alleyne Edricson followed; for he had the tavern reckoning to settle, and many other duties which fell to him as squire of the body.
The rude plank door was ajar, but as Alleyne approached it there came from within such a gust of rough laughter and clatter of tongues that he stood irresolute upon the threshold. Summoning courage, however, and reflecting that it was a public dwelling, in which he had as much right as any other man, he pushed it open and stepped into the common room.
He means that the noise is less for our being out of the country." "They are very quick in these parts," said Ford, turning to Alleyne. "How are we to take this, sir?" asked the ruffling squire. "You may take it as it comes," said Ford carelessly. "Here is pertness!" cried the other. "Sir, I honor your truthfulness," said Ford. "Stint it, Humphrey," said the tall squire, with a burst of laughter.
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