The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-02

not to note that / am gentleman of Sus-
sex. Furthermore. | am the Earl OF
AruEdeIs man and will not sell his cause
for the rag of life that is left me. But
were l not of this counsel. / Sm well as
sured that we all stand here dead men.
for we South-country folk have heard tell
Of my Lord Hungerford's mercy
Hungerford wagged his head at him, yet
with something of approval in his glance.
This is a stubborn old dog, said he.
Let him hang as he wills it. Now, you
other knaves. he continued, addressing
the rest of the prisoners Il nave no leis-
IRE nor inclination TO ask you singly.
Which Of you will blab on the chance of
saving his neck?"
confused murmur ran up and down
the line of prisoners. How now?" cried
Hungerford. in the tone of one rating his
hounds. speak up there. and speak
straight while there is yet time!'
man-at-arms stepped forward - a
young fellow of the farmer class, rosy
faced. with an awkward rustic manner.
My lord said he. since the matter is
so wonderful chancey. we are even con-
tent to go Master Goring's road
You shall. my lad said Hungerford
briefly. Let them hang" And with that
he turned his back. and made toward the
dais.
Over the hustle of the guard preparing
to lead cut the prisoners, Gorings voice
was heard. My lord, may l, that am a
dead man, speak?''
Hnngerford stopped abruptly. his hands
clasped behind him. his head turned side
ways on his shoulder.
Be brief-be brief" he said.
My lord" said the old man, you have
at least dealt honestly with us, therefore
I ma -n hn1 IN ,F
pany is but lad of sixteen; and take it
that your lordship does not make war on
children"
Hungerford faced about. and looked
keenly at the young archer.
old fool" he said. addressing Goring,
but not shifting his gaze from the boy.
they make war on me. Moreover. am L
not the Lord Hungerford OF whose mercy
you South-country folk have heard tell?
Let them hang" he cried angrily to the
guards; why 90 you wait? No, leave the
pup here Then. turning to the old man,
Master Goriug." said he, you say you
have heard tell of the Lord Hun
serford's mercy. promise you
that the puppy shall taste of it," And
with that the prisoners were led out: and
my lord, signing TO his gentlemen to
withdraw, was left alone with the young
bowman
The boy stood mute at the bottom of the
hall. where the guards had left him. He
was tall and big for his years, OF a some
what solid Saxon type, with callousness
of demeanor that seemed to border on STU
pidity. He gave no sign Of awe or terror
in the presence of the scourge of the York
lists: but his clear gray eye followed Hun
gerford's restless pacing up and down the
dais There could be no greater contrast
than that in the aspect of the two men;
the younger blond-haired, ruddy-faced. to
all appearances unmoved and serene: the
elder lean. nervous. dark almost with the
swarthiness of a gypsy, in unceasing and
aimless- motion. clenching and unclenching
his hands behind his back. or gnawing saw
agely at his nails. Save for their dress.
and their positions in the hall, it would
have been hard TO tell that that was the
prisoner whose life hung by the slenderest
thread. this the relentless and resolute
leader CT men
With the suddenness that marked all his
~Hungerford swung round in the
middle of his stride. and. pointing to the
broken meats on the table. called 10 the
boy to eat.
The latter replied, with a high pitched.
singing accent. that he thanked his lord
ship but would as lief not.
And wherefore not, pray?" cried Hun
gerford. in a fury. Young rogues such
rs you are not wont to slight good meat"
TO say truth, my lord" replied the
lad, Il have no stomach for it when l think
Of how my friends are supping outside"
Hungerford made no answer, but con-
tinued to pace the floor. Suddenly he broke
silence again. Would sou take your life
on the terms I offered?''
NO. my lord" said the boy promptly.
Il follow Master Goring.'
Hungerford scowled dark upon him: then !
came swiftly down the hall. unsheathing !
his poniard. The boy set his lips for the |
stroke; but Hungerford cut the rope that |
bound his hands. and turned away again. |
Eat then be said, if you would not !
hang presently l am not one that takes |
No to his bidding Moreover. SO old a |
soldier as yourself should know that an /
Empty belly makes faint heart" Then. |
as the boy still hung back, he took him |
roughly by the shoulders.
Master Archer said he, you seem to
ne not in reality fool, and should know
hat / do not bid you to supper for the
pleasure of your company. But be assured /
If this. that IL you do not eat forthwith. /
'ou shall hang without more ado"
He thrust the boy TO the table, who with
much philosophy. fell to it and ate with
he hearty appetite Of youth Hungerford
watched him in silence for awhile, one
Presently he broke out abruptly You are
lot a Southerner by your speech, nor yet
West-countryman; nor yet, dare swear.
1orn to the pIow-tail. You eat we'll
moreover, for one under fear of death"
lie added with a dry chuckle. and 4 glance
t the empty plates II would know how
{ comes that you make war upon me, be-
ng but sixteen years of age, and COM
non archer. Speak swiftly, and speak
ruth"
The boy took another draught Of wine,
nd eyed Hungerford coolly.
MY lord" he said. Il am called Rich
-rd Cobbold My father was a gentleman
4 Suffolk He was my lord Essexs man;
wherefore. / suppose, the Earl OF Oxford. !
year since, burnt my fathers house and
langed him in his own park-as ii might
,e outside here. And /, being only lad
4 fifteen. and an Indifferent bowman. but
the Earl in the ear with my
.rrow. Truly, II was night at the time,
md a burning roof gives poor light for
hootiug Howbeit, | escaped under cover
# the darkness; and. Judging it not well
o be taken by my Iord Oxford's people,
made southwark and crossed the Thames.
There fell in with company OF the Earl
II Arundel's archers, and took service
With him: and in that service | remain,
lnless it shall please your lordship TO put
IN end to my serving altogether"
Hungerford was on his feet, and pacing
he hall again. Well" he said, Il
fer you your life and a change of service.
{ is the fashion Of this war" he added, /
Utterly.
Cobbold seemed to reflect a moment.
1T is doubtless a very good fashion, my
,rd." he answered, for rich mobiles and
reat leaders like yourself Your lives
lust be very precious to you. You live
and wear fine clothing and have