The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-05-15
CHAPTER NII-Contipued.

Nevertheless, lie la fOie WAS rem
on his errand of inquiry, and in his
absence Burley advised the king not tc
proceed to extremities. Charles the
Fifth of France was now known to be
on his death bed. They were in daily
expectation of the news of his death
The struggle with France would tler
probably enter on a more acute phase,
and the English side would need The
services of every capable warrior. Bur-
lev's advice, given with all humility
and respect, was in effect that Rainham
should be pardoned on condition OF
his at once raising company of men
alarms and joining the Earl of Buck
ingham in Brittany. Ralph also might
be of service TO them in dealing with
the discontinued commons at home.
Richard did not like the advice, but
he stood in certain awe of the adj
wiser. and was easily led by gentle
treatment. The judicious counsellor
had talked him over before De la Pole
reioined them with the news that
Ralph's wound was not serious, the
spearhead having stuck between two
plates OF the thigh armor without pen
etrating deep into the flesh.
On hearing this intelligence the king
looked thoughtful and irresolute, as if
he wished to go back from his pacific
conclusion. Burley watched his face
with kindly, paternal smile. Mean
time the princess, who had been con-
versing earnestly with Clara, beckoned
to De la Pole to come to her.
"Why should not the combat 90 on
now?" whispered the king to Burley as
De la Pole FASTENED to obey the sum-
mons of the princess.
Burley met his hesitating eyes with
kindly gravity. cit would be more
like an execution now than combat, "
he said, slowly, "since the clerk is not
seriously wounded, and the knight S
face is undefended. To stop the COM
bat when one of them seemed to have
the worst of it, and resume it when it
became known that he had suffered lit
tie hurt, would appear like an undue
favoring OF one of the parties"
The king could not deny the justice
of this plain consideration, but still he
hesitated, and hankered after a renewal
of the fight. ~ wish | had allowed
them to 60 on" he muttered. cit was
on account of the unfairness of the
blow that interposed my baton"
His brow cleared as he said this, but
was clouded again when conscience re-
minded him that, after all, partially
for the young clerk and repugnance to
the brutal knight had influenced his
action.
He fretted and chafed for few in
stants longer. but message that De la
Pole brought back from the princess
ended his indecision. 1t was the
prayer of the princess, speaking for
herself and the other ladies', that the
con- bat should not proceed to the further
effusion of blood.
On hearing this the kings face again
frightened up, and he smiled to his
mother to signify that he assented to
her request.
proffer was then made to Sir Rich
ard Rainham. The knight did not OBJ
tain choice between resumption of
the combat and Sc vice in Brittany, but
between this and degradation from the
honor of knighthood. He looked black
when the conditions were named to
him, but did not hesitate long between
the alternatives.
Proclamation was then made to the
crowd that the combat was at an end
that Sir Richard Rainham had COM
mitted dastardly act, foi which he
deserved to forfeit his spurs, but that
the king was graciously pleased to par.
don him on condition that he proceeded
at once TO Brittany to reinforce the
kings armies thee.
The mob would have been much bet
ter pleased if the battle had been re.
sumed, but the removal of the tyran.
Gus knight for time from the neigh.
blrhood was some qualification, and
vixen Burley cried in loud voice
ICED save the king, for he is wise
and nerciful prince!" the mob shouted
heartily in re ,ponse. Before the roya
party lett the list, the king handsome.
ly feed strollirig troupe of jugglers
tumblers, and MINISTRIES which had fol.
lowed him to Castle Rockingham, ant
they were instructed to exhibit theil
ieats Tor the amusement of the people
as some amends for the loss OF more
exciting spectacle.
CHAPTER NH.