The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, January 1, 1905, Page 3

rior, Wulf, with starting eyes and a face ‘of a flame, ‘shak- ing his red sword, and for the second shouting . aloud: Contre, D'Arcy, » be taken to what fate I know nat. ill aee, then, and strive to cut your. tjtrough and live to avenge me.” Thejbrethren made no answer, only * oked atwthe water and then at fuce -like the thne that éay Cantre Mort!" . »dwift Who spoke again, for.now thai J had come to this strugglé for - : d their lady's honor, Wuif, whose t 1gue. was commonly so ready, had & »wn | strangely silent, massed themselves together and:held up the' oars to.meet them. ‘But Wulf ed fiercely, and, short as was the the heavy herses, tralhed to tur- gathertd their. speed. .N on them and the qars were swept de_like. reeds and all round them shed the swords, ¢t he was hurt, he knew not where. But his swerd flashed also, one blow-— there was no time-for more—yet the - man beneath it sank like an cmpty aril fierce- ‘Listen, Rosamund. and do not turn yoar . eyes,” sald Godwi ¥ one chanee for you, ar S s, yoll must choose betweerr it and and ‘Wulf - felt you ride is s It iy broad, but RBY St help ¥ou, and 1 e _They were through, swayed :upon osambing lis T shore, the gray horse with its bur-. den “stili- ‘battied in ‘the tide. ~They were - ‘througi 3 atr swam red . and the earth seemed as- though it * rese up to meat. them and everywhere - was flaming red. - - . - But the shouts had died away behind 5 and the only .sound was ¢ f the galloping of thelr horses' Then that alse grew faint and v, and silence and darkness e .mind of Wult CHAPTER . 1L Sir Andrew D’Arcy. ,Godwin dredmeéd ‘that he was dead and that benéath him floated the world,’ ng ball, while he was herne'to &nd fro through the blackness stretched upon’ a.couch ‘of ‘ehony. bright - watchers watchers twain, end he knéw them for his_guardian angels, given him at birth. and ‘again presences would come and ask questions of ‘the watchers who sat at his head and foot. vords and-sharp ve guard the boat. & ¢ heard, and her teags, and her s wera throisg while to Wul . gllat no man’ m in- words low So| she biesse: sudden wheeled roupd the great, g ‘There were Moreover,. now pregently its rider's the |water, and regaining the saddle. fronh which she had floated, Rosamund sat firm and headed it straight for the Now a shout .of wonde ment went up from the woman thiev for this was a deed that they h er dreamed a girl would dare “Has this soul:%inned?” and.the an~ gel at his head answered: “It has sinned.” o Again the volce shriven-of its sins angel answered: red ‘sword. aloft, distant banl. from their saddles, hting for the cross of Christ?” fighting for a woman.” poor soul, sinful and unshriven, fighting for a woman's love. a-one find mercy?” questioning voice, growing was Jost far, tearing the cloaks ers, and since the; ing them over their feft arms to serve The band cursed sullenly, cnly their captain gave an o spokesman, who cried out: as bucklers. ever fainter, till it Now came another vi his father—the before she reaches i 5 warrlor sire whom he had never seen, who fell in Syria. knew him well, for the face was the arven on the tomb in Stangate church and he wore-the blood-red cross upon his mail and the D'Arcy death’s hand was on his shicld and in his hand shone .a naked-sword. 15’ this the soul of my son?" he ask- ed of the white-robed watchers. Liow died he?” Then the angel at his foot answered: d sword.aloft, fighting a For a moment they wavered, for the warrjors who barred the way that told of Then with a rush they came, rough stones; but scrambling over t here the causeway was-so narrow that while their strength lasted, were as good as twenty, nor, because of the mud and water, could they got at from ejther side. So after all it was but two to two, and the brethreri . Their long swords and then Wulf's was liftel again, once more it was red s it had been when he tossed it high nlight, and a man fell with a waters of the 1 wallowed there tiil he die foe was down also, \vere the better tw ighting for the crass of Christ?