The sun., 1891-06-14
THE WHITE COMPANY.
BY CON AN DOYLE.
CHAPTER xv.

rfum-ground we'll known both to Alleyne and
to John. for they were almost within slight OF
tho Abbey OF Beaulieu. A strange thrill IL gave
to the young squire to see the well-remem-
bered white dress once more. and to hear the
measured tolling Of the deep vespers bell. At
early dawn they passed across the broad. slug
Rlsh. roed-girt stream-men. horses. and bag
gagc in the flat ferry barees-and so journeyed
on through the fresh morning air past Exbury
20 Lepe. Topping the heathy down. they camo
Of sudden full in sight OF the old seaport-a
cluster Of houses. trail OF blue smoke. and
, brlstle OF masts. To right and left the
In fringe OF foam upon tho yellow beach.
Bome way out from the town line OF pesso-
ners. creyers. and other small craft were rolling
lazil7 on tho gentle swell. Further out still
lay . groat merchant ship. high ended. deep
waisted. painted OF canary yellow. and tower
ing above the fishing boats like swan among
ducklinGs.
"By St. PAUL." said the knight. "our good
merchant OF Southampton hath not played us
false. for methinks I can see our shlp down
yonder. lie said that she would be Of great
size and of a yellow shade"
BY my hilt. yes" muttered Aylwsrd: 4" she
IL yellow as kite's claw and would carry as
many mon as there are pips In . pome-
granao."
"It is WE'LL" remarked Terlaks: "for me-
thinks. my fair lord. that we are not the only
ones who arc waiting q passage to Gascony.
Mine eyo catches at times . flash and sparkle
from among yonder houses which assuredly
never came from shipman's Jacket or the
gaberdine OF purgher."
II can also see It," said Alleyns shading his
eyos with his hand. And I can soc men at
arms In yonder boats which ply betwtxt the
vessel aud the shore. But methinks that We
arc very welcome here. for already they come
forth to meet u.s."
A tumultuous crowd Of fishermen. citizens.
and women had indeed swarmed out from the
northern cato. approached them up tho side Of
the moor. waving their hands and dancing
with JOY. as II great fear had been
rolled back from their minds. At their head
rode very large and solemn man with
a fur tIppet round his neck and q
heavy gold chain over It. with Q medallion
which danGled in front OF him.
Welcome most puissont and noble lord"
he cried. dofllng his bonnet to Black Simon.
II have heard of your lordship's valiant deeds.
and In sooth thoy might be expected from
your lordshIp's face and bearing. Is there any
small matter In which l may obliee your"
Since you ask ne." said the man-at-
arms. I would take 1t kindly II you could
srare link or two OF the chain which hangs
round your mock"
What. the corporation chainl" cried the
other. The ancient chain Of tho township
Of Lepe. This is but sorry Jest. Sir Nigel"
What tho plague did you aak me for thsn2 ?"
said Simon. But II 1t is Sir Nigel Loring
with whom you would speak. that is he upon
tho black horse.''
AZ
on the mild face and slender frame Of tho IA
nous warrior
Your pardon. my very gracious lord" hs
cried. You see In me the Mayor aud chief
magistrate OF the ancient and powerful town
OF Lepe. bid you very heartily welcome. and
the more SO as you are come at o moment
when we are sore put to 1t for defence"
Hal" cried Sir Nigel. prIckinR up his ears.
"Yes, my lord. for tbs town being very
ancient and the walls as old as the town. it fol-
lows that they are very ancient too. But there
is . certain villainous and bloodthlrsty Nor
man pirate hight Tete-noire. who. with .
Genoan called Tito Caracol. commonly known
as Spade beard. hath been u mighty scoures
upon these coasts. Indeed my lord. they are
very cruel and black hearted mon. Rraceless
and ruthless and II they should come TO the
ancient and powerful town Of Lspe. then"
Then good-by to the ancient and powerful
town OF Lepe." quoth Ford. whose lightness OF
tongue could at times rise above bis awe Of Sir
Nigel.
The knight. however. was too much intent
upon the matter in hand to give heed to tho
hippancy OF his squire. Have you then
cause" he asked. Ito think that these men are
about to venture an attempt upon you"
They have come in two great Ralleys." an
swered the Mayor. with two bank OF oars ON
either sid 3 and great store OF engines OF war
and o! men-at-arms. At Weymouth and at
Portland they have murdered and ravishsd.
Yesterday morning they were at Cowss. and
We saw the smoke from the burning crofts. To-
day thsy lie at their case near Fresh water.
aud We fear much lest they como upon US and
do us mischief"
I'VE cannot tarry" said Sir Nigel. riding to-
ward tho town. with the Mayor upon his left
side "The Prince awaits us at Bordeaux.
and we may not DO behind the general muster.
Yet will promise you that on our way We shall
nnd time to pass Freshwater and to prevail
upon these rovers to leave you In peace"
"We are much beholden to you" cried the
Mayor. But I cannot see. my lord. how.
without war ship. you may venture AGAINST
thaso men. With your archsrs. however. you
might we'll hold the town and do them great
scath II they attempt to land"
said Sir Nigel: 1T would be o very strange
thing II any ship were not war ship whom It
had such men AZ these upon her decks. Certes.
v shalt do us say. and that no later than
this very day"
MY lord" said a rough haired. dark faced
man. VINO walked by the knights other stirrup
With his hea soped to catch all that he was
saying. by your leave. ! have NO doubt that
Iou are skilled In lsud fighting and the mar
Ihalllnz OF larces. but. by my soull
vou will find 1t another thing upon the
Iea. I nm the master-shipman OF this
Tellow cog. aud my name is Goodwin
aswtayne. have sailed since was a. high
n this stan, and have fought against these
Sormans and against tho Genoess. Is we'll as
he Scotch. the Bretons. the Spanish. and the
doora tell you. sir. that my ship Is over
light and overirail for such work. and It will
,ut end In our having our throats cut, or being
old us slaves to the Barbary heathsn."
~ also have experienced one or two gentle
md honorable ventures upon the sea-" Quoth
iir Nigel. "and ] am right blithe to have so
sir task before US Think. good MASTER |
tha. you and may win great honor |
, this matter. and can see very readily that |