The sun., 1891-07-05
CHAPTER XVI.
HOW THE THREE COMRADES GAINED MIGHTY
TREASURE.

HOW THE THREE COMRADES GAINED A MIGHTY
TREASURE.
It was bright. crisp winters day when the
little party ret of from Bordeaux on their
journey to Montaubon. whore the missing half
OF their Company had last been heard OF. Sir
Nigel and Ford had ridden on In advance. the
knight upon his hackney. while his great war
horse trotted beside his squire. Two hours
later Alleyne Edricson followed; for he
had the tavern reckoning to settle. and
many othor duties which fell to MIN as
squire Of the body. With him came
Aylward and Horde John. armed as OF
old. but mounted for their journey upon pair
Of clumsy Landes horses. heavy headed and
shambling. but OF great endurance. and capa-
bio OF jogging along all day. even when be-
tween tho knees OF the huge archer. who
turned the scale at 270 pounds. They took
with them the sumpte. mules which carried
In panniers the wardrobe and table furniture
OF Sir Nigel. for the knight. though neither fop
nor epicure. was very dainty In small matters
and loved. however bare the board or hard the
lifs that his napery should still be white and
his spoon Of silver
There had been frost during the night. and
tho white. hard road rang loud undsr their
horses irons es thoy spurred through the east
gate OF the town. along the same broad high
way which the unknown French champion had
traversed on the day OF the jousts. Tho three
rode abreast Alleyne Edricson with his eyes
cast down and his mind distrait, for his
thoughts wore busy with the conversation
which he had had with Sir Nigel In the morn
ing. Had LIE done we'll TO say so much. or had
he not done better to have said more2 What
would the knight have snid had he confessed
TO his love for the Lady Maude? Would he
cast him OF IN Disgrace. or might he chide him
as having abused the shelter OF his roof? It
had been ready upon his tongue to tell him all
when Sir Oliver had broken In upon them.
Perchance Sir Nigel. with his love Of all the
dying usages OF chivairy. might have contrIyed
some strange ordeal or feat OF arms by which
his love should be put to the test Alleyne
smiled as he wondered what fantas-
tic and wondrous deed would be OK
acted from him. Whatever it was,
he was ready for it. whether 1t were to hold
the lists In the court OF the King OF Tartary. to
carry q cartel to the Sultan OF Bagdad. or to
serve term against the wild heathen OF Prus-
sia. Sir Nigel had said that his birth was high
enough for any lady. II his fortune could but
be amended. Often had Alleyne curled his lip
at the begRarly craving for land or for gold
which blinded man to the higher and moro
lasting Issues Of life Now 1t seemed as II
It woSo only by this same land aud gold that
ne might hope to reach his hearts desire But
then. again. the Socman o! Minstead was no
friend to the Constable OF Twynham Castle. 1t
might happen that, should he amass riches by
some happy fortune OF war. this feud might
hold she two families sloo,. Even II Maude
loved him. he knew her too we'll to think thss
she would wed him without the blessingef hor
father. Dark and murky was 1t all. but hope
mounts high In youth. and 1t ever futtered over
all the turmoil Of his thoughts like . white
plume amid the shock Of horssmen.
II AIlSyns Edricson had enough TO ponder
over - be rode through tho bare plains Of
Guisnns. his two companions were more busy