™” ay; fighting for a woman.” should have falleri in the holy war? Alas! poor son; alas! poor son! that e must part again forever!” And his voice, toq, passed away. ! a glory-advanced through blackness and the angels at head and foot. stood up and saluted with their flaming spears. - “How died this child of God?" asked a voice,. speaking out’of the.glory, Jow and awful vbice. “HE died by the.s sh into the a muttered word, not wai ttacked by others, the breth- f The huddled mob w thein gomie, and but before they had gone swords were at work be- strange oaths, they, among the rocks, and rolled upon their faces. confusion three.of them were pushed » the water, where two sank in the mud and were drowned, the third only dragged hinself ashore, while the rest made good (heir escape from the cause- wa had been cut down, and for whom there was They strove to .rise fight, but the linen masks flapped about their blows went i long swords brothers smote and smote again upon harness -as the ham- nite upon. an anvil, until they rlled over silent and stir- shrank back vord,” answered “By the sword of the children of the enemy. fighting in the war of And the angels were silént. “What has heaven. to do .with him, if he fought not for-heaven?” asked the voice again. > “Let him be spared,” .pleaded the guardians, “who was young and brave Send. him back to earth, there to retrieve his sins and be our chargé once more.” aid the voice. & a knight of heaven dnd-knew not. their helms an live on, but 1 mers of smiths ive on, but if thou wouldst win heaven.” Must he then put the woman from him?” asked the angels, “It-ivas not sald,” answered the voice speaking from ‘the glory. wild vision vanished. Then a space of oblivion, and God- JKe to hear other voices around well-beloved, “Back!” seid Godwin, “for here the road is wide and they will get behind ARd ot e So back they moved slowly, with stepping just in front of the first man whom Godwin had seemed upwards and with arms outstretched. oices human, membered; and to‘see a_face bending - him—a face most human, cloved, thost, remembered—that ousin, the L:ady Rosamund. He 5 4 duestions, but answered his brother, “but *hrought him food, and told him to till the battle is over, o 1 they will come on y God they have ’nvu with a short laugh. Thus it went on, king and sle~p, sleep and waking, until at length oné morning he woke up truly in the jittle room that opened outof the solar or sitfing place of the i where ne and Wuif had slept sincetheir uncle took them to-his home as infants, More, on the trestlé bed opposite tp him, his legs .and arm bandaged, and.a erutch by de, sat Wulf himself, somewhat yaler and thinner than of yore, but the same. jovial, careless, fierce-faced Wulf. “Do I still _drears, my it you indeed?” A happy emile spread upon the fa of Wulf, for now hé knev was himself dgain. i , 80 he slept. many are left thus no more. Pi he turned and looked behind far from the shore gray” horse steadily, and there upon its back sat Rosamund and she had seen, since the horsa hat sideways with she took the ker- chief from her throat and waved it to Then the brethren knew was proud of their great deeds, thelr saints that had lived to do even so much as this k Hall of Stecple, st swim somew brother, or is Although their that Godwin the band sank from the reach of “Dream folks don’t have they are the gifts of swords and men.” “And Rosamund? Did the gray horse swim the creek, and how c¢dme we here? me quick—I -faint for news.” “Herself shall tell you. bling to the curtained door, he called, for stones to hurl at them. But s more mud than’ pebbles, and the rocks of which the causeway was ere too heavy for them to lift, they found but few, missed the breth- e hurt. Now, after n called “master” eutenant, and ce: nto the thorn thicket, appear-d again bearin when thrown eit! ren or did but. lit some while, the I spoke through h tain of them ran is himself again. Rosamiund, Godwin Hear you, Godwin i$ himself again, and would speak with you!" There was a swift rustle of robes and a sound of quick feet among the rushes that strewed the floor, and then—Rosa- mund herself, lovely as ever, but all her stateliness forgot in joy. She saw how the gaunt Godwin sitting up upon the pallet, his gray eyes shining in the white and sunken face. For Godwin’s eyes were gray, while Wulf’s were blue, which was the only difference between them whereof a stranger would take truth Wulf's lips were fuller