The National tribune., 1888-11-29
CHAPTER II.
THE cAsTlE OF FcENrovILLE.


THE CASTLE OF F5CENTovILLE.
Though Osmond ,sthe 1oung heir of Cento-
vile, had thanked sthe Flemish strangers in
such Courteous manner for the service
they had rendered his boy Lord, and though
the youthful Duke himself appeared sincerely
grateful yet his Norman huntsmen, who had
come up with Osmond, were evidently far
enough from pleased to see that he owed his
preservation from the serious peril in which he
had been placed to men who wore the garb and
spoke the language of a iercely-hated race.
1t was noticeable, also, that Master Herman,
since the burgher called himself by that name
seemed to regard the Boy Duke with not little
trepidation. There was an expression of
anxiety upon his comtenance which almost
amounted to dread aud OsmOnd, who in spite
of his somewhat careless bearing. had habit
of close observation and rather old head on his
yonng shoulders, took note of the burghers un-
easy manner, and decided that the business
which brought him to Normandy must be in
deed of the greatest importance TO him.
There was every reason why a Fleming
should expect but little kindness from Nor
man, and least of any from the son of the MUIR
dered William LOngswOrd; and though this
particular Fleming had established a claim to
his gratitude Osmond perceived that he was
doubtful as to whether such claim would have
weight enough to win him the favor that he
came to seek, whatever it might be.
The Boy Duke, however, appeared to be
thinking chiefly of his contribution to the ap-
preaching banquet and did not notice what an
anxious gaze the burgher bent upon him.
I" / am afraid l cannot claim the boar as my
game; but surely" said he, with boyish eager
ness, 81 can say that l had hand in killing
him"
Since he came SO near killing you. my
Lord" said Osmend, seriously, it is a pity if
you may not share the credit of his capture
and, indeed" he added, STOPPING to examine
the slaughtered animal, i think you might
fairly claim him as your own-for here is your
spearhead sticking in his side"
" 1t did not take him as | meant it should" !"
said Richard, discontentedly. Il did not aim
low enough; l ought to have made allowance
for being on the ground, instead of Gascon' S
back. | would not have shared my honors
with any one, if | had only had my good
hunter here to help me-"
OFF FOR THE CASTLE.
The huntsmen had broughtup his horse, and
he leaped into the saddle as he spoke.
"But come," he added "let us be moving,
or it will be midnight before the boar is roasted"
1t was, in fact, so late that the shadows were
already growing dark in the forest; aud though,
as Osmond informed the Flemings, it was no
great distance to the Castle of Ceutoville. yet
the supper hour would be near at hand by the
time they arrived there.
Under Osmond's direction the boar was taken
up and thrown across the back of a horse and
the whole company started for the castle, the
young Duke taking the lead. with his Esquire
and the Flemish burgher, while the rest of the
party followed, few PAGES behind.
They rode between the trees for mile or
two, when the woodland path began to widen,
and they presently emerged from the forest at
the brow of a gently-sloping hill. Below, a
small stream wound sparkling through the
,lrEo oc
the peasants were harvesting great loads of ap-
pies and fields of golden grain, with here and
there a cluster of labereCs' hutS or the stone
walled inclOsure of cow herd or swine. herd,
to indicate the abode Of peace and pastoral in
dustry; so fair and prosperous was the Nor
man country, after the rule of Rollo and Will
liam LongswOrd.
On the other side of the valley, crowning
the highest eminence of a steep and lofty hill,
stood the Castle of Centoyille. Its Norman
towers and massive walls looked down upon
| the valley with a stern but yet protecting as
spect, much as the grim old Dane, its founder,
the grandfather of Osnkond, may have looked
upon the common people toiling in the shad-
ow of his towers. But the castle at this mo-
ment was frightened into something like a
warriors cheerfulness; for the setting sun
threw mellow light upon its leaden roof, aud
| lighted up the gay folds of the lordly banner
| which tloated above its topmost battlements-
the banner of the Duke.
| Some little distance to the north could be
seen the town of Bayeux, which even then
| was a populous place. its houses being thickIy
! clustered around another castle-that of Bo-
| thon, the Count of Bayeux-not quite so lofty
and imposing as the stronghold of CentOville
| Osmond said to the Fleming, with an accent
of pride;
"Yonder is my fathers castle, Master Her
/ man. Its gates are open and its cheer is free
/ to all friends of our Lord the Duke"
1t is noble structure, and looks we'll fitted
not only to entertain the friends of your Lord
| but also to defy his foes, if need be-" said tho
burgher; though trust he has not many o
1 the latter"
''As to that" 0smond answered, proudly
we could guard him from his foes if he dwell
in house of straw instead of yonder castle
| If there were no stone walls for his defense
there would be still a bulwark of Norman
hearts around him. He has foes enough, l fear
but they are all outside of Normandy"
Master Herman gazed in a thoughtful way
at the fine form and pleasant face of the Bo!
Duke, who was riding little in advance, ant
remarked:
He bears himself like a noble young Lord
we'll worthy to be the ruler of noble people
l doubt not his Normans love him we'll"
They do, indeed" said 0smond. He is
! trne son of William Longsword, whose memor,
we cneFlSn. remember well now KIND ant
gentle Duke William was to every one arounC
him; how fair aud just with rich and poo
| alike; and Richard is the same. Moreover,
think he will prove to US, when the time come
to show it, that he inherits the warlike spiri
of his grandsire, the brave old Sea King Rollo
Sir Rolfe, my father, says there is great futur
for the Norman people if Richard lives to man
hood"
God grant" said the burgher, in tone o
sincerity, that no misfortune may cut short
life so promising"
Osmond reioined. impetuously:
cat least, if there is power enough among hi
people to protect him. he shall not die as hi
noble father died We viii never give anothe
false-hearted Fleming the chance to do anOthe
such deed !"
The burgher's face turned pale, and he drop
ped his eyes, not venturing to make a reply
but the young Duke who had checked hi
horse little and turned his head as if to ad
dress some remark to those behind him, heart
his Esquires vehement speech and saw it
effect upon the Fleming, and he said, reproy
ingIy:
my siynpps NJ,