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Updated: May 13, 2025
"Nay, bend not your bows. We be but poor brethren of Saint Francis, who have come hither for your good." "For our goods, you mean. We want no begging friars or like cattle." "But I have a special message for thee, Kynewulf, well named; and for thee, Forkbeard; and for thee, Nick." "Ah! Whom have we got here?" "An old friend under a new guise.
And the multitude dispersed, each man to his own home or haunt in the forest, leaving Sir Hubert in possession of the castle of his ancestors, and Martin his guest. Martin's first wish after his release was, as our readers will imagine, to visit his mother, and assure her of his safety in person. Kynewulf was in waiting to escort him.
He had caused a litter to be constructed of the branches of trees, knowing that the severe strain Martin had undergone must have rendered him too weak for so long a journey; and the "merrie men" were only too eager to relieve each other in bearing so precious a burden. "You will find our chieftain very far from well," said Kynewulf, as he walked by Martin's side.
"It is wind proof, and thou mayst rest in safety till the horn summons all to break their fast at dawn: thou mayst sleep meanwhile as securely as in thine own castle." And the outlaws rose with a courtesy one would hardly have expected from these wild sons of the forest; while Kynewulf showed the guests to their sleeping quarters, through the still fast-falling snow.
The few women who were in the castle fled shrieking to their hiding places. The men died fighting. "To the dungeons! Show us the way to the dungeons, and we give you your life," cried their leader Kynewulf to an individual whose bunch of keys attached to his girdle showed his office. "The friar is safe below, unhurt. I will take you to him. But I have no key." "Where is it, then?"
These were doubtless the spoils of some successful fray or ambush, for the woods did not produce the tailors who could make such attire; and in the belt was stuck a sharp, keen hunting knife, and on his head was a low, flat cap with an eagle's feather. There were eagles then in "merrie Sussex." "Whom hast thou brought, Kynewulf? What cattle are these?"
"I sent for Sir Richard , the parish priest of Walderne, ere we left the castle, and he is doubtless on his way with the Viaticum," said Kynewulf. And while they yet spake the priest arrived, and the dying man received with simple faith the last sacraments of the Church. After this his people gathered round him.
"Sir Drogo has taken it with him." "We will have it open. "Friar Martin, art thou within?" "Safe and uninjured. Is it thou, Kynewulf? Then I charge thee that thou do no hurt to any here. They have not injured me." "Not injured thee, to place thee here! Well, we will soon have thee out. We have promised Grimbeard to bring thee to him, or forfeit our lives. He is dying." "Dying! And I not there!
A loud barking of dogs was heard, then a trampling of horses; some looked astonished, others rose to their feet, and opening the door looked out into the storm. "What folk hast thou got there, Kynewulf?"
Hence it had become serious, and since Kynewulf departed mortification had set in. The mother rose and embraced her "sweet son." "Thank God!" she said, and led him to his stepfather's side. Grimbeard raised himself with difficulty, and looked Martin in the face. "Martin is here," he said. "Let my dying eyes gaze upon him again. "Martin, I have longed for thee.
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