than Go@win's, and his chin more marked; also he was a larger man.. She saw him, and with a 1ittl€ ery of delight ran and cast her arms about him, and kissed him on “Their counsel i= to batter us down with the oars. What shall we do now, ed Godwin., “What we can,” answered Wulf. "It matters littie if Rosamund is spared by the water: take her now, who must loose the boat and man it after we 2 As he spoke Wulf heard a sound behind him, and of a sudden Godwin ds and sank to his for they will threw up his upon his feet stood that man whom they had thought dead, and hand a bioody sword. Wulf, and so fierce smote that the first sword arm through cloak and mail deep into the thief’s side; so that this time he fell, never to stir again. his brather and saw that the blood was running down his face and blind- At him leaped ere the blows he wept through his said Wulf roughly, turning his head aside, mund, you will loose the bandages, and bring his trouble back again; had enough of blood-letting.” - “Fhen I will kiss him on the hand— the hand that saved me,” she said, and More, she pressed that poor, pale hand against her heart. “Mine had something to do with that business also, but I don’t remem- ber that yom kissed it, Rosamund. Well, I will kiss him teo, and oh! God be praised, and the holy Virgin, and the holy Peter, and the holy Chad, and all the other holy dead folk whose names I can't recall, them, with' the Then he looked at “Save yourself, sped,” murmured Fodwin. *“Nay, or you could not speak.” be cast his arm round him and kissed him on the brow. ‘Then a thought came into his mind, and lifting Godwin as though he were a child, he ran back to where the herses stood and heaved him into the - who between help of Rosamund here, and the prayers of the Prior John and brethren at Stangate, and of Matthew, the village priest, have given you pack to us. ved _broths hopped to the beside, and threw his d‘ Godwin and ““Hold fast!” he cried, “by mane and Keep your mind and hold fast and I will save you yet.” Then, passing the reins over his left arm, Wulf leaped upon the back of his own horse and turneq it. onds more and the pirates, w gathering “With the oars whefe the paths. joined at the root of th. cause- dering d w"“llt'.th ‘ e own em, on one a sore wounded man, brigh Frig bandages, and he has’ blood-letting.” 5 Then before he could answer, which he seemed minded to do, there canie the sound of a slow step, and swing- ing the curtain aside, a tall and noble- looking knight entered the little place. The man was old, but itooked older than he was, for sorrow and sickness had wasted him. His snow-white hair hung upon his shoulders, his face was pale, and his features weré pinched but finely chiseled, and notwithstand- ing the- differenceé of their years, won- Gerfully like to those.of the daughter Rosgmund. For’this was her father, ir Andrew D'Arcy. nd bent the knee to him with a strange and Eastern grace, while Wulf bowed' his head, and i his- o was too Stiff to stir;. held up-his hand in greeting. The old man looked at him, . and there was prideé in his eve. 52 “So you .will live: after .all, my. THE SAN FRANCISCO SUNDAY CALL. “I__ think 80, for, Rosamund here knows,. the tall knave ‘who interpreted for the foreigner whom he called his master gave us the name of the Knight Lozelle sought to carry her off. ““Was this master a Saracen?” asked Sir Andrew anxiously. 3 “Nay, uncle, how can I tell, seeing that his face was masked like the rest and he spoke through an interpreter? But I pray you go on with the story, Godwin has not heard.” is short. When Rosamund told her tale, whereof I could make little— for the girl was crazed with grief and cold and fear—save that you had attacked upon the old quay, and she had _escaped - by swimming ~Death Creek, which seemed a thing incredi- I got together what men I could. ‘Then, bidding her "stay. behind ‘and nurse herself, :which she was loth to ‘e been seen wending its way from the old hall at Steeple. many knights whom were borne their Then came.old Sir An- drew D'Arcy, also fully armed, at- tended by squires and retainers. He ‘was accompanijed by his lovely daugh- Lady Rosamund, beautiful apparel under her cloak of fur, who rode upon his right hand on that same horse that had swam Death Next appeared