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

boy was not under arms, as you are, being
but child Of ten. Nevertheless my Lord
TiptOft. when he heard that he was my
:. son. stabbed him between the shoulders.
He learned that way in Italy. J. too have
been in Italy They have many ways there
of killing-swift and merciful, slow and
very cruel. Tiptoft was mercifui, and my
son was but little child. You, too. as the
= old man said. are child: but you bear
arms against me. I have slain many of the
White Rose since last year; but have not
yet slain a child. and the blood of my little
child cries to me for vengeance" He
swung round and faced the prisoner. Tell
me, what manner of mercy do you think it
fitting that l should show your"
Cobbold was silent awhile, as though
pondering an abstract question. Hunger
ford drummed on his breastplate, and
watched him under bent brows. Presently
the boy answered boldly, looking him
squarely between the eyes.
Your lordship speaks terrible thirgs,
but | do not think you mean me any i'll. y
Hungerford stopped drumming and lifted
his brows in Interrogation. The prisoner
pointed at the enameled roses on his cap
tors breast you are brave man, my
lord, they say. You keep faith with the
Red Rose in all weathers which is more
than many door with the White for that
matter. You would not pledge your word
and break it lightly 10 ensnare a few poor
bowmen; yet there be many both sides,
that are reputed gentlemen, that would
have done this thing as easily as l would
set a snare for rabbit It is a grievous
| thing to swing on a tree like vermin; but
many must do in these wars, like Master
Gor1ng yonder, and are not disgraced.
Therefore, il l must die, l do not greatly
fear that. l am no child, as your lord
ship may perceive. You speak of ven
geance for your son; but il was not l that
! slew him. And as for torture make no
doubt that you will leave that TO the Ital-
ians or my Lord Tiptoft. Moreover. my
lord. am assured that it lies not in your
/ nohleness to make sport of your prisoners;
and there is your word passed to Master
/ Goring Wherefore, l throw myself in
all faith upon your Iordships mercy"
The sun was sunk behind the hills, and
{ the back Of the hall began to be filed
with shadows; but the boys face shone
out of the gloom, animated for the mo-
ment, and TRANSPORTED by the earnestness
{ of his speech. Hungerford had thrown
himself into a seat in the orieI his back
/ to the window. so that his face was invisi-
BILE. He was like a brooding black shad-
ow, save for a glimmer on his steel shout
/ der-pieces, and the red stuff of his sleeves.
Suddenly he turned his head and glanced
! sidelong out of the window. presenting
You speak we'll he said, land to the
point.-~fou are something of the courtier,
| TOO, after all. For your age, you are not
without discretion. You left my lord Ok
ford's neighborhood with all speed: and
you throw yourself upon my mercy. since
that is the only way. But you forget that,
If am eager for news of the Earl of Arun-
del, l am yet eager that he shall have none
OF me. You forget. too that 1 am Hunger
ford the slayer-you heard Goring speak to
my repute-and there are those outside
who would take it amiss if failed of it,
do not forget" answered Cobbold
that your lordship is the master of those
knaves, and that you have passed your
word
so be it," said HungerfoFd; 81 give you
your life; but you must keep II Yourself.
Here" he cried, and drew him to the win
dow A dozen or so OF archers and billmen
ioungeu on the grass, gossiping and mend
ing their arms.
The boy glanced quickly at Hungerford.
/ thank your lordship" he said. gravely;
the odds are long indeed; but must have
weapon if am to die fighting" Hunger
ford stared straight before him through
the glass. Il said not that he answered
The lads face famed in the gathering
dusk. Il see. my lord he cried. angrly
Truly your mercy is great ITO be hack
in pieces like:
Hangerford's hand fell heavily upon his
shoulder. Master Cobbold" he said. you
have learned much in the war; learn We, a
little patience and not to rush upon the
event 1t Is well to keep smooth tongue
while you are in Z mans power. There is |
time enough TO speak i'll of me when YOU
are out on the green yonder No moret"
he cried. imperiously. as the boy was about |
10 speak Il am master here. and will suf-
Ter no puppy to yelp at me-"
with that he raped upon the table with !
the pommel Of his dagger, and one of the |
squires that had sat at meat with him en- |
tered from door in the paneling.
'Penruddocke,i he said which be the |
Two surest marksmen of our archers?"
The lieutenant considered a moment.
Hood, my lord, and Birdingfeld." he re- |
Piled
Hungerford nodded. Then let them |
string their bows he said. and see to it /
that their shafts are in order The game |
VIII presently be afoot, and should show
sport.
Penruddocke looked enquiringly at the |
boy. whose bearing was sullen and bewil-
dered, but showed no sign of fear Hun
gerfoff followed the glance
AN I forgot" he said. Let them
bring Master CobboId here his shafts and
DOW. Penruddocke bowed, and with as
tonished face went to do his masters bid
ding
Cobbold was breaking into confused uues-
tioning, but Hungerford roughly babe aim
De silent. Presently an archer entered |
bearing bow and some half dozen shafts
Are those your arms. Master CobboId?"
asked Hungerford.
The boy. who had recovered his natural
self possession, took them from the man,
and examined them carefully Eyes. my
lord" he answered.
Well" said Hungerford impatiently
why do you wait? The light fails fast.
Try them, and make sure that they have
not been tempered with; and then. ia Gods
name, let US make an end of the business &"
Cobbold, having strung the bow and
Ielt and eyed the shafts with care, signi-
He'd that they We're all in order
Then" said Eungerford "'let us to the
spot And without more ado, he led the
boy out of the hall and through the court
TO where some Of the men were gathered
in the gateway.
Let all be assembled We will make
sure of fair play And at the sound of
a horn. the remainder of his force came
in from the park whispering to
one another. and scowlfng at the young
archer in the cassock with the coIors of
Arundel
Hungerford called for Hood and Birding
field and the two bowmen stood forward.
Can We send shaft from here TO the
forest?" he asked.
They broke into confident smile. and
answered that they could.
1T is we'll. then" said Hungerford
Hear all Of you the manner of our sport.
promised the old fool that was this hoy's