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"Bethink you, my fair lord," said Alleyne to Sir Nigel, "that we have never injured these men, nor have we cause of quarrel against them. Would it not be well, if but for the lady's sake, to speak them fair and see if we may not come to honorable terms with them?" "Not so, by St. Paul!" cried Sir Nigel.
"Then we shall march thither, for I would fain have you all back at Dax in time to be in the prince's vanguard." "My lord," cried Alleyne, joyfully, "here are our chargers in the field, and I see your harness amid the plunder which these rogues have left behind them." "By Saint Ives! you speak sooth, young squire," said Du Guesclin. "There is my horse and my lady's jennet.
"If he hold the herring he holds the scales, my sapient brother," cried the fat man. "But I pray you, good youth, to tell us whether you are a learned clerk, and, if so, whether you have studied at Oxenford or at Paris." "I have some small stock of learning," Alleyne answered, picking at his herring, "but I have been at neither of these places.
May God smite me if I fail to smite thee, thou French robber, with thy wife and thy child and all that is under thy castle roof!" "Forbear!" cried Alleyne. "Mix not God's name with these unhallowed threats! And yet it was a coward's blow, and one to stir the blood and loose the tongue of the most peaceful. Let me find some soothing simples and lay them on the weal to draw the sting."
We were all of one mind that it was best to have the ten thousand with the curse; but in some way they prevailed upon Sir John, so that we were blest and shriven against our will. Perchance it is as well, for the Company were in need of it about that time." The pious Alleyne was deeply shocked by this reminiscence.
"And the wood and stone, holy father?" asked Alleyne, with bated breath, as he stared awe-struck at his precious relics. "This cantle of wood is from the true cross, this other from Noah his ark, and the third is from the door-post of the temple of the wise King Solomon. This stone was thrown at the sainted Stephen, and the other two are from the Tower of Babel.
"And now away back to the abbey!" said several. "One moment, sirs," cried Alleyne, who was leaning on Ford's shoulder, with the broken sword, which he had picked up, still clutched in his right hand. "My ears may be somewhat dulled by the water, and perchance what has been said has escaped me, but I have not yet heard this gentleman crave pardon for the insults which he put upon me in the hall."
The air was full of the clack of their voices and the merry prattling of children, in strange contrast to the flash of arms and constant warlike challenge from the walls above. "Methinks a company of school lads could hold this place against an army," quoth John. "And so say I," said Alleyne. "Nay, there you are wide of the clout," the bowman said gravely. "By my hilt!
There was much to look after, now that the lands of Minstead were joined to those of Twynham, and Alleyne had promised her that if she would but bide with his wife he would never come back to Hampshire again until he had gained some news, good or ill, of her lord and lover.
He cantered on as he spoke, while Alleyne, having dispensed two more pence, left the old dame standing by the furthest cottage of Hordle, with her shrill voice raised in blessings instead of revilings.
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