the brethren, simple gentle- you back, Godwin, and listen.” ““The tale is yours, my cousihs, and not mine,” said Rosamund. me take the spurred the gray horse, and we sank deep, so that the waves closed above my head. Then up we came, I floating from the saddle, but I regained it, and the horse answered to my voice and bridle, and swam out for the farther On it swam, somewhat slant- wise with the tide, so that by turning my head I could see all that passed I saw them come at you, and men fall before your swords; I saw you charge them, and run back again, and, lastly, after what seemed a very long while, and I was far away, 1 saw Wulf Iift Godwin into the sad- dle—I knew it must be Godwin, be- cause he set him on the black horse— ‘and the palr of you galloped down the quay and vanished. By then I was not «could, would never pen word: be knightly, but the deeds were base enough,” re- or, of a truth, do b . this scroll.” “Aye,iephew; but him you met. Wwriting speaks of a master whom God- win mayimeet, and who would wish the writer to pay him a certain honor.” “Perhaps he wrote thus to blind us. “Perchance, perchance: The matter puzzles me. Moreover, of whom these men were I have been able to learn A boat was seen passing toward Bradwell—indeed, it seems that you saw it, and that night a boat was seen salling southward down St. Pet- er’s sands toward a ship that had an- chared oft Foulness Polnt. that ship was, whence she came and _whither she went, none knew, though the..fl(fl:fl of this fray have made the-man who spoke of the s suggested Wulf. modestly arrayed as men, followed each of them by his squire, scions of the noble houses of Salcote and of rode yet more knights, squires. ten- ants of various degrees, servants, and, lastly, a great number of peasantry and vileins, who walked and ran with their women folk and children. Following the road through the vil- lage, the procession turned to the left at the great arch which marked the boundary of the headed for Stangate Abbey, some two miles away, by the path that ran be- tween the arable land and the Salc upon the mole. After them saj it the least we .- have seen the last. of her crew- of women-thieves. Had they meant more mischlef they would have shown theme marshes, which are flooded at high - selves again here now. Bfr. Andrew. looked grave as he an- stone gaute of the abbey, that gave the place its name "80. 1 trust, but all the tale is very they were met by a company of the "How came It that they knew Clunfac monks, who dwelt In this wild that you and Rosamund’ were ridiag and lonely place upon the water's . that day to St.-Peter’s-on-the-Walland edge, by thelr prior, John, a 30 were able to waylay you? Surely descendant of the founder, py must have warned ‘Was a venerable t they were %o common pi- white-hafred man, clad in his wide- sleeved black robe, and preceded by n rates is evlgegt. for they spoke of lo- you two begone un- priest. carrying a silver- cross. Now , as it was Rosamund whom the procession separated, Godwin and they needed. Also, there is the matter Walf, with certain.of the knights and of the sword that fell from'the hand thelr esquires, being led to the Priory, of Godwin when he was hurt, which while the main bodv of it entered the church, or stood about outside was returned In so strange a fashion. I have known many such deeds of chivalry done in Arrived in the house, the two knights the East by Paynim ¢ elect were taken .to ‘a room where ell, Rosamund is half an Bast- their hair was cut and their chins were broke In Wulf carelessly; “and shaved by a barber who awalted them e periaps ‘that had something to do with Then, under the guldance of two knights named Sir Anthony de Mande- Sir Andrew started and the color rose - Ville and Sir Roger de Mercl, to. his pale face. Then In n tone in Were conducted to haths surrounded by which he showed he wished to speals no rich. clothe. Into these, having been more of this matter, he sald: uhdressed by the squires, they entered “Enough, enough. Godwin is very and bathed themselves, whilc Sir An- weak and grows weary and before I thony and . Sir Roger spoke to them through the cloths of the high duties leave him 1 have a word to say that it may please you both to hear. Young 0! thelr voeation, ending by pouring