The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-05-08

CHAPTER NI-Contipued.

1t was hurley pOllcy 10 nuI1Or tHe
boy king with an appearance of indie
pendence, and often he had to seem to
give way in order to effect his purpose.
Richard on this occasion asserted his
own opinion.
stay one moment, good Burley,"
he said, somewhat petulantly; can in
quiry is all that he asks for. There is
no menace or treason in that"
"If that is ALL sire" answered Bur-
ley, eve may lay the matter before a
full cou1 Gil, who will doubtless grant
the poor commons their wish"
"If they do suffer wrong" said the
king, sit is our duty to hear their COM
plants. The good Sir Guiscard d'Angle
has often told me that clemency is a
kings highest virtue, if he acts with
the advice of his councillors.
"rrue, sire,' said Burley, with a
bow of profound respect. "Much good
may come from an inquiry, and it is,
besides, as your majesty says, the duty
of wise ruler. 4"
"And as an earnest Of our desire to
do Justice to all classes, might there not
be a commission to inquire into this
business at Sturmere?"
cit would be most proper, SIRE" said
the supple statesman.
"This knight, continued the king,
turning again to Ralph, "avers that his
vassals will yield him neither rent nor
service, so that he is unable to proceed
to our wars in France"
eff they cannot pay their dues,
sire" said Ralph, cit is because he
and his retainers have pillaged them SO
bare that they have nothing to pay"
at is lie!' shouted Sir Richard
Rainham.
"Hush," cried Burnley, sternly; eve
must have no loud wrangling in the
kings presence"
The kings eyes sparkled with excite
ment. He half rose from his seat. cry
ing:
''TIe gives the lie! Is he prepared
to maintain the quarrel with his body?"
The king glanced significantly at Ok
ford, and whispered that this had
fallen out to miracle.
SIR Richard Rainham looked aghast
for moment at this proposal. Things
had taken turn very different from
what he had expected. AS rule he
was not reluctant to fight, but he was
exasperated at the attention that had
been paid to his despised antagonist.
The king eagerly and peremptorily
repeated his question.
81 will fight" said Rainham at last,
in surly tone, "only with men of my
own rank and dignity"
''You will fight" said Burnley, with
whomsoever the king commands you to
fight"
"What is this knights origin?" de-
manded the king.
any knighthood, answered Rain
ham, "takes origin from the hand OF
your gracious father. He knighted me
on the field of NavaIetta."
81 will knight the clerk myself this
instant" cried the king, "rather than
this purpose should 60 amiss."
'But, SIRE" whispered Oxford, "does
the clerk know the use of arms?"
''Do you know the use OF ar ns?' de-
manded the king ''He cannot but be
expert he continued aside To Oxford
che captured the giant so cleverlv."
Clara, who was now in the gallery
waiting till the princess should be al
leisure to speak with her, was so over.
joyed at the turn things had taken, and
so confident of victory, that she invol.
UNFAIRLY answered the kings question
aloud.
The king clapped his hands, and be.
fore Ralph could answer, exclaimed
ale does. Then | fix the combat fol
tomorrow afternoon. If the knight
should refuse, his spurs will be hacked
from his heels by the common execu
TONER