The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-12-15

nv own life, 30 small favor ss the granting
liberty TO one poor devil Of a Saxon | told
you would do it, if might; yet by my ia
theirs soul, know not how to do it
"Where is the rub, my friepd?" replied the
other, kindly 81 doubt not, if we put both our
heads together, we can accomplish even a
greater thing than making free English yeo-
man of Saxon thrall.'
81 never was rich, as you well know, De
Senlis; but at the time of the Kings late iu-
curson into Wales, when was summoned TO
lead out my power, had no choice but mort
gage this my fortalice, with its demesne of
Waltheofstow, and all it's penshing and
stock, castle and thralls, and crops and fisher
les, to Abraham of Tadcaster, for nineteen
hundred zecchins, to buy their Quitting hor-
ses, and armor and this prohibits me from
manumitting this man, Leofenoth, although
would do 80 right willingly, not for that it
would pleasure you only, but that he is q faith
full and TN honest fellow for thrall, and right
handy, both with arbalast and longbow |
know not we'll how TO accomplish it,"
Easily, easily, Alberto" answered Enquer-
rand, laughing. Never shall it be said that
nine teen hundred zecchins stood between En.
querrand and his gratitude; beside, this will
shoot double game with a single arrow. 1t
will relieve our trusty Leofenoth from the act
ual bondage of q corporal lord and master
and liberate my right good friend and brother
in arms, Alberto de Mortemar, from the more
CALLING spiritual bondage of that foul tyrant
and perilous opprcssor, debt Tush no de-
nial | say" ne continued, perceiving that Sir
Alberto was about to make some demur. "lt
is mere trife, this, and a matter of no mo-
mept | will indite an order on my manciple
| at Beaudesert for nineteen hundred zecchins
and you may pass it when you will to the usu-
rious Jew at Tsdcaster, giving me in lieu
thereof receipt in full for the price of Leofe-
moth, from thee and thine, to me and mine, to
have and to hold forever So shall my graft
tude be preserved intact, and Inv pretty AIDE
lais have her fond fancy gratifed"
"Be it so, then, in Gods name, and by my
faith thank you for the loan right heartily !;
for on mine honor that same bloodsucker Of
Israel hath pumped me like the yeriest horse
leech these last twelve months, and | know
not but should have had to sell, after all We
must have LeofenOth's consent however, that
all may be in form; for he is no common hrsl,
but serf of the soil, and may not be removed
from it, nor manumitted even, save with his
own free will
"Who ever heard of serf refusing to be
free, more than of Jew not loving ducats
My life on it. he will not be slow to consent !"
81 trow mott trow not De Senlis; but let us
| set about it presently; a good deed cannot well
be done too quickly. You pass the wine cup
too, notice. Let us take cap and cloak, and
stroll down into the hamlet yonder; it is
pleasant ramble in the cool afternoon, and we
can see him in his den--he will be scant Of
wind, trow, and little fit to climb the castle
hill this evensong, after the battering he re-
ceived from that stout forester. But freedom
will be a royal salve, / warrant me, for his
worst bruises Shall we goe"
Willingly, willingly. | would have it to
tell Adelais,, at her Weakening. Twill be q
cure to her also. She is a ender-hearted child
ever, and was 80 from her cradle Why, have
known her cry like the lady Nobe, that the
prior of st. Adams told us of-that wept till she
was changed into dripping fountain, when
blessed st. Michael and St. George slew all
her tribe of children, for that she likened her.
self in her vain smile of beauty, to the most
holy virgin mother, st. Mary of Senna-a. the
killing OF deer by stray shaft that had
sucking tawn beside her foot and when |
caused them fog Wufgitha, that was her
nurses daughter, for selling of ball of flax
that was given her to spin, she took sick, and
kept TO her bed two days and more, all for that
she heard the wench squeahng and might
not have peace with her, till she had made me
promise that the jades of women should taste
the bOar's hide no longer"
"Our gods forbodet" answered Alberto,
laughing. g IL must have been black day for
your seneschal How rules he your warders,
since2 My fellow Hundibert, swears that the
girls need more tickling than the LATEST swine
Of the whole Saxon herd But come let US
be moving"
With that they descended the winding stone
stairway into the great hall or guardroom,
which occupied the whole ground floor of the
castle-a noble vaulted ROOM stone arched and
stone paved, its walls hung with splendid arms
and well-used weapons
"0ld swords, and pixies and bows,
And good old shields and targets that borne some
stout old blows"
Thence, through an echoing srchway, above
which IN its grooves of stone hung the steel
clinched portcullis and down a steep and al
most precipitous fight of steps without any
rail or breastwork, they reached the large
court yard where some of the retainers were
engaged in trying feats of strength and skill,
throwing the hammer wrestling or shooting
with arbalasts at mark, while others were
playing at games of chance in cool shadowy
with an occasional pull ut a deep black tank
ard, which stood beside them on the board.
After tarrying a few minutes in the court.
observing the wreetlers and crossbowmen, and
throwing in an occasional word of good hu-
mored encouragement at any good shot or hap.
~ fall, the lords passed the drawbridge, which
was lowered, giving access to the pleasant
country, over which the warder was gazing
half wlstfuly and watching group of pretty
girls, who were washing clothes in the brook
at about half miles distance, laughing az
merrily and singing as tunefully as though
they had been free maidens of gentle Norman
lineage, instead of condemned and outlawed
Saxons, the children and the wives and moth.
ers of slaves, and bondmen in tho to be here
after
"Hols old Stephen" cried the knight of
Mortemar, gaily, as he passed the stout depend.
ant; I" thought thou vert too resolute a bach.
eior to cast a sheepseye on the lasses, and too
thorough paced Norman to let the prcttiest
Saxon of them all find favor in your sight"
I" | don't know, sir; ! don't know that" an.
swered the man, with grin, half basbfully,
and between bantering and earnest. There's
little Alsifge down wonderland, bond OF free
there's not girl about the castle, or within
ten miles Of it, for that matter, that has got
an eye to come near those blue sparklers of
hers; and as for her voice, when she's singing
it would vile the birds out Of heaven, let alone
the wits out of poor soldiers brain pan. Hark
10 her now, Sir Alberto. Sang ever nightingale
so sweetly az yon trill, Sir Knight"
Win her, Stephen. Win her, I'll grant
you my permission, for your paramour and if
you do, Pil give, her to you for your own. L
owe yor boon Of some sort, for that service
you did me when you knocked that WEIGH
churl on the head who would have driven his
long knife into my ribs that time was dis
moonted in the pass near Dunmailraise Win
her, therefore, if you may, Stephen, and yours
she shall be, rs surely and as steadfastly az
though she were the captive of your spearp
Small chance Sir Albaricp replied tho