men, yoir are of my blond, the mearest Water over them, and signing their to it rave this.maid—the sons of that bodles with the sign of the Cross. Next 1 have ever they were dressed again, and preceded _, noble knlght, my brother. loved you well and been proud of you, DY miustrels, led to the church. at tho vas so In the past how DPorch of which they and thelr squires much more is it thus to-day when you Wefe glven wine to drink. Here, In the presence of all the com- have done such high service to my Moreover, that deed pany, they were clothed first in white and great: nothing more knightly has tusics, to signify the whiteness of thelr been told of In Essex this many & year Dearts: next in red robes, symbolical and those who wrought it should no ©°f the blood they might he called uvon be stmple gentlemen, but very 10 shed for Christ; and lastly, In long This boon it i in my power black cloaks, emblems of the death that must be endured by all. to grant to you according to the an- thelr armor was brought and plled be- clent custom. fore them upon the steps of the altar, question it, while you lay sick, but after 1t was belleved that- Godwin and the congregatlon departed. homes ward, leaving them with their esanires would live, which at first we scarcely dared to hope, I journeyed to -London and the priest to spend the long wine ter night “in orisons and pravers.' and sought audlence of our llege the Long. indeed, it was, in that Having told him this tale, prayed him that he would be pleased ¥ome, holy place, lit only by a lamp which’ swung before the altar. to yrant me his command In writing that 1 should name you knights. prayer. and prayed until he could pray nephews, he was so pleased, and here 110 more, then fell Into a half dreamtul I have the brief sealed with the royal State that was haunted by fhe face of signet, commanding that in his name Rosamund, where even hir face should and my own I should give you the ac. have been forgotten. win, his el- bow resting against the tomb that hid colade publicly in the church of the Ris father's heast, prayed also. prioty at Stangate at such season as even his earnestness was outworn. and may be convenient. Therefore, God- he began to wonder about many things. win, the squire, haste you to get well, ‘That dream of his, for instance. in his that you may.become Sir Godwin, the sickness, when he had seemed tc knight; for you, Wulf, save for the @ead, and what might be the true duty hurt to your les, dre already well To be brave and uoright? Now Godwin’s_white face went red Surely. To fight for the Cross of Christ against the Baracen? chance came his way. What more? To with pride, and Wuif dropped his bold ‘eyes and looked modest as & abandon the world and to spend his ’* he sald to life muttering prayers like those priests in the garkness behind him? Could that be needful or of service to God or man? win In & weak voice, ‘To ‘man, perhaps, because such folk “we know not h to thank yeu for so tended the sick and fed the poor. great an honor, that we never thought to God? Was he not sent into the world to win till we had done moure famous part in the world—to live deeds than the beating off of a band his full itfe? This would mean a half- of robbers. Sir, we have no more to life—one into which no woman could say, save that while we live we will enter, to which no child might be add- strive to be worthy of our name and ed, since to monks and even to certain brotherhoods, all these things. which ey “Well said,” said his uncle, adding Nature decreéd and Heaven had sanc- as though speaking to himself, tified, were deadly sin. man Is courtly as he i It would mean, for instance. that Wuif looked up. a flash of merriment he must think no more of Rosamund. his open face. Could he do this for the sake of the my uncle, whose speech 3, I fear \ielfare of his soul in some future me, not courtly, -thank you also. Why, at the thought of will add that I think our lady cousin here Should. be knlghted 100, If stch & orene Uiarg Lnd then. in the solemn place and hour, of dedication, his thing were possible for a woman, see- gpirit reeled, for then and there for inig that to swim a horse across Death the first time it was borne in upon Creek was a greater deed than to fight him that he loved this woman mors on