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Updated: June 11, 2025
Then Beltane sheathed his sword and, stooping, caught Sir Pertolepe by the belt and dragged him into the shade of the willows, and being come to the stream, threw his captive down thereby and fell to splashing his bruised face with the cool water.
And Red Pertolepe was there, and Gui of Allerdale and Roger and young Gilles of Brandonmere all were there with six other noble knights; but these six we slew long since, my brother and I. All these were here that day and Sir Pertolepe laughed full loud, 'twas told me. So 'twere just he should have died here to-day, methinks? 'Twas for this I lured him hither and he liveth yet!"
Giles beneath his breath and crossing himself: and ever and anon Walkyn would turn to look upon their scowling captive with eyes that glared 'neath shaggy brows. Now after they had gone some while, Sir Pertolepe brake silence and spake my Beltane, proud and fierce. "Fellow," quoth he, "if 'tis for ransom ye hold me, summon hither thy rogues' company, and I will covenant for my release."
But, faith, 'tis wonder how he escaped Sir Rollo, and as for the outlaw Beltane we saw nought of him Sir Pertolepe vows he was not of this company mayhap Sir Rollo hath him, 'tis so I pray so, peradventure I shall see him hang yet! My grateful thanks, messire, for thy tender care of me.
And now came shouts and cries with a prodigious confusion and running to and fro about the dying watch-fires. Trumpets blared shrill, hoarse voices roared commands that passed unheeded in the growing din and tumult that swelled to a wild clamour of frenzied shouting: "Fly! fly! Pertolepe is upon us! 'tis the Red Pertolepe!"
Ha! why stay ye, I am Pertolepe thy lord know you me not, Beda?" "Aye, full well I know thee, lord Pertolepe, thou art he who had me driven forth with blows and bitter stripes thou art he who slew my father for an ill-timed jest oho! well do I know thee, my lord Pertolepe."
He felt the wind a-whistle through the eye-vents of his casque, heard the muffled thunder of the galloping hoofs behind mingled with the growing din of battle; heard a shout a roar of anger and dismay, saw a confusion of rearing horses as Sir Pertolepe swung about to meet this new attack, steadied his aim, and with his hundred lances thundering close behind, drove in upon those bristling ranks to meet them shield to shield with desperate shock of onset felt his tough lance go home with jarring crash saw horses that reared high and were gone, lost beneath the trampling fray, and found his lance shivered to the very grip.
But Beltane, seeing the captive stir, shook off Black Roger's grasp; but now, one laughed, and Walkyn towered above him, white teeth agleam, who, staring down at Sir Pertolepe, whirled up his bloody axe to smite. "Fool!" cried Beltane, and threw up his hand to stay the blow, and in that moment Sir Pertolepe oped his eyes.
Beltane's voice was soft, yet, meeting the calm serenity of his gaze, Sir Pertolepe checked the jeer upon his lip and stared upon Beltane as one new-waked; beheld in turn his high and noble look, the costly excellence of his armour, his great sword and belt of silver and strode on thereafter with never a word, yet viewing Beltane aslance 'neath brows close-knit in dark perplexity.
"O Hangman," said he, "where is thy noose?" But Roger quailed and hung his head, and spake with eyes abased: "Master, I burned it, together with my badge of service." "And what would ye here?" "Sir, I am a masterless man henceforth, for an I hang not men for Sir Pertolepe, so will Sir Pertolepe assuredly hang me." "And fear ye death?" "Messire, I have hanged many men and there were women also!
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