its quay.” than all the world beside—more than “Rosamund?" answered the old man his life, more, perhaps, than his soul. in the same dreamy voice. “Her rank Is He loved her with all his pure, young nough—too high, too high for heart—so much that it would be a joy safety.” And turning, he lett the little for him to die for her, not only in the heat of battle, as lately had almost “Well, cousin,” said Wulf, chanced-on the Death Creek quay, but cannot be a knight, at least you can in cold blood of set purpose if there lessen all this dangerous rank of yours He loved her with body by becoming & knight's wife.” Where- and with spirit, and, after God, here at Rosamund looked at him with in- to her he consecrated his body and... dignation which struggled with a smile But what value would she in her dark eyes, and murmuring that put upon the gift? What if some she would see to the making of God- other man? win’s broth, followed her father from By his side, his elbows Mn‘ on the altar rails, his eyes fixed upon the “It would have been kinder had she beaming armor that he would wear in battle, knelt Wulf, told us that she was glad,” sald Wulf. his brother— when she was gone- a mighty man, a knight of knights, o - WHgN “. ‘\’"LL } nggsf - YOUR < nephew,” he said, “and for that I thank the Giver of life and death, since 'fore God you are a gallant man —a worthy child of the bloods of the Norman D’Arcy and of Uluin the Saxon:. Yes, one of the best of them.” “Speak not so. my uncle,” said Godwin; “or at least, here is a worth- ier,” and he patted the hand of Wulf with his lean fingers. “Wulf it was who bore me through. Oh, I remem- ber as much as that—how he lifted me onto the black horse and bade me 10 cling fast to mane and pommel. Ayé, and I remember the chargegand his cry of ‘Contre D’Arcy, contre Mort!” and the flashing of swords about us, and after that—nothing.” “Would that I had been there to share that fight,” said the Lord D'Arcy, tossing his white hair. *“Oh, my chil- dren, it is hard to be sick and old and to feel that never again may the dn- cient ¢rv pass my lips, and never again shall T lift brand in battle. A log am I—nothing but a rotten log. Still, had I known, had I only “Father, father,” said Rosamund, casting her white arm about his neck. “You should not speak thus. You have done ydur share.” “Yes, my share: but I should like to do more. Oh, St. Andrew. grant it to me to die with my sword aloft and my grandsire’s cry upon my lips. Yes, yes; thus, not like a worn-out war horse in his stall. There, pardon me; but in truth, my children, I am jeal- ous of you. Why, when I found you ly- ing in each other’s armsz I could have wept for rage to think that such a fray had been within a league of my own doors and I not in 1t.” < -1 know mnothing of all that story,” sald Godwin. . “No, in truth, how can you, who have been senseless this mgnth or more? But Rosamund knows, and she tell it you. Speak on, Rosamund, Lay hi “Perhaps she.would,” answered his ‘had it not been for your rough jests, Wulf, which might have a meaning_in them. “Nay, I had no meaning. Why sl she not become a Kknigi “Aye, but what knight’ please either of us, brother, if, as may 7 e should chance to be some fearless, noble, open-hearted; one as any woman might well love. And he also loved Rosamund. Of this And, oh! did not Rosa- Bitter _jealousy seized upon Godwin’s vitals. Yes; even then and there black envy got a hold of him and rent him so sore that, cold as was the place, the sweat poured from his brow and body. he moaned in his poor eart, “give me strength ‘to fight against this sinful passion that would lead me to hate the brother whom I O God, give me strength to bear it if he should be preferred before ke me a perfect knight— strong to suffor and endure, and, if need be, to réjoice even In the joy of my supplanter.” jould be abandon hope? he fly the battle for fear he inight ba defeated? Nay; he would fight on in all honesty and honor, and if he were overcome would meet his fate as brave "knight ought—without bitter. ness, but without shame. ‘Let destin: direct the matter. It was in the han of deéstiny, and stretching out his be threw it around the neck of brother, who knelt before him, let it rest there, until the head of the' tired Wulf sank sleepily upon his shoulder like the head ,0f an. infant upon its mother’s breast. the gray dawn broke, and passing through eastern window, like a golden spear, piereed the dusk of the long church, which was built to the shape of cross, so that only its trancepts re- mained in the shadow. Then came a he was sure. 's? Would it Now Wulf swore a great oath, then flushed to the roots of his fair bair, and was silent. sald Godwin;: think before you speak, ways well to do.” “She swore upon the quay. yonder,” broke in Wulf. “Never speak. of what she swore. ‘Words uttered in such an hour should remembered against a maid.” “God’s truth, brother, you are right, My tongue runs away- with me, but still I can’t turs,e't. those words, “you do not ‘which it is al- do, I set out to find you or your bodies. It was dark, but we rode hard, having lanterns with us, as we went rousing men at every stead, until we came to where the roads join at Moats. There we found a black horse—your horse, Godwin—so sorely wounded could travel no farther, and I groaned, thinking that you were dead. Still we went on, till we heard another horse whinny, and presently found the roan, also riderless, standing by the path side with his head down. “‘A marn on the ground holds him!’ cried cne, and I sprang from the sad- dle to see wlo it might be, to find that e palr of you, locked in each other’s arms, and senseless, if not dead, as well you might be from your I bade the country folk cover you up and carry you home, and others to run to Stangate and pray the prior and the monk Stephen, come with speed to tend pressed onward to take vengeance if ‘We reached the quay upen the creek, but there we found nothing save ‘some blood stains and—this is. strange—your sword, Godwin, the hilt set between two stones, the point a writing.” “What was the writing?” asked God- a hundred yards from the home shore, and the gray grew very sank deep in the water. But I cheered it on with my a twice its head went beneath the waves, in the end it found a footing, though After resting awhile, short rushes weary and and although a soft one. plunged forward throvgh the mud, and so ' at length came safe to land, shaking with fear and weariness. soon as the horse got its breath again I pressed forward, and came home here as the dark closed in, to meet your un- cle watching for me at the gate—and now, father, do you take up the tale.” ““There fs little more to tell,” said Siry Andrew. “You will remember, nephews, that I was against this ride of Rosa- mund’s to seek flowers, or I know not what, at St. Peter's shrine, nine miles but as the maid had set her heart on it and there pleasures here, why, I let her go with the pair of you for escort. mind also that you were starting with- and how foolish you thought me when I called you back and made you gird it-on. Well, my patron saint—or yours—put it into my head to do so, for had it not been for those same shirts of mail you were both of you dead men to-day. But that morning I had been thinking of Sir Wi Hugh Lozelle—if such a false pirate Togue can be called a knight, not but that he is stout and brave enough—an his threats after he recovered from the wound you gave him, that he would come back and take yeur cousin for all we could do to stay him. True, we have heard that he had thus: sailed for the East to war against Sala- for he was ever a traitor—but even if this were so, men return from the East. Therefore I bade you arm, having some foresight of what was to come, for doubtless this on- shall slaught must have been planned by . tune’s path to-day, Gedwin. Oh, that Such fighting as I or dreamed of. And And now both of u ifso d a knij for th of us you, Wulf—nay, it is so, thou, would never have done less. for Fortune’s path, it is one that has many rough turns, and perhaps before all is done she. may lead us down some ho is a leech, -of them.” you, while we was & lucky ride! the.” sungnt, are but few “You_ talk like a priest, not like a squire who is to l:e knighted out your mail, “Wulf,” called “Here it is,” answered the uncle, drawing a piece of parchment from his d robe. Read it, one of you, since all of you are scholars and my eyes are bad.” They were but few. of his sickness, on 101 of his hop his fears and 3 who once as a a monk, not that din